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Happy Friday!
Yesterday was a day of meetings for me. Normally I HATE meetings . . . but these were different! The day started as I met with Tom Sampley, a gentleman from Ginghamsburg UMC (2nd largest UMC in America) and he also leads a missional organization that plants churches across Europe.
It seems the new "buzz words" in religion and churches are "missional churches." Books are being written about "how" to do this everyday and we were pondering this revolution and how it changes things!
Tom sees West as a "missional" church . . . . he's been following West and the unique ways you all commit to "being" the church all year and we meet periodically to ponder and vision for the future of the church.
We were talking about Bash!
And as I was reflecting to him it occurred to me that I needed to thank you once more in print . . .
Do you realize that as a faith community you all had 100% participation in Bash?
Not only did we have 200+ people from West serving at the Bash on that day . .. . but it is because of your generous offerings that you put in those black boxes in the back of the auditorium that makes Bash and other missions and ministries happen.
We know that it isn't about "money" but it does take money to make the ministry happen.
Your faithfulness in your giving (those black bins in back of auditorium) has enabled us to do things like the BASH in force that was never imagined and make WIRED an amazing experience for the kids each week!
It also has enabled us to have STAFF!!!!! YIPEE!!!!!!!!!!!! That alone brings me renewed passion and excitement for the new year!
So - I just wanted to say THANK YOU! Thank you for being a missional church and it being your DNA and thank you for backing it with your faithfulness in giving! It makes a difference!!!!!
Next week will begin the journey for West's first ministry staff team member.
Read more about Lee below! He has already attended worship team rehearsal, a couple of meetings, and I am convinced the team made a GREAT decision in hiring Lee! His vision, dedication, and commitment to "being" the church is going to help West continue to change lives and change the world.
Also - as we seek to change lives - we are beginning a "College Student Care Ministry" and are including service men and women . . . if you have names of any that are a part of your family - please reply to this email and give me their names, addresses, etc.
After we get their names, we are going to ask them to identify a friend or two they are with that could use a "nudge" that a faith community in Lake Norman, NC cares about them and we will love not just the "West" folks but others beyond our walls as well!
Thank you for being who you are and I look forward to seeing you on Sunday! Please be in prayer for those impacted by the hurricanes this weekend and we will be seeking ways we can provide relief through UMCOR as Irene progresses.
Grace and Peace,
Andrea | 
