In a world crammed with choices and overfilled schedules it is legitimate to ask the question, “Why should we bother with an Association picnic?” and the related question, “If there is one, why should I bother to go?”  Since I am the one who agreed to head up the event this year it’s appropriate to ask those questions of me.  The short answer is that it is all about our life in Jesus.  The longer answer comes in thinking about what that means. 
            Sometime after agreeing to head up the picnic I was on my way to an event at Monumental Baptist Church, an African American Church that is part of our Association.  Though I knew I was not the main speaker, I expected that according to their custom I would be seated on the platform at the front of the sanctuary and at some point in the service it was likely that I would be asked if I had any good word to share.  I had asked God to put an appropriate scripture on my heart.  The principle one that the Holy Spirit directed my attention to was Revelation 7:9 and He linked that scripture in my mind to the idea of the Assoc. picnic.  In that scripture there is a picture of a countless multitude in heavenly worship before the throne of God.  The Bible says it will be made up of individuals “…from every nation, tribe, people and language.”  No matter how we work out our eschatology, I think all of us would say that this is a glimpse of what God has in mind for the end of all things.  There will be a vast multitude of every kind of person God ever made and we will all be in unity with each other under His rule. I do not believe that God intends that the unity of the diversity of His Kingdom is only meant for the end of all time.  I shared with our brothers and sisters at Monumental that I have half a dream, and that is all I will have unless they will share with me the other half of the dream.  The whole dream is to exhibit now, the unity of God’s Kingdom, to be now, a glimpse of God’s heaven on earth.  God’s Spirit moved them to supply the other half of the dream.  We have been working together to plan this picnic event.  We have been given permission by the city of Elmira to use the park across the street from the church and have made arrangements to put up a large tent for the event.  We will worship together, eat together and play together before a watching world that longs for the wholeness that we know in Christ as the children of God.
            This is a part of life in Jesus that you cannot do alone.  You cannot be the people of God by yourself.  God has called us into community with each other.  When we come together in this way we demonstrate the reconciling power of the cross for the whole world to see. 
            Why should you come?  It’s a God thing.  God is inviting you to be a part of this demonstration of His reconciling love in Jesus.  Don’t we pray, “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven?”  If we mean it shouldn’t we live it? 
 
            Our theme for the picnic is:  “One Family in Christ”
 
I know some of you have already made commitments, bought tickets, and made reservations for other events-and you’re off the hook, but to the rest I say, I hope to see you there!
 
Making my choices to live for Jesus,
 
George