BIRTHDAYS

5/15 Julie Cole


SUNDAY READINGS

Numbers 11:24-30
Psalm 104:25-35,37
Acts 2:1-21
John 7:37-39

May 8, 2008

From the Rector's Desk

Several years ago, when I was serving as Director of Communications for the Anglican Mission, we commissioned some research into our sense of identity, and why people decided to join up with AMiA. We had a personal contact at one of the leading emotional branding firms in the world, located in Chicago, and he began to look into these questions. After various questionnaires, interviews and visits were held in several cities, we were presented with the findings during a meeting at Wheaton College.

One of the key results was that people were interested in the Anglican Mission in large part because of our unique relationship with Rwanda, and the Anglican Church there. In a number of ways Africa loomed large in the emotional identity of AMiA—although most of our members had little real connection to the region The primary investigator, who had done groundbreaking work for American Express, Harley Davidson, Loyola University and other leading organizations, underlined this advantage, and told us not to forget its importance.

I'm grateful that although the branding research revealed its intrinsic strength, we are not connected to Rwanda as a result of marketing decisions or to heighten our appeal, but because it is simply at the core of who we are and what God is doing in this unique time in the world. God is raising up the voice of the church in the two-thirds world—like new wine-- and we have much to learn from their experience. We had opportunity to draw close to that in the last several weeks with Bishop John Rucyahana's visit for the Sonrise School benefit, and for our wonderful service of worship with confirmations on April 28. If you had not had the chance to meet Bishop John or hear him in person prior to that weekend, I think you now have a sense of why we talk about the importance of that relationship.

Bishop Rucyahana is not alone in his gifted leadership or his entrepreneurial spirit for the Lord's work—we see that in a number of areas in the Global South, and the church at large. But he is someone that knows us well and has watched our development and journey as a congregation, even as we have stood with him. He has lived out gospel courage, both as a pastor during Idi Amin's tortuous rule in Uganda and again in post-genocide Rwanda. When he talks about forgiveness, we know that we must listen. When he calls us to sacrifice material well-being, we have a sense that he is not just quoting the Bible at us, but speaking a Word that he has learned himself, first.

Following our time with Bishop John I spent two days in Atlanta with other clergy and lay leaders in a 'visioning' process for the next several years of AMiA's life. There is much we do not know and can't see at this point, but it is clear that our relationship to Rwanda will not be set aside. That is a strength for us as a missionary movement and as a local church, and something that we can share with our Northshore neighbors, who are intrigued by what that small African nation has endured. Following the nightmare of the 1994 genocide and the death of a million people, God's Spirit was poured out on that nation, and in the midst of their deep need they experienced a profound grace that is helping Rwanda to recover and soar as a church and a people. Through their sponsorship of the Anglican Mission and Church of the Redeemer we also benefit from that particular blessing of grace, extended to us on the other side of the world.

A number of those confirmed at Redeemer intend to take up the call of full-time Christian service or ordained ministry. To have been confirmed by a Global South bishop in a missionary church that is an expression of a sovereign and unique move of the Spirit in our time will shape those future ministries and churches in profound ways, even as it is shaping us now. Connection with Rwanda is not our only identifier. We are marked by our commitment to the historic faith, worship in word and sacrament, real community and mission, but the global relationship between Redeemer and Ruhengeri is something only God could bring about. At Pentecost the world became a smaller place as the Holy Spirit unified the far-flung peoples and languages gathered in Jerusalem, calling the church into being and into mission. That work is still ongoing in beautifully creative ways, and we thank God that we are tasting that 'new wine' here and now.


Blessings and peace,

Jay+



The Rev. Jay L. Greener, Rector
Church of the Redeemer
frjay@redeemernorthshore.org


Stewardship

Thank you for your ongoing faithful investment in God’s work at Church of the Redeemer. Giving this year has been behind our budget, and we want to be in as good a position as possible before entering the (usually) slower summer months. God bless you, and thank you for your prayers, as well.

Average giving needed each week: $6,900
Offering last Sunday: $6,592



Worship this Week

Don’t miss our worship together this Sunday, as we honor graduates and Mothers, all on Pentecost! We will give thanks for thirty-two people graduating from high school, college and graduate programs, all with connections to Church of the Redeemer. We will also celebrate the giving of the Holy Spirit as we hear the scripture from Acts chapter 2 read in multiple languages. Our preacher will be Dr. Graham Cole. See you Sunday at 10 a.m.



Tragedy in Myanmar

No doubt you have been following the news of the cyclone in Myanmar (formerly Burma) that has perhaps killed as many as 100,000 men, women and children. Response has been difficult because of the closed nature of that government. There are Christian Missions in the country, but work there is difficult. In response to this loss you can make a contribution through World Vision, a Christian relief and development organization that has worked in Myanmar for over 40 years. They apparently have the relationships locally, and staff on the ground in order to get aid through. To learn more or make a contribution click here.



Looking Ahead

Our Children’s Ministry is planning a celebration and outreach in Highwood on June 21. This will be a time of food and fun for our own Redeemer families and as a connection point to those in the local Highwood area. Plan now to be a part of this, and to help in preparation! Contact Allyson Entner, our Children’s Pastor.



Redeemer Kids

This Sunday in "Stories and Symbols" Redeemer Kids will explore the story of Pentecost and the flame as a symbol of the Holy Spirit.

Volunteers are Judy Bayley and Allyson Entner.


Prayer Notes. . .

  • for the Mission and Vision and Outreach of Church of the Redeemer
  • for our Rector, Fr. Jay, and his family
  • for our staff and their families
  • for those God is calling us to reach
  • for our graduates and the places God is leading them
  • for the tragedy in Myanmar and the great physical and spiritual need
  • for those in need in body, mind and spirit