On our drive from Mount Vernon to Libertyville, we were very aware of a major motorcycle rally in Sturgis, South Dakota. For several days, it was motorcycles as far as we could see. Motel rooms were very scarce, and every stopping point was filled with bikers. A primary image from the trip was the sight of thousands of motorcycles parked on Main Street in Wall, South Dakota, in front of the drug store.

A number of questions came to mind. Why are all of these bikers going to Sturgis? (We were told they expected 250,000 – 400,000.) What is it that draws them? What is the calling they are responding to? What will they do at this gathering, and how will it affect their lives?

It also occurred to me that we, too, were headed to a gathering, this one a church in Libertyville. Why were we going? What draws us to this new place? What is the calling we are responding to? What will we do in Libertyville, and how will this gathering affect our lives?

A church for young adults in Mount Vernon took on the name, "The Gathering." It is a biblical name. Gathering is very important in the New Testament. Hebrews 10:24 – 25 says, "And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day approaching."

The Greek word, translated in the NRSV as "meet together," sounds very much like the word "synagogue." It means "assembling, gathering, a meeting of worship." It was chosen by the Jewish community to describe their gatherings and, eventually, their place of worship.

The early Christians chose another word, "ecclesia," which we translate as "church." It also means a gathering. In Greek society, it originally meant the summons to the army to assemble for duty. Later, it was used in reference to the popular assembly of all citizens of the polis to make decisions about their common life. The Christians took this very important secular word to describe their own gatherings.

We are a "gathering," a group of diverse people, drawn together by the call of God that we might worship and serve Him. Kathy and I are glad to be joining this gathering and are eager to discover what God is doing among you. Thank you for your letters, pictures and prayers, which have encouraged us on our way. Thank you for the special welcome by the children — a huge picture on my office door. Keep praying for us as we begin to pray in earnest for you.