The Skinny
(An abbreviated newsletter from MCTD'S Spirit)
The Skinny
(An abbreviated newsletter from MCTD'S Spirit)
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June 2008 MCTD SPIRIT Volume 20, Issue
Hebrews 13:1-2: “Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”
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WELCOME NEW PESCADORES FROM MCTD
MEN’S #35 WEEKEND (MARCH 6-9, 2008) WOMEN’S #35 WEEKEND (APRIL 3-6, 2008)
The Lord brought together ten (10) men pescadores and Hank Sadler’s Servant Team for Christ and nine (9) women pescadores and Brenda Aldridge’s Servant Team for Christ to recently share two special weekends in His presence at Camp Dogwood. The Mid Carolinas Tres Dias Community joins together in welcoming our new brothers and sisters in Christ:
Chuck Alexander – Rehobeth United Methodist, Terrell, NC – Mike & Paula Bostic
Richard & Julia Armstrong – First United Methodist, Belmont, NC – Reid & Liz McGraw
Rebecca Austin – Black Mountain United Methodist, Black Mtn., NC – Emma Edsall
Roxanne Breland – First United Methodist, Belmont, NC – David Friday
Harriet Buff – Ocean View United Methodist, Oak Island, NC – Hank & Bev Sadler
Barbara Claxton – King of Glory, Black Mountain, Black Mtn., NC – Emma Edsall
Diane Collins – Landis Baptist, Landis, NC – Annise Johnson & Sylvia Smith
Louise Eason – All Saints’ Episcopal, Concord, NC – Ken & Barbara Parker
David Frye – Mulberry Presbyterian, Charlotte, NC – Henry & Linda Sadler
Marna Garrett – New Cambridge Christian, Denver, NC – J & R Davis / D & C Damron
Jeff Hansen – First United Methodist, Belmont, NC – R & D Pettus / M & L Nance
Jeff Lingle – Epiphany Lutheran, Rock Hill, SC – Rick Krenzer
Cindy McFadden – First United Methodist, Mt. Holly, NC – Kathy Lineberger
Mark Pressley – Hickory Grove Baptist, Charlotte, NC – Hank & Bev Sadler
Ed Pyles – First United Methodist, Mt. Holly, NC – Fred Hefner
Tom Rowlett – All Saints’ Episcopal, Concord, NC – Ken Parker & Dave Millar
Michael Shronce – Boger City United Methodist, Lincolnton, NC – Ed Maddox
Herb Smith – First Assembly, Concord, NC – Steve & Ellen Boyd
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INTRODUCING FALL 2008 WEEKEND #36 RECTORS . . . Dave Millar
Upon recommendation from the Policy Committee, approval by electronic acclamation from the MCTD secretariat during March, and commissioned at the April 6, 2008 closing of the Women’s #35 Weekend, Ronnie Biggers and Joyce Small have respectively accepted the call to be rectors for the upcoming Fall 2008 #36 Weekends. Your fervent prayers are greatly appreciated each day for Ronnie and Joyce. Also, please commit your potential involvement to prayer now, so if Ronnie or Joyce calls you this spring / summer to extend an invitation to serve, you can respond in a very timely manner!
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MEET YOUR FALL 2008 WEEKEND #36 MEN’S RECTOR . . . Ronnie Biggers
Greetings to all MCTD Pescadores:
It is time to begin putting together two new teams for MCTD #36 Weekends for the upcoming fall. Joyce Small will be Rector for Women’s #36 and it is my privilege to be Rector for Men’s #36. I am Ronnie Biggers. My wife, Gail, and I worship our Lord at Christ United Methodist Church in Salisbury, NC. We will have been married for ten years on September 20. We are the proud grandparents of nine (9) granddaughters and one (1) grandson. As many of you, know we are raising our youngest granddaughter, Shyanne, who will be four this coming October.
I have served in a number of capacities in our church, including Lay Leader, Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School Teacher, Delegate to Annual Conference, Outreach Committee, and President of the United Methodist Men. Gail and I have also helped with children’s ministries over the past few years, mostly through clown ministry. We have also been a part of the Relay for Life team for the past 3-4 years. Our lives have been truly blessed by being able to be a part of these activities and ministries.
