The Brysons have been a part of our church for quite some time, and now they are officially church members! Please join us in welcoming Jason, Melanie, Ellie, and Macie Bryson to our church family!
Welcoming Our New Church Members!
Please join us in welcoming our new church members, Dan and Carol Cloer! Carol has been with us as our Youth Minister, and her brother Dan has been attending regularly with her as well. We are so happy to have them as a part of our church!
The Place of Our Resurrection: How Christianity Took Root in Ireland and Bore Fruit Throughout the World
“Since many have undertaken to set down an orderly account…I too decided, after investigating everything carefully from the very first, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus.”
Thus begins the Gospel according to Luke. Ever the thoughtful physician, Luke sets out to tell the story of Jesus Christ after carefully investigating the sources and eyewitnesses that were privy to the Son of God. And he does so in scintillating fashion.
Listen for it:
“In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.”
Okay, dazzling writing it is not. But it is accurate, and helpful because Luke grounds his storytelling in historical fact. He is reporting to his benefactor—and to us--that Jesus’s life and ministry happened in real time and in history. The takeaway? The only way to understand Jesus is to understand him in the context of real events. Jesus is no parable. Jesus was for real.
I, too, have tried to offer an orderly account of all that I have learned these last few months. Like Luke, I have sought to carefully investigate the sources that tell the story of a faithful people in a land across the ocean at a time of challenge and difficulty. I have read about this ancient people and have studied their mythologies and examined what daily life must have been like for them. With my family, I traveled to this distant land and walked the paths of saints and sinners alike. I touched centuries old relics and explored monastic cities that are but ruins in a wild landscape. I went on pilgrimage. I reflected on the wisdom of heralded saints. I prayed in ‘thin places.’ I marveled at the beauty of the land. I found the place of my resurrection. And I want to tell you all about it.
To do so, I’ll need to start at a place in history that feels exotic and unfamiliar. Beginning Wednesday night, May 9th at 6:00 PM in our Mission and Fellowship Center, I will begin the story of the Celtic Christian tradition with a presentation about the people of the British Isles. We will learn about the tribal, warrior-like people. We will learn about their love of the land and of song and of storytelling.
The following Wednesday, May 16th, we will learn about Ireland’s first bishop, St. Patrick, and the evangelization of the Celtic people. We will try to discern fact from fiction and hold the Saint’s own words with a special weight as we demythologize his role and leadership.
On May 23rd, we will hear how the Gospel caught fire among the people of Ireland and transformed a warrior class into a devout and faithful people who lived out a new form of martyrdom.
On May 30th, we will tiptoe into the ruins of Ireland’s monastic cities to consider how the Irish chose to be church together.
On June 6th, we will conclude our story of the Celtic Christian tradition by climbing into the round towers that dot the Irish landscape to see the changes that were on the horizon.
Ultimately, my presentations will blend my research on Celtic Christianity with my family’s travel adventures into a seven-century journey of discovery that may just give us insight and illumination on how we can more effectively be church today.
I felt a great sense of solidarity with a Cloud of Witnesses who had traveled the same path I hiked when I sojourned to the summit of Croagh Patrick. It was there that I walked a trail that hundreds of thousands of faithful had walked over the last two millennia. It’s hard to put into words what that felt like.
In the coming Wednesdays, however, I will try.
Beginning Wednesday Night, May 9th at 6:00 PM
Trip to Visit Elois Clegg
A trip is planned for Thursday May 17 to see Mrs Eloise Clegg. We will leave the church at 10:30 am, eat lunch (probably at Fatz) and then visit Mrs. Clegg for an hour or so. We will return by 3:30 or 4:00 pm. Please sign up on board in hall or let Jennie Hunter, 399-0623, know if you want to go.
Flower Calendar
There is now a Flower Calendar in the workroom in the church office. If you would like to sign up to put flowers in the sanctuary on a given Sunday, just write in your name, who/what the flowers are in honor or memory of, and a sentence or two about it to go in the bulletin on that Sunday morning.
Take a Hike
Join us for a hike on Sunday afternoon, May 20th! Enjoy God’s creation and the gift of fellowship as we hike in our beautiful mountains. Everyone is invited to join us on the path.
The hike will last no more than 90 minutes and will have gentle terrain and little elevation gain. A water bottle, snack, hiking stick and weather-appropriate clothing are all that you might need. We will meet in the church parking lot at 3:00 PM and will return no later than 7:00 PM.
In keeping with our theme of Path: Walking Humbly With Our God, we will be taking a monthly hike together throughout the year. If you have questions, contact Jeff.
Vacation Bible School 2018
A Note from Circles of Hope
Dear Friends,
The dynamics of your heartfelt contribution have provided peace to those who are participating in the classes we offer through Circles of Hope. Know that you all have found your purpose in life to help those that are trying to find a life of prosperity for them and their families. It's all so empowering on both ends of this glorious spectrum. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
It's all of us working together to make this program successful, as this special message from one of our Circle Leaders so clearly expresses: "When I began coming to Circles, I had a very confusing life. I am a single parent and I had an unsatisfactory living situation. I had no car and no full-time job. Now, 1 1/2 years later, I have a full-time job, an apartment for me and my child, a car, and my life is so much better. I have wonderful friends at Circles, and I still attend different events they continue to offer."
Out of your "giveness" surprising and rewarding results begin to happen. Truly, you all are demonstrating your love and concern for people in our community. Please continue to stay involved with us. You do make a difference!
Sincerely,
Laura Wallace
Celtic Christian History and Heritage Presentation on Wednesday Nights beginning May 9
Pastor Jeff Mathis will be presenting a survey of church history in Ireland during Wednesday night Bible Study beginning May 9th. He will be blending his research from his doctoral studies and his recent trip experiences to Ireland in a presentation that will highlight the impact that the Celtic tradition has on our church today.