The Call
Dear Members of the Parish,
The past Sunday the readings from Isaiah and Luke were about call -- the call of Isaiah to be a prophet and the call of Simon, James and John to leave their nets and become "fishers of people." Today's meditation from d365.org talks a great deal about call:
"Calling. A lot of people are thinking, talking, and writing about this topic these days. It's all about a person's interest and abilities, and how these can be used in the world. For people of faith, the issue of calling is wrapped up in how God has gifted us and then beckons us to the work God has for each one. Listen now for what God will say to you about your gifts and opportunities."
As we look toward our future with new lay leadership on board, we all need to be listening for what God will say about our gifts and all the opportunities that lie ahead of us as individuals and as a parish. How will we best use our gifts as a community of faith? Where is the Spirit leading us as far as our mission: to spread the good news of God in Christ; to seek and serve Christ is all people; to respect the dignity of every human being? What needs are out there in Newton and all its surrounding communities? How will we best use our financial resources and our buildings to further God's mission?
These are big questions. We need time for prayer and discernment to ask the Holy Spirit to guide us as we move into the future. We need listening hearts and minds as we talk with one another and find out what is near and dear to us, what is important to us and what sacrifices will we be asked to make?
It is an exciting time in our parish, too. Just look and around on Sunday mornings! A colleague came by after church for a meeting and she said, "Wow, this place is hopping!" Yes, it was -- good energy coming from our children and youth in Sunday school and good energy coming out of the sanctuary after our worship together. We need to harness all that good energy to do the work God has given us to do.
The Vestry will have its annual retreat on February 20th and we will be building our community of leaders as well as focusing on a couple of goals for the coming year. I ask you to hold us in prayer as we move into this important, holy work. The Vestry will be depending on all of you to be partners as we examine all of the challenges that face us with our buildings and our endowment.
Make a commitment to stay informed by reading the Bulletin and coming to Church on a regular basis. Everyone knows that it is difficult to play in a game if you're on the sidelines or you don't show up. So make it a part of your discipline to show up -- for Grace Discussion Group and Church. The benefits to your soul and to the whole community cannot be measured, and your presence will make all the difference.
Faithfully yours,
Miriam
The past Sunday the readings from Isaiah and Luke were about call -- the call of Isaiah to be a prophet and the call of Simon, James and John to leave their nets and become "fishers of people." Today's meditation from d365.org talks a great deal about call:
"Calling. A lot of people are thinking, talking, and writing about this topic these days. It's all about a person's interest and abilities, and how these can be used in the world. For people of faith, the issue of calling is wrapped up in how God has gifted us and then beckons us to the work God has for each one. Listen now for what God will say to you about your gifts and opportunities."
As we look toward our future with new lay leadership on board, we all need to be listening for what God will say about our gifts and all the opportunities that lie ahead of us as individuals and as a parish. How will we best use our gifts as a community of faith? Where is the Spirit leading us as far as our mission: to spread the good news of God in Christ; to seek and serve Christ is all people; to respect the dignity of every human being? What needs are out there in Newton and all its surrounding communities? How will we best use our financial resources and our buildings to further God's mission?
These are big questions. We need time for prayer and discernment to ask the Holy Spirit to guide us as we move into the future. We need listening hearts and minds as we talk with one another and find out what is near and dear to us, what is important to us and what sacrifices will we be asked to make?
It is an exciting time in our parish, too. Just look and around on Sunday mornings! A colleague came by after church for a meeting and she said, "Wow, this place is hopping!" Yes, it was -- good energy coming from our children and youth in Sunday school and good energy coming out of the sanctuary after our worship together. We need to harness all that good energy to do the work God has given us to do.
The Vestry will have its annual retreat on February 20th and we will be building our community of leaders as well as focusing on a couple of goals for the coming year. I ask you to hold us in prayer as we move into this important, holy work. The Vestry will be depending on all of you to be partners as we examine all of the challenges that face us with our buildings and our endowment.
Make a commitment to stay informed by reading the Bulletin and coming to Church on a regular basis. Everyone knows that it is difficult to play in a game if you're on the sidelines or you don't show up. So make it a part of your discipline to show up -- for Grace Discussion Group and Church. The benefits to your soul and to the whole community cannot be measured, and your presence will make all the difference.
Faithfully yours,
Miriam
posted by Miriam | 8:20 AM
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