On January 29^th, Mission Indy lost a dear servant who had worked long and hard to help make Mission Indy operate as smoothly as it does today. Kay Ress pioneered the lunch procedure used at all of the MI host churches to prepare, pack and present the lunches for the hundreds of participants who work with Mission Indy. Kay's tireless attention to detail helped to insure that through the chaos of sending teenagers out to work in the city, each one would have a good lunch and afternoon snack.

Long time Chapel Rock friend Cheryl Terry, who for years has served to lead the food service effort for MI at Chapel Rock said she does not know how she will be able to do the job without

Kay's help. Of course, we will all miss Kay and the great work she did. At her memorial service on February 1 at Chapel Rock CC, Dean Dickinson helped us all to remember all the people that Kay has touched with a life well lived.

Kay's work did not stop with her death though. It was her wish that people remember her by giving a gift to Mission Indy. Many people have honored her in that way with over $800.

That money will be used to help sustain the MI Summer Internship Program, particularly for those students who need special help.

Please join us in continuing to pray for her husband Steve, daughter Mindy, son Tom and all the grandkids and other family members. The psalm below was one of Kay's favorites. May it comfort and encourage you!

23^rd Psalm

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside quite waters. He restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

February 7-9 saw about 30 people who are working in urban ministry as part of the Christian Church, in all parts of the country, gather at Dallas Christian College. This was the first ever intentional gathering of the Christian Church urban workers, intended to provide a format for dialogue and networking for our urban churches and ministries. The plan was to share stories and ideas with one another and allow the Spirit to take us where it will. It is our hope that this get-together will provide a future platform on behalf of urban work within the fellowship of Restoration churches.

Mike Bowling and his wife Lisa from Englewood CC attended, as did Ron & Marsha Greiner from MI.

The "Conversation" was wildly successful on two fronts. First of all, it provided some much needed contact and fellowship among urban workers and all the while in a nice warm climate. Secondly, during small group breakouts, many stories and situations were shared and discussed, building support and information for platform we desire to take before the general population of restoration churches in the future.

We live in an increasingly urban world, and it is time all of our churches came to study and understand the issues that all will face, if they are not already doing so. The following are some of the questions & statements we began to deal with:

• How do we read the context we find ourselves in?
• How can a person be a 'white pastor' in a non-white congregation?
• How do we get in touch with our assumptions? Then, how do we keep from stumbling over them?
• How do we work across cultures?
• How do we create hope in us? In communities?

• How do we deal with transient neighborhoods?
• There is a need for community in the midst of diversity. Loneliness is real and there is a real lack of a sense of belonging.
• Geographic closeness does not mean there is a "mixing" of the diversity, nor that there is community.
• How do we build capacity?
• How do we deal with serious external forces that are destroying communities?

January 19^th was a cold winter day, but over 30 people came out to work with Mission Indy. Jaimie Pope - Summer Staff 07 brought her parents to work with Pastor Herb and her at Urban CC. Herb gives a tour.