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New Beginnings Process Continues
New Beginnings Discernment Reflection Events Begin
Jan. 4 - Conversations About Our Mission and Calling
The first Sunday in the new year, we will begin a series of three conversations out of which will come agreements concerning our congregational purpose and mission. By the end of March, we will have a written statement with guiding principles to be presented to the congregation through the Council for recommendation, and by April we should be ready to take action inspired by our shared agreements.
We've been preparing for these conversations this fall with our Kickoff event, and the Spiritual Discernment classes.
In December, we offered two Spiritual Discernment classes that are foundational pieces for the next three conversations. In them, we did two things. First, we learned about how to listen for God's will when we seek guidance about specific issues and decisions. This gives us an opportunity to practice as individuals the same process we will encounter as a group during the three discernment events held in January, February and March. Second, we took a Spiritual Gifts inventory, a tool to help us begin to think how we show up individually in church life and in service to others. We will be using this inventory in the event on January 4th.
Complete A Spiritual Gifts Inventory and Bring it to the Meeting
If you were able to participate in the Discernment Classes you completed a Spiritual Gifts Inventory. Please bring it to the January 4 event. If you did not attend the class, copies of the workshop handout that include the Spiritual Gifts inventory will be available during services, or you can link to a PDF HERE. Please complete an inventory and bring it to the event on January 4.
What Will We Be Doing on January 4?
The first of the three events is titled "Claiming Our Strengths." This event is designed to bring into focus the strengths and assets that are present in All Pilgrims right now that we want to take forward. We will discuss spiritual gifts that are present in the congregation of All Pilgrims. We will also "claim" those assets that we want to carry forward, that should be represented in the statement of purpose and our understanding of our mission. We will also discuss gaps in our congregational life - and notice what we want to strengthen going forward.
These conversations will pave the way for the conversation on February 1 titled "Seeking God's Will."
The three conversations in January, February and March build upon each other. If you are not able to attend the preceding event, please find out what was covered so that the conversation can continue. We hope to video tape each of the three events; and notes from the conversations will be made available via The Vine.
"Snow Day" Makeup of the Spiritual Discernment Class
Some of us were not able to attend the second scheduled Spiritual Discernment Class due to snow. We may offer a "Snow Day" makeup class subject to interest. We will not be able to schedule this prior to the January 4th event. We are making the handout from the class available through the church and this copy of the Vine. Please pick up a copy of it after the service or print it out from this PDF. If you are interested in taking the class, please email Eric Liljegren at: seattleviking@comcast.net. |
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The Gift of Journey
"Wake Up! It's time to go." Uugghh. Even the thought of those words. My mom or dad speaking from the dark of early morning about our departure time for travel. "It's almost 5:30, just get up and get in the car." It wasn't often, but it was often enough that for some vile reason such a tortuous way of beginning a trip was employed. Having to transition from deep sleep in a warm bed to a vertical posture, without blanket, and moving while still half asleep makes me want to lie down just thinking about it. "Too early." I'd say. "I'll get up in a minute." And, when I said "minute," of course, I meant "hour." I just wasn't ready to leave the comfort of where I was, even if the destination was someplace I wanted to be.
I wonder if Mary and Joseph felt this way as they were commanded to leave home and make their way to Bethlehem. Caesar said "Jump," and they'd better jump. Even if Mary was in her last days of pregnancy, get the donkey, load it up, and hit the road to register for the next tax season. Behind is greater predictability and comfort. Ahead..... who knows?
Journeying seems so simple. There is a "here." We know it pretty well. And, there is a "there." A destination. To get "there" we leave "here." Too simple? Perhaps. More often than not, people opt for staying "here," even if it is worse than what may be "there." At least we know "here." We've built habits and behaviors and expectancies around it. It has become comfortable. "I'm o.k. with change as long as I get to do all the same things." I know a man, a friend, who did five years in solitary confinement. Twenty-three and a half hours in a cell alone in Northern California. He wanted to get out, go home, back to normal. Gradually, the cell became his "normal." He didn't like it, but he adapted to it. The problem came when he got out. It wasn't what he was used to. It wasn't his "normal." He didn't recognize the landscape. Cell phones, the Burger King menu, gas pumps were all new to him. Freedom was new. It made him so uncomfortable traveling in this "new land" that he actually wanted to go back. Maybe not "wanted," felt urged to go back. Not for long. Just long enough to get himself together. Ease the stress. Be better prepared for change.