I have been meeting regularly with my advisors (Steve Boyd – Chief / Bowden Moore / Henry Sadler). Joining me on the Leadership Team for MCTD Men’s #36 Weekend (October 16-19, 2008) are Ken Parker and David Friday as Co-Assistant Rectors, and Roger Wilson as Chief Auxiliary. Jerry Welch and Mitch Murrow will be the Spiritual Directors, with David Frye “in training”. The theme verse for the weekend (actually presented to me by a very good friend), is Psalms 118:8; “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put your confidence in men.” As it was pointed out to me, this verse is the key to finding out God’s will for your life. If you put yourself in total and complete trust in Him, rather than men, He will lead you and direct you in all your ways. Men will fail you, but God is always faithful.
I believe we have a great opportunity at this time to grow our community and to better serve our Lord and Savior. A couple of months ago, Patti Cooper gave me a call from Edenton, NC, concerning the possibility of the Fourth Day community in which she is a part, becoming a Tres Dias Community. Just a week ago, I received a call from a couple, Phil and Ellen Hart, from Fayetteville, NC, about getting involved with our community, and bringing some folks from Manna Church to join us. Also, some folks from Fort Bragg, outside of Fayetteville, are interested in joining the community. Now consider that Carolinas Seaside Tres Dias is getting set to kick off a new community in Morehead City, and that Fayetteville and Edenton are only an hour and a half or two away. The support base for that new community could be right at our fingertips, right now. All of this excites me, because MCTD has the opportunity to build our own community, bring an existing community into the Tres Dias family, and help Carolinas Seaside get up and going. I am asking you to help by lending your support to MCTD and our new friends. You can do this in several ways: Support MCTD by your attendance at community events / Sponsor candidates for the upcoming weekends / Support the weekends themselves in whatever way you can / Pray!!! This is so very important / Be willing to serve on team (Saturday meeting dates are August 23, 2008, September 6, 2008, September 20, 2008, and October 4, 2008).
Join in the excitement, play a part in the opportunities we have through MCTD, and remember, God is counting on you!!!
In “HIS” Grip,
Ronnie Biggers, Rector, MCTD Men’s #36
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MEET YOUR FALL 2008 WEEKEND #36 WOMEN’S RECTOR . . . Joyce Small
Blessings to the MCTD Community:
My name is Joyce Small. I feel that God has called and given me the opportunity to serve Him by being your rector for MCTD Women’s # 36 (November 13-16, 2008) Weekend. What a privilege and challenge for me to continue to learn to be a servant leader, which is one of goals of Tres Dias: to train up Christian leaders for His service. This is an awesome and humbling honor. I am surprised and amazed that I was even considered for this leadership role. My prayer is that My God will be glorified in all circumstances.
My candidate weekend was MCTD Women’s #27 Weekend (spring of 2004). I was born and raised in Kannapolis, and currently live in Concord with my loving husband of thirty-one years. We have two married daughters and six grandchildren. Concord First Assembly in Concord is the church we call home, and are actively involved as facilitators in the Marriage Fellowship Class. There are two reunion groups that I have the privilege to participate in: Tres Dias Sweet Sisters and a couples’ small group from our church. My full-time job is in a billing office for a large national healthcare medical supply company. I also have the privilege to serve MCTD by being a co-chairperson on the Post-Weekend Committee and a member of the Secretariat.
The scripture theme verse for the weekend is Psalms 103:1-5: “Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and all that is within me, Bless His Holy Name. Bless the Lord, oh, my soul, and forget not all His benefits… Who forgives… who heals… who saves… who crowns… who satisfies... who renews.” We serve a God who is worthy of all our worship not only in our words and singing but with our whole being – inwardly and outwardly daily – moment by moment. As we praise Him with all that is within us, He, as a loving Father, provides us with numerous benefits of being called His child – forgiveness, healing, salvation, overflowing love & mercy, satisfaction and renewal in Him just to list a few of those benefits. Isn’t it great to be a King’s kid?
