Event 9 was the last event of Phase Three - Visioning for Embodiment of the Partnership for Missional Church Alpha Cluster.  At this event the Partner Church shared their experience of the last three years of Discovering, Experimenting and Visioning. Eight of the original 9 congregations reported their stories of hard work, new discoveries about themselves as individuals and as a congregation and the joys and blessings they have received from working through the challenges that God had given them. All the congregations shared that they PMC process had challenged them, helped them grow and to gain a new insight and vision for their ministry. Most of the reports included that where they are now was not where they thought they would end up three years ago. They all shared they were definitely in a better place than they could have expected.

The Event 9 is the last event with the Church Innovations Consultants. Friday night was spent sharing stories of their learnings in creative ways. Calvary-Riverview shared a poem; New Spirit sang a song; Glenolden produced posters and many others told their stories of joy and hard work. Despite that the electricity had gone off on Saturday, the group finished their time together with a worship service led by Jeanne Radak and Bill Reinhold. Pat Keifert preached from Luke 10: 1 -12. The Alpha Cluster participants were commissioned with stoles to leave as disciples and to teach and lead others to discipleship. Each church received a clay jar and a light for to shine from the darkness ( 2 Corinthians 4). And as a reminder of that this is journey that continues each congregation received a handmade sailboat. Sailing is about the journey of going back and forth to reach the destination.

The Alpha Cluster is not done however. Phase Four Learning and Growing begins with Event 10 on June 5. More information will be available soon.