To move from what we know is part of heeding God's call. A call to "go" involves leaving. For Mary and Joseph, they traveled to a town not their own, were turned away from the local hotels, and found themselves sleeping in a 'barn.' Some trip. But, it was there that Jesus was born. There that kings and shepherds visited him. There that new life came to be. It was there that a new beginning began.
When I was startled to conscious awareness by my parents and called to go, a few things made it comforting. One, I had a picture of what our arrival would look and feel like. It was attractive, even if in my imagination. It gave great reason to go. Two, I knew that my parents had all I would need for the journey. I trusted that. I didn't need to worry about forgetting food, having gas, or packing enough clothes. I knew my parents would care for me. And, three, I was comforted knowing that we'd be together as we journeyed and arrived.
This is a good time to journey in our lives, individually and collectively at APCC. God will paint the picture of the destination in your collective heart; let it become more vivid and even attractive than the present. The vision! As you go, as with Mary and Joseph, their may be some surprises because tomorrow may not look like yesterday, but we trust God will provide and make way for arrival. And, in this gift-giving season, make sure to look around while together. Look at one another, for God has provided each of you for each of you, and all for all. In such a community as this, you are blessed to be traveling together that you may arrive together. Aaah, to wake up to the wonder of a journey, the glorious vision held in our imagination, and to go, from here to there, together. What a gift it is to journey together. For Mary and Joseph, Jesus will be born there. "Let's go."
Peace,
Greg | |
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2009 GENERAL ASSEMBLY WILL EXPLORE WHOLENESS FOR ALL
Disciples from all walks of life will gather in Indianapolis from Wednesday, July 29 to Sunday, August 2, 2009 for the church's biennial Assembly.
Attendees will come from across the United States and Canada - and in many cases from around the world - to worship, learn, fellowship and discuss the future of our Church.
The 2009 General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) will center its work around Revelation 22:2: ......"And the leaves of the trees shall be for the healing of the nations." In choosing this verse as the centerpiece and guiding scriptural reference, organizers seek to complement the Disciples' new identity statement (We are Disciples of Christ, a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world) with a theme of relevance, energy, conviction - and healing.
The theme and logo for the Assembly select several key words from the Revelation text, which is expressed simply as ....For the healing of the nations....The logo was designed by a Disciples layperson and depicts dozens of hands representing the many leaves of the tree. Organizers stress the hands are intentional, to represent hands raised in prayer, hands poised for work, and hands used for healing.
During the five-day event, Assembly participants are invited to examine what it means to strive to be whole and to bring healing - not only for ourselves but for all God's creation. The theme of healing will infuse the entire General Assembly, and will be explored through worship, learning track sessions, resource groups, and mission work. Well informed theologians, clergy, scholars and lay leaders will share their insights on the General Assembly theme and its implications for our work, our witness and our future. In addition, people of all ages will engage in discussions on the Church's future and what it means to be a mission-driven and priority focused church in the 21st Century.
The theme of the Assembly also underscores the Church's desire to create church-wide events that are "green" and ecologically responsible. The emphasis on "greening" the Assembly, means the event will serve as a model for the ways Disciples and other people of faith can create meetings and moments of worship that minimize negative impacts on the environment. Practices learned and shared at the '09 Assembly will assist congregations, regions and individuals in becoming better stewards of the Earth.
As always, the thousands of Disciples who will gather in Indianapolis for the Assembly will seek to affirm and declare the gospel with faith, energy, and commitment. Attendees will learn spiritual and practical skills that allow each of us to become part of the movement for wholeness in the world.
Hotel space will be in ample supply at the upcoming event. Attendees will be able to pick from a variety of quality, yet affordable downtown hotel properties, all within easy walking distance of the Indiana Convention Center.
The presence of children, youth and young adults will be well-integrated into all aspects of the '09 Assembly, with a host of activities and learning options for people of all ages.
To register and to learn more about the Assembly schedule, speakers, guidelines for greening, and the sights and sounds of Indianapolis visit www.disciples.org |
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Baby Gabriel Has Arrived!
