Around Our Network / August 13, 2014

 

What’s been happening among us? August 13, 2014

WIND took over our Network as we asked “Why PMs?”

At Broad & Washington -- Candace led us through stories of hope! Quadruplets in war-torn Gaza was a highlight. Forrest and Kirby led us through a set that brought our Audio Art records to life! Jonny offered his take on the Wind Day topic: public meetings--their purpose is celebration, evangelism, exhortation, encouragement, and maybe most of all, transcendence.

At Frankford & Norris -- Julius & Dan got us to consider the dangerous journey many people-- especially minors--take across the US Southern border into el Norte in both a journey around the space during worship and a prayer for their safety, as well as sane & humane immigration reform. We had the treat of Nate Hulfish with us to inspire us around how the public meetings help us rely on prayer, engage us in God’s reconciliation project, and give Holy Spirit opportunity to grow us in fruitful ways. Listen to FN’s public meeting here.

At Marlton & Crescent -- Our team of art directors connected us to the Living Water as they helped us explore reconciliation with God (and the gifts we receive when our spiritual waters seem murky), reconciliation with each other (and Detroit’s public water shutoffs and its effect on the poor), and reconciliation with the environment (and Toledo’s toxic water problem, not to mention fracking in our own backyard). We were led in communion as we connected to the River of Life. Joshua got us to consider how Jesus touches us at the Public Meetings, making a well of living water that others are looking for.

At Broad & Dauphin -- Ubuntu was the spirit of the evening. We are still wearing our gifts. The discussion was lively, as “wind day” encouraged us to look at the basics of why we have PMs. Even though our format was a bit different, and Rod is not there too much, the newcomers who were with us fit in pretty well. Listen to BD’s public meeting here.

Want to get in on the metaphor and where it might take you? Check out “Wind” on The Way of Jesus website.

The pastors kept experimenting with the videocast, this time: Someone Asked: "Why are we so Jesus-y?”

Episode #5 is out! We’re trying to answer the questions that are out there. How are we doing? Do you have a question that you’d like us to answer? This week’s question is: “Why are we so Jesus-y?” See what you think, add to the conversation. Find it on our YouTube channel, here.

We considered the theology of influence: are you worthy of influence?

In a direct response to our map, we hosted the third Doing Theology time. This time BW was filled with people discussing New Thought and how we might influence someone antagonistic toward Christian mission. Key phrases people were pondering: "be all things to all people", "people are experiencing a lot of isolation", "we already have places (like the BGX, recovery groups and Game Night) where unconnected people gather" -- if you have a contact deficit, try Philly Jesus in the Metro.


The cell leaders and friends got trained on testing the age of their cells.

Is your cell too old? Jonny led us to answer this question, in what ended up being a fruitful and practical time for teaching. Joshua offered a book review of Confessions of a Beginning Theologian by Elaine Fraser.

We were invited into a journey with Robert Mulholland.

The newest "voice" at Circle of Hope Daily Prayer is working with Mulholland’s book Invitation to a Journey. You can join in at cohdailyprayer2014.wordpress.com. On our blog celebrating the Transhistorical body, we celebrated Clare of Assisi.

Our blogs were great places of sharing and thinking...

Rod elaborated on PDA as publish worship. Jonny wrote about being the church, how technology manages to connect without community, and isolate without solitude, and also how Wes Anderson has mastered the power of aesthetic. Ben offered his thoughts on his Facebookless summer.