Conference Call Agenda for today, Thursday, 5/8/08
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Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation Conference Call Agenda
Thursday, May 8, 1 pm EDT, Noon CDT, 11 am MDT, 10 am PDT, 8 am AKDT
Call-in number - 1-712-580-1100
Access Code – 070707
I. Welcome & brief introduction
II. Prayer, Readings and Reflection – see below
III. Movement update from EGR – Mike Kinman, et. Al.
a. Give it 4 Good
b. Everyone, Everywhere
c. Millennium Congregation
d. General Convention
IV. Other Agenda Items
V. Open floor for storytelling, questions, problem-solving, resource-sharing, exploring partnerships, conversation
VI. Closing Prayer and dismissal
Prayer, Readings and Reflection
Prayer for the Feast of Dame Julian of Norwich
Lord God, in your compassion you granted to the Lady Julian many revelations of your nurturing and sustaining love: Move our hearts, like hers, to seek you above all things, for in giving us yourself you give us all; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
A Reading from the Book of Genesis (1:26-30)
One thing have I asked of the LORD; one thing I seek;
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life;
To behold the fair beauty of the LORD, and to seek him in his temple.
For in the day of trouble he shall keep me safe in his shelter;
he shall hide me in the secrecy of his dwelling and set me high upon a rock.
Even now he lifts up my head above my enemies round about me.
Therefore I will offer in his dwelling an oblation with sounds of great gladness;
I will sing and make music to the LORD.
Hearken to my voice, O LORD, when I call; have mercy on me and answer me.
You speak in my heart and say, "Seek my face." Your face, LORD, will I seek.
Silence – 30 seconds
A reading from Revelations of Divine Love, by Dame Julian of Norwich
And God showed me a little thing, in the palm of my hand, round like a ball, no bigger than a hazelnut.
I gazed at it, puzzling at what it might be. And God said to me, "It is all of creation." I was amazed that it could last and did not suddenly disintegrate and fall into nothingness, for it was so tiny. And again God spoke to me, "It lasts, both now and forever, because I cherish it." And I understood that everything has its being owing to God's care and love. We need to realize the insignificance of creation and see it for the emptiness it is before we can embrace the uncreated God in love. We will find no rest for our heart or spirit as long as we seek it in insignificant things, which cannot satisfy us, rather than in God, who is omnipotent, omniscient, and beneficent. He is our true repose. And he desires to be known, and is pleased that we should rest in him. For nothing less than him can satisfy us. We cannot rest until we are detached from all that is created. When we have done so for love of God who is all, only then are we able to enjoy spiritual rest.
Silence (30 seconds), followed by brief group reflection on readings and our mission
The EGR Prayer
Most loving God, as your desire for mercy for the poor is unrelenting, may we be unrelenting in our pursuit of mercy for all; as your compassion for the suffering of the poor knows no limit, may our heart overflow with compassion for all; as you long for justice for the poor, may we strive for justice for all. Open our eyes to the structures of oppression from which we benefit, and give us courage to accept our responsibility, wisdom to chart a sound course amid complexity, and perseverance to continue our work until it is finished. Breathe your life-giving Spirit afresh into your Church to free us from apathy and indifference; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN