Glynlea Grace United Methodist Chruch

On April 10, 2010 we had our final gathering for the Acts 29 covenant. For the last 50 days approximatley 30 people have been praying over portions of Acts in accordance with the book, "Acts 29: Fifty days to invite the Holy Spirit" This has been a wonderful and Holy Spirit empowered experience. The following are the minutes taken at this gathering.

Eight people present – Pastor David, Ron Elliott, Eugenia Long, Betty Hume, George Davis, Linda Frano, Virginia Wren, and Glenda Garraway.

After some discussion, Praying in Unity for boldness in the face of adversity seemed to be a main point.  Then Virginia Wren shared the prayer she had written in her Acts 29 book:

Lord, develop a desire in us for unity…a church in unity with the Holy Spirit.  Putting the Holy Spirit first, we choose unity.  May you guide our worship.  Bring us together for Your work.  God, make this a praying church, praying in Jesus’ name.  May we pray away negativity (in love) with

Open Hearts,

Open Minds,

Open Doors

We discussed the fact that when God is getting ready to do a good work, things will happen to discourage it.  Through our discussion, a point that came to one person was that we need to respond to negativity with love.  Ways to respond or things to think about:

1. My first reaction is that I disagree but I would like to hear what you have to say.
2. Sometimes it isn’t what you say but how you say it.
3. What’s in your heart reflects what you say.
4. Pray for the person that is being negative.
5. Change is the price of survival (Betty Hume had read that statement from Winston Churchill)?

- In the past we have done one day or once a year events (Pottsberg Creek Festival, Easter Egg Hunt, etc).  Now, we are starting to embark upon ongoing ministries that will last several months each year (Upward Soccer, summer free lunch program etc.)  WE MUST CHANGE.  Small businesses realize this.  Those who looked to the future and made changes are still going.  Those that continued to do business as usual, failed.

- We all felt we would like to do more with Woodlawn Presb. Church – not just get together for the Cantatas.

- Our congregation is more able to accept the demographic change now then it was 20 yrs. ago.

- TWO NEW ACTS 29 groups to start.  These small groups consisting of 5 to 10 people will meet one or two times a month to share with each other.  One during the day, organized by Virginia Wren.  Ron Elliott & Betty Hume will help.  One in the evening or weekend organized by Linda Frano.  This is for those that did not do the Acts 29 book, and those that have not kept up with the Acts 29 book and would like to start again.

- We need to pray in unity over the city, etc. and become more of a praying church.

- Beginning immediately, we will focus on TWO SPECIFIC PRAYER NEEDS EACH MONTH.  One for the community, and one for GGUMC.  These will be listed on our Electronic Message Board, our church website, in our Sunday Bulletin, and will be prayed over at all church meetings.  After much discussion, the focus through Aug. will be as follows: