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A Good And Unusual Season

This Fall our congregation will engage several out-of-the-ordinary practices that will lift us out of our usual routine -- but which dovetail perfectly with our larger vision.

On Sunday 9/18, we'll conduct our 4th annual Day of Service -- offering worship through serving our community in lieu of our regular worship format. We'll serve at the Ride-4-Ronald, supporting Lake Nona's new Ronald McDonald House, and probably also at Lake Nona Middle School.

On Sunday 10/2, we'll travel to Washington Shores Presbyterian, not far from Camping World Stadium to celebrate World Communion Sunday. Washington Shores is the only predominantly African-American church in Central Florida Presbytery -- and leaders from our congregations hope to foster ongoing friendships through shared activities. During the last couple years, racial tensions have heightened nationally due to several high profile tragedies. Erika Rembert Smith, pastor at Washington Shores, the WSPC session, and Hope's leadership team agree that forming multi-racial friendships is an important step to model a better way in the world.

We hope to launch this new partnership with shared worship at 11 am, followed at 12:30 pm by dinner on the grounds. At a later date, members of WSPC will worship at Hope -- and we plan a shared study of issues concerning faith and race.

Though these plans mean we will not be seated together in the middle school cafeteria on these two occasions, we'll be worshiping together in ways that fulfill our call as a community of peace, justice and service.

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