SEASON OF RECONCILIATION 2012
 JANUARY 15 – FEBRUARY 5

“So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5.17-18

 During this season of Epiphany, we are having our 2nd annual Season of Reconciliation. We began this practice last year, and finding it to have been a meaninigful emphasis, we are weaving this season into the regular flow of our congregational life. Here is what the Season of Reconciliation offers for us this year:

WORSHIP
~January 15: an observance of martin Luther King, Jr. Day
~Witness to Reconciliation: Members of the Hope Church community share their experience of reconciliation in their live and vocations: Cindy Terlouw; David VanHeest and Doug Abell; Bruce tenHaken; Tom Mullens
~January 29 will incorporate music from the native American tradition


EDUCATION
~Small Group Book Discussion: Religion Gon Astray: What We Found at the Heart of Interfaith
This book explores interfaith division and reconciliation throug the perspectives of a pastor, a rabbi, and an imam. Small groups will meet on Wednesday evenings, January 18 and 25 and February 1 and 8; or Thursday afternoons, January 19 and 26 and February 2 and 9. Please call the church office at 392-7947 to register.
~Movie Night: February 5, 6:00 p.m.: PAPERS. This is a new nationally-distributed documentary on the stories of youth dealing with the complexities of immigration policies. For more information, go to http://papersthemovie.com/

DISCERNMENT
Becoming a "Room for All" Congregation That Is Welcoming and Affirming ~ A Process for Discernment
~In November 2011, Consistory approved a process for considering approval of the Room for All Statement
~Congregational conversation will be held during the Season of Reconciliation:
January 15: review the history of this issue at Hope Church and unpack the language of LGBT
January 29: small group discussion on exploring the implications of this statement for Hope Church's ministry and for our relationship with the Reformed Church in America.The congregation will hold and advisory vote, recommending what action the Consisotry should take on the Room for All statement.
~In February, Consisotry will consider congregational feedback and vote on the Room for All statement. If approved, Hope Church would be listed on the Room for All website as a welcoming and affirming church.

Click here for the Room for All Descriptive Statement and "Affirmations of Room for All Churches" document