Words from Thomas

Thomas Kleinert

Eighteen prayer triplets, ten sessions of at least ninety minutes each – that’s twohundredandseventy hours of prayerful deliberation about Vine Street’s mission and ministry. Arithmetic can’t capture the meaning of these many encounters, nor can reports. Nevertheless, the numbers shed at least some light on how important this journey has been to us, and gathering the written findings in a book is our way of honoring the commitment and work of fifty-four of our members and friends. Many strategic planning processes end with a written report collecting dust on a shelf. We are looking for a different outcome. We know that the transformation we desire has already begun: the triplets have produced written results, but they have also (and perhaps more importantly) built relationships. In those small group encounters we helped create a space for the Spirit of God to blow gently on the

In worship on Sunday, we turned the first pages in a book that has become the scrap book of Vine Street’s future. Every triplet offered seven key insights, suggestions, dreams – some one-liners as well as some thematic paragraphs – that capture an important part of their Summer of Prayer. Throughout the summer, a number of triplets also posted their findings on a website, and all those notes will now be added to our scrap book.

On Saturday – that’s this coming Saturday, September 13, 9am-4pm – we will get together for a workshop with George Bullard. Building on the foundational work of the triplets, we will develop three potential future scenarios for Vine Street. I imagine it to be somewhat like using pieces of tile to create a mosaic: depending on how we arrange them, a different picture will emerge. Our task on Saturday will be to draw the outlines of three potential future scenarios for our church.

In a second workshop on Sunday, immediately following the 10:45 worship service, we will work on identifying the scenario that represents most accurately what we perceive to be God’s call and our faithful response. You may want to read that last line one more time. What a task and what a privilege to work on its completion. I can’t wait, and I am thrilled that thirty people have already signed up for the two workshops! Have you? If not, please do so now so we can make lunch plans. Please sign up here call the church office at 269-5614.

We have a very exciting season coming up.

More From www.vinestreet.org

2nd Sunday - September 14th!

Congregational Meeting

Sunday, September 21^st

There will be a Congregational Meeting immediately following the 10:45 am Worship Service on Sunday, September 21^st. The purpose of this meeting is to seek Congregational approval for individual nominated by the Nominating Committee and approved by Official Board to fill vacant Chair of Finance Committee. We thank you in advance for your attendance at this brief meeting!

Best Regards,

Brian Berhow

Chair Official Board