God has provided a great leadership team for women’s #36. Bev Sadler is Assistant Rector and Kelley Lefler is Chief Angel. Annise Johnson and Bill Gittner will be the spiritual directors. Advisors are Ellen Boyd (Chief), Kathy Lineberger, and Linda Sadler. Four (4) Saturday Team Meetings will be held on September 6, 2008 / September 27, 2008 / October 18, 2008 / November 1, 2008.
I am in the process of calling team members as the Lord leads. The leadership team continues to meet, and plan and pray for the upcoming weekends. May we seek His face and guidance throughout the planning and development of Weekend #36. We will give Him all praise for the outcome. It is His weekend anyway.
My request for the MCTD community is to start now and bathe this weekend and team meetings in prayer. My prayer is for God to bond the team in His sweet spirit as one community of believers with one goal to serve the numerous candidates that He will supply for our weekend in November. Please fast and pray for both Men’s and Women’s Fall 2008 Weekends. To God, Be the glory forever and ever. AMEN!
In His Service and to His Glory,
Joyce Small, Rector, MCTD Women’s #36
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PRESIDENT’S PONDERINGS . . . Steve Boyd
The school year is coming to a close. Summer vacation is upon us. Families are finalizing their vacation plans, and soon, it will be hard to reach everyone as the summer plays out.
So also ends the Operating Year of Mid Carolinas Tres Dias on June 30th. Our new slate of officers of MCTD Secretariat were commissioned at the June 23, 2008 Secretariat meeting, and assume office on July 1, 2008. I will continue as President for one more two-year term, as will Brenda Aldridge as Treasurer. New to the leadership team will be Mike Bostic as Vice President and Chairperson of the Policy Committee, Ken Parker as Financial Secretary, and Lillie Marks as Secretary. Secretariat meets on the fourth Monday of the month at Grace Covenant Church in Cornelius from 6:45PM (prayer time) until 9:00PM. If you do not currently attend, please join us in the planning and support work of our Tres Dias ministry. There is a place for everyone!
This summer transition time is also the time when rectors Ronnie Biggers (Men’s #36) and Joyce Small (Women’s #36) are busy calling and assembling their teams for the October and November weekends. Please pray about serving on these teams in case you are called. Four Saturday team meetings for the men are 8/23, 9/6, 9/20 and 10/1, with October 16-19, 2008 the date of the Men’s Weekend. Four Saturday team meetings for the women are 9/6, 9/27, 10/11 and 11/1, with November 13-16, 2008 the date of the Women’s Weekend. Check your calendar and be certain whether you are available to attend all meetings and the weekend in case you are called. All these dates are on the website www.mctd.net under “Calendar.”
So often the summer schedule puts sponsoring efforts on hold. Please do not let that happen. Make a list of potential candidates. Talk to people about the weekend – get brochures and applications in their hands. Sponsor couples together. Send people to our website to get further information about Tres Dias. Brochures, weekend applications and team applications can be downloaded from the website www.mctd.net. Bring potential candidates to the Sequelas to meet team members.
Most of all, please pray! Prayer will prepare potential candidates to say “yes.” When invited. Prayer will bring the right mix of pescadores onto the teams. Prayer will assure that our plans are God‘s plans.
Have a blessed summer season.
In His Service,
Steve Boyd, MCTD President
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PRE-WEEKEND INFORMATION . . . Dave Millar
Well, spring has sprung and summer is sizzling in, and vacations are being taken. Please have a safe summer. Use the wonderful outdoor weather to get closer to the people you would like to sponsor for the upcoming fall weekends. Now is the time to ask them to clear their schedules and ask for the necessary time off from their job. Waiting until the last minute places too many obstacles. Remember, it is important to personally know the person you are inviting. You need to know that a closer walk with our Lord and Savior is in their hearts.
