December 2022 Edition
updates from the
Reconciling in Christ Team
Latest Happenings
Welcome to the second edition of the new RIC newsletter! We hope that it will spark thought and conversation as we learn together as a congregation.

As we get continue building relationships with members of the congregation through our one-to-one meetings, we are beginning to plan a congregational survey which will help us more fully understand the values of the congregation as a whole and to reveal where we feel we are being called together.

The RIC Core team has also been spending time reading from the book of Acts and discussing what the early church can teach us about being Church together.
Reflection
by Cathy Rice

God’s Holy Darkness -- I was introduced to this book when it was used for opening devotions during a meeting of our Synod Council. It is published as a children’s storybook. But, as with many children’s books, the message transcends age. In the book, every page turn describes a different story from the Bible where darkness or blackness or night is the backdrop for a holy event or the reason that an event is recognized as Holy. For example, when God calls Abraham to look for the blessings of future generations by counting the stars in the night sky. Or, when God moves through the night to liberate the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt. And, of course, the holy night when Jesus was born.
Resource
The ongoing Reformation of language for God
An interview with author and theologian Mary J. Streufert
Published in Living Lutheran, November 17, 2022
Welcoming Intentionally, Growing Authentically, Sharing In Community
Welcoming in God's Grace
calls us to see God in all people and to open our hearts to them. As a reflection of God’s gracious love, First Lutheran Church welcomes ALL of God’s people with no exceptions! Our faith community invites and welcomes you—regardless of race, national origin, sexual orientation, gender/identity, disability, or economic status—for worship, fellowship, and partnership in ministry.
RIC Core Team Members

Amy Isler
Lisa Andersen
Joanna Casto
Lisa Hines
Bruce Isler
Cathy Rice
Sarah Smit
Looking Outward
Ten Foot Pole
Ten Foot Pole is a podcast is for millennial skeptics, regular Sunday church goers, those who have given up on church, pastors, and explorers just wanting to learn a little more about the big book.

Rev. A.J. Houseman started this podcast over a year ago to answer questions from her millennial friends that have left the church and address biblical illiteracy in the church. Questions like, “why don’t we ever talk about this part of the Bible?” or “Why do some Christians believe the Earth was created in a literal seven days?” or “How can you follow a God that flooded the Earth and killed everyone?”

Recently, Ten Foot Pole has entered a new season of ministry sponsored by the discipleship team of the Delaware-Maryland Synod of the ELCA.