Politics and Ethics

The Sun News editorial this morning reminds us one more time about the estranged relationship of politics and ethics. Too often such stories feed our cynicism and make us reluctant to take our voting privilages seriously. Instead, they need to fuel our indignation and make us hold our leaders accountable. Remember the story of David and Nathan.

Another Perspective

Perspectives by Larry Hollon is one of my favorite blogs. Today's offering especially spoke to me. I hope others find it thought provoking, also.

LRP Revisited

The conversation continues about a long range planning committee that is to meet on October 2. How we will proceed is to be discussed. Some have suggested a change in committee name. Perhaps it would be more accurate to call it a vision task force for the planning really comes after the vision is cast. This task force would lead the congregation in the process of hearing God’s Spirit to speak to us. However, we know that “the road is hard that leads to life.” Matthew 7:14. Birth always involves pain. Change always brings stress. The task of leaders is to watch for God’s new creation to emerge instead of being caught up in conflict and compromise and to remember that “where there is no vision, the people perish.” Proverbs 29:18.

Mentors

As I prepared for meeting with our confirmation class mentors this morning, I couldn’t help but think of those persons who have been so important to my faith journey. Each one has respected me, yet challenged me to have a meaningful relationship with God. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, their wisdom and spiritual maturity have helped me know God’s will. What a gift! I need to say thank you to each one of them again. In some cases, this means honoring a memory of a mentor by being a mentor to others along the way.

Mentors can be an important part of the confirmation experience as all of us need spiritual guides. However, it is my responsibility to create a framework that allows this relationship to be a nurturing one. Each year I try to listen and learn how a sacred time and space needs to shaped for this to happen. I think the time spent together this morning was a good beginning. Confirmands and mentors shared interests and entered into a covenant relationship with one another. May our mentors and confirmands be blessed as they journey together.

In the Moment

On many liturgical calendars we are in the midst of Ordinary Time. This season teaches us in worship the same thing that we may learn from everyday activities - that the ordinary contains the extraordinary. In a culture obsessed with chronos time we often lament that we don't "have enough time." We wrestle with God's timing, kairos. Where do the two intersect? Perhaps it is in the every day when we allow the kingdom to blossom in our midst.

I recently found the following that I had saved from the July/August 1994 Alive Now:

Hallowed be thy Name in Recreation.
God be in my limbs and in my leisure.

Hallowed be thy Name in Government
God be in my plans and in my deciding.

Hallowed be thy Name in Suffering
God be in my pain and in my enduring.

Hallowed be thy Name in Commerce
God be at my desk and in my trading.

Hallowed be thy Name in Home
God be in my heart and in my loving.

Hallowed be thy Name in Education
God be in my mind and in my growing.

Hallowed be thy Name in Industry
God be in my hands and in my making.

Hallowed be thy Name in the Arts
God be in my senses and in my creating.

*From plaques on the walls of Old Coventry Cathedral

Say You're Sorry

Recently, Ken asked the staff to read The One Minute Apology by Ken Blanchard and Margret McBride. This quick read reminds the reader what most persons were first taught by their parents - "say your sorry and really mean it." However, this bit of wisdom is too often absent in the workplace and thus relationships are strained. Careful attention not only to words of apology, but also to actions that suppport it can be a powerful dynamic among co-workers. Also noted is how incorporating heartfelt apology into our life can be redeeming of our soul. This is a little book with a big message.

This and That

Last week's Newsweek and yesterday's Slate offerings questioning the value of homework should be read by parents and teachers. I hope such offerings encourage healthy discussion about this issue. When I see children dragging stuffed book bags to and from school, I have to wonder about all that this means. I do know that more often than not, it incites homework wars and tense family times.

I have enjoyed the news releases this week about the new South Carolina Encyclopedia and have ordered a copy of it. Randy Akers, executive director of The Humanities Council of South Carolina, has been very instrumental in its publication. Through our friendship I know what a major project this has been and congratulate him and all those that have made this happen. What a great resource for the many newcomers to South Carolina as they seek to know more about people, places and events of their new home. After twenty-six years in South Carolina, I still have much to learn.

Life Is Short, So Read This Fast!, the new collection of Ann Ipock's writings, has given me some laughs this past week. I am fascinated by the way Ann sees her world. We all need to be able to see the events in our lives, especially the foibles and missteps, with a sense of humor. Of course, since I work at the church with her husband, Russell, I especially enjoy her accounts of their married life. We laugh at and with Russell at the church, also.

A UMC Survey

I just finished a survey relating to the state of the church that is on the UMC website. It would be interesting to know how others in our congregation would respond to these questions. As indicated it takes about 15 minutes to complete and gives one an opportunity to express personal thoughts. It also provides food for thought.

Nobodies

This UMNS commentary by Rev. Clayton Childers* introduces some new thoughts about an old subject, treating one another with dignity and respect. His comments are based on a book, All Rise: Somebodies, Nobodies and the Politics of Dignity, by Robert W. Fuller. The author uses a new "ism" to define this issue. "Rankism" is treating people as if they don't matter, as if they were nobodies. I especially appreciated the observation that eradicating rankism will come through cultural sensitivity and change and not legislation.

