LBC, October 28, 2017, Healing Communities Training Opportuntity

On Saturday, October 28, 2017, from 1 to 5 p.m., Rev. Jeff Snyder and Bishop Karen Dixson are coordinating with Healing Communities (Rev. Dr. Harold Trulear spoke to us about them) to offer a workshop in Westphal Hall of Lansdowne Baptist Church, Lansdowne, PA (second floor in wing closest to Lansdowne Avenue) on how we can become a Healing Community for families and individuals impacted by the criminal justice system. All are welcome. No fee charged but a donation will be taken. Light refreshments served at the program’s beginning. 

For an explanation of what Healing Communities do, here is information from their website: 

Healing Communities is a framework for a distinct form of ministry for men and women returning from or at risk of incarceration, their families and the larger community. Healing Communities challenges congregations to become Stations of Hope for those persons affected by the criminal justice system.

We train communities of faith to:

· walk with the returning citizens (connect returning citizens to resources that will help set attainable goals)
· help them connect with their faith (provide spiritual support)
· open their hearts to them (foster positive relationships)
· embrace them (extend open and affirming fellowship)
· provide understanding (collaboration with family and friends to rebuild relationships)
· advocate for political change on a local, state, and federal level

We provide support and technical assistance to faith communities by:

· offering seminars in restorative justice, family reintegration and family support
· identifying resources and building networks for capacity building, service delivery and advocacy
· offering opportunities for peer learning from other congregations and expert learning at local, regional and national conferences
· customized programming for local congregations

To hear Rev. Dr. Trulear speak out about helping the prisoners and their families, see the sermon he delivered at Lansdowne Baptist Church in May of 2017: https://lansdownebaptistchurch.blogspot.com/2017/05/living-between-expectation-experience.html 

If you wish to learn more about the Healing Communities organization, see: http://www.healingcommunitiesusa.com/

Siblings

Sermon based on Genesis 37:1-4, 18-38, showing us the dysfunctional, grudge poisoned, hateful relationship between Joseph and his brothers. We explore how to equip ourselves against dysfunction and hate in our own day and age, like the hate so prominently on display at the race riot and terrorism in Charlottesville, Virginia, August 11-12, 2017. Being so equipped, we must work all our lives against letting hatred consume us.

If you doubt your small efforts or talents can be any use in fighting against human hatred, intolerance, racism, etc., take a look at the following sermon and rethink: https://lansdownebaptistchurch.blogspot.com/2017/08/against-all-expectations.html

For specific reactions from our denomination to the race riot and terrorism in Charlottesville, Virginia, in August 2017, which I heartily agree with and endorse, see the following posts: https://lansdownebaptistchurch.blogspot.com/2017/08/american-baptist-home-mission-societies.html and https://lansdownebaptistchurch.blogspot.com/2017/08/abcusa-general-secretary-speaks-to.html

Against All Expectations

Sermon based on Matthew 14:13-21, in which we discover just how completely Jesus will defy our limited expectations where we are willing to work with him. There is a challenge here for us all.

Living Between Expectation & Experience

Rev. Dr. Harold Trulear spoke to Lansdowne Baptist Church about how we may assist individuals who have been incarcerated and their families. It is an important and powerful message. He also has something to say to those who would dismiss prisoners as "bad people" who should be ignored. Please watch.

At the end of the sermon, Rev. Dr. Trulear invited individuals with family members in prison to come forward for a prayer. This was a powerful moment for everyone as ten people came forward. One person was in tears, feeling until that moment that she was suffering alone. That prayer is not recorded here as those people were not asked in advance if they cared to be filmed.

Rev. Dr. Harold Trulear Spoke Sunday May 7, 2017

On Sunday morning, May 7, 2017, Rev. Dr. Harold Trulear spoke to congregants, friends, and visitors to Lansdowne Baptist Church. He discussed the plight of prisoners incarcerated in our justice system. Rev. Trulear challenged assumptions we have concerning prisoners, reminding us all of some very prominent individuals in the Bible who spent time jailed, including Jesus, who would go on to be executed by the state. We were called upon to realize that God sees people by their whole lives, not a single moment and single mistake. Redemption is possible. Life moves on beyond some moment in which law is broken and a person jailed.

We are called to help those who are jailed and their families, all who suffer through this process. It was an extremely powerful message. At the end of the sermon Rev. Dr. Trulear made an altar call for anyone who had a family member incarcerated. Roughly ten people came forward and a powerful time of prayer followed.

This was a moving, meaningful message that will soon be made available in DVD form for those who need to hear it. Listen for the message concerning Polaroid Land Camera snapshots and DVD's from God's perspective, which makes us consider the span of someone's entire life. It's powerful indeed. The opportunities for individuals and churches to serve are great. 

To explore what might be done, visit the following organization: Healing Communities: http://www.healingcommunitiesusa.com/

To hear the sermon, see this post: https://lansdownebaptistchurch.blogspot.com/2017/05/living-between-expectation-experience.html