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Subject: Fwd: When is the Right Time to Close Our Doors? | Alban Weekly
Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2017 21:08:17 +0000 (UTC)
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Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2017 21:08:17 +0000 (UTC)
From: pastor-anne <pastor-anne@comcast.net>
To: SCVLP group <scvlp@googlegroups.com>
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Subject: Fwd: When is the Right Time to Close Our Doors? | Alban Weekly
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Thread-Topic: When is the Right Time to Close Our Doors? | Alban Weekly
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Given our conversation on Thursday -- thanks Manda-- I thought this article=
might be of interest.=20
Anne=20
----- Forwarded Message -----
From: "Alban Weekly" <alban@div.duke.edu>=20
To: pastor-anne@comcast.net=20
Sent: Monday, February 27, 2017 8:29:14 AM=20
Subject: When is the Right Time to Close Our Doors? | Alban Weekly=20
=09
=09=09=09=09=09=09=09=09=09=09=09=09=09=09
=09
PRACTICAL WISDOM FOR LEADING CONGREGATIONS=20
=09=09=09=09=09=09=09=09=09
=09=09=09=09=09=09=09=09=09=09=09=09
=09When is the right time to close our doors?=20
=09
THINKING STRATEGICALLY ABOUT THE ANSWER=20
We live in anxious times, and one of the things that makes small congregati=
ons especially anxious is the fear that they might need to close. As member=
s watch their Sunday morning worship attendance dwindle, someone usually st=
arts "running the numbers," trying to determine how long they can continue =
before the money runs out and they're forced to close.=20
There's another way to look at the end of life as we know it, at least for =
congregations. Rather than making decisions out of anxiety and a sense of e=
ver-diminishing options, what if we could operate instead out of an ongoing=
awareness of God's blessings and an eager curiosity about how we can still=
multiply them, even as we close?=20
Multiplying Blessings=20
For example, I'm aware of a congregation that continued to write checks to =
the pastor, knowing that he would not cash them, because they were not read=
y to admit there was no money in the bank. What if, instead of continuing t=
o spend up to and past the point where everything was gone, the congregatio=
n had decided to stop when there was still enough money to provide a severa=
nce package for every employee? Their last dollars would have been an unexp=
ected blessing rather than a series of bad checks.=20
Another congregation was required to close when the judicatory realized tha=
t the board had not met because no one was left who could serve. What if, i=
nstead of waiting until the congregation had turned to dry bones, the congr=
egation had decided to stop when it still had enough energy to celebrate it=
s history and accomplishments? The last bit of energy could have been spent=
on festivities rather than on guilt.=20
I'm working with a congregation whose building is in a sad but familiar sta=
te-water damage, peeling paint, worn carpet, falling ceilings, crumbling si=
dewalks. Its members have hung on and done their best, but eventually there=
weren't enough resources to keep everything repaired. What if, instead of =
letting the building crumble, the congregation had decided to stop when it =
was still in good condition? They might have sold the building and converte=
d their biggest asset into cash to endow their favorite missions.=20
Read more from Sarai Rice =C2=BB=20
=09
=09
IDEAS THAT IMPACT: CLOSING STRATEGICALLY=20
=09A good death: A pastor reflects on her church's closure=20
Carr United Methodist Church's new pastor arrived fresh out of divinity sch=
ool, filled with passion and impatience. But her real ministry, she soon di=
scovered, would be to help the church give up its life for the sake of the =
gospel.=20
Read more from Cheryl Lawrence =C2=BB=20
=09A resurrection story=20
Congregations that are contemplating closing are entering a cycle best know=
n to Christians in Lent, Holy Week, and Easter. Thus, they must face the po=
ssibility of their death head on -- with the accompanying dynamics of fear,=
mistrust, denial, betrayal, guilt, posturing, and hope.=20
Read more from Charles M. Olsen =C2=BB=20
=09A Brooklyn church temporarily shuts down its hunger ministry in order to=
sustain it=20
Closing the food pantry and meal program for two months allowed staff and v=
olunteers at Greenpoint Reformed Church to reorganize and professionalize i=
ts hunger ministry.=20
Read more about Greenpoint Reformed Church =C2=BB=20
=09
=09
FROM THE ALBAN LIBRARY=20
Congregational Leadership in Anxious Times: Being Calm and Courageous No Ma=
tter What=20
by Peter Steinke=20
Anxious times call for steady leadership. When tensions emerge in a congreg=
ation, its leaders cannot be as anxious as the people they serve. To remain=
effective, congregational leaders must control their own uneasiness. This =
takes self-awareness and confidence to manage relationships and influence b=
ehaviors. Knowing how to deal with anxiety and how to work through complex =
challenges can lead a congregation to new insights, growth, and vitality. A=
nxious times hold not only the potential for loss but also for creation, im=
portant learnings, and changes that will strengthen the congregation.=20
With this book, internationally respected consultant Peter Steinke goes dee=
