www.amazinggodrcda.org Web site presentation on Amazing God November 20-21, 2010 Presented by the Evangelization Team of Bill Trigg, Heidi Eustis, and Beverly McBride. INTRODUCTION As part of our ministry of service to the faith communities of Assumption/St. Paul and St. Peter the Apostle, we will be leading an Evangelization Team to bring to life the Amazing God initiative during the next three years here in Mechanicville and Stillwater. When Catholics hear the word “evangelization,” they typically get nervous and think that they are being called upon to proselytize. In actuality, evangelization is about speaking to the longings each of us has to build a loving relationship with God, to be part of a vibrant community of faith, and to build the kingdom of heaven right here, right now in our homes, our neighborhoods, our places of work, our communities, and especially our faith community. WHAT THE AMAZING GOD INITIATIVE IS The Amazing God initiative is a three-year effort sponsored by the Diocese of Albany to re-kindle the light of faith and our enthusiasm of belief in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit throughout all of our parish communities. This includes nurturing the faith of those who, like all of us here, are already active in our faith. It also includes welcoming back and supporting those who have left active participation in the faith and the Church for whatever reason; and It includes seeking out and welcoming those who have no particular church, but who are standing at the doorway waiting to be welcomed in. One of the goals of Amazing God is to build our capacity as a faith community to reach out in a genuine spirit of hospitality to seekers, questioners, and Catholics who are not active, and with resources and approaches to faith that speak to them, to their personal experiences, and to where they are right now on their personal faith journeys. THREE THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND It is really important that we all understand three key things about the Amazing God initiative. First, it is NOT an attempt to convert anyone to Christianity or Roman Catholicism, or to sway anyone from their belief systems. It is an attempt to deepen the faith of those who are already practicing their faith, such as all of us here. It is also an attempt to lend a compassionate ear and a welcoming, healing hand to those who left the Church for whatever reason. Second, it is NOT a set program that involves certain specified activities and projects to be offered in the next three years and is then finished. Rather, it is intended to help the members of our faith community to become better educated about their Catholic faith and traditions, to become more enthusiastic about their faith, and to develop their skills at being welcoming parishioners who are truly committed to building the kingdom of God right here, right now. Every faith community in the diocese will develop its own unique approach to implementing Amazing God to meet its own particular needs. Third, Amazing God offers us here in Mechanicville and Stillwater a special opportunity to make the transition from two faith communities to one new community as effectively as possible. WHAT WE HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH Our Lord Jesus Christ has told us that the kingdom of God is already here, and that the building of the kingdom includes and involves us with the Holy Spirit. Here in Mechanicville and Stillwater, we are working with Father David, Deacon Greg, and the lay leadership of our faith communities to achieve the following objectives: 1. To promote healing and reconciliation among all of our parishioners as we move toward merger and the creation of one new faith community. 2. To assemble a team of lay leaders involved in the key parts of parish life; namely, Prayer & Worship, Faith Formation, Christian Service, and Administration – who will work with the three of us to develop our new faith community’s ability to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ here in Mechanicville and Stillwater; 3. To become a more welcoming, hospitable community that encourages all who walk through the doors of this church to join us in celebrating our faith here at the Table of the Lord; and 4. To foster the formation of our faith with each other through vibrant liturgy, faith sharing and education for our adults, and meaningful opportunities for Christian service to the larger community. HOW YOU PLAY A PART IN ALL THIS Which brings us to the core focus of the Amazing God initiative – you. Each and every one of you has a vital role to play in building the kingdom of God right here in this faith community. Each and every one of you matters. Each and every one of you is called to be involved in some way. When we pray the prayer of Amazing God later in the Mass, which we handed to you when you entered the church building, and which can be found in each pew, we ask you to pray for yourself and for each other to be open to the working of the Holy Spirit within you, among each other, and throughout this faith community to help us grow in our faith, in our love of the Triune God, and as a welcoming Christian community here in Stillwater and Mechanicville. Father David spoke in his October homilies about being frank and upfront with God about our feelings and desires, our fears and frustrations, our dreams and our hopes. It is a prayer of lament. During the Masses on each of the First and Second Sundays of Advent, you will be offered an opportunity at the end of the homily to write a brief letter to God expressing those kinds of feelings. Please reflect this week on what you would ask God about the role He wants you to play in building our new faith community. What would you ask Him to do to help all of us in building this new community together? All of your letters will be gathered up and offered as a prayer of hope at our Advent Reconciliation Service on December 12th. Thank you for your attention, and we look forward to working with all of you to celebrate our Amazing God in the years ahead.
www.amazinggodrcda.org
Web site presentation on Amazing God
November 20-21, 2010
Presented by the Evangelization Team of Bill Trigg, Heidi Eustis, and Beverly McBride.
INTRODUCTION
When Catholics hear the word “evangelization,” they typically get nervous and think that they are being called upon to proselytize. In actuality, evangelization is about speaking to the longings each of us has to build a loving relationship with God, to be part of a vibrant community of faith, and to build the kingdom of heaven right here, right now in our homes, our neighborhoods, our places of work, our communities, and especially our faith community.
WHAT THE AMAZING GOD INITIATIVE IS
The Amazing God initiative is a three-year effort sponsored by the Diocese of Albany to re-kindle the light of faith and our enthusiasm of belief in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit throughout all of our parish communities. This includes nurturing the faith of those who, like all of us here, are already active in our faith.
It also includes welcoming back and supporting those who have left active participation in the faith and the Church for whatever reason; and
THREE THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND
It is really important that we all understand three key things about the Amazing God initiative. First, it is NOT an attempt to convert anyone to Christianity or Roman Catholicism, or to sway anyone from their belief systems. It is an attempt to deepen the faith of those who are already practicing their faith, such as all of us here. It is also an attempt to lend a compassionate ear and a welcoming, healing hand to those who left the Church for whatever reason.
Second, it is NOT a set program that involves certain specified activities and projects to be offered in the next three years and is then finished. Rather, it is intended to help the members of our faith community to become better educated about their Catholic faith and traditions, to become more enthusiastic about their faith, and to develop their skills at being welcoming parishioners who are truly committed to building the kingdom of God right here, right now. Every faith community in the diocese will develop its own unique approach to implementing Amazing God to meet its own particular needs.
Third, Amazing God offers us here in Mechanicville and Stillwater a special opportunity to make the transition from two faith communities to one new community as effectively as possible.
WHAT WE HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH
Our Lord Jesus Christ has told us that the kingdom of God is already here, and that the building of the kingdom includes and involves us with the Holy Spirit. Here in Mechanicville and Stillwater, we are working with Father David, Deacon Greg, and the lay leadership of our faith communities to achieve the following objectives:
1. To promote healing and reconciliation among all of our parishioners as we move toward merger and the creation of one new faith community.
2. To assemble a team of lay leaders involved in the key parts of parish life; namely, Prayer & Worship, Faith Formation, Christian Service, and Administration – who will work with the three of us to develop our new faith community’s ability to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ here in Mechanicville and Stillwater;
3. To become a more welcoming, hospitable community that encourages all who walk through the doors of this church to join us in celebrating our faith here at the Table of the Lord; and
4. To foster the formation of our faith with each other through vibrant liturgy, faith sharing and education for our adults, and meaningful opportunities for Christian service to the larger community.
HOW YOU PLAY A PART IN ALL THIS
Which brings us to the core focus of the Amazing God initiative – you.
