Crucial Event this Sunday!
Crucial Events This Sunday!
There seems to be great Spirit-fueled momentum toward what we’ve been praying for together for over five years...the purchase of a permanent home for Redeemer!
Join with us at 9AM in the Fellowship Hall (downstairs) as we continue together in this prayer!
Then later, it’s time to talk about the financial resources it will require. To that end, we’re hosting two opportunities for you hear some truly incredible stories about great things that are already happening, to answer your questions, to share our vision for the future of Redeemer, and to talk specifically about the financial commitment it will take to get us there.
We will be meeting:
This Sunday following worship and some refreshment (care for younger children will be provided)
Tuesday, November 21, 7PM at the Wishart home (for space and parking reasons, registration is required)
As I’ve said, one of our goals is to answer any questions you have regarding this purchase. And so that we can be as thoughtful and thorough as possible in our response, please submit questions in advance. You can still do so here.
Another goal is to secure financing by the end of our “free look study period” which means we must have commitments in hand (in the offering) or postmarked by or before Sunday, November 26. I know this doesn’t allow a lot of time, but with the speed at which doors have opened to us, it is necessary. We will ask for one-time gifts and/or three-year commitments for future expenses. The most urgent thing right now, though, is having as much cash on hand as possible at closing.
I hope you’ll take one of these opportunities to hear more about this amazing possibility, and accept the invitation to join is in its pursuit.
Steve+
Thanksgiving Dinner at Harbor House
We have been invited to participate in providing a Thanksgiving meal for the Harbor House community in Eastport—our future neighborhood(!) Lord willing. Commitment is preparing an item for the meal and delivering it to Eastport UMC between noon and 2PM Saturday, November 18. You can participate by signing up here.
The Parable of the Talents
I remember the first time our family visited Marriott’s Great America which had recently opened near us in 1976. This was back before it was Six Flags. It was known for its Looney Tunes characters and enormous roller coasters. I had never experienced anything like it…the music, the crowds, the sounds of roller coaster tracks and the screams of the people strapped into them. They even had an amazing roller coaster that had no straps or bars; you were simply held in by forces.
I realized quickly that the best way to experience a roller coaster was to go all in…you had to throw caution to the wind and go over the threshold of the big drop with your hands in the air and your mouth open in a wild yell all the way down.
At least, this was my method. My mother’s method was to close her eyes, tightly grip the strap or bar or person next her, and pray she would live to see the end. I’m glad my mom joined in the fun with us and I admire her courage.
But it’s hard to enjoy the ride if you are overcome with fear.
In Matthew, the Parable of the Talents is told as Jesus nears his trial and crucifixion. It appears with other parables and metaphors that emphasize compassion and generosity as hallmarks of readiness for judgment. Fruitful trees, full lamps, profitable investments, and merciful outreach describe God’s people and their activities when they are most aligned with the Kingdom of the Heavens.
How do God’s people open their hearts in the face of impending judgement? In the Parable of the Talents, we get a hint through the contrasting example of the servant who buried his talent in the ground. Why? “I was afraid.”
Perfect love casts out fear…or at least helps you get through a roller coaster ride with your kids.
I look forward to exploring his parable together on Sunday.
Steve Engstrom+
Membership Sunday, December 3
From Redeemer’s By-Laws:
Article VIII, Section 2: Membership in the Congregation shall extend to those who:
1. have reached the age of majority;
2. have been baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (and preferably Confirmed by the Bishop);
3. assent unreservedly to the three Ecumenical Creeds (Apostles’, Nicene, Athanasian);
4. sacrificially steward their time, talent, and treasure in the furtherance of Redeemer’s Shared Vision*;
5. regularly attend the public worship of Redeemer Anglican Church (regular attendance being here defined as at least monthly, to the greatest extent possible at a worship service, or if shut-in, to have receive communion monthly); and,
6. publicly sign the Redeemer Parish Registry (The Big Green Book).
Article VIII, Section 3: Membership shall be considered Inactive when voluntarily withdrawn or transferred, or after a period of two years (24 months) of inactivity.
*To Proclaim and promote the Gospel; giving ever more time, talent, and treasure to seeking the flourishing of our neighbors.
To this point, Membership at Redeemer has been “passive” in the sense that if a person were fulfilling certain expectations, they were considered a “Communicant Member”—a member in good standing—with no “official act” on their part. Our Province and Diocese, however, strongly urge that membership our churches be “active”—an act on the part of each member that indicates who’s “with us”. Additionally, that accurate records be kept (Active Members, weekly attendance, giving, baptisms, confirmations, events, etc.). Historically, Anglicans are a devout record-keeping bunch.
The Vestry has been working since mid-2022 to develop an active and meaningful membership—amending our By-Laws accordingly—that expresses certain fundamental expectations and provides flexibility for how these expectations are lived out in community. Catechesis and Confirmation, for example, are not required within the membership framework (baptism and historic Creedal assent are), nor do we narrowly define how “time, talent, and treasure” be stewarded. We believe our stakeholders are responsible, intelligent, and creative and can best decide these things.
Sunday, December 3rd has been designated Redeemer’s inaugural “Membership Sunday” where we will publicly declare our intentions to be “officially” united with our sisters and brothers in the Redeemer community.
Other Important Events:
Sunday, December 10—Redeemer Annual Meeting
Sunday, December 24—Christmas Eve Lessons and Carols
Monday, December 25—Christmas Day Holy Communion
Sunday, December 31—Fifth Sunday Potluck
