A Name, A Common Site

Friends,
As you may already know by now, the Emerging Network (an unofficial name used temporarily while a permanent and official name was selected) is now a part of the larger group known simply as The Network.

At present, most folks involved in the Network are communicating via Facebook. Here's a link to The Network's Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=56174931920

Since Facebook is proving to be a more useful tool for this project, I'm going to stop posting on this blog, but if you're not on Facebook and you want to be kept in the loop, contact me at thenetworkmn@gmail.com and I'll make sure you stay connected.

Thanks for checking out this blog.

Peace,
Tyler

Late October

The network has been going strong now for well over a month. The muffin making and distribution events went really well. A few weeks later we came up with some great ideas for Google's "10 to the 100th" contest. We also had a great time that night learning more about Clare Housing and how we can help provide meals. If you're interested in making and serving meals, check out the Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=30563042198#/group.php?gid=36015761497&ref=ts

We're also going to Feed My Starving Children on Nov. 1. If you'd like to come, check it out here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=30563042198

As you can see, we're pretty much using Facebook for everything. If you'd like to be in the loop, friend me on Facebook and I'll be sure to include you on all upcoming events and updates. In the meantime, we're creating a website that we plan to have up and running by the first of the year.

Peace,

Tyler Christiansen

What's Up

It’s been a while since the last entry, but that’s because we’ve been busy. Let me tell you a little about what’s been going on . . .

Three other pastors and I have been working on a vision for a network of persons wanting to explore their spirituality though service, conversation, study and good old fashioned fun. Our hope is that we will soon have small groups as well as medium sized and large group events. These may range from study and discussion groups all the way up to a large service projects.

Last Sunday the network gathered at the Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church parsonage for an evening of dining and serving. We made fifteen dozen muffins to share with the clients at the Rich Harvest food panty later this month. After the baking we shared a meal and conversations. It was a great kickoff for our network.

NEXT EVENT:
We will be reheating the muffins, making hot chocolate and sharing them with the clients at the Rich Harvest food pantry as they wait in line for their groceries.
When: Saturday, Sept. 27. 7:00 AM (Yes, we know it’s really early J)
Where: Richfield United Methodist Church, 5835 Lyndale Ave. S, Minneapolis

We hope to see you there!
-Tyler

a revival, really?

Yes, a revival . . . well, sort of. So here's the deal, there are three guys, all friends and all leaders of the emerging/emergent conversation. They've all written books, they all speak at events and worship services regularly and they all have really great ideas about the future of the church. Their names are Doug Pagitt, Tony Jones and Mark Scandrette and as of today, they've begun a national road tour that they are calling the "Church Basement Roadshow: A Rollin' Gospel Revival." Here's what their promo says:

"A biodiesel-fuled RV loaded with three of the most outspoken emergent church leaders/authors will crisscross the country this summer with a message that combines old time revival flair with a 21st Century gospel. Controversial for their 'nothing is to sacred to be questioned' doctrine, Jones, Pagitt and Scandrette are part of the emergent movement, a decade-old phenomenon of pastors, missionaries, artists, theologians, authors and 'regular people' who are rethinking church and Christianity for a globalized world."

The revival is on July 11 at 7pm at Solomon's Porch, 100 W. 46th St., Mpls., but those wishing to meet beforehand for a bite can meet at The Malt Shop, 809 W. 50th St., Mpls. Please let me know if you're interested in attending the revival and/or dinner. Also, this will be the first event where members of other groups from our network will be participating, so plan on meeting some new people! If you can, bring a friend!

As for the very near future, we'll be meeting for our 3rd Tuesday of the month gathering this coming Tuesday, June 17 @ the Common Roots Cafe (address below). Let me know if you can make it.

-Tyler

New Service Ops.

Hey Gang.

Our next gathering is just around the corner. We'll meet again at Common Roots at 7 PM on Tuesday, May 20.

Between now and then - actually up until June 9 we'll be collecting used or new telephones and answering machines for the Simpson Shelter. Here's some info. from their website.

Simpson Housing Services is moving women who have experienced many years of homelessness into housing. We can hook them up with reduced rate telephone service, but we do not have telephones and answering machines. You can coordinate a drive for gently used telephones and answering machines. We are looking for simple and basic equipment that is clean and in good working condition.

Sounds easy enough right? Well, let's start getting the word out. Bring in any phones or answering machines you collect to our next gathering at Common Roots or drop them off at Lake Harriet UMC (4901 Chowen, Mpls.).

I'm also looking into other service opportunities for our group. One option that I'm excited about is doing some tutoring for children. We'd be helping them with their homework and also some basic computer skills. I'll keep you posted on that. In the meantime, spread the word about the phones and answering machines and I'll see you on the 20th.

Brother Damian was priest and missionary to the leper colony on the island of Molokai in the second half of the Nineteenth Century. His story was the catalyst for our conversation on Tuesday, April 15 at the Common Roots Café. As we spoke about the sacrifice and compassion of Damian, we also talked about mission work and how we find God and spiritual meaning in our lives.

Our group’s next regularly scheduled gathering is on May 6 at 7pm, once again at the Common Roots Café, 2558 Lyndale, Mpls.Some of us will also be attending a lecture by John Spong on April 24 at 7:30 at the Plymouth Congregational Church in Mpls.

Our last gathering on Tuesday, April 1 was great. We met at Gigi's Cafe in Minneapolis and began by checking in with each other and getting up to speed on each other's lives.


We also took time to discuss some issues and topics that emerged after hearing Tony Campolo speak at Lake Harriet UMC last week. Finally, we shared some ideas for topics and outings for the future. If you have additional thoughts, please respond to this post below.



I just learned today that John Spong will be in town for four days later this month. He's preaching at Hennepin Ave. UMC, giving lectures at United Theological Seminary and giving a lecture on Thursday, April 24 at 7:30 at Plymouth Congregational Church, 1900 Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis. The suggested donation for this event is $10. I'm hoping that we can go hear him that evening. For those unfamiliar with Spong, check out these sites:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Shelby_Spong & http://www.johnshelbyspong.com/index.aspx


Let me know if you want to attend his lecture by sending me an email at emergingnetwork@gmail.com

Our next regularly scheduled event is going to be at

Common Roots Cafe http://www.commonrootscafe.com/index.htm
2558 Lyndale Ave. S, Mpls.
April 15 @ 7pm.

All are welcome to attend.