Kingsfield-Clinton: Our New Baby

Well, here is the gang that has branched out from Zurich Mennonite to start a sister-church (or a new baby church: Kingsfield-Clinton). Many people think of new churches as groups that have divided from a congregation (usually because of disagreements), to form a new identity. That's not what we've done at all. Instead, we have the vision of reaching more people by sending out new "shoots" and multiplying into the communities surrounding Zurich. We want to meet people where they are and be able to take Christ into our communities. It's been great. It was a move that was definitely God's idea. When we first thought of it we balked at the idea. After all, we LOVE our church home in Zurich, why on earth would we want to leave? Over time though, God developed in us His vision to move out of our comfort zone and to reach out to more people by multiplying. So it has begun. Today was our second service, held here in our home. It's been great!! It's been very cool to see my home becoming a place of worship, not just for me, but for others who gather here. Here is the gang that has come with us to lead us, teach us and help us:
What an awesome group :) I'm so thrilled by the way that God called each of us to this mission in different (yet all very obvious ways). As you can see we've got lots of kids,

and hope to see even more people join us as we keep on meeting in our new 'church'. It's like a big adventure: no rules on how we worship, the methods that we use, just making sure we keep our focus on the right stuff. It's been a lot of fun and definitely a growing experience for me as I prepare my home each week and open it to an unknown number of people each week, for coffee, a service, and lunch. God teaches me things and grows me daily through this.

And here is one of our fearless leaders: Pastor Tim. He is our visionary. The Big-Picture guy who encourages us to let go of the expectations and rules of conduct that we've had deeply ingrained in us for 30 some-odd years and to "go with the flow". This is not an easy task for people like Bonnie and I, who have to plan things, like: who's going to bring what food? Will we have enough juice to feed the crowd that comes, etc. Tim reminds us to have FAITH. Thank you brother. We're working on it...really ! :)

So this week, Tim & Mo, Brian & Bonnie and Joel & I (we'll miss you Kim & Jeff) are all heading to Ottawa to a church-planting conference. It'll be a great time to get to know each other better on the 7 hour drive there, plus living together for several days in Tim's friend's home. Another growing experience for sure, but I'm excited to see all that God has in store for us to learn.

I can't believe only a year ago I was preparing to go to Colombia, and now here I am, embarking on another adventure that is just as exciting (and scary) as going to Colombia without my family. I can tell you that I never would have imagined myself here, in our new church, a year ago, before I even knew of any of these plans and ideas. But I'm excited. It's awesome. Don't get me wrong, leaving Zurich was TOUGH. I've built many friendships there over the past 9 years and I'm going to miss seeing a lot of those friends on a regular basis. But I know that living in God's will is the only option for us, and that He's right here with us. Who knows what kind of relationships and friendships will develop and grow in this new church.

Mel