My day began today with a breakfast at Wildwood Christian School and an introduction to their program. Pastor Chuck Tyree and the administration of the school invited the clergy to come and see what they are doing.
I was impressed. They have a real commitment to providing quality education in a setting that allows for the children to grow and express their faith. We also got a chance to witness the kids as they performed a scene from the upcoming school production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat."
One of the teachers shared her experiences of working in the public schools for 8 1/2 years and contrasted that with what she experienced at Wildwood. She talked about the support she received from administration and parents as she worked with the children.
The chairman of the school's board was present and he lifted up his dream of having several churches come together to promote and build the school as a real alternative to the public school. If you would like more information on the school, I have a packet that I brought back to the office with me.
As Pastor I am very fortunate in that I get to talk with other pastors, priests and rabbis about what they are doing to build up families, and especially the children in our community. We also talk about our ministries to the community around us. Sometimes I bring these ideas back to the church and e end up getting involved in some way. Once in a while another pastor asks me about what we are doing and they take ideas back to their setting.
I am constantly reminded that we are not an island doing ministry alone. We are connected to the wider body of Christ. That's why I believe it is good for us to participate in Ecumenical Lenten Services, Interfaith Thanksgiving Services, and to attend ABCCONN's Spring Fling and Annual Meeting. A few years ago several of us attended the ABCUSA Biennial Meeting. These opportunities to get together with other people of faith outside ou church community help stretch our faith and open the door for God to speak to us in new ways.
Next Saturday Oliver Bray is going with me to ABCCONN's Spring fling in Wallingford. It is a day of workshops on evangelism. The primary speaker is Dr. Jeff Jones of National Ministries ABCUSA and he is going to talk about faith in the workplace.
On April 26 ABCCONN will have its Annual Meeting in Hartford and Dr. Molly Marshall will be the featured speaker. Dr. Marshall is the President of Central Baptist Seminary in Kansas and a gifted speaker. I hope some of you will think about attending.
On May 10 some of our men will be going to Worcester for a Men's Conference, Chuck Colson will be the primary speaker. It will bless those who can go.
Keep your eyes peeled for future opportunities and take advantage of them. You will be blessed.
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I'm so excited you'll be hearing Dr. Marshall speak! She visited my new home church, Community Baptist in Tulsa a few months ago. Since we are part of the Central Region, we're close to Central Seminary. You'll have to ask her about Dallas Weaver (up until recently our associate pastor). She teased him when she was here. She's a super sweet lady, I'm sure you'll enjoy her message.
~Carol (Goldin) McMillan
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