Part 2: …Elders will dream dreams

Our vestry has undertaken a discipline this year of spending a good half hour in Bible study early in their monthly meetings.  This practice changes the tone of meetings.  The goal is to bring the business of the church into dialog with our faith.  The details of the scripture passage may not seem to be the one to speak to the details of that meeting’s agenda but the practice of the study lays a foundation for discerning God’s call and presence whatever that agenda may hold.

At our July meeting, the passage was Acts 8:1-13 which immediately follows the stoning of Steven, the first deacon.  The nascent church is being scattered and harassed and yet, is very alive.  After listening to the passage three times from different Bibles and sharing our first and second responses to the passage.  We took up the question, “What is your dream of what you want the church to be?” 

Home     Inclusive     Remembers dignity and reverence at worship     Searches for balance     Teaches the faith     Allows movement in faith life    Moves toward Christ   Free from constraints

Visions and dreams enable us to see what’s not yet apparent and keep us moving despite difficulties and obstacles. Vestry’s work can seem difficult and filled with obstacles. And, keeping God in the midst of it all seems far-fetched because God’s ways are not necessarily the ways of the world.                   –the Rev. Mary Slenski