Regional Update

Greetings as we move into another week of ministry together!

I have shared a bit about the immigration conversation with you that Rev. Dr. Brian Henderson and I attended a couple of weeks ago. I am attaching the letter and resource list that was initially produced. You will notice in the letter that we tried to be very sensitive to the various perspectives that are held by our family. Some have great concerns related to this issue over our security and the economic impact. Others have concerns about the justice issues that grow out of current immigration practices, both for the immigrant and for US citizens. Still others are concerned about the personal impact of these policies and practices on the individual lives. It is imperative that the Body of Christ in our world seek to understand and address all of these concerns in a Christ-like manner. Further, it is imperative that the Church not limit its response to only advocating for policy change at state and national levels. Our response must reflect that of the living Christ who would remind us that these people (remember there is always a face behind the terms “illegal immigrants” and/or “undocumented workers”) are our neighbors. I hope your congregation … your Sunday School Class … your prayer group or Bible Study will take time to look at this issue and prayerfully, carefully and full of Christ’s Spirit respond as you are led.

A number of you have responded to the early registration for the Global Leadership Conference that will be held in August. Pastors, you should have received e-mails, letters and phone-calls telling you how you and your leaders can participate in this. It’s still not too late, although it will cost just a bit more at this point. I hope a number of you will take advantage of this.

This week is an “office” week for me as I try to prepare for next week’s Stewardship Training events and catch up on correspondence and some reading. I know it is a busy time of year, but I hope a number of you will try to come and learn what new Stewardship Resources are available on Tuesday, May 25th at Harvey Park. If you can’t attend personally, perhaps you have a Stewardship chair or a trustee that can attend. The training will be from 10:00 to 2:00 and lunch will be provided. RSVPs can be sent to Alyce at the office e-mail. We need them by Friday.

Sunday’s installation of Dan and Estela was a wonderful event with participation from many of our congregations. Particularly blessing was to have the Ebenezer Ethnic Baptist Church choir sing and share their joy at having Dan and Estela working with them. I know we are going to be seeing great things from this new ministry in our midst, and trust you will want to join Dan and Estela in this great work of “welcoming the stranger in our midst”. Jesus reminds us that we are to both love God and our neighbor.

Speaking of that, I was privileged along with Rich Schweissing, chair of 2010 Annual Gathering Committee, and Rev. Dr. Kim Skattum, pastor at Crossroads American Baptist Church, to have breakfast with Rick Rusaw, co-author of The Externally Focused Church last week. It was a real blessing to get to spend time with him and hear his heart for the ministry of Christ’s church. Rick will be leading the Pre-Gathering continuing education event this year and challenging us during our Gathering as we seek to encourage one another to “Serve Like Jesus”. It will be a great event and you will want to start making plans now to attend the continuing ed event on October 7 and the Gathering on the 8th and 9th.

Please post the Immigration Letter where your congregation can read it and share the resource list.

In Christ,

Steve Van O