We just got back last week from our annual regional gathering of United Methodists. Every year pastors and church folks get together to celebrate our life and work, make new rules for our church, and to reflect on how we can best embody God’s call for our future. We close churches and hear their stories, we sit through reports on our pension plans, we dance and sing together in worship, and we rejoice at the amazing things unfolding in churches and communities across the region. It is all part of the life of being United Methodist.
This year it was really important for Jeff and I to say thank you to the people of the region who have trained us, taught us, nurtured us, supported us, challenged us, and allowed us to experiment. We’ve received a grant from the regional United Methodist Church to start the faith community and many others from the region have personally donated as well. For a long time people in leadership have been sending us to trainings or encouraging our vision. We would not be here at Sellwood if it hadn’t been for the support we have received from the regional church structure and from people at all points within that system. We are thankful for the vibrant life of the church that has nourished this new shoot to begin blooming.
We created a booklet to share our story with folks at the annual gathering. Most of it was edited down selections from this blog, but at the end were some facts and quotes I’d like to share again.
Fast Facts:
* We have had 42 unique participants this year.
* We launched a weekly dinner 10 months in to the start.
* We are on track financially.
* We are open & affirming and are an intergenerational fellowship.
* We meet in public places and in the Sellwood parsonage which also serves as the Lowerys’ home
Comments from SFC participants:
“I am so glad to have found this community where I have bible study, Taize and most of all deep personal spiritual conversation with others….I am so looking forward to growing more together.”
“Thank you for filling my heart spiritually. I am so looking forward to seeing all of you again.”
************
Thank you for reading the blog and for journeying with us as we strive to follow God!
-Eilidh
Recent Comments