Anniversary

A year ago this week I began writing this blog as a way of journaling my thoughts and sharing them with others. As a Christian educator, I was hopeful that this would be a way of offering some information that would be helpful to others on their faith journey. In some way, perhaps there would be a little light in my blog for those knowing darkness. Also, I had hoped that this would encourage a dialogue that would widen the scope of the topic presented. I am not sure that I can say my goals have been achieved, but I can say that blogging has been an important discipline for me. It has caused me to regularly reflect on a variety of everyday issues and to name them as faith matters.

What’s next after 210 posts? I think I will continue with this for awhile. As our church moves forward with some long range planning, this could be a place for conversation about what God needs us to be doing. Together, perhaps we can explore some of the complicated issues that are part of our culture especially as they relate to our faith. Christian values do include peace and justice issues, healthcare, human rights and environmental stewardship. I also plan to offer more reviews of books in our library. I live in hope.

Being

Be still, and know that I am God!
Be still, and know that I am
Be still, and know
Be still
Be

Elizabeth J. Canham
A Table of Delight

Friends and Neighbors

I have read several articles recently that have affirmed what I have been sensing for some time. We are becoming an isolated people with frayed social ties. The Washington Post reported on Friday that this growing trend has resulted in a quarter of Americans saying that they have no one to discuss personal troubles. Reflection on how many of us live our lives make this a plausible statistic. It also helps us understand the popularity of small group ministries within growing churches. The opportunity to build personal relationships makes this focus very attracting to folks needing confidants with whom to share their thoughts and concerns. It would appear that this issue of social isolation needs attention in our cultural institutions, including our churches.

I Wonder

Shai sent me the following and I found it to be thought provoking.

I wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phones?

What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?
What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?
What if we flipped through it several times a day?
What if we used it to receive messages from the text?
What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?
What if we gave it to kids as gifts?
What if we used it as we traveled?
What if we used it in case of an emergency?
What if we upgraded it to get the latest version?

This is something to make you go...hmmm...where is my Bible?

Oh, and one more thing. Unlike our cell phone, we don’t ever have to worry about our Bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill!

Healthy Eating Habits

At one time in my life I was a home economist and some of that knowledge resurfaces in my mind from time to time, especially when I see children feasting on fast food. Although, I know it is dated information, many of the basic principles remain the same. The importance of eating habits and its correlation to our health is an example. Articles about encouraging children to eat healthy food are everywhere. Yet, I know parents who are nearly obsessive about many aspects of their children lives, but allow their children to exist on french fries, sugar and little else. Homestyle cooking has some pitfalls also. Especially, menus that include overcooked vegetables and lots of starch can deprive a child of nutritious foods. This website has some good information. Also, I have heard several good programs on Parent's Journel discuss these matters. My ministry with children and their families may need to take on new dimensions.

Wesley Choral Festival

Scarlett sent me the web link that advertises the Wesley Choral Festival at Lincoln Center in February. Impressive to know a couple of these musicians. Hope a number of our choir members will be able to make the trip. I understand Ken and Scarlett will be there to applaud their efforts. I guess that means I'll be in Myrtle Beach. Tim better leave someone behind to lead the singing on that day.

http://www.musiccelebrations.com/wesley_choral_festival.html

Clergy Facts

Interesting to note the following statistics as the United Methodist Church celebrates the 50th year of full clergy rights for women.

- 18.5 percent of all United Methodist clergy are women.

- 14 percent of all ordained elders are women.

- 75.3 percent of all ordained deacons are women.

- 21 percent off all district superintendents are women.

- 22 percent of all United Methodist bishops are women.

- 36 percent of all student in degree programs at seminaries are women.

Long Range Planning

The First UMC Long Range Planning Committee met last week for the first time in over four years. The main topics of discussion were why and how we need to plan for the future. I am thrilled that we are beginning to work on this important process. This reminded me of some of the questions that professional church planners ask congregations. It seems like that the answers could provide some good insight into our planning.

-What do neighbors and friends know about First UMC?
-What is the community perception of First UMC?
-What are our strengths? weaknesses?
-What is your vision for First UMC in ten years?

