25 January 2008

Anyone Can

One of our family’s favorite new animated movies is Ratatouille.  For those of you who aren’t familiar with the plot, it involves a rat named Remy whose desire is to leave the world of garbage dumps and become a chef.  Spurred on by the vision of a famous French culinary artist, Auguste Gusteau, he and his human friends learn from him that “anyone can cook.”  The inherent message in this modern-day fable is that sometimes the boxes in which we place people (or rats) ultimately limits who they can be.

 

The Bible is full of stories where people place sinful limitations on one another and even on God himself.  Our news is filled with these limitations as well.  Who we are, who we know, what we believe, or how much money we have all are indicators or examples of types of power.  The implications from those perceived powers can result in either fortunate or unfortunate consequences for our life paths.  In our brokenness, humans can use these forms of power and influence to surround ourselves with those who think like us and exclude and/or demonize those who have a differing perspective.  There is no place for a Remy in this world-view.          

 

In contrast, the scriptures speak again and again of the fact that all humans are worthy of respect because they are created in God’s image and that baptized Christians are equal children of God, sisters and brothers in Christ’s Kingdom.  The scriptures’ vision is that each man and woman, boy and girl needs to be free to live into the call God places on their lives.  If the Church is to be the reflection of God’s good news here on earth, then we need to find a way to break the world’s currency of power, influence and control.  The only way to do that is to live a different reality.

 

That is why, from its earliest beginnings, Church of the Beloved has emphasized that we are a community that follows the pattern of call and response.  Anyone can at Beloved.  Anyone can walk in our doors and they will be warmly welcomed.  Anyone can just “hang out” on their search and not be pestered or forced to form an opinion or make a decision.  Anyone can decide to go through Orientation to learn more about this community with no expectations on the other end.  After completing Orientation, anyone can get involved with an Angel Army Team and participate in other ministries.  Any of these Oriented people can deepen their understanding about what it means to be a follower of Jesus and a member of a church community by attending a Foundation Seminar.  Anyone can choose to be a faithful supporter and minister of Christ with a heart for Beloved and never involve themselves in congregational leadership issues.  And anyone, absolutely anyone, can offer themselves to God and the Beloved community for the critical areas of congregational visioning and leadership by signing a Servant Member Covenant explained at a Foundation Seminar.  No one is forced to be who he or she is not.  No one is forced into or prevented from moving deeper into the life of our community by those who are entrusted with authority and power.  No one is included or excluded by their relationship to those already in leadership.  Anyone can…if they answer God’s call.

 

Next Saturday, February 2, we will offer Beloved’s next Foundation Seminar at 10am.  This seminar is simply a meaningful 90-minute Bible Study reflecting on what it means to be a follower of Jesus and a member of a church.  It is open to all who have completed Beloved’s Orientation.  Would you like to learn more about what it means to follow Jesus in a community of faith?  Is God calling you to go deeper?  Would you like to do more to help Beloved grow and continue in Charlotte’s South Perimeter?  If the answer is “yes,” come to Foundation Seminar.  See how God may use this experience to deepen your commitment to Jesus and his Church.  Perhaps you might even be led to become a 2008 Servant Member of this congregation…simply meaning that you hear God calling you to make specific prayer, support and service commitments to our faith community during this year.  You can register by clicking here.  Clifford and I hope to see you there.

 

J. Derek Harbin, priest

 

 

 

Around Beloved… Sunday Christian Formation resumes this week for adults and children.

 

The Beloved Band’s Shana Blake is an award-winning vocalist and songwriter. Well-known as a singer and bass player with The Near Misses, Shana has also amassed a following for her work with Candlewyck, Tesser and on numerous studio projects. Shana's new band, The Swizzlers, includes Rick Blackwell, Jason Atkins & Jim Brock (drummer Chuck Lee will cover for Jim this weekend since Mr. Brock will be at the Emmy Award ceremonies in NYC!). Don't miss Shana's first show with her new project, and a grand ol' time with friends and fans at the Evening Muse tonight, January 25!

 

Congratulations to Clifford King Harbin who was appointed by Bishop Curry at Diocesan Convention last week to serve on the Diocesan Liturgical Commission.  This is the group that plans all worship celebrations of the diocese, and Clifford’s inclusion was specifically sought to bring Beloved’s perspective on worship into the wider liturgical planning of our diocese.

 

 

Who will God choose on February 3 to serve as the next two Beloved Advisory Team (Vestry) Members?  Pray for Catherine Atwood, Todd Atwood, Fernando Baquero, Ann Calandro, Janis Conlon, Ben Copeland, Craig Doyon, Betsy Fox, Harris High, Tony Hodgson, Nancy Hodgson, Anna Moore, Frank Reid, Mary Reid, Dick Reif, Toni Reif, and Liz Wilson that God’s wisdom will be revealed.  They each have signed a Servant Member Covenant (declaring that service to Beloved will be their primary Christian ministry as well as making specific commitments to our faith community).  To learn more specifics about this selection process, click here.

 

 

The Beloved Men’s Fellowship is continuing its visioning work with David Cash.  Their next meeting will be at Beloved Garden on Monday, January 28 @ 7pm.  Exciting plans will be shaping up for the future; come be a part!

 

On Sunday, February 3^rd bring your palms from last year’s Palm Sunday celebration to be burned during Christian Formation time in preparation for this year’s Ash Wednesday celebration.  There will be extra palms present so that everyone who desires to take part can participate.  This day we will also participate in the Souper Bowl of Caring.  Bring a dollar or more per person in your household to place in our soup pot for the hungry on Super Bowl Sunday.

 

 

On Wednesday, February 6^th, we will begin our forty-day preparation for Easter called Lent.  Our 7pm Ash Wednesday liturgy will be celebrated at our worship space in Community House Middle School (with a volunteer Angel Army team for set up and teardown).  Like all Beloved worship, it is designed for all ages in mind.  Ash Wednesday is a fast day in the calendar of the Church.  Those who are physically able are encouraged to abstain from food.  (Remember that children and those with other physical needs can observe a medically appropriate modified fast.)  When your stomach rumbles, that is your reminder to pray!

 

 

Ash Wednesday is also an appropriate time in the cycle of the Church to participate in the sacrament now known as the Reconciliation of the Penitent (and in older days, Confession).  This day, or any day following during the 40-day season of Lent—up to and including Good Friday, is an appropriate time for those who desire it to review the choices and decisions made (or “left undone”), acknowledge their consequences (even if unintended), ask forgiveness of God and be absolved by the priest.  To make an appointment with Fr. Derek, click here.  To make an appointment with Pastor Sally, click here.

 

 

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

 

 

January 20…Attendance: 123; Worship Offering: $2,253.  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 January 27…I Corinthians 1:10-18 & Matthew 4:12-23

 

Serving at God’s Altar on January 27…Complete setup/complete teardown: Angel Army Team #5; Acolytes: Adam Burnett, Holly Burnett, Garreth Floyd, Clare Harbin; Offering Basket Passers: Claire Anton, Daniel Anton, Emma Ryan, Sam Ryan; Offering Tellers: see Liz Wilson; Presenters: Dave and Mary Ann Cash; Altar Bread Baker: Janis Conlon; Lay Eucharistic Ministers: Dick Reif and Janis Conlon; PowerPoint: Elizabeth Nichols; Reader: Liz Wilson.

 

In our Prayers…click here

 

Upcoming Calendar…click here