October 18th, 2007 – Council Meeting, Hearing Faith Statements, RIC presentation, New Council member
The chairs were set in a circle in the Fellowship Hall. Those who were about to affirm their baptisms together with their family, friends and council members listened while each read their individual faith statements, filled with trust and the love of God.
Each was unique. Some affirmed what they had learned about God, others described disappointment and renewed belief. The depth was amazing.
This was my first chance, as a council member, to listen to faith statements. Another, more spiritual, dimension of what it means to be on council was reinforced. There is business and monthly activity that can take a large share of meeting time. I was told by council members in the past about listening to these statements. I still wasn’t quite expecting the impact the presentations made.
Next Paul and Karen Jolly, representatives from Lutherans Concerned in North America, made a presentation on the Reconciling in Christ program which seeks to make clear the policy of churches where all people are welcome as full members, regardless of their sexual orientation, their gender identity or that of their children, siblings or friends. Creator is considering becoming a RIC congregation.
Karen told the story of when their daughter let them know she was a lesbian. Their daughter afterwards warned, “Now that you know, you will be in the closet.” Karen said she quickly experienced the truth of that statement. They quickly changed churches because they couldn’t worship where they felt a need to hide this about their daughter.
In a nutshell, that is what being RIC entails. There is an Affirmation of Welcome that is a sign that this is a congregation where you shouldn’t need to worry and hide things about you or your family that might have marginalized you in the past.
After that Vaune was voted in as our newest council member, replacing Scott who resigned. She is a welcome addition to council with her balance of humor (which is an essential attribute for our council members) and level-headedness. Her commitment to Creator is inspiring. Combining her musical gifts with those we already have on council we just may end up forming a musical group offshoot called. Is the name The Creator Council taken?
Considering all the “non-business” pieces of the council meeting Susan led us through a meeting that did not last later than usual. We talked about finances. September came in much better than we anticipated, likely due to the temple talks that people like Pastor Dayle, Susan, Joel and Larry have made. The toughest budget decisions are to come and hopefully, I might say as always, the congregation will rise to the financial challenge.
We closed in prayer and I believe it would have been hard not to leave feeling energized by all the evening's activities.
Each was unique. Some affirmed what they had learned about God, others described disappointment and renewed belief. The depth was amazing.
This was my first chance, as a council member, to listen to faith statements. Another, more spiritual, dimension of what it means to be on council was reinforced. There is business and monthly activity that can take a large share of meeting time. I was told by council members in the past about listening to these statements. I still wasn’t quite expecting the impact the presentations made.
Next Paul and Karen Jolly, representatives from Lutherans Concerned in North America, made a presentation on the Reconciling in Christ program which seeks to make clear the policy of churches where all people are welcome as full members, regardless of their sexual orientation, their gender identity or that of their children, siblings or friends. Creator is considering becoming a RIC congregation.
Karen told the story of when their daughter let them know she was a lesbian. Their daughter afterwards warned, “Now that you know, you will be in the closet.” Karen said she quickly experienced the truth of that statement. They quickly changed churches because they couldn’t worship where they felt a need to hide this about their daughter.
In a nutshell, that is what being RIC entails. There is an Affirmation of Welcome that is a sign that this is a congregation where you shouldn’t need to worry and hide things about you or your family that might have marginalized you in the past.
After that Vaune was voted in as our newest council member, replacing Scott who resigned. She is a welcome addition to council with her balance of humor (which is an essential attribute for our council members) and level-headedness. Her commitment to Creator is inspiring. Combining her musical gifts with those we already have on council we just may end up forming a musical group offshoot called. Is the name The Creator Council taken?
Considering all the “non-business” pieces of the council meeting Susan led us through a meeting that did not last later than usual. We talked about finances. September came in much better than we anticipated, likely due to the temple talks that people like Pastor Dayle, Susan, Joel and Larry have made. The toughest budget decisions are to come and hopefully, I might say as always, the congregation will rise to the financial challenge.
We closed in prayer and I believe it would have been hard not to leave feeling energized by all the evening's activities.
Labels: Council
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