February 2009

Dear Reconciler Family,

I would like to begin by thanking you for your prayers and support of the ORM workshop conducted at Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama on January 24. 

Here’s some feedback given by ORM Chapter Leader Annette Winston:

            Words cannot express the move of the Spirit in that room this past Saturday.  This workshop was like healing balm over the whole audience.  My boss attended and I saw her today and she was talking about how much she enjoyed the workshop.  I went to our City Council meeting this afternoon and the Police Chief and council woman who attended gave a report to the Mayor and the Council about the workshop. They gave an excellent summary of the conference and said that we needed a workshop like this in the Valley area.

            I have some wonderful comments from members in our congregation who would like to share with others their view on the workshop.  I will be sending them out soon.

            PRAYER CHANGES THINGS!!!

Since the conference was held in conjunction with Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday, I focused part of my presentation on his life and times.

The purpose of the workshop was to bring community leaders together in a safe environment to address the causes of conflict and broken relationships, and through dialogue and panel discussion show how to begin the healing process.  I also chose the theme “Fulfilling the Dream through Service,” because a vision or dream without follow-through of service is to no avail.  Martin Luther King gave his life for the Dream of a peaceful society with justice and equality as its center piece.  The least we can do is help live out this Dream through love, respect and service of one another.

The target audience for this first event of its kind was top community leadership.  Thus through invitation, leaders representing the following agencies, organizations and institutions attended: education, law enforcement, faith, business, healthcare, etc.  Dr. Paulette Dilworth said there will be follow-up sessions.

At the end of the workshop audience participants stood up and shared what they learned.  For many the conference was transforming.  They vowed to go back home and practice and share what they learned.  Some would like a workshop in their area.

Thanks again for helping make these Christ-driven sessions possible.

God bless you,

Curtis May

Director, ORM

January 2009

Dear Reconciler Family,

            I wish you all a very blessed, peaceful and joyful year 2009.  May our living and loving God direct our steps each and every day.

            There’s an old gospel song that has a line, “If we ever needed the Lord before, we sure do need Him now.”  That, I believe, is very apropos as we enter this new year.

            We enter this year with a new President.  And being the first African American President shows that we have come a mighty long way in this country racially.  Yet paradoxically we are struck by the rhetoric from hate groups and other quarters in our society.  Reports show a number of threats on President-elect Barack Obama’s life.  They express that they are simply not ready for an African American President.

            I would encourage us all to follow scriptural injunction and pray for him and his family

(1 Timothy 2:1-4).  They will certainly need it.  And even if he’s not our particular choice for President we recognize what Paul wrote in Romans 13:1-2, that there’s no power but what God allows or sets up.  And that those in power are ministers of God (Romans 13:4).  Jesus even acknowledged and respected Caesar in Rome.

            It’s astonishing to see all the challenges facing our newly elected President and his cabinet.  Not the least of which is the growing economic disaster which some forecasters are saying could last for years to come. And it has been acknowledged that we’re in a recession.

            Our prayers and financial support are needed more than ever as we strive to continue to get the gospel message of reconciliation out to as many as possible.  And please remember to pray about our Diversity Outreach Workshop at Auburn University on January 24, 2009.  Until next time.

Love and blessings,

Curtis May

Director, ORM