Mars Hill Update.

I thought I would begin posting the weekly update here...

Lent, the 40-day period of preparation for Easter continues. Henri Nowen once described Lent as the season during which winter and spring struggle with each other for dominance. Others refer to this season as a time of "Bright Sadness". Lent is a time of fasting and mourning, of repentance and renewal, of identifying with Jesus in his suffering so that we can identify more fully with his resurrection at Easter.

Lent reaches its climax during Holy Week, itself a journey within a journey. Romans 6:4-9, 11 says, "We were therefore buried with him through baptism in to death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him in a death like this, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slave to sin - because anyone who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. Count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus."

Next Sunday, March 30th we will initiate a focused effort to "Listen to Our Community" in and around the KAMP's area. Christian Community Development Association ( www.ccda.org ) - a wonderful organization whose mission is train and inspire Christians to reclaim and restore under-resourced communities will be a guide for us in this effort. Read some of their philosophy on "Listening" below:

Often communities are developed by people outside of the community that bring in resources without taking into account the community itself. Christian Community Development is committed to listening to the community residents, and hearing their dreams, ideas and thoughts. This is often referred to as the felt need concept. Listening is most important, as the people of the community are the vested treasures of the future. The priority is the thoughts and dreams of the community itself. What the people themselves believe should be the focus.

Join us as we follow-up with this "listening" effort by beginning to help meet some of these needs on April 19th & 20th.

God Makes All Things New! I look forward to celebrating Easter with you this Sunday at KAMP's from 10:45 - 12noon.

Fully Alive.Ben.