THIS SUNDAY: July 7, 2019, 4:00-6:00 p.m., Chapel, Rose City Park PCUSA, 1907 NE 45thAve., Portland, OR 97213 Questions? Contact Pastor Brett Webb-Mitchell (919) 444-9111; brettwebbmitchell@gmail.com
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Dear Followers of the Way,
Before the July 4th extended weekend begins, I hope that this email finds everyone still enjoying the cooler temps the last few days before the temperature rises again!
The focus Scripture this week is Luke 10:1-11, 16-20, in which Jesus is sending the disciples out on a pilgrimage, two by two (for safety and mutual encouragement), doing the same ministry that Jesus was doing: curing the sick and saying to them, “the kingdom of God has come near to you.” The disciples were warned to expect resistance and rejection, much like we sometimes experience today. What is interesting is that the disciples were not given anything to measure their success or failure. They were simply sent out to be and share the good news of God's love. Today, we are called to go out into the world, accompanied by Christ, the Pilgrim God, carrying on the ministry that Jesus gave us. Or to quote St. Teresa of Avila, “Christ has no body on earth but yours; no hands but yours; no feet but yours. Yours are the eyes through which the compassion of Christ looks out to the world. Yours are the feet with which he is to go about doing good. Yours are the hands with which he is to bless others now.” And out we go, into the world, with the Spirit leading our pilgrimage, as a Community of Pilgrims!
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If you are looking for a chance to celebrate the Fourth of July a day early, consider going to hear Jo Ann Tower and a few of her friends in the Lake Oswego Millennium Concert Band Concert, Wednesday, July 3, 2019 (today!) Millennium Plaza Park, 200 1st St., Lake Oswego OR, 7 pm! Get there by 6:20 pm and enjoy the Millennium Brass too!
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Events!
July 7, Gathering and Worship, Rose City Park PCUSA;
July 14, Moreland Presbyterian Church worship! 9:30 am at Moreland Presbyterian Church!
July 20, a Thank You Volunteer Appreciation BBQ/Picnic by Human Solutions! All of us invited to come; 4-6 pm, St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church, 17405 NE Glisan St., Portland, OR.
July 21, Pastor Brett preaching at Woodburn Presbyterian Church
July 21, Gathering and Worship, Rose City Park Presbyterian Church!
July 28, Gathering and Worship, Rose City Park Presbyterian Church!
Aug. 4, Pastor Brett preaching at Portsmouth Union Church, Portland, OR
Aug. 4, Gathering and Worship, Rose City Park PCUSA.
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Requests
* Regarding the CoP t-shirts: Please pick up your t-shirt this Sunday, and bring cash or a check made out to Community of Pilgrims, in the amount of $8 for adult M, L, and XL, and youth; and $12 for adult 2XL. Thank you!
* We also have plenty of beautiful leather bracelets for each member of the community! Pick one up this Sunday!
* In the coming months, Pastor Chris and I will be quoting from and referencing sections from the book, Wisdom Distilled from the Dailyby Joan Chittister, a Benedictine monk, who, in this book, focuses on the nature of living life in an intentional Christian community, which is our aim as Community of Pilgrims. We can either order books for those interested and sending in a request for so-many copies, or feel free to order it or buy it from your favorite book distributor. Wisdom Distilled from the Daily, Joan Chittister, San Francisco: Harper One.
* Another book for our consideration: The Intentional Christian Community Handbookby David Janzen (Paraclete Press, 2013). We may use this book as we delve deeper into understanding what it means to be an intentional Christian community of faith.
* Finally, Community and Growthby Jean Vanier will be picked up as a book for us to read together.
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Poem
I Hear America Singing, by Walt Whitman
I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear,
Those of mechanics, each one singing his as it should be blithe and strong,
The carpenter singing his as he measures his plank or beam,
The mason singing his as he makes ready for work, or leaves off work,
The boatman singing what belongs to him in his boat, the deckhand singing on the steamboat deck,
The shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench, the hatter singing as he stands,
The wood-cutter’s song, the ploughboy’s on his way in the morning, or at noon intermission or at sundown,
The delicious singing of the mother, or of the young wife at work, or of the girl sewing or washing,
Each singing what belongs to him or her and to none else,
The day what belongs to the day—at night the party of young fellows, robust, friendly,
Singing with open mouths their strong melodious songs.
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Buen Camino!
Pastors Brett & Chris
Rev. Dr. Brett Webb-Mitchell (919) 444-9111; brettwebbmitchell@gmail.comRev. Chris Dungan chrisdungan1@msn.com