Resurrection Bell Ringer

In Our Prayers . . . .

     Current prayer concerns are posted on the RLC bulletin board. If you are not currently on the prayer chain, you may sign-up to receive prayer concerns: log-on to RLCIndy.org and click on “join prayer chain.”

MBTI Event for Couples . . . .

     The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is a widely-used personality inventory that has application from team building to education to career counseling. The MBTI is also used for pre-marital counseling with every couple who gets married at RLC.

     For some time, Pastor Mitch has been thinking about putting together an MBTI couples workshop that would allow more time to explore the implications of personality type in a couple's relationship. We hope to have such an event in the early part of next year.

     Pastor Mitch is looking for help in two ways . . . ➀ a team of folks who would like to help plan the event and work on logistics and hosting – Pastor Mitch will work on the content of the event with input from the planning team; and ➁ names of couples who might be interested in taking part in such an event whom the planning team could check with as a "focus group" (with no obligation on attendance) to check out plans and details as they develop.

     If you would like to help out in either of these ways, please speak with Pastor Mitch, call him at the church office (881-7854), or send him an e-mail at PrMitch@RLCIndy.org.

Dear Resurrection People:

Perry Park Results

    By now you have undoubtedly heard the news that the adjacent land to our property will not be for sale. To review for our newer members, Perry Park is built on land that is owned by the Metropolitan School District of Perry Township (MSDPT), originally purchased for a school building. When it was not needed for building, MSDPT leased the land at no charge to the Indianapolis Parks Department, who then developed the property, including the Ice Rink, Water Park and Pool, Tennis Courts, etc. When the 30-year lease expired three years ago, we immediately engaged in conversations with both Perry Schools and the Parks Department, expressing our interest in a portion of the park, particularly the adjacent field. While we have a building master plan for our current site, adequate parking is very questionable and this land would have been extremely valuable to us. After long and frustrating delays in obtaining an answer, on November 13 the School Board defeated, 4-3, a motion to sell a portion of this land to us. Brian Hewitt did an absolutely wonderful job presenting the case which we believe was not only in our best interest, but also for Perry Schools and even the wider community. The majority of the Board, however, made it very clear they did not want to sell any of the land whatsoever.

Larger Concerns for Perry Township

    This same majority of four later in the meeting placed the Superintendent, Dr. Doug Williams, on leave from his post. It was a highly contentious meeting, revealing a deep divide in the community and for which the consequences for MSDPT may be profound indeed. We keep our schools in our prayers. By the way, in his presentation, Brian articulated rightly and clearly that our interest in the land was and is not a part of this larger unfortunate political struggle. We have not held secret meetings or private negotiations with either the administration or the board, and as a congregation do not have a stake in any “side” other than our concern for what is best for the children of Perry Schools. It was important for that to be said, as some rumors had been circulated in the community that this was the case. Brian was a winsome spokesperson for our integrity and our commitment to serve the larger community, and if there was a bright spot in the results of the meeting, I think it would be that Resurrection was highly complemented from all sides as a good neighbor and a highly valued asset to the community. It was good for the large crowd to hear – again, from all sides.

So What Does this Mean?

    So, now that we finally – after three years – know that this land is not available for us, where do we go from here? Let me say loud and clear: Only God knows!!! Neither I, Pastor Mitch, our staff, our Council, our Future Facilities Ministry Team, or anyone else knows for sure what we should do – stay and build/configure as best we can, sell and move to another location, stay and plant another mission, establish a multi-site church. . . . again, as of now, only God knows. What we do know, is that now that we have the additional land option off the table, we need to be about carefully, prayerfully, strategically, and faithfully going about the process of discerning what God wants us to do. And that we will do. While I am disappointed the land is not available for us to purchase, I am absolutely convinced that Resurrection will be just fine! We will discern with this closed window what other door God is opening for us.

Future Facilities Ministry Team

    Earlier this year, our Council appointed out-going congregational president Michael McCarty, recent Council member Daryl Huber, and leaders Brian Hewitt, Joyce Peterson, Tom Myers, and Leslie Daugherty to a small group charged with the work of research, brainstorming, and prayerfully dreaming about our church’s future. Our congregation’s growth has reached a plateau that is now limited by our facilities – with worship and education space of equal concern. The charge to this ministry team is to seek God’s will and identify a primary option to address our facilities needs. What are the options and alternatives? For the past months, the FFMT and I have put our work on hold, waiting for the MSDPT decision. Now that this variable has been eliminated, we begin anew with a clearer picture of our options.

What Do We Do Now?

    So what can we all do now in these weeks of Advent? I would suggest that all of us, with all our heart, soul, and might. . .would do nothing. . .nothing but wait, be quiet, and pray. I suggest these weeks of Advent not be a time of frantic meetings, weighing options, arguing pros and cons of various responses to our facility needs. I do not suggest this merely because the weeks before “the holidays” are busy and full. I suggest this because the best way to begin to seek God’s will is to be quiet enough to listen. I suggest this – for all of us – because the best use for these Advent days would be to be still, be quiet, pray, and wait upon the Lord.

