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Growing Season
Who would have expected growing season to have come in the middle of winter?! We have several signs of new life here in our church community, and we thank God for all the ways we are being stirred. In spite of winter blizzards, we have welcomed several new members into the church in the past few weeks. We welcome Kyle Siler, who joins his wife Kelly as a member here. Kyle has jumped in and is serving as a Deacon, and they are both a part of “The Crew”. Aminat Molake has found her way to us all the way from Nigeria! Aminat works in the area of senior home care. Lois Hansel has been attending for some time and is a member of the Keystone Sunday School class. And last but certainly not least, Esteban Valdez, a fifth-grader at Ridgeview Elementary, made his confession of faith and was baptized January 17. All these new members will be welcomed at our Visitor/New Member Luncheon Sunday, February 7.
We are growing in faith, as well. The crisis in Haiti has challenged us to reach out through prayer and the sharing of our resources. It puts us in touch with the reality that as a global community we are charged with each other’s care, especially in times such as this when there is so much suffering.
Lent is on the horizon. There will be many opportunities for spiritual growth through worship and study. I hope you will open yourself to God’s leading as we explore the events of Lent through the lens of the story of Jonah.
As we offer God our thanks for many signs of new life, we recall Jesus’ words:
“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed---it is the smallest of seeds, yet when it grows: it becomes the largest of garden plants—a tree. If you have faith like a mustard seed, nothing will be impossible to you”. (Mt. 17:20)
Growing With You, in Christ,
Amy
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Looking Ahead...
Merry Christmas! By the time you receive this newsletter, Christmas will nearly be here. We have had a wonderful Advent season here at VCC. Your 2009 and 2010 church leaders gathered recently for leadership training and to do some preliminary planning for 2010.
As we anticipate a new year of ministry here at Village Christian Church, your new leaders are praying for.............
- New possibilities
- Invigoration
- That we will face changes with excitement
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That we listen to God for direction
- Our church budget
- Our pastor
- Growth in all areas
- Continued development of new leaders
- Physical, spiritual, and mental health
- Revitalization
- Positive thinking
- Joy!
As we look to a new year of ministry, may we find many, many ways for God to be born in the world in our midst and through the work of our hands and hearts.
Amy
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 Sunrise, Sunset
I decided to treat you to a photograph I took standing on my parent’s deck in Idaho, looking out over the Spokane Valley in Washington. Mother Nature treated us to a spectacular sunset---one of many I had the chance to witness in my recent travels to Idaho. What a stressful two months this has been for my family—but like everything in life, it’s all a mix. My folks have suffered terribly following their automobile accident, but there have been blessings as well. Expressions of care sent by friends and church families, prayers extending across the miles—we have felt so much love and support.
Life is always a mix, isn’t it? On November 1 we will observe All Saint’s Sunday, remembering twelve people who have meant so much to the VCC family over the years. While we grieve their absence among us, we will celebrate their lives and give thanks that they now share in the Resurrection of our Lord. At this same time of year we are preparing for a new year of leadership in the church. We are welcoming a slate of new leaders and I’m so very pleased that so many new people are "stepping up to the plate". Some of our faithful leaders are ready to pass the mantel, and it will be exciting to see how the story unfolds.
In the midst of change, there is one thing we know for certain; God is with us. The only sure thing in life is the eternal love of God. It carries us through struggle and celebration, and with every sunrise and sunset we give thanks for God's love and grace.
May we find the courage to trust in God in the face of each challenge, and may we take the time to offer thanks for the goodness of God which surrounds us, often coming to us through the kindness of others.
Blest Be the Tie that Binds,
Amy
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The Changing Face of "Church"
Here we are a month into a new school year, and it’s already time to begin thinking about leaders and ministry plans for 2010. Over the next several weeks, our own church leaders will be inviting new people into leadership roles. I pray that you will be considering how you can share in the ministries of Village Christian Church that might stretch you in a new way.
There is no question that "the church" as a traditional institution is being stretched and shaped into something new. In spite of our tendency to "hold onto the past", the face of the church is rapidly changing. The Disciples World, our denominational magazine, recently published some statistics about membership diversity across our denomination. In the year 2000, Disciples congregations were 3% Hispanic, 2% Asian, and 1% Haitian. In 2009, these percentages increased to 5.3%, 2.6% and 3.17% respectively. Would you have guessed that Haitian congregations are the fastest growing segment of all Disciples congregations! Nineteen percent of all Disciples congregations started since 2001 are Haitian. If we remain on the same trajectory, by 2020 predominantly Anglo congregations will comprise 61% of all congregations, compared to today’s figure of 80%.
Why all the statistics? Because it’s important that we notice the changing face of the church represents the changing face of our society. The church has always been challenged with making its mission match the real needs of the culture. And it holds true today perhaps more than ever.
What does this mean for Village Christian? It means that for us, like all other churches, we must be future-focused, in tune with the changes around us, and ready to serve in ways that meet the needs of the population around us.
May God’s Spirit be our guide as we follow our Lord to places we might not have predicted we would go!
Grace and Peace,
Amy
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A Place to Connect
Calling All “Not So Young” Adults! We are forming a new fellowship group here at Village Christian to provide you with a place to “connect”. All adults in their 20’s, 30’s, and 40’s are invited to an Organizational Luncheon Sunday, August 2 immediately following the worship service. This will be an informal gathering where we can get a feel for what types of activities we might plan, and what your interests are. Childcare will be provided, and lunch will be available for all.
In this high-tech, hurry up age, there is a temptation to not slow down and create relationships, even with the people we attend church with. We have needed a group like this at VCC for some time now, and you can be a part of making it happen! So put the following information on your calendars, and plan to join us. If possible, bring a friend!
Young Adult Organizational Meeting
Sunday, August 2
Church Kitchen
Lunch and Child-care Provided
(Sponsored by Adult Ed and Church Growth committees)
Looking forward to sharing this New Beginning with You,
Amy
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