REUNION: Nov 08

Boston Partnership Newsletter

November 2008

In Today's Issue

Hank and Tish stroll through the Commons

Dear Friends,

Thanksgiving is upon us - a time to celebrate with family and friends. Many will gather together to share a homecooked meal. Many students are travelling home for a couple days. The airports will be filled with travellers as well.

As a church we have so much to be thankful for; we are so blessed! One concept that we try to keep on our minds as a church is that we are blessed to be a blessing. We try to live that concept out in everything REUNION does.

This past month we asked our Community Groups to create Thanksgiving baskets that are currently being given to families in need. Over the past three years we have developed a partnership with Quincy Street Missional Church. You have probably heard us mention Quincy Street before, but they minister in one of Boston's inner city neighborhoods. Most if not all of the baskets are going to single parent families who live substantially below the national poverty line.

As a community REUNION and Sojourn Collegiate Ministries were able to provide Thanksgiving meals for just over 50 families. Three years ago we all had just moved to Boston with dreams of a church. Since then we have been blessed to be a blessing. Thank you for blessing us over the past three years.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Hank, Phil, Mike ,Karen and John

Advent Conspiracy

Hank and Tish stroll through the Commons

This past Sunday we started a new series called Advent Conspiracy. Great name right? Well we can't take the credit for it, but we thought the topic was too great not to use this holiday season. Here is a brief explanation:

The story of Christ's birth is a story of promise, hope, and a revolutionary love.

So, what happened? What was once a time to celebrate the birth of a savior has somehow turned into a season of stress, traffic jams, and shopping lists.

And when it's all over, many of us are left with presents to return, looming debt that will take months to pay off, and this empty feeling of missed purpose. Is this what we really want out of Christmas?

What if Christmas became a world-changing event again?

Here is a great video that may give you a better picture of Advent Conspiracy. The incarnation was so relational and we want to get back to that example that Jesus gave us. Through this series, we hope to spend less and give more relationally to those around us, worship God more fully through the season, and strive to love others unconditionally as well. Towards the end of the series we will be taking up a special offering with the money we have saved and we plan to give back in these ways: building a fresh water well, providing fuel grants to local single mothers who need gas and heat, and supporting fair trade organizations here in Boston. Hopefully in doing so we can help someone in need this holiday season.

If you are interested in pursuing this idea a little more, check out adventconspiracy.org.