More feedback from Sunday RIC Activity

It is interesting. On Sunday there was a perception that the same people come to these RIC events each time and that we "preach to the choir". Yet the heartfelt feedback on Sunday is coming from those for whom Sunday was only their first or second event.

One of our proposed explicit welcomes connected Sunday with someone who was divorced. There are other Creator members who still feel uncomfortable with a divorce in their past. They are hesitant to share their past because of their church's reactions at the time of their divorces.

October was initially our Ongoing Refinement of the Affirmation of Welcome. Let's change this to an Other Explicit Welcome month to focus on others in our congregation who don't feel the blanket "all are welcome" necessarily refers to them.

We can discuss this at our meeting next Thursday.

RIC Language of Affirmation Adult Forum

Hello Team,

Thanks for all who helped with this Sunday’s activity and thanks to those who were there with us in spirit.

This Sunday the primary take aways were not suggestions on the language of the statement (although we have seven we can discuss). Those in attendance continued the conversation regarding fears, concerns and what excites us about RIC. I was somewhat surprised by what needed to be explained and emphasized to this group today. We may need to have deeper discussions with the congregation in at least two areas:

Who is journeying with us and who are “we”? The RIC team understands the why, when and how of activities. There are those, not as closely connected with the discernment, in the group that met today who believe that given all the activity, our RIC team is pushing exclusively towards becoming RIC rather than focusing on RIC discernment and would override what the congregation wants.

Questions came up about the timing, (why come up with a draft Affirmation of Welcome now), other things we could be doing (inviting others with mental disabilities or those in different socioeconomic groups to tell their stories) and questioning if there were better things to focus on than RIC at Creator at present. Also whether we were following Pastor Dayle’s agenda on this came up again.

We addressed these questions in the group. If this needs to be brought to the congregation’s attention and how best to accomplish that are questions we need to answer as a team.

There were suggestions from the group about increasing the attendance at the activities and, as a result, engaging more of the congregation. One suggestion was for each of us to personally invite someone else.

What does being an RIC congregation mean? The group was not clear that to become RIC means the Affirmation of Welcome must explicitly welcome both gender identity and sexual orientation. We talked about why a congregation would become RIC. We probably need to explore this question more with those who are not on the team. Basically the question to be answered is:

If we passed an Affirmation of Welcome to welcome all rather particular groups isn’t that enough if it is all about Creator being welcoming as a community?


There were other areas but these are probably the main areas to address.

For those who were there please comment on anything I did not write about that we should address. I will write up the language suggestions in a different post.

We received some kudos as a team for our effort so far in the meeting. I pass them along and add the team continues to amaze me with the passion and effort you put into the RIC process at Creator.

Thanks,

Gary

Resources

Who has "For the Bible Tells Me So" video? I'm thinking that perhaps we need to think about a time to set up a showing for the congregation. Ideas?

Also, while at Holden Village this last week, I read a book called "Take the Bread" by Sara Miles. (Pastor Mary referred to it in her sermon a few weeks ago.) I think it's very applicable to those of us in RIC discernment and recommend it to you as an interesting read. It's about radical discipleship and hospitality to all is a major theme.

Gretchen

Planning August 24th Adult Forum for Affirmation Language

Hello Team,

If you would like to help plan this Sunday's Adult Forum, let me know. Otherwise I don't think we have enough people to meet this Thursday.

My current thoughts are to write out different pieces of the language that received feedback on the colloborative space and talk about the different pieces of the Affirmation.

If you have conflicts and cannot help plan for this Sunday, please let me know if you will attend.

And now for something completely different (well, maybe not completely). At council meeting tonight they asked for the moderators and topics for RIC Adult Forums we will have through the end of the year.

Think about it and let me know your ideas.

Peace,

Gary

Tonight's RIC Meeting Cancelled

Hi,

Many on the team cannot meet tonight so we will reschedule the meeting. Would next Thursday work for everyone?

Thanks,

Gary

Agenda for RIC Meeting Tomorrow August 7

Hello Team,

I hope you are enjoying the summer. The Portland LCNA Chapter meetings will resume in September so currently there is not much to report on.

I continue to be overwhelmed by all that happened, and by what was presented in last month's Bible study. I have received feedback from those who attended together with those who have now watched Bishop Dave's presentation on the Oregon synod site.

Thanks again to all of you for making it happen.

This month's meeting will focus on our plans for the draft affirmation, language of explicit welcome, and how to inspire congregational participation.

God's peace,

Gary


Agenda

Discussion of Bible Study / Feedback

Plans for August 24th Affirmation Activity in Adult Forum

Plans for September Survey

September newsletter article