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Living the Witness and Welcome

Stillspeaking Workshop The Rev. Felix Carrion February 5, 2011. Living the Witness and Welcome. John 1:46. Nathaniel said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Phillip said to him, “Come and see”. Purpose.

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Living the Witness and Welcome

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  1. Stillspeaking Workshop The Rev. Felix Carrion February 5, 2011 Living the Witness and Welcome

  2. John 1:46 Nathaniel said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Phillip said to him, “Come and see”.

  3. Purpose • What are the opportunities, challenges and joys of “marketing” your church? • Has your church embraced the Stillspeaking identity? • Does it embrace the message but fear the methods? • Is your church energized to spread the good news about your church community?

  4. Toward a Unified Case Statement Who are we? We are the United Church of Christ, where God is Still Speaking, How are we distinctive? “The United Church of Christ is distinctive because of its emphasis on God’s continuing testament in the world, the extravagant welcome of our churches, and changing lives.”

  5. The Distinctiveness of the UCC • Continuing Testament • Extravagant Welcome • Changing Lives

  6. Continuing Testament: “Our faith is 2000 years old. Our thinking is not.” • Because we believe in continuing testament, we are attentive to God’s creative movement in the world. • Because we believe in continuing testament, we prepare leaders who are open to and prepared for ministry in the present and future church. • Because we believe in continuing testament, we embrace and equip new kinds of congregations and new modes of leadership.

  7. Extravagant Welcome: “No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.” • Because we believe in extravagant welcome, we insist that God’s table is open, not closed, and God’s gift and claim in baptism are irrevocable. • Because we believe in extravagant welcome, we advocate justice for all. • Because we believe in extravagant welcome, we help congregations to extend hospitality in practical ways. • Because we believe in extravagant welcome, we teach that evangelism is mission. • Because we believe in extravagant welcome, our perspective must be global. • Because we believe in extravagant welcome, we are a united and uniting church.

  8. Changing Lives: “Never place a period where God has placed a comma.” • Because we believe in transformation, we believe the church’s mission is changing lives – individually, systemically and globally. • Because we believe in transformation, we believe that churches must be vital places of worship, learning and justice advocacy. • Because we believe in transformation, we change lives by advocating for justice. • Because we believe in transformation, we believe that lives are changed through global partnerships and experiences.

  9. What matters to you? Matter to UsEngaging Six Vital Themes of our Faith We are a people of God’s extravagant welcome We belong to Christ We are a people of covenant, a United and Uniting Church We are one at Baptism and at the Table We thank God by working for a Just and loving World We listen for the Stillspeaking God

  10. Values, Vision, Voice • We embrace our values • We make plain our Vision • We give Voice to our Values and Vision

  11. Stillspeaking National Friend-raising Weekend What about on Pentecost Sunday

  12. Called “Uniquely UCC,” the new 60-second video commercial introduced people to the distinctive qualities of the United Church of Christ — continuing testament, extravagant welcome and changing lives. Beautiful video, music and narration served as an enticing invitation for you to share with potential visitors. The message also was helpful for existing members to shape the ways they understand and talk about the UCC’s distinctive witness in the religious marketplace of diverse views and values. Uniquely UCC

  13. What are the details surrounding Stillspeaking’s National Friend-Raising Begin asking your church’s members to start thinking about who they will invite to come with them. Promote the date every Sunday between now and then. Don’t underestimate the power of individual invitation! Encourage members to use the viral video messages the “Language of God” and “Uniquely UCC” as a tool for inviting people to come to your church on. When posting or forwarding the video, personalize with a specific ask that people join you at a particular UCC church or find one near them at www.ucc.org/find.

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