per into the requirements of effective congregational leadership. Born from=
the wisdom of Steinke's distinguished career, this new volume will both en=
lighten and embolden leaders. Steinke inspires courage in leaders to mainta=
in the course, unearth secrets, resist sabotage, withstand fury, and overco=
me timidity or doubts. His insights, illustrations, and provocations will c=
arry leaders through rough times, provide clarity during confusing times, a=
nd uplift them in joyous times.=20
Learn more and order the book =C2=BB=20
=09
Follow us on social media:=20
=09=09=09
=09
VISIT OUR WEBSITE=20
=09
=09=09
=09=09=09=09
=09=09=09=09=09=09=09=09=09=09=09
=09
=09=09=09
Copyright =C2=A9 2016. All Rights Reserved.=20
=09
=09=09
Alban at Duke Divinity School , 1121 W. Chapel Hill Street , Suite 101 , Du=
rham , NC 27701=20
SafeUnsubscribe=E2=84=A2 pastor-anne@comcast.net=20
Forward This Email to a Friend | Update Profile | About our service provide=
r=20
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<html><body><div style=3D"font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 14pt; co=
lor: #000000"><br><div>Given our conversation on Thursday -- thanks Manda--=
I thought this article might be of interest.</div><div><br></div><div>Anne=
</div><hr id=3D"zwchr"><div style=3D"color:#000;font-weight:normal;font-sty=
le:normal;text-decoration:none;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-=
size:12pt;"><b>From: </b>"Alban Weekly" <alban@div.duke.edu><br><b>To=
: </b>pastor-anne@comcast.net<br><b>Sent: </b>Monday, February 27, 2017 8:2=
9:14 AM<br><b>Subject: </b>When is the Right Time to Close Our Doors? | Alb=
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</td><td class=3D"TitleBGColor Title" style=3D"background-color:#3C739F;pad=
ding:4px 12px 3px 12px;color:rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size:12pt;font-family:=
Calibri,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;" bgcolor=3D"#3C739F" valign=3D"top" row=
span=3D"1" colspan=3D"1" align=3D"center">
<div style=3D"text-align:center;" align=3D"center"><strong>PRACTICAL WISDOM=
FOR LEADING CONGREGATIONS</strong></div>
</td></tr></tbody></table></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</td>
<td style=3D"background-color:#C3C3C3;" valign=3D"top" rowspan=3D"1" colsp=
an=3D"1"><img height=3D"16" vspace=3D"0" border=3D"0" hspace=3D"0" width=3D=
"1" style=3D"display:block;" src=3D"http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/=
images/1101116784221/PT_MFANRD_OuterShadowTR1.png" src=3D"http://img.consta=
ntcontact.com/letters/images/1101116784221/PT_MFANRD_OuterShadowTR1.png"></=
td>
<td style=3D"background-color:#CCCCCC;" valign=3D"top" rowspan=3D"1" colsp=
an=3D"1"><img height=3D"16" vspace=3D"0" border=3D"0" hspace=3D"0" width=3D=
"1" style=3D"display:block;" src=3D"http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/=
images/1101116784221/PT_MFANRD_OuterShadowTR2.png" src=3D"http://img.consta=
ntcontact.com/letters/images/1101116784221/PT_MFANRD_OuterShadowTR2.png"></=
td>
<td style=3D"background-color:#D4D4D4;" valign=3D"top" rowspan=3D"1" colsp=
an=3D"1"><img height=3D"16" vspace=3D"0" border=3D"0" hspace=3D"0" width=3D=
"1" style=3D"display:block;" src=3D"http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/=
images/1101116784221/PT_MFANRD_OuterShadowTR3.png" src=3D"http://img.consta=
ntcontact.com/letters/images/1101116784221/PT_MFANRD_OuterShadowTR3.png"></=
td>
<td style=3D"background-color:#DADADA;" valign=3D"top" rowspan=3D"1" colsp=
an=3D"1"><img height=3D"16" vspace=3D"0" border=3D"0" hspace=3D"0" width=3D=
"1" style=3D"display:block;" src=3D"http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/=
images/1101116784221/PT_MFANRD_OuterShadowTR4.png" src=3D"http://img.consta=
ntcontact.com/letters/images/1101116784221/PT_MFANRD_OuterShadowTR4.png"></=
td>
<td style=3D"background-color:#E0E0E0;" valign=3D"top" rowspan=3D"1" colsp=
an=3D"1"><img height=3D"16" vspace=3D"0" border=3D"0" hspace=3D"0" width=3D=
"1" style=3D"display:block;" src=3D"http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/=
images/1101116784221/PT_MFANRD_OuterShadowTR5.png" src=3D"http://img.consta=
ntcontact.com/letters/images/1101116784221/PT_MFANRD_OuterShadowTR5.png"></=
td>
<td style=3D"background-color:#E5E5E5;" valign=3D"top" rowspan=3D"1" colsp=
an=3D"1"><img height=3D"16" vspace=3D"0" border=3D"0" hspace=3D"0" width=3D=
"1" style=3D"display:block;" src=3D"http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/=
images/1101116784221/PT_MFANRD_OuterShadowTR6.png" src=3D"http://img.consta=
ntcontact.com/letters/images/1101116784221/PT_MFANRD_OuterShadowTR6.png"></=
td>
<td style=3D"background-color:#E8E8E8;" valign=3D"top" rowspan=3D"1" colsp=
an=3D"1"><img height=3D"16" vspace=3D"0" border=3D"0" hspace=3D"0" width=3D=
"1" style=3D"display:block;" src=3D"http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/=
images/1101116784221/PT_MFANRD_OuterShadowTR7.png" src=3D"http://img.consta=
ntcontact.com/letters/images/1101116784221/PT_MFANRD_OuterShadowTR7.png"></=
td>
<td style=3D"background-color:#EBEBEB;" valign=3D"top" rowspan=3D"1" colsp=
an=3D"1"><img height=3D"16" vspace=3D"0" border=3D"0" hspace=3D"0" width=3D=
"1" style=3D"display:block;" src=3D"http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/=
images/1101116784221/PT_MFANRD_OuterShadowTR8.png" src=3D"http://img.consta=
ntcontact.com/letters/images/1101116784221/PT_MFANRD_OuterShadowTR8.png"></=
