September 7, 2006

The Life-Long Journey at Beloved

• “Lot’s wife was a pillar of salt during the day, but a ball of fire during the night.” 
• “Moses led the Jews to the Red Sea where they made unleavened bread which is bread without any ingredients.” 
• “Moses died before he ever reached Canada. Then Joshua led the Hebrews in the Battle of Geritol.” 
• “When Mary heard she was the mother of Jesus, she sang the Magna Carta.” 
• “The Epistels were the wives of the apostles.” 
• “St. Paul cavorted to Christianity, he preached Holy Acrimony which is another name for marriage.” 
• “Christians have only one spouse. This is called monotony.”

Sometimes young children can write and say the funniest things.  As the Sunday School teacher (who compiled these solicited responses from children outside of Charlotte) read them, I’m sure they put a smile on his or her face.  From the children’s misspelling to the accidental combination of similar sounding but unrelated words, these young ones accidentally created a great comedy sketch in their effort to share what they learned.  Yet for those who don’t know the stories of our faith, I’m sure they evoke a different response:  “What is everyone laughing about?”

At Church of the Beloved one of our principles is the “Life Long Journey” where all followers of Jesus acknowledge that learning continues until one’s “graduation” into heaven – not one’s graduation from elementary school, middle school, high school or even college.  Because of that belief, Church of the Beloved offers Adult Sunday morning Christian Formation (after hospitality); Kerygma, a 30 week exploration of the entire Bible; the Beloved Pilgrimage, a time to strengthen each participant’s spiritual journey; as well as new, short-term (3 month duration) Small Groups focusing on sharing such topics as “Experiencing God through Scripture”; “Connecting with God”; or “Learning from Jesus” (one offered each quarter).  

Unlike most other Christian churches, we begin Christian Formation before birth when we offer Baptism Preparation Classes for those parents presenting their children for the sacrament of Baptism.  We discuss what it means to “raise a child to be a follower of Jesus.”  The youngest child’s first experience with organized faith formation is in the Beloved Beehive when they hear a story of Jesus’ love and bring home a small craft.  When the child is potty trained, s/he is invited to join FaithQuest 1.0 that meets for an hour and a half weekly at Beloved Garden.  There that aged child with other non-readers experience the loving, inclusive nature of Jesus, the Good Shepherd.  Stories of Jesus’ birth and the land of Israel; stories of the Kingdom of God; stories of Jesus’ last week, death and resurrection; explanations of different components of worship: Eucharist and Baptism are shared with this age group. This group of young, joy filled children so enjoyed their time with the Good Shepherd that they asked to continue through the summer months!!

Once a six-year-old child can read, an invitation to join FaithQuest 1.5 that welcomes children ages 6-9 is offered.  This group focuses on Jesus, the True Vine and begins to explore their place in God’s incredible creation and that relationship to others in their family and community.  The presentations continue to build on Bible Stories from the New Testament (as well as the Bible) and more in depth explorations of how followers of Jesus worship.  This age child is developmentally a moral child; the appropriate stories for this age include the Good Samaritan; the Ten Bridesmaids; the Forgiving Father to name a few.  In the spring, these children will be able to experience the Sacrament of Reconciliation (known in past years as “confession”) and are recognized in worship for reaching this milestone on their spiritual journey.  Many in this group merge their lessons and prayer concerns from their Beehive lesson on Sunday morning (which consists of a more in-depth discussion of Jesus’ life) as well as their concerns from their daily walk with the practice of Communal Prayer that they lead each week.

Because all four of the age groups gather in one space in Beloved Garden, the younger children are aware that there are some big presentations still on the shelves (and on the walls).  The older children, ages 9-12 and 12-15, gather each Sunday afternoon from 4-5:30pm for FaithQuest 2.1 and 2.1x to examine the Old Testament stories from “this side of the Cross” and experience the same stories to which Jesus referred when he taught his disciples.  The philosophy of FaithQuest is Christocentric believing that a relationship with Jesus is central because he is the way, the truth and the life.  Because of that philosophy, this age group does not explore the Old Testament until the child developmentally has a global outlook on life.  The biggest work for this age group is called the Plan of God; this timeline run from the front door of the Garden to the entrance to the offices and has many lessons offered as extensions of this lesson.  Because of their age and life experience, they are able to critically think about the deep questions of life and how their lives and choices will impact the world and are able to discuss these insights in FaithQuest and in their Sunday morning Beehives.  The 9-12 Beehive takes an intimate look at specific characters found in the Old and New Testaments and the 12-15 Beehive reflect on the gospel and movie clip presented earlier in worship.

This Sunday morning the Beloved community will have an opportunity to register for Sunday Morning Beehive (potty trained – adults); FaithQuest (potty trained – 15); Kerygma (15-adult); the Beloved Pilgrimage (driving teens - adults); or one of the short-term, small group offerings.  Come enrich your lifelong journey of faith!

