The Heartland Shared Ministries is a cooperative agreement between 3 south central Nebraska churches, United Church of Christ, Clay Center, Church of the Plains, Edgar, and the Salem Lutheran ELCA Church of Superior.
Heartland Shared Ministries is growing. Clay Center UCC is serving. Edgar Church of the Plains is compassionate. And Salem ELCA is living into generosity and looking for leadership. All these churches are learning to love God and the neighbors in a broken world that needs the healing power of Jesus. The Holy Spirit is moving among the church to be blessings to this area of Nebraska and beyond.
This advent we celebrate hope, peace, joy and the love from the One who Cares about people. During this time of cleansing and preparation there come interruptions. "Then Mary said, 'Here am I, the servant of the LORD; let it be with me according to your word.' Then the angel departed fro her." Luke 1:38. I know interruptions are God's way of getting our attention. But you don't interrupt someone's explanation. You listen till the end. Yet, life has a way of interrupting our plans at the most difficult time: You plan plenty of time to get to the church meeting and then there's two construction sites for new bridges on highway 14. You go to the doctor for a checkup and receive disturbing diagnosis.
In my first years of youth ministry we worked with two different girls who became pregnant. Both were unplanned, unexpected and upset. Neither saw a future of raising children. This required a new plan for their life's trajectory.
After encountering Mary's story through their new reality, they made the same observation, "There's now way Mary could. Just be okay with this news
On February 26, nearly 50 members from the three churches of the Heartland
Shared Ministries, gathered at the three churches for conversation and good food.
The evening
started in Clay Center, Unitied Church of Christ for appetizers.
Then the event continued to Edgar, Church of the Plains for the main course of pulled pork sandwiches and salads.
The evening concluded at Salem Lutheran with deserts and sweets.
It was a very successful opportunity for the three churches members to better get to know each other and see their beautiful churches.
Additional Pictures of the Progressive Dinner.