RIC meeting this week?

Hi - Just wanted to be sure that everyone knows that the RIC team is meeting this week to review feedback responses and prepare for the session next Sunday - right? Not that I'm going to be around - I'm headed out for my Celtic Pilgrimage, but am eager for the meeting on Sunday to go well. Gary - did you ever post the minutes of our last meeting? Maybe I missed it.

This Sunday RIC Feedback Results

Thanks to everyone for making the bulletin inserts and for helping make the feedback annoucement this morning.

Here are the results from this Sunday's service.

There were 24 responses:

Do you have fears and or concerns about Creator adopting a formal statement of welcome for all people including gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people?

87.5% Have no fears or concerns (21)

12.5% Did have fears and concerns. (3)

Of those concerned one marked RIC would be a positive change. That person was concerned others might be uncomfortable with the explicit affirmation of welcome.

Do you believe adopting a statement of welcome will change Creator?

70.83% Yes, and change will be positive. (17)

8.33% Yes, and change will be negative. (2)

0% There will be no change (0)

20.83% Not sure (5)

The primary concern was about people leaving the church over issue of the affirmation of welcome. The secondary concern was about whether there was a need for explicit welcome if we already welcome everybody.

There were comments as well. Affirming comments from a visitor, also that we would be living closer to the gospel in making the explicit affirmation of welcome and it would help us learn to be a more welcoming community.

A few people favoring explicit affirmation choose either the first or second question to express their concerns the comfort level of other congregation members (saying they did have a concern or they were not sure if there would be a change at Creator).

July Bible study

This is what we came up with for a description of Dave’s Bible study to use with the Creator congregation:

“What does the Bible say about . . . : Hope, Homosexuality and Hospitality?”

As our congregation considers becoming a “Reconciling in Christ” community, the question “What does the Bible say about homosexuality?” has come up. It’s a good question. We want a thoughtful answer. Wednesday evening, July 23, our own private bishop, Dave Brauer-Rieke of the Oregon Synod, will be present to lead us in a Bible Study on just this concern.

“It’s not so much what the Bible says as what we hear.” suggests Bishop Brauer-Rieke. “The question is always one of interpretation. The Bible clearly tells us not to lend money with interest, but this is the heart of our modern day economy. The Bible never questions the institution of slavery, but we today find it repugnant. The real question is not “What does the Bible say …” but “How do we faithfully engage modern day insights, opportunities and needs with the Word of God?”

So join us Wednesday, July 23 at 7 PM (and don’t forget the potluck at 6 PM!) for a Bible study not only on homosexuality, but on the power of the Living Word of God for everyday life. “What does the Bible say about . . . ?” You fill in the blank!

It seems that we can tweak this just a bit for RIC and the Synod office to use for publicity:

“What does the Bible say about . . . : Hope, Homosexuality and Hospitality?”

As Creator Lutheran Church in Clackamas considers becoming a “Reconciling in Christ” community, the question “What does the Bible say about homosexuality?” has come up. It’s a good question. We want a thoughtful answer. So we went straight to the Bishop and asked! Everyone is invited to come to Creator on Wednesday evening, July 23 when Bishop Dave Brauer-Rieke of the Oregon Synod will lead us in a Bible Study on just this concern.

“It’s not so much what the Bible says as what we hear.” suggests Bishop Brauer-Rieke. “The question is always one of interpretation. The Bible clearly tells us not to lend money with interest, but this is the heart of our modern day economy. The Bible never questions the institution of slavery, but we today find it repugnant. The real question is not “What does the Bible say …” but “How do we faithfully engage modern day insights, opportunities and needs with the Word of God?”

So join us for a Bible study not only on homosexuality, but on the power of the Living Word of God for everyday life. “What does the Bible say about . . . ?” You fill in the blank!

Creator Lutheran Church is located on 13250 SE Sunnyside Road, east of I-205. You are welcome to potluck with us at 6 PM prior to the Bible study at 7 PM on Wednesday, July 23^rd. We’d love to have you help us engage this question

Let's Try That Again - Posting to the Affirmation Blog

I will send the minutes of tonight's meeting later.

In one discussion tonight we talked about posting more of our own comments on affirmations on the Creator blog spot. Having more comments may inspire others to add their comments.

We will also send the link again with a future congregational email.

You can publish anonymously. The link again is:

http://creator-affirmation.blogspot.com/

Possible Survey Tool

I developed a survey to show what is possible with a survey tool. For those who attended RIC training you will find this familiar. Please do not take content to heart. This is only to show how the survey might look online.

Currently access this through your email using the following link:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=C0xAMIfNJ9pR4FGGvHgtEg_3d_3d


We will talk about this at the meeting tonight.

Creator RIC Team Meeting Agenda for Thursday, June 5

Here is the proposed agenda for tomorrow's meeting. Let me know if there is anything else we need to address:


Plans for Adult Forum - Naming Our Fears & Concerns and Honoring Our Traditions Sunday, June 22nd

Other ideas to solicit feedback from congregation - Feedback Gretchen received

Request for online Survey tool for September

Working with Spiritworks small group structure – Anything to address with Pastor Dayle’s sabbatical

“The Bible Tells Me So” viewing opportunities

Networking with PFLAG decision

Plans for Bible study, July 23rd

Portland Chapter LCNA Roadtest "Walking the Talk of Welcome"

Draft Affirmation Activity

Youth RIC Activity

Other July Activities and July newsletter article

Youth discuss RIC

I'm posting Toni's email to me here in the blog, both to share it and to keep it in our official record:

We had limited time to discuss the RIC Challenge with the kids [on the Holden trip]. About 45 minutes total, but the kids were very articulate and definite and came up with something that I thought was rather brilliant. They condensed the welcome to welcoming people to Creator by asking them to come:

"As you are, where you are and who you are." (As you are, created by God, where you are in your spiritual and faith journey and who you are today and tomorrow. )

That is a very good start, I think.