If you haven't yet registered, please do so here as soon as possible. Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89232523318?pwd=bXI4blNLTjdrNUd1WVRlendKUVZYdz09 Meeting ID: 892 3252 3318 Passcode: 719161 Dial in:1 408 638 0968
Continue readingThe book of Exodus tells the story of God calling Israel out of slavery into new life. One of my favorite parts of this story happens after the burning bush and the plagues, when Pharaoh has finally allowed the Hebrews to go. They’ve had their Passover meal, gathered the wealth
Continue readingCrisis reveals the fault-lines of society; those places where the tectonic plates of race, class and gender collide. It’s shaky ground where no one wants to stand for long. Yet we tend to stand there long enough to throw blame across the fissures. Just enough blame to ease our shame.
Continue readingUpdate April 29, 2020 Let those of you with ears, listen!* I’ve heard congregations who disliked change – so much they used to complain if a hymn was played at a new tempo – comment that online worship is “tremendous.” If that ain’t God – well then, we have nothing
Continue readingBy Marj Funk-Pihl, DEM “We are racist.” Courtney uttered these words as both realization and confession. She was part of a conversation about her congregation’s outreach to the neighborhood. The congregation was predominately white, but the neighborhood was mostly African descent and Hispanic. Their main outreach was a weekly hot
Continue readingby Rev. Marj Funk-Pihl, Director for Evangelical Mission, SWCA Synod Love is best when its mutual. Right? During our June synod assembly, I asked everyone to describe how your congregation loved and served its neighbors. 72 of those present wrote about a congregationally supported feeding program. Great!! Today I want
Continue readingby Rev. Marj Funk-Pihl, Director for Evangelical Mission, SWCA Synod Which method of communication to you use MOST OFTEN to get the word out about events and volunteer opportunities in your congregation? Announcements, newsletter, and bulletin articles. Intentional conversations between friends. During Synod assembly this past June, I asked folks
Continue readingby Rev. Marj Funk-Pihl, Director for Evangelical Mission, SWCA Synod This is where we start. Vitality is not measured by how many people attend your worship services, or how much money you have in the bank. It is measured by the strength of your relationship with God, with
Continue reading