So, round them up and mail in those applications. Be alert to the weekend dates as well as the deadline dates. These are important for the rector and leadership team as they make final preparations for the respective weekends. "BE SURE TO COMPLETELY (FRONT AND BACK) FILL OUT THE APPLICATION FORM”. You, as the sponsor, are also responsible for mailing the application to the appropriate Pre-Weekend Chairperson / couple (see below).
Dates for Fall 2008 Weekends (scheduled and under contract, as of March 2008):
Men’s #36 October 16-19, 2008 Application Deadline is October 9, 2008
Women’s #36 November 13-16, 2008 Application Deadline is November 6, 2008
Long-Range Planning for 2009 Weekends (pencil in and consider, as of March 2008):
Men’s #37 March 5-8, 2009 Application Deadline is February 26, 2009
Women’s #37 March
26-29, 2009 Application Deadline is March 19, 2009
Men’s #38 October 22-25, 2009 Application Deadline is
October 15, 2009
Women’s #38 November 12-15, 2009 Application Deadline is November 5, 2009
Men’s Weekend Applications Women’s Weekend Applications
Ronnie and Gail Biggers Mike and Paula Bostic
206 Brookfield Circle 3937 Granite Street
Salisbury, NC 28146 Terrell, NC 28682
Phone: 704-467-0207 or 704-213-3881 Phone: 828-478-5151
E-mail: ronnbigg@aol.com E-mail: pjbeagle@aol.com
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SPONSORSHIP TRAINING, THE BEGINNING . . . Mike Bostic
God has blessed MCTD with many wonderful pescadores. Along with the love of our Lord, Jesus, what does each pescadore have in common? Each one of us has had a special friend that sponsored us.
I think the couple that sponsored Paula and me were born with the sponsor trait; they did everything right. But, for most of us, sponsoring is an acquired attribute, and without proper preparation and guidance, can be trying. That is why the MCTD Secretariat has decided to have a short sponsorship training session during our monthly sequelas.
Some of the topics that will be discussed an reinfoced are:
Who can sponsor?
Who can be sponsored?
What are the responsibilities of a sponsor?
How to explain Tres Dias to someone?
Please come to the sequelas to learn more about sponsorship. Later this year, we will have tests on these sessions. I will not give you the questions, but I will give you the dates of the tests. An initial test will be on October 16–19, 2008 (Men’s #36 Weekend – only fourteen more weeks to sponsor), followed by a subsequent test on November 13–16, 2008 (Women’s #36 Weekend – only eighteen more weeks to sponsor). It is not a test that we pass or fail; it is simply an opportunity for us to share the wonderful gift of Tres Dias with others who deserve it that are near and dear to us.
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SPONSORSHIP GUIDELINES AND HELPFUL HINTS . . . Jan Millar
BEFORE THE WEEKEND
· Sponsor should be an active member of his/her church and Tres Dias Fourth Day activities (reunion group / sequela / secretariat / servant team on weekends).
· Pray for discernment regarding prospective candidates to invite to attend a Tres Dias Weekend (talk to God first before you talk to your candidate about Tres Dias). This should begin at least six months to one year prior to an individual actually attending a weekend.
· Talk to the prospective candidate’s pastor ensuring that this would be a “good time” in his/her life to attend a weekend (free of family stress, e.g., recent divorce or family death / one year after trauma is a good benchmark).
· Candidate should be an active member of a church community.
· Communicate and inform the candidate of the dynamics and essentials of the weekend experience (invite prospective candidates over to your home for a meal / freely share your experiences / answer all questions honestly and candidly).
· If prospective candidate is married, sponsor should strongly recommend that both husband and wife attend the same set of fall or spring Weekends because the Tres Dias experience is meant to be shared (might want to delay attending if either husband or wife has a conflict).
· Ensure that the candidate’s application form is properly completed and filled out / MCTD Statement of Belief has been discussed and reviewed / pastor’s signature and approval has been obtained / sponsor’s part of application is completed / registration fee accompanies application to pre-weekend chairperson at least two weeks prior to beginning of the weekend (ideal - applications for fall or spring weekend filled up by previous weekend date / develop a waiting list of candidates).
