A Liturgy of Reconcilation

A Liturgy of Reconciliation

Hi friends!

We'll be doing something different, something special, for Stone Soup this Sunday: an adapted Liturgy of Reconciliation created by the South African Council of Churches. It'll be interactive and, I hope, meaningful for all of us. 

We'll gather at the Saluda UMC this Sunday at 5PM and head from there to Lake Sheila. Drinks will be provided, and Frances will be bringing bread and chicken salad for sandwiches. Bring whatever you would like to go on your sandwich as well as side items to go with your sandwich (salads, veggies, fruit, dessert). And if you would like to bring side items to share with the whole group, that would be great! 

I look forward to seeing you Sunday! 

Stone Soup love,

Steven

2 Corinthians 5:18-19 (NKJV)

18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 

Photo credit: thinkchristian.reframemedia.com

Racial Reconciliation: Obstacles and Possibilities

Racial Reconciliation: Obstacles and Possibilities

Hi friends,

What makes unity difficult? Why are there lingering and deep divisions across racial lines in our country, and what can we do about them? We'll be continuing our conversation about race relations and racial reconciliation this week at Stone Soup.

We'll gather this Sunday at 5PM outside the Wesley cottage. There is a nice shaded area a few yards from the Cottage -- feel free to bring a lawn chair or blanket to make yourself comfortable.  

I look forward to seeing you Sunday! 

Stone Soup love,

Steven

1 Corinthians 1:10 (NRSV)

Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose. 

Photo credit: http://rememberthetitanssdsuhistory110dcw.blogspot.com/

(Dis)Unity in Christ: Racial Division and the Call to Unity

(Dis)Unity in Christ: Racial Division and the Call to Unity

Hi friends,

We had a very meaningful conversation last week about race-based privilege and the call to be a reconciling people in our racially divided society. Thank you to everyone who came and engaged in the dialogue--I feel blessed to have been part of the discussion. I look forward to continuing the conversation this week. At Stone Soup this Sunday, we'll be focusing more on what unity means and what obstacles make unity difficult across lines of racial difference. 

Because of potential inclement weather, we didn't end up going to Lake Sheila last week, so this week we'll try again! We'll be meeting at the Saluda church this Sunday at 5pm and heading down to Lake Sheila, assuming the weather holds up. Bring a bathing suit if you would like to swim. There are some picnic tables but feel free to bring a lawn chair if you have one. Also, please bring something for a picnic potluck to share. 

Hope to see you all there!

Stone Soup love,

Steven

1 Corinthians 1:10 (NRSV)

Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose. 

Photo credit: unldesign.com

Making Sense of the Senseless -- A Conversation about Charleston and Racial (In)Justice in America

Making Sense of the Senseless -- A Conversation about Charleston and Racial (In)Justice in America

President Obama delivering the eulogy for Reverend Clementa Pinckney, who along with eight others was killed in the Charleston shooting.

Hi friends,

We'll be gathering at the Saluda church this Sunday at 5pm and heading down to Lake Sheila (weather permitting) for Stone Soup. Bring a bathing suit if you want to swim. There are some picnic tables but feel free to bring a lawn chair if you have one. Also, please bring something for a picnic potluck to share. 

Over the next several weeks, we'll be talking about race relations in America and exploring possibilities for racial reconciliation, beginning with some open dialogue about the tragic shooting in Charleston on June 17. 

We will also be looking at hymns from the African-American gospel tradition and exploring how those hymns might be understood and experienced by those of us outside that tradition. 

Hope to see you all there.

Stone Soup love,

Steven

Ephesians 2:14-16 (NRSV)

For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it. 

Picture credit: www.cnn.com