Hello ECO Community! Hope you enjoy this month's newsletter! Make sure not to miss the end! Click on the blue link at the very bottom of this email that says "View entire message"!
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Considering an Eastertide “New Normal”
By Dana Allin, ECO Synod Executive
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It is exciting to see how rapidly things are beginning to shift for the COVID landscape in the United States. The New York Times reported on March 24th that 2 million doses of the vaccine are being administered everyday. The colored tier status in most states and counties continues to get better and better. United Airlines stock went from a 52 week low of $18.18 to a recent high of $63.70. My favorite restaurants are opening back up for limited or even full capacity seating. Yes, all signs are telling us that things are getting back to “normal”.
But the question remains to be seen, “What will get back to normal and what will become a new normal?” I play tennis with a guy who is in his 50s who plays guitar in a 1970’s cover band and loves to go to concerts and sporting events. He got his vaccine but said to me, “I still don’t know if I will ever do those things again.” An elderly covenant partner at one of our ECO churches said to her pastor, “Yes I got the shot, and I feel like that is an extra layer of protection, but I still don’t feel comfortable coming to church.” Some of you may resonate with these comments. Others may think they are overreacting. The point being, as we imagined, our normal won’t be totally normal, but there will be a new normal - and we’re not sure what it will look like.
I think of another time in history where things didn’t entirely go back to normal. When Jesus was crucified, and even after shortly after his resurrection, the disciples didn’t know what it would look like to go back to “normal”. Some even went back to their former vocation of fishing as we read in John 21. Basically from the resurrection to Pentecost, the disciples were at an in-between stage - waiting, praying and seeking what it would look like to live in a “new normal”. What was it going to mean to follow Jesus after he left the earth?....click here to read entire blog post.
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We love seeing glimpses of church life from around ECO! We pray you all had a wonderful Easter celebration and feel the encouragement and hope of the resurrection in the midst of a difficult year.
If you’re not yet following ECO on Facebook and Instagram, we’d love for you to join us! And we encourage you to follow each other’s churches! Knowing what our Covenant Order is up to helps us pray for each other, encourage one another and gain some practical ministry ideas!
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First Pres North Palm Beach |
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Flat Branch Covenant Pres |
Pioneer Mission Community
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Maple Valley Presbyterian |
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Jump onto a Zoom call and connect with God’s mission around the world! Take a glance at this curated list of virtual mission connections hosted by ECO churches and partner organizations. Why not put one on your calendar?
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NEW COHORTS, WEBINARS, AND RESOURCES! |
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Missional Community Cohort |
Facilitated by Alex Absalom
The goal of the Missional Communities Cohort is to equip a group of innovative CLP candidates, pastors, or lay leaders to understand and implement Missional Communities in their local context.
The cohort will meet via Zoom beginning Thursday, April 15th.
Deadline to register is April 9th
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The special calling God has put on the life of each one of the people in your church is both knowable and nameable. New energy is released when people are living on mission and connected to their special calling. Your shared mission as a church becomes move alive and resourced by individuals who are living confident in their calling.
Join Doug Rumford and Chris Handley as they lead a virtual Younique cohort for ECO pastors and leaders just like you. If you would like to connect with someone to hear more information about the cohort visit: lifeyounique.com/eco
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Deadline to register is April 5th |
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Metanoia:
Wholehearted Change in Unprecedented Times
Webinar with Alan Hirsch
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Metanoia is a powerful Greek word that means a change of mind, repentance, and practical reformation. How do we bring about metanoia: this significant, wholehearted change, when we have no framework for what is currently taking place in our world - let alone what will take place in our future?
Join Alan Hirsch, thought leader and key mission strategist, as he lends his expertise regarding current challenges we face and how we might lead the church to respond. He will explore practical opportunities for repentance, paradigm shifts, and deep change that will help our congregations flourish even in the midst of uncertainty. Learn more about Alan: www.alanhirsch.com
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When: April 14th
at 2:00 PM (PST) / 5:00 PM (EST)
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From Surviving to Thriving:
A Special Event for Fuller Seminary Alumni
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Are you a graduate of Fuller Theological Seminary? Fuller has a free special event planned just for you! Come hear from Dr. Tod Bolsinger, Executive Director, Church Leadership Institute and Associate Professor of Leadership Formation as he speaks on From Surviving to Thriving (with time for discussion).
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When: April 15th
at 9:00 AM (PST) / 12:00 PM (EST)
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AXIS - Connecting Parents, Teens & Jesus in a Disconnected World
We give parents and mentors hope by being your guide through culture into conversation around Jesus.
What is Axis? Watch the video below to learn more.
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What is Axis? Watch the video below to learn more. |
Did you know that over 60% of ECO churches use Axis? ECO provides every one of our churches with access to Axis including weekly culture translators, parent guides, conversation kits, and so much more! If you’re not using it yet, make sure you check it out! |
Every ECO church receives one login to Axis for FREE! Click the button below to get your church set up with an account or to learn how to navigate Axis. |
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Knox Presbyterian Church
of Minneapolis
Minneapolis, MN
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ECO: A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians | eco-pres.org
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