Almost-Weekly Update

"Brevity is the soul of wit." William Shakespeare

If brevity is the soul of wit, I think I'm feeling soulful, if not witty. There's not much to say that wasn't said in the six Reconciler meetings I attended in the past two weeks. They were good meetings. There were also a lot of them.

I think these meetings bode well for the life of Reconciler. They show that people of purpose, commitment, and character are showing up and participating in our church in thoughtful ways and in record numbers. The Holy Spirit continues to be at work in our midst.

Monday October 15th was the first meeting of the Discernment Committee. There were eight of us, including the entire pastoral team and five members of the congregation. We spent a lot of time going over the oral history of Reconciler: How did the church get started? What were the church planters trying to accomplish? In what ways are we ecumenical? We also talked about where we might go from here, how we might set about getting a new Baptist pastor, and what the relationship between Tripp and the congregation will look like after Tripp is no longer a pastor at Reconciler. The Discernment committee meets again on Thursday, Nov. 1st at 7:30 p.m. We will share with Reconciler's Council and congregation any recommendations that come out of our meetings.

Wednesday October 17 and 24, I attended the evening prayer service at Immanuel, followed by Bible Study at Reconciler. At both Immanuel and Reconciler, we had good participation and turn-out. In Bible Study, we discussed a small book called The Biblical Basis of Sabbath Economics, which sparked a lively and open discussion about how we as Christians can relate to money responsibly. This Bible Study series continues on Wednesday, November 7th at 7:30 p.m.

Thursday the 18th, we had our monthly Council meeting. It was focused and productive, as well as an opportunity to enjoy one another's company. We had a pretty long agenda that we moved through quickly.

On Fridays we have regular Pastoral Team meetings. Along with planning worship for Advent, we've been planning for our upcoming Leadership Retreat, which will take place at the Cenacle in Lincoln Park November 30 - December 1st. We're looking forward to the retreat as a time to pray and hang out together, as well as to talk about how we as a congregation want to go about making decisions, the nature of being a church plant, and various aspects of church leadership. This retreat is open to all members of Reconciler, and there are still a few spaces available. If you'd like to join us, let one of the Pastoral Team members know ASAP.

Well, this wasn't brief. But then you didn't really think it would be, did you?

See you in church!

In Christ's love,

Laura+

The Rev. Laura Gottardi-Littell
for the Pastoral Team
The Church of Jesus Christ, Reconciler

Announcements, Announcements, Announcements...

Tripp leaving imminently....Tripp will be at Reconciler for worship this Sunday October 28th, then won't be at our Sunday service again until November 18th, which is his last Sunday with us. We will have a farewell party for Tripp on November 18th after church. See a member of the Pastoral Team or Kate Kamphausen if you'd like to be on the party committee.

Discernment Committee meeting...this Thursday, November 1st, at 7:30, in the 'Nidge (Parsonage).

All Saint's Sunday -- November 4th, 10:30 a.m. service....We will be having a joint worship service with Immanuel Lutheran Church and St. Elias Arabic Christian Church on Sunday, November 4th at 10:30 a.m. Rev. Monte Johnson is preaching. Rev. Laura Gottardi-Littell is presiding. If you would like to have photos of people who have been important to your spiritual journey present in that worship service, get them to Rev. Larry Kamphausen ASAP. We will not meet that evening at our usual 5:00 worship time. Also, remember to set your clocks back one hour Saturday night November 3rd...fall back, people.

Bible Study continues on November 7th at 7:30 in the 'Nidge. We will not meet this coming Wednesday, October 31, Halloween.

Immanuel Choir Concert on November 11th at 4:00 in the Immanuel Sanctuary. We will begin worship at 5:30 that evening to accomodate the concert.

Retreat at the Cenacle in Lincoln Park, November 30 - December 1. This retreat, which will focus on leadership, consensus, and discernment, is open to all Reconciler members. There are still a few spaces available. If you'd like to join us, let one of the Pastoral Team members know ASAP.

The season of Advent begins December 2nd. This is a season of hope and joyful anticipation, as well as repentance, as we await the coming of Christ.
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