Dear Friends,
I hope you received my email from last Thursday reporting on
(1) the important (even "exciting") proposal related to the exploratory conversation that took place on April 23 between the CCU, the Office of General Minister and President, Week of Compassion, and Reconciliation Mission; and,
(2) the decision to move ahead in holding a consultation on understanding Christian unity for the Disciples of Christ in the 21st century in light of our growing and expanding racial/ ethnic diversity as a church.
Today I wanted to get you an early word from the General Board meeting that took place these past four days, particularly around the resolution we submitted for General Assembly related to bringing together World Communion Sunday and the Reconciliation Offering:
First, the resolution was enthusiastically received, and will be going with the General Board's recommendation for approval by the Assembly;
Second, the Board received the report of the CCU with appreciation, and was encouraged by the proposal coming from the small gathering on April 23 as it offers potential for the CCU in giving greater visibility and focus to our church's commitment to reconciliation, compassion, unity, and justice; and,
Third, in addition to all of its work in preparing for the General Assembly, receiving reports from general ministries and regions, and dealing with several resolutions on a whole range of topics, the general Board received a report from the church's "21st century Vision Team" (where David Brown has served as a member) that lifts up the calling to Christian unity using some new language and images that I find extremely hopeful for our work in the coming years. That report (which I will send on to you as soon as it is available) also calls our whole church, including and especially congregations, to engage in serious theological study and reflection around our calling to unity - focusing on the concept of Disciples being "a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world," with the manifestation of that wholeness centered in the Table of the Lord's Supper.
I look forward to hearing from you in the days and weeks ahead. Let me know how you see these developments, both in our life as the CCU and as a church.
With best wishes,
Robert