Family Impact: for good and for ill…

I have had a few conversations in the last couple of weeks that have poignantly reminded me of the tremendous impact “family” can have on our lives – both for good and for ill. The functional absence of parents, the complexity of families, the dysfunction and hurt…these things have HUGE ongoing force in our lives. In a culture that is often characterized by geographic distance and / or relational distance between family members, what role does the community of faith play? When the New Testament writers insist on the language of family (brothers and sisters) for the thing we might just call “church”, what are they trying to get at?  And what might that have to do with each of our lives, whatever our nuclear family situation might be?

This Sunday we will explore some of those questions. Our delightful context will be the dedication of Brent, Karen and baby Miles, together with several guests from their family. We have many reasons for joy surrounding the experience of “family” at The Table, and also lessons to learn. I look forward to spending some time in the blender of those two realities on Sunday.

We will also provide a brief update from our Annual Meeting last Sunday. A very big THANK YOU to all who were part of that meeting – all of us on the Leadership Team are deeply grateful for both your attendance and your response. For those that were not able to attend, the update is intended to offer you a chance to be part of this essential aspect of the life of our community.

I look forward to being with you all.

Peace,

Tim