The Real Heart of Advent

    Waiting, anticipating, listening, preparing, patience, yearning, wonder . . . these are all Advent words. The days of Advent point the people of God toward the three comings of the Lord Jesus: once at Bethlehem, now in the scriptures, in the waters of baptism, in the eucharistic meal, in the community of faith, and then in the coming future, in glory to judge the living and the dead. To ponder these comings, however, we must be quiet, expectant, waiting. I ask all of us, at this moment of the history of Resurrection Lutheran Church, to be intentionally focused for a season of such prayer. There will come a time for brainstorming, for evaluating, for deciding. This is not that time. There will even come a time to ask for God’s guidance. This is not even that time. Rather, let us all, in these blue Advent weeks of prayer, simply be quiet, and wait upon the Lord. I suspect it may be our best Advent ever.

                                                                      In hope and quiet peace,

Home Huddles . . . .

    As we prepare for the birth of our Savior let us take time for one another by sharing our Highs & Lows, praying for one another, and reading a Scripture verse together. Through the Advent season, share a daily scripture verse from the Gospel of Luke (1:26-56; 2:1-20) with your family and talk about the anticipated birth of Jesus. What was it like for Mary and Joseph? What is it like for you to anticipate something so marvelous? Also, make an Advent wreath together and use it as a focal point of your Advent devotions.

    During this Advent season make time not only for friends and family, but for yourself. Take a few moments each day to reflect on what’s really important, following Jesus’ model of love and compassion.

YG White Elephant . . . .

    Our High School Youth Group will be having a white elephant gift exchange and dinner party on Sunday, December 3^rd (restaurant to be determined). Sign-up on the bulletin board across from Julie’s office if you plan to attend. We will meet at the restaurant at 5:15pm.

Dec. 17^th Discipleship Hr . . . .

    On Sunday, December 17^th while the adults are attending the Semi-annual Congregational Meeting, the Discipleship Hour children will meet in Seaside Cinema to view The Toy That Saved Christmas.

    On Sunday, December 17^th Kids Club invites anyone who wants to share Christmas Carols with others to join us at 1:00pm in the RLC parking lot. We will then depart to a variety of locations to share in the Christmas story through songs, including visits to some of our RLC family members.

    Members of Kids Club (1^st-5^th graders) will meet at 12:00pm for pizza and decorating cookies to deliver to the folks to whom we carol. Kids Club members please sign-up on the bulletin board across from Ms. Julie’s office.

The Christmas Story . . . .

    The S.S. Discipleship will be setting sail to tell the Christmas Story on Sunday, December 3^rd. The three-year-olds through 5^th graders will share in the birth of Christ through computers, art, and games; along with a station dedicated to the Christmas program. The tour will only be two weeks – December 3^rd & 10^th. Please visit the Safe Harbor if you are interested in being a Crew Leader or Shepherd.

YG/FB Go to Water Park . . . .

    Youth Group and FaithBuilders’ January Fellowship Outing will be January 13-15, 2007. We will be experiencing an indoor water-park in Sandusky, Ohio – Kalahari Resorts.

YG/FB Team Huddle . . . .

    YG/FB Team Huddle is on Sunday, December 10^th beginning at 11:45am with lunch in the RLC Fellowship Hall. Please R.S.V.P. to julie@rlcindy.org.

Cold & Flu Season . . . .

    Just a friendly reminder during the cold and flu season, for your child to utilize the nursery they must be fever free for 24 hours. This will help prevent other children, volunteers, and staff members from becoming ill. Thank you.

– The Child Care Ministry Team.

2007 VBS Team . . . .

    Avalanche Ranch - A Wild Ride through God’s Word will be our 2007 Vacation Bible School theme. RLC’s week of Vacation Bible School takes many hands including a team leader. Over the next few weeks prayerfully consider if you are being called to be a part of the 2007 RLC VBS Team and contact Julie Peralta either by email or calling the church office: julie@rlcindy.org or 317.881.7854.

    If you are curious about the theme, visit: www.group.com/vbs/2007/AvalancheRanch.

Stars! Angels!

Shepherds! Kings!

Saturday, Dec. 16

5:30pm

We are inviting you to come experience Jesus’ birth through the eyes of our children during the 5:30pm worship service on Saturday, Dec. 16^th. The children will be telling the story of Jesus’ birth from the viewpoint of the stars, the angels, the shepherds and the kings, incorporating already familiar tunes. Join us after worship for soup and sandwiches in the Fellowship Hall.

(Note: We will have a practice for all the children on Saturday, December 16^th from 9:00-11:00a.m.)