TAKING STEPS

Newsletter of The Way Forward

Fall 2024

The Way Forward advocates for the people of St. John's to explore and live into their Baptismal Covenant. We meet on the third Wednesday of the month. Our next meeting is September 18, 6:30 p.m., in the movie theater, room 309.

O God,

if I worship you in fear of hell,

burn me in hell.

If I worship you in hope of paradise,

shut me out from paradise.

But if I worship you for your own sake,

do not withhold from me

your everlasting beauty.

—Rábi‘a (717–801),

Islamic mystic and poet

Taking Steps at STJE

Creationtide, or the Season of Creation, is an informal period in the church dedicated to God as Creator and Sustainer of all life. During this season (September 1-October 4), all members of St. John's and beyond are invited to deepen their connections with creation and celebrate the earth we are privileged to call home.

Learn more about the Episcopal Church's Season of Creation.

Please join The Way Forward, September 18, at 6:30 p.m., in the movie theater, Room 309. We'll watch the documentary, "Journey of the Universe." Author and evolutionary philosopher Brian Thomas Swimme shares his curiosity about life's biggest questions, connecting such big picture issues as the birth of the cosmos 14 billion years ago to the invisible frontiers of the human genome, as well as to our current impact on Earth's evolutionary dynamics. Discover the profound role we play in this intricate web of life!

Ruth Fuller will lead a discussion following the film.

RSVP for this Event

Taking Steps in Our Community

Mark your calendars!

Various community and faith organizations are holding events covering topics such as Christian nationalism, politics & faith, trust in elections, and the fate of communities depending on participation in various civic, social, community and faith groups. See below for more information.

Taking Steps On Our Own

New book coming in October

"Building Belonging: The Church's Call to Create Community and House Our Neighbors"

Written by Charlotte's John Cleghorn, pastor of Caldwell Presbyterian Church, he says, "Not a day passes that I don't hear about another church asking itself big questions about its future, its property and its land -- and whether there is a call to house their neighbor. I firmly believe God is in this movement!"

The Caldwell congregation has been in the process of transforming a 12,000-square foot education building into 21 affordable apartments for those needing supportive housing -- a congregational dream almost 10 years in the making.

Learn more at: www.wjkbooks.com/Cleghorn

Join The Way Forward

At The Way Forward, we seek to explore how we can best come together as Christians to live more deeply into our faith, in the midst of the tumultuous unrest we see throughout our communities, the nation, and the world.

This ministry seeks to provide the parish with opportunities to fulfill the mission of the church, by engaging in conversations on a variety of social topics that lead to action, ultimately bringing us more closely together as a parish, and a broader Charlotte community.

Upcoming meetings:

September 18 -- "Seeing Christ in Creation"

October 16 -- "Seeing Christ in Humanity"

November 20 -- Working session + attend MeckMin's Community Thanksgiving Service (TBD)

January 15 -- "Seeing Christ in Ourselves"