Monday – Our staff was saddened to learn that Sara Dee’s father died after a long period of illness. We searched for ways to be supportive of her and her family during this time. Appropriate responses to grief are always difficult to make. May God’s abiding presence be known to them this week and in the weeks to come.
Tuesday – I am glad to know that some of our folks are using The Da Vinci Code and other popular books etc. as a springboard for study about early church history. This Sunday our short-term study group will begin exploring this topic during the Sunday school hour. Many church members do not have much understanding of the period from Paul to the Reformation as it relates to the church. I think a study of such can be both informing and affirming as it relates to our faith.
Wednesday - Eddie’s Garden at the Child Development Ministry serves not only as a wonderful space for children, but also as a loving reminder of a man that joyfully served his church and his Lord. Always willing to lend a hand, Eddie especially wanted the CDM to have the very best. He knew how important this ministry was to children. I trust that Eddie knows he will always have a special place in our hearts and the lives of our children. I am so glad that the rain abated and we were able to dedicate this garden on Wednesday.
Thursday – The SC Board of Ministry met to finalize matters before Annual Conference. One of our concerns is that our candidates maintain a healthy lifestyle so as to be able to do effective ministry. Generous servings of Southern cooking and lack of exercise have led some of our folks into a state of obesity and poor health. We now ask them to address this before being commissioned and ordained. This can be a very difficult discussion for all concerned. What a joy it was to meet with a candidate that has accepted our words about the importance of losing weight and is doing all the right things to make it happen.
Friday – I met with my covenant group (UM ministers who study and share together in a small group) in Florence. We continued our discussion about the church of the 21st century and learning about the different approaches for shaping the life our congregations. The most effective churches seem to be where there is a careful, ongoing process of discernment by the congregation of its strengths and weaknesses in relation to who they are and need to be. This becomes the basis for congregational planning. There are a number of good models for this kind of assessment. I would love to see us use such a model and develop a good overall plan for First UMC. Although well meaning, we need to be careful of not following the loudest voice or a personal agenda. Together, we need to create a working strategy for the 21st century that involves both ministries and facilities.
Saturday – What another beautiful day! Thank you, God, for your creation. I need to use the gift of today to work on a sermon for May 8. Let this be a labor that bears fruit.
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2 comments:
You probaably don't want to save up a week's worth of entries very often, but what a powerful witness to the breadth of activities and perspectives you touch in a typical week. Thank you for reminding us of all that God has given us, from the gift of Creation to the gift of the Church to the gift of life eternal.
You probably don't want to save up a week's worth of entries very often, but what a powerful witness to the breadth of activities and perspectives you touch in a typical week. Thank you for reminding us of all that God has given us, from the gift of Creation to the gift of the Church to the gift of life eternal.
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