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 Dear Leaders,
On a recent visit to churches in the Minneapolis area, one of our ministers shared this:
"I generally don't attend national meetings of any kind unless I am fairly sure I'm going to
get something from it, or unless I've been asked to give something to it." We assume he is
also speaking for his busy congregation.
There are not many who would disagree with that statement. We hear it more and more
from people in local Churches who have monthly meetings of boards and committees and often ask, "Why?" or "Is
it necessary?" This same sentiment is causing churches to change their administrative structure from "standing
boards and committees" to "ministry teams," or "project teams."
We've also heard the same sentiment about meetings within the NA, and are doing something about it. We're
not de-emphasizing fellowship, but we are aware of the fact that these days fellowship alone will not encourage
attendance, nor cause churches to spend considerable amounts of money to send people to them. In fact, fellowship
is that graceful by-product which we enjoy as a
result of meaningful, useful, intimate connections and a sense that
we have something to share with each other that can bless our congregation back home.
Grace and Peace
EXECUTIVE TRAVEL
Mayflower Minister's Association, Plymouth, MA.,
Colonial Church, Edina, MN; Wataga Congl, Wataga, IL; FCC,
Wauwatosa, WI; Plymouth Church of the Pilgrims, Brooklyn, NY;
Congl Church of Sun City, AZ; Goodyear, Phoenix, AZ; Congl Church
of the Valley, Chandler, AZ; Cook College and Theological School,
Tempe, AZ; Indian Trails Mission, Mesa, AZ; Comm Church of Warren,
Bisbee, AZ; Comm Baptist, Milwaukee, WI; Meadowbrook, Novi, MI;
Merrill Congl, Merrill, MI
THANKS FROM:
Hilary Van Utt, Deacon,
Caledonia Cong'l Ch.: "It was a low Christmas for me, but I wanted to
thank the Commission for a gift I wasn't expecting. `In Grace
Arrayed, Christ Comes,' even wrapped up within an Advent Devotional."
David Rowe, Greenfield Mill CC, Fairfield, CT:
"The devotional booklet for 2003 was
excellent…thank you."
Sue Carter, chairperson, Executive Committee:
"Thank you to all those individuals and
Churches who contributed in response to the Christmas letter. This special
donation is truly a blessing to our work."
One of our retired clergy:
"It's good to know every year that this
addition to one's income will come in good time, and all praise must
be given to those in the past who set up this fund that does so much
good. Thank you again."
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