 New Concord Presbyterian Church |
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July 2010 Newsletter Article In a recent devotion and study time, the session explored ways that New Concord can continue to strengthen and support each other as a community of followers of Christ. This study is part of a continuing study on the Great Ends of the Church. The Great Ends provide purposes for each local church. We are in the process of exploring the second Great End of the Church, “The shelter, nurture, and spiritual fellowship of the children of God.” In this study, we looked at 8 areas set out by authors Mary Pipher and Elizabeth Caldwell. These 8 areas offer different ways to provide shelter, nurture and spiritual fellowship. 1. Time – This includes time spent together as a community, uniting in a common activity or purpose. For example, our weekly worship, or Presbyterian Women gatherings. 2. Places – This includes places where a community gathers such as our sanctuary or even Camp Hat Creek. 3. Interests – Sharing something in common. We share in common our faith in Christ and our mission to care for all of God’s children. 4. Celebrations – These celebrations mark transitions in the life of the community. One important celebration for our congregation this year is the 175th anniversary. 5. Connecting Rituals – These activities help to join one community with the extended community of faith. This includes the activities New Concord participates in at the Presbytery level and even the events of General Assembly. 6. Stories and Metaphors – Stories that are re-told in the community tell us what the community values. The major stories that link our community are those found in the Bible and our church’s history. 7. Practices of Faith – This includes regular prayer and Bible reading either individually or in a group. 8. Participating in a Faith Community – This links one individual to another and establishes a greater understanding of what is meant by “the children of God.” It is my hope that New Concord will continue to develop in each of these 8 areas and as it does so, to feel a greater sense of what it means to be included in the larger community known as the children of God. In Christ, Emily Schlaman Larsen |
