The Fellowship Community - Together July 2023

July 2023 A Word of Welcome Welcome to the July 2023 edition of Together, the online newsletter of the Fellowship Community--a network of churches and leaders called together to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ by growing in Christ's likeness, living by God's word, and joining in God's mission in the world.  Sing to him a new song... For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 33:3, Psalm 100:5 (NIV) This past week in worship I was struck by the repeating phrases throughout the psalms: sing a new song and his faithfulness continues through all generations. The song is always about God's faithfulness and covenant love. But we are called to sing a new song that is sung with new hearts, new stories, new faith in the God we love and serve to every new generation.   The Fellowship Community has been rehearsing a new song for the past two years: refocusing and renewing our commitment to online and in-person gatherings that create the space for sharing our stories, forming new relationships and encouraging one another in this season of ministry. With the hope of renewing hearts for leadership, board members and regional partners have been planning and meeting in six different regions around the country. Sing a new song. Last month at a pastors' lunch at La Cañada Presbyterian Church, 18 pastors gathered from four different presbyteries. Three of them were invited by Dave, now retired, who has played a significant role in their lives as followers of Jesus and pastors. One served as Dave's youth director, another was a college student at his church, and the third served with him as a co-pastor and then followed him as senior pastor. Through all generations. So here are two invitations and a prayer for you as a TFC friend: (1) Join us in a regional gathering. (2) Invite a younger friend in ministry to join you. May God give you joy in your ministry to sing a new song and to sing it together with others. Together in Christ, Mike McClenahan, Board President   Regional Connections Opportunities to Connect with TFC and our Partner Organizations Zoom Gathering Thursday, July 20 11:00 t0 12:00pm eastern Link to Zoom Dallas/Fort Worth Area (and friends) Zoom Gathering Thursday, July 20 2:00 t0 3:00pm central Link to Zoom Pastors' Retreat From noon on Thursday, Nov. 9 to 1 pm on Friday, Nov. 10 Refreshing Mountain Retreat Center Lancaster, PA Details to come - save the date! Pastors' Lunch Thursday, August 17 12:00 to 2:00pm pacific La Cañada Presbyterian Church Join us for lunch, devotions, and fellowship. Cost: $15 Register by Aug. 13 Wee Kirk Conferences October 9-11 Laurelville Mennonite Church Center Mount Pleasant, PA More Info October 16-18 Montreat Conference Center Montreat, NC More info Both Wee Kirk conferences are independent organizations and not affiliated with The Fellowship Community. Resources from the National Gathering Check out these resources from one of our National Gathering speakers, Steve Cuss: Managing Leadership Anxiety Podcast Managing Leadership Anxiety Resources Learning What You Already Know The Jewish Sabbath prayer says: “Days pass and the years vanish, and we walk sightless among miracles. Lord, fill our eyes with seeing and our minds with knowing; let there be moments when Your Presence, like lightning, illumines the darkness in which we walk.”   I don’t know about you, but the older I get, the more I learn things I already know. I suspect most of you have been in situations with family members where being recognized as a follower of Jesus makes you the too-obvious choice to pray over the Thanksgiving meal. Or probably you’ve been the one to receive the difficult phone call in a family member’s crisis, either because you are a pastor or church leader or simply labeled “religious.” Dan Baumgartner reminds us of our holy task as Jesus followers to help others look up. read more in English 한국어로 더 읽기   Find a call TFC is committed to helping churches find compatible leaders - and vice versa! To that end, we invite you to check out the "Find a Call" page on our website, where you can see a variety of open positions throughout the country. We have received quite a few new postings recently, so be sure to stay connected! If you would like to post a position on our site, please send us an email. We are also looking for ways to improve this feature, so please think about how we might serve best in this area and send us any ideas or feedback. Find a Call   Prayer We pray, dear God, for our spiritual leaders. Increase in them the charism of faith that they might preach the Word of God with boldness. Increase in them the charism of wisdom that they might guide us into the Way. Increase in them the charism of pastor that they might always lead us with compassion and strength. Grow in them the fruit of gentleness that they might understand our frailty. Grow in them the fruit of peace that they might be free of manipulation. Grow in them the fruit of love that they might always serve out of a divine well spring. Protect them from the attacks of the evil one. Protect them from the distractions that render their work ineffective. Protect them from the criticism of well-meaning people. All these things we ask in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen Richard Foster, "Prayers From the Heart" Email Us Connect with us! Do you have an idea for a future story? Are you involved in a ministry others need to know about? Let us know, and we'll include it in a future month's Together! Are you interested in learning more or becoming part of the Fellowship Community? Click here for more information.