Dear Friends and Members of Resurrection,
Our fall schedule is underway and a lot of exciting things are happening. Many of them have to do with faith formation and community. On Wednesday evenings, several of our youth and those from our partner congregation, Reformation, meet together at 6:30 p.m. to learn about some of the basics of the Christian faith. We are currently working on the 10 Commandments and will move on to the Lord’s Prayer, the Creeds and the Sacraments. We are not just studying these topics as historical teachings, but as means of guidance and faith formation in our own lives. Any who would like to join in on this study are warmly invited!
Also, on most Sunday mornings after worship, the whole congregation—all ages—are invited to stay for a brief time of focused conversation around a topic that is connected with that morning’s worship service. The hope is that we will continue to learn together as we converse. A “home assignment” will be given each week to encourage continued learning and prayer at home. Please join us in this “Caring Conversation Café” in the Fellowship Hall. The coffee and hot chocolate will be served there, as well as the occasional “sweet treat!”
This idea of viewing our homes as a source for faith formation leads me to another idea. I would like to see us begin SPA groups this winter: small groups that would meet in each other’s homes to Study, Pray, Act. Some of you have had the experience of being a part of a small group before: this can be such a gift as a place of trust, prayer and mutual encouragement. I would also like to see these groups become springboards for involving others outside of the church in concrete actions for the good of our larger community. This will be a topic I will address with you in upcoming Sunday morning “Caring Conversation Cafés.”
But first, we have a major event in our congregation’s life coming up on October 23rd: Harvest Sunday. This is the Sunday when we prayerfully give a financial gift to be used in the ministry of our partner people of God committed and connected to those whose outward conditions are different from ours, yet whose inward selves are the same. We are all beloved children of God with something to share; we are each less than God intends us to be when we do not receive from, as well as give to, one another. And so, I invite all of you to be present at worship on October 23rd. Bring your gift to the altar: offer yourself for God’s service and expect to find new opportunities before you in the upcoming year. None of us are “completed creations” until the day our bodies die; until then, God is continually creating us into someone more beautiful than we can imagine. Following worship on October 23rd, plan to stay for awhile and enjoy each other’s company as we share a meal, enjoy(?) our men’s home-baked desserts and have some fun together at HarvestFaire.
It is a blessing to be a part of this congregation: this particular expression of the living body of Christ. Thank you for all that you do and all that you are.
Peace and Joy, Pastor Mary
Our fall schedule is underway and a lot of exciting things are happening. Many of them have to do with faith formation and community. On Wednesday evenings, several of our youth and those from our partner congregation, Reformation, meet together at 6:30 p.m. to learn about some of the basics of the Christian faith. We are currently working on the 10 Commandments and will move on to the Lord’s Prayer, the Creeds and the Sacraments. We are not just studying these topics as historical teachings, but as means of guidance and faith formation in our own lives. Any who would like to join in on this study are warmly invited!
Also, on most Sunday mornings after worship, the whole congregation—all ages—are invited to stay for a brief time of focused conversation around a topic that is connected with that morning’s worship service. The hope is that we will continue to learn together as we converse. A “home assignment” will be given each week to encourage continued learning and prayer at home. Please join us in this “Caring Conversation Café” in the Fellowship Hall. The coffee and hot chocolate will be served there, as well as the occasional “sweet treat!”
This idea of viewing our homes as a source for faith formation leads me to another idea. I would like to see us begin SPA groups this winter: small groups that would meet in each other’s homes to Study, Pray, Act. Some of you have had the experience of being a part of a small group before: this can be such a gift as a place of trust, prayer and mutual encouragement. I would also like to see these groups become springboards for involving others outside of the church in concrete actions for the good of our larger community. This will be a topic I will address with you in upcoming Sunday morning “Caring Conversation Cafés.”
But first, we have a major event in our congregation’s life coming up on October 23rd: Harvest Sunday. This is the Sunday when we prayerfully give a financial gift to be used in the ministry of our partner people of God committed and connected to those whose outward conditions are different from ours, yet whose inward selves are the same. We are all beloved children of God with something to share; we are each less than God intends us to be when we do not receive from, as well as give to, one another. And so, I invite all of you to be present at worship on October 23rd. Bring your gift to the altar: offer yourself for God’s service and expect to find new opportunities before you in the upcoming year. None of us are “completed creations” until the day our bodies die; until then, God is continually creating us into someone more beautiful than we can imagine. Following worship on October 23rd, plan to stay for awhile and enjoy each other’s company as we share a meal, enjoy(?) our men’s home-baked desserts and have some fun together at HarvestFaire.
It is a blessing to be a part of this congregation: this particular expression of the living body of Christ. Thank you for all that you do and all that you are.
Peace and Joy, Pastor Mary
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