On February 16th, I wil be traveling to Louisville, KY for the first gathering of the Presbymergent Coordinating team. We will spend two and a half days visioning, talking, deconstructing, and developing our future structure and goals. This should prove to be a very valuable connection with our efforts in Bend. More after the trip.

This past Sunday night we enjoyed a great pea soup and pudding cake. We also wished Kris a fond farewell. He and Carol will be traveling to central Africa for up to four months. We are praying for their safety and health on this trip.

We also finished reading through Hebrews. This book stimulated a lot of discussions about the Kingdom of God on Earth and living the lives Jesus taught and modeled. So we will be going next to the source and reading the Gospel of Mark, the first book written that we have that tells the simple story of Jesus and his life, death and resurrection. Join us at 5:30 this Sunday for food, friendship, conversation and ritual.

Second Monday Pub Conversation

Seven stalwart souls gathered for suds, sustenance and sharing on Monday January 12th.
We discussed the American Dream, what it has been what it might be becoming and what it could be if we were to truly follow the teachings of Jesus.

We will continue to meet on the second Monday at the Bend Brewery at 7:00 pm. We are searching for a new name, so if you have any inspiration and come up with a creative name for this time to gather, talk and be open to what might come, please submit your ideas to bob@brokentop.org.

One curious comment from the evening was that it would be "better to work to do good in the world than to be a Christian". This was most derived from the many negative examples of actions and attitudes from self professed Christians. While we all can cite many examples of selfless acts of mercy, grace and love that Christians have done and are doing, there often seems to be as many examples of hatred, violence, judgmental attitudes and selfish acts that it is somewhat understandable why some people may not see becoming a Christian as a step up in their lives.

So what can we do about this? It is probably not enough to just say that this is not the reality of what it means to be a Christian, but they have seen the evidence themselves. So what do Christians need to do, or be, to be perceived by the non Christians in our communities as somehow different in a good way from the rest of society? comments welcome.

Last night's conversation

Around the celebrations  and well wishes for Nate, we got into a conversation about the future of the American dream.  Will the new economic crisis have an impact on a significant number of people in this country so that the American dream of economic growth, home ownership, rising prosperity, more material goods, will no longer continue to be the driving force of our national vision?  What could replace this?  Are people too greedy at heart to give up the personal quest for riches to focus more on more communal needs and values?  What can the churches in this country do about this? and should they do anything?

What are your thoughts on this?

Second Monday Pub Conversation

We will gather at the Bend Brewery on Monday January 12th at 7:00 pm

for conversation and suds.  This will be the first of a slightly new format

and leadership.  Come and see what the changes are all about.

Welcome all Bendites and Emergents

We are starting a new year and we have a new web address.

This site will be the place to keep updated about the goings on with:

•  the Sunday Night Gathering (5:30 pm at FPC)
  
•  the 2nd Monday Open Pub discussion 7:00 pm at Bend Brewery)
  
•  the Tuesday morning Men's discussion group (6:30 at TBD)
  
•  the Last Sunday Bend Community Center Service (1:00 pm at BCC)
  
•  other events (TBD)
  

For those who are familiar with any of this, Nate Bettger is no longer the person in charge of these events, but he is still involved.  We are awaiting approval from the powers that be for the calling of a new leader. In the interim we will be lead by several people including Bob Pearson and Steven Koski.

Last night, Sunday January, 4th, 14 of us celebrated Nate's ministry with us and blessed his new ministry in 2009.  For those who were unable to come, you are encouraged send Nate your own personal story of how he has had an effect on you in your path of faith and your wishes and prayers for his new direction.

 

Our goal is to continue to grow a community that is dedicated to following Jesus and create a safe place to explore the many varied ways to do this.  We are multigenerational, but have a great heart for the 19 to 35 year old singles in town who are interested in building a community of supportive friends.

You are welcome to attend any Sunday night gathering to check this out and see what we are all about.  Every Sunday we offer a free home cooked meal, discussion, use of the Bible to facilitate dialog and prayer and agape feast (communion lite:).