From: Muriel Luedeman
Event Reminder and Rally for Independence Report
Hello, IIAW Unity Center Friends,
December 24, Meal Prep for Beloveds, 8-10am, Unity Center, 803 W. 23rd Street.
Rally for Independence Notes:
Twenty-five+ people representing ten churches and a homeowners association attended Rally for Independence December 11th. We had three first timers representing churches new to the IIAW. Three of the four IIAW Leadership Team members were present, Brothers Dennis Cato, Billy Tharp, and Woody Howell. Brother Dennis Cato, the founder of IIAW presented the vision, platform, and goals. Then, we heard from attendees, and answered questions on IIAW's past progress and future plans and needs. The focus of this Rally was to impart the importance of every church's and individual's participation in the stabilization and forward progress of Independence, to recruit and mobilize more volunteers, individually and collectively, and provide needed materials to succeed. We are more effective together than we are alone.
Dennis Cato stated that now he has more time to devote to contacting area churches and is available to speak to all groups about IIAW's work. He asked the attendees to encourage their pastors and ministry leaders to invite IIAW leaders to speak to their group. This email is also sent to encourage you all to approach your church leaders about inviting Leadership Team members to share IIAW's vision and goals, and information on how to improve the city through neighborhood care strategies.
We heard testimonies of how the IIAW Clean Up days have helped. One young woman shared how God moved in her life to gradually draw and bring her into His presence and completely transform her through interaction with many people coming alongside with small kindnesses and encouraging words at the right time. Recent challenging days in the nation, state, and city produced great interest in taking action and getting personally involved.
A change in Missouri law beginning in January will affect the dynamics of helping the homeless Beloveds in Independence. Homelessness will be against the law. This will force the Beloveds to make a decision for themselves and seek assistance. It will also put pressure on city officials to process the permits necessary for churches to house and care for ones on the streets. The Unity Center has been stymied by inaction on getting permits approved to proceed with Ruth House and other housing offerings in the city.
At the end of the discussion, Cato was asked what is our next step. He said before we have another session, he challenged us to participate in the next 2nd Saturday Clean Up Day, January 14th. We slated the next Rally session for January 28th. A notice and reminder will be sent closer to the event. Future Rallies will be centered on setting specific goals, measuring, and celebrating our community objectives. We encourage all who receive these emails to share them with friends and neighbors, as well as their church family. We welcome churches to host a future Rally for Independence.
Muriel Luedeman
mur620@gmail.com
816 726 8425
The following is timely encouragement here at the end of another year and as we step individually and collectively into the heart and plans God has for us in the year/s ahead. Insights from Matt Tommey, founder of Thriving Christian Artists. It applies to the creative problem solving the IIAW and friends are engaged in. I pray it blesses all of you as much as it has me.
"Vision from God inspires and fuels our journey. That's by design. It's valuable, powerful, and gives us a track to run on.
"Without vision the people perish." Proverbs 29:18
But without connection to achievable goals and measurable progress, vision can become overwhelming, even depressing...a romanticized dream that seems achievable. (My emphasis)
"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life." Proverbs 13:12
As you take time to evaluate your journey through 2022 - artistic, business, spiritual, relationships, financial - let your grateful reflection be on how far you've come and the progress you've made this year, not simply whether you've achieved all you've dreamed of.
(Write down your vision and goals, review them regularly, and journal your efforts so you have a way to evaluate your progress. To avoid getting sidetracked and stymied, make a conscious effort to do something every day toward your goals, even if it is only offering a prayer for your goals. My addition)
The progress you've made is worth celebrating, even if you feel you've still got a long way to go.
And as you continue to grow, what you envision as success changes, evolves, and matures. The things you thought you wanted years ago simply become a signpost along the way to something more that God has planned.
You realize, "Oh, I thought this is where I was going, but WOW, there is so much more now!"
You realize that every step was needed, important, and vital to the journey, even the fumbles and failures.
Don't let your current perception of where you think you're supposed to be going discolor the real progress you're making in life every day. And don't let the pressure of unfulfilled dreams cause you to give up on God's promise for your life.
Celebrate the baby steps. Reflect on how far you've come, not on how far you think you still have to go. Remember what God has done in, for, and through you. Know that He's not done, and you shouldn't be either.
Every day you choose to take a step forward is a day to be celebrated, a day of success."
MATT TOMMEY, Thriving Christian Artists
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