Why a Regional Gathering
“Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on…” – Hebrews 10: 22 – 25 (MSG)
We are one of thirty-one regions in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada. Overall, there are many parts of our regional manifestation that is the same. It is easy to recognize there are differences in our geographic territories, numbers of congregations, social and cultural celebrations. This is just to name a few. But there is one more uniqueness we have that I have not seen throughout our other sister regions and that is the existence of a Regional Gathering.
I have been asked by our gathering planning team to share a few thoughts on why this event (and theme). Our Region, like so many others, on the even years enjoys an assembly, it is where we come together, convening our congregations’ delegates for the purposes of conducting business, worship, education, fellowship and serving as a witness to the world. On the off years, we grew in need to stay connected with each other and wanted more opportunities to join in greater relationships, learning, celebrating and unity. Due to the pandemic and public health concerns we chose a virtual celebration.
Last year, our planning committee understood our call to embrace and embody “the new and living way.” This year, we thought about the hardships many of our BIPOC communities are facing, and the challenges our congregations and clergy are finding in responding to our changing culture, difficult conditions, and limited resources. What came to mind was the pericope of Joshua and this crucial time in his leadership. This is not an easy narrative, filled with complexities and still prime for our time as PSWR Disciples. It has not been easy these first two years of our journey. Sin embargo, estamos “Siguiendo El Camino.” However, we are “Continuing on the Way.”
I would like to thank the many volunteers, talents, gifts, and efforts that came from our congregations. Our Region is filled with a beautiful array of diversities in culture, languages, music, worship, social and theological perspectives and much more. Many of these will be reflected in this upcoming Regional Gathering, October 15 – 16, 2021. It has been shaped together with you at heart and in mind.
We are reminded again by the author in Hebrews to become “inventive… in encouraging love and helping out… and spurring each other on.” We are adding some new (to us) technical touches in our virtual Regional Gathering to help us understand, enjoy each other, and continue our building in relationships, learning, celebrating and growth in unity. Please register and attend to help witness our strength and to support the many efforts of our congregations. We are working and praying for a wonderful Regional Gathering.
Blessings,
Richie