The Power of Story

My twenty five years of living in South Carolina has given me a greater appreciation of storytelling. The ability to weave the events of daily living into captivating stories seems to have an omnipresence. This has made me aware of the power of story.

This power of story is everywhere around us. We are shaped by stories…family stories, cultural stories, biblical stories and their confluence. Some we choose and some choose us. They tell us where we come from, who we are. There are stories we must reject and new stories we must create. Our responsibility lies in our power to pass along or to forget the story. The challenge becomes which stories do we choose to keep alive? To whom do we need to tell them?

Spilled Apples

I recently enjoyed a conversation with Annaka, our granddaughter, about her apple picking experience. Not only was she excited about telling me that she had picked green apples, but also that the wagon had tipped over and all the apples went rolling down the hill. Of course, this had created a tearful time. However, she also wanted me to know that "the people helped me pick up the apples." It seemed to make quite an impression on her that others came to her rescue...strangers along the way. What a teachable moment she experienced through the thoughtfulness of others! May she remember this as she encounters the stranger in need of help. May this be a lesson for me as "spilled apples" cross my path.

Quote of the Day

From recent reading, I have pondered the following:

"Augustine said that you have to start your relationship with God all over from the beginning, every day. Yesterday's faith does not wait for you like a dog with your slippers and the morning paper in its mouth. You seek it, and in seeking it, you find it."

Anne Lamott
Plan B - Further Thoughts on Faith

Lord, keep me seeking what it means to live in you through Jesus Christ.

Responding to Children

I hope the responses to Bridging the Gap are being read. They have been affirming of our efforts to surround children with a community of support and love. As a people of faith we value our children and we recognize their importance to our church. They are not the future of the church, but the present reality. They have so much to share with and teach the adults who love them.

"Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me." Mark 9:37

Bridging the Gap

In an effort to bridge the gap between our children and adult Sunday school classes, the Education Committee is asking that classes become learning partners. The Faith Connections class and the 5th grade class have already agreed to enter into this intentional relationship. Members from each class will become prayer partners. Occasionally, one class will visit the other and participate in an activity together. Sharing thoughts of faith with one another will be important. I am sure the ideas for this arrangement will multiply.

We know that we are to pass on the traditions of faith to the coming generation, but sometimes we need to remember that often "a little child shall lead" as we continually seek what it means for us to be God's children. I am excited about the possibilities of this effort to bridge the gap. Love and compassion springs from shared stories. The bridge between children and adults is often found to be in disrepair. This is a chance to rebuild it.

Mentors

As I prepare to meet with the confirmation class mentors, I remember those persons who have walked with me on my spiritual journey and helped me discern my relationship to God. As I began to know a call to ministry, it was wonderful to have someone hear me, to hear my heart, to hear my deepest longings…even those I dared not speak. This kind of faith mentoring occurred through interpersonal relationships that were guided by respect for and listening to one another. Each time I put on my robe I think of Fred and Dianna.

The role of mentor can be a challenging one. Mentors are called both to ask and answer the tough questions. Doubt and struggle are part of this journey. Recognition of the Holy Spirit as the true guide that leads us to understand our place in God’s world must be the foundation of the relationship. May each of those called to mentor our confirmands offer support and guidance that fuels faithful living.

DISCIPLE Bible Study,etc.

Our extended small group studies have each had their organizational meeting this week. DISCIPLE Bible Studies, Jesus in the Gospels and Companions in Christ are underway with seventy-seven persons participating. We are blessed to have members in our congregation engaged in these in-depth studies for it strengthens the Body of Christ. As one of the facilitators of these groups, I feel that I am very responsible for making this a good experience for all. However, from times past I know it has little to do with me. The power of the Holy Spirit among us is what makes this what it is. Through prayer and faithful study, we are guided into new insights and spiritual growth. We learn what it means to be a part of a community of God through Jesus Christ. How exciting!

Bible Sunday

As in the tradition of many churches, First UMC gives Bibles to her third grade students. It is a rite of passage, a new phase of the faith journey and a recognition of reading and readiness skills. After receiving their Bibles at the 8:30 am worship service, the children and their parents gathered in the Wesley Fellowship Hall for brunch. Learning was included during this time as parents guided their children in some planned activities that introduced them to their new Bibles.

Moments like Bible presentations have special meaning to me. In a very real way, they help me fulfill my responsibility to pass on the traditions of Christianity to the next generation. My resolve to teach the scriptures is renewed. May each of these children be guided and directed by this congregation in reading and understanding God's Holy Word.

Where Are We Going?

