Vine Time Fellowship

…is a group of ordinary Christians practicing the spiritual life together. We call ourselves a Christian covenant discipleship group because we believe in God and we believe in each other. We’re exploring a deeper level of personal sharing, discovering ways of loving neighbor, and participating in God’s transformation of the world. Our purpose as a small group within Parkrose United Methodist Church includes building bridges within our diverse, changing world. And we would love to have you join us.

And we’re moving from Saturdays to Wednesdays. Our first Wednesday gathering will be on May 13. In transition we will NOT meet this Saturday, May 9.  

Wednesdays 6:30 – 8 p.m. Child Care Provided. (As soon as the weather clears up – surely it will – we plan to head outdoors and will spend our summer sessions at Knott Park, NE 117th between Sacramento and Knotts Street).

HOMEWORK

- Yes, you heard right! Because we’re not meeting this Saturday I would ask for a short response to the following request. Simply register, log-in and (click on Vine Time Fellowship on the panel at right) and weigh in. We’ll reflect on answers when we meet on May 13th. HOMEWORK due by the end of this week! Have some fun.

Here it is: We’re all on a faith journey. Some just starting out. Some well on their way. I once heard a pastor talking about the faith journey as a river, and her faithful sojourners at different places along the river. She used these categories to point to those places along The River of Faith:

• Checking out the scene
• Dipping your toes in
• Wading in the water
• Quiet waters
• Running the rapids
• Going deeper 

Note: Although the River of Faith is a fun image to spur some sharing and conversation it is obviously not linear. There’s always lots of looping back and restarts in this faith jouney. Makes it interesting and hopeful.  

Homework question: Where are you along the River of Faith? How would you describe where you are?

Comment away. Come check us out on May 13.  Thanks.

Peace, Bill

Acts 4 - As the story of the 1st century Jesus movement unfolds we find Peter and John being accused of the same outrageous atrocities for which Jesus was crucified; bringing new life to the tattered existence of a poor beggar, excessively celebrating (in the NCAA they might have been penalized 15 yards), and returning this man’s humanity and dignity. Peter and John were clear about whose power it was that allowed this – God’s, of course. The officials threatened them with jail. So they prayed… not for comfort, or protection… but rather for BOLDNESS in doing God’s work in the name of Jesus Christ.

Questions we asked – possibilities ventured (in terms of next steps for Vine Time – see also prior posts):

• What? Possibilities: music/prayer/study/action – a place to be heard/sounding board – safe place – self contained (music/worship/prayer/etc.)
• Who? Possibilities: smaller group/like-minded people – curious, willing
• When? Possibilities: Wednesday nights – Saturday nights – Sunday a.m.
• How? Music, flexibility, intentional
• Why? Possibilities: develop a worship community in the neighborhood – grow our spiritual journeys
• Where? Possibilities: at PUMC – More centrally located (depends on the to answer to ”Who?”)

Next steps – Saturday, February 7, 2009, 6-8 p.m. We’ll begin planning process to take the possibilities, make some decision, move us to action. Come and be part of this -

Peace, Bill

Acts 1 – Jesus, as he prepared to ascend, promised the power of God’s spirit and challenged the faithful to be his WITNESSES to the ends of the earth. Power of God is the capacity to act. “Witnesses” simply means to attest to, participate in, and acknowledge the work of God in the world already happening.

Acts 2 – Visioning and dreaming – inclusive and expanding – attended to ‘awe and wonder’ – connected – shared openly – ate and prayed and laughed and cried and sang.

Acts 3 – God’s power to heal, not ours – bridging cultures with celebration

Questions we’re starting to raise in our reflections:

1. In the world of many microcultures, what is our unique message of Jesus people need to experience?
2. What are the blessings we can share?
3. Are we a) second worship service, b) new faith community, or c) covenant discipleship group?
4. Who in our community might miss us if we weren’t here?

More words that are emerging:

• Safe place – artistic freedom (freedom of the Holy Spirit to work in and through us)
• Life Support (supporting each other on life’s journey)
• Covenanting to support each other in being a blessing to our neighborhood, community and world.

 What are your questions? What are your thoughts?

We’ll venture into Acts 4 this Saturday (January 24) 6-8 p.m. Please join us – All are welcome. Next steps from here will include some strategic planning that can turn conversation into action.

Peace, Bill

We don’t really have to “recreate the wheel” so to speak. Much of what God is compelling us toward is revealed in the Bible, the book of Acts, to be precise. Acts is the story of the followers of Jesus remixed and retooled after Jesus’ life/death/resurrection. So during the month of January, 2009 we’re meeting on Saturday evening 6-8 p.m. to do some music, pray together, eat together (always have to have something to snack on), and read/talkabout the remix/retooling of the Jesus movement that ended up as the first century church. One chapter (of Acts) per session. Two down – three to go. Join us, we’d love to have your 2-cents worth!!!

Here’s what we’ve discovered so far from the prior remix (Acts 1 & 2):

Acts 1: Power of the Holy Spirit promised the followers – simply the capacity to act – sent to be ‘witnesses’ to the ends of the earth – ugh, how do we do that – ‘witness’ as acknowledging, attesting to, participating in God’s mighty acts already out there – whew, I can do that – Universal experiences of God’s abundance: food, music, smiles, working together toward a common goal/good – sharing/giftedness – respect. Acts 2: Good News – visioning/dreaming – inclusive and expansive – POUR out (not dribbled out, or sprinkled… more like dumped tons of) God’s Spirit – attended to awe and wonder – shared everything – met homes – ate/prayed/sang.

What are the questions we need to ask about the future of Vine Time?

Second service or new faith community? How to connect people in a non-walking, non-working, non-developing neighborhood? Who else in our circles might be interested in a remix/retool of a faith community? What are your questions? What are your experiences?

Let’s hear from you.

Bill

IN LIVE BIG, we see, hear, and live our Belief In God. We also experience short video segments, with characters who model BIG behavior with cool music and dance sequences.

LIVE BIG is interactive, and engages children in a variety of activities, including drama, storytelling, music, dance, crafts, games, and group discussions.

LIVE BIG is staffed by trained church volunteers