February 7th, 2025
by Matt Miofsky
by Matt Miofsky
As a new church 19 years ago, The Gathering has always had a heart for reaching people who are curious about faith but did not go to church. Some people have written the church off as boring or irrelevant. Others have been burned by a church that didn’t welcome them or people they love. Many people just don’t think the church would be a place they could find meaning. Regardless, The Gathering is a church that wants to welcome people as they are and invite them to grow in light of what Jesus has to say.
Over nearly two decades, this has given rise to three sites of The Gathering, along with a thriving online ministry. We believe the time is right to consider starting another new site. Why now? We think there are three compelling reasons:
For these reasons, The Gathering board and staff have decided to formally begin exploring new sites in two different locations – the Metro East and in West County. I want to be clear. For now, we are exploring these possibilities, but not yet committing to them. We need time to determine, along with you, if a site is ready to be pursued. We will be talking to you to see if there is interest in new sites in these areas. We will pursue funding and grant opportunities. We will learn more about the specific communities and where a new site might best be located. Finally, we want to consider who might be the right leader of a new site.
By late spring, we want to determine if and where a new site might be effective and feasible. The next few months, there will be opportunities for you to learn more about these potential sites and express your interest. For now, if you live in west county or the metro east, and are interested in learning more about helping to start a site there, please let us know here.
Friends, thank you for being part of The Gathering. It is an honor to be your pastor, and I will see you Sunday.
Peace,
Matt
P.S. Tomorrow, we are beginning perhaps the most important series we will do all year - The Beloved Community: Pursuing Racial Justice. While we have planned this service for months, it is even more relevant against the backdrop of what is happening nationally in our politics. The church is called to overcome the sinful divisions of the world and reflect the kingdom of God which scripture says includes all people, of all tribes and tongues. Please plan to join me this weekend as I kick off the series with a message about the sin of racism and what we can do to confront it in our lives, our community, and our church. Invite someone else you know that might want to be a part of this conversation.
Over nearly two decades, this has given rise to three sites of The Gathering, along with a thriving online ministry. We believe the time is right to consider starting another new site. Why now? We think there are three compelling reasons:
- Inviting new people is at the heart of who we are, and a new site gives us a chance to rally together as one church to welcome new people in a new area to The Gathering.
- After years of rebuilding post-pandemic, The Gathering is growing significantly and in a strong position to send people out to start a new site.
- With the disaffiliation of United Methodist Churches in our metro area, there is a need for new churches that believe deeply in Jesus and welcome all people.
For these reasons, The Gathering board and staff have decided to formally begin exploring new sites in two different locations – the Metro East and in West County. I want to be clear. For now, we are exploring these possibilities, but not yet committing to them. We need time to determine, along with you, if a site is ready to be pursued. We will be talking to you to see if there is interest in new sites in these areas. We will pursue funding and grant opportunities. We will learn more about the specific communities and where a new site might best be located. Finally, we want to consider who might be the right leader of a new site.
By late spring, we want to determine if and where a new site might be effective and feasible. The next few months, there will be opportunities for you to learn more about these potential sites and express your interest. For now, if you live in west county or the metro east, and are interested in learning more about helping to start a site there, please let us know here.
Friends, thank you for being part of The Gathering. It is an honor to be your pastor, and I will see you Sunday.
Peace,
Matt
P.S. Tomorrow, we are beginning perhaps the most important series we will do all year - The Beloved Community: Pursuing Racial Justice. While we have planned this service for months, it is even more relevant against the backdrop of what is happening nationally in our politics. The church is called to overcome the sinful divisions of the world and reflect the kingdom of God which scripture says includes all people, of all tribes and tongues. Please plan to join me this weekend as I kick off the series with a message about the sin of racism and what we can do to confront it in our lives, our community, and our church. Invite someone else you know that might want to be a part of this conversation.
Posted in M-Note
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Archive
2025
January
Happy New Year // M-Note 1.4.2025Cancel the Noise // M-Note 1.11.25Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 1The Beloved Community // M-Note 01.18.2025Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 2What A Coincidence // M-Note 1.25.25Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 3Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 4The Original Influencer // M-Note 2.1.25
February
The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 1Exploring New Sites…And You’re Invited // M-Note 2.8.25The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 2Uncovering Implicit Bias // M-Note 2.15.2025A "Flurry" of Activity // M-Note 2.22.25The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 3The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 4
March
Beloved Community Action Steps // M-Note 3.1.25Vulnerability & Wilderness | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 1Trusting the Spirit's Lead | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 2Courageous Connection | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 3What's Your Emotional IQ? // M-Note 3.8.25The Spaces Between Us | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 4Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 1Jesus Weeps With You | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 5When Sadness Lingers | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 6Lurking in the Shadows | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 7Cycles of Life and Death | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 8Inked in Memory | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 9The Void of Grief | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 10
2024
January
Clean Slate: Week 1 Discussion GuideStarting & Sustaining Change // M-Note 1.6.24Clean Slate: Week 2 Discussion GuideStarting Small, Dreaming Big // M-Note 1.13.24Clean Slate: Week 3 Discussion GuideTogether Towards Change...and Healthy Habits // M-Note 1.20.24Clean Slate: Week 4 Discussion GuideSlowing Down for God to Show Up // M-Note 1.27.24
February
More Isn't Always Better // M-Note 2.3.24Money Talks: Week 1 Discussion GuideAshes for Valentine's Day? // M-Note 2.10.24Money Talks: Week 2 Discussion GuideLenten Devotional 2024Money Talks: Week 3 Discussion GuideWhat's your legacy? // M-Note 2.17.24Strength in Numbers: Community in Ministry // M-Note 2.24.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week One
March
Entourage Discussion Guide - Week TwoUpdates from Clayton and Easter Invitation // M-Note 3.2.24Twenty Students Confirmed Last Sunday // M-Note 3.9.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 3How serving at Easter can really make a difference // M-Note 3.16.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 4Can You Know Joy Without Pain? // M-Note 3.23.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 5It's time for EasterSTL at The Factory // M-Note 3.28.24
April
Easter Discussion GuideScreen Time: Troubleshooting our Relationship with Technology // M-Note 4.6.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 1Springtime Reminders: Joy Comes with the Morning // M-Note 4.13.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 2Shaping the Future at the UMC General Conference // M-Note 4.20.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 3 General Conference Halftime Report// M-Note 4.27.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 4
May
Very Good News at the End of General Conference//M-Note 5.4.24Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 1Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 2Announcing The Gathering’s Church Planters Lab//M-Note 5.11.24My (Hypothetical) Commencement Address // M-Note 5.18.24Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 3Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 4
June
July
September
Worth Sharing Discussion Guide - Week 1Transitioning...to 47 // M-Note 9.7.24Worth Sharing Discussion Guide - Week 2Invitations Work in Mysterious Ways // M-Note 9.14.24Students Stepping Up: Getting Involved in Ministry // M-Note 9.21.24Worth Sharing Discussion Guide - Week 3A Stressful Season // M-Note 9.28.24Worth Sharing Discussion Guide - Week 4
October
It Doesn't Have to Be This Way // M-Note 10.5.24Hold These Truths Discussion Guide - Week 1Love Thy Political Neighbor // M-Note 10.11.2024Hold These Truths Discussion Guide - Week 2Fear is a Powerful Motivator // M-Note 10.19.24Hold These Truths Discussion Guide - Week 3Why Do Bad Things Happen? // M-Note 10.26.24Why? Discussion Guide - Week 1
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We covenant to pray that God will direct the steps of this endeavor!