iHOPE

The Belhar Confession

I mentioned the Belhar Confession in worship on Sunday. It was written in the midst of the turmoil of South Africa in 1982 (8 years before Mandela was released). If you would like to read it, click here. This document is part of the proposal at last year's General Assembly to include Belhar into our Book of Confessions. It includes scripture references on the side.

Want to Help in Nepal? Here's How

It is hard to watch the devastation in Nepal and not want to help. Knowing how to help isn't easy either. How do you know which organizations can be trusted?

Charity Navigators is an independent  non-profit organization that evaluates charities so people can make intelligent decisions. They have published a list of recommended charities working in Nepal, as well as a brief and helpful video about what to do (and NOT do) when giving in times of crisis. 

One of the organizations listed is Church World Service. They are the organization we work through in the Presbyterian Church. If you would like to give through them (or one of the other denominational partners), you can give directly online. If you prefer, you can also drop off a check at the church.  Make the check out to New Hope and write "Nepal" on the memo line. We'll send the funds on with the designation for relief work in Nepal. 

Introducing: Basecamp!

There is a reason you are alive. You have a unique purpose, with unique gifts, experiences and passions. When you put all that together, you discover what the Bible refers to as your ‘Call’.

Do you know what the call of your life is? When you find your call you really discover yourself- your true self and the reason you are here. Interested?

We’d like to help. Basecamp is a good place to start!

 

What is Basecamp?

Basecamp is what we call our four “core classes” at New Hope. These are the classes that will get you started at New Hope and get you on the path to discovering that unique, one-of-a-kind call that you were born with. The four classes are:

Voices of New Hope

Should New Hope allow same-sex weddings on its facilities? Our denomination (PCUSA) allows congregations to make their own decision, in states where it is legal. We have taken the last 10 months for a season of discussion and discernment as we make that decision for New Hope. 

Various members of the congregation have sent letters expressing their views. I asked some of them if I could publish their letters for a reading by a larger audience. The result is the list below. Click on the name and it will link you to their letter. Some are long and some are short. All are heartfelt and sincere.

This isn't all the letters that have come, just a sample. Come share your opinion and hear what others have to say in one of our upcoming "Congregational Conversations" (see the previous post for details). Thanks to the authors for writing their thoughts, and agreeing to publish them so others can get a better sense of some of the voices of New Hope!

Letters

Dassel                   Scott

Koerner                Young

Congregational Conversations, Email & Sharing Perspectives

There are a lot of conversations about conversations at New Hope these days. Last week we started our Congregational Conversations about whether or not to allow same-sex weddings in our sanctuary, an Elder sent an email to a large part of the membership which caused even more conversation, and some are wondering how their perspectives can be shared.

Here is what is what you should know