Dear Ones . . . .

Please note that this issue of the Focus is for the months of June and July.  Be sure to plan ahead and note the events coming up this summer!  

“DisciplesWorld” – (note: there is no space between the two words) it should ring a bell to most of you!  It’s the name of a magazine by “Disciples” and for “Disciples.”  It describes itself as “a journal of news, opinion, and mission for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).”    

I’ve only recently begun subscribing to it, and am finding myself most enriched by the articles!  I find them timely, pertinent, well thought out, and theologically sound.  Since I’ve subscribed, they’ve been featuring a series of columns which explores a new Disciples identity statement, developed by the 21st Century Vision Team (an advisory group to our General Minister and President Sharon E. Watkins); you can view the statement on the Disciples’ website: www.disciples.org.  I’ve also put a copy in this newsletter; look for: “Disciples of Christ Identity Statement and Principles.”  One piece I find most interesting is what they call “Browsing the Bible,” which features one passage (or as in the June issue, one book—the book of Philemon), and commentaries about it by a couple of different people, each offering a different perspective.  There’s even a Bible study, written by a local church pastor, who selects one of the lectionary readings for each of the Sunday’s of the month, and comments on each of them.

The June issue arrived in my mailbox on Wednesday of this week, and I am almost done reading it already!  The featured topic is related to 

understanding autism.  There are three articles, each from a different perspective (a mother, what churches might do, and how a specific local church started a new ministry).  They look at how reaching out to these children is a matter of Christian hospitality, as we might welcome and minister to all children with abilities and disabilities.  It means that if we want to be an inclusive church—welcoming all of God’s children—both “abled” and “dis— or “differently—abled”—then we have to do some homework and think outside the box.  We might try new ways to share our stories of faith with these children, adapting the curriculum and the necessary volunteers, to assist every child in developing a personal relationship with Christ.  We need to go the extra mile to discover ways that meet the needs of all the children and youth in the church, and maybe even outside the church.  For we have all been made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26).  In the words of the author of Hebrews, “. . . let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith . . .” (Hebrews 12:1b -2a).

I would like to encourage all of you to subscribe to the DisciplesWorld magazine.  It’s only $31 a year, and you can do it online by going to:

www.disciplesworld.com 

follow the links

OR you can mail your check to:

DisciplesWorld

6325 N. Guilford Ave., Suite 213

Indianapolis, IN  46220

                                                      (Cont’d  pg. 2

No, I don’t get a commission. J

But I still encourage you to subscribe . . . and then share your copy with someone once you’ve finished reading it!  Share the wealth, for it is surely a treasure worth sharing—and reading!

I love you . . . and God loves you so much more!

Have a blessed and safe summer.

Pastor Mo (aka Rev Mo J  —take your pick!)