ONE Church: Adoption of UMC Social Principles...

ONE Church, St. Luke Chapel, Olney, Philadelphia, PA 19120 
Be it RESOLVED; On April 11, 2018, The Church has "Adopted" for Inclusion* in its By Laws and Constitution, a significant portion of "The Social Principles of The United Methodist Church" as follows:  ---
"We recognize, embrace, and affirm all persons, regardless of country of origin, as members of the family of God. We affirm the right of all persons to equal opportunities for employment, access to housing, health care, education, and freedom from social discrimination. We urge the Church and society to recognize the gifts, contributions, and struggles of those who are immigrants and to advocate for justice for all. We oppose immigration policies that separate family members from each other or that include detention of families with children, and we call on local churches to be in ministry with immigrant families." - Untied Methodist Social Principles"
...*On Pentecost Sunday, May 20, 2018 the Birth of The Holy Catholic (Universal) and Apostolic Church
Publicly Affirmed  Memorial Day, 2018 May 28 [Third Reading; Ratification]. 

As an Affiliate of The Christian Church, Disciples of Christ each Church Body is Independent and Autonomous to that end, we ascribe to the Identity, and Design of the DOC Church but embrace Statements and Principles and Practices that embrace our entire humanity.

Therefore, Be It So RESOLVED; Confirmed, Affirmed and Adopted: The Constitution and By Laws of ONE Church, St. Luke Chapel, Olney, Philadelphia shall reflect the changes at the next reading in September of 2108.

Brother Michael, OSL      (Rev. Dr. D. Michael Blackie, D.D., Litt.D., OSL) 
Chaplain, Convenor           Founding Church Planter August 2017) 

    Christian Community Development Courses

Facilitated By Brother Michael, OSL  The Order of St. Luke

Study! Be Ready! Prepared! 2 Timothy 2:15

Syllabus/Syllabi: Rev. Kenneth W. Collins, B.A., M.Div, (DOC) Tools For Ministry OT Studies  New Testament Study - Dr. Goodacre Smith's Bible Dictionary Strong's Concordance KJV/NASB Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words
"What Is Theology?"  Theology 101 - Hillsdale College Denver Seminary M. Div. (Online)

Supplementary Materials & Resources

Social Principles and Creed 2017 - 2020 (UMC)        2020 Vision for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Stewardship Resources     Christian Community Development Association Membership

Christian Community Development Praxis Building Community- Incarnation, Intentionality

• A History of the Disciples; A Quest For Unity.... 

Appropriately Honoring Our Veterans

On This #MemorialDay Weekend, I'm not sure anymore how we, as the United States of America, Americans, feel about our current members of the Military, or our Heroes, living and gone; veterans, who gave some, or all for our "Rights" and Fredom. To that end, #ONEFeltonville CCDC reiterates & restates our "Firm Commitment to ALL Veterans Who Served Our Country, Living and Passed, able and Disabled." We will continue to advocate for the #FeltonvilleWarMemorial (Feltonville War Memorial Rising Sun and Wyoming Avenues) & The depolorable condition of the "Veteran's Memorial Garden" at Greenmount Cemetery Memorials in #HuntingPark to be and become fitting, Honorable memorials to our Heroes who served and are still serving.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This article/item originally appeared in a different format on Facebook by the author, Brother Michael, OSL St. Luke Chapel, ONEChurch (DOC) Olney, Philadelphia PA 19120
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DMBCommunications, aka/dba ARGO-Liberty Communications ~ Philadelphia, LLC, ONE Feltonville CCDC, ONE Church, St. Luke Chapel-Olney Reserve the right to Edit, Decline or Delete posts that do not meet our Editorial Policies and/or Disclaimer. Unless otherwise credited or assigend all materials are and become property of TTPx2.blogspot.com/DMBCommunications, et al; - Brother Michael, OSL St Luke Chapel, Olney, Philadelphia, PA 19120 267.650.4720 ONE.Feltonville@Gmail.com [Administration Contact Only.
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https://sustainablefeltonville.weebly.com/contact.html #FeltonvilleGreen

PHOTO: Feltonville war Memorial, Rising Sun and Wyoming Avenues at North Mascher Street, Feltonville, Philadelphia, PA 19120

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ONE Feltonville CCDC RCO- Catch The Vision!

