As fall swept vibrant colors through the trees of Northern Indiana, sixteen curious souls gathered to discern the emerging shape of the Feast of Love movement.
We lamented the brokenness in ourselves and our family of faith, and celebrated the call we feel to move forward in faith and love. We sang and prayed in the cozy home of Kathy & Paul Fry-Miller, and beneath the stars on the banks of the Kenapocomoco River. Thanks to the Fry-Millers and to Everylight, Inc and Voices for an Open Spirit for providing food and housing for this gathering.
We discussed priorities for our communities of faith: women in leadership, lgbtq inclusion, calling and credentialing justice, building cultures of peace, creation care, and collaboration in all things.
Using formal consensus and Spirit-filled discernment, we considered the shape Feast of Love will take, and an interim organizational team to lead Feast of Love’s continued emergence. We envisioned the formation of an organization that would encourage Jesus’ community.
Feast of Love will empower progressives within and beyond the Church of the Brethren to nurture their faith communities and new faith communities. We will energize and connect people with one another, through gatherings and conferences, sharing stories, and mutual accountability and mentorship. We will gather individuals and communities in celebration of Divine movement within and among us, for celebration and action.
We will continue to pursue options for calling and credentialing of ministers, including exploring the possibilities through existing districts and organizations, and develop a healthy and inclusive process within one year.
The original vision and passion of Anna Lisa Gross and others was celebrated, as was her eagerness to turn leadership over to a fresh group. An interim organizational team has been called and their names will be announced tomorrow – stay tuned! This small, focused team will faithfully develop the goals and organizational model of Feast of Love throughout the next few months, working with all who are interested, collaborating with VOS, BMC, Womaen’s Caucus, OEP, etc. The interim organizational team will present their work at the Progressive Brethren Gathering in November, and are eager for your contributions along the way!
Please continue your own conversations and communions around the Feast of Love – in your local communities, on Facebook, in your church and district meetings, and in your own sacred soul. Please hold the organizational team and the Feast of Love movement in prayer. We are building the church of our hopes and dreams, together.
Present:
Anna Lisa Gross, Common Spirit CoB
Anne Ott, Beacon Heights CoB
Elizabeth Alexander-Ullery, Lacey Community Church and Oregon/Washington District
Janet Mitchell, Beacon Heights CoB
Jennie Ott, Beacon Heights CoB
Josh Brockaway, Highland Ave CoB, Director of Spiritual Life Ministries for the CoB
Josih Hostettler, LaVerne CoB
Josie Tolton, Richmond (IN) CoB and Midland CoB
Kathy Fry-Miller, Manchester CoB and Everylight, Inc.
Ken Kline-Smeltzer, Burnham CoB
Madalyn Metzger, On Earth Peace and Goshen City CoB
Paul Fry-Miller, Manchester CoB
Roger Eberly, Turkey Creek CoB
Roger Schrock, Cabool CoB
Tom Coursen, Beacon Heights CoB
Turner Ritchie, Richmond (IN) CoB and Manchester College
