Up Meeting Synopsis
Here’s a summary of what happened at the Up Meeting on Sunday, April 18, emceed by Elyse Anderson and Greg Justice.
News & Testimonies
Meriwether Anderson shared briefly about her recent trip to Egypt to visit her brother, Matt, who is coordinating the 2010 Summer Institute in Muslim-Christian Studies in Cairo.
On behalf of the Parish Council, Joannella Birdsall gave thanks to God that after planting two churches in two years, our congregation has moved from surviving to thriving to overflowing. She mentioned the annual Parish Retreat and Holy Week as two recent examples of our enthusiastic participation, loving community, and spiritual growth.
Dan Claire gave an update on recent meetings and travels, including work with a new church in Harrisonburg, a presentation given to a grant-giving foundation, the Breaking Ground conference at Beeson Divinity School, and the North American Network meeting with Tim Keller. Dan encouraged everyone to listen to Keller’s lecture on Gospel Ecosystems.
Aaron Damiani gave a big shout out to the men who served during Holy Week in the logistics of footwashing in the Maundy Thursday service, and in the feast after the Vigil. Their service came as a direct answer to prayer, and so Aaron challenged us to keep praying for the kingdom come.
Erin Duffy and Justin Thorp gave an update on rezchurch.org, which gets an enormous amount of visitors from around the world. The website team needs more volunteers; everyone can help by taking photos and sharing stories.
Katie Doherty updated us on the children’s ministry. “Our children love to give,” as evidenced by many recent projects. The children’s chapel every Sunday includes singing, prayers and teaching. The nursery will soon double, and we are in need of more volunteers.
Lauren Johnson shared answered prayers in the ministry of International Justice Mission, particularly in the work of rescuing girls from sex trafficking in India.
Randy Kenna updated us on church finances. As was anticipated last year when we approved the 2010 budget, we are now experiencing a 30% shortfall between income and expenditures, and are making up the difference from savings. Regular financial giving is vitally important for our ministry. The Parish Council asks you to pray for our financial needs, and for the Council as stewards of our resources.
Kristi Kiger shared about the growing interest in adoptions and foster care in our community, and invited everyone to stay for a dinner on May 16 to hear testimonies from adoptive parents.
Raquel Rogers and Rachel Trego shared testimonies of God’s work in and through the dance ministry at Resurrection.
Dee Scriven talked about God’s faithfulness in a season of unemployment, the blessing of a new job, and the joy of rediscovering one’s identity as a child of the King.
Randy Smith shared about his week in Haiti, helping a church community in the aftermath of the earthquake. In witnessing the vitality of this Haitian Christian community, Randy “experienced how good it is to be in Jesus.”
Needs & Prayer Requests Mentioned
Pray for our friends in Harrisonburg, VA, who are starting a new church (Dan Claire).
Pray for and contribute to the financial needs of the church. Pray for the Parish Council as they steward the resources of the congregation. (Randy Kenna).
We need volunteers to help in our Nursery & Children’s Ministry (Katie Doherty).
We need volunteers to help with website content, photos, video, etc. (Erin Duffy).
Upcoming Events Mentioned
7pm Sun, May 16. Adoption & Foster Care Dinner after Worship, featuring two Christian families who have recently gone through the adoption process.
5pm Sun, June 6. Bishop Thad Barnum will ordain Aaron Damiani as Presbyter.
July 25-Aug 13. Summer Institute in Christian-Muslim Studies in Cairo.