td>
<td style=3D"background-color:#EDEDED;" valign=3D"top" rowspan=3D"1" colsp=
an=3D"1"><img height=3D"16" vspace=3D"0" border=3D"0" hspace=3D"0" width=3D=
"1" style=3D"display:block;" src=3D"http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/=
images/1101116784221/PT_MFANRD_OuterShadowTR9.png" src=3D"http://img.consta=
ntcontact.com/letters/images/1101116784221/PT_MFANRD_OuterShadowTR9.png"></=
td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style=3D"background-color:#EDEDED;" valign=3D"bottom" rowspan=3D"1" co=
lspan=3D"1"><img height=3D"18" vspace=3D"0" border=3D"0" hspace=3D"0" width=
=3D"1" style=3D"display:block;" src=3D"http://img.constantcontact.com/lette=
rs/images/1101116784221/PT_MFANRD_OuterShadowBL1.png" src=3D"http://img.con=
stantcontact.com/letters/images/1101116784221/PT_MFANRD_OuterShadowBL1.png"=
></td>
<td style=3D"background-color:#EBEBEB;" valign=3D"bottom" rowspan=3D"1" co=
lspan=3D"1"><img height=3D"18" vspace=3D"0" border=3D"0" hspace=3D"0" width=
=3D"1" style=3D"display:block;" src=3D"http://img.constantcontact.com/lette=
rs/images/1101116784221/PT_MFANRD_OuterShadowBL2.png" src=3D"http://img.con=
stantcontact.com/letters/images/1101116784221/PT_MFANRD_OuterShadowBL2.png"=
></td>
<td style=3D"background-color:#E8E8E8;" valign=3D"bottom" rowspan=3D"1" co=
lspan=3D"1"><img height=3D"18" vspace=3D"0" border=3D"0" hspace=3D"0" width=
=3D"1" style=3D"display:block;" src=3D"http://img.constantcontact.com/lette=
rs/images/1101116784221/PT_MFANRD_OuterShadowBL3.png" src=3D"http://img.con=
stantcontact.com/letters/images/1101116784221/PT_MFANRD_OuterShadowBL3.png"=
></td>
<td style=3D"background-color:#E5E5E5;" valign=3D"bottom" rowspan=3D"1" co=
lspan=3D"1"><img height=3D"18" vspace=3D"0" border=3D"0" hspace=3D"0" width=
=3D"1" style=3D"display:block;" src=3D"http://img.constantcontact.com/lette=
rs/images/1101116784221/PT_MFANRD_OuterShadowBL4.png" src=3D"http://img.con=
stantcontact.com/letters/images/1101116784221/PT_MFANRD_OuterShadowBL4.png"=
></td>
<td style=3D"background-color:#E0E0E0;" valign=3D"bottom" rowspan=3D"1" co=
lspan=3D"1"><img height=3D"18" vspace=3D"0" border=3D"0" hspace=3D"0" width=
=3D"1" style=3D"display:block;" src=3D"http://img.constantcontact.com/lette=
rs/images/1101116784221/PT_MFANRD_OuterShadowBL5.png" src=3D"http://img.con=
stantcontact.com/letters/images/1101116784221/PT_MFANRD_OuterShadowBL5.png"=
></td>
<td style=3D"background-color:#DADADA;" valign=3D"bottom" rowspan=3D"1" co=
lspan=3D"1"><img height=3D"18" vspace=3D"0" border=3D"0" hspace=3D"0" width=
=3D"1" style=3D"display:block;" src=3D"http://img.constantcontact.com/lette=
rs/images/1101116784221/PT_MFANRD_OuterShadowBL6.png" src=3D"http://img.con=
stantcontact.com/letters/images/1101116784221/PT_MFANRD_OuterShadowBL6.png"=
></td>
<td style=3D"background-color:#D4D4D4;" valign=3D"bottom" rowspan=3D"1" co=
lspan=3D"1"><img height=3D"18" vspace=3D"0" border=3D"0" hspace=3D"0" width=
=3D"1" style=3D"display:block;" src=3D"http://img.constantcontact.com/lette=
rs/images/1101116784221/PT_MFANRD_OuterShadowBL7.png" src=3D"http://img.con=
stantcontact.com/letters/images/1101116784221/PT_MFANRD_OuterShadowBL7.png"=
></td>
<td style=3D"background-color:#CCCCCC;" valign=3D"bottom" rowspan=3D"1" co=
lspan=3D"1"><img height=3D"18" vspace=3D"0" border=3D"0" hspace=3D"0" width=
=3D"1" style=3D"display:block;" src=3D"http://img.constantcontact.com/lette=
rs/images/1101116784221/PT_MFANRD_OuterShadowBL8.png" src=3D"http://img.con=
stantcontact.com/letters/images/1101116784221/PT_MFANRD_OuterShadowBL8.png"=
></td>
<td style=3D"background-color:#C3C3C3;" valign=3D"bottom" rowspan=3D"1" co=
lspan=3D"1"><img height=3D"18" vspace=3D"0" border=3D"0" hspace=3D"0" width=
=3D"1" style=3D"display:block;" src=3D"http://img.constantcontact.com/lette=
rs/images/1101116784221/PT_MFANRD_OuterShadowBL9.png" src=3D"http://img.con=
stantcontact.com/letters/images/1101116784221/PT_MFANRD_OuterShadowBL9.png"=
></td>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" rowspan=3D"1" colspan=3D"1" align=3D"cen=
ter">
<table border=3D"0" width=3D"100%" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cla=
ss=3D"mceItemTable">
<tbody><tr>
<td class=3D"InnerBGColor Middle" style=3D"background-color:#ffffff;paddin=
g:0px 12px 0px 12px;" bgcolor=3D"#ffffff" valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" row=
span=3D"1" colspan=3D"1" align=3D"center">
<table border=3D"0" width=3D"100%" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cla=
ss=3D"mceItemTable">
<tbody><tr>
<td class=3D"Spacer" style=3D"padding-bottom:14px;line-height:1px;height:1=
px;" height=3D"1" valign=3D"top" rowspan=3D"1" colspan=3D"1" align=3D"cente=
r"><img height=3D"1" vspace=3D"0" border=3D"0" hspace=3D"0" width=3D"5" sty=
le=3D"display: block;" alt=3D"" src=3D"http://img.constantcontact.com/lette=
rs/images/sys/S.gif" src=3D"http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/s=
ys/S.gif"></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
=20
<table border=3D"0" width=3D"100%" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" id=
=3D"content_LETTER.BLOCK4" class=3D"mceItemTable"><tbody><tr><td class=3D"M=
ainText FullImage" style=3D"padding:0px 0px 0px 0px;color:#34424E;font-size=
:11pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;" valign=3D"top" rowsp=
an=3D"1" colspan=3D"1" align=3D"center">
<div><a class=3D"imgCaptionAnchor" shape=3D"rect" href=3D"http://r20.rs6.ne=