· Be supportive of your candidate in every way (pray for your candidate each day leading up to his/her weekend).
DURING THE WEEKEND
· Ensure that your candidate takes everything that he or she will need for the weekend (communicate to the weekend leaders any special dietary / medication needs - should have been noted on the application).
· Provide transportation to and from Camp Dogwood (if sponsor is serving on the weekend, arrange for transportation with your co-sponsor or fellow member of your reunion group or church Tres Dias community).
· Pray for your candidate and his/her family during the entire weekend.
· Arrange to take care of any babysitting, petsitting and shopping challenges that arise over the course of the weekend / make special attempt to include candidate’s family in your plans for the weekend.
· Arrange for personal palanca for your candidate (ideally - write palanca for entire candidates and team community, if possible / start early!!!).
· Participate in Sunday morning mañanita (if appropriate) / attend Sunday afternoon closing.
· Chauffeur your candidate home / provide Sunday dinner, if possible.
FOLLOWING THE WEEKEND
· Encourage and assist your candidate in belonging to a reunion group.
· Accompany and provide transportation for your candidate to sequelas and Fourth Day activities for a full year after your candidate’s weekend.
· Invite your candidate over for a meal / offer opportunity for reflection and sharing (three - six weeks after the weekend might be a guide).
· If you cannot as a sponsor fulfill above guidelines, secure a co-sponsor to assist you in ensuring that your candidate will have the full opportunity to grow in his/her walk with Christ.
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2008 MCTD MONTHLY SEQUELAS . . . John & Joyce Small
MONTH LOCATION / CHURCH 2008 SEQUELA DATE
June Salisbury, NC / Christ United Methodist June 21
July Mooresville, NC / Tres Dias Camping Weekend July 25 through July 27
August Charlotte NC / Christ Presbyterian August 16
September Charlotte, NC / Mulberry Presbyterian September 20
October No Sequela / Men’s Weekend
November Belmont, NC / First United Methodist November 22
December No Sequela
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Post Weekend Committee is looking forward to seeing you at upcoming sequelas!
Looking back:
March 15, 2008 sequela was held at All Saints Episcopal in Concord, hosted by the Ken & Barbara Parker, David & Jan Millar and several other church members. A large group in attendance enjoyed the food, fellowship, and new parish hall and living room facilities. Emma Edsall challenged us with her Fourth Day talk by asking us how we were using our time, talents, treasures and thoughts for Christ in our daily walk.
April 19, 2008 sequela was held at Grace Covenant in Cornelius, hosted by the Roger & Cheryl Wilson and Mike & Kelley Lefler. A good attendance was noted including new pescadores from #36 Weekends. Community Survey was completed by pescadores who attended. Bruce Lowe presented Fourth Day talk.
May 17, 2008, we had the opportunity to go back to Lawndale and visit with Jerry & Vickie Welch and his church. Bill Edsall gave the Fourth Day talk and reminded us of our weekend experience. Small group, but a great time was had by all.
June 21, 2008 sequela was held at Christ United Methodist, hosted by Ronnie & Gail Biggers. Another small group, but we were blessed by having Christ’s pastor celebrate liturgy with Annise Johnson. Dave Millar presented the Fourth Day Talk, and reminded us of our Christian life tripod: Piety/Study/Action.
The Post-Weekend Committee has formed in the spring of 2008 to brainstorm future fourth day activities to supplement the monthly sequelas. Proposed is a Community Survey form for pescadores to complete for the committee to gauge and find out interests of the community (available at sequelas). If you are interested in being a part of this growing committee and assist with the Post-Weekend events, we would love to have you join.
Looking forward:
July 25-27, 2008 is a special event. A camping event - Bev Sadler, Cheryl Wilson and Kelley Lefler are in charge of planning and coordinating at Fellowship Point located on Lake Norman. Camping is available Friday and Saturday evenings for a small fee. And for those who do not camp, there are events on Saturday during the day and evening to enjoy – picnic lunch, palanca party, reunion groups, activities for the kids, and much more. Sunday morning worship service is in the works. Please see the flyer for this event elsewhere in the newsletter and contact Bev Sadler for more details. See attached for monthly sequela dates (third Saturday evening) and locations for the remainder of 2008.
