Keeping in touch

Hello Friends!

Last week we had our first organizational meeting for Christian Science Fellowship – Metro Chicago. We were an enthusiastic group of 18 and had a lively discussion in Ray and Mary Lou Cesca’s comfortable living room.

For details about the meeting – and some photos of the group (by Chris Cesca) – we’d like to encourage you to check the blog post for October 14, “Organizational Meeting October 8, 2009” (just below this one).

If you have any comments or questions, please post them on the blog – we’re eager to hear ideas from everyone! In the coming weeks we will be in touch with plans for our next steps.

With love and gratitude for your interest,

Rindy, Shirley, Sandi, Amy

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Organizational Meeting October 8, 2009

Discussing next steps for Chicago Fellowship -- all photos courtesy of Christopher Cesca

 Eighteen people attended the first organizational planning meeting of CS Fellowship – Metro Chicago (one via Skype) – Thursday, October 8, to determine how to go forward here in the Chicago area. We munched on snacks before settling into the chairs arranged in a horseshoe.

fellowship before the meeting

 

First we identified what we liked about the Gathering last Saturday, so generously provided by the St. Louis Next Generation CS Fellowship. Joy, generosity, and sincerity topped the list.

 

 

 

Then the younger set made an earnest plea for a weekend retreat, so that may be down the road for us.

Time to laugh

Some questions were addressed:
Question: How far reaching is the information about this fellowship?
Answer: That is why we started with a blog immediately. To be completely transparent. No secrets. We welcome questions so that we can answer them immediately.

 

Two simultaneous conversations - one to the right, one to the left.

 Everyone contributed to the discussion on “What kind of atmosphere do we want to provide for worship?”
• Welcoming, casual, loving
• informal
• joy, energy, vitality in music
• discussing the lesson
• discussion groups
• welcoming everyone’s talents & gifts
• interaction

Everyone had an idea for possible small discussion groups:
• Healing
• practice
• parenting
• Bible study
• Sermon on the Mount
• Ecumenical and Interfaith
• Service and community
• CS and current events
• Accountablility & Encouragement
• Talking CS to non-CSts

More discussion

Next steps: A uniquely Chicago challenge is the geography. Even a central location can require considerable travel for some.

At this point a Sunday afternoon worship, so as not to interfere with anyone’s morning church service.

Five from this group volunteered to serve on the planning committee.

Having chosen to stick to our schedule, we didn’t quite finish everything on the agenda.  It was late, and some from great distances had to leave, but the majority stayed.  The fellowship was irresistible.  The one-on-one discussions, listening, and learning from each other are so important — and we see we’re going to grow this way.

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