In May we celebrated the feasts of Pentecost and Holy Trinity. We explored the ways the Spirit is unleashed, inspiring us to use our gifts, passions and vulnerabilities to join God in God’s work. We receive the invitation to commune deeply with God in all that we do so that together we can do better than we could ever imagine.
“When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing”John 15:4-5, the Message
And indeed, we are already starting to see the first fruits of that harvest and taste and see just how good God is. More laborers are being drawn to labor in the vineyard, bringing their gifts, passions, and vulnerabilities. People struggling with grief and loss are pitching in to a vision bigger than themselves and finding their own healing. People are bringing the pain of their neurodiverse loved one’s suffering and their own struggle to advocate for them and are finding their pain and frustration turned to joy as they participate in more life-giving paths to thriving for neurodivergent kids. Saints are being blessed with unexpected financial surprises and joyfully sharing them with this vision of Enabling Community. Saints are inviting friends and neighbors to the Enabling Community dinners and/or to get involved and are surprised and inspired by the Spirit moving in their friends as they volunteer to get more involved.
Indeed, we are learning to be the body of Christ together in and for the sake of the world. We are so thankful for each of the laborers who have joined in the work and the blessing. If you have not yet answered the call, spend some time talking with God and tuning into the Spirit moving in your life. What is God calling you to do? What is the Spirit equipping and inspiring you to do?
There are lots of ways to get involved, and ultimately the Spirit will guide you on the specifics but here are some ideas to get you thinking:
1) Invite at least 3 friends, neighbors or co-workers to the next Enabling Community dinner on June 19th
2) Consider donating at least $20 a week or $100 a month to the Enabling Community initiative to get us closer to our $500,000 goal; if you have the capacity, consider making a lead gift of $5,000-$10,000 in 2024
3) Invite 3 friends, neighbors, or coworkers to donate at least $20 a week or $100 a month to the Enabling Community initiative to get us closer to our $500,000 goal; or if you have contacts who have the capacity and would be inspired by our Enabling Community initiative, send their names and contact info to the fundraising team.
4) Brainstorm businesses that might get excited about getting involved in the Enabling Community Initiative that could be asked to donate $$$ or raffle/silent auction items for upcoming dinners. Share your ideas with the fundraising team.
5) Help out with the Building Modifications Team, Fundraising Team or Enabling Community Dinner team (cooking, set-up, greeting people/check-in, offering tours, clean up)
6) Join us on June 16th during worship for our semi-annual congregation meeting to learn more.
Building Modifications Team: contact Glen Lafond, 386-690-0266
Fundraising Team: contact George Carrington, 567-371-1043
Enabling Community Dinner Team: contact Kathy Dzuris, 843-222-5346
In the radical and surprising power and love of the Triune God,
Pastor Kari