Document text
--> --> Catch that baby By Alice G. Knotts Talent Out of a crisis comes opportunity, and Talent's new Rogue Rock Worship is rising like a phoenix. The Ashland Daily Tidings' announcement "Talent church facing closure" (the building, not the congregation) has two sides. The purpose of the story was to announce: "Dramatic new beginning in Talent." A miracle is unfolding before our eyes. We're seeing life being snatched from death. A few years ago a woman held her baby out the window of a fiery third floor apartment. A neighbor saw the fire, rushed over and stood below the window. "Let go of the baby!" he hollered to the woman. The mother had to let go, or the baby would die. The neighbor caught the baby and saved its life. Rogue Rock's new congregation is like the baby, dependent on friends and neighbors. That's why I turned to local people for help when time was running out. Rogue Rock Worship is a new community well with a lot to offer people of the Talent area, including a totally new congregation especially appealing to people who want deeper relationships, acceptance, and diversity. It will meet every Saturday at 6:30 p.m. beginning December 22. The purpose of the multi-sensory experiences of music, rhythm, dance, drama, and story are to initiate a process to help people experience life and God at greater depth. Help is coming in many forms. Sterling Ford is a local SOU college student from Talent who is giving heart and soul to play with the new Rock Praise band. "We need a bass player," he says, "and a lead guitar." Tasha Croucher, of Phoenix High School, also singing with the band, has a lead on an amplifier and microphones. We are also looking for a sound tech and singers. Kids are signing up to be in a Christmas puppet play and live nativity. News about Rogue Rock Worship is traveling from friend to friend. Everyday there's a surprising new offer from an unexpected source. Yogi Davis, age 12, who lives near Talent Skate Park, wants Rogue Rock Ministries to start a new Bikus Club. Bikus Club members count volunteer hours while they learn to repair and build bikes by repairing bicycles to give away to people who can't afford them. When they earn enough hours, kids get to build their own bike from parts - a mountain bike, stunt bike or racing cycle. Rogue Rock Ministries is stronger than ever, assisted by Susie Lee, of Talent, who is leading a small group study of "The Power of Now," a popular book by Eckhart Tolle. People are rearranging their lives to put into practice the power of living in the present, not letting their minds generate false realities based on the past or future. Rogue Rock Learning Center's English and Spanish language classes, fiestas, computer classes, dog training, and multicultural programs directed by volunteer Marianne Carroll, of Ashland, served 80 people this past year. The parent congregation needs to plan for success. The building moratorium is lifting and many retired people are moving to Talent. There's a need in the community for a place like Talent United Methodist Church that serves open minded seniors who like their small town and want to build relationships where they live. This is a time when people need to step forward. I want to thank the Ashland Daily Tidings for letting the community know that inaction might have negative consequences. However, the MOST IMPORTANT STORY is that people are helping "catch that baby." People are going to give Rogue Rock Worship a try. I know it. It's happening. Alice G. Knotts is pastor of Rogue Rock Ministries and Talent United Methodist Church. Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing