Reconciler Update

I believe that I shall see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.

Wait for the LORD;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the LORD!

Psalm 27:13-14

So we are at the end of another week. Things here at Reconciler have been moving along nicely.

The pastoral team has been in conversation with one another regarding the process toward being regarded as ministries of our various traditions. Tripp has spoken with the ministers at North Shore Baptist Church about how that congregation might be helpful, and the response has been very affirming. Doug Harris and Carol McVetty have been very affirming and encouraging. Larry posted on our experiences at North Park ECC. Jane has entered into a conversation with the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago. Please be in prayer with us regarding these three conversations. Our vision of an ecumenical worshiping community stretches all of our traditions in one way or another. That these conversations have been positive and encouraging gives us all great hope.

We want to remind you that the 28th of November is our big "kick off" service. It is the First Sunday of Advent and it is the official beginning of our church. Though we have been worshiping together in one form/forum or another for many months, all we have done has been to bring us to this point. Praise God from whom all blessings flow! We have almost arrived. This is only the beginning of a great venture and, we pray, a wonderful community which will reveal God reconciling grace to the world.

Lord Christ, you see in us
someties strangers on the earth,
taken aback by violence,
by the harshness of oppositions.

And you come to send out a gentle breeze
on the dry ground of our doubts,
and so prepare us to be bearers
of peace and reconciliation.

-Brother Roger of Taize, Life From Within