t/tn.jsp?f=3D001XhA9FPIna3ZLO7CmRnPN9-5fkqe5x3KxEh845D8xAHYAxo7odmbWv8FxXpw=
VMEIoVPvC7_8u11h-2gQU7lZrI3RbkRV-BKzCFc0x5V9lyuHeG2PFs_vYLBzUooflpmB5sPTcgx=
1nyhCS9zY4E_0MixkC0NBAqr7FhOx0uFvP1csNmJXewxKfyYMD9aTgqbdxur5MTeV7S36hVmrYx=
KOCyCAAH6EXGVS4&c=3DNqCRd0-nYaNqD8T6g-IT1sSNxwOR_KK0fUQaA9Rlp-bHJgzUB7V=
nIg=3D=3D&ch=3DMd0W65GZXUZVJ4aRkHyP9JevBJ9CgWxfxtTfMqPBIcgJbSFe7uLK4Q=
=3D=3D" target=3D"_blank"><img class=3D"cc-image-resize" style=3D"max-width=
:100%;display:block;height:auto;" height=3D"287" vspace=3D"0" border=3D"0" =
hspace=3D"0" width=3D"592" src=3D"http://files.constantcontact.com/4d061e47=
be/5a87fc34-6496-4c69-aa86-0e3a94038909.jpg" src=3D"http://files.constantco=
ntact.com/4d061e47be/5a87fc34-6496-4c69-aa86-0e3a94038909.jpg"></a></div>
</td></tr></tbody></table><table border=3D"0" width=3D"100%" cellspacing=3D=
"0" cellpadding=3D"0" class=3D"mceItemTable">
<tbody><tr>
<td class=3D"Spacer" style=3D"padding-bottom:14px;line-height:1px;height:1=
px;" height=3D"1" valign=3D"top" rowspan=3D"1" colspan=3D"1" align=3D"cente=
r"><img height=3D"1" vspace=3D"0" border=3D"0" hspace=3D"0" width=3D"5" sty=
le=3D"display: block;" alt=3D"" src=3D"http://img.constantcontact.com/lette=
rs/images/sys/S.gif" src=3D"http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/s=
ys/S.gif"></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table><a name=3D"LETTER.BLOCK6" class=3D"mceItemAnchor"></a><tab=
le border=3D"0" width=3D"100%" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" id=3D"co=
ntent_LETTER.BLOCK6" class=3D"mceItemTable"><tbody><tr><td class=3D"Heading=
" style=3D"padding:0px 20px 0px 20px;color:#d96d1a;font-size:28pt;font-fami=
ly:Calibri, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" valign=3D"top" rowspan=3D"1" col=
span=3D"1" align=3D"center"><a style=3D"color:rgb(217, 109, 26);font-weight=
:bold;text-decoration:none;" shape=3D"rect" href=3D"http://r20.rs6.net/tn.j=
sp?f=3D001XhA9FPIna3ZLO7CmRnPN9-5fkqe5x3KxEh845D8xAHYAxo7odmbWv8FxXpwVMEIoV=
PvC7_8u11h-2gQU7lZrI3RbkRV-BKzCFc0x5V9lyuHeG2PFs_vYLBzUooflpmB5sPTcgx1nyhCS=
9zY4E_0MixkC0NBAqr7FhOx0uFvP1csNmJXewxKfyYMD9aTgqbdxur5MTeV7S36hVmrYxKOCyCA=
AH6EXGVS4&c=3DNqCRd0-nYaNqD8T6g-IT1sSNxwOR_KK0fUQaA9Rlp-bHJgzUB7VnIg=3D=
=3D&ch=3DMd0W65GZXUZVJ4aRkHyP9JevBJ9CgWxfxtTfMqPBIcgJbSFe7uLK4Q=3D=3D" =
target=3D"_blank">When is the right time to close our doors?</a></td></tr><=
/tbody></table><a name=3D"LETTER.BLOCK55" class=3D"mceItemAnchor"></a><tabl=
e class=3D"mceItemTable" style=3D"background-color:rgb(60, 115, 159);" bord=
er=3D"0" width=3D"100%" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" id=3D"content_L=
ETTER.BLOCK55"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"color:#000000;" valign=3D"top" width=
=3D"20" rowspan=3D"1" colspan=3D"1" align=3D"center">
<div style=3D"text-align:left;" align=3D"left"><span> </span></div>
</td><td class=3D"TitleBGColor Title" style=3D"background-color:#3C739F;pad=
ding:4px 12px 3px 12px;color:#ffffff;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,Hel=
vetica,Arial,sans-serif;" bgcolor=3D"#3C739F" valign=3D"top" rowspan=3D"1" =
colspan=3D"1" align=3D"center">
<div style=3D"text-align:center;" align=3D"center"><b><a style=3D"color:rgb=
(255, 255, 255);font-weight:bold;text-decoration:none;" shape=3D"rect" href=
=3D"http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=3D001XhA9FPIna3ZLO7CmRnPN9-5fkqe5x3KxEh845D=
8xAHYAxo7odmbWv8FxXpwVMEIoVPvC7_8u11h-2gQU7lZrI3RbkRV-BKzCFc0x5V9lyuHeG2PFs=
_vYLBzUooflpmB5sPTcgx1nyhCS9zY4E_0MixkC0NBAqr7FhOx0uFvP1csNmJXewxKfyYMD9aTg=
qbdxur5MTeV7S36hVmrYxKOCyCAAH6EXGVS4&c=3DNqCRd0-nYaNqD8T6g-IT1sSNxwOR_K=
K0fUQaA9Rlp-bHJgzUB7VnIg=3D=3D&ch=3DMd0W65GZXUZVJ4aRkHyP9JevBJ9CgWxfxtT=
fMqPBIcgJbSFe7uLK4Q=3D=3D" target=3D"_blank">THINKING STRATEGICALLY ABOUT T=
HE ANSWER</a></b></div>
</td></tr></tbody></table><table border=3D"0" width=3D"100%" cellspacing=3D=
"0" cellpadding=3D"0" id=3D"content_LETTER.BLOCK8" class=3D"mceItemTable"><=
tbody><tr><td class=3D"MainText Content" style=3D"padding:8px 20px 9px 20px=
;color:#34424E;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,Arial,sans-seri=
f;" valign=3D"top" rowspan=3D"1" colspan=3D"1" align=3D"center">
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<div>We live in anxious times, and one of the things that makes small congr=
egations especially anxious is the fear that they might need to close. As m=
embers watch their Sunday morning worship attendance dwindle, someone usual=
ly starts "running the numbers," trying to determine how long they can cont=
inue before the money runs out and they're forced to close.</div>
<br><div>There's another way to look at the end of life as we know it, at l=
east for congregations. Rather than making decisions out of anxiety and a s=
ense of ever-diminishing options, what if we could operate instead out of a=
n ongoing awareness of God's blessings and an eager curiosity about how we =
can still multiply them, even as we close?</div><br><strong>Multiplying Ble=
ssings</strong></div>
<div><br><div>For example, I'm aware of a congregation that continued to wr=
ite checks to the pastor, knowing that he would not cash them, because they=
were not ready to admit there was no money in the bank. What if, instead o=
f continuing to spend up to and past the point where everything was gone, t=
he congregation had decided to stop when there was still enough money to pr=
ovide a severance package for every employee? Their last dollars would have=