A Greener, Cleaner, Safer More Livable Feltonville

Olney Initiative: Olney Neighbors Empowered

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Bro. D. Michael Blackie, OSL @GoWestYoungMan1
Facilitator Member: CCDA
#SustainableFeltonville
267.650.4720

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A City of Philadelphia Planning Commission RCO (Registered Community Organization) Serving Our Neighbors Everywhere!

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"Building on the skills of local residents, the power of local associations, and the supportive functions of local institutions, asset-based community development draws upon existing community strengths to build stronger, more sustainable communities for the future." http://www.abcdinstitute.org

MEMBERSHIPS: planning.org mainstreet.org plan4health.us 

ONE For... ALL! ?

I Remember as a kid, "The Three Musketeers" TV Show, and Cartoon version. I mostly recall their 'motto' or their 'bond' their raison d'être; "All for One, and One For All!" Ah, yes, UNITY! ONE reason, one purpose. One mission... to press forward, to succeed.

So much talk today about "Unity". Yet, so much division and divisiveness, and plurality of mind. From The White House, to the Church house. WE are a divided nation. President Abraham Lincoln, our 16th President, and a Republican said: "A house divided against itself cannot stand." speaking of the divide that caused The Civil War.

Today, We, as a Nation and a People and the Church, are divided. We are divided over politics, over race and complexion, sex, and sexuality, religion, and choice of religion and banning people from our country because they are of a particular religion, practiced in a country we see as "terrorists". Therefore, we have made that religion, more of a 'nationality' than a religion to suit our purposes of segregation, in the name of National Security.

"The Church", In particular, "The United Methodist Church" (only 50 years old; the result of a 1968 merger between the Methodist (Episcopal) Church [founded by John Wesley] and the United Brethren Church) is widely divided over the LGBTQIA issues in society today. It's not their first divide. They were divided North and South over the slavery issue, and there existed a Methodist Church, South. Of late, even divided, and dysfunctional as the "United" Methodist Church is, they are spending millions of dollars (No worries, they have plenty) on a campaign called "See All The People" to re-fill empty pews and keep those coffers filled. Another attempt at luring those who left - back to the church is Rethink Church  . The former, I believe is exploitative of People of Color, and the latter of children; especially children of color.

In 1978 I began to attend a United Methodist Church, Summerfield in Kensington, now Summerfield-Siloam UMC because of a 1980's merger with the shuttered Siloam UMC further in the Fishtown neighborhood, all known as "New Kensington" today. A highly gentrified, high priced community. Not the neighborhood-or churches of my youth. Color wasn't an issue. There simply were none to speak of. Later when the entirety of Greater Kensington and Harrowgate began to change, The "United" Methodists were united, in 'white flight' from the neighborhood. A church at Front Street and Allegheny Avenue was 'converted' to a Spanish Speaking UMC known as El Mesias; the former Mt. Pisgah Church at Kip and Cambria Streets (near B Street) became a Spanish Ministry, leasing the building from the UMC, known to this day as Iglesia Del Barrio. many other UMC's suffered from their own mass exodus from anyone of a different color, complexion or lifestyle from their own. (Including "The Oldest Church in Olney"  which was shuttered, reopened, transplanted and shut and opened again. It's 'new life' now is nearly dependent upon some of the families who fled, venturing back, out of guilt and/or conviction. But, those who left and took their 'endowments' with them did the most damage)!

So, for me, now the too-little too late efforts of both The United Methodist Church and Eastern PA Conference of The United Methodist Church leave me lacking; wanting. Thirsting after water, and something to refresh dry, dead bones. It's not them. As long as the 'church' preaches "Open Doors. Open Minds." but, has closed doors-except to 'insiders' and closed minds-especially to 'outsiders'... my bottom will not be warming any seats in their sanctuaries--my heart won't be feeling strangely warmed, to paraphrase Wesley, anytime soon by any purportedly United Methodist Church--so clearly divided, and double minded. I tried. It didn't work. I prayed. I sought guidance. Discernment led me out the doors.

