Falling OverOn Sunday, KK and the kids talked about things we do with our hands in worship and ministry. Clapping, shaking hands, holding hands, hugging - they came up with over forty things we do with our hands to share God's love with one another!At one point, KK was shaking her hand in a way that reminded me of dusting the furniture. "This is something Thomas does a lot," she said. I was confused. "Dusting?" I asked, and she started laughing. "Not dusting, writing! Thomas writes a lot!" and there was the motion again. I fell over backwards on the carpet, laughing. Then the kids led the congregation in what TJ calls, "Jazz hands!" a.k.a. applause in American Sign Language, thanking me for five years of ministry at Vine Street. Carol Doidge, John Marshall, and Greg Bailey added words of thanks and Greg handed me an envelope with a thank-you gift. I didn't open the envelope until after our worship service - and I almost fell over backwards again! Thank you all for this wonderful gift, and for the relationships, the conversations, the prayers, the songs, the meals, the work, the laughs and smiles and tears of the past five years. Thank you, Vine Street! Thomas Kleinert New Church Ministry will present the first ever Spirit Games competition during the 2009 General Assembly in Indianapolis, July 29-August 1. Wanna-be athletes and sports enthusiasts from around the country are gearing up for this spirited competition that will raise awareness for the New Church Movement, while raising funds to support New Church Ministry projects nationwide. Age is not an issue! Young and old - all can play the Spirit Games. The competition will be divided into three areas: the Spirit Walk/pedometer challenge; Wii games at the Spirit Zone in the exhibit hall and Spirit Splash on the Indianapolis Canal. Participants score points at each event and by collecting sponsorship donations to benefit New Church Ministry. (All participating youth under the age of 18 MUST have a parental consent form and be accompanied by an adult for the Spirit Splash.) Participants can enter the games as individuals, a team of four or a church youth group. Registration for the Spirit Games is $35 per individual, $100 per team of four. Church youth groups can participate at no charge and should contact New Church Ministry or visit www.newchurchministry.org for registration information. Regardless of your category of play, you will earn an additional 100 points as an individual, 400 points as a team and 1000 points as a youth group if you pre-register before July 1 and five points for every dollar raised on behalf of New Church Ministry. From http://www.disciples.org |
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The Visitor - May 20, 2009 |
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New Church Ministry Will Present the First Ever Spirit Games During the 2009 General Assembly