Our Mission & Goal
This page will be updated periodically to reflect our growth in understanding the mission and ministry that God is calling us to not just consider but implement. At our Annual Meeting the end of January '08, we reviewed "Exectations, Goals, and Objectives." A month later, this took form as a "Planning Book." Both are works in progress.
We invite you to come, be part of this journey in South Omaha as we explore and become engage in not just the renewal of St. Martin of Tours, but more importantly in the mission and ministry in South Omaha. God's grace is for all, available to all, present every where for all. That is the grace we seek to be responsive to. St. Martin's is just one very small stepping stone toward this larger movement we desire to become part of.
Imagining our Future for Mission and Ministry in South Omaha
August 7, 2008
Last evening we gathered at Holy Spirit in Bellevue to begin imagining our future in mission and ministry in the South Omaha area as a work together. Present were about 30 persons, clergy and lay, from St. Martha’s, Papillion, Holy Spirit, Bellevue, St. Andrew's, Omaha, Trinity Cathedral, Omaha, and St. Martin of Tours, South Omaha. Canon Judi Yeates conducted the meeting. Present with her was Canon Tim Anderson and Fr. John Schaefer, from the Bishop’s staff.
We began our work together imagining our future by sharing stories about what excites us about the church. This proved to be an excellent exercise not only to introduce us to one another, but also to give us a sense of what a rich treasury of ministry and experience was assembled this night.
We are not beginning without some history for working together. As it was pointed out, years ago, St. Martin’s helped establish Holy Spirit. Trinity Cathedral since a year ago August, has been providing program assistance for St. Martin’s, and twice a month, Deacon Kim Roberts from the Cathedral assists at St. Martin’s, as well as works with the South Omaha Health Ministry Council. Deacon Wes of St. Martha’s is also at St. Martin’s twice a month. This is only a partial listing of the helping ministries beyond our respective congregations.
One task we may want to consider is assessing the many ways in which we are already engaged in mission / ministries. As it became clear last evening, there has been in place, and for some time, a rich manifestation of mission / ministry from our churches in South Omaha.
By meeting’s end it was clear that our imagining and reflecting for giving thought to the future mission and ministry of the Church in South Omaha had just begun. It also became clear that we must begin with relationship building. We have more stories that need to be shared. We also sensed last evening how important it will be for us to be in touch with our struggles, where things are not going as well as we might like, both within our churches and in the larger community.
We have careful listening to do, inside our walls and beyond them. From such a work as this, there may emerge new understandings, new forms and ways to be and do mission and ministry not as separate churches, but as churches working together.
What form this may take, no one at this stage of our journey knows. What we do know is that a first step was taken to share and to listen as to where we are in the respective settings of St. Martin's of Tours, South Omaha, Holy Spirit, Bellevue, and St. Martha's, Papillion.
A second gathering is now scheduled for us to continue exploring how we may do mission / ministry together. This meeting will be Saturday, September 6th, at St. Martha's.
What kind of kingdom?
Daily Reading for July 28
What kind of kingdom will this be? It will be a kingdom where, in accordance with Jesus’ prayer, God’s name is truly hallowed, his will is done on earth, human beings will have everything in abundance, all sin will be forgiven and all evil overcome.
It will be a kingdom where, in accordance with Jesus’ promises, the poor, the hungry, those who weep and those who are downtrodden will finally come into their own; where pain, suffering, and death will have an end.
It will be a kingdom that cannot be described, but only made known in metaphors: as the new covenant, the seed springing up, the ripe harvest, the great banquet, the royal feast.
It will therefore be a kingdom—wholly as the prophets foretold—of absolute righteousness, of unsurpassable freedom, of dauntless love, of universal reconciliation, of everlasting peace. In this sense therefore it will be the time of salvation, of fulfillment, of consummation, of God’s presence: the absolute future.
Daily Reading for July 28, from Hans Küng, On Being a Christian, translated by Edward Quinn (William Collins, 1977).
Posted by Vicki K. Black on July 27, 2008 4:00
Episcopal Cafe, Speaking to the Soul: http://www.episcopalcafe.com/thesoul/
Discerning our Plan Book for 2008 (Feb. 26, ’08 draft)
If our first six months is to be characterized as mending our wounds and recovering, these next twelve months might be characterized as
Continuing pastoral support for the members,
Outreach in anticipation of gradual growth in membership focused, in part but not exclusively, on a small remnant of those who over the years left, but may tentatively put a toe or two back into the waters of St. Martins, and
Outreach to the nearby residents of our neighborhood, being spear-
headed by the young people.
The first category has substance because of what's been demonstrated since August with the members and with support from Dean Ernesto, Deacons Kim and Wes, and visiting members from the surrounding churches.
The second category has substance as reflected in the young couple receiving pre-marital counseling for a September wedding. The groom to be was baptized at St. Martin's and his mother's family was at one time active members.
The third category has substance because over this last four-five weeks we have had the attendance of five neighborhood friends of Audrey and Samatha in attendance at Sunday Services, one of whom has asked about being baptized. She asked this in the presence of her Father several weeks ago Sunday.
The immediate need is youth programming and incorporation of these newest young people. One thought is expanding our acolyte base and bringing the youth into being readers at our Sunday services. I am open to ideas and suggestions, as well as always, "assistance." Another is to look ahead at one of our Gospel readings and with the help of the youth, put the text into a skit format for the youth to act out for us as the Sermon for the Day. We certainly can include the youth in the dramatic reading of the Passion Gospel on Palm Sunday. Looking ahead to the summer, there will be the Vacation Church School with St. Augustine's and Summer Camp. Also in July there is the possibility of working with Iglesia Christo del Rey and its neighborhood youth program. Then in the Fall, there is the possibility of a service learning weekend including a youth carnival for the neighborhood. Fr. Randy Goeke's youth, Bassett, NE, have expressed interest in coming in for a community service project and an overnight. Robin Heller, our Deanery Youth Coordinator has offered some really great ideas for this weekend.
We will be adding to our outreach by an ingathering of food one Sunday a month to assist Iglesia Christo del Rey and its Food Pantry ministry.
Deacon Wes Agar, retired Air Force veteran, is spearheading an exploration for a civic event, open to all, set for November 11, Armed Forces Day, formerly known as Armistice Day. This is the same day we remember St. Martin of Tours. In Europe this is a major day of remembrance both for the ending of WWI and for remembering St. Martin of Tours. It will be our aim and with many others here in South Omaha, to give thought to how we might do our part in making Movember 11th an important day of Remembrance for our community. St. Martin was a military officer in the Roman Army during the years of the late Roman Empire. Prior to his becoming a Christian, he shared his military cloak with a beggar. The Latin word for cloak is the word from which the word "chaplain" is taken. To this day, it is a word that speaks of being present and caring toward those in need. November 11th is a day for coming together in thanksgiving, honoring those who have cared for others and given their lives in the process.
Our plan book is showing a few entries. More pages stand ready to be written. As a guidebook it is and will remain so an open book. As we make entries in the days ahead there will be questions and many unknowns. What's important is to remain open for surprises as a beach head or two present themselves for our exploration trusting in God's grace laden presence, love and compassion for us all.
Fr. Ron Whitmer