Thomas KleinertIn the grocery store the other day, I watched a young woman pushing a stroller that was about the size of a Geo Metro. Three seats is a row, each holding a happy baby – a family blessed with triplets! I remembered our own days and nights of infant care and tried to imagine feeding, changing, holding, bathing, rocking a beautiful , tiny human being … multiplied by three. Three babies!

Until very recently these were the kinds of scenes and images triggered by the word triplet. Since the beginning of summer, however, I have noticed how I have become very comfortable referring to ‘my triplet’ in casual church conversation. And many participants in our Summer of Prayer love to talk about how much they are enjoying their prayer triplet. At the risk of sounding a little corny, I want to point out that Vine Street is a family blessed with triplets.

Over the course of several weeks, small groups of three have met faithfully to talk and pray. Some discovered that praying with and for each other was much less uncomfortable than they thought. Others became close friends with people they barely knew back in May. Many were surprised by the ideas and suggestions that simply emerged in those intimate settings of mutual trust. We are a family blessed with triplets, and it doesn’t sound corny at all.

The Summer of Prayer is drawing to a close, and it is time to look at the next steps of The Journey. Soon after Labor Day, we will celebrate together the conclusion of those memorable 100 days with a time of sharing and worship (look for details in next week’s Visitor!). We will gather and condense all the thoughts, ideas, questions, recommendations, etc. that the triplets have reported, and this wealth of insight and prayerful imagination will become the source for two workshops.

On Saturday, September 13 all triplets and anyone curious enough to come (and willing to help!) will meet with George Bullard from 9am to 4pm. In this workshop we will develop three possible future scenarios for Vine Street, each shaped by the work we have done in the spring and by the input from the prayer triplets.

On Sunday, September 14 we will meet again for lunch and a second workshop of approximately two hours. We will have the exciting task of identifying the one scenario for Vine Street’s future that God is calling us to embrace. Most likely (but who am I to predict anything?) it won’t be just one of three, but some creative combination we’ll all look at and say, “Yes, that’s it. This is who God wants us to become. This is where God wants us to go.” At the end of that process, we will ask a group of writers to pen Vine Street’s future story, the story that will guide us in bringing that scenario to life.

Our triplets have served our community in ways we are only beginning to grasp. Through prayer and conversation they have opened windows through which we can see the future God intends for Vine Street. I am not at all surprised that some triplets are thinking about continuing to meet. Several participants suggested that we use this spiritual-strategic approach again, perhaps as early as next year, to discern how to move forward in particular areas of our ministry. Isn’t that a fascinating idea? We are a family blessed with triplets. Thanks be to God.

OFFICIAL BOARD VACANCY

The Nominating Committee is actively seeking a replacement for Finance Committee Chairperson due to a resignation last month. Once a member has been identified, and approved by the Official Board, the person will be presented to the Congregation for approval. Please keep the Nominating Committee in your thoughts and payers during this time of selection.

Brian Berhow, Official Board Chair

ATTENTION ALL VINE STREET VISITORS!

Would you like to learn more about Vine Street, or Disciples of Christ?

You Are Invited to a “Q & A Buffet”

Sept.7th at 12:15 in Thomas’ office
Lunch buffet, and nursery provided
RSVP: church office 269-5614, or email denise.

Go to Page 2.

 

 

  If so, come join one of our Sunday School teams. We currently have three classes for adults, one youth class, and four classes for children. We gather from 9:30-10:30 a.m. every Sunday morning. Class descriptions will be available in an upcoming Visitor. For more information and a rousing start to the new school year, join us for our annual Kick-off breakfast.

We will announce the new children’s classes and  give the adult class recruiters a couple of minutes on the microphone. 

Everyone is eligible for the draft!

When playing on God’s team,  we all win.

Dress code: Jerseys, team colors, cheerleading outfits, pompoms, or typical church clothes 

POOL PARTY and WEENIE ROAST

Sunday, August 24^th   *  Bethany Hills

Campers, families and friends of Bethany Hills, come join the youth group for one more summer day at church camp. Our afternoon will include free time at the pool, water Olympics and an honest to goodness weenie roast.

Time: 3 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Location: carpool from VSCC (or meet us there)

Cost: $5 camp donation

Bring: Swimsuit and towel

Food: Assigned after we know the final #

RSVP here, or call the church office.

Let's Have Dinner Together Again.....

WHO: Dinner for 8 (Round 2 of 2008)

 WHAT: Organizing meeting

 WHEN: August 24  (7:00 pm)

 WHERE: Fellowship Hall

 Please bring finger food to share.

 If unable to attend, please contact:

 Roy & Julia DeHart  665-0677

 ALONG VINE STREET                                                                

Hope Hodnett is traveling this week on vacation.

Malinda Moseley’s grandmother, Marjorie Lorton died on Friday, August 15. Please remember the family in your prayers.

Viki Cauthen’s mother, Lilian Vacca, died on Saturday August 9. Viki lives at 113 Carnavon Pkwy, Nashville 37205

Tallu Schuyler asks for prayers of comfort and healing for her family. Her dad's sister, Beverly Hulsizer died very unexpectedly while she was on vacation with her husband.

Phill Robinson, a co-worker of Jim ClenDening’s at Habitat for Humanity died unexpectedly. Jim asks for our prayers for Phill’s family and friends.

Julia Keith asks for prayers for her friend, Marge and her daughter; they are going through a very difficult period in their relationship.

Eric Hutton asks for prayers for the son of a neighbor who is still battling infections after his appendix ruptured a couple of weeks ago.