Over their spring break, Vanderbilt University's Presbyterian Student Fellowship sent a group on a mission trip down to New Orleans, Louisiana to continue in the effort to rebuild homes that Hurricane Katrina destroyed in 2005. These PSFers recorded this video for us while they were on that trip to let us know how they see the living Church in our world today! Vanderbilt's PSF shows us that the Church is alive through loving and helping those in need. Thanks PSF!
Living Congregants, We just wanted to share a little story about how the Church is ALIVE project is a lot more than just video.
Just this past weekend, Kevin Cartee - Director of Outdoor Ministries for Foothills and Trinity Presbytery - and about 100 folks from 11 churches gathered for their annual middle school retreat of Trinity and Foothills presbyteries in South Carolina.
This has always been a good time, but this year there was a twist: After listening to a conference call with one of the Church is Alive staff, the retreat-goers were split into groups and charged with not only discerning how THEY thought the church is alive but also challenged to design a church of the future.
We hear they had some pretty cool ideas (including a design for a gazebo church with moving sidewalks), and that there was a lot of great discussion about how the church is alive. Some of their thoughts: "Worship is for EVERYONE."
"Young people DO understand that it's important to communicate - be they elders or anyone else - and have everyone be a part of the Body of Christ."
"We got talking about a whole lot of things and truthfully just ran out of time!!"
Retreats like this are just one more example of how the church is alive today. If you hear or know of any other retreats like this - or if you would like to host one of your own - don't hesitate to let us know by sending and email to video@thechurchisalive.com!
The Youth Group of First Presbyterian Church in Palo Alto, CA sent us this creative video explaining why they think the church is alive.
They remind us that "we base our Church on Jesus as the body of Christ," and that "people keep each other alive in a community." What a prophetic message to hear! The youth of this church are reminding all of us of our calling to live and serve together, as we are called to be the body of Christ. How much clearer can it get? Let us think of the message this group sends us every time we participate in communion, meditating upon the "body of Christ." And remember, the grape juice is for the kids!
This latest submission comes to us from Atlanta, Georgia via Laura Brekke. Brekke believes the church is alive because of LOVE.
Brekke is in the process of applying for seminary (she has interviews tonight, tomorrow and Tuesday!), and she's been to Guatemala twice on mission trips with her college - Queens University of Charlotte. She's also applying to be a counselor at Montreat this summer.
The church is alive in San Juan, Puerto Rico! Today’s submission comes from Jose Rosa of the Iglesia Presbiteriana Puerto Nuevo. The Iglesia Presbiteriana Puerto Nuevo sees the living church in their mission group Ministerio Vida Abundante, or Abundant Life Ministry. This video is a collection of video clips and pictures that demonstrate the activities of the group during the Maratón de Paz, or Peace Marathon. The music in the background is Daniel Calveti’s “En Paz.” I’m going to include my best shot at a rudimentary translation (*not exact*) so you can reflect on the lyrics while you watch the video. Jose Rosa mentioned that there is more to come from the Iglesia Presbiteriana Puerto Nuevo – we can’t wait to see what else they have going on!
Daniel Calveti - En Paz
En paz me acostaré y asi mismo dormiré (peacefully I will lie down and peacefully I will sleep) Porque solo tu señor me haces vivir confiado (because only you Lord make me live in confidence) Quien me libra del temor (who frees me from fear) Quien me quita la ansiedad (who takes away my anxiety) Sino eres tú (if not you) Quien me Abraza con su Amor (who embraces me with love) Quien me da de su perdón (who pardons me) Sino eres tú (if not you)
Today's submission comes from Laura Mendenhall, President of Columbia Seminary. Laura has served Christ through the Presbyterian Church USA in many ways, as pastor, educator, speaker, and now as President of Columbia Seminary. Laura has been President of Columbia Seminary since 2000, and in August will retire from her position and move back to Texas. Those who have had the honor to work and know Laura, know her as a kind and selfless leader, who's deep love of Christ is made known in her loving and caring manner. She has been a true visionary and leader of the Church, and we are thankful to hear her perspective on how the Church is alive. Columbia Seminary Website
We got a pretty amazing submission the other day: This one comes from Michael Fagans on behalf of the Self-Development of People initiative from the PC(USA).
To Michael, the church is alive in service to others and in bettering the lives of those in need. He says this about his submission:
A ministry of the Presbyterian Church (USA), Self Development of People is a partnership of love, justice and empowerment reflecting the image of God who stands with all people.
To each of us is given a gift for the building of a community of caring, where we can learn to embrace our pain and overcome those oppressive structures that would keep us in bondage and make us anxious. -- Elizabeth O'Connor
This is why the church is alive!
This is a truly remarkable project, and one that everyone should check out.
For more information on how to get connected to this project, check the links below:
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