We are coming up to our first Outer Circle gathering of the 2016 cycle (Jan 16, 5:30 – 8pm).  If you were part of the Outer Circle process in 2015, now is the time to decide if you are going to be in for another year or not.  If you are in again, please make sure you confirm with your Triad and contact the office to let us know.  If you weren’t part of it in 2015, perhaps this is the year for you!  Anyone can join, you just have to commit to the process.  You can read more about it here, or pick up an Outer Circle booklet at the Info Table.

We’ve collected some stories of the significance of the Outer Circle in a few people’s lives this past year.  You can watch them here… they’re inspiring!

To be part of the Outer Circle Process for 2016 you need to:

1. Go though the 3-P steps.
2. Attempt to find a Triad.
3. Sign up with the office.

You can find out more about each of these steps here.

Changes for 2016:

As we’ve evaluated and received feedback, we’ve made a few changes to the process for 2016.  In short, they are:

• Joining: You can join any time throughout the year (if this is your case, you still need to do the process and you still need to sign up through the office).
• Open Table: At the first gathering of the year, we’ll have an open table at which anyone who does not yet have a Triad can meet together. You can still share the results of your “3-P steps”, but perhaps you’ll meet someone there who you can form a Triad with. We will keep the Open Table available for as many OC Gatherings as necessary.
• WCV Membership: Our formal membership at WCV is “everyone who is part of the Outer Circle or an equivalent”.  This list is updated annually.  This is not new, but we’ve more clearly defined what “an equivalent” of the Outer Circle process is.  You can read more about this here.

Stick to it: The more intentional you are about going through the process, and the more you get together with your Triad, the more you will get out of the year.

Blessings as you grow to become more like Jesus, are filled with the Spirit and rest in the Father’s love for you.

More Info & Stories here.

Our world is pretty messed up.  There’s a lot to like about our world, but there’s also much that’s just plain wrong – sickness, death, terror, fear, destruction.  A quick scan of the headlines confirms that evil is present – it hasn’t always been so, and won’t always be the case.

Immediately after Adam and Eve sinned, God had a plan of for redemption and restoration of what was lost through sin (you can read Gen 3:15 for the first glimpse of a plan).  He wouldn’t allow sin to have the final say in his creation.  Jesus, is God’s response to sin.  Our journey as followers and imitators of Jesus, is towards Christ-likeness.  It’s really a journey back to the beginning.  We were created in God’s very image, sin distorted that image, and Christ came to make a way for us to live into that again.  To walk and talk once again with God our loving creator.

In a big sense, this is what the Outer Circle is all about.  It is about th
e gift of salvation and how we participate in “working it out”.  It’s our attempt to create just enough structure to help us on our journey towards being like Jesus.  It’s the work of discipleship.  It’s the joy and the task of submitting our wills, habits, desires, our very lives to God, who takes them and forms us into the likeness of his son.

If you are interested in joining the Outer Circle process, you are welcome to!  Now is the time.  The only requirement is that you have to commit to the process.  Read more about it here or pick up a copy of the Outer Circle manual at the info table.

If you are currently in a Triad, now is the time to make your plan for the coming year.

The first Outer Circle gathering of the new year is Saturday, January 16 at 5:30pm.

If you need help finding a Triad, we can help.  Please submit your name to the office.  Also, at the first Outer Circle Gathering this year, we will have a table for newcomers who do not yet have a Triad.  Our hope is that we can share together and perhaps some Triads will form naturally there.

Here are a few stories of people talking about the significance of the Outer Circle in their lives.

For those of you who were not in the Downstairs Gathering last Sunday, this little update is for you.  There have been changes in Flatlanders Inn.

Tara

We want to welcome Tara Glowacki as our new Flatlanders Inn Administrator!  Tara began working on a part-time basis last week.  We’re excited for the passion, connection and expertise she brings to the position.  Welcome, Tara!

We have also had some changes to the Leadership Team.  Jeff & Amanda Leighton have been around a long time and are founding members.  Laura Dahl has recently finished a prospective Leader phase and we’re excited to have her as a full-on Leadership Team member!  Ian & Jessica Williams moved in a year ago to explore what living at Flatlanders was like.  Together, we’ve been feeling like they should be exploring what being leaders in Flatlanders looks like.  So we’ve invited them to be prospective Leadership team members.  This is a 6 month process which is meant to see if it’s a good fit for them.  Andy Wood is also on the Leadership team and provides pastoral oversight.

Kelly & Brendan Dvorak have recently moved out after having lived and led in the community for the last 5 years.  They’ve been a tremendous blessing in so many ways.  We sincerely thank them for all they’ve done and the ways they’ve opened their lives up to those who have called Flatlanders Inn home these past years.  While community living with people who are at risk of homelessness always has challenges, the past season has been more difficult than normal.  It’s a sad and hard departure.

On Sunday, we prayed for the current team.  They appreciated it and felt the love and support of the church family.  Thanks for that!

More info on Flatlanders Inn.