been an unexpected blessing rather than a series of bad checks.</div><br><=
div>Another congregation was required to close when the judicatory realized=
that the board had not met because no one was left who could serve. What i=
f, instead of waiting until the congregation had turned to dry bones, the c=
ongregation had decided to stop when it still had enough energy to celebrat=
e its history and accomplishments? The last bit of energy could have been s=
pent on festivities rather than on guilt.</div></div>
<br><div><span>I'm working with a congregation whose building is in a sad b=
ut familiar state-water damage, peeling paint, worn carpet, falling ceiling=
s, crumbling sidewalks. Its members have hung on and done their best, but e=
ventually there weren't enough resources to keep everything repaired. What =
if, instead of letting the building crumble, the congregation had decided t=
o stop when it was still in good condition? They might have sold the buildi=
ng and converted their biggest asset into cash to endow their favorite miss=
ions.</span><br></div><br></div>
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</span></div>
<a style=3D"color:rgb(238, 136, 35);font-weight:bold;text-decoration:=
none;" shape=3D"rect" href=3D"http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=3D001XhA9FPIna3ZL=
O7CmRnPN9-5fkqe5x3KxEh845D8xAHYAxo7odmbWv8FxXpwVMEIoVPvC7_8u11h-2gQU7lZrI3R=
bkRV-BKzCFc0x5V9lyuHeG2PFs_vYLBzUooflpmB5sPTcgx1nyhCS9zY4E_0MixkC0NBAqr7FhO=
x0uFvP1csNmJXewxKfyYMD9aTgqbdxur5MTeV7S36hVmrYxKOCyCAAH6EXGVS4&c=3DNqCR=
d0-nYaNqD8T6g-IT1sSNxwOR_KK0fUQaA9Rlp-bHJgzUB7VnIg=3D=3D&ch=3DMd0W65GZX=
UZVJ4aRkHyP9JevBJ9CgWxfxtTfMqPBIcgJbSFe7uLK4Q=3D=3D" target=3D"_blank">Read=
more from Sarai Rice =C2=BB</a><br></div>
</td></tr></tbody></table><table border=3D"0" width=3D"100%" cellspacing=3D=
"0" cellpadding=3D"0" id=3D"content_LETTER.BLOCK30" class=3D"mceItemTable">=
<tbody><tr><td class=3D"MainText FullImage" style=3D"padding:0px 0px 0px 0p=
x;color:#34424E;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,Arial,sans-ser=
if;" valign=3D"top" rowspan=3D"1" colspan=3D"1" align=3D"center">
<div><a class=3D"imgCaptionAnchor" shape=3D"rect" href=3D"http://r20.rs6.ne=
t/tn.jsp?f=3D001XhA9FPIna3ZLO7CmRnPN9-5fkqe5x3KxEh845D8xAHYAxo7odmbWv_cELPK=
ZX1o5r13C6ILhD2edyFoLwxS-ml3wV1kHkbPmi8t2Pipz1226SQkNrqU4EoYBjaQ2hU3baVsfrZ=
O-nN8OC-cJqUXUowWdC5lHFvb16oNIEdW0Hwc=3D&c=3DNqCRd0-nYaNqD8T6g-IT1sSNxw=
OR_KK0fUQaA9Rlp-bHJgzUB7VnIg=3D=3D&ch=3DMd0W65GZXUZVJ4aRkHyP9JevBJ9CgWx=
fxtTfMqPBIcgJbSFe7uLK4Q=3D=3D" target=3D"_blank"><img style=3D"max-width:10=
0%;display:block;height:auto;" vspace=3D"0" border=3D"0" hspace=3D"0" width=
=3D"594" src=3D"http://files.constantcontact.com/4d061e47be/72012ed2-e922-4=
ef3-96cc-a1dd8d925d78.jpg" src=3D"http://files.constantcontact.com/4d061e47=
be/72012ed2-e922-4ef3-96cc-a1dd8d925d78.jpg"></a></div>
</td></tr></tbody></table><table border=3D"0" width=3D"100%" cellspacing=3D=
"0" cellpadding=3D"0" class=3D"mceItemTable">
<tbody><tr>
<td class=3D"Spacer" style=3D"padding-bottom:14px;line-height:1px;height:1=
px;" height=3D"1" valign=3D"top" rowspan=3D"1" colspan=3D"1" align=3D"cente=
r"><img height=3D"1" vspace=3D"0" border=3D"0" hspace=3D"0" width=3D"5" sty=
le=3D"display: block;" alt=3D"" src=3D"http://img.constantcontact.com/lette=
rs/images/sys/S.gif" src=3D"http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/s=
ys/S.gif"></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table><a name=3D"LETTER.BLOCK10" class=3D"mceItemAnchor"></a><ta=
ble border=3D"0" width=3D"100%" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" id=3D"c=
ontent_LETTER.BLOCK10" class=3D"mceItemTable"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"color=
:#000000;" valign=3D"top" width=3D"20" rowspan=3D"1" colspan=3D"1" align=3D=
"center">
<div style=3D"text-align:left;" align=3D"left"><br></div>
</td><td class=3D"TitleBGColor Title" style=3D"background-color:#3C739F;pad=
ding:4px 12px 3px 12px;color:#ffffff;font-size:18pt;font-family:Calibri, He=
lvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" bgcolor=3D"#3C739F" valign=3D"top" rowspan=3D"=
1" colspan=3D"1" align=3D"center">
<div style=3D"text-align:left;" align=3D"left"><strong>IDEAS THAT IMPACT: C=
LOSING STRATEGICALLY</strong><br></div>
</td></tr></tbody></table><table border=3D"0" width=3D"100%" cellspacing=3D=
"0" cellpadding=3D"0" class=3D"mceItemTable">
<tbody><tr>
<td class=3D"Spacer" style=3D"padding-bottom:14px;line-height:1px;height:1=
px;" height=3D"1" valign=3D"top" rowspan=3D"1" colspan=3D"1" align=3D"cente=
r"><img height=3D"1" vspace=3D"0" border=3D"0" hspace=3D"0" width=3D"5" sty=
le=3D"display: block;" alt=3D"" src=3D"http://img.constantcontact.com/lette=
rs/images/sys/S.gif" src=3D"http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/s=
ys/S.gif"></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table><a name=3D"LETTER.BLOCK15" class=3D"mceItemAnchor"></a><ta=
ble border=3D"0" width=3D"100%" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" id=3D"c=
ontent_LETTER.BLOCK15" class=3D"mceItemTable"><tbody><tr><td class=3D"Headi=
ng" style=3D"padding:0px 20px 0px 20px;color:#3c739f;font-size:22pt;font-fa=
mily:Calibri, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;text-align:left;" valign=3D"top"=
rowspan=3D"1" colspan=3D"1" align=3D"left"><a style=3D"color:rgb(60, 115, =
159);font-weight:bold;text-decoration:none;" shape=3D"rect" href=3D"http://=
