Have you been thinking about how you, personally, or how your congregation or school can participate in the Here We Stand campaign? Here’s an idea that will benefit you, your congregation or school, and the Here We Stand campaign all at the same time. It’s called The Reformation 500 challenge. Yes, it does involve 500 miles like the Daytona or Indianapolis 500. The difference is The Reformation 500 is done by either walking, running, or riding a bike.
The goal is to form a team of as many or few as you would like (you can also participate as a congregation), and set a goal for your team to complete the 500-mile challenge between May 1 and September 30, 2017. You and your teammates simply add the miles each of you personally complete that week by walking, running, or biking to a master log, and watch your miles accrue toward the goal of reaching 500 miles during the 5-month period.
What’s the benefit of doing this? First, it’s healthy. You will see your own level of fitness improve, and that’s always good. Second, each member of your team will see their fitness levels improve.
Third, you are encouraged to get pledges for the miles you accrue during the five-month challenge, and after collecting them, we ask that you give 50% of whatever amount you raise to your church or school for your ministry purposes, and the remaining 50% to the Here We Stand campaign initiatives. Some participants have already said they will be bringing the 50% being given to Here We Stand to the District-wide Worship Service on October 15, 2017.
Participating is fun, easy, and the benefits are great. Please consider making The Reformation 500 one of the ways you join in the 500th Anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation celebration this year. Please visit herewestand.michigandistrict.org for information, to download a mileage log/pledge form, and to register your team. For information, please contact linda.ekong@michigandistrict.org or by phone at 734.213.4265.
