[The following is a guest post by Kelly Bailey McCray, originally written in September, 2008.  Kelly is the author of Journey to the Cross: An Easter Learning Experience CD, published through Concordia Publishing House.]

There once was a Kingdom of Islands.  There were many islands scattered throughout the wide sea and there were many people on the islands, but there was only one king.

The king lived on a particularly beautiful island, an island that was a delight to the people who lived there.  In the middle of the island there were tall mountains with trickling streams, groves of tall, cool trees, rushing waterfalls, and birds and creatures in abundance.  Below the mountains were broad rivers, tilled fields, and ancient orchards all bursting with the gifts of the land.  And beyond the fields were wide and peaceful bays, white sand beaches, and gentle ocean breezes.

Now, not everything on this main island was idyllic.  There were sometimes storms and shoals and struggles and work, but the people knew that the beauty and bounty of their island flowed from the presence of the king.  So they were content.

In fact, the people loved their king.  He was good and gracious and he lived and moved among them.  The king also loved his people and worked hard to ensure that the island was a place of plenty that nourished their hearts.  The people, in turn, praised the king for his great goodness, singing songs for him, writing poems and stories in his honor, holding parades and parties in his name, and acknowledging him with gifts of thanks whenever they saw him.  They even named themselves The People of the King.

Although the king was touched and honored by the love of his people, he was still greatly troubled.  For this was only one island in the Kingdom of Islands, and on many of the far flung islands in the ocean reaches, the people did not remember the king.  The king felt immense sorrow for the people of the far islands who struggled through life without the bounty and gifts his kingship could provide.  And so the king determined that he must reach the people of the far islands.

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KINDLE Strand: Stewardship of Faith
PRACTICE:  Serve Others

Present your life as a living sacrifice, responding in graciousness and hospitality, serving others as Jesus served.

Scripture: “Jesus told them, “In this world the kings and great men order their people around, and yet they are called ‘friends of the people.’  But among you, those who are the greatest should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant.” (Luke 22:25-26)

For Reflection:

1. Do my attitudes, actions and activities display a servant heart in ministry that is obvious and visible?
2. Are those I serve better able to serve those around them because of my care and support?
3. Is there some one especially in need of my servant ministry at this time in their life?

For further action:

• Interview someone whose servant minstry life style  you admire. Try to learn about their journey as a servant leader.

You may have noticed or heard of KINDLE while at the conference. If you’re interested in finding out more about KINDLE and how it can be useful in your congregation, stop by the Why KINDLE? page. If you’re here to apply for Classic KINDLE 2011, you’ll want the Apply page.

(Article Taken from March, 2009 issue of KINDLE Life, written by Scott Rauch.  Scott is the Director of Christian Education at Trinity Lutheran Church in Peoria, IL and is serving as Chaplain for the 2009 Learning Cycle.)

Worship for the KINDLE community is enlivening even as it is calming. It is that special opportunity for the Training Team and Associates to hear from God Himself directly through Word and Sacrament.  It is also THE opportunity for KINDLE’s gathered community of servant leaders to respond back to God with His very Word.

And because it is enlivening, yet calming, the KINDLE community pours itself wholly into the three daily devotional periods.  With every event, God brings us His joy and peace through Jesus Christ as we worship together in the beautiful chapel at the St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein, IL.

Worship, of course, is much more than a way to please God.  Worship, as the Scripture suggests, are those moments when God makes His presence known and those worshipping are able to spend intimate time paying attention to who He is, what He does and the blessings He gives.  KINDLE Associates typically have unique responsibilities on weekends in their home congregations.  As a result, one is often not able to focus fully on the presence of God.  Worship at a KINDLE Learning Event is freeing because it comes as a wonderful, non-responsibility time with as few distractions as possible.

One planning challenge is how to best serve a variety of worshippers, who love a variety of worship styles, with appropriate worship experiences.  KINDLE Learning Events give Associates an opportunity to truly benefit from the richness of a variety of styles, not making any judgments, but opening themselves up to how the beauty of each setting guides them into God’s presence.

The liturgies of Morning and Evening Prayer allow all to hear God speak, converse with each other and, in prayer, converse with God.  The “tradition” of Holden Evening Prayer on Tuesday night allows all gathered to sing His Words.  The Eucharist, as administered faithfully by pastors who have served us over the years, gives us the direct physical connection to our Savior through His Body and Blood in, with and under the bread and wine so that we might together know His love and forgiveness in our lives.  And the variety and power of the music impacts the spirits of all those who participate.  There is no “right” style used – just the best of music played and sung to the glory of God.

Finally, it is important to note that worship for KINDLE is all about stewardship – taking care of one’s faith as one worships.  Just as one takes care of his or her body and mind, one can also be in a position to be cared for in worship.  God does this work of giving Associates faith and growing it stronger, as well as helping them live their lives, and seizing opportunities to point others to Him.

KINDLE is looking forward to being present at the National DCE Conference in Dallas on April 16-18, 2009.

How will it be present?

1. The most impactful way is through you.  You continue to be the face and the story of what KINDLE is and does. Thank-you for speaking a good word about your experience as a KINDLE Associate.
2. Then there will be a splendid sectional entitled:  ”A Taste of KINDLE” led by Sue Steege.  She will be at her best, which is very, very good as you know.
3. On Friday night at the banquet, KINDLE will be presented its $246,000 Thrivent Financial for Lutherans grant. Karp and Sue will represent all of us.
4. Plus, there will be a KINDLE blurb in the conference program booklet.
5. Finally, there will be a KINDLE table in the exhibit area.  Drop by and greet Diane Schuessler, KINDLE’s operations coordinator. better yet, volunteer to work the table with her for an hour or so! Plus, pick up a KINDLE pen and post it notepad… there might even be a little snack for you.

May God’s angels keep you safe as you make your way to Dallas.  See you there!

KINDLE Strand: Stewardship of Faith
Practice 18: Pray Unceasingly

Pray continually alone and with others.

Scripture: “Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld His love from me!” -Psalm 66:19

Quote: “There is a mighty lot of difference between saying prayers and praying.” - John G. Lake

For Reflection:

1. Do my actions and activities say that I “know about God” or “know God”?
2. How might I increase my conversation with God today?

Resources:

• Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero
• Interview someone whose prayer life you admire. Ask them about their prayer practice and attitude.

KINDLE 2009 Has now completed the second learning event.

Some highlights included:

• The largest class, yet with four learning clusters (and 20 Associates)
• Back into parish life to begin the journey with Lay Associate Clusters.
• A real sense  of togetherness-the “Snow Mobile group”

KINDLE will not offer a 2010 learning cycle (beginning in the Fall of 2009) because of the National LCMS Youth Gathering to be hosted that same year.  This is part of an intentional plan for KINDLE to offer two learning cycles in a row, followed by a one year sabbatical to recharge and develop the program.

The dates for the retreats for 2009 can be found in the application packet by clicking “Apply Now” to the left.  To save you the time, however, here they are:

• September 29-October 2, 2008
• January 26-29, 2009
• August 17-20, 2009