r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=3D001XhA9FPIna3ZLO7CmRnPN9-5fkqe5x3KxEh845D8xAHYAxo7od=
mbWv8FxXpwVMEIoO_WRfEzGPZ3k6658trpasyuKI9Anm11-o1REh146FQ4K6HP4GHXcH8x-ihMT=
PEmoeQr40RAt30fz2VBVWKBiWvaeZYkD-XYxT8z5wYYYBu44f2Y8Extbw8Gk7q-_C4nbTZVPl03=
mhUzUyWEgry0pTHcQq5IbIxwKKuuJNuaGFmQ_WDlIE0dhDEio6s0WqamCAvw4SEckeu8UpE2Pmi=
qzMDa817h7LnPhqL8s7efzkj0fEHi0FXe6aKKpM1yBX0jHWjGpky9GQxkvlRLd-tY1zA=3D=3D&=
amp;c=3DNqCRd0-nYaNqD8T6g-IT1sSNxwOR_KK0fUQaA9Rlp-bHJgzUB7VnIg=3D=3D&ch=
=3DMd0W65GZXUZVJ4aRkHyP9JevBJ9CgWxfxtTfMqPBIcgJbSFe7uLK4Q=3D=3D" target=3D"=
_blank">A good death: A pastor reflects on her church's closure</a></td></t=
r></tbody></table><table style=3D"display:table;" border=3D"0" width=3D"100=
%" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" id=3D"content_LETTER.BLOCK16" class=
=3D"mceItemTable"><tbody><tr><td class=3D"MainText Content" style=3D"paddin=
g:8px 20px 9px 20px;color:#34424E;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvet=
ica,Arial,sans-serif;" valign=3D"top" rowspan=3D"1" colspan=3D"1" align=3D"=
center">
<div style=3D"text-align:left;" align=3D"left">
<div><span>
<div><span>
<div><span>
<div><span>
<div>
<div>
<div><span>Carr United Methodist Church's new pastor arrived fresh out of d=
ivinity school, filled with passion and impatience. But her real ministry, =
she soon discovered, would be to help the church give up its life for the s=
ake of the gospel.</span><br></div>
<div><span style=3D"font-size:11pt;"> </span></div>
</div>
</div>
</span></div>
</span></div>
</span></div>
</span></div>
<a style=3D"color:rgb(238, 136, 35);font-weight:bold;text-decoration:none;"=
shape=3D"rect" href=3D"http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=3D001XhA9FPIna3ZLO7CmRn=
PN9-5fkqe5x3KxEh845D8xAHYAxo7odmbWv8FxXpwVMEIoO_WRfEzGPZ3k6658trpasyuKI9Anm=
11-o1REh146FQ4K6HP4GHXcH8x-ihMTPEmoeQr40RAt30fz2VBVWKBiWvaeZYkD-XYxT8z5wYYY=
Bu44f2Y8Extbw8Gk7q-_C4nbTZVPl03mhUzUyWEgry0pTHcQq5IbIxwKKuuJNuaGFmQ_WDlIE0d=
hDEio6s0WqamCAvw4SEckeu8UpE2PmiqzMDa817h7LnPhqL8s7efzkj0fEHi0FXe6aKKpM1yBX0=
jHWjGpky9GQxkvlRLd-tY1zA=3D=3D&c=3DNqCRd0-nYaNqD8T6g-IT1sSNxwOR_KK0fUQa=
A9Rlp-bHJgzUB7VnIg=3D=3D&ch=3DMd0W65GZXUZVJ4aRkHyP9JevBJ9CgWxfxtTfMqPBI=
cgJbSFe7uLK4Q=3D=3D" target=3D"_blank">Read more from Cheryl Lawrence =C2=
=BB</a><br></div>
</td></tr></tbody></table><table border=3D"0" width=3D"100%" cellspacing=3D=
"0" cellpadding=3D"0" class=3D"mceItemTable">
<tbody><tr>
<td class=3D"Spacer" style=3D"padding-bottom:14px;line-height:1px;height:1=
px;" height=3D"1" valign=3D"top" rowspan=3D"1" colspan=3D"1" align=3D"cente=
r"><img height=3D"1" vspace=3D"0" border=3D"0" hspace=3D"0" width=3D"5" sty=
le=3D"display: block;" alt=3D"" src=3D"http://img.constantcontact.com/lette=
rs/images/sys/S.gif" src=3D"http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/s=
ys/S.gif"></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table><a name=3D"LETTER.BLOCK12" class=3D"mceItemAnchor"></a><ta=
ble style=3D"display:table;" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%" cellpadding=3D"0" =
cellspacing=3D"0" id=3D"content_LETTER.BLOCK12" class=3D"mceItemTable"><tbo=
dy><tr><td class=3D"Heading" style=3D"padding:0px 20px 0px 20px;color:#3c73=
9f;font-size:22pt;font-family:Calibri, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;text-al=
ign:left;" valign=3D"top" rowspan=3D"1" colspan=3D"1" align=3D"left"><a sty=
le=3D"color:rgb(60, 115, 159);font-weight:bold;text-decoration:none;" shape=
=3D"rect" href=3D"http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=3D001XhA9FPIna3ZLO7CmRnPN9-5f=
kqe5x3KxEh845D8xAHYAxo7odmbWv8FxXpwVMEIo2VddXSLewW-FGXSEY69_VTYzt6VCsOfNEtC=
r9rGtCBL801o_GK4GLNnTcCLXENw0UlS2QV2ZeRGB9hmCcb2lXVDSP0TBg2300Hdi5dUc75WiXp=
0diBALHrPuECIwSB3jib7UuLTBg_PcjjZh-xWkVg=3D=3D&c=3DNqCRd0-nYaNqD8T6g-IT=
1sSNxwOR_KK0fUQaA9Rlp-bHJgzUB7VnIg=3D=3D&ch=3DMd0W65GZXUZVJ4aRkHyP9JevB=
J9CgWxfxtTfMqPBIcgJbSFe7uLK4Q=3D=3D" target=3D"_blank">A resurrection story=
</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table style=3D"display:table;" border=3D"0" =
width=3D"100%" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" id=3D"content_LETTER.BLO=
CK13" class=3D"mceItemTable"><tbody><tr><td class=3D"MainText Content" styl=
e=3D"padding:8px 20px 9px 20px;color:#34424E;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cal=
ibri,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;" valign=3D"top" rowspan=3D"1" colspan=3D"1=
" align=3D"center">
<div style=3D"text-align:left;" align=3D"left"><span>
<div>
<div><span>
<div>
<div><span>
<div><span>Congregations that are contemplating closing are entering a cycl=
e best known to Christians in Lent, Holy Week, and Easter. Thus, they must =
face the possibility of their death head on -- with the accompanying dynami=
cs of fear, mistrust, denial, betrayal, guilt, posturing, and hope. </=
span><br></div>
</span></div>
</div>
<div><span style=3D"font-size:11pt;"><br></span></div>
</span></div>
</div>
</span></div>
<div style=3D"text-align:left;" align=3D"left">
<div><span>
<div> <a style=3D"color:rgb(238, 136, 35);font-weight:bold;text-decora=
tion:none;" shape=3D"rect" href=3D"http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=3D001XhA9FPI=
na3ZLO7CmRnPN9-5fkqe5x3KxEh845D8xAHYAxo7odmbWv8FxXpwVMEIo2VddXSLewW-FGXSEY6=
9_VTYzt6VCsOfNEtCr9rGtCBL801o_GK4GLNnTcCLXENw0UlS2QV2ZeRGB9hmCcb2lXVDSP0TBg=
2300Hdi5dUc75WiXp0diBALHrPuECIwSB3jib7UuLTBg_PcjjZh-xWkVg=3D=3D&c=3DNqC=
