Weekly Update

I write this as I prepare to leave with Kate for Canada for a few days. Preparing for a trip can often be stressful even if what you are preparing for is to be enjoyable and a break from the usual. Preparation marks transition and even good change is stressful.
We are in a period of transition and we are preparing for the next leg of our journey together as a congregation. This is primarily marked by our being in the process of finding an Episcopal pastor for our Pastoral team. Also, we now have a congregation of 10 where just six months ago we had a congregation of 4. Now we are looking ahead to being the church we have become and being ready to welcome new people God will send our way.
There are two things that are coming up that will hopefully prepare us for the next leg of our journey together: 1) Soon you will be asked to fill out a questionnaire about what you think are the characteristics of Reconciler as a congregation. These questionnaires will be used by the search committee to form a profile of our church that we will give to candidates for the position of Episcopal priest. Our hope though is that it will also give us a chance to reflect on who we are after our growth this past year. 2) Our upcoming church retreat is also intended to help us get a sense of who we are and where God might be moving us as we move forward and continue to grow in the coming year. Both of these ask us individual and corporately to take a step back and reflect, to bring a mirror up to ourselves and ask God to show us who we are in Christ.
This is after all why we do whatever it is we do, whether worship on Sunday evenings, or serving the world in charity, advocacy, justice, to be the image of Christ to the world and announce a world transfigured by the presence of God's Kingdom.
Announcements:
Larry and Kate will be away from Thursday August 10th through Monday August 14th. Larry will not of course be at his office hours at Ennui Cafe on thursday, but he will be at Metropolis nextTuesday Evening.
Two dates to remember: August 26 is our half day church retreat from 10-2, lunch will be provided, Lead by Rev. Dan Prechtel. That evening we will have a church BBQ hosted by Chrissy, Will and Kristy. Also, remember September 10, Our worship service will be moved to Wilmette Community church for Tripps installation service as Pastor of Wilmette Community Church, We will car pool from Immanuel Lutheran church.
Our next Bible Study beginning in September will be on the book of Acts and the Rule of St. Benedict. We will need to move the day of the Bible Study from Wednesday to Tuesday or Thursday and need to know which of those days would work best for most everyone. We have already received a strong request that it be on Tuesday, so please let us know your preference or if you have no preference.

May the God of patience and of consolation gratn us to live together after the pattern of our Lord Jesus Christ so that with one heart and one voice we may give glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen
In Christ,
Larry