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The Kerusso – November | 2020 Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
The True Church of Jesus Christ CANNOT and WILL NOT be Destroyed by a Pandemic! Churches all around the country and the world have responded with faith, perseverance, and creativity, meeting the needs of people and delivering to them the Good News of salvation through faith in Jesus! Keep up the good work, church! God is on the move in our time!!
Planning to Gather Across the EMC Again … And We are Excited! Fellowship in the body is a precious thing, especially when circumstances make it less frequent and increasingly difficult. But vibrant connection IS essential. We’ve learned that face-to-face meetings may not always be possible, but when they are, we have learned that they are priceless. To that end, the USA Conference Superintendents are finalizing plans for our 2021 gatherings across the conference, and are ready to announce all those locations and schedules. In this Kerusso, you will find the details for our earliest session in Arizona, as well as find links to documents detailing all five that are planned for 2021. The widespread travel restrictions of early 2020 were important as officials began to learn more about this virus. And just like local gatherings, health-focused restrictions made regional meetings of the EMC impossible. But they are a central fixture of our polity and practice for credential holders, pastors, church leaders, and lay persons to meet at least once a year for fellowship, accountability, encouragement, unity, and community. Our Discipline sets it forth this way: “Sessions of the District Conference may be convened by the International General Superintendent when called upon to do so by a majority of the churches, the Cabinet of Superintendents, or the General Council. There shall be at least one Journey session in the districts in each non-General Conference year. The districts may have a joint Journey session.” For those who may be new to us, beginning in 2011 we have warmly called these gatherings or sessions ‘Journey’ meetings. The name was chosen to distinguish them from a business-heavy meeting such as our quadrennial General Conference, but regardless of what they may be called, these District Sessions are vitally important to our connection as partners. More than ever, it would be wonderful for pastors to encourage key lay-people from each church to come. Pastors, please make plans now to come, and to bring 2 or 3 or 4 lay people with you. And as a special opportunity, you may pay the registration fee for 5 lay people and bring a total of 8 for no additional cost! In 2021, we will experiment with five separate locations so that the lion’s share of our churches will be within reasonable driving distance from one of the sessions. Each location will spend some time focusing on church planting. They will each have a segment specially designed for local church folk, as well as an executive session of the clergy for EMC credential holders. As we approach General Conference 2022, next year’s sessions will include some additional reporting and even local decision-making.
The Kerusso – November | 2020
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Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
Our Arizona EMC Gathering is Happening Just Three Months from Now Some of us are SO ready for 2020 to be over. But then again, even for those who are cheering for 2021 to hurry along, it’s hard to really believe that it is this close. Where did those middle months go? But because we are this close to year’s end, we need those of you in the Southwest to be thinking toward and planning for the earliest Journey Session, which is just about 100 days from now. The USA Conference Superintendents are thrilled about our first gathering of 2021, which will be in Arizona in February. Estrella Community Church will be hosting us from February 18-20, 2021. You can see thumbnail images of the first 2 pages of our comprehensive flyer here in the Kerusso, but to get a full-size version of both pages, click HERE.
Estrella Community Arizona 3005 W. Madera Dr. Eloy, AZ 85231
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February 18 - February 20 Registration deadline - February 4 Speakers: Chet Kwiat, Kevin Brouillette, Max Edwards
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But as you read on page 1, there are four Peninsula Community more regional gatherings that will follow Arizona in the months of April, May, and Washington No June. You can read 2403 W. Texas St. the information that we 44 currently have about them by Tob Moses Lake, WA available 98837 clicking HERE to read the entire 5-page flyer. May 13- May 15 Registration deadline - April 29
In addition to the first four gatherings (which will be nearly identical in schedule, but unique in terms of speakers), we are VERY EXCITED to announce that we have rescheduled the Preaching Institute that had to be postponed from March of 2020. Instead of it being AMP2020, it will obviously be AMP2021. It will be hosted by the Superintendents at the Heritage Learning Center at our Headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Speakers: Tad Stinson, Beth Stockett, Kevin Brouillette, Max Edwards
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The dates are June 9-11 of 2021. Its schedule will dove-tail with the Indiana Journey (June 11-12), which will make it convenient to attend both AMP2021 and the Indiana Gathering.
The Kerusso – November | 2020
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Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
You Can Begin Now to Register for These EMC Gatherings Question: It’s only November. Why are we talking about events well into 2021 this early? Answer: We know that some folks begin to plan their travel calendars for the coming year as they approach year end. And we also know that Thanksgiving and Advent are VERY busy seasons, and we wanted you to be armed with this information early on. And most importantly, while April, May, and June are a bit far off, some of you will be coming to Arizona in mid February, and so to plan for that means beginning to think about it NOW. Especially if pastors plan to bring lay members with them, which we very much want to see! Pastors in California, Arizona, and anyone else thinking about the February meeting - - PLEASE begin talking to your people about taking part in the first event of the new year. It will be amazing!! Lastly, we will be sending registration reminders through our CCB system two months, and one month prior to each meeting, so look for those emails, and understand that you may receive more of them even after you have attended your session. Registration and payment for the Arizona session are both due by February 4th. Question: If I already know which event I will attend, when can I go ahead and register? Answer: The simple answer … RIGHT NOW. The online registration form is up and running for all five events for 2021. All you need to do is CLICK HERE and you’ll be taken to our online form. (Please note: you cannot save a partially completed form. Therefore, you must complete the form once you start it.) Question: Can I attend more than one gathering? Answer: Yes. Credential holders are required to attend one annual meeting, or receive an excused absence from a Conference Superintendent (See Discipline ¶404). But you may attend as many of these meetings as you like. Question: Tell me more about AMP2021. Who is it for? What will it cost? And how do I register? Answer: “AMP” stands for Amplified Motivational Preaching. It will be a two-day preaching institute designed to inspire and equip those individuals who feel called to preaching ministry. It will begin on Wednesday afternoon, June 9th, and end on Friday, June 11th before lunchtime. The cost of registration (which will include two evening meals) will be $150 before April 1st, and $175 after that “early-bird” deadline. Because of space limitations, the event will be capped at 36 participants, so please make your decision soon! CLICK HERE for the two-page informational brochure. To register, or for more information, email Karen Parsons (kparsons@emchurch.org). She can answer any question you may still have.
Faith Country Chapel EMC, New Castle, PA - Welcomes Rev. Jason and Whitney Doolittle
The members of Faith Country Chapel voted unanimously on September 20th to call Jason Doolittle as their next pastor. Pastor Jason served as associate pastor of Riverside EMC in Salem, VA, and then as lead pastor of East Bend EMC before accepting the call and moving to New Castle, PA. He has an MDiv from Liberty University and was ordained as an Elder with the EMC in 2018. Pastor Jason grew up in Roanoke, VA where he met Whitney while they both were in youth group. They were married in 2006 and now have three beautiful children. Madeline is twelve, Maggie Jo is six, and Samuel is ten months.
Faith Country Chapel has a vibrant youth and children’s ministry, which includes a Pre-School and Kindergarten. They also have a strong foreign missions outreach. They are looking forward to what God has planned for them and their community under Pastor Jason’s leadership. Please join us in congratulating Pastor Jason. Be praying for him, Whitney and their family as they get situated in their new ministry home.