Rd0-nYaNqD8T6g-IT1sSNxwOR_KK0fUQaA9Rlp-bHJgzUB7VnIg=3D=3D&ch=3DMd0W65GZ=
XUZVJ4aRkHyP9JevBJ9CgWxfxtTfMqPBIcgJbSFe7uLK4Q=3D=3D" target=3D"_blank">Rea=
d more from Charles M. Olsen =C2=BB</a></div>
</span></div>
</div>
</td></tr></tbody></table><table border=3D"0" width=3D"100%" cellspacing=3D=
"0" cellpadding=3D"0" class=3D"mceItemTable">
<tbody><tr>
<td class=3D"Spacer" style=3D"padding-bottom:14px;line-height:1px;height:1=
px;" height=3D"1" valign=3D"top" rowspan=3D"1" colspan=3D"1" align=3D"cente=
r"><img height=3D"1" vspace=3D"0" border=3D"0" hspace=3D"0" width=3D"5" sty=
le=3D"display: block;" alt=3D"" src=3D"http://img.constantcontact.com/lette=
rs/images/sys/S.gif" src=3D"http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/s=
ys/S.gif"></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table><a name=3D"LETTER.BLOCK39" class=3D"mceItemAnchor"></a><ta=
ble border=3D"0" width=3D"100%" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" id=3D"c=
ontent_LETTER.BLOCK39" class=3D"mceItemTable"><tbody><tr><td class=3D"Headi=
ng" style=3D"padding:0px 20px 0px 20px;color:#3c739f;font-size:22pt;font-fa=
mily:Calibri, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;text-align:left;" valign=3D"top"=
rowspan=3D"1" colspan=3D"1" align=3D"left"><a style=3D"color:rgb(60, 115, =
159);font-weight:bold;text-decoration:none;" shape=3D"rect" href=3D"http://=
r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=3D001XhA9FPIna3ZLO7CmRnPN9-5fkqe5x3KxEh845D8xAHYAxo7od=
mbWv1wFo27L15mLS_q5XLGsfZoQQUew6r4vvxZDWuCwinXhRb9PpNRKpavV6ENsdS9scEqHR1Zu=
FTpLVTYe1osVvvBuZFSZ7fcb8IX4XZ4Nban8bWoUOGj5Bo_VjlABm_QqApjw0S7JekJnIUiDadO=
EFkYB9FNFI942U6BmvEvi10qBWoUJL_4jkiMuWeSlVgV8cvO4kdVVxTmF7OXIA9Ug9nkAppMTZo=
NmtlJMtk9_hm1BVG9JISO5RVlbW1SIINc6LFRaWByybBJo0na2F5AExOlUQS533khJ7oE_TAmcc=
gsuZbsrSMsD7cN6PdsjLdjKr-SPeIJWaMKgs2ZLXOwN9w8=3D&c=3DNqCRd0-nYaNqD8T6g=
-IT1sSNxwOR_KK0fUQaA9Rlp-bHJgzUB7VnIg=3D=3D&ch=3DMd0W65GZXUZVJ4aRkHyP9J=
evBJ9CgWxfxtTfMqPBIcgJbSFe7uLK4Q=3D=3D" target=3D"_blank">A Brooklyn church=
temporarily shuts down its hunger ministry in order to sustain it</a> =
;</td></tr></tbody></table><table style=3D"display:table;" border=3D"0" wid=
th=3D"100%" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" id=3D"content_LETTER.BLOCK4=
0" class=3D"mceItemTable"><tbody><tr><td class=3D"MainText Content" style=
=3D"padding:8px 20px 9px 20px;color:#34424E;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cali=
bri,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;" valign=3D"top" rowspan=3D"1" colspan=3D"1"=
align=3D"center">
<div style=3D"text-align:left;" align=3D"left">
<div><span>
<div><span>
<div><span>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div><span>Closing the food pantry and meal program for two months allowed =
staff and volunteers at Greenpoint Reformed Church to reorganize and profes=
sionalize its hunger ministry.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</span></div>
<div><span style=3D"font-size:11pt;"> </span></div>
</span></div>
</span></div>
<a style=3D"color:rgb(238, 136, 35);font-weight:bold;text-decoration:none;"=
shape=3D"rect" href=3D"http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=3D001XhA9FPIna3ZLO7CmRn=
PN9-5fkqe5x3KxEh845D8xAHYAxo7odmbWv1wFo27L15mLS_q5XLGsfZoQQUew6r4vvxZDWuCwi=
nXhRb9PpNRKpavV6ENsdS9scEqHR1ZuFTpLVTYe1osVvvBuZFSZ7fcb8IX4XZ4Nban8bWoUOGj5=
Bo_VjlABm_QqApjw0S7JekJnIUiDadOEFkYB9FNFI942U6BmvEvi10qBWoUJL_4jkiMuWeSlVgV=
8cvO4kdVVxTmF7OXIA9Ug9nkAppMTZoNmtlJMtk9_hm1BVG9JISO5RVlbW1SIINc6LFRaWByybB=
Jo0na2F5AExOlUQS533khJ7oE_TAmccgsuZbsrSMsD7cN6PdsjLdjKr-SPeIJWaMKgs2ZLXOwN9=
w8=3D&c=3DNqCRd0-nYaNqD8T6g-IT1sSNxwOR_KK0fUQaA9Rlp-bHJgzUB7VnIg=3D=3D&=
amp;ch=3DMd0W65GZXUZVJ4aRkHyP9JevBJ9CgWxfxtTfMqPBIcgJbSFe7uLK4Q=3D=3D" targ=
et=3D"_blank">Read more about Greenpoint Reformed Church =C2=BB</a><br></di=
v>
</td></tr></tbody></table>
=20
=20
=20
=20
=20
=20
=20
=20
=20
<table border=3D"0" width=3D"100%" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" id=
=3D"content_LETTER.BLOCK30" class=3D"mceItemTable"><tbody><tr><td class=3D"=
MainText FullImage" style=3D"padding:0px 0px 0px 0px;color:#34424E;font-siz=
e:11pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;" valign=3D"top" rows=
pan=3D"1" colspan=3D"1" align=3D"center">
<div><a class=3D"imgCaptionAnchor" shape=3D"rect" href=3D"http://r20.rs6.ne=
t/tn.jsp?f=3D001XhA9FPIna3ZLO7CmRnPN9-5fkqe5x3KxEh845D8xAHYAxo7odmbWv_cELPK=
ZX1o5r13C6ILhD2edyFoLwxS-ml3wV1kHkbPmi8t2Pipz1226SQkNrqU4EoYBjaQ2hU3baVsfrZ=
O-nN8OC-cJqUXUowWdC5lHFvb16oNIEdW0Hwc=3D&c=3DNqCRd0-nYaNqD8T6g-IT1sSNxw=
OR_KK0fUQaA9Rlp-bHJgzUB7VnIg=3D=3D&ch=3DMd0W65GZXUZVJ4aRkHyP9JevBJ9CgWx=
fxtTfMqPBIcgJbSFe7uLK4Q=3D=3D" target=3D"_blank"><img style=3D"max-width:10=
0%;display:block;height:auto;" vspace=3D"0" border=3D"0" hspace=3D"0" width=
=3D"594" src=3D"http://files.constantcontact.com/4d061e47be/72012ed2-e922-4=
ef3-96cc-a1dd8d925d78.jpg" src=3D"http://files.constantcontact.com/4d061e47=
be/72012ed2-e922-4ef3-96cc-a1dd8d925d78.jpg"></a></div>
</td></tr></tbody></table><table border=3D"0" width=3D"100%" cellspacing=3D=
"0" cellpadding=3D"0" class=3D"mceItemTable">
<tbody><tr>
<td class=3D"Spacer" style=3D"padding-bottom:14px;line-height:1px;height:1=
px;" height=3D"1" valign=3D"top" rowspan=3D"1" colspan=3D"1" align=3D"cente=
r"><img height=3D"1" vspace=3D"0" border=3D"0" hspace=3D"0" width=3D"5" sty=
le=3D"display: block;" alt=3D"" src=3D"http://img.constantcontact.com/lette=