Clemson Wesley Foundation

Clemson Wesley Foundation is alive and well. Under the dynamic leadership of Rev. Lane Glaze, Clemson students have a great opportunity for Christian fellowship, worship, nurture and service through this campus ministry. One highlight of this past year has been the participation in hurricane relief efforts. Several hundred students, alumni and friends have been part of four trips to the Gulf Coast to help rebuild lives of storm victims.

Clemson Wesley Foundation has been important to the Osbornes for a long time. Robert found it to be a welcoming place when he arrived on the campus in 1989. A couple years later this is where he met his future wife, Kristen. They have remained active as alumni and currently Kristen serves on its board. She has been part of several of their mission trips including the one to New Orleans this past March.

It is interesting to note that this involvement in Wesley Foundation continues a tradition that began with Robert's grandfather, Robert, who served as the president of Wesley Foundation at Ohio State University in the early 1940s.

THE ADVOCATE

Recently, I realized that I was not receiving the SC UNITED METHODIST ADVOCATE. For some unknown reason, the subscription had not been renewed. Nita took care of matters and soon a whole packet of past issues arrived. Each issue was filled with interesting stories from around the world. Some of these I had read online or in other sources. However, it was the stories of United Methodists in South Carolina that I had really missed. Not only what is happening in our churches, but also what we are thinking. The March edition had stories about our Knit One, Pray One ministry and Kathy Heustess being named Executive Director of The Coastal Samaritan Counseling Center.

Since 1837, THE ADVOCATE has been important to S.C. Methodism. At times, it was the subject of its own headlines. One of my faith heroes, McKay Brabham, served as its editor during the Civil Rights Era and irritated many Methodists with his views. During my tenure as Chair of the Advocate Board of Trustees, Maryneal Jones created discontent with her editorials about Methodism and its leaders. Publishing schedules and formats have varied and now is a 24-page monthly newspaper. Financial struggles have been prevalent through the years and readership has waxed and waned. However, it has been and continues to be an important voice of South Carolina Methodism.

Although I read a lot of news online, the format of print media often entices me to read significant articles that I would not chose to read online. A newspaper and a cup of coffee constitutes one of the finer moments of a day. I hope THE ADVOCATE continues to serve Methodism for years to come. I promise not to let my subscription lapse again. I need to encourage others to read it also.

Five Star Award

This year twenty-two churches were recognized for the Bishop's Five Star Award of Excellence during Annual Conference. This award is given to provide incentive for churches to annually embrace new ministries that are geared specifically toward growth and outreach. The award criteria is as follows:

• Increase Sunday School attendance by 5%.
• Developing a new ministry that impacts youth.
• Having a "new work" program that impacts growth.
• Having a 1% increase for members who received by professiion of faith.
• All apportionments must be paid in full for 2005 or a 25% increase in apportionment payments.

I am not usually interested in what appear as gimmick awards. However, these points certainly are proven ingredients for church growth and would give us a basic plan to follow. I wonder if we could incorporate this into our planning for the coming year?

On-line

Noticed that the new ministerial appointments made at Annual Conference are now posted at www.umcsc.org. There are also some video clips that give a hint of some of the Annual Conference experience.

The websites for Lake Junaluska and South Carolina Camps and Retreats offer information that might be helpful for summer planning. Many good things are happening at these places that provide an opportunity for spiritual growth. I wish more of our folks would attend their events.

The news of the United Methodist Women is always interesting to read. It continues to be the strong voice of mission within the United Methodist Church and certainly is an advocate for justice issues that relate to women and children. My participation in United Methodist Women has been an important part of my faith journey and I encourage others to be a part of this vital ministry.

Car Wash

This is our grandson, William, and his friend. It would appear that he may have been bitten by the love bug. However, we are sure that he loves his little brother, Ethan.
Our grandchildren and their pictures bring us much joy. We are blessed.

Committee Meetings

In light of some organizational name changes made at Annual Conference, our COM Chairperson, Jean C, and I had an interesting discussion about terminology and what it connotes. Many church growth persons are advocating restructuring and renaming church leadership in a variety of ways. Some churches have ministry teams and I am becoming more interested in using that term. It has energy. The word “team” connotes purpose, goals, equal efforts and unity. The word “committee” is lethargic. The image is one of bureaucracy, policy and lots of meetings. Ministry teams focus on ministry with periodic strategy sessions rather than traditional meetings. It is something to think about as we look at who we are and need to be in our long range planning.

