Friday, May 6, 2016
Dear Resurrection Family,
I’ve packed a lot into this e-note with several things I know you won’t want to miss. At the end I’ll ask for your prayers for the United Methodist Church as, next week, we hold our General Conference, which is likely to be the most challenging General Conference ever. Be sure to read to the end.
This weekend is Mother’s Day and will be a terrific weekend to bring your mom, or your kids, to worship! Come a little early. Linger a bit after worship. Each of our campuses has special plans for Mother’s Day. At Leawood our Building Better Mom’s ministry will have a photo booth set up so you can have a family photo taken. We have sweet treats available in the narthex following the7:45 am service, between the 9 and 10:45 am services and after the 5 pmservice on Sunday. My sermon this weekend will focus on three mothers Jesus gave second chances to – a woman whose daughter was sick, a woman whose son had died, and his own mother. It’s going to be an awesome and uplifting weekend in worship as we remember our moms.
Last night I watched a portion of My Fair Lady in our Leawood sanctuary – it was incredible! This would be a great date tonight for tomorrow night. The performance is put on by the Leawood Stage Company, with Resurrection’s choir and orchestra performing. Tickets are available at the door for $10 ($5 for seniors). Doors open at 7, and the performance begins at 7:30 pm.
Today registration went live for the Journeys of Paul cruise I’ll lead in October of 2017. We’ll retrace Paul’s second and third missionary journeys, visiting the archaeological sites of ancient Ephesus, Athens, Corinth and Rome as well as seeing first century Pompeii, and visiting several Italian and Greek Islands. The trip is nine days. I’ll give four lectures based upon my book, The Call: The Life and Message of the Apostle Paul. While at the archaeological sites professional archaeological guides will lead groups of 50 through the various site excursions. The ship is a newly refurbished part of the Royal Caribbean Line with a lot of great things to do on board. Enjoy an educational, spiritual and fun vacation with fellow Resurrection members and United Methodists from across the country. Educational Opportunities is offering this tour for churches across the country but they have given Resurrection members an advance opportunity to sign up. Click here if you’d like more information or to sign up. To view the online brochure click here. If you’ve ever wanted to see these ancient cities and to cruise on the Mediterranean, take a look at this remarkable trip.
I wonder if you’ve registered to vote? I’m grateful and proud that we serve a politically diverse congregation. What unites us is not a particular party, but a desire to follow Christ and to positively impact the world in his name. I’ll never tell you who to vote for, but I do believe that voting is very important and who you vote for should reflect your vision and values. By voting you are helping shape the political discourse and the future of our country. If you are not registered, or if you would like to register for an advance ballot, you can do so by clicking here.
I learned this morning that KCPT (Channel 19) will feature the American Public Square's latest Conversation on the Crossroads of Religion and Politics as part of a newsmaker special edition of KCPT's Kansas City Week in Review tonight at 7:30 pm. Rebroadcast is Sunday at 11:00 am This is the program we hosted on April 21 in which I was part of a panel of religious leaders and politicians who addressed questions raised by former Ambassador Allan Katz and KCPT’s Nick Haines. After the airing, the footage will be available onKCPT's website and youtube.
Plan now to enjoy a night packed full of fun at Kauffman Stadium at Resurrection Night at the Royals, on Friday night, June 17, as the Royals take on the Detroit Tigers. This night was chosen to coincide with Father’s Day. Before the Royals game, local celebrities Rob Riggle, Paul Rudd, Jason Sudeikis, David Koechner and Eric Stonestreet and their friends will take to the field to play a softball game as part of the Sixth Annual Big Slick Celebrity Weekend, benefiting the Cancer Center at Children’s Mercy. This year we’re selling Royals tickets online. You can find more information and purchase your tickets here.
Did you know that one of our long time Resurrection members, ordained United Methodist pastor Becky Johnson, serves as one of the senior Chaplains at KU Medical Center? Becky was recently interviewed by KU Medical Center about the work of hospital chaplains – click here to read more.
I’d like to welcome 18 new members to our Resurrection Blue Springs campus and one additional member to Resurrection Downtown! Their names are listed at the bottom of my email. These include 14 adults and 5 children. We are so glad that you are a part of this church family! Welcome!
Did you know that we have an AWESOME ministry for mom’s called Building Better Moms? If you’re a Mom, whether you have a newborn or are navigating the challenges (and joys:) of sending them off to college—Building Better Moms is a great network of connection and support for you. They have a host of activities and groups meet throughout the school year—click here for more information.
We also have a number of other very meaningful women’s programs here at Resurrection – small groups, a book club, United Methodist Women’s circles, our annual women’s conference and a lot more. You can find out about all of our women’s fellowship, study and serving opportunities here.
As we speak about Mother’s Day I want you to know that there are kids out there needing moms and dads. We have a wonderful ministry called A Child’s Hope in which Resurrection members are trained to become foster or adoptive parents. We have an informational meeting coming up May 23. Click here to find out more. I believe that God is calling some of you reading this note right now to change the world for a child, and in the process, to change your own world.
As most of you know, next Tuesday 800 delegates from around the world, one half laity, one half clergy, will gather in Portland, Oregon for the United Methodist Church’s General Conference. This happens once every four years and it is here that our denomination’s policies, discipline, mission and budget are set for the next four years. There are many things that will be discussed, but the one that will be front and center will be the denomination’s position on same-gender marriage. Pastor Cheryl Bell and I are among the 800 delegates. I’d ask that you make a note to pray for General Conference each day – it goes fromTuesday to the following Friday. Please pray for the Spirit to work in the hearts of all delegates. Please pray that God will lead us and grant us wisdom as we navigate a way forward. For more information about General Conference click here. I’ll post daily on Facebook here (sign up now by clicking the “like” button on this page). Plenary sessions will be live webcast and you can watch them here.
As a congregation we have been a bridge between the left and the right in our denomination. We have worked hard for the renewal and revitalization of United Methodism. I am hopeful that General Conference can find a way forward that avoids a painful split in the denomination. Some have asked me what will happen at Resurrection if the denomination were to split. If there were a split it is likely 10 to 15% of the churches would vote to leave, and these would either be the most conservative churches in our denomination, or the most liberal churches. I don’t see Resurrection voting to leave regardless of the outcome of the voting. I see us continuing to try to give leadership to the denomination and continuing to seek to navigate a way forward along the lines of what I outline in today’s blog post.
I’m excited about worship this weekend and look forward to seeing you as we celebrate Mother’s Day and the important women in our lives!
In Christ’s love,
Adam
Welcome new members!
BLUE SPRINGS
- Trent and Roni Ahlenius
- Marcia Bushnell
- Jay and Susan Butner
- Keith Johnson
- Michon Lester and Erin
- Nathan and Mendy Long, Isaac and Nora
- Sarah McDonald, Brayden and Charlotte
- Kyle Ray
- Jim and Linda Vandrell
- Andy Newman
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, Kansas 66224, United States
913.897.0120
913.897.0120
www.cor.org
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