March:April 2017 FCM Newsletter

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2 Left back row: Tom Leonhardt & Carolyn Horvath, Central Office & Membership..Ron Davis, Great Lakes, Co-Vice President...Richard James, Mountain & Plains Vice President...Bill Appleton, Secretary... Anthony Ercolano, Commissioning Chair...Tom Cusack, President.... Left middle row: Sue Ross, Treasurer...Carl Yusavitz, Vice Chair Specialized Ministries...Dan Pellegrin, Northeast Vice President...Tom Stricker, Chairperson....Amy Simpson Bennethum, Great Lakes Co-Vice President Left front row: Eileen DiFranco, Denominational Concerns Chair...Christy Howard Steele, Chair Specialized Ministries....Diane Dougherty, Southern Vice President...not pictured: Donnieau Snyder, Pacific Vice President 3
tom cusack Our Circle of Directors meeting in Cleveland at the beginning of February was inspirational. The Circle is currently made up of 16 FCM members of great dedication and thoughtfulness. (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Federation-of-Christian-Ministries/179262215432851) We came together at a unique time in our country’s history and that of the world. Our Chairperson, Tom Stricker mentions in his current article his observation of chaos developing in the world. I want to affirm that observation. We are experiencing evolutionary forces at work across the globe. I suggest there is something profound happening, the meaning of which is not yet clear. Its manifestations include a shakeup of the post-World War II order of nations, as led by the United States. It includes the movement of large numbers of refugees across the globe, causing new pressures and dangers. We see the advance of global warming with its results in intensified weather experiences, oceanic acidification, the retreat of ice caps and glaciers with the resulting rise of ocean levels. We see the usual sources of “news and truth” (the main line media) being assailed by criticism and the formal assaults of manufactured-news. With all this the foundations of the stability we have experienced after World War II are shaking, crumbling, and rearranging. How will we respond as individuals and as FCM? The increased involvement of each of us, guided by our inner connection with the Spirit is, I believe, critical at this moment. I would like to address that response within FCM at the micro level and the macro level. The micro level focuses on us as individual members of FCM. I request of you an increased activity in your own spiritual life, introducing into your devotions 2 x 2 4 FCM [two minutes daily of prayer and of meditation for the benefit of FCM as a religious body]. In addition please add to your devotions Tuesday 10 4 FCM [10 minutes of prayer and meditation for FCM each Tuesday]. This sequence of dedicated spiritual activity will energize and guide FCM and yourself under the direction of the Holy Spirit. Consciously step up your random acts of kindness, reach out and talk "nonviolently" (lovingly) to people with whom you disagree. Be the change you hope to see. On a more external plane, please make systematic your interaction with your FCM ministerial colleague. Look into the free application, Zoom https://zoom.us which supports videoconferencing and use it with your colleague. Second, volunteer as an Area Representative to work with your FCM regional Vice President in building community within FCM. Third, wear your FCM pin when acting as an FCM minister. It is a striking pin which elicits questions. Memorize a version of this elevator speech to answer those questions: FCM was founded 50 years ago by men who had resigned from the Roman Catholic priesthood, typically to marry. Because they wanted to continue to minister they founded FCM. Now we include both men and women. We commission ministers. We endorse chaplains and pastoral counselors. And we gather faith communities. On the macro level FCM as a religious body will navigate the 501 (C) (3) prohibitions on political involvements and influences. We will consistently comment on issues of social justice from an educational viewpoint providing a basis for you to consider the directions your own efforts can take. We will not suggest specific responses to political developments except to observe them and comment on them as to how our values might impact them. At the same time FCM’s leadership will be looking for you to make personally felt declarations to the membership through our Constant Contact email facility. Finally, take the time to find the contact information for your federal and state legislators, available online and write to them. Your influence is essential as they make decisions affecting all of us. As you make this effort, do so with the awareness that in this new context of increasing global chaos we must go deep within to our soul’s level to gain the inner calm and direction needed to successfully be in the 4 moment as we navigate a new landscape.
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Page 10 and 11: JULY 20 - 22, 2018 DOUBLETREE BY HI
Page 14 and 15: vice president.....diane dougherty
Page 16 and 17: vice president.....richard james Gr
Page 18 and 19: Mts. & Plains Con't - 3 Newsletter
Page 22 and 23: vice president.....dan pellegrin No
Page 24 and 25: Federation of Christian Ministries
Page 26 and 27: group member dignity datyon, oh Joh
Page 28 and 29: fcm member...dan pellegrin Newslett

March:April 2017 FCM Newsletter

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