Looking ahead

In the light of HomeStar's up and down attendance during the past several months, and Jan Cartledge's recent decision to resign as pastor, we publicized and held a dialogue Sept. 13 to talk about what HomeStar's future might look like.

Eight people attended, and with facilitating help from our friend Ray Beale, we talked about what has changed -- or not -- in our thoughts about HomeStar, what drew us to be part of it, and whether we still felt that appeal. There seemed to be a desire to see HomeStar continue as a nexus of fellowship and mission connection in some fashion, though not necessarily weekly.

Ray suggested that we think of the Old Testament concept of the tabernacle, a portable sanctuary that the Pentateuch says Israel carried with them from place to place. We decided that we would experiment for a while with monthly meetings that could be hosted in a home by one of the members, or held in other places.

Tony Cartledge agreed to act as volunteer facilitator/coordinator for a year. Where it will go we're not sure, but there seemed to be a real sense that a HomeStar funeral would be premature.

What's up next: we'll have a fellowship meal at Mark and Karen Burden's home on Sept. 27, where we'll eat hot dogs and hamburgers for dinner, then celebrate Jan's five-year ministry to us as pastor.

The following week, Oct. 4, the Cartledges will host us at their home. More details to come on that meeting.

In the meantime, we hope you'll stay in touch with each other through this, the HomeStar blog, or through our Facebook page.