September 20, 2005
The Power of Story
Our children’s favorite birthday ritual is the telling of their birth
stories. They delight in hearing (and now retelling) every detail, particularly the more unique or unusual points.
Miles gleefully remembers that he was born during an Asheville snowstorm and that his mama’s labor was so fast that the unprepared
nurse ran out of the room, leaving his mama and myself alone, as she tried to gather the delivery team. Mitchell enjoys
recounting how his mama labored through a Sunday baptism service for her godchild, delivered him quickly in a whirlpool tub (clutching my thigh as I
offered support sitting on the side), and was taken home to sleep in his own cradle that very evening. Clare’s eyes shine
with delight when we say that she was so loved and wanted that she came a month early (requiring us to leave in the middle of viewing a museum
exhibit) and that her papa “caught” her while her brothers watched nearby.
Throughout history, one of the principal reasons people tell stories is so that they can
discover who they are, where they have come from, how much they are loved, and where they fit in the bigger picture of things. For
Christians, one of the primary ways we understand this “bigger picture” is through the stories of our spiritual ancestors, stories that
we can only find in the Bible.
How well do you know your spiritual family’s story? Can you recount
with delight God’s plans for the world or the Beloved One’s plans for you? Is this the year when God is calling you
to join with other sisters and brothers in hearing and learning these stories, perhaps for the first time, and making them your own
forever? Consider becoming part of the 30-week Kerygma Discovering the Bible class or the seasonal Beloved
Pilgrimage groups that will be starting very soon. For more information or to sign-up for either of these offerings, contact
me at derek@churchbeloved.org or visit http://www.belovedgarden.org/.
J. Derek Harbin, priest
Around
Beloved… Beloved’s Worker Bees (youth
9-12) and metamorphosis (youth 12-15) each have Movie Nights this week. Worker Bees will gather on Friday (9/23)
and metamorphosis on Saturday (9/24), each beginning at 6:30pm at Beloved Garden. Don’t forget to bring a friend
and $3/person for food…the 5th Annual Parish Picnic at Cane Creek Park is scheduled for Sunday, September
25. Pick up a free entrance ticket this Sunday after worship, bring a side dish or dessert to Shelter #2 (meat and beverages
provided) and come prepared to have a fun time playing miniature golf ($1.50/person), paddling a boat ($2/person), taking a pontoon boat ride
($2/person), riding your own bike ($2/person for license – you must wear a helmet) or pitching horse shoes with other Beloved
ones…The Servant Member Funding Team, led by Kris Leinenkugel and Fred Mellon, continue distributing
tickets for the Simon Evening of Giving fundraising project to reduce Beloved’s projected $35k income shortfall for this
year. If you need more tickets to sell or didn’t receive any, please see Kris in the hospitality area on Sunday...
Christian Formation for adults and children will follow worship beginning Sunday, October 2…If you (adults are
always welcome!) or your child (no age requirement – only the ability to serve and sit quietly up front with the altar party) would like to
serve at Beloved’s altar as an Acolyte (carrying the cross, torch or gospel book), please contact Susan
Boylston (sboylston@alltel.net ) or the Development Office (by reply email) by Friday, September
30 so we can publish the dates and teams for the 2005-06 year.
To be
married…I publish the Banns of Marriage between Timothy Scott
McCloud and Caroline Sherrill Benfield. If any of you know just cause why they may not be joined together in Holy Matrimony, you
are bidden to declare it. This is the second time of asking. Derek Harbin+
In our
Prayers…Those in the path of Hurricane Rita…the victims of Hurricane Katrina
and the relief efforts underway around the nation…Dan Hood’s brother, Scott, and Bruce
Fowler’s brother, Arthur, who are serving in Iraq…Nancy and Tony Hodgson’s granddaughter,
Emily…the pressing need to fill additional janitorial staff openings at Community House Middle School…the inmate participants and the
team members of the September 22-25 Kairos weekend at Kershaw Correctional Institution, including Beloved’s Rick and Ricky
Jordan. May the team’s witness and our gifts of cookies and placemats open the hearts of the participants to
receive the transforming love of the Beloved…Jennifer Sanders while she looks for a job working with children and
Bruce Fowler while he looks for a job in automotive sales/management…for a holy death for Heather Philips’
grandfather, William who is suffering from oral cancer and is now under the care of Hospice…for David Kraft as he
rides his bike from Charlotte to Charleston to raise money for MS this weekend.
Upcoming Calendar…
