DO GROUNDWORKS MATTER?

Do Groundworks Sundays matter? I believe they do, for at least three reasons.

At our congregational meeting last September, I asked members around the room to share what most excites them about Emmaus Road's ministries. The standout topic was Groundworks Sundays. For a lot of us, the opportunity to connect with neighbors and agencies in Belltown, our neighborhood of gathering, has been a new and meaningful experience. In talking with church members and agency personnel from the neighborhood, three themes have emerged:

1. We have much experience speaking the truth of God's love and grace made known to us in Christ; most people around us, church-going or not, have also experienced the hearing of these words. What's different on Groundworks Sundays, is the opportunity to go beyond words, with hands and feet, to actions of love and grace. None of us, nor the people around us, church-going or not, have experienced enough words backed by actions. It feels good to connect with neighbors through actions of the Gospel, in addition to words.

2. Small actions make a big difference. After a Groundworks Sunday last June, some of our neighbors communicated to one of our liaisons. Through tears, one woman expressed deep gratitude for being able to return home from the hospital to a clean apartment. Amidst all her health challenges and bad news, this act of kindness from strangers in her neighborhood gave her hope and strength. Another person expressed how great it was to know people had cared to offer help. He shared how people in his building were generally uncaring; discovering that there are others out there who do care meant the world to him.

3. On Groundworks Sundays, we get to know each other. We do this on typical Sundays, too, but there is neither time nor space to have the kind of conversations that seem to pop up when we are working side by side.

ROAD CREW AGENDA, SEPTEMBER 23, 2010

NOT AT NEW HORIZONS,

but at our Greenwood Office

7-9PM

corner of N.85th/Greenwood AveN.,

312 North 85th Street, Suite 101

Seattle, WA 98103

(no childcare provided; separate "play" room available)

Goals of Meeting:

1. Review Elder nomination process

2. Receive proposed budget & ministry reports/updates

3. Pray

7:00 ARRIVE

7:10 PRAY

7:15 WELCOME

7:20 REVIEW ELDER NOMINATION PROCESS

7:30 RECEIVE FINANCIAL UPDATE; BUDGET PRESENTATION; Q&A

(vote to be scheduled for future brief Sunday post-worship mtg.)

8:00 MINISTRY UPDATES

• Prayer – Sunday & Beyond
• Children’s Ministry – Sunday & Beyond
• Groundworks; Belltown Covenant
• Small Groups
• Church “Planting”

8:50 PRAY

9:00 DISMISS

ELDER CHANDRA MULLENIX FULFILLED TERM

Dear Road Crew,

I've been a joyful Elder for nearly 2 years, and will be stepping aside from the Council at the end of August. It's been such a gift to get to know & pray for those in my "district", and I look forward to maintaining the friendships I've deepened. Among other opportunities, this will open the door for me to re-enter Sunday morning volunteer roles in Children's Ministry.

Council will begin the nomination process soon for the next Elder.

chandra mullenix

ROAD CREW MINUTES, APRIL 22, 2010

7:15 Eric Greeting, Prayer

7:25 Eric Review of Council role and participants

Thanks Mike & Teresa and Rennie

Introduce Flow Chart

7:30 Rennie Presentation of Flow Chart draft; answered questions

Stressed purpose of increasing communication, clarity, efficiency

Additional purposes to relieve Eric and place responsibility of fully exploring idea on member

Timeline of decision-making is situational

New ideas and proposed changes will share one process

Tabled discussion: What is required for RC vote? Super-majority?

8:25 Eric Asks Road Crew to vote; approved

Request made to further publish Council members beyond blog

In attendance at New Horizons:

Mullenix

Bishop

Anema

Araucto, R.

Chainus, A.

Munson, K.

Gaitan, R.

Elenbaas

Likkel

Colyn, S.

Rosnick

Nelson, M.

