This used to be a community blog, now we just use it for a podcast feed for our weekly worship gatherings (but we left the old stuff here in case you want to browse).
Email us if you want to know more, come for a visit, invite us your way, or just gab. Our website has a lot of information and some pictures of the people, places and things that make up the VC tribe
Our sometimes-updated podcast feed for Weekly Worship Gatherings:
Archives
Thursday
Openings
We have a couple openings and another opening up in about a month... The openings are the result of getting another room ready (that project was on hold for awhile till some funds came through. They did.) and the other is due to a marriage of two of the finest people I have ever known: David and Julie. Thankfully they are moving down the street less than 2 blocks away.
So, there are openings. Come stay with us for a month or a year and together we'll design a time that is meaningful for you....
email - rainsbodyshop(at)fuse(dot)net
call - 513.574.5584 (work) or 513.383.2854 (mobile)
IM - rains628 (AIM)
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Tuesday
In the House: A seasonal publication for the Vineyard Central Community
Download, email, print out, post in your local house church gathering bathroom:
In the House (Summer 2004) (pdf, 1.76 mb) --------------------------------
In the House (Summer 2004) (pdf, 1.76 mb) --------------------------------
The Third Order of the Society of Saint Francis
This morning at breakfast, which was especially rich in KingdomTalk, Kevin mentioned that St. E's was founded(?) as a Third Order Franciscan parish. That was a new one for me, so naturally I googled. Very interesting.... Seems God has a way of "recycling" themes and communities. And while I would be the first to say that there is nothing sacred about St. Elizabeth's the building, it is wonderfully redemptive how the contents and threads of people I have never met continue to be lived out in this place.
As Catherine de Hueck Doherty and St. Elizabeth of Hungary are so similar, I find Vineyard Central and The Third Order of the Society of Saint Francis strikingly concurrent.
For instance:
The Three Aims of the Third Order are:
To make our Lord known and loved everywhere.
By word and example, Tertiaries witness to Christ in their daily lives. By prayer and sacrifice, we help forward God's work wherever He has called us.
To spread the spirit of fellowship.
By working happily with people of different race, color, creed, education and opportunity, Tertiaries seek to break down the divisions in the world. We try to live in the spirit of of St. Francis' prayer: "Lord, make me an instrument of your peace."
To live simply.
Acknowledging that everything belongs to God, we seek to use His gifts wisely and to be good stewards of this fragile earth, never destryoing or wasting what God has made. We provide the things necessary for ourselves and our families without demanding luxuries. We seek never to forget the needs of others.
How very like VC and our Community Vows!
And here's another link along the same lines: Order of Ecumenical Franciscans.
Probably some stuff we can learn from these folks....
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As Catherine de Hueck Doherty and St. Elizabeth of Hungary are so similar, I find Vineyard Central and The Third Order of the Society of Saint Francis strikingly concurrent.
For instance:
The Three Aims of the Third Order are:
To make our Lord known and loved everywhere.
By word and example, Tertiaries witness to Christ in their daily lives. By prayer and sacrifice, we help forward God's work wherever He has called us.
To spread the spirit of fellowship.
By working happily with people of different race, color, creed, education and opportunity, Tertiaries seek to break down the divisions in the world. We try to live in the spirit of of St. Francis' prayer: "Lord, make me an instrument of your peace."
To live simply.
Acknowledging that everything belongs to God, we seek to use His gifts wisely and to be good stewards of this fragile earth, never destryoing or wasting what God has made. We provide the things necessary for ourselves and our families without demanding luxuries. We seek never to forget the needs of others.
How very like VC and our Community Vows!
And here's another link along the same lines: Order of Ecumenical Franciscans.
Probably some stuff we can learn from these folks....
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Thursday
Diagrams
Very cool. Check out the Bible diagrams.
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Wednesday
Community Art Class
For those who were around the Brownhouse last night for HC you heard the beginnings of this call that was sounded, for those who weren't allow me to summarize:
Last night two neighborhood kids, Michael and Tesla, came by at the end of our church gathering to tell us that they really wanted to help raise money for the church building restoration. They were very enthused and specific about what they wanted to do. They would like to raise between $500 and $750. They would like to do so by having an Art Class for neighborhood kids. To paraphrase them, "there are a lot of kids in the neighborhood that like art and it would be good to keep them off the streets and out of trouble" (truly, that's what they said). So they were essentially enlisting our help.
This art class, if it is something that God is leading us to (and it seems that he is from my estimation), is not something I am able to spearhead - but I think there are many in our midst who could. So I sumbit this to you. If you sense this is something God is calling you to, please let others know. I can (or Steve and Becky can) put you in touch with Tesla and Michael. They don't just want this thing done for them - they very much want to and are willing to help.
This is a tremendous opportunity to both bless the neighborhood, foster and form relationships with Telsa amd Michael, and share what God is doing in our midst with others. I look forward to seeing where God takes us!
If you are interested in being a part of this - let me know and I'll connect you with others who are as well. --------------------------------
Last night two neighborhood kids, Michael and Tesla, came by at the end of our church gathering to tell us that they really wanted to help raise money for the church building restoration. They were very enthused and specific about what they wanted to do. They would like to raise between $500 and $750. They would like to do so by having an Art Class for neighborhood kids. To paraphrase them, "there are a lot of kids in the neighborhood that like art and it would be good to keep them off the streets and out of trouble" (truly, that's what they said). So they were essentially enlisting our help.
This art class, if it is something that God is leading us to (and it seems that he is from my estimation), is not something I am able to spearhead - but I think there are many in our midst who could. So I sumbit this to you. If you sense this is something God is calling you to, please let others know. I can (or Steve and Becky can) put you in touch with Tesla and Michael. They don't just want this thing done for them - they very much want to and are willing to help.
This is a tremendous opportunity to both bless the neighborhood, foster and form relationships with Telsa amd Michael, and share what God is doing in our midst with others. I look forward to seeing where God takes us!
If you are interested in being a part of this - let me know and I'll connect you with others who are as well. --------------------------------
Thursday
Bruderhof Communities - All Things in Common
Not sure when this article was written, but it's about us and has eery air of familiarity and timeliness.... hum.....
Read it by clicking on Kevin's quote: "I don't even think we've scratched the surface of what it can mean to have 50 people in the congregation living within walking distance," Rains says. --------------------------------
Read it by clicking on Kevin's quote: "I don't even think we've scratched the surface of what it can mean to have 50 people in the congregation living within walking distance," Rains says. --------------------------------