Back in October, we got together for our first ministry
retreat in a loooong time. Our time together was centered in dreams – listening
for God’s dreams, paying attention to our own dreams, and making space for our
shared dreams for our beloved faith community. We asked a central question,
“What if?,” inspired by a short message (just 9 minutes) by Pastor Erwin
MacManus that can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P17lK-mS-lU.
(Please do take a watch – for the first time or as re-inspiration! It’s
powerful !) And this is what came up – not just from one person, but
collectively. These 6 dreams noted below or “what if’s?” contain pieces of what
each of us gathered together long and hope for as we journey together as a
community with God. These dreams inspire us, energize us, and excite us. These
are the dreams we want to put into action, to give some legs to, to move
forward with our very best. We’re not quite there yet....and so we ask you to
commit to lifting these in prayer. We recognize that some of these dreams might
feel like “old dreams,” dreams that we’ve had for some time, dreams that we say
are important but that we don’t seem to follow through on. You’re invited to bring
all your feelings – be they disappointment, frustration, helplessness, as well
as longing, hope, and excitement – before God. Ask God if these are God’s
dreams for us. Invite God to shape the dreams and to shape us. Make space to
listen for God’s prayer in you and for us. Please put this in a place that will
remind you to pray today, tomorrow, and every day so that we are empowered to
do far more than just dream, but to live into God’s wondrous, joy-filled dreams
for us!
CCUMC English Ministry’s Shared “What
If?” Dreams:
What if CCUMC
related intergenerationally to youth and young adults?
What if CCUMC
were a large, active presence; powerful resource; ally and partner in Oakland
Chinatown?
What if CCUMC
were collaborative between EM and CM?
What if we
opened our building for the community to use?
What if God
gave us the tools to powerfully celebrate and practice God’s extravagant and
radical love and acceptance?
What if we
release our financial resources extravagantly in order to realize God’s
purposes for CCUMC to build God’s kingdom?