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adults
Reconciling ELCA
in Christ Triennial
update Women’s
Gathering
2020 is our second July 16-19, 2020
year in the two- Phoenix, AZ
year process
of becoming a more welcoming and affirming Once every three years, over 3,000 Women
congregation, and the RIC Team is looking forward of the ELCA (WELCA) gather for an inspiring
to offering more opportunities for dialogue and weekend of worship, fellowship, and
listening in the months ahead. sharing of ideas. If you’d like to connect
with other women from St. Mark’s who are
The focus of last year was to build awareness, interested in going this year, please contact
and introduce the RiC Team and the process. The Cheryl Dickinson (cheryl_dickinson@att.net
focus for 2020 will shift a bit. Instead of the Team or 630-788-0797.
doing the sharing, the focus will shift to listening,
to providing space for people in the congregation
to share. The Team wants to foster and facilitate Interested
opportunities for people to ask questions, speak in a trip to
their thoughts, and express concerns.
Portugal
Already the RiC Team has been meeting and talking & Spain?
with groups who are active in the church. The Team
will continue to do this, with the goal of meeting In May of 2021, the
with every small group, circle, and committee by St. Mark’s Festival
the end of March. After Easter, their plan is to offer Choir and traveling
a congregational listening session to provide space friends will depart for
for people to express their questions and genuine Portugal and Spain.
concerns about this welcoming and affirming They will visit and sing in the cities of
process. Lisbon, Madrid, Valencia, and Barcelona, as
well as visit many of the beautiful seaport
The decision to become an RIC-designated church villages along the way. The sites will include
is not a decision that will be made by a few leaders; the Palacio National de Sintra, Museo
it’s a congregational process that involves open and Nacional del Prado, Flamenco dancers,
healthy dialogue. This is not a political move; it’s Church of San Martin, Segovia Cathedral,
us taking the teachings of Jesus seriously. It’s not the Mediterranean coast, the Sagrada
the pastors’ agenda; it’s an extension of our Vision Familia Cathedral, Sitges, and Montserrat,
Priorities to care for people, to be a community to name a few.
leader, and to care for the marginalized. All are welcome to join the choir on this
Wherever you stand on this process, we hope you trip! It is for singers and travelers alike.
understand the careful nature of this consideration If you would like to join the Festival Choir
as a faith community. We look forward to listening on this amazing travel adventure, contact
and hearing from you in 2020. Kristin Young (kyoung@stmarksaurora.net).
Look for brochures in the narthex.
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