Archives,
Cover,
2,
3,
4,
5,
6,
7,
8, 9,
10, 11,
12
| |
page 2
|
|
FROM MY HEART TO YOURS….
Don Olsen brought a devotional to our weekly staff meeting
recently. A quote from it was:
Gracious religion never shuns. It offers as much time and space
as necessary. It refuses to be shocked by our doubts and
questions
or scandalized by our resistance. (If God is Love, Gulley and
Mulholland
Harper Collins, 2004)
Don then related a story of how a Church over three years, loved
a person who was estranged from God, into an emerging faith that
he was able to claim for himself. He ended the devotional time
by saying that God stays close to our heels even when we run
away, like a little cat, anticipating the day we’ll open the
door.
I was struck by this passage. I sincerely pray that more and
more of our Churches practice this kind of humble religion. In
an age when people are looking for prescriptive religion, as if
it were a drug, I would urge us to be more descriptive, as
Christ was in his teachings, inviting people into a circle of
care where God’s grace is practiced with intention. In such a
gracious setting, men and women’s lives give tremendous weight
to their words, thoughts, and actions. And when strangers
experience this kind of religious life – wow! What an invitation
to explore further the graciousness and loving kindness of God. |
|
Grace and Peace,
Dr. Thomas M. Richard, Executive Secretary
|
EXECUTIVES’ VISITS
Church of the Chimes, Sherman Oaks, CA; FCC, Anaheim, CA;
Messiah, Los Angeles, CA; Church in the Gardens, Forest Hills,
NY; Flatbush-Tompkins, Brooklyn, NY; Plymouth, Plainfield, IL;
Somerset CC, Somerset, MI; New Faith, Orange County, CA; FCC,
Vermontville, MI; Olivet, Olivet, MI; Oneonta, South Pasadena,
CA; Lake Country, Hartland, WI; Central, Galesburg, IL; Univ. of
Dubuque Theological Sem., Dubuque, IA.
(The Executive staff and leadership of the NA
are committed to visiting our Churches more than ever before. If
you have a special event at which you would like to have NA
representation, please let us know as early as possible.)
|
|
CONNECTING WITH THE
WIDER FELLOWSHIP
Does your worship bulletin include information that your church
is a member of the NACCC? That you are a member of a State
Association? That you have a representative from your Church
that serves in a leadership position in either of those
associations? These are simple and yet recognizable ways for you
to connect your congregation with the wider fellowship. The NA
office has Association logos available upon request.
Ruth Mahnke, NACCC
Church Development & Missions
(800) 262-1620 Ext: 17
rmahnke@naccc.org
|
|
FALL SILENT RETREAT
The Annual Silent Retreat of the Congregational Society of
Classical Retreat Guides has been set for October 24-26 at the
Calvary Center in Shrewsbury MA. This year’s retreat guide is
Rev. Dr. Donald Mullen from Terre Haute, IN. If you are seeking
to begin, improve, or jump start a more contemplative life of
prayer, this is a wonderful avenue through which to do so. For
more information contact Society President Rev. Martha Swanson
(617-773-8706) or Chaplain-Director Rev. Karl Schimpf
(414-352-6123)
|
| |
Archives,
Cover,
2,
3,
4,
5,
6,
7,
8, 9,
10, 11,
12
|