Clifford King Harbin, pastor

Other Ministry Opportunities…for the person with time for a project and the spiritual gift of helps, there is a cabinet at the Garden that needs to be primed, sanded and painted.  Angel Army Team #1 is in need of an Administrator.  This ministry is geared to the person who has the spiritual gift of administration.  Both Angel Army Team #2 and #4 have a vacancy in their Pastor positions.  This ministry position is usually filled by a Servant Member and utilizes the spiritual gifts of pastor, healing, and/or intercessory prayer.  The 9-12 Beehive is seeking a Beekeeper (Adult Discussion Leader) who does not have a child in this age group and has the ability to listen and communicate with Beloved’s fascinating teenagers.  Contact Beloved's Development Office @ 704.752.8988 if you are interested in any of these ministries.

FaithQuest to Begin…This after-school or weekend faith enrichment process is the perfect way to deepen your child’s faith and is offered as the primary means of deep faith formation and small group relationships for the children of Beloved and interested children in the wider community.  2006-2007 FaithQuest begins during the week of September 10^th (with the older kids’ first day on Sunday, September 17).  Scholarship for those with financial need is available as is bartering of material making in trade for tuition.  For more information, click on the Beloved website link at the top of this edition of eNews.

Youth Group News…If you are between the ages of 9-12 (Worker Bees) or 12-15 (Metamorphosis) and do not receive a packet of information next week about this year’s activities, please call the Development Office at 704-752-8988 and leave your name, date of birth, phone and email address.

Simon Evening of Giving…This year’s Simon Evening of Giving at South Park Mall will be held the evening of Sunday, November 19^th.  What does your ticket buy?  Exclusive access to South Park Mall for discounted shopping, drawings for prizes and absolutely fabulous food! 

It’s Kairos Cookie Time…Twice a year, folks from Beloved join other Christians in baking cookies for Kairos, a faith-sharing, evangelistic weekend for prisoners in the Kershaw Correctional Institution. Our congregational goal is to bake 150 dozen cookies.  Cookie storage boxes and recipe guidelines will be available after worship this Sunday.  Please bring these filled cookie boxes back to Sunday worship on September 17^th. 

TV Raffle...If you have unsold raffle tickets, stubs and/or money, please turn them in to Fred Mellon, Scott Sanniota or Kris Leinenkugel as soon a possible.

Iran’s future…Davidson College announces that the first lecture in this year’s Dean Rusk International Studies Series, entitled “Iran Under President Ahmadinejad: A New Era of Radicalism?”, will be held in the Martha Bowles Parish Hall of St. Peter Episcopal Church, uptown on Thursday, September 28^th from Noon to 1:30pm.  The guest lecturer will be Dr. Mark Gasiorowski, Professor of Political Science and the Director of the International Studies Program at Louisiana State University and a former Visiting Fellow at the Middle East Centre, St. Anthony’s College, Oxford University.  Tickets for the lecture are $15 and include lunch catered by La-Tea-Da’s.  Reservations may be made by calling 704.332.7746 by Friday, 9/22. A better understanding of international affairs is important for Christians as we seek the Holy Spirit’s wisdom in our calling to be salt and light in the midst of the darkness and evil we confront in the world.   

Serving at God’s Altar this Sunday…Angel Army Team 1 (Captain: Wes Nichols; Administrator: this ministry position is available; Pastor: Catherine Atwood; Convener: Toni Reif); Acolytes: Casey Anderson, Rebecca Berkeley, Kate Copeland, Jake Scheppegrell, J.R. West; Reader: Liz Wilson; Presenters: Todd, Catherine, Ceci & Trinity Atwood; Lay Eucharistic Ministers: Dick Reif & Frank Reid; Offertory Basket Passers: Clare Harbin, Elizabeth Nichols, Carter Ricket, Madelyn Ricket; PowerPoint: Forrest Boylston.

In our Prayers…

We offer prayers of thanksgiving for:  God’s healing presence in the life of Father Benjamin “Ben” Udochuku Nnaji, our assisting priest from last summer & fall, who has recently been discharged from an apparent lengthy hospital stay in Nigeria.  He writes that he offers thanks to God for delivering him “from the plots of the enemy and death.”  (When more is known, we will pass it on.)  

We offer prayers of intercession for:  Bishop Gary Gloster who is undergoing radiation treatment for Prostate Cancer at Duke Medical Center…those who have died or have been traumatized by the escalating violence in the Middle East and around the world...those serving in Iraq, especially Bob, Clifford King Harbin‘s 18-year-old nephew; Ron, Marilyn Doyon‘s brother-in-law; and Scott, Dan Hood's brother who is preparing to return to the States...Al Krantz as he travels in Jordan…Brandon and Tanna, children of Dick Reif‘s employer who were critically injured in an auto accident...Jacqui, niece of Deb and Dan Blackwood who is fighting breast cancer...Harriett, Kathy Raynor‘s mother who has cancer...Jessie Powell and Janie Lownes...Emily, Nancy and Tony Hodgson's granddaughter...Ed and Jean, Dick Reif's parents who are in declining health in Oklahoma...Bucky, Sherrill Lowder's neighbor, who has lung cancer...Cyteria Knight as she seeks permanent employment...the staff and students of Community House Middle School…two year old Jacob, Jackson Philips’ “godbrother” who undergoes a bone marrow transplant on today.

Upcoming Calendar…click here