When it comes to trust, we face the same kinds of challenges as the Israelites. In the Old Lands -- before September 11th, before the economy went South, before Seekers Church decided to move to Carroll Street, before the Church of the Saviour divided into the separate communities twenty-six years ago -- then it was easier to trust in the future. At least it seemed easier. Now, with so much uncertainty around us, trust is more important than ever, but so much harder to build.
The next event, crossing over, would be a walk to Carroll Street. Some want to walk the whole six miles, and Peter is called to carry the cross, and someone else -- I don't know who -- our banner. Those who do not trek the whole trip could be picked up by cars along the way. Others might choose to go by subway and help provide the welcome refreshments and participate in a brief service of reception. If this sounds good to you, you might want to get in shape for the walk by practicing up now around your neighborhood. Think and pray about it. There are many ways to participate.
What does it mean to respond joyfully with our lives as the grace of God gives us freedom? I see that we gathered here have much God-given freedom. How do we use that freedom? How do we respond joyfully? How do we move away from responding out of guilt, need, the feeling that no one else will do it if we don't? How do we find responses that nourish rather than drain us? How do we respond in ways that fill us up with energy for the next thing on the to-do list?
We can serve children by being present to and with them, being conversational, mentoring even when we do not have a formal mentoring relationship with them. Seekers is called to be an intentionally intergenerational community; we affirmatively create intergenerational opportunities, seeing them as valuable both for adults and children. Sometimes it is easy at our more socially oriented intergenerational events to separate into adult groups and children groups. Everyone is happy, but we lose the chance for greater connection.
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