Annual Conference

I have spent the last few days in Orangeburg with some of my best friends. On Sunday, United Methodists from across the South Carolina gathered at Claflin University for our Annual Conference. Bishop Mary Virginia Taylor presided for the second time over this week’s worship and business. A highlight of our time together was celebrating the jubilee year of full clergy rights for women in the UMC. Remembering those who have paved the way for us and affirming our own ministry was truly a joy. During our opening worship, all women clergy were invited to stand before the Conference. What an impressive sight! Women clergy, including Scarlett and I, were the communion servers during this service and each morning. Yet, I still hear the stories of rejection that some of our sisters encounter even before they arrive at their appointments.

A couple of noteworthy items marked this conference for me. Bishop Taylor continues to emphasize worship and Bible study during our time together. Although there were a number of the same issues and same voices, we implemented some new directions. The Conference Council on Ministries will now be known as the Conference Council on Connectional Ministries and the related staff positions will be congregational specialists assigned to two districts. Marion and Florence Districts will share a specialist who will be available to resource local churches in a variety of ways. Congregational Development is in the process of implementing a conference-wide strategy to strengthen our churches through Natural Church Development and is in the process of fulfilling the conference mandate to start 10 new churches by 2010. Hearing of our response to Katrina and other missional needs was inspiring. Increased use of technology during this event and throughout the year was in evidence. The 2007 Annual Conference will be held at the Florence Civic Center. This shift from the traditional college campus setting may be one more indication that we are willing to try new and different things. May the Holy Spirit guide and direct us as we go forth in ministry in the coming year.

Easter Lilies

Currently, a number of Easter lilies are blooming in my yard. Originally, these plants have filled several different church chancel areas on Easter mornings past. Their elegant beauty continues to suggest the triumphant of life over death as known through the Resurrection of our Lord. I think it is interesting that they have appeared just as we conclude the Easter season. It is as though they are one last reminder that we are an Easter people living in hope all of our days.

New Rules for Clergy

I recently read an interesting article by Richard Lischer, Professor of Preaching at Duke Divinity School, about the shift from a theological to a market-driven model for ministry. I especially noted the following paragraph as one of my responsibilities with the Board of Ordained Ministry is serving on the Call and Disciplined Life Committee.

"Little Baptist, Methodist, and Presbyterian churches that once constituted the community's memory and anchored its values have been swallowed up by the religious Wal-Marts of this age. More and more consumers are being served by fewer and fewer clerks. While many minsiters still confess to satisfying relationships in their parishes, 74 percent of them say their biggest problem is communicating the gospel to their very own culture. From[Larry] Witham's book we learn that ten percent of the clergy report persistent depression, 67 percent are either obese by medical standards or overweight, four in ten acknowlege "inappropraite sexual behavior for a minsiter," and another four in ten have "doubted their call." Nearly a third have "considered leaving." "

Although the role of the BOM is often under scrutiny, this article affirms the importance of our work.

Sexual Ethics

Last Saturday I helped lead a sexual ethics workshop for clergy. Participants were those who will be receiving their first appointments at Annual Conference and have not had this required training. It was interesting to note the quiet resignation that all expressed for this necessity. Tragically, news headlines have made us aware that we have to take proactive and preventive measures even among those who should know better, our clergy. We have to anticipate potential situations where we might be vulnerable and establish appropriate behavioral patterns that reflect a healthy code of ethics. As our Conference policies state, “Sexual misconduct, harassment, and abuse are violations of the integrity of the body of Christ.”

Of course, there are many contributing factors when a breach in the covenant relationship we have with one another and God is violated. These need to be examined and we need to be held accountable for any transgressions so that healing of all parties involved can begin. I am glad that United Methodists are addressing these matters and working to truly create safe sanctuaries. However, there still seems to be a failure to equip our congregants in such a way that they go forth to create safe homes, schools and workplaces. How can we effectively do this? Hellfire and damnation sermons seem not to be the answer.

Church Softball

Finally, I made it to one of First Church's softball games this year. It was good to see fathers and sons, new and long time members, experienced and rookie players enjoy this recreational fun. Jim took a bold step this year and decided that a church team really should be one composed of players that regularly worship and represent us with integrity. That means that some of the heavy hitters of the past have moved on to other playing venues. It also means that this has been a year of rebuilding. Although the record book may not say so, I think we have had a winning season.