Dear Hope,
A hymn from Hope’s early days declares, “…for by your hand we have been fed and by your Spirit, we have been led….” What a gift to be united with you as we all seek to be led by God when apart and together!
As we prepare to help Hope enter her young adult years (this fall our church will turn 22), our elders, staff and leadership teams have set aside the remainder of this winter to reflect on the central realities God has taught Hope and the primary ways God has used Hope through our infancy, childhood and teenage years. We are considering these things so we can fully embrace them in order to serve with more focus and faithfulness in the new realities of 2021 and beyond.
Will you join us in two ways?
First, would you consider the following questions with God and everyone in your household this week and send back your perspective in writing to Carole Ann by replying to this email by this Sunday night (March 7)?
- Pre-2020: As I/we reflect on my/our entire experience with Hope, what resources (i.e. truths, people, physical things, teachings, relationships, processes, ministries, etc.) within Hope have been most helpful to equip me/us to walk more closely with God in all of life?
- During-2020: Please take a moment to thank God for sustaining all of us in the Hope family through this difficult past year. Then ask Him to bring to my mind any new resources and/or insights that He has brought to you during this C-19 season. Write what you receive and then ask something like… Is there anything here that you may want me to share with Hope’s leaders that could influence Hope’s ministry in the future?
- Apart from your experience with Hope, in what ways has God deepened your relationship with Him in past and recent days?
Second, would you please consider joining us safely (following C-19 protocols) on Hope’s campus on Monday March 8 from 5:30-8 p.m. to share what you’ve emailed to us and/or to hear what others share?
- If so, please:
- RSVP when you reply to this email (by this Sunday night March 7) so we can prepare accordingly.
- RSVP regarding dinner: Please let us know if you would like to join us for a meal that will be served as a part of our time together (including distancing between households). If you would prefer to pass on the meal or bring your own dinner, that is completely understandable and great as well.
- RSVP to let us know if it would be helpful for us to provide a childcare option on campus (numbers are limited to keep things covid-safe) or assist financially so you can provide your own childcare at home.
- If not, for any reason, we understand and will miss you! Yet, we would love to hear from you and factor in your wisdom so please send your input by Sunday night AND let us know if you would like to speak directly with one of Hope’s leaders in the days ahead. We would love to connect and hear directly from you even if you are not with us on Monday March 8.
Thanks Hope! It’s going to be so good to seek after God together with you!
Looking forward,
Carole Ann & Dean (on behalf of Hope’s leadership teams)