This note is about how God has been moving in our Network. It doesn’t include all of the things that are happening, but hopefully it is a good compilation. Read it like a newspaper.
What’s been happening in the Network? June 25, 2014
We worshiped God and made new friends at our PMs
At Broad & Washington -- Raleigh and Kathryn led an inventive time for meditation and worship, including a lament based on trying to make an appointment while someone is walking around distracted on their phone. A memorable moment was being a “poor wayfaring stranger” in relation to David’s and Absalom’s tragic relationship. Listen to BW’s public meeting here.
At Frankford & Norris -- We had some loving and talented friends (Martha as Art Director, Julius & Snook joined the team) augment our design team, as the regular leaders were preparing to lead worship or the Carnival de Resistance at the Wild Goose Festival. Alexia Salvatierra was in town from LA and challenged us to help with encouraging our reps for sane and humane immigration reform in the next 42 days. She also gave us some good heartwork considering Christ’s call to the twelve apostles to be as wise as serpents and as innocent as doves; it’s too easy to “other” someone with whom you have antagonism. Acknowledge the worst parts of them and the system (serpents) as well as the best in them (doves), and that they could even be your sibling in Christ! We also gave a prayerful sendoff to the Sowell family who are moving to Minnesota in the next few weeks. We prayed for Heeding God’s Call, and for less hand gun violence in our city. Listen to FN’s public meeting here.
At Marlton & Crescent -- Some new musicians joined the Design Team for the first time and they helped to make our time full and deep. Nate spoke about career advancement and spiritual growth and helped us get into the economic realities of South Jersey. Did you know that the median yearly household income in Camden County is $48,097, while the average yearly projected cost of living for the Camden County towns that Marlton & Crescent represents is $50,150? Most people statistically are falling behind and making career decisions that they think will help them catch up…that’s fertile ground for discipleship.
At Broad & Dauphin -- Justin led us adeptly. He is our PM Coordinator and also leads a team. Justin and Jonny helped teach the congregation a new song in Arabic too, as Luke helped us pray with and for Middle Eastern Christians. Speaking about race is never easy, but we were able to create a safe place to answer the question, “Am I racist if I don’t like living in my neighborhood?” Listen to BD’s public meeting here.
We refreshed our PM Plan together
Responding directly to our Map for this year, we gathered on Tuesday and spent all day refreshing the PM Plan. It was fun and stimulating! Pray for it to impact our PMs in positive ways and give us new energy for what God has for us.
Our record, Resist and Restore, got a glowing review
The Brethren in Christ History and Life's review of our record was highly favorable. We really couldn’t have asked for a better one! Here's a copy you can access. Have you donated for a copy?
The Broad and Washington block party welcomed neighbors and friends
Ben White, BW’s development pastor, organized a block party and it came to fruition this last Sunday. Rod wrote to some leaders this week: “We had a loving time of connection with about 150 people!” Awesome.
We gave away free baby (and children’s) goods at the BGX at FN
One of the most radical things we do is give away stuff to parents and families with children that are in need. The monthly Baby Goods Exchanges are great opportunities for meeting neighbors and sharing the love of Jesus. They are also great opportunities for people to give away the stuff that they no longer need. A win-win.
Marlton & Crescent’s Rental Team kept up its good work
The team at MC is working hard to get our building rented. We need rental income to make our Common Fund budget agreement. There’s a lot of space to rent and a lot of people beginning to check the space out. They’ve got two offices available for full time renters, ten good-sized artist studio spaces for artist looking for a place with 24-hour accessibility and great natural lighting, and their main “hall” (PM space) is available for all kinds of events.
Broad & Dauphin’s next site team prayed and pondered new locations for the congregation
On Monday, a handful of BDers gathered in Brewerytown to think and pray together about what God has in store for us regarding a new space. It was a fun time, to be sure.
Jerome Stafford began service as a summer service worker
He will be working with the Circle of Peacemakers, primarily, helping them transition after Shalom House.
We started praying with voices from Central and South America @ Circle of Hope Daily Prayer
In honor of Pentecost and the movement started in that one room in Jerusalem, we are remembering all of the places that the Spirit has moved across the world. Look forward to hearing from voices both past and present on our blog: cohdailyprayer2014.wordpress.com.
Our blogs were great places of sharing and thinking...
Rod continued our study of marriage and offered some of our recent theology on it. Jonny thought about our culture’s obsession with antiheroes and how it can infantilize us.