Ed

Scanned copy of handwritten notes on file with Eric :)

ROAD CREW AGENDA - APRIL 22, 2010

7:00PM Welcome and Greetings

7:10PM Opening Prayer

7:15PM Presentation of proposed Flow Chart(s)

7:25PM Q&A discussion

8:00PM Vote to accept (with agreed upon amendments) or send back to Council for further development

8:10PM Announcements

8:15PM Closing Prayer

8:30PM Exit

Our discussion will center around how we make decisions and share ministry responsibility. Though we cannot all carry out the same tasks, nor can we make every little decision as a big group (nor even agree about everything), and although we are a body with a variety of gifts, strengths, and callings, we must own our common mission together, and support the members of our body. How can we do this better?

One crucial element has to do with habits of communication, including the manner by which we individuals seek support from our greater congregation, for instituting new ministry activities, or addressing concerns; we need to pursue consistency and fairness with one another as we listen to each other and discern how God is building and shaping us. The proposed Flow Chart is meant to be a helpful tool and guide for us as we continue to listen, learn, and experiment in ministry together. The Spirit leads followers of Christ, but not as lone individuals; the Spirit does not speak to just one person, granting them all authority and knowledge to lead everyone else; rather, the Spirit speaks to united groups of loving, listening believers. Anointed leaders have a role, but they still share their authority in the context of the church. This is how the Apostles discerned the movement toward choosing the seven deacons of Acts 6:1-7; the church elected them, and the Apostles ordained them, all led by the Spirit, as the church. Later, in Acts 15:1-29, the Council of Jerusalem considers a problem in Antioch; though Paul and Barnabas are appointed to speak to the Jerusalem Apostles and Elders, and though Peter and James speak as Council members, it is the whole group together who listens to testimony, debate, and decides to publish a letter to the Gentiles, explaining how their proposal "seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us."

Review the Flow Charts below; feel free to post comments and/or email comments or questions to Pastor Eric Likkel, or Elder Rennie Araucto, one of the people who helped put the Flow Chart together for Council to consider. Rennie will be presenting these to Road Crew.

LETTER FROM CHILDREN'S MINISTRY DEACON

Hello everyone!

Since stepping into the role of Children's Ministry Deacon in January, I've been meaning to write a note to you--parents and volunteers of the children's ministry at Emmaus Road, as well as the entire road crew who may at some point or another be a parent or volunteer in these programs.

First, I would like to thank all the volunteers who have and are currently serving to keep our programs going each Sunday. I am still learning about all that goes on with the various groups, but see that we have many wonderful people investing in important ways in the lives of the children and young adults at Emmaus Road. So thank you for all that you have done and are doing! Mike and I are excited for our own son, Marcus, to be a part of what is going on as he grows.

I would also like to ask that you view me as someone you can approach to talk about your role and health as a volunteer, and/or our children's programs in general. Some of these conversations may revolve around a quick question, others may be something you wish me to represent to the Emmaus Road council. As the council seeks to make decisions on behalf of the church, it is important that the wider church body has the opportunity to provide input.

If you are interested in being aware of what the council is currently discussing, feel free to read the latest Council notes. You may approach your small group leader, elder, or myself if you have questions or input on a particular topic.

Have a great week and I'll see many of you at church this coming Sunday!

Teresa Elenbaas

NEW ELDERS

Road Crew, most of you participated in the October/November nomination process to raise up two new shepherding Elders. You have been waiting patiently to hear results! Instead of two, you actually raised up three! Everyone in the pool received nominations; the hope and intention, though, was to identify at least two people who would receive the most. What emerged from the count, however, were three individuals who shared the most nominations; it seems wise to follow that lead and receive three new Elders. This Sunday, Mark R., Rennie Araucto, and Kurt Munson will be publicly ordained during a prayer time in our worship service. Thank God who provides leadership from, and for, His church.

In the very near future, you will most likely be contacted by one of the Elders, David Anema, Chandra Mullenix, Beth DeVries, Mark R., Rennie Araucto, or Kurt Munson, who will identify themselves as "your elder," a person who will pray for you, be available to discuss ministry matters, and help you find your way into fellowship and service.