We are excited of the opportunities to you to serve on the Post Weekend Committee. Sequelas are just a part of this committee. The calendar for 2009 is now open to fill for churches to host sequelas. If you are interested for a sequela to be held at your church, please contact the Post-Weekend chairpersons for availability. Maybe you are interested in a Prayer Groups, being on this exciting Post-Weekend committee or helping with other small opportunities that you do not have to leave home to do. Please contact John and Joyce (H-704-784-1175 or email at jls7332@aol.com). Or see us at sequela, and tell us of your interest. We are looking forward to having you serve with us.
If you are participating in a Reunion Group, then you already know the joy of the accountability and support in your fourth day walk with other Christians. Encourage others to become involved and enhancing their walk with Christ. If you are need more information about reunion groups, contact Kelley Lefler - leflerx04@bellsouth.net or Cheryl Wilson – rogerncheryl@aol.com.
Thank you for supporting the post-weekend events. See ya’ll at the next Sequela. We miss you.
De Colores,
John and Joyce Small
Post Weekend Chairpersons
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TRES DIAS INTERNATIONAL ASSEMBLY . . . Dave Millar
The Annual Assembly of the Secretariats of International Tres Dias will be held in Alpharetta, Georgia (hosted by North Georgia Tres Dias) the weekend of July 11-13, 2008. After dinner on Friday evening, there will be Workshop Training on “Essentials” and “Train the Trainer” as part of the requirement for pescadores to receive “consistent” training information to take back to their respective local communities. Pescadores from MCTD planning to attend include: Doug & Brenda Aldridge / Mike & Paula Bostic / Bill & Paula Boyd / Steve & Ellen Boyd / Rick & Kathy Lineberger / Dave & Jan Millar / Robert & Marcy Myers / John & Joyce Small.
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MCTD CAMPING WEEKEND . . . Bev Sadler
WHEN: Friday, July 25 through Sunday, July 27, 2008
WHERE: Fellowship Point (owned by Presbytery of Charlotte)
212 Greyfriars Road, Mooresville, NC (located on Lake Norman)
Go
to
www.presbyofcharlotte.org and click
on the Fellowship Point link to read about facilities
WHAT’S THE PLAN?
Everyone in Tres Dias is welcome to attend this weekend event, especially those who are avid (or even new) campers!!! Come for one (1) night or both nights and pitch your tent or park your camper! There is a nominal fee if you are planning to camp.
Saturday will be a day filled with activities that anyone can plan to attend (even if you don’t plan to campout overnight). Just come and join in all the activities.
LUNCH PICNIC – We will have a Hamburger/Hot Dog cookout! Everyone is
invited to bring side dishes and
desserts.
PALANCA PARTY – We will have various craft ideas, note cards, and
supplies to make Rollo Room, Kitchen, and written palanca for upcoming weekends.
REUNION GROUPS – We will have someone speak about forming new groups
based on shared interests and brainstorm ways to start new groups.
ACTIVITIES
FOR KIDS (of all ages!!) – Volleyball, swimming, other games/activities for
kids will be planned. We will also have “cooking for campers” for those
interested in learning camping recipes.
SUNDAY
MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE – We will have a planned service on Sunday morning
for all campers.
