Pastor's Corner
Senior Pastor’s Page – January, 2008: Invitation to ChristCare
When a new year begins, a renewed sense of recommitting ourselves to the important things in life comes to the fore once again (couched in “New Year’s Resolutions”). We recommit ourselves to worshiping on a weekly basis, exercising, reading more and watching less TV, taking more walks, eating less, sleeping more hours per night…the list is endless. However, January, 2008 is unlike any other new year at St. John’s because of ChristCare! ChristCare Groups will be forming for the first time in our one-hundred-and-seven year history as a congregation.
Jesus
said that “where two or three are gathered in my
name, I am there among them” – Matthew
18:20. Since we are in the Year of Matthew
(Series A) in our Lectionary Year, this Gospel passage
from Matthew carries a deeper understanding as it
relates to ChristCare Groups. I am very excited about
ChristCare’s opportunities opening up to all of us,
starting this month as CCGroups begin to form together,
gathering people not only in Christ’s name but with
Christ at the center of these circles of care.
CROSS: The logo for ChristCare Groups consist of the cross, the heart and the circle. The symbol of the cross represents the source of our identity as Christians. ChristCare Groups will encourage, support and equip all of us to live Christ-centered, cross-centered lives as Jesus’ disciples.
HEART: The symbol of the heart reminds us that through Jesus Christ, we have come to know the heart of God, a heart of love, mercy and compassion. God’s Holy Spirit has poured the love of God into our hearts, revealing how by God’s grace, we love God and neighbor as ourselves.
CIRCLE: The symbol of the circle renews the truth of how we all have been welcomed into the circle of God’s faithful love through our baptism into Christ. We all have been welcomed into God’s family through Holy Baptism, into the circle of warmth, support, trust, care and nurturing growth in the Spirit. Note that the heart prevents the circle to be closed because the Christian circle of disciples are open to all, members and newcomers alike. The open circle also forms the letter “C,” reminding us anew that Christ brings life, meaning and energy to all disciples to Care for one another.
I truly believe and offer my highest recommendation to every one who reads this Journal article to become a part of a ChristCare Group in the upcoming days and weeks of January, 2008 and for all the remaining days God gives us to be the people of God at St. John’s. Truly, ChristCare is being woven into the very fabric of our congregational life together, starting now. All are welcome into this powerful, invigorating experience of joining and becoming part of a ChristCare Group.
For the Sundays of January, a special ChristCare Emphasis will be taking place. On January 6 and 20, dialogue sermons will offer personal reflections and understandings about ChristCare Groups. January 6th will provide the Commissioning of ChristCare Group Leaders, seven persons who completed the rigorous training sessions in early December.
During the invitation-to-ChristCare days of this special emphasis month, the process of signing up for a particular ChristCare group will be made available to the congregation, with helpful descriptions, guides and other information on who, how, when and where ChristCare Groups are forming together within our faith community. The Annual Meeting on Sunday afternoon, January 27, will provide updated information about ChristCare Plans for 2008 and beyond.
Like many “firsts” in our lives, St. John’s first worship service back in 1901, the first called pastor, the first day of Sunday School, the first church building, so we mark the first ChristCare Group experience for the people of St. John’s and always open to the surrounding communities around us. May this invitation to join a ChristCare Group be the first step in your ChristCare Group life in Christ.
Your Servant in Christ’s Care,
Daniel B. Ward,
Senior Pastor