Community 4:12

East Aurora Art Camp

Thanks to CCC's School for the Arts, we are offering a week long Art Camp at the Lighthouse this week.  I really had no idea what kind of turn-out to expect.  We sent flyers home through the schools before school let out and advertised through our Tuesday night kids' program, but we charged $5/child and offered no transportation, so I knew that would limit attendance significantly.  I really thought we might be lucky to get 10 kids.  But, tonight, 30 showed up!  We had 4 different projects they could pick from, and they will spend the week working on their craft and then we will showcase them for the parents on Friday evening.  All of the teachers are volunteering their time and most of the supplies were donated, but the kids could choose between painting, beading, basket making, and making a bird house.  Cartooning and drawing are optional activities for later in the week.  Parents seemed very appreciative of this opportunity for their children, and the kids were all so engaged and excited.  I can't wait to see how proud the kids are to show off their completed projects on Friday!  

Family Summit 2009

We spent the weekend in Door County for our 15th annual Family Summit.  We spend three days with no technology, no other people, and no agenda other than spending tons of time outside connecting with each other and reflecting.  As the boys get older, they take part in more and more of our conversations (while still having plenty of time to hunt for bugs, swim in the lake, and play in the woods).  This year we were each responsible for planning a devotional and coming up with a question/discussion topic.  Scott's and Erik's questions in particular inspired some really good conversation.  Scott asked us all to think about whether or not we feel really cared for in our family, and what it is that makes us each feel cared for.  Erik's question was "Where have we gotten in the past year in our relationships with God, each other, and the community, and how do we want to grow in each of those in the next year?"  I have to say, Scott and I were both very surprised by the "secret" devotional/prayer life Erik has developed.  We have always viewed him as the spiritual skeptic (takes after both his parents that way), but he has really begun to "own" his faith and spiritual growth and has a hunger we have not seen before.  I am sure there will be many phases that both of the boys go through in their journeys, but it was very inspiring and encouraging to have Erik challenging US to find new ways to go deeper with God this year.

The biggest take home for us this year, that we are deeply committed to doing, was the boys' request that we take at least 3 weekends/year (besides our Summit weekend) when we commit to not being so busy.  Weekends when we just hang out and enjoy each other.  As we move into the pre-adolescent years, I cherish the fact that they still want to spend that focused time with us.  I am sure their requests in future years will be much more along the lines of having more separation from us, so we will make this time while they are hungry for it.  We all agreed that being a "missional" family means there is going to be busyness, and I think we are all okay with that for the most part.  But, I do believe that making more time to grow in our relationships with God and each other will allow us to be even more missional.

I feel so blessed to have such an incredible husband and family who are all passionately committed to the mission God has called us to here in East Aurora. 

Thank you Community 4:12 Volunteers!

It is impossible to adequately thank people who give and give and give . . . of their time, their talents, and their treasures for a cause completely outside of themselves.  And there are dozens of people who do that month after month after month for Community 4:12.  Tonight about 50 of us gathered to celebrate the end of another fantastic year of service in East Aurora.  We've become like family in many ways, so being together is just so much fun for me . . . and I hope them.  Maria's authentic Mexican food was a smash hit, and Lynne did an amazing job organizing it all and creating a festive environment.  And it felt great to be able to host this dinner in our own space in downtown Aurora.  We've come a long way this year, and there is no way any of it could have happened without these over the top generous contributors.  I love you all and am so honored to serve beside you!  A huge thank you to those who came tonight, and to the many others who weren't able to join us.  Without you, there truly would be no Community 4:12.

Communitas Collective

 I am excited about this new on-line community developed by Glenn Hagar.  Communitas Collective is a collection of three blogs and other social networking features that exists to encourage people who are discovering new ways to be the church.  It is designed for those are asking questions about the institutional church or who may have left church as they have known it; those who are discovering new ways to be the church; and those who are recovering from the stresses of church leadership.  I will be a contributing writer to the blog, Verve, and there is a collection of inspiring writers who will be contributing to the three blogs.  Check it out and let me know what you think!

Milestone Day!

Today is a milestone day for Community 4:12!  I have dreamed of the day when I could hire someone from the community to be a part of the CCC/Community 4:12 team.   That day has come!  Granted it is only a very part-time position, but nonetheless, Maria Lopez joined our team today.  She has come on board as the Lighthouse Program & Facility Assistant.  She will be helping me with the Parent Mentor program and taking over the big job of making sure our Lighthouse is clean and organized and ready for all the various programs and activities that go on here.  We will also put her through computer training classes in Excel, Word, Powerpoint, and the Internet, and hope to increase her responsibilities as her skillset grows.  I've written about Maria before, and have such tremendous respect for her and believe she has tremendous potential.  I pray this will be just the first of many steps she takes towards establishing a career she can be passionate about