Emergent Village Coordinating Group – 1
As I sit in the Solomon’s Porch sanctuary, I thought I would drop a quick update of how things are going. Yesterday I flew in to Minneapolis to participate in the Emergent Coordinating Group Meetings over the next few days. I was picked up from the airport by John Musick, pastor of the emergent shaped Vineyard, Bluer (the name which inspired me to name a church called the Red Greener). Having wonderful friends and urban partners with the Vineyard in Winnipeg, I was excited to meet John, who has been kind enough to put me up for my time here.
Yesterday afternoon & evening was a great time of meeting new people and connecting with several I have only known via blogs & emails. I spent the first part of the afternoon with Jeff Kursonis, a former YWAMer (if there is such a thing) who now a church-planting pastor of Communion of the Arts, a new kind of faith gathering, especially drawing people in the various arts expressions. Having someone else here familiar with YWAM & Emergent Village is great. He is also a great guy and a great new friend.
That evening we attended Solomon’s Porch, which was excellent. The physical space is a refreshing mix of traditional building style (stain glass & pipe organ included), but is designed to be an incredibly inclusive, comfortable and warm space that brings everyone together, worshipping, relating and growing together as a family, not an institution. Certainly it is very different than many other churches, making it challenging at times, but the gracious leadership & community helped any new comers participate easily.
Instead of preaching, Doug Pagitt invited all of us from the Coordinating group to gather a few people around us and share where God has us right now. This was an easy place to engage people personally, sharing passions and connecting with people you didn’t know. I was somewhat disappointed to not participate in Doug’s very unique approach to preaching, but it was excellent regardless.
After church, our first meetings began at the church over some excellent pizza. The first evening was about introductions, sharing our passions and wrestling with the issue of identity and practices of being Emergent. Tony Jones also shared that Emergent Village, as opposed to just Emergent, is being intentionally put forward as the official name. I think this is an excellent move, given the much wider use of the word emergent throughout the global conversation, not to mention the multiple other disciplines using the term and concept.
Above all, the best part of the first day was hanging out and getting to know people. While I name everyone, people that were great to connect with were Andrew Seely, Tony Jones, Dwight Friesen (a fellow Manitoban), Doug Pagitt, and so many others. A couple more days of meetings, so more to come!
Thanks for the shout out. I’ll just comment here since you did the same thing. This has been so fun. And just surreal that we are all blogging and that it is somewhat necessary even though we are all in the same room together too.
Andrew,
What is bizarre is that I am replying to your comment and your are sitting 6 feet away!
Peace,
Jamie
hey, the goose flying high in solomon’s porch keeps reminding me of the duck tape goose from redgreen the movie! glad to meet you in person! lilly
Lilly,
Great! Now that is ALL I can see. Doh!
Peace,
Jamie
So close. It would have been nice to meet you. Enjoy your time in our wonderful city. Peace.
Yeah, I thought of that too. Another time perhaps.Peace,Jamie
I’m so glad they invited you- wise choice. Thanks for keeping us “posted”, makes me feel a little more a part of it.
Dana
Dana,Thanks. It has been interesting, as I didn’t know anyone here other than online. Tough but good.Peace,Jamie
The Red Greener – excellent choice for a gathering of innovative sorts with a good sense of humor. Can’t think of a nicer sort to gather with. Surely God would smile on such a group.
Wow, that must be a good time. Jealous! [Insert Napoleon Dynamite voice here]
Sounds like a blast! Sorry I missed you by a week – I was at the Summer Institute but couldn’t stay for another week with family stuff and all. Keep pursuing Jesus!
Linea,
I thought it was a good name! Thanks!
Peace,
Jamie
Kenny,
It was a great time. I hope to attend more!
Peace,
Jamie
Tony,
I wanted to be at the Institute too, but alas!
Peace,
Jamie
So now my e-friends are meeting one another (you and Jeff) while I have yet to meet either of you. sigh. I’m glad you went to the Emergent meeting. Thanks for the updates.
Cindy,
I really enjoyed it, though it was a tad surreal at times, as blog URL’s morphed into people. Of course, it was an excellent transformation, but somewhat strange nonetheless.
Peace,
Jamie
rest easy. it isn’t likely i’ll morph anytime soon.
Cindy,
I hope not. I really want to meet you.
Peace,
Jamie
Given the fluid nature of my husband’s work right now, I’d have to amend yesterday’s statement to say that anything is possible. We just found out he’ll probably be working in New Orleans for a while. I know that’s the wrong direction, but his company is all over (even Winnipeg!) and they seem to get around a lot.
Cindy,
I am confident between us, our paths are likely to cross eventually.
Peace,
Jamie