This week at Old South Haven Churdh

May 2, 2019

Pluralism Sunday

Pluralism isn't just diversity;
it's something we create out of this diversity.
Dr. Diana Eck, founder and director of the Pluralism Project

"The first Sunday of May is the day that many progressive Christian congregations observe as Pluralism Sunday. Since 2007, we have been affirming that . . .By calling ourselves progressive Christians, we mean we are Christians who affirm that the teachings of Jesus provide but one of many ways to experience the Sacredness and Oneness of life, and that we can draw from diverse sources of wisdom in our spiritual journey. (from The 8 Points of Progressive Christianity)It doesn't matter where you are on the spectrum – just dipping your toes into the water or completely embracing a pluralistic program – Pluralism Sunday is a great time to reflect on where you are, where you'd like to go, and what you'd like to do."

--Susan Strouse

Progressive Christianity.org

Members and Friends—

What is the Church's mission? Our understanding of mission has gone through many transitions. At one time it was all about "foreign missions" and bringing the gospel to "the heathen." Sometimes it has been seen as those cash donations we make to "good" causes for the "less fortunate." But what is mission really? David Bosch, in his excellent book Transforming Mission, offers a multifaceted interim definition. Basic to it is that we must always "refer back to the ground of our faith: God's continuing self-communication in Jesus Christ." He suggests that the "entire Christian existence is to be characterized as missionary existence." Our task is as broad as the need is deep and always has evangelism as one of its dimensions. The church-in-mission is witness to what God desires for us and "God's experimental garden on earth, a fragment of the reign of God, having the 'first fruits of the Spirit 'as a pledge of what is to come."

In Christ, Pastor Karen

Be a Part of the Conversation—The members of the Session invite you to join them in the first of 4 annual meetings to listen, focus, discuss and lay out plans for the work of Old South Haven. Our focus for this first gathering will be on mission. What is mission here at OSH? Is it the cash we donate and send on in church-wide offerings? Is it the money in the annual budget that is sent on to groups and causes that the Session designates on your behalf? Is it the work of the Deacons to care for those in need in our midst? Is it the donations of food made to the Food Pantry? Is it providing a quality Sunday School program? Is it making our building available to groups that serve needs of the community? Is it hands on work? How do you see mission? What do you think? Come and tell your leadership in the gallery after fellowship.

STAKES in the Lawn -- Keep an eye out for the three red tagged stakes on our lawn. Soon there will be three new trees in their place. The trees will come to us courtesy of the Brookhaven Village Association.

Schedule

Sunday, May 5    10 :00 am    Worship-Communion

                            Pluralism Sunday

                        Fellowship Hour

                        Mission Focus –

        Session and Congregation Conversation

                            Gallery following fellowship

Saturday, May 11 10:30 am Deacons @ E. Fuka's home

Sunday May 12 10:00 am Worship

                Sunday School

Fellowship