Youth Are Imagining, Too

The Youth of St. Margaret’s had their own Imagine Gathering during the 10:10 on Sunday, November 6. This impressive group of young people have a huge stake in the future of St. Margaret’s.

Imagine Gathering Results

by Connie Anderson

Over the past month, over twenty people opened their homes to host Imagine Gatherings.  At these fun and social events, participants enjoyed food, wine and fellowship, and shared their vision for a St. Margaret’s five years in the future.  The results are both hugely varied and singularly focused!

The question was this:  In five years, I want St. Margaret’s to be…

Answered Prayer

by Christina Burnett

At the end of Saint Margaret’s Day of Prayer on Saturday, November 5, all the prayer requests that had been collected over the past few weeks were burned, sending the prayers in a billow of smoke straight up to heaven. One among those requests was one from me.

Following Colin Charlton’s instructions to pray for whatever was on my heart, this request was not anything to do with the Break the Bonds campaign. It was a prayer for a young soldier who has become very dear to our family.

Virtual Imagine Gathering

All the scheduled Imagine Gatherings have been completed, but you can still participate! Whether you were unable to attend an Imagine Gathering session, or attended one and had an inspiration after you left, everything you need to be a part of the process is here on the Break the Bonds blog.

To simulate the Imagine Gathering experience, minus the fellowship and food, follow these steps:

1. Find out what we’re up to. Read through the FAQ page here to get background on St. Margaret’s current situation and the Break the Bonds campaign.
2. Think about what St. Margaret’s means to you. Watch the inspirational video here.
3. Finish this sentence: “In five years, I want St. Margaret’s to …”
4. Answer this question: “If we had more money, how do you think St. Margaret’s should use it?”

You can post your responses to items 3 and 4 as comments on this blog, or by email to breakingthebonds@saintmargarets.org.

Radical giving: How much is enough?

by Christina Burnett

Being a follower of Jesus is not always easy. It wasn’t meant to be. This quote of Jesus’ from our bible study this week is a great example of that.

“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’

“Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.” – Luke 14:28-33 (NIV)

It sounds like common sense advice in the beginning. Don’t start something you can’t finish. Until you throw in the last verse. How does planning ahead tie into giving away our possessions? Does Jesus really mean we can’t follow Him unless we give up everything we have?

Last week of Imagine Gatherings

It’s the final week of Imagine Gatherings! These are the sessions remaining.

• Monday, Oct 24, 7 – 9 pm, at the home of Missy and Steve Couch, led by David Figge
• Wednesday, Oct 26, 7 – 9 pm, at the home of Bob and Nancy Jacobs, led by Bob
• Friday, Oct 28, 7 – 9 pm, at the home of Alan and Christina Burnett, led by Christina
• Sunday, Oct 30, 12:30 – 2:30 pm, at Church, led by Irene Scheck and Tom Brubaker

Please participate in one of these sessions if you have not already been to one. Everyone in St. Margaret’s community needs to be involved in the discussion of our future!

FAQ update

Be sure to check out the revised and expanded Break the bonds! FAQ page, where we answer all your frequently asked questions.