ALL means ALL. In the words of an old Christian Camp and Youth Group song; "They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love". Not our hatred and division disguised as dogma. It is not our job to convert people and get 'em in the church. Contrary to what you believe or think. That is the sole proprietorship of The Holy Spirit: to both convict and change the 'sinner'. If we're saving 'em... they're gone to Hell...and, so might we.

As Joshua gave good counsel to the Israelites "choose this day whom you will serve, ... As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." [Paraphrased, Joshua 24: 2, 15]. As for Gospel House Ministries, ONE Church, St. Luke Chapel; WE will serve the Lord, and Welcome strangers, and love and serve all who come by our way, on the way. We can do no less, we can strive to do so much more, and we will. 

I'm a believer in and an advocate of the "Creeds" (Apostles', Nicene, Athanasian, etc) to teach. Part of the Nicene Creed says: And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life... So, as The Lord, The Giver of Life has given us all life, I'm not one to dictate how one should lives one's life. Again, I leave that to The Holy Spirit spoken of in all the Creeds (Credo) of the Early Christian Church.

I want to leave you with some Recommended Reading on my Rant! First, and foremost, by the "Father of Christian Community Development", Dr. John M. Perkins, "ONE BLOOD"  Published By Moody Publishing, Second, Mending The Divides: Creative Love In A Conflicted World Published by Intervarsity Press, also the Publisher of Race And Place  which I have reviewed here  previously. 
For Your Edification, and Growth,
Ephesians 4:12-13 (NIV)

Your Faithful Community Servant-Leader

Brother Michael, OSL
1 Timothy 1:12

"May The Lord Watch Between Me and You, While We Are Absent, One From Another"
Amen. -  Mizpah!

"UNITY" & The History Of The Disciples Movement

ONE Church, St Luke Chapel: Equipped & Equipping Others....

"... some Pastors and Teachers..."

[See Note in Brackets Below]

Ephesians 4:11-13 (NKJV): (Related Text: 2 Timothy 2:2, 15, 3:16)

¹¹ And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, ¹² for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the ^[a]edifying of the body of Christ, ¹³ till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;

Footnotes:

1. Ephesians 4:12 building up

New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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[Some Pastors And Teachers, (Ferguson) Compiled]
A Review:  https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/erik-raymond/book-review-pastors-teachers/

Resource: http://mintools.com/

For Your Edification and Growth,

Brother Michael, OSL

ONE Church, St Luke Chapel
Green Chalice

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ONE Feltonville CCDC RCO- Catch The Vision!

A Greener, Cleaner, Safer More Livable Feltonville

Olney Initiative: Olney Neighbors Empowered

--
Bro. D. Michael Blackie, OSL @GoWestYoungMan1   <<<< Follow Me On @Twitter
Facilitator Member: CCDA
#SustainableFeltonville  & #GreenChalice
267.650.4720

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A City of Philadelphia Planning Commission RCO (Registered Community Organization) Serving Our Neighbors Everywhere!

--
"Building on the skills of local residents, the power of local associations, and the supportive functions of local institutions, asset-based community development draws upon existing community strengths to build stronger, more sustainable communities for the future." http://www.abcdinstitute.org

MEMBERSHIPS: planning.org mainstreet.org plan4health.us 

Reach Out: New and Updated Resources and Information...

Reach Out: New and Updated Resources and Information... 
Sustainability 2020: Sustainable 19120, and Beyond...

NEW Efforts by #ONEFeltonville in Community Engagement and Outreach in the Olney (19120) Community--since August 9th, 2017. #OlneyNeighborsEmpowered

(Rev. Dr.) Brother D. Michael Blackie, (D.D., Litt. D.), OSL The Order of St Luke Chaplain, and facilitator of ONE Feltonville CCDC (Christian Community Development Center) began several 'New' works in the Olney community in August 2017. Including a Neighbor's Organization (#OlneyNeighborsEmpowered) around the Aspira-PA Olney Charter High School (Front St. & Duncannon Ave.) and the Tacony Creek Park and Trail (Gateway at Rising Sun and Olney Avenues). 

