Peacemakers,
After a red and Spirit-filled Pentecost Sunday, we also had a Spirited and meaningful Presbytery meeting yesterday in North Port. Our own Kim Adams was joyfully received as an Inquirer for Ministry. This is the first step, the second being Candidacy, and the third Ordination. Kim will begin seminary at McCormick in Chicago this fall. We will miss Kim, Jason, Emma, and Andrew very much, but we commit to support them financially and prayerfully as Kim studies for the ministry.
This Sunday is Trinity Sunday, the day we celebrate the mystery of God’s triune being. Richard will be preaching on portions of John 14 and 1 John 4. I am spending some time this week, preparing for service as commissioner to General Assembly, the national meeting of Presbyterians (USA) which happens every two years. You may learn more about what the denomination is discussing by going to www.pcusa.org and clicking on the General Assembly link.
If you have not experienced one of the Nooma classes with the senior highs and adults (Pneuma is Spirit in Greek), I think you are missing some provocative videos and discussions. Nooma and The Wired Word will continue into the summer, but after this week’s lively learning on the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, all the kids of Peace will be involved (in one way or another) in preparations for the summer musical, Scenes from Godspell. Experiences like this in childhood last a lifetime.
At Presbytery we heard the PC(USA) national coordinator for church growth, who reminded us that church growth depends primarily on two things:
1. Prayer and an openness to the new things the Spirit may be calling us to do
2. Congregation members building relationships with people beyond the church family.
Consider a dinner group or dessert night with a few neighbors or work colleagues this summer. Invite a couple of Peace friends to come along.
The epistle lesson for this week has been meaningful to me through the years. Here’s a nugget for you: “…suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit…” (Romans 5:1-5) Meditate on this.
Peace to you,
Elizabeth
