This October, I have been turning again to a book of prayers written by Arnold Kenseth, Sabbaths, Sacraments and Seasons. For October, he offers this prayer: “O thou great God who, with thanksgiving, broke bread for our hunger and gave us drink for our thirst, continue in thy mercy to feed us always on thyself. And so be in our kitchen of life, the labor of our hands, the hope in our hearts, the shape of our souls, that we shall hereafter always desire the bread and Grail of thy salvation. O prepare us mightily for thy meat and fire set before us this day. Amen.”
Sunday, October 27th our own Natalie Byington will bring us the message. The theme of this Sunday is “Nonviolence”. Following the worship service we are all invited to stay for a time to share in conversation and discuss the Family Pledge of Nonviolence, which many of us signed. This is our first opportunity to share our reasons for signing this pledge and our hopes. Even if you did not sign this pledge, I hope you will join us for worship and stay for the discussion.
The Disciples of Christ General Assembly voted at the 2013 meeting to establish an Open and Affirming ministry and has called Rev. Dr. Mark Johnson to be the Executive Director. The website is www.Gladalliance.com. Mark’s email is mark@gladalliance.org. Pine Valley Christian Church was one of 20 congregations in the DOC to support the resolution calling for the creation of this alliance. Thank you.
Peace, David