Widening the Circle
Our annual congregational meeting took place today. As Christians we met together to see how we are doing as a church and where we are going in the future. We discussed some difficult things- in love. God’s Spirit was in our midst enabling us to ask questions, thank one another, and acknowledge that we have work to do. Each one us is important in the body of Christ.
We have a new church council. We give thanks for those who offer of their time and talent to lead us. They include:
Jill Barry- President
Jeff Stormoen- Treasurer
Donna Macomber- Secretary
Jim Spencer- Property
Amy Oster- Christian education
Our goal this year is to work together to widen the circle of Ascension. Who do you know that needs the love and care in Christ that Ascension offers? Invite them to our Mardi Gras celebration on Friday, Feb. 16th.
We will be using the spiritual gifts surveys you took to develop new “witness teams.” Please sign up soon to talk with me and George Denzinger about which table you would like to join on Sunday, Feb.25. After worship we will gather for a soup and sandwich meal and let God’s Spirit enliven our conversations around:
Worship and Witness
Hospitality and Witness
Property and Witness
Children and Youth and Witness
Media and Witness
Each group will be given some questions to help generate ideas to use our gifts to witness to Christ’s love and invite new people to come and experience it.
We have committed to begin with prayer. I ask each one of you to use the following prayer so that God might focus our hearts and minds to work in unity make disciples, Widening the Circle at Ascension.
Dear Lord, you have spoken to us in word and deed through the ministry of Ascension. We know you have work for us to do. Show us who it is that we need to share our love and ministry with in our wider community. Give us courage and grace to do so, trusting that it is you who act and speak; we are only your instruments. Help us to use the best of our particular gifts to widen the circle of your love. We ask you to bless this work in the tender name of Jesus. Amen.
in Christ,
Pastor Marcy |