rs/images/sys/S.gif" src=3D"http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/s=
ys/S.gif"></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table><a name=3D"LETTER.BLOCK28" class=3D"mceItemAnchor"></a><ta=
ble border=3D"0" width=3D"100%" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" id=3D"c=
ontent_LETTER.BLOCK28" class=3D"mceItemTable"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"color=
:#000000;" valign=3D"top" width=3D"20" rowspan=3D"1" colspan=3D"1" align=3D=
"center">
<div style=3D"text-align:left;" align=3D"left"><span> </span></div>
</td><td class=3D"TitleBGColor Title" style=3D"background-color:#3C739F;pad=
ding:4px 12px 3px 12px;color:#ffffff;font-size:18pt;font-family:Calibri, He=
lvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" bgcolor=3D"#3C739F" valign=3D"top" rowspan=3D"=
1" colspan=3D"1" align=3D"center">
<div style=3D"text-align:left;" align=3D"left"><b>FROM THE ALBAN LIBRARY</b=
></div>
</td></tr></tbody></table><table border=3D"0" width=3D"100%" cellspacing=3D=
"0" cellpadding=3D"0" id=3D"content_LETTER.BLOCK29" class=3D"mceItemTable">=
<tbody><tr><td class=3D"Content" style=3D"padding:8px 20px 9px 20px;color:#=
000000;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" v=
align=3D"top" rowspan=3D"1" colspan=3D"1" align=3D"left">
<div style=3D"color:#000000;"><a class=3D"imgCaptionAnchor" shape=3D"rect" =
href=3D"http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=3D001XhA9FPIna3ZLO7CmRnPN9-5fkqe5x3KxEh=
845D8xAHYAxo7odmbWv8FxXpwVMEIoK7IQd672_FGFbs11KSA11XeCzs8jQU7UQ_MyWXLxT2XBH=
fWim0OzpT2d2-cy9LNja9uxyImKlaDXSCDiD_CQuzIuYnlqd6wwkZewylktQfCGppDetaM0qjFC=
EQ0EvlpT5n3CWZZHi2lJX5IZZH6zkJ-yRAJM0VMDCTLxd4QcKYGcLuc8gMu5tLyLwJFlOrLue4v=
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aNqD8T6g-IT1sSNxwOR_KK0fUQaA9Rlp-bHJgzUB7VnIg=3D=3D&ch=3DMd0W65GZXUZVJ4=
aRkHyP9JevBJ9CgWxfxtTfMqPBIcgJbSFe7uLK4Q=3D=3D" target=3D"_blank"><img styl=
e=3D"max-width:100%;" height=3D"275" vspace=3D"5" border=3D"0" hspace=3D"10=
" width=3D"180" align=3D"right" src=3D"http://files.constantcontact.com/4d0=
61e47be/baffd8ce-65cf-486c-a940-b646bcf139cc.jpg" src=3D"http://files.const=
antcontact.com/4d061e47be/baffd8ce-65cf-486c-a940-b646bcf139cc.jpg"></a></d=
iv>
<div style=3D"color:#f29f4c;"><em style=3D"color:#f29f4c !important;font-we=
ight:bold;text-decoration:none !important;">
<div style=3D"font-size:14pt;"><a style=3D"color:rgb(242, 159, 76);font-wei=
ght:bold;text-decoration:none;font-style:italic;" shape=3D"rect" href=3D"ht=
tp://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=3D001XhA9FPIna3ZLO7CmRnPN9-5fkqe5x3KxEh845D8xAHYA=
xo7odmbWv8FxXpwVMEIoK7IQd672_FGFbs11KSA11XeCzs8jQU7UQ_MyWXLxT2XBHfWim0OzpT2=
d2-cy9LNja9uxyImKlaDXSCDiD_CQuzIuYnlqd6wwkZewylktQfCGppDetaM0qjFCEQ0EvlpT5n=
3CWZZHi2lJX5IZZH6zkJ-yRAJM0VMDCTLxd4QcKYGcLuc8gMu5tLyLwJFlOrLue4vBMZyeye033=
SLsDSbdQ6fxlV9sC5Mloo9Cjn6QmHcRGosNHs2y1A=3D=3D&c=3DNqCRd0-nYaNqD8T6g-I=
T1sSNxwOR_KK0fUQaA9Rlp-bHJgzUB7VnIg=3D=3D&ch=3DMd0W65GZXUZVJ4aRkHyP9Jev=
BJ9CgWxfxtTfMqPBIcgJbSFe7uLK4Q=3D=3D" target=3D"_blank">Congregational Lead=
ership in Anxious Times: Being Calm and Courageous No Matter What</a></div>
</em></div>
<em><a style=3D"color:rgb(242, 159, 76);font-weight:bold;text-decoration:no=
ne;font-style:italic;" shape=3D"rect" href=3D"http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=
=3D001XhA9FPIna3ZLO7CmRnPN9-5fkqe5x3KxEh845D8xAHYAxo7odmbWv8FxXpwVMEIoK7IQd=
672_FGFbs11KSA11XeCzs8jQU7UQ_MyWXLxT2XBHfWim0OzpT2d2-cy9LNja9uxyImKlaDXSCDi=
D_CQuzIuYnlqd6wwkZewylktQfCGppDetaM0qjFCEQ0EvlpT5n3CWZZHi2lJX5IZZH6zkJ-yRAJ=
M0VMDCTLxd4QcKYGcLuc8gMu5tLyLwJFlOrLue4vBMZyeye033SLsDSbdQ6fxlV9sC5Mloo9Cjn=
6QmHcRGosNHs2y1A=3D=3D&c=3DNqCRd0-nYaNqD8T6g-IT1sSNxwOR_KK0fUQaA9Rlp-bH=
JgzUB7VnIg=3D=3D&ch=3DMd0W65GZXUZVJ4aRkHyP9JevBJ9CgWxfxtTfMqPBIcgJbSFe7=
uLK4Q=3D=3D" target=3D"_blank">by Peter Steinke</a></em>
<div style=3D"color:#f29f4c;"><span style=3D"font-size:11pt;"><strong> =
;</strong></span></div>
<div style=3D"color:#000000;"><span>Anxious times call for steady leadershi=
p. When tensions emerge in a congregation, its leaders cannot be as anxious=
as the people they serve. To remain effective, congregational leaders must=
control their own uneasiness. This takes self-awareness and confidence to =
manage relationships and influence behaviors. Knowing how to deal with anxi=
ety and how to work through complex challenges can lead a congregation to n=
ew insights, growth, and vitality. Anxious times hold not only the potentia=
l for loss but also for creation, important learnings, and changes that wil=
l strengthen the congregation. </span></div>
<div style=3D"color:#000000;"><span><br></span></div>
<div style=3D"color:#000000;"><span>With this book, internationally respect=
ed consultant Peter Steinke goes deeper into the requirements of effective =
congregational leadership. Born from the wisdom of Steinke's distinguished =
career, this new volume will both enlighten and embolden leaders. Steinke i=
nspires courage in leaders to maintain the course, unearth secrets, resist =
sabotage, withstand fury, and overcome timidity or doubts. His insights, il=
lustrations, and provocations will carry leaders through rough times, provi=
de clarity during confusing times, and uplift them in joyous times.</span><=
br></div>
<div style=3D"color:#000000;font-family:Calibri, Helvetica, Arial, sans-ser=
if;"><span style=3D"color:#000000;font-size:11pt;"> </span></div>
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