Greetings Sisters and Brothers,
I hope this letter finds you well! As spring begins to turn toward summer we are eagerly preparing for Annual Conference in Columbus, Ohio July 2-6. While the work and ministry of Open Table extends well beyond Annual Conference the gathering is a significant opportunity to build community, foster relationships and reach out to the larger church. This year I am particularly excited about our opening gathering an Open Table Mix-n-Mingle. This will be a less-formal, no ticket require, opportunity to gather and greet each other while we prepare for the work ahead. We will share appetizers, raise a glass and say a prayer for an open table for all! We are seeking individuals or congregations who are interested in hosting a table. $250 (Co-sponsor for $125) will help ensure we can provide an enjoyable and free gathering for all. Each table will have a sign “ (Your Name) Supports an Open Table For All”, this is a great way you can be present in spirit even if you can’t join us in body.
Something new we are doing this year is teaming up with Womaen’s Caucus, BMC and Global Women’s Project to host a joint Progressive Brethren booth in the exhibit hall. We will have space for small gatherings, information sessions and are planning some conversations on Power and Privilege in the Church, Congregational Hospice and Restorative Justice. These conversational sessions will be in addition to an insight session OTC is co-hosting with Pacific Northwest District on Alternative Ways of Being Church: Creating Community Outside of Worship. We are excited to hear from some progressive faith leaders who are building community in creative and exciting ways.
If you plan to attend conference this year we hope you will join us for the Mix-n-Mingle, insight sessions and some conversation sessions! We are also in need of people to spend a couple hours at the booth sharing information about Open Table and why you support an open table for all. Last year some of the most important conversations at Annual Conference happened at our booth and I hope you can be a part of them this year.
Beyond Annual Conference we are planning for Progressive Gathering in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania November 7-9, 2014 and exploring participating in a LGBTQA Anabaptist Gathering in Chicago Illinois November 21-23, 2014. This past winter we welcomed two new board members; Audrey deCoursey is the pastor for Living Stream Church of the Brethren, our denomination’s first online congregation and Kimberly Koczan-Flory has an extensive background in ecumenical ministry and spiritual guidance, she currently lives in Fort Wayne Indiana with her husband and daughter. Both of these dynamic women have brought much energy to the board and I am grateful to be in ministry with them.
Your contributions to Open Table allow us to travel to these many gatherings to speak from our experience and be an advocate for those in our church who have been silenced. It is through building relationships that we can create change. You donations allow us to build community and equip our Progressive Community to speak truth to power and lead us into the community of Christian faith we envision.
Can you donate $125, $250, $500, $1,000 to help welcome all people to the Open Table?
Blessings!
Elizabeth Ullery & The Open Table Board
Ken Kline Smeltzer, Audrey deCoursey,
Josih Hostetler, Kimberly Koczan Flory
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