What is the Reconciliation & Unity Ministry (RUM)? Are you called to join us? An Advent Invitation…
RUM was formed in 2014 following the death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, and the Ministry was tasked with exploring ways of facilitating dialogue and the development of relationships here at St. Vincent’s so that ”we may become One.” The ministry has sponsored several initiatives, including Pew Conversations and Movie Nights, and is now hoping to work with other parish Ministries and Committees throughout the parish to encourage everyone to incorporate this theme of “Becoming One” in their planning and work.
During this holy season of Advent, as we prepare the Way of the Lord in our lives, our parish, our city, our nation, and our world, we ask that you prayerfully consider joining in this essential work of reconciliation and unity. We now find ourselves in a time of unprecedented judgment and fear, but also, therefore, of an extraordinary opportunity to live our Gospel values more fully. More than ever, we must join together to birth God’s love into our suffering nation and world.
Our faith tradition has always incorporated periods of prayer and fasting before major feast days, and so we are asking everyone to consider participating in a time of preChristmas Fasting and Prayer, from Sunday December 19 through Thursday December 23. During this time we will pray for the healing of all divisions among us, and for the healing and unity of our parish, our city, our nation, and our world. Fr. Sy and Fr. Joe will be providing more detail on this.
We also ask that you discern your call to the ministry of Reconciliation and Unity, and let us know if you are interested by writing your name on the Sign up sheet in the back of church before Christmas. We will begin our work in 2017 with a day-long retreat on Saturday January 14.
For more information, please contact any of the RUM members who will make announcements during Advent. Or Fr Sy.
May all of us experience ongoing reconciliation and healing so that we may be ambassadors of Christ’s peace to each other and the world!