On June 22, five members and a friend of RCLPC will leave for Rosebud Indian Reservation. Those of us in the Native American Connection have been asked several times about what we do there and hope to accomplish so I thought I would quote from a book entitled, “The Healing Circle” a compilation of essays put together in love for Dr. Claude Marie Barbour, a Presbyterian minister who founded Shalom Ministries in 1975, an ecumenical, Christ-centered, covenant community of women and men.
The Shalom members covenant is to try to live the five principles of mission-in-reverse. The Mission Statement reads:
Seeking to live as followers of Christ, We, the workers of Shalom
will strive to be signs of unity, reconciliation and healing in a
broken world, and to work for justice and peace.
When there is division, we seek to be bridges, to carry the burdens of others,
sharing concretely in their sufferings, to take risks, never standing still,
to be signs of joy and love, to be present and open, ready to receive as well
as to give, freeing us all to become who we are meant to be.
The Theological Principles behind Shalom Ministries are:
Mission-in-reverse: We believe that as ministers and missionaries, we can and should learn from the people we serve – especially from the poor and marginalized. When ministry is grounded in mutuality and solidarity, ministers become persons immersed in the world of others, like Jesus was in the world of His time. A mission emerges in dialogue with others and is given definite direction as the result of this mutuality.
Community building: We recognize that the locus of ministry is the grassroots, the base community. We strive to discover and help build community with our teachers-
the poor and marginalized. When we meet as a community, we discover a new synthesis
of life and faith in Christ.
Contextualization: We recognize that fundamental to the proclamation of God’s revelation to humanity is the discernment of how God is already present and active in the cultures of the world. We believe in the incarnation of Christ and His redeeming presence in our lives. We recognize that this message must be interpreted, made relevant, by God’s people for their own life context.
Bridge-building: We believe in our call to a radical life of reconciliation, which includes engaging with people of diverse cultural, religious and political backgrounds in building bridges of justice, mutuality and solidarity.
Reconciliation: We believe that God’s grace begins in us the process of healing and reconciliation. We believe that Christ calls us to live and work in contexts where misunderstanding, injustice, and violence continue to prevent people from living fully human existences in peace and with the basic necessities. We believe in our call to overcome, with others, narratives of pain and violence, to make peace with former enemies, and to develop a spirituality of reconciliation.
As members of Ridgefield Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church, we feel blessed to participate in this mission-in-reverse to continue building a bridge of friendship with Tillie Black Bear, Dr. Francis White Lance and members of the Lakota peoples on Rosebud and Pine Ridge Reservations at Dr. Barbour’s invitation seven years ago. Dawn Condill, Ann Legg, Joy Martin, Sally Sounhein, Gloria Thorson
P.S. If you would like us to take a monetary donation for "White Buffalo Calf Woman’s Shelter" for domestic violence victims, please contact one of us or leave an envelope with your contribution in the church office before June 22nd.
|
We are off and running with our summer of scripture reading! Each day read the assignment and then, if you’re available, come to our Wednesday evening class where we’ll talk about what we’ve read and learn more about the historical context and also how the text informs (and is informed by) our theology. Need to miss a class (or a few)? No problem—just keep reading and re-join us when you can! Also, check out the church blog each day for reflections on the texts written by your pastors, and feel free to join in the conversation in the comments. You can find the church blog at http://rclpc.wordpress.com, or you can just click through from our RCLPC website. Happy reading!
The Bread Basket Ministry needs your help this summer! As you may know, when visitors worship with us and provide a local delivery address, we acknowledge their visit with a note and a tasty baked treat during the week following worship! There is a new summer sign-up sheet in The Connecting Link. Please consider signing up for one or two weeks during the summer to continue this welcoming tradition! And please include your email address! Any questions, call Amy Collins. Thanks!
Look for fresh produce on Sunday mornings at the Share the Bounty table in the Connecting Link. Help yourself to our bounty, then place a donation in the basket to support those in need in the community. This season’s donations will be used to provide lunches for PADS clients next winter. If you’re a gardener, please bring whatever you have to share. ~ Mission Outreach Ministry
Wondering what scripture will be used in upcoming worship services and what we’re pondering about our worship life? Wondering what your pastors are thinking about these days? Wondering what we’re reading? Check out our new blog! You can link to it from our RCLPC website or you can just type in rclpc.wordpress.com. You can read and, if you want, you can comment and join in the conversation! There are instructions on the blog, so jump right in!
Youth who have finished grades 6-12 (new 6th graders join us when school starts) are invited to several summer activities! Contact Teri for more info.
Middle and High School students:
Two trips to Six Flags are scheduled! We are going on July 1 and August 7. Tickets are $30 (we got group tickets in advance), plus you’ll need money for food. RSVP by June 25 for the July date, and by July 30 for the August date.
High School students:
- Join us for a bonfire at Jim’s house on Friday, June 27 from 7-10pm.
- Go on a canoe trip (one day only) on July 26—watch for more info coming soon
- Movie night on August 15th—come watch and discuss Monty Python’s Life of Brian!
Did you know that we do not have co-chairs for the Cookie Walk this year? The Cookie Walk has always been a great success and benefits so many missions of our church. With your help we can continue this fabulous tradition. This year instead of co-chairs, we are going to have five committees with 1-2 people heading each committee. This will spread the tasks to help make it easier for all involved. Please check out the committees along with the detailed tasks for each and sign up in the Connecting Link or call Nancy Blakely and let’s keep the Cookie Walk at RCLPC!! We ask that you take a moment each day to pray for those who will continue this fantastic mission that enriches our church and maintains us as a positive influence in the community and the missions we serve.
|
Joy Martin will be returning to Rosebud and Pine Ridge Indian Reservations for her seventh trip on June 22-27th. With her will be Sally Sounhein who is going for the first time, along with Gloria Thorson, Ann Legg and Dawn Condill who have previously made this Mission in Reverse trip. If you would like them to carry your monetary donation to the White Buffalo Calf Woman's Shelter for victims of domestic violence on the Reservation, please contact one of the above individuals or leave your check in the church office before June 21st.
Vacation Bible School: Surfin’ Through the Scriptures will be held Mon. - Fri., June 23rd – 27th, 9am - Noon We would love all Kids from age 3 – 5th grade to attend. See you there!!!
There will be a VBS decorating team meeting every Wednesday night at 7:00pm in the children’s classrooms. If child care is needed, please contact Denise Sokoloski.
Please read the list (below) and anything that you feel you could help donate, or let us borrow, please bring to the church and drop it off at the VBS corner across from the office. Also, if you need a reminder, pick up a star fish in the pool at the VBS corner to help you remember what you are donating. PLEASE remember to put your name on anything that you want returned so we are sure to get it back to you. Anything that you would be able to help with would be greatly appreciated!! THANK YOU!!
60 Plastic Water Bottles without the labels
Monetary Donations
Brightly Colored Table Cloths
1 2-liter bottle seltzer water/sprite
colored sand
shells
9oz clear plastic cups
craft foam – primary colors
craft glue
craft paint – white, ocean blue, and sky blue
large plastic or wooden beads
natural raffia
small sea shells
baby hangars
paintbrushes
markers – sand colors
Raisins – bags
Sandwich bag boxes
Alphabet cereal – box
Yellow decorating gel – tube
Vacation Bible School will wrap up their week with a program beginning at 7:00pm on Friday evening, June 27, followed with ice cream in Fellowship Hall. All are welcome to join us to celebrate what the children will have learned during VBS week surfin through the scriptures.
|
[ Back to the Top ]
|
