Friday, February 27, 2009

Formerly “Exeter C3” but still going to Exeter

We did it! Thanks everyone for the great feedback about the name transition. "Exeter House" has officially grown into "Generation to Generation." Of course, we'll still meet at Exeter House Retirement Community every 4th Sunday morning to engage with residents through an old fashioned "hymn sing" and time as a group afterward. The broader framework of "Generation to Generation" will help us live out God's dream for generations to to be in relationship with one another—in other communities of elderly folks, in the neighborhood of South Lake Union, and within Union Church itself. May we come alongside each other in new ways, and as many of you pointed out, may what we do always be about generations ministering to one another.

Special Gathering March 8th

Normally on a second Sunday morning we meet at the Armory with “the big Union,” but we’ll be having a CHANGE OF VENUE on Sunday, March 8th. The Center for Wooden Boats' yearly auction will be using the Armory all weekend which allows us to spread our wings and do something different. Union will be meeting in community groups at various locations including the 415 Westlake Building to gather for worship and community building around the focus of grace and a parable about a surprising neighbor.

Our group will gather at the Franklin's (directions below) at 10am.
Should be a delightful time together. See you there!

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The Franklins: 5622 20th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105.

From 15th Ave NE and NE 45th Street, follow 45th to 20th Ave and take a left. After you cross Ravenna Boulevard, which has grassy islands in the middle of it, it's the fifth house on the right--small and grey. You'll see "5624" displayed in the middle of the house and "5622" displayed on the right side. Use the outdoor stairway, to the right and next to the mailbox, to get to 5622, the downstairs unit.

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to call the cell 503-330-8104.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Worship Operations this Sunday

When Union Church worships together at the Armory, Community 3 groups take turns pitching in to set up, take down, and greet. We're on for Sunday.

This C3 rotation has proven to be a great way to not only get the necessities done, but also build community by working together. If you're planning to be there, please comment here with how you'd like to help. Many hands make light work (and lots of fun).

It's a communion Sunday, Dani is preaching, Renee is the storyteller upstairs, and the back is getting an (easier to setup) upgrade.

Look forward to seeing y'all. See below who's on for what so far, based on email correspondence and comments here.

Set-up - 5 people @8:20
1. Greg
2. Jeanie
3. Leah
4. Ben
5. Mary

Greeter/Offering - 4 people @9:30
1. Deborah
2. Santtu
3. Amy
4.

Tear-down - 6 people till approx 12:30

1. Branches
2. Franklins
3. Wroblewskis
4.
5.
6.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Transition?

Now that we're emerging a bit from the baby fog, I’ve got an idea to tell you (and hopefully get your feedback) about.

Our monthly time at Exeter House continues to go well. Thanks, Jeanie, for stepping in to coordinate and maintain our relationship there. That role is so essential, since it is what allows us to be with the residents, and you do it so well. The new nametags really add a lot, and saying The Lord’s Prayer last time was so beautiful.

It really seems to be a great match all around. Although there are always details to refine in an effort to help us connect with the residents as much as possible, it’s apparent that we’ve entered the open doors at Exeter and the little gem we have in the hymn sing is sustainable.

And now for the idea: What if we morphed our community groups’ name from “Exeter C3” to “Generation to Generation”? There would actually be no immediate change, except the name. What we do every fourth Sunday at Exeter would go on as usual, and those of us who want our C3 involvement to go unchanged, could.

A framework that’s defined by connecting people of different generations would simply be bigger than a framework defined by Exeter House.

Undoubetly, God led us to connect our generation, and our children’s (and I say “our children” here in the big, Family of God sort of way) to that of our friends at Exeter House. As the Holy Spirit continues to awaken us to God’s dream for generations to be in relationship with one another—in other communities of elderly folks, in the neighborhood of South Lake Union, and within Union Church itself—perhaps this larger framework would help us to be ready. Ready to plant a few more mustard seeds.

So, what do you think? Does this idea jive with the way you imagine yourself being a part of Union, and more importantly, the Kingdom of God? Do you see any red flags? Mild concerns? Please do share. As always, we are in this journey together.