*The Rev. Clayton Childers is a member of the SC Annual Conference.

Brian McLaren

My Sunday reading included a story in the Washington Post about Brian McLaren, a name I see more and more. Known as a progressive evangelical and a leader in the emergent church movement, he is also the author of The Secret Message of Jesus. It is interesting to hear some of these new voices and to study what effect they are having on the Christian church.

Christian Education Sunday

As we celebrate Christian Education Sunday, we remember people, places, and events of the past that have shaped our understanding of our faith in God through Jesus Christ. But, just as importantly, we examine our personal and congregational commitment to a lifelong process of teaching and learning.

Christian faith becomes a reality when the stories of the Bible and our personal experiences of God’s love and grace empower us to trust God’s guidance as we make decisions in our daily lives. As Christians we want to grow in our understanding of God’s purposes and recognize that it is in community that the revelation of God’s presence in our lives becomes known.

Sunday school is an important setting for teaching and learning, but not the only setting. Worship, small groups, and one-on-one relationships are places where teaching and learning also occur. I believe that as Christians, we are all called to teach and that our teaching depends on continued learning. Not all of us are meant to be Sunday school teachers, but we are all called to help one another grow in faith.

Together, we share a sacred responsibility to make sure that the lessons of Christianity are taught and explored so that we may be better equipped to go forth into the world sharing God’s grace and love. We must continually renew our commitment to the ministry of Christian education.

Game Day!

I live with a nut, a buckeye to be precise. Ron is a OSU Buckeye sports fan win or lose. The Internet age has enhanced this because he can have up to the minute news about coaches, players, recruiting, etc. Before daylight this morning he was checking on game day news. However, I have been glad to learn that there are OSU fans around the country that definitely have too much time on their hands. Yesterday, some were even tracking the team flight to Texas via the Internet. Forty thousand OSU fans have gathered in Austin in hopes of seeing the game. Only four thousand tickets were allotted to OSU. It is reported that OSU flags are flying all over the country this mornning and even Bagdad. Needless to say, I won't be asking my sweetheart to mow the lawn or take me to a movie today. An OSU football game is an all day event. He will have to monitor ESPN Game Day and various websites prior to the game. Afterwards there will be phonecalls and e-mails to family and friends to replay the game. I just stay out of his way and pass the food to him occasionally. Today will be an interesting experience for us both. Go, Bucks!

Wednesday Night Fellowship

April cooked, Scott gave the announcements, Ken prayed and we all enjoyed the food and fellowship. This Wednesday night ritual is once again part of the life of our church. It was good just to visit with folks and to look ahead to the coming weeks. Next week our on-going studies - Disciple Bible Study I and III, Companions in Christ, Christian Believer - begin. The Neighborhood Bible Study will meet at Shelby and Bob's after our meal. Also, Scott is going to lead one of Andy Griffith Bible Studies for a drop-in class this next week. Children's vocal and handbell choirs will also start. This year, Jim will have the youth center open so that youth can have a place to do homework and hang out. And, there are those who join us for dinner and then go to the downtown church for chancel choir practice. Wow! I am tired just thinking about all of this activity.

Each year there is one cloud that hangs over our Wednesday Night experience for those who are responsible for making this all happen. Our folks don't understand the concept of making or canceling reservations. We guarantee April a reservation number on Monday night. A number of persons each week will call after that or appear on Wednesday night and expect to be fed. Or, others will not show up to eat and we have to pay for their meal. At times, one of these situations takes care of the other. However, there are many weeks that the church has to pay for meals not served. Dabney is now responsible for keeping this reservation list. I hope our folks will help keep her from becoming frustrated.

Labor Day Thoughts

As I prepared my sermon about our daily work for today, I read a lot of interesting things. I learned that “vacation deficit disorder” is very prevalent in the U.S. Not only do we accrue fewer vacation days than our counterparts in other industrialized countries, but also one-third of adults do not use their allotted time. We know that our bodies, minds and spirits have to be recharged, but we fail to set aside time to do this. Why don’t we? How can we counter the mindset that discourages taking time off? Just as our work is to please God, so is our rest and relaxation. In taking time for re-creation we can be present to God in important ways. Together, we need to work to remove this stumbling block on our spiritual journey. Perhaps, we should ponder this as we celebrate Labor Day.

An Ohio Trip

As summer wanes, we have traveled to Ohio for a few days of family and fun. Along the way I saw a framed sampler in a gift shop that said, "Family is where your story begins". How true! Each twist and turn of our travel has recalled memories of people, events, and me in days past. I long ago discovered that this kind of trip is an important one to take. Putting myself into the family story in this very real way gives valuable insight into how I think, react, and relate. It also reminds me of how God's love and grace have been shared with me in very significant ways.

With one ear to weather in Myrtle Beach, we began our journey home yesterday afternoon. We are glad to hear that there are few lingering effects of Ernesto in MB. However, it would appear that we will get to experience some of the rain as we attempt to do some sightseeing on the way home. One thing I also learned in my Ohio days was the importance of being flexible when it comes to planning.