This month we have been transitioning into summer activities, including Jim' s last performance with the First Coast Wind Ensemble.
Unfortunately the 2-month drought ended just as the outdoor concert at the beach was starting so it was a damp evening for the audience, but an outstanding performance for those who endured the elements.
INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL:
Kathie was involved in Proclaim!'s International Council spring session May 21-25 in Delray Beach, FL. For the first time in several years it was held in the US instead of Europe because of travel logistics. It was nice not to deal with jet lag this time for the first 3 days of meetings. Members of the council are Proclaim Co-directors, representatives from the boards in ministry countries, and individuals affirmed by the Proclaim! community, who address overall policy or issues that affect the entire community. An event we spent time planning at this session is the Tenth Anniversary of Proclaim! International which we will celebrate next year. This will include our community Gathering and a special event for Proclaim guests. Final dates and logistics for this are in process.
SUMMER CHANGES
We had plans for a midwest trip starting in June. But an unexpected complication put that trip in question a short time before we were to leave. Because of the complex schedule and all the people involved we felt it would not be wise to take a chance on having to rearrange or cancel the trip at the last minute, so we made the decision then to postpone it. We are rescheduling that trip to September.
We were so looking forward to seeing many supporters we haven't been with in some time, so this change is disappointing. But we are now seeking how God wants us to productively use this time to do other ministry, to challenge people to be part of our support team, and to prepare for the tour we will be on in Croatia and Bosnia the end of July and first of August.
We had the Gala, our main fundraising/PR event for the year, April 24 with a good crowd and excellent evening. We have had responses of appreciation and encouragement from many who were able to join us.
Our local expression of Sax 4th Avenue provided great music and atmosphere and demonstrated the impact a versatile group such as this can have in a ministry setting. John used experiences from the recent tour in North Africa to effectively communicate the strategies that we use in cross-cultural evangelism ministry and how they play out in practical ways.It was encouraging to connect with many new people as the network is expanding thanks to friends who are motivated to challenge others to be involved on some level. We are thankful too for many who sacrificed to give financially as Proclaim! along with other ministries, is being affected by the economy.A special treat was a visit from our friend Sheila Blackler who surprised us and came out from Portland for the Gala. Michael and Sheila were with us in Anno Domini in Belgium in the 80s and later served in Sweden and Ireland. Sunday after the Gala all the former AD members here (Bowers, Petersons & Jenkins) got together to eat (of course) and relive lots of wonderful times. Jim got out some of the old slides of A.D. families, tour life, stage -- we had some good laughs and shed a few tears of nostalgia and of missing Michael who has been with the Lord for almost 5 years.
John, Jeanne, JP, Kathie, Jim, Kim, Sheila, Diana, Jami
This month we have been transitioning into summer activities, including Jim' s last performance with the First Coast Wind Ensemble.
Unfortunately the 2-month drought ended just as the outdoor concert at the beach was starting so it was a damp evening for the audience, but an outstanding performance for those who endured the elements.
Kathie was involved in Proclaim!'s International Council spring session May 21-25 in Delray Beach, FL. For the first time in several years it was held in the US instead of Europe because of travel logistics. It was nice not to deal with jet lag this time for the first 3 days of meetings. Members of the council are Proclaim Co-directors, representatives from the boards in ministry countries, and individuals affirmed by the Proclaim! community, who address overall policy or issues that affect the entire community. An event we spent time planning at this session is the Tenth Anniversary of Proclaim! International which we will celebrate next year. This will include our community Gathering and a special event for Proclaim guests. Final dates and logistics for this are in process.
