29 November 2007

Our Culture’s Native Language

The sheer volume of today’s online communication stirs conflicting reactions in me: I’m overwhelmed by the chaos, I’m excited by the possibilities for communicating the gospel, and—most of all—I feel the importance of our mission as a theatre company is being affirmed.  The most powerful storytellers in our culture are the people who work in arts and entertainment—moviemakers, television producers, and internet content providers.  Sadly, the church has largely surrendered these powerful communication mediums to others—whose messages crowd out our own in the marketplace of ideas.  Theater is one way of speaking the truth that can hold its own in a visual, entertainment-oriented culture.

 

On the day of Pentecost, the disciples were filled with the power of the Holy Spirit and began to proclaim the risen Jesus to an international crowd in Jerusalem.  And the listeners were amazed to find the evangelists speaking in their own native languages.  We have a sacred responsibility to follow their example: to creatively translate the unchanging gospel into contemporary tongues—providing electronic and visual images for an increasingly hard-wired world.

 

We look forward to being with you in Charlotte!

 

Tom Long

Director, Friends of the Groom Christian Theatre Company

 

 

A Beloved Evening with Friends and Family

A night of Inspiration, Vision and Fun

with the Friends of the Groom

Saturday, December 1^st from 7-8:30pm 

This won’t be the same without you!! 

Reserve your spot today!

Around Beloved…

 

12.01.07 Before the Beloved Gala on Saturday night, Friends of the Groom will offer a drama workshop on December 1^st from 2-4pm for the Charlotte community called Beyond Bathrobes: Drama and Storytelling for the Church.  This is a workshop for any adult or youth who likes, or thinks they would like, to express their faith creatively.  Those who come will be invited to participate in a variety of drama and storytelling activities, including five ways to perform a story in worship and creative uses of drama in worship.  Pre-register by clicking here.  Those who have registered will receive workshop specifics (including location) by Friday. 

 

 

12.02.07 Sunday Christian Formation for Adults and Children resumes this Sunday.  Sign up on this day for this year’s Epiphany Pageant to be presented during worship on Sunday, January 6, 2008 (rehearsal will be at 10am on Saturday, January 5).  Costumes and script (for those who desire a speaking part) are provided.  All interested Adults and Children are encouraged to participate!!  Many hands are needed behind the scenes as well.  If you are interested in helping (purchasing fabric, cutting patterns, sewing costumes, collecting props, dressing children, assisting with rehearsal, etc.), please click here. 

 

 

12.04.07 Beloved Men’s Fellowship will meet on Tuesday, December 4^th from 7-9 at Beloved Garden.  We will still eat, drink and be merry, but this time we will spend some important time continuing our vision work regarding the group’s direction and purpose for the upcoming year.  We need your voice to be heard!  

 

 

12.07.07 Adults and children are invited to join the Friday morning FaithQuest participants as they travel to Old Salem to participate in Home Moravian Church’s Candle Tea.  This annual event (dating back to 1929!) in the Single Brothers’ House includes being welcomed by hosts in early Moravian costumes who guide small groups through the Chapel for singing Christmas carols, the dining room where beeswax candles are being made, the kitchen where sugar cake and coffee are served, and the two rooms in the sub-basement where the Putz is on display. (The word "putz" is of Germanic origin meaning "to decorate".) The two sections of the Putz include a replica of Salem as it would have appeared in the 1800s. At the Nativity scene, the story of the birth of the Christ Child is shared.  Click here for more information.   To register, click here.

 

 

12.07.07 Folks from Beloved will be working at the Operation Christmas Child warehouse on Friday evening, December 7^th from 9-10:30pm.  (For those in school needing community service hours, this is a great opportunity!)  To be a part of the Beloved Team, click here.

 

 

12.09.07 On Sunday, December 9 following Worship and Christian Formation, Beloved’s Fellowship Team will host a Brunch followed by a Christmas Workshop and Cakewalk.  The focus of the Christmas workshop will be small handmade items that children may want to buy for their parents, siblings, or perhaps teachers.  Some creative members of our congregation have also made items that the adults will be interested in purchasing, as well.  There will also be simple gift-wrapping available for their purchases.  All present at Sunday worship are welcome at the Brunch but paying ahead will allow the "cooks" to determine how much food to prepare.

 

 

 

The schedule for December 9^th will be as follows:

 

9:30am, Worship celebration

10:35-10:50am, Hospitality

10:50am-11:10am, Christian Formation for adults and children

11:15am-12:45pm, Christmas Workshop open for shopping

11:15-11:30am; 12-12:15pm; 12:30-12:45pm: Cakewalks

11:30am-12:30pm, Open seating for Brunch (Adults $5, ages 3-10 $2.50, under 3 free)

 

We are very excited about this event and look forward to your participation!!

 

 

12.23.07 On Sunday, December 23, Bishop Gregg will join us for Eucharist and the traditional “Hanging of the Greens and Chili Potluck Lunch.”  Following worship with our bishop on this day, we’ll begin decorating with greenery and poinsettias before sharing a potluck meal (watch for sign-ups for chili, salad or dessert).  The decorating also includes assembling luminaries with sand and candles that are distributed around our campus on Christmas Eve.  On that night a crew of volunteers, often those with high school and college-age kids, enjoy one another’s company as they visit while the candles are lighted.   

 

 

12.24.07 Beloved’s 7pm December 24^th Christmas Eve Christ mass Celebration begins with pre-service music at 6:40pm and is followed by Hot Cider, Hot Chocolate and Christmas cookies.  Plan to make this a meaningful beginning to your 12-day Yuletide celebration!

 

 

Beloved eNews publishes each Thursday.  News and calendar information should be submitted via email by Monday.

 

November 18…Attendance: 104; Worship Offering & Simon Night of Giving (gross): $7,769.  November 25…Attendance: 111; Worship Offering: $4,253.  Income needed for ministry each week: $5,500 (fully funded) à $4,400 (requiring other funding sources i.e. fundraising events).  The financial goal of Church of the Beloved is to reach self-sufficiency (i.e. pay all expenses without income from outside sources) by 12/31/2008.

 

 

Scripture Readings for December 2…Romans 13:11-14 & Matthew 24:36-44

 

 

Serving at God’s Altar on December 2…Complete setup/complete teardown: Angel Army Team #2; Acolytes: Victoria Floyd, Brian Sanniota, Jack Sanniota, Katie Sanniota; Offering Basket Passers: Allie Seidel, Gracie Seidel, Carter Ricket, Sarah Shaughnessy; Offering Tellers: Liz Wilson (head) & Roey Southard (assistant); Presenters: The King Family; Altar Bread Baker: Catherine Atwood; Lay Eucharistic Ministers: Wes Nichols & Penny Crawford; PowerPoint: Kevin Krantz; Reader: Betsy Fox

 

 

In our Prayers…click here

Upcoming Calendar…click here