New Church New Way March 2021

How Do New Worshiping Communities Do Lent? When nearly half of your participants are new or re-engaging with the Christian faith, and when more than three-quarters of them have never worshiped in a Presbyterian Church, what does Lent look like? And what does Lent look like in 2021 – when all of us have been hunkered down in our homes and Covid bubbles for a full year now? Though the practices of Lent in the 550 or so new worshiping communities of the PC(USA) are as varied as the forms of the communities themselves, we can find some insight in the stories below. Be sure to take a listen to the New Way Podcast for the Lenten season as we all continue to find our way in the wilderness. And order a copy of Fury and Grace to witness the art and poetry of women whose experience of lockdown is not metaphorical but real and lasting but for whom a 1001 new worshiping community is a source of light and hope. May you find a path, a beacon, a way station in your journey to the Cross with our new worshiping communities. We look forward to sharing in the joy of the Resurrection with you soon. Nikki 1001 national coordinator

Listening to the wilderness The Rev. Sara Hayden, host of 1001 "New Way" the podcast explores the ancient wilderness stories with diverse guest during Lent — taking listeners into the Easter season. Listen here → Fury & Grace: Poetry, Art, and a Podcast from Prison Daily reflections for Lent and Holy Week provided by women inside the largest women’s prison in Washington State. Read story →

Hagar’s Community launches reentry ministry NWC prison ministry reminds returning citizens that they are ‘holy and beloved’ children of God. Read more →

As the need increases, so do expressions of God’s love An established congregation and new worshiping community provide feed as many as 2,000 people every Monday through food bank in LA’s Koreatown. Read story →

Talking about money Fundraising and financial sustainability classes now available on 1001 New Worshiping Communities online training platform — for as you need it, when you need it. Learn more →

Upcoming ‘1001’ events Attaining Resurrection: An Eastertide Retreat for NWC Leaders Through the practice of Sabbath and an exploration of contemplative prayer, NWC leaders will attend to their own spirits as we wonder with Paul how we might "somehow attain the resurrection from the dead." (Phil 3:11). More information/registration Accelerator Training in Spanish NWC leaders seeking to start on the right foot, are invited to join our next Accelerator Cohort – in Spanish. This cohort will begin in April and will consist of weekly video courses, reflections, and cohort meetings online. More information/registration Suicide Prevention training 1001 coach Pablo Rivera will lead this four-hour training to prepare pastors and NWC leaders identify and care for those in the church in the critical days and weeks before a suicide attempt. Space for the April 14 training is limited to 20 participants. Register here Virtual Accelerator: Live and Coming to You on Zoom! Join our next Accelerator cohort in a live version on Wednesdays beginning May 5. All of the content of the online cohorts but with live training for four weeks. More information/registration

Lent Reflection Lent is a time for reflecting on the sacrifice that Jesus made and how - and if - our lives reflect that. In New Worshiping Communities it is often a new concept to the participants – they have gathered for the relationships and appreciate the community but may not have connected the sacrifice Jesus made to giving themselves in service to the community. For some this is the beginning of discipleship. As one can see in this newsletter, worshiping communities are a place where primary discipleship is happening, where people are learning, often for the first time, what it means to be a follower of Jesus. We need more of this in the PC(USA). You can help these communities emerge, grow and thrive by making a financial gift during this season – a gift that will provide the resources for them to do just that. For additional information Contact Jon Moore at 502-612-5026. Provide for growing NWC's →

Matthew 25 – Actively engaged in the world We recognize Christ’s urgent call to be a church of action, where God’s love, justice and mercy shine forth and are contagious. Jesus calls us to act boldly and compassionately to serve people who are hungry, oppressed, imprisoned and poor. Over 860 churches and mid councils have accepted the Matthew 25 invitation to help our denomination become a more relevant presence in the world by building congregational vitality, dismantling structural racism and eradicating systemic poverty. Read more →

Coronavirus/COVID-19 Resources for Congregations and Members

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