Church Planting: Gospel House Ministries and Bookstore; ONE Church: St. Luke Chapel*
Initially involved with the Ministry of St. James United Methodist Church Saturday Youth Sports, and Worship (Lent Season 2018) - Michael soon discovered, or rediscovered that his beliefs and those of the Christian Church (DOC) were more in line with his current realities and experiences. Because of his Affirmation (and Vows) in The Religious Order of Saint Luke, The Evangelist (Originally a "Methodist Order, circa 1946) he was conflicted. 

After much Prayer and Contemplation, (and consternation) Michael felt led to take the Gospel House Chapel and Ministries in the direction of The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). At this juncture, especially the "Green" efforts; efforts and attempts to be good stewards of the planet - are salient to his current organizing and ministry goals.

The "Bookstore Ministry" is 'On Demand', purchase and retail resale (Most at 20% Discount) non profit to assist in funding all the ministries, Church Planting, and community organizing opportunities in 19120. Gospel House Ministries Bookstore features many titles about Christian Community Development many by authors closely aligned with The CCDA, Christian Community Development Association. Dr. John M. Perkins, Father of the CCDA Movement, CCDA Executive Director, Noel Castellanos, and more. Publishers like Moody, Navpress, ALL Divisions of Intervarsity Press, New Growth Press, Chalice Press The Publishing Board of The Christian Church and many titles on Race, Social justice and Ministries. As well as "Special Order" Items and Gifts from "Main Line Denominations" publishers like Westminster-John Knox and Abingdon.

Meanwhile, Michael remains committed to the vows he took as a Brother in the Order and building and developing new relationships, renewing and restoring (reconciling) old, or broken relationships. This, he says is also within keeping with The Social Principles of the United Methodist Church (2017-2020) [And the "Social Creed"].

Meanwhile, The Gospel House Ministries and Bookstore and ONE Church, St. Luke Chapel are seeking Monthly Support, or One-time "Gifts" to "Sustain" the works in BOTH Communities of Feltonville, and Olney.

• MENtor/Mentoring Opportunities Children/Youth (Teens), Youth/College age, MEN
• Counseling (Youth Late Middle School  through College)
• Educational Enrichments, Learning, Field Trips, Community Service/Service Learning
  - #ONE Youth #ONEYouthAmbassadors 
• Bible Study, Prayer, Worship, Workshops: Creative Writing, Spiritual Journaling, Christian Community Development Praxis, and Applications, Sacred Resistance, Spiritual Guidance 
• Bookstore Ministry 

Contact Brother Michael at 267.650.4720 Email or Facebook & Twitter: @GoWestYoungMan1
Use any of the # (hashtags) #ONEFeltonville #OlneyNeighborsEmpowered #ONEYouth #ONEYouthAmbassadors #SustainableFeltonville #Sustainable19120


Also Visit: Oxford Circle Christian Community Development Association a Program of The Oxford Circle Mennonite Church of Philadelphia The "Pattern" and Model for the original work of ONE Feltonville CCDC. 

• Who Is Ken Collins?: Rev. Kenneth W. Collins, B.A., M. Div.  A Very Helpful Site for a lot of your "Religious" questions. 
• We also like Circle of Hope & Circle Thrift a great Inner City/Urban Ministry opportunity! 

* The Gospel House Ministries St Luke Chapel is in Honor and Loving Memory of the late Rev. Melvin F. "Pete" Bell, OSL, former Pastor of Simpson Memorial United Methodist Church, Kensington, Philadelphia. (The church building now houses Prevention Point Philadelphia). Pete was also part of KAM-The Kensington Area Ministry, of the UMC. Pete and I ran the Simpson After School Program of Bennett and Simpson Enrichment Services (BASES) at his church circa 1999-2000.