July 2003
Two reports and an observation
St. Mark's, Milwaukee, WI discerns a lot!
Deacon Michelle Mooney leads nine members of a Ministry/Mission Discernment Committee that has been studying WTMATM in the congregation she serves. She writes:
• We are beginning to plan two workshops for newcomers and existing members of the congregation to introduce them to body or individual ministry as we understand it.
• We also hope to have a six-week Bible study to support people as they begin to explore and go out in their ministries.
• We will also offer one-on-one mentoring for people who would like this subsequent to or instead of a group experience.
• We are also planning to have at least one support group started of folks who want to explore the ethical and theological decisions that impinge on their decisions in the workplace.
• We had a wonderful Pentecost Eve celebration filled with music, poetry, scripture, writings, personal testimonials, reflection time, and sharing, and ending with a lunch together. A great spirit-filled day.
• I am also talking with the diocesan Commission on Ministry of which I am a member about having more involvement in helping lay folks discern their ministries.
• I have included a friend from another parish here, Christ Church, in our meetings, since they have an interest in including some of what we are working on in their gifts and discernment process.
• I have been preaching every chance I get on this concept and it is being well received.
• Finally I am beginning talks with a fellow deacon who is in charge of the Deacon's School for our diocese to teach a module of the WTMATM theology and practice as part of the regular offerings to deacons' in training.
• I am thrilled at the power of these materials and it is a joy to work with them. I can't give you all enough praise.
Contact: The Rev. Michelle Mooney, Deacon, (at home) 2633 North Hackett Ave., Milwaukee, WI 5321; p: 414-964-3118; f: 414-964-3583; email: m-mooney@core.com; (at church) 2618 N. Hackett Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53222 with phone 414-962-0500
Bonding, joy, and the power of prayer in Lake Jackson, TX
During the Great Fifty Days from Easter to Pentecost of 2003 at St. Timothy's Church, Lake Jackson, TX, 48 people in six groups read and talked about Part One of WTMATM. Each session had two parts: discussion of the stories of one of the mission fields followed by Oral Bible Study (see pp. 165-7 of WTMATM) of the next Sunday's Gospel. Older members who are very committed to their Christian lives found living your life as a mission was an attitude they have had for a long time. They found the stories to be examples of things they believed they were supposed to do. Other groups looked more for common threads that they could relate to in their own lives as many were looking at their daily lives as "mission fields" for the first time. Several groups spent a whole session talking about joy as found in the stories. While all found a "lot of meat" in the general discussion of the stories, what the people carried away most strongly was a bonding experience. The study was the first small group work in years. The Oral Bible study was also a first experience for many. They were surprised at "how powerful" it was to pray for each other during the week and then report what had happened. They were seeing God at work in their lives. Finally, since one group wanted to get into the heart of the second half of the book, "Continuing On" will be offered in the Fall. They will look at the study guide on www.membermissionpress.org – click on Making the Vision Work > Session plans and ideas > Study guide for the book.
Contact: Lela Seay, Chair of the Evangelism Team, 1904 E Mulberry #702, Angleton, TX 77515; 979-849-8705; LSeay17453
A "Level-playing-field"
Jim Gill, a team consultant as well as a marriage and family therapist and retired priest, finds our approach encourages all people of all ages to describe their six life areas on their own terms rather than use some "prescribed" church lingo. He finds that gender differences in expression are treated equally or can be equally expressed in our format. People who are more data centered can supply the facts and details they believe needed. People who are more feeling centered can describe the nuances and subtleties they find necessary. This freedom in expressing your mission / ministry / spirituality makes the member mission system a more level field for people of different points of view.
To reach: The Rev. James Gill, 37 Brunswick Ave., Gardiner, ME 04345; 207-582-8802; MeAMFT2@aol.com
New Peer Consultants since 6/4/03 – call them for ideas and sharing
Episcopal Book/Resource Center, Episcopal Church Center, New York City
Activity: The bookstore varies its display of WTMATM; at present it is in the section devoted to "Church Growth, Evangelism, and Mission."
Contacts: Constancio DeJesus or Ana Hernandez, 815 Second Ave., New York, NY 10017; p/800-334-7626, ext.6118 or 9; f/212-661-1706; bookstore@episcopalchurch.org
Evangelism and Congregational Development, Diocese of Kentucky
Activity: LaDonna Wind is meeting with four small congregations in western Kentucky over the next four months to explore evangelism and mission. Tentatively, she will open with an hour session to help each person see they are on mission right now in the six mission fields of each Christian's daily life.
Contact: LaDonna Wind, Diocese of Kentucky, 425 S Second, Louisville KY 40202, 502-584-7148; fax 502-587-8123.
Missioner for Rural and Small Communities, Office of Congregational Development, Episcopal Church Center Staff, New York City, NY
Activity: Commends WTMATM as a resource; at the annual Province 1 conference on Stewardship and Evangelism for all congregations; at his workshop on Congregational Development at a daylong Ministry fair in North Carolina in June; at a week-long Small Church Leadership Institute for lay leaders and recently ordained clergy in July; and will list the book among resources on their website with a link to Member Mission Press.
Contact: The Rev. Canon Ben Helmer, 815 Second Avenue, New York City, New York, 10017; 212-867-8400; bhelmer@episcopalchurch.org
Professor of Mission and World Religions, Virginia Theological Seminary
Activity: As part of a required course on "Christians in a Non-Christian World," Professor Jones gave out Member Mission Newsletter #3 as one of the resources for his twenty students preparing, as the third of three papers, a statement they would make to a confirmation class or to a budget committee on the double topic of "What (if anything) in the Church's mission is unchanging? What mode of mission is pleasing to God here and now?"; he advised them to sign up for future editions of the Newsletter on the website; and will seek to commend it at the annual meeting of The American Society of Missiology.
Contact: The Rev. Richard Jones, Ph.D., Virginia Theological Seminary, 3737 Seminary Road, Alexandria, VA 22303; 703-370-6600; rjones@vts.edu
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