Last week I listened to Lydia Bucklin offer her thoughts on how a knitter approaches untangling a skein of yarn. If you tug at either end of the knot you will only tangle it worse and make it more immovable. To untangle the yarn a seasoned knitter knows to fluff the skein; hold it gently, nudge and move small pieces, and eventually you can work out the knot.

Yesterday I picked up my 8-year old daughter from school and she cautiously and carefully eased herself into my car while gently cradling her backpack. Her excitement was tangible, but she was carrying herself like a mother holding a new born baby. Her teacher had given each child a cabbage sprout with the assignment to plant it, nurture it, feed it, and watch it grow. 

What does untangling yarn and planting sprouts have to do with Gathering of Leaders? Everything.

It is our job as leaders in the church to coax knots out of systems. We hold those systems with love and care and tease out the kinks to unknot the roadblocks to mission-filled ministry. Once those knots are loosened, we have the duty to plant seeds of faith and creativity that can flourish if properly cared for. Part of the care necessary for leaders is connecting with others, sharing methods and insights, and supporting one another as we succeed and struggle. 

Another way we care for each other and the GOL network is through financial contributions. Today I am grateful to share that the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island has pledged $60,000 towards the unrestricted creativity that will take place over the next few years as the GOL network grows. 

Below are some additional resources and links that can help care for you and your ministry. Connect with me and other GOLers at the CEEP conference next week, help us grow the GOL networks with nominations, help shape a future offering from ECF, and register to attend one of our 2022 Gatherings.

Now? Go back to untangling and planting!

Blessings,

Haley Bankey
Executive Director, Gathering of Leaders
haley@thegatheringofleaders.org

The Missionary Church After Christendom

(Gatherings: Oregon)

The era when “everyone” knew the Christian story, the church held a position of public respect, and Sunday mornings were reserved for worship is ending. The church is losing influence, power, and the social expectations that maintained our institutions and budgets. How will we, as leaders, respond to this transition out of hope and courage rather than fear? What can we learn for this new reality from voices in the church who have modeled perseverance, maturity, faithfulness, and innovation from a place of cultural marginalization? What do we need to retain at our core; what do we need to cast off; and what do we need to adapt in order to proclaim the gospel and form disciples in this new reality?

Racial Reconcilation and Discipleship in the Missionary Church

(Gatherings: Philadelphia, Virtual September)

Our Presiding Bishop has called us into a deeper understanding of the relationship between evangelism and racial reconciliation. It has been said that Sunday morning is the most segregated time in America, because our worshipping communities often reflect the dividing lines of race rather than the unity of Christ’s Body or the glorious diversity of God’s creation. We wish to explore the connection between discipleship, mission, and racial reconciliation. Continuing events in our nation make this work all the more urgent. We understand ourselves, as Christians, to be called to reconciliation. How does making disciples facilitate and celebrate racial reconciliation in our particular contexts? How are the church’s legacies of racial division and racial healing affecting your work of evangelism and mission? What signs of hope do you see? Within the context of the Great Commission, what roles do confession, repentance, forgiveness and reparation play in the work of racial reconciliation within ourselves, our congregations and the Episcopal Church?

PARTICIPANT DIRECTORY: Those who have attended at least one Gathering have access to search our directory for other Participants by name, church affiliation, city, or state. Travelling somewhere and want to meet up with some GOLers? Give it a search! Try out the Directory here.

PARTICIPANT ONLY FACEBOOK GROUP: One of the main ways our participants connect and collaborate with one another is through our private Facebook group. If you have attended at least one Gathering, and are not yet part of the group, please email haley@thegatheringofleaders.org to get setup.

SUGGESTED READING LISTS: At each Gathering we collected suggested readings from our participants that deal directly with our annual theme. Click the themes for access to the most current suggested reading list: Racial Reconciliation and for Unity & Division. 

SHARED RESOURCES: During each Gathering we record the peer-learning presentation (with permission) and upload them to our participant portal.  For all presentations from our Racial Reconciliation year and Unity & Division, log into our website and search.

SEMINARY DEBT REDUCTION GRANTS: Through GOL's partnership with the Episcopal Church Foundation, grant funds have been made available to participants in the Gathering of Leaders network to reduce individual seminary debt. The grants must be used to make loan payments above and beyond the normal repayment/amortization schedule (i.e., principal) and will be awarded on the basis of financial need and the demonstrated capacity to manage debt, handle day-to-day finances, and plan for the future. Grants will range from $3,000-$5,000 and will be paid in one lump sum. Learn more and apply.