Pinga
Feeling really blessed
Posted on: 02/09/2010 23:25
I'm feeling really super lucky tonight...some would say blessed.
Our congregation is rebuilding...from a time of deep dark interim.. it was needed..but wow, it got us into a place.
Anyhow, just had a CD meeting tonight.. CD = Christian development, which covers church school, vacation bible school, adult programming, youth groups, and resource materials
We have gone to a model of you come with your gifts, and what we can do is what the committee is capable of. You don't have to be on the committee to do something. You don't have to attend all meetings. When it is time to say , heh i can't do that..you just raise your hand (or sometimes, we will ask you, if you are struggling saying you need a break).
That can lead us to a place where we wonder..will there be enough..
Well, we entered our ...rubber hits the road of Lenten planning. The first thing that happened was the Week of Guided Prayer had to be cancelled as two of the three leaders couldn't do it....then....there was some questions about programming etc. and then i realized i didn't have teachers lined up...
Well....since that initial rocky start we have
a) a program where 8 people have signed up for Joyce Rupp's Cup of Our Life for a Thursday evening, supper time program
b) an after church on Sunday program with the United Church resource "There are no ATM's in the wilderness"
c) an offer for a different creative program from a recently retired minister on Monday evenings...which is more around middle eastern basis
d) a distribution mechanism for a lenten reading program for our seniors
e) a shrove tuesday pancake dinner
f) a new teacher came forward offering to teach, and a 2nd teacher who had just tried it, expressed how much she loved it, and it was a way for her to explore her own faith.
g) and....the list goes on...including an offer of a book club to meet once / month on a saturday morning
so.....wow, eh?
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Pinga
Posted on: 02/09/2010 23:26
what unexpected blessings have hit your church this last while
have you had to switch anything up?
what are you planning for lent?
crazyheart
Posted on: 02/10/2010 09:54
Pinga. let me say "WOW". I celebrate with your church.
Northwind
Posted on: 02/10/2010 17:19
Wow. That is awesome Pinga.
We have had a little of the reverse feeling. Never-the-less, hard times contain opportunities for growth and decline. We are planning on growth. We have a meeting of the society that is the bridge between the two congregations in our building tomorrow. We are anticipating some problems. I suspect this is where things will come out in the open. It might even include some conflict/yelling. In the end though, we will know where we stand. Hopefully it will reveal the craziness of the one person who is stirring up problems. If that happens, he will have less power. Sadly, I do not think it will get him suitable help. (whatever that might be)
seeler
Posted on: 02/10/2010 17:28
I'm feeling blessed because our search committee has submitted its recommendations and last Sunday we issued a call to a new minister. She will start in July, and replace the minister who retired last year.
Oh no, not replace him - he can't be replaced. She will offer her own ministry. Her credentials look so good that I can hardly wait to meet her.
redbaron338
Posted on: 02/10/2010 17:39
Seeler, the term is 'succeed', not 'replace'. You're right, none of us can be 'replaced'.
I'm feeling blessed, because M&P met last night, and after nearly 6 months the room was still filled with warm fuzzies!
Pinga
Posted on: 02/10/2010 18:37
Seeler & RedBaron -- awesome stuff re call & response....glad there are so many warm fuzzies, and Seeler what a great attitude to have re the new minister --they will have their own skills and call..and that is fabulous.
Northwind....I too like your approach. There is opportunity in facing it. It reminds me of our s-d thread. It is ok to face stuff..even if it is uncomfortable, as long as you drive through..not get mired in it. Hoping that you continue to see blessings in this journey.
CH, the wow is because...things are just happening...people have offered....people are being asked & saying yes...individuals are saying..yes..it is important to attend a spiritual renewal type program....it's just a bunch of small stuff..that says..heh..this is good. (oh, and the woman doing VBS confirmed that yes, she is doing it...and is ready to kick it up..yes!)
SG
Posted on: 02/10/2010 18:50
I am feeling blessed. Not at liberty to divulge much, but let me say that though the language is lacking at times and my frustrations get high... I do love my congregation. I know that at times I look like a sd, but in person it so does not play out that way. That whole pinch-crunch cycle means conflict (because I am not an avoider). It also means resolution and opportunities and hope... Yeah, really blessed right now.
Pinga
Posted on: 02/10/2010 18:56
SG -- i would never call you a SD, at least not in a negative way. There are times the pot needs stirring, that's a good thing. Glad you are feeling blessed....way happy.
SG
Posted on: 02/12/2010 06:46
Pinga, I am a SD. I just don't think I am a negative SD, but I am a major SD.
If it is there, what ya gonna do, let it stay there? You gotta disturb it in order to clean it up. Ignoring it means it stinks up the joint and you can't stand it or others can't and people won't visit... the eventual clean up requires chipping it up or relaying a whole new floor.... Spraying air freshener just gives you shitty smelling flowers or fresh soiled linen or a meadow full of flowers and cow manure.... you gotta disturb it and clean it up, hopefully while it is still fresh. I also know that in this medium it can seem I disturb it in order to play in it. Walking in anyplace, without knowledge or having known people who play as SD, one could think anyone cleaning it up is playing in it. LOL