Over the last few months, you might have noticed something new in the News & Happenings. As a way to inform and encourage engagement in missional opportunities, the Monthly Mission Spotlight was created. Since its launch, Interfaith Hospitality Network, the Romania Partnership, and Habitat for Humanity has been featured. Each week, new information is shared regarding that particular ministry for the month and also gives specific ways people can get involved. After Interfaith Hospitality Network was featured, 10 new people served in some way during our last host week in March!

The mission of our church is a commitment to share the love of Jesus to transform lives, Cincinnati, and the world. Our hope at Hyde Park Community is that each person can find a meaningful way to serve that connects people’s passions and gifts to needs of the community and world. My relationship with Jesus became real when I had my first invitation to serve alongside others. My faith continues to grow as I put my discipleship into action and I find that the life that is most changed is not the people I’m serving with, but it is my own.

If there is a stirring in you to go deeper in your discipleship through service, I would love to meet with you! The monthly mission spotlight scratches the surface of all the ways one can use their gifts. With the variety of ways to get involved and serve, I believe there is a great fit for each person.

Finally, thank you to all who are already serving and being the church! Your passion, energy, and commitment is amazing and I’m beyond thankful for your ministry to the church, community, and world. Let’s continue to bring the Kingdom of God closer!

Peace,

Pastor Kate

“What is an ‘Any-a-gram?’” I asked.

“It’s called the ‘ENNEAGRAM!’”  My friend retorted.

My first introduction to the Enneagram was in January 2017 at a conference. People from the conference encouraged me to start my Enneagram journey on the drive home by listening to The Liturgists (Science Mike who was here last February is one of the hosts) podcast on the topic. I imagine this advice came because it was safer listening to a podcast than reading a book while driving. It’s episode 37 in case you want to check it out for yourself.

The Enneagram is perhaps best defined by Enneagram author and expert Suzanne Stabile as, “nine ways of seeing and nine ways of processing our experiences in the world. Additionally, there are nine ways of answering some of life’s basic questions like, ‘Who am I?’ and ‘Why do I do the things I do?’”

Most of us have no idea that others don’t see as we see, nor do they process their experiences in the same way we do. Keeping this in mind is especially crucial in ALL of our relationships! The Enneagram is a tool that helps us understand people’s fears, motivations, desires, and relationship dynamics. It can be a key that unlocks sometimes mystifying behavior in others – and in ourselves, which can lead to more empathy and understanding.

You might remember an Enneagram workshop happening here a few years ago and perhaps benefitted from it yourself. There has been an influx of interest among young adults around this topic. As way to build relationships and engage with young adults in the area, we are offering an Enneagram Weekend to take place at Over-the-Rhine Community Church on February 22-23. Thanks to the Emerson and Jan Colaw Lecture/Leadership Endowment we are able to offer this as a free event.

I believe the weekend will be transformative for people’s relationship with God and others. I would love your help getting the word out to young adults! Please send them to hydeparkchurch.org/enneagram to learn more information. If you would like to help support the weekend (and get more information about the Enneagram for yourself) please check the One-and-Done section to get involved.

Peace,

Pastor Kate

“The passing over the coming back is the greatest spiritual adventure of our time.” John S. Dunne

A small, but mighty team left their Homeland to pass over to the wonderland of Johns Island, South Carolina in the middle of June. They were commissioned to serve alongside Rural Mission as they continued Kingdom work in the Sea Islands. While many people visit this area for vacation, there is a rich history with a diverse group of people. With the boom in the economy due to tourism, many are unable to keep up with the rise of prices of living costs and find themselves in need of assistance. Rural Mission has been active in the community since the 1960’s providing support and relief to their island neighbors.

The team was able to not only serve in the community, but support Rural Mission as well with a variety of work projects. One group helped with laying flooring and finishing up drywall for dorms on the grounds in order for more people to visit Rural Mission and serve. Other projects included installing a handrail outside a home so the neighbor can go up and down the stairs himself rather than being carried; building benches, and doing finishing touches on a roof for homeowners of the Johns Island community.

Work was only part of the trip. The team also spent plenty of time getting to know each other through team building activities and games. This very shy group transformed by the end of the week and laughter and conversation could be heard regularly. The teaching focus for the week was on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount as a way to deepen their relationship and understanding of God. The group reflected on the Kingdom of God in their work, study, and play in the Wonderland.

The team came back to their Newfoundland in Cincinnati ready to continue with the momentum they had in building their relationship with God, each other, and serving in their community.

Peace,

Pastor Kate

Hyde Park Community is steeped in tradition. One of the most celebrated traditions in the life of the church is Confirmation Sunday. Not only is it a celebration for the youth and their families, it is a joyous occasion for the church family as well. We have the opportunity to welcome new members in the life of the church and affirm their profession of faith in Jesus for themselves.

The word “confirmation” literally means “to make firm.” Confirmation seeks to make firm that which has gone before. It is closely linked to, and dependent on, what has taken place in the youth’s life already, including God’s prevenient grace, the sacrament of baptism, and the Christian nurture of the family with the support of the faith community. It is also an anticipatory occasion of what is to come-acting as an important marker (not graduation) along their spiritual journeys as the Holy Spirit strengthens the youth in his or her lifelong discipleship of Jesus.

Our journey in the Christian faith is not intended to be a solo venture and the youth did not travel this part of the journey alone. Faithful leaders walked alongside them this year to encourage and challenge each student. Please join me in thanking co-leader Chuck Brandt and small group leaders Mackenzie Fahey, Gretchen and Paul Lisi, Al Painter, and Abby Warren.

Confirmation Sunday is not just for the youth and their families! Church family, this Sunday we have the privilege to honor and encourage the young people’s commitment to live as faithful disciples of Jesus Christ and to renew our commitment to do the same!

Congratulations to the Confirmation Class of 2018!

Veronica Grace Bigger

Cara Elizabeth Coy

Samantha Ellen Ellis

Sam Gneuhs

Ryan Meador

Aimee Joy Payling

Audrey Elizabeth Potter

Trevor Benjamin Stith

Bennett Taylor Turan

Noah John Vanags

Amanda M. Yeung

Emily M. Yeung