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VOTF National Convention 2007:
DISCIPLES in Action
Update from VOTF vice-president Sally Vance-Trembath
Our upcoming convention October 19-21 in Providence RI, “Disciples in
Action,” will be a time for both celebration and education. We celebrate
our first 5 years and share with each other what we have learned to inspire
each other into greater action. Attendees will have the opportunity to attend
two plenary sessions and choose two workshops and three panels from a variety
of offerings.
One of the insights that emerged during our planning is that our members and
their affiliates are at many different stages in the life of our organization.
Some members are veterans who have been serving since the beginning in very
active affiliates and working groups, others are just starting out, and the
majority are someplace in between. We suggest that affiliate members strategize
on how best to cover the available workshops and panels so as to maximize the
tools and enthusiasm that they bring back to the affiliate.
All of our panels will emphasis the convention theme of action as the mark
of discipleship. The more practical ones focus on the "action" part
of Disciples in Action." Our more theological panels have been collected
around the idea of "discipleship."
Service to the Gospel is not just another social program, an insight that
our own Pope Benedict has been proclaiming during his time in Latin America.
Discipleship flows from our experience of being loved by God and convinced
of Jesus' proclamation of God's love for us. Discipleship requires actual change
in the real world. Discipleship needs to be rooted in the depths of our inner
experience of God's presence and displayed in our commitment to God's Church.
One of the lessons of Christian discernment is that we need to be relentless
in checking in with the community whom we wish to serve, so that we continue
to provide something we need not just something we prefer doing.
Theologian, Michael Himes, in discussing discipleship asks the question, What
am I good at? This is a question that we all ask ourselves, What difference
can I make? Whether you are new to VOTF or have been around a long time, panels
will be offered that invite you to discover that you are good at some activities
you never imagined. These panels might also help you to decide that you are
not using your gifts in ways that both spring from and feed the joyful experience
of serving God's people.
In future issues if In the Vineyard we will highlight the various choices
that you can make at the convention.
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