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MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF ST. JAMES MARCH 2018
What is Outreach? What is the Place of Outreach in the Church?
In a conversation this week with The Rev. Joe Evans, the We agreed we do not have to be “church” in order to do senior pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Marietta, good works in the world. We can join any number of we were discussing our ideas of ministry and mission in the clubs or organizations and do charitable work that is good, church in today’s world. appeals to us, satisfies us, Jesus said: “You shall love the Lord your God with Now it may seem odd to and helps others. We agreed, all your heart and with all your soul and with all your however, and I will come you (clergy do talk in odd mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. right out and say it, the ways when we get togethAnd second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as church’s work in the world er), but we settled on one yourself. On these two commandments hang all the must begin with and be metaphor or analogy that we thought appropriate. We centered first in corporate Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40 agreed people do not go to worship. To be “church” Otter’s Chicken for the 100 flavor soft drink dispenser; that and to be about the mission of the church we first must be is not to say people do not enjoy the variety offered by the who we are called to be and do what we are here first to do: 100 flavor soft drink dispenser; no, instead, people go to worship God as the community of the faithful. In summaOtter’s Chicken for what Otter’s Chicken does best and the rizing the commandments, Jesus did not give as the greatest reason Otter’s Chicken exists… which is chicken fingers. commandment: “do good.” Jesus equally did not say: “do
In This Issue.... This issue of THE WORD newsletter is devoted primarily to outreach. In addition to our usual
reports and notices, the many outreach ministries and opportunities at St. James are described in the following pages. This issue continues our focus on ways we ARE church and the ways we pursue our mission as church here at St. James. The January issue reported on our Youth Program. The February issue summarized the work of our Music Program. Next month we will celebrate our children with attention to our Christian Education Program. Throughout we address necessary issues such as finances, vestry actions and decisions, and calendar items.