A note from Glenn Nestlerode, Pastor Nina's husband......
Dear Friends and Family,
Baby Gabriel has arrived. He came into the world at 5:28 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 16th. He was born 20 and 1/4 inches long and weighed 7 pounds and 10 ounces. Nina is exhausted, but otherwise doing pretty well. Our baby boy is beautiful and seems to be quite healthy. Nina is the most attractive "mom" I know.
Love,
Glenn
Welcome Baby Gabriel! |
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Jason Kettler's Father Dies
We were saddened to learn from Jason that his father, Richard Kinder, passed away on November 30th in Wheeling, West Virginia, where Jason grew up. Following cremation, a memorial celebration was held. Mr. Kinder had attended All Pilgrims several times and was, as Jason tells us, a regular church-goer and student of the Bible. He lived 78 years. Jason's mother, Peggy, still lives in Wheeling.
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Have we ever been busy!
APCC has been a hub of great, productive, (and fun) activity. In addition to many meetings entailed in the New Beginnings process (our thanks to Co-chairs Kathleen Hosfeld and Eric Liljegren), our Hospitality Committee (chaired by Michael Small) has coordinated the following events during the past 3 months alone: a collection for Pastor Nina's baby shower, a potluck lunch for the baby shower, a Soup Social, Giving Tree gifts, collection for Poinsettias,started a new Men's Group along with a Men's Breakfast. Who knows what the next few months will bring?! |
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"Giving Tree" Elicits Generous Response
 You will recall APCC's Giving Tree offered three opportunities for us to support those in need during the Christmas season. Michael Small and the Hospitality Committee coordinated the effort and announce the following results:
The first project was pupils from low-income families in our neighborhood who attend Lowell Elementary School. Fifteen tags were hung on the tree with 15 names, with ages and hoped-for gifts. The result: 15 gifts were given! The second opportunity was to support with cash gifts, a project at the Church of Mary Magdalene to purchase new shoes or boots for their resident women before the onset of winter. Result? A total of $450 from our church members! Finally, 10 children at Mary Magdalene were also given toys. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this wonderful cause. It truly shows the spirit of giving and graciousness of the season. |
Hold the Dates:
UCC Conference Annual Meeting & Disciples General Assembly
On April 24-26 the Northwest Conference will hold its annual meeting in Spokane with the theme, "Behold I (we) Do a New Thing." The meeting will be held at the Red Lion Hotel, near downtown Spokane. Registration and more details later, of course.
Disciples of Christ do not have a Region meeting this year (one is held every second year). Instead in July, 2009, Disciples have scheduled the General Assembly in Indianapolis, Indiana. Details are in the third article above. |
Men's Retreat Scheduled
The UCC "Gathering of Men" will take place Friday evening through Sunday noon, Jan. 29 - Feb. 1 at Pilgrim Firs, the UCC conference center near Port Orchard. The theme for this year's retreat is "Seeking Spiritual Courage," with presentations by 3 Seattle-area clergymen involved in interfaith explorations. Ed Hausken, who has attended previous men's retreats at the Pilgrim Firs center affirms, "The grounds are beautiful, the food is good, and the rooms are clean and simple. There's no TV and cell phone coverage is blessedly spotty."
Rates are $155 tops or as low as $55 for one day. A discount is offered for registering before Jan. 1. APCC does have some scholarship monies available if this is prohibitive. Please talk with Justin Umbright for more information.
You can register here. Hard copy registration forms will be available at our Church Office. See Jeremy Matheis our Office Administrator. |
 Thanking the Staff with our Annual "Love Offering"
We are blessed with excellent staff members and each year we show our appreciation for their work and dedication to everyone at All Pilgrims. Pastor Nina (currently on maternity leave), Ryan Dye, our Minister of Music, Jeremy Matheis, our Office Manager, Christina Forbes, our Childcare Professional and CJ Adamo, our Caretaker go far beyond expectations to nourish and care for the church and everyone connected to it. If you wish to contribute to this fund, please put your donation (cash or check) in an envelope and mail it to the Church Office or it can be placed in the offering during one of the next two Sundays. The deadline has been extended to January 11 because of the cancelled services. | |
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