CONTACT: BEV SADLER IF INTERESTED IN ATTENDING (by July 20, 2008):
sadlerbev@aol.com or bsadler@ecoscape.com or 704-900-6122
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MCTD PESCADORE’S SHARING / FOURTH DAY . . . Dave Millar
Good evening, my name is Dave Millar, and I worship at All Saints Episcopal Church, in nearby Concord. My original weekend was Episcopal Men’s Cursillo #2 in March of 1980, and I sat at Sieto Hermanos table. Let me inform you that you “make” or attend as a candidate a three-day weekend once in your life. However, you then have the opportunity to serve as a team member on other parallel three-day movement weekends, such as Walk to Emmaus (sponsored by the Methodist Upper Room), Via de Christo (sponsored by the Lutherans), or interdenominational Kairos prison ministry, to name a few. Jan and I have chosen to support both the Diocese of North Carolina Episcopal Cursillo (weekends held specifically for that denomination) and Mid Carolinas Tres Dias. The blessing that I have particularly received by living in the Fourth Day is making “friends for life”, establishing Christian relationships that cross denominational barriers and folks you can “count on” for prayer and support at the “drop of a hat”.
I believe that each of us traverse “wilderness times” during our life on earth, where we are severely tested and look for help and assistance of one form or another. Mine defining “wilderness time” was the fall of 1979. In the span of four weeks, my older brother, John, died of Hodgkin’s disease at age 30, and my younger sister, Michelle, was killed in an automobile accident age 24. My dad was being treated for bi-polar manic depression, and mom somehow “kept the family functioning”. So, what was I doing attending a Cursillo Weekend a few months later? Although my weekend was a positive one, it was not until a few years later, living in Greenville, SC, that I came to understand the power of God’s unconditional love that had been showered upon me ever since my weekend, and I embraced the Fourth Day humbly and powerfully as the “rest of my life living in Christ’s presence” and returning that agape or unconditional love in ways that I never dreamt or imagined that I could.
Do you remember the Fourth Day Talk at your closing service on Sunday afternoon of your weekend? Let me reiterate and challenge each of us this evening to continually persevere in our respective Fourth Day journeys. Two particular activities are unique to this movement: our monthly sequela (sequel to the weekend) or Episcopal ultreya (cry of encouragement) gatherings to re-connect with friends within the larger community. Although there might be evenings in which you wish you did not have to “go to sequela”, please persevere and attend willingly and lovingly. There was an Episcopal ultreya held in a neighboring church in Greenville back around 1984, and this was one such evening for me. I was having my own “pity party” but reluctantly attended. As I briefly shared about my father’s battle with manic depression in our floating group reunion, one woman in our “random group” was sobbing uncontrollably. As it turned out, she suffered from manic or bi-polar depression, and was so alone, and she thought that she was the only one in the world with such a “horrible disease”. Just my “presence in being there” helped this woman seek the professional help that she so desperately needed. So, come to sequelas, not necessarily to “be fed” (sorry for the pun), but to feed, nurture, and support your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Persevering in attending the monthly sequelas is a top priority for Jan and myself!!! Please prayerfully consider the same for each of you.
Secondly, persevere in becoming part of a small group, commonly called Reunion Group. As you recall in this talk on Sunday afternoon, of your weekend, these small groups can take many forms, sizes, shapes. I probably have been or currently a member of a couple of dozen small groups over the past twenty-eight years, a couple lasting a few short weeks, and others continuing for many years. In SC, a group of men faithfully met on Wednesday mornings for six years. We were diligent in following the Christian life tripod (Piety / Study / Action) model as the basis for our sharing and discussion. Over these years together, each man in the group battled “employment issues” of one form or another, and it was gratifying and fulfilling to be able to offer prayer support and “experience training” to each brother.
All Saints’ Episcopal Church adopted the small group model based on Rick Warren’s book, The Purpose-Driven Life, as a discipline for the season of Lent 2004. Our rector or pastor, Fred Hoffman is a firm believer in “cell groups” as an excellent way to grow the church community, and get to know fellow parishioners in a deeper and more meaningful way outside of Sunday worship service. Thankfully, a number of these small groups are still meeting regularly, and enjoy the fellowship, study, and Christian growth. Our book study small group continues to meet on the first Tuesday of each month for supper and discussion. Although the make-up of the group has changed, the core has remained remarkably intact. We have completed the reading and study Max Lucado’s Cure for the Common Life, Gail Godwin’s Father Melancholy Daughter and Evensong, and Dr. Timothy Johnson’s Finding God in the Questions.
