News from Ryan and Noleen Thurman

Thank you for reading and for caring! Without your friendship, prayers, and financial support we would of not made it this far. We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and that you have a rich Advent and Christmas Season. In each section there are links you can click on to go deeper by
​reading more.
Love,
Ryan and Noleen and the kiddos

1) REPORT FROM ROME

Seven us from the A2J Fellowship were able to join the Antioch Network team and others for our fourth of six meetings surrounding the 500th anniversary of the Reformation that will take place October 31st 2017.  

Why are we spending so much time, energy, and resources around this?  Simply stated it is God's heart and goal that we will all be one in Christ (John 17:21).  I personally believe that as God’s people increasingly become reconciled and united in Christ and this grows in visibility and influence it will foster the healing of human divisions and mankind will know that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.
You can read more on this below:  https://ryanmthurman.wordpress.com/2015/05/19/why-is-christian-unity-so-important/
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• We were 70+ people--messianic Jews, Catholics, Protestants, clergy, laity, from various countries, and ages
• We acknowledged/grieved our personal roles, and roles of our forefathers, in the current divisions in Christ's body
• We honored church traditions different from our own. We all have erred. We asked God for forgiveness. We forgave each other. 
• At the catacombs we remembered the martyrs, and shared a feet-washing service in the chapel above the catacombs.
• We visited Titus Arch depicting items (e.g. the menorah) brought from the temple in Jerusalem to Rome after 70 AD. We sang together and proclaimed Jesus the King of the Jews.
• We planned our next meeting: June 14-18, 2016, in Wittenberg--500 days before October 31, 2017.

Click link to watch a short video from our time https://youtu.be/1Gpxn-pKXOk 

Danny has written three excellent short articles about these meetings that are very powerful.  
​You can read them here:  http://www.a2jphoenix.org/blog

To see more photos click here:  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.10153498123033153&type=1
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2) SIGNS OF HOPE

I found myself recently bent down with the burdens of the world, so much pain and despair all around.  Yesterday on the way to Church I found myself connecting with the words of Job, Oh God, I cling with feeble fingers to the ledge of your great grace. God in his mercy heard my cry and stooped down and lifted me up strengthening me through the truth of this Advent Season that Jesus came into the midst of darkness, and the darkness did not – and will not – overcome the light that he brings (John 1:5)

Then in God's kindness returning home from church as I was getting ready to pull into our driveway I saw Anthony (photo above with my son Micah).  You may remember that Anthony was a man struggling and in a season of homelessness when God brought us together, we gave him a home living with us for over year, graduating from culinary school and getting a job and doing really well. Then it all fell apart as the 'demons' of his past came back and darkness overcame and he left like many before him.  We pleaded with him to stay but he left and our hearts were broken.  We affirmed our love and our open arms to return at anytime.  When I saw him I was so happy.  I gave him a great big hug and he shared with me how God has restored him and shared all the ways he is thriving.  Thank you God.   Through this God reminded me that the story is not over and God will continue to surprise us with joy as we get glimpses into the beauty of HIS redemptive and healing work!  I resonate with the words of Dorthy Day who said, 

"if I did not have faith that the works of mercy do lighten the sum total of suffering in the world, so that those who are suffering…somehow mysteriously find their pain lifted and some balm of consolation poured on their wounds, if I did not believe these things, the problem of evil would indeed be overwhelming.  

Be encouraged my friends, no labor of love is ever in vain and each of us can change the world one person at a time!

3) A2J QUARTERLY GATHERING - Saturday December 5th

This time is open to all.  Come for the entire time or for just part.  Schedule below:

10:00-10:45 Morning Prayer and Worship
10:45-11:30 Sisters from Canaan share
11:30-11:45  Break
11:45-12:30 Maureen Alianza and Danny Malakowsky Share
12:30-1:00   Reflect on what God has been doing in our midst (Extended time for those who are able)
1:00-2:00pm Solitude on your own or small group fellowship and then join the Sisters for their monthly open time of Fellowship that begins at 2:00pm

4) YEAR-END FINANCIAL GIFTS

As you might know the work we do with Antioch Network and Apprenticeship to Jesus is enabled by the gifts of God's people.  We have a prayer team and a financial team that support us monthly.  Our committed monthly support is almost $2000.  The other half we raise comes from one-time gifts and most of those are year-end gifts.  Would you consider joining our prayer team and/or monthly financial team.  Or would you prayerfully consider a year end gift.  All gifts are tax deductible and checks can be made out to Antioch Network and mailed to the address below or you can donate online on our website by clicking below: http://antioch-network.org/donate/team-members/  

Antioch Network
​1101 W. 34th Street; Box 315
Austin, TX  78705-1907
 
phone/fax: +1-480-844-2726