#peace #gaza #Christian

http://www.pilgrimsofibillin.org/abuna-elias-chacour/ The best resource (I think) for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is Abuna (Father) Elias Chacour. He is NOT non-biased, he is a Palestinian Christian and is UNRESERVEDLY for peace. I recommend reading any of his books (they are very similar) or watching his DVD. All profits go to help his integrated school for children of all ethnicity and religions to learn together.

During a trip to Israel, Abuna Chacour gave us an afternoon to talk to us (even though he was Archbishop at the time) and showed us some of his ministry. What he said rang true not only with what we saw when we were touring with our American/Christian guide, but also during the time I was hospitalized and stayed extra and saw even more firsthand

You Are So Beautiful

FaithandWonder's avatarFaith and Wonder

It’s often hard for people to watch themselves on video. (This is generally true of my own experience.) But lately, as I have been making more videos of other people telling biblical stories, I have had a revelation: YOU ARE SO BEAUTIFUL.

It is a great joy to film folks telling the story. But the unexpected joy has come when I sit down by myself to edit. As I cut and paste and manipulate sound, as I watch the brave faces across the screen, I am filled with a deep joy. YOU ARE SO BEAUTIFUL. I wish that those in front of the camera could see themselves as I see them in the editing room. This must be something of how God sees us. Perhaps I will even try to see myself that way.

I am grateful for the gift of this storytelling ministry–for the people I encounter and the light that shines…

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Liturgy: The First Social Media – In Info-graphics!

The Rev. Erik Parker's avatarThe Millennial Pastor

(Links to the info-graphcis below)

I just had the opportunity to present the National Worship Conference of the Anglican Church of Canada / Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. My workshop was entitled “Liturgy: The First Social Media.”

As a digital native Millennial serving in the church, social media has come to me as a relatively obvious tool to use for communication and developing networks and relationships beyond the traditional church and personal spheres.

But I understand that for some, social media can be a confusing medium to engage with.

It has been pointed out on Twitter (I think by Rev David Hansen) that being online today  is like being the phonebook in past decades. The first place that people go to find churches today is online, and if churches aren’t online people won’t find them. Yet where to start for most churches is difficult and it is hard…

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#Beauty #life #church more #calvin&hobbes #worship #toughweekweareopenonSunday

images Life is connectional,

For me, Church is a great way to make connections….

The more the church can welcome the stuffed tigers and the rambunctious children, the better we are doing our job. After all, these messy people are the ones who remind us just how beautiful life is….When I was young I used to go to church with Eli. Eli was….a pistol, he always knew how he wanted things done and he threw himself into doing them, running from one end of the church to the other, yelling his announcements at the top of his lungs, jumping up and down in the pew. Calvin-and-Hobbes-hugging-calvin-and-hobbes-1395524-1024-768

He was that child in church.

Two important things about Eli

1. He loved church, he especially loved the “Amens” sung at the end, and would freeze whatever he was doing to listen carefully–what a holy moment

2. He loved church so much, he told everyone, EVERYONE about it, he invited his friends, who brought their parents. This child single-handedly brought more people to the church than anyone else in the entire congregation.

What a testimony to life, connections and worship that can be experienced through the eyes of just one child!