Another format of the Reunion Group might have Bible Study as a focus. Just this week, Carol Corbin mentioned that she is dusting off the Mighty Acts of God book / Bible history that I coordinated and facilitated at All Saints’ some fifteen years ago. The two times that this course was offered brought a number of parishioners to make a decision to make All Saints’ their church home and a deeper understanding and appreciation of God’s role in history. Thanks, Carol, for rekindling this fruitful study. The Husbands of the Sweet Sisters (HOTSS) meet concurrently with the Sweet Sisters on the first and third Monday evenings for supper and currently, a study of the Gospel of Luke. No one individual has the task or responsibility of “leading” the study, we just have a great time reading passages together and gleaning new insights into the impact on our respective lives. That is what makes the Bible the most read book in the world: we are constantly renewed and challenged as we re-read familiar passages as we continue in our daily journey with Christ. From Lamentations (of Jeremiah) 3: 22-23: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness”.
A third small group that I currently belong to has been publicized at All Saints’ as a sharing and accountability group – the Episcopal Cursillo model Group Reunion. After three (3) parishioners attended Episcopal Cursillo this past spring, they were encouraged to participate in a small group. We tried meeting at 6PM on Sunday evenings; worked okay for a couple of times, then fizzled. As summer approached and “things” shut down, I extended an open invitation to parishioners to “try us out” for a few weeks. We are going on our fourth Sunday morning tomorrow (we meet in the Living Room at church from 9AM until 10:15AM), and have a “constant eight (though not the same eight) each Sunday. We focus our sharing time on the Christian Life Tripod and reflect on these questions:
PIETY (John 15:5: “Without Me you can do nothing.”)
Have I maintained my commitments in
my Rule of Life?
With what other spiritual aids have
I nourished my vital union with Christ?
What was the moment in which I felt
closest to Christ?
STUDY (Psalm 119:105: “Thy word is a lamp to my feet …”)
What I have studied that has
increased my understanding of my relationship with God and His Creation?
ACTION (Matthew 4:19: “I will make you fishers of men.”)
If I had a specific plan for
attempting to witness for or serve the Lord in some particular area, what
success or disappointments have I experienced through this plan?
What unexpected opportunity to
witness has the Lord offered to me?
What are my plans for the coming
week?
We have two parishioners who have not attended a weekend participate (one will be attending the November women’s weekend) on Sunday mornings. Two other women made Cursillo weekends a number of years ago, and are such a delight to the group. It is my hope and prayer that at the conclusion of this summer, we can “spread our wings” and grow other groups to share Christ’s steadfast love that is new every day. DeColores!!!
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MCTD COMMUNICATIONS / DISTRIBUTION . . . Dave Millar
Coordinator: Dave Millar, 606 Mirawood Trail NE, Concord, NC 28025; (H) 704-782-1318; (W) 704-427-6921; EMAIL: dmillar@carolina.rr.com.
Please direct all articles and input for future publications to Dave Millar by the cut-off date!!! It would be great to have a pescadore share their Fourth Day journey with Christ as an integral feature for each future newsletter. Deadline for the third 2008 MCTD SPIRIT is September 7, 2008.
Dave has set up an EMAIL MCTD distribution list, and sends reminders about upcoming sequelas and MCTD events between quarterly SPIRIT newsletters. If you want to be included on EMAIL or your email address changes, please contact Dave!!!
If you want to be included on the electronic MCTD EMAIL prayer chain, please contact our new coordinator, Sherron Coleman, who can be reached at 469 Hidden Lake Drive, York, SC 28745 (home – 803-684-3100 or email – sherroncoleman@bellsouth.net). Thanks, Margaret, for your years of service.
This summer, a member of the MCTD Secretariat will be personally contacting each pescadore currently on the MCTD distribution list. Please cheerfully provide answers to the data being asked. We are striving to be good stewards of the limited funds available at our disposal.
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TRES DIAS CONTACTS
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MCTD CALENDAR OF EVENTS
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DIRECTIONS TO MCTD EVENTS
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