A reoccurring topic at First UMC is long range planning. Although there are several schools of thought about when this should be done, I think of that moment in Alice in Wonderland when Alice comes to a fork in the road and doesn’t know which way to turn. She asks the Cheshire Cat which road to take. He asks where she wants to go. She says she has no idea. He says that if you don’t know where you are going, it really doesn’t matter which road you take. The biblical version of that principle comes from Proverbs, which declares that “where there is no vision, the people perish” Proverbs 29:18

Another Perspective

I am finding the world of blogs to be very interesting. Some are senseless and trash and others are insightful and well-written. You may want to add Perspectives to your favorites. The Rev. Larry Hollen is the Chief Executive of United Methodist Communications and author of this blog. His latest blog is Compassion and the Grace of God.

Newpapers etc.

Karl Barth, one of the giants of Christian theology during the first half of the twentieth century, said that sermons should be written with a newspaper in one hand and the Bible in the other. I expand this thought from not only informing sermons, but also prayer and everyday living. As Christians, we know the value of living with the Bible in one hand, but the newspaper?

Newspapers and news magazines not only report the news, but also reflect the economic, social and cultural context of our lives. They point us to the concerns outside the walls of the church and inform us so that we can faithfully engage in these problems and issues. Although TV and radio accounts of news are compelling and informing, the written word allows us to imagine. And, as Albert Einstein said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” Imagination gives us the power to understand how we are to fit into God’s plan.

Just some thoughts as I reach for another cup of coffee and the current issue of Newsweek. Jonathan Alder’s story, “The Other America”, is a powerful reminder of whom I am called to be. I need to read it again.

Helping Children with Disaster and Grief

How can one explain the devastation of Katrina or the loss of a pet or loved one to a child? This is always a difficult situation for parent, teacher, pastor or anyone who loves the child. Mary Alice Gran, Director of Children's Ministries, has given us some good insights and resources on the General Board of Discipleship website.

I think that the most important advice found here and in other resources is to listen and to listen with the heart. It is also important not to use trite phrases that perpetuate a limited understanding of God. It's okay to say we don't understand, but we do know that God is with us.

Blessed Assurance

I keep thinking about one of my favorite books in recent years, Traveling Mercies by Anne Lamott. In it she tells of God's call in and through her life, a life of many valleys. She says: "Mine was a patchwork God sewn together from bits of rag and ribbon, Eastern and Western, pagan and Hebrew, everything but the kitchen sink and Jesus." And in her darkest hours she reaches out to a pastor in a nearby church and to whom she tells her story. She concludes by saying that she didn't think that God could love her. The pastor said, "God has to love you. That's God's job." She then asked - What does it mean to be saved? To which the pastor responded that she really didn't have to think about this, but she persisted and he said - "I guess it's like discovering you're on the shelf of a pawnshop, dusty and forgotten and maybe not worth very much. But Jesus comes in and tells the pawnbroker, ""I'll take her place on the shelf. Let her go outside again.' " Truly words of blessed assurance!

Miss Fults

Miss Helen Fults epitomizes the Sunday school teacher that all children should know. She taught in creative ways and lived her life as a faithful disciple everyday. Miss Fults was my second grade Sunday school teacher and second grade public school teacher in Jeffersonville, Ohio. Both classrooms were filled with interesting pictures and objects that invited one to enter into an enjoyable experience. With a smile on her face and a ready hug, she considered each day to be an adventure that would be as much hers as ours. She instilled within me the joy of reading by her unique (in those days) teaching methods. Each child was special and had special gifts in her classes and she made sure that all knew them. I saw her demonstrate the Sunday school lesson of God’s love each day of the week. What a blessing!

Wall of Honor

As I prepared the Sunday School Wall of Honor in the Wesley Building as part of our Christian Education celebration I noted several things-

• Special teachers come at any age and stage in our lives.
• Effective teachers are ones who shared their faith in a variety of ways...not just the Sunday morning lesson.
• These teachers affirmed us wherever we were on our faith journey.
• They listened and were obviously dedicated to their call to teach.

I hope others will read these stories and remember those teachers who have helped shape their faith. Perhaps, today each of us will take the time to thank these special persons.

Soul Feast

How can this be Thursday? It has been a whirlwind week. I have been juggling church responsibles and attending the S.C. School of Ministry at Springmaid Beach. As I race to and fro, many of the words of speaker, Marjorie Thompson, ring in my ears. Her book, Soul Feast, has long been one of my favorites about Christian spiritual life, so it has been a real treat to hear her soft voice invite us into a contemplative time. (This book is in our library).

Tidbits to ponder:
Why do we fail our spirituality? - Perhaps is is because we are impressed by work, find it to be a lack of priority, have a fear of facing the deep center.
Sabbath time - fallow time for overworked soil of our lives.
Contemplative time and space are vessels of vision.
Do less and be more.

Wendell Berry

In recent years I have discovered the writings of Wendell Berry. I savor his use of words and connect with his understanding of nature, family and community. The popular term "sense of place" defines much of his writing. Having a similar rural small town background, I can experience his stories and poetry in a very real way.

On this Labor Day I reflect on this offering of Mr. Berry.

