From the Pastor's Pen
Proposed Pilgrim UCC Open and Affirming Statement
"As a faith community created in God's image, we are called to love our neighbors as Jesus loves us. We seek to unite persons of all ages, family makeup, races, ethnicities, sexual orientation, mental and physical abilities, economic status, and theological backgrounds. Everyone is welcome into all aspects of church life as we celebrate the image of God in every person."
Adopted by Council May 27, 2014
At its May 27th meeting our Church Council adopted the above statement as Pilgrim UCC's Proposed Open and Affirming Statement. As a way of better explaining what being an Open and Affirming Church might look and sound like, the Council presents this proposed statement in the sincere hope that each individual will take it upon himself/herself to be better informed about this important step in the life of Pilgrim Church. It is concise and all-inclusive.
It is, for now, the starting point for discussion, prayer, and discernment. It is not official until all members have had the chance to read and re-read it and then vote at a yet to be determined Congregational Meeting. In the meantime, read it, grasp it, break it down, take it to heart.
Your questions may be directed to me or any council member.
Friday, May 30, 2014
Friday, May 2, 2014
May 2014 Newsletter
From the Pastor's Pen
"Three Vignettes"
#1
There once was a young minister who had assembled quite a following among his constituents. On a particular day he had been preaching on a hillside for some time when it was brought to his attention that the people were famished; they needed to eat. Calling his associate ministers together, he inquired as to what plans had been made to feed them. Not only had no plans been made to feed the throng, there was nothing for the staff.
The minister asked the staff to pull together what they could from those assembled. Two fish and five loaves of bread was all they could muster. The minister said, "Great work, guys. Let's do this." To his surprise they responded that the allotted amount would not even feed them. Ignoring their lack of foresight, he blessed the food and proceeded to distribute it.
To the staff's great surprise, everyone was fed and there were so many leftovers every staff member had enough to share with still more hungry people.
#2
A certain shoe company sent two sales representatives to the jungles of Africa many years ago to set up territories for the distribution of shoes. Within hours of arrival, the first representative sent word back to the home office which read: "STOP. Send no shoes. The people here don't even wear shoes!" The following day, after much thought and prayer, the second representative sent this hopeful missive: "Attention: Manufacturing Department. Send all available shoes. No one here has shoes to wear! The territory is wide open!" The shoe company's sales skyrocketed.
#3
Following the economic downturn of 2008, a certain west side church found itself needing to operate on a greatly reduced amount of revenue. There was much chatter by church leadership as to what to do about the impending doom. The church would surely not be able to continue its ministry. If there was not enough money, they could not continue. What would they do? How long could they last?
Then one day the church came across two stories, one about a minister needing to feed his congregation and one about a shoe company. After much, much prayer the church vowed to see their situation as on opportunity to look at life through the eyes of abundance and not scarcity. They focused on opportunities for additional ministry right in the midst of economic despair. What do you suppose happened to the west side congregation?
"Three Vignettes"
#1
There once was a young minister who had assembled quite a following among his constituents. On a particular day he had been preaching on a hillside for some time when it was brought to his attention that the people were famished; they needed to eat. Calling his associate ministers together, he inquired as to what plans had been made to feed them. Not only had no plans been made to feed the throng, there was nothing for the staff.
The minister asked the staff to pull together what they could from those assembled. Two fish and five loaves of bread was all they could muster. The minister said, "Great work, guys. Let's do this." To his surprise they responded that the allotted amount would not even feed them. Ignoring their lack of foresight, he blessed the food and proceeded to distribute it.
To the staff's great surprise, everyone was fed and there were so many leftovers every staff member had enough to share with still more hungry people.
#2
A certain shoe company sent two sales representatives to the jungles of Africa many years ago to set up territories for the distribution of shoes. Within hours of arrival, the first representative sent word back to the home office which read: "STOP. Send no shoes. The people here don't even wear shoes!" The following day, after much thought and prayer, the second representative sent this hopeful missive: "Attention: Manufacturing Department. Send all available shoes. No one here has shoes to wear! The territory is wide open!" The shoe company's sales skyrocketed.
#3
Following the economic downturn of 2008, a certain west side church found itself needing to operate on a greatly reduced amount of revenue. There was much chatter by church leadership as to what to do about the impending doom. The church would surely not be able to continue its ministry. If there was not enough money, they could not continue. What would they do? How long could they last?
Then one day the church came across two stories, one about a minister needing to feed his congregation and one about a shoe company. After much, much prayer the church vowed to see their situation as on opportunity to look at life through the eyes of abundance and not scarcity. They focused on opportunities for additional ministry right in the midst of economic despair. What do you suppose happened to the west side congregation?
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