A Letter from Dave
To all Porchers,
Its been almost six months since my family left Chicago. On this thanksgiving, while watching the Lions fall apart against Green Bay, I felt an urgent need to share my thanks to all of you who were part of the Micah's Porch experience.
One of the hardest parts of leaving is that I somehow thought there would be more time for good-byes than there were. The final service was really inspiring, especially having everyone on stage together for our common prayer. But I need to just say a few more words, and they're words of thanks.
The seeds of Micah's Porch were planted in experiences of spiritual hunger in the midst of the lives of people who have a very hard time coming to church. The question that began it all was how to connect with these people who were disconnected from anything church-like... Or maybe another way to look at it, what would it look like for unreligious people to walk with God?
A couple times a year I'd tell stories about that moment of revelation, that "God Moment" in the bar as being what inspired the vision of Micah's Porch. It is interesting though, that the moment that inspired our 3 year spiritual journey no longer inspires me. What inspires me now is Micah's Porch itself. When people ask me about the Porch about all I can say is that it was inspiring. Thank you for that.
I wish I could somehow share every amazing story of someone who was totally disconnected from church discover something of God's grace for themselves in their own lives. The journey that began at the gallery cafe, then went to Phyllis', then to the basement of the Chopin, and finally upstairs was filled with these stories. Thank you for that.
I also want to thank you for sharing your grace with me. When I look back I am saddened that we couldn't reach all that we dreamed. But I also look back and I am absolutely amazed that we made it as far as we did. I know I was an imperfect leader for a vision so vital. The fact that with little else than a sense of mission we actually fostered a relevant and authentic community of faith out of nothing is at best an unlikely story. To live it with you through every struggle and hope has changed me forever. Thank you for that.
Finally let me just say that it is my whole-hearted belief that on more than one occasion our spiritual, progressive, alternative journey of faith made God smile with love. I hope you take that to heart where ever your new journeys take you, I do. And I give thanks for that too. Thank you, thank you, and thanks again.
With much love,
Peace and Grace,
Pastor Dave
therevd4@gmail.com
Its been almost six months since my family left Chicago. On this thanksgiving, while watching the Lions fall apart against Green Bay, I felt an urgent need to share my thanks to all of you who were part of the Micah's Porch experience.
One of the hardest parts of leaving is that I somehow thought there would be more time for good-byes than there were. The final service was really inspiring, especially having everyone on stage together for our common prayer. But I need to just say a few more words, and they're words of thanks.
The seeds of Micah's Porch were planted in experiences of spiritual hunger in the midst of the lives of people who have a very hard time coming to church. The question that began it all was how to connect with these people who were disconnected from anything church-like... Or maybe another way to look at it, what would it look like for unreligious people to walk with God?
A couple times a year I'd tell stories about that moment of revelation, that "God Moment" in the bar as being what inspired the vision of Micah's Porch. It is interesting though, that the moment that inspired our 3 year spiritual journey no longer inspires me. What inspires me now is Micah's Porch itself. When people ask me about the Porch about all I can say is that it was inspiring. Thank you for that.
I wish I could somehow share every amazing story of someone who was totally disconnected from church discover something of God's grace for themselves in their own lives. The journey that began at the gallery cafe, then went to Phyllis', then to the basement of the Chopin, and finally upstairs was filled with these stories. Thank you for that.
I also want to thank you for sharing your grace with me. When I look back I am saddened that we couldn't reach all that we dreamed. But I also look back and I am absolutely amazed that we made it as far as we did. I know I was an imperfect leader for a vision so vital. The fact that with little else than a sense of mission we actually fostered a relevant and authentic community of faith out of nothing is at best an unlikely story. To live it with you through every struggle and hope has changed me forever. Thank you for that.
Finally let me just say that it is my whole-hearted belief that on more than one occasion our spiritual, progressive, alternative journey of faith made God smile with love. I hope you take that to heart where ever your new journeys take you, I do. And I give thanks for that too. Thank you, thank you, and thanks again.
With much love,
Peace and Grace,
Pastor Dave
therevd4@gmail.com
