|
Check out this description of a new church: “a radically hospitable community, rooted in grace, that practices deep listening and creative liberation.”
This church gathers “to creatively set up new ways of living, organizing, and being in the world that are joyful and just.”
And that’s what they are doing, from innovative worship to effective social change in their Seattle neighborhood. It’s a Good News story for this season of Advent when we anticipate the birth of the One who is ever new.
And I’m glad to say that the founder of this new church is a part of our Beatitudes Society network of emerging leaders: John Helmiere, a 2008 Beatitudes Summer Fellow. When John graduated from Yale Divinity School in 2010, he was awarded the school’s Tweedy Prize for “exceptional promise for pastoral leadership.”
 In a recent online interview for IdeaMensch, John was asked to name his inspiration. He answered: “Jesus. He was tenacious, bold, and impolitic as he challenged the rampant injustices of Rome and its proxies in his homeland. His example has inspired me when I require the courage to speak truth to power here in Seattle.”
John is just the kind of leader we need for the church and for the world. But doing a church startup is not easy. We know that, and we know that we need those churches that are daring in their welcome and in their civic engagement. So The Beatitudes Society is launching a new yearlong Fellowship in 2012, to equip bold pastors like John to do God’s work of love and justice at the intersection of faith and public life.
In talking with John about the new Fellowship opportunity, he said, “I have to tell you, it’s kind of lonely out here, and it’s very encouraging to know there’s a group who wants to support our work.”
Well, we’re that group, and we’re inspired to partner with John in his vision with resources that will strengthen the good work he’s begun. I’ll give you more details about the new Fellowship after Christmas.
In this season of Advent, with all things new in mind, I want to make sure you know about our upcoming February event with the author of A New Kind of Christianity, Brian McLaren. Brian’s work is about creating fresh ways to encounter the holy in our worship, our work, and our world—definitely something new is afoot here! Early bird rates are available before Jan. 9.
In anticipation,
Anne
The Rev. Anne S. Howard
Executive Director
The Beatitudes Society
____________________________________________
An Evening with Brian McLaren
February 10, 2012
|
