THE LAUNCH ........ Part 1 of [probably] 3 parts

I N T R O D U C T I O N
From the desk of TODD ANDERSON
March 2011




Hi Folks,

The concept of a blog has been "knocking" around in my head for some time.
In August 2010 most of the information you see here was composed, and was planned to LAUNCH in early September. Due to a very unfortunate set of circumstances, this plan was scrapped. I think perhaps it's time to LAUNCH -- not in a small part due to what appears to be the formation of a Breakfast Club -- which perhaps will be an ongoing, standing Saturday event.

In the original plan for the LAUNCH, a Living Document was to have been featured. The idea was to send a postcard to a number of people connected/active in what I call my "spiritual home" announcing the concept, giving directions to this BLOG, and, providing an opportunity for initially on-line discussion -- and, ideally, at a point in the future -- actual face-to-face civil discourse.

The Living Document deals with the CALL TO ACTION/Initiative to offer your particular gifts and ministries together – form a (new) Small Group in our Wesleyan Tradition with the purpose and objective to work together to address some present and future Unmet Facility Needs, and to be involved in some intentional outreach ministries.

What’s going on?

We recently "passed the hat" and raised funds to cover PROFESSIONAL MOVING EXPENSES for a church member. This member found herself “between a rock and a hard place” financially. There was an amazing outpouring of CASH, and, (the hard part) a cadre of people who showed up, lugged and carried “stuff” – and oversaw that everything got from “point A to point B”. This initiative included people both within and outside the congregation. I believe that we put our faith in action – and those outside the church witnessed the power of this faith – acting out “by precept and example” -- in community by what we did. The success of this initiative – including the speed and efficiency we realized to achieve the goal -- sparked my idea to approach you with this Plea.

So, given my background and philosophy, (which if you don’t know me well you may not be familiar with), the success of the Moving Expense Initiative, these current needs, and a sense I have that we need to create more opportunities for spiritual health and well being, spiritual growth, building “community”, and regular and intentional outreach -- I am writing to you in a totally "unofficial" capacity.

One “unintended consequence” of this initiative is the concept to form a new group – in our Wesleyan Tradition – which means the group will be Methodical in function – ergo the source of our denominational “moniker” – and members will be accountable to each other. Initially, the idea was for this group to deal with these and future Facility Issues in the same way the “Garden Tidy Up Group” deals with the grounds. As the concept matured, the additional focus on spirituality, community, and outreach developed. Perhaps this is by the intervention and the spirit of gentleness/persuasion the Holy Spirit can provide ?

FIRST -- The DISCLAIMER:

This is an unofficial initiative and the personal opinion of Todd Anderson, and in no way reflects the position of any agency, conference, Committee, Board, congregation, Pastor or Layperson. I am not acting on behalf of any of the aforementioned groups – or individuals -- but rather, out of concern for some unmet facility needs we – as the Body of Christ -- working through the Oak Creek UMC -- have in this time and in this place .
This initiative is intended to generate interest and support on a grassroots basis, from members and people associated and concerned with – and supportive of -- the Ministry of The Oak Creek United Methodist Church. An “unintended consequence” of this initiative may be a new group formed – in our Wesleyan Tradition -- to perform service similar to what an Anglican Sexton or Churchwarden would do – which is task oriented – and to go further and also deal with and provide resources for our spiritual well-being, and to be involved in some type of outreach. I believe that this group has the potential to help ourselves and others, by acting out our faith “by precept and example” as the old Methodist rubric says.
SECOND -- I need to acknowledge the wisdom and creativity of the proofreaders who
• gave of their time and talents to proofread, generously, gracefully – and frequently;
• made the excellent suggestions to introduce this online Living Document by postcard, (so only those who want to “read all about it” need to invest the time necessary to read, learn, and perhaps print a copy to help their understanding of the details of the Initiative);
• helped put this detailed narrative online to make the enlightenment process interactive, generate “grassroots support” for the Initiative, and encourage critical thinking and a logical discussion of the Initiative;
• suggested this be sent to every Church Household;
• Last – but not least – I want to acknowledge the generosity of the proofreader who is paying for the MAILING !!

Thank You -- & -- Thanks Be To God !!


Todd Anderson