Whatever is foreseen in joy
Must be lived out from day to day.
Vision held open in the dark
By our ten thousand days of work.
Harvest will fill the barn; for that
The hand must ache, the face must sweat.

And yet no leaf or grain is filled
By work of ours; the field is tilled
And left to grace. That we may reap,
Great work is done while we're asleep.

When we work well, a Sabbath mood
Rests on our day, and finds it good.

First UMC Hurricane Response

Little Child Shall Lead…
The children at First UMC want to help those whose lives have been destroyed by Katrina. With their families they will pack health kits that will be taken to Sager Brown Depot of the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) in Baldwin, LA. All are invited to participate in this project.

A Health Kit contains specific items:

• 1 hand towel (15" x 25" up to 17" x 27")
• 1 wash cloth
• 1 comb (large and sturdy, not pocket-sized)
• 1 nail file or fingernail clippers (no emery boards or toenail clippers)
• 1 bath-size bar of soap (3 oz and up)
• 1 toothbrush (single brush only in original wrapper; no child-sized brushes)
• 1 large tube of toothpaste (4.5 or larger, expiration date must be 6 months or longer in advance of the date of shipment to Sager Brown)
• 6 adhesive plastic strip sterile bandages
  

All items should be placed inside a sealed one-gallon plastic bag. No money, notes, religious or political literature, or other items should be placed in the kits.

PLEASE FOLLOW THESE DIRECTIONS EXACTLY! These kits need to be at the church by Sunday, September 18th.

Youth Car Wash will be held Saturday, September 10 – 9 to 12 noon at McDonalds on Restaurant Row. Proceeds will go to UMCOR for hurricane relief.

Financial Aid offerings are being received for UMCOR. Make checks to First UMC and marked for UMCOR. All funds will go for relief and none will be spent on administration.

Volunteers needed. Early response teams will be trained and deployed in October, November and probably December. The deployment is for two weeks. All volunteers MUST be trained. Training will be held at College Place UMC, Columbia September 17 from 10:00 – 4 :00.

Help us to show the rainbow of your promise, O God, as we face the days ahead. Bless all who serve as the hands of Jesus. Amen.

Football Season is Here!

Today has long been anticipated in my home. The Ohio State Buckeyes played their first football game of the season. Daily evaluation of the team from website accounts has fueled enthusiasm for what certainly will be a good year. Or will it? Important questions like … “Will Ted Ginn shine?” “Is the running game ready?” have been asked regularly. Not by me, but the person that has shared my life for 38 years. My dear Ron is an avid fan. Nothing interferes with game time in our home.

Having grown up in Central Ohio, where Ohio State footfall was almost a religion. Woody Hayes was the icon and Saturday at the Horseshoe was nearly a holy time and place. Add the years spent as a student at OSU and Ron was hooked. I accept this fascination and have enjoyed my share of exciting games, also. And, I must say that in his maturity, he now accepts the occasional defeats with grace. I just don’t know when Jim Tressell is going to call Ron for advice for he has all the answers.

Today, I tried once more to put this obsession in perspective especially given the events of the past week. I really couldn’t find any great theological insight. However, I was glad to have the diversion and to see Ron enjoy a winning day. OSU - 34 Miami of Ohio - 14. Go, Bucks!

The Storm After the Storm

This op-ed piece by David Brooks appeared in yesterday's New York Times and today's Sun News. I found his historical reflection on past storms to be very interesting. I wonder what such accounts in the future will say about the aftermath of Katrina?

Leave a Comment

I have been asked how to add comments to this blog. So, here are some directives.

-Click on the comments link at the lower right hand corner of each post.
-In the template that appears, type comments.
-Choose an identity. If you choose other...type name and/or webpage. Both are not required. Or, you may choose anonymous. Then, click publish. You may preview before publishing.

When you note that some comments have been added to a post, click to read.

Hope this helps. I would like to have more dialogue.

This is a new adventure for me, also. We'll learn together.

Worst of Times, Best of Times

One cannot help but think of Mr. Dickens' words during these days. As I see the damage caused by Katrina and the human response to it, I am well aware of the worst of times. However, stories of those who are reaching out to save lives in a variety of ways, renew my spirit and give hope for the days ahead. But, I slowly realize it is up to me to make this the best of times. From prayer and financial aid to support of mission teams, I will help rebuild lives and communities. However,there is a complexity to this tragedy that also demands my response. That is, I am part of a culture whose people live poles apart. There is abject poverty and there is ridiculous opulence. Impatience and greed abound on all sides. Racist remarks are too frequent. Morals and values are twisted. And, faith seems only to be evident in a set apart life.

It is time for me to become a better student of the world around me. I need to read and listen to the voices that can help me more fully understand our culture. Perhaps it is time that I claimed my faith in a new and different way? Perhaps, I need to challenge others to journey with me?