Another Ariail Gem

Once again Robert Ariail of THE STATE has peaked my interest with his compelling drawing. I want to know why our cigarette tax has not been increased for this is a proven way to reduce smoking among kids. It is interesting to note that the overall states' average is $1.00 per pack. South Carolina is 7 cents. Certainly our state coffers could benefit from increased tax revenue. We might even spend it on our children.

The Face of Malaria

The Nothing But Nets campaign continues to capture my attention. A donation of $10 provides an insecticide-treated bed net that can protect an African family of four for up to five years from mosquitoes, which carry malaria. The families are also taught how to use these nets. This personal account by Elizabeth McKee tells why this campaign is so important. Most people I know could give $10 to save a life, I just need to find a way to give them an opportunity to do so.

Safe Sanctuaries

I have spent the last two Sunday afternoons at the Marion District Job Function Workshops where I led a session about keeping our churches safe for children and youth. Not only does it dishearten me that we have to conduct such workshops, but also I am amazed at how few persons attend. Each session had four participants. I would like to believe that it is because the other churches have safe sanctuary policies in place. But, when I see church members arrive in 15-passenger church vans at these events, I assume there is more teaching on this subject that needs to happen.

The 1996 General Conference of The United Methodist Church adopted a resolution aimed at reducing the risk of child sexual abuse in the church. Joy Melton, a lawyer and a clergyperson, has created the resource, Safe Sanctuaries, that is used widely across our denomination and speaks frequently on this subject at clergy and Christian education events. In response, First UMC adopted Guidelines for Safety of Children and Youth in 2002. This document was updated in 2004 and I will ask the Administrative Board to review it during the coming year. It is an on-going matter of monitoring and adjusting. I feel that we have made great strides in implementing good policies, but conventional wisdom says that it is time to review them. Our guidelines are posted on our website. Please let me know of suggestions for revision.

More Thomas Merton

For over twenty years when I have set up my calendar for the coming year, I paste this passage from a letter written by Thomas Merton on the inside cover:

Do not depend on the hope of results. When you are doing the sort of work you have taken on, essentially an apostolic work, you may have to face the fact that your work will be apparently worthless and even achieve no result at all, if not perhaps results opposite to what you expect. As you get used to this idea, you start more and more to concentrate not on the results, but on the value, the truth of the work itself. And there, too, a great deal has to be gone through, as gradually you struggle less and less for an idea and more for specific people. The range tends to narrow down, but it gets much more real. In the end, it is the reality of personal relationships that saves everything….The big results are not in your hands or mine, but they suddenly happen, and we can share in them; but there is no point in building our lives on this personal satisfaction, which may be denied us and which after all is not that important.

These words seem to serve as a reminder of the importance of how I assign the hours of my day. They help me focus "on the value, the truth of the work" not the results. How liberating this can be!

My Daily Prayer

Thomas Merton wrote that when we find our true self we find God and when we find God we find our true self. This finding is a life-long process of transformation that seems to result in a greater connection with the world beyond self. This is not an easy process. With the best intentions, we often encounter a detour and become lost. How do find our way to the road of wholeness? Being part of a community whose purpose is to know God through Jesus Christ and to experience a fellowship that holds one another accountable seems to be a good Wesleyan response. We know that Bible study and prayer are important points on the compass, also. However, there seems to be more to finding our way. For me, the more I name my gifts and use them in my daily living; I sense liberation from my own weaknesses. I find my way. From this pilgrim’s perspective, when I find myself, I find God. So my daily prayer is that I claim my gifts and use them to the glory of God.

Learning to Listen

Several years ago I developed a friendship that resulted in me learning the value of listening. My friend's attentiveness to the detail of a conversation and her ability to synthesize the various elements into astute observations is engaging. I attempt to mimic her skills, but find that I have to be very intentional about this art of listening.

I recently read the following comments about listening by Dan Dick of the General Board of Discipleship and thought them to be important to share.

A critically important work for leaders in local congregations is to learn to listen. There is healing in listening. There is connection and community in listening. And there is learning in listening. We may become most effective as communicators, not by what we say, but by our ability to refrain from speaking. Drawing from a wide variety of sources, consider some of the following instructions for learning to listen:

-Make friends with silence. Spend twenty minutes a day in silent reflection and meditation.
-In conversation, silently count to ten before each response.
-In groups, wait until five other people speak before you do.
-When trying to make a point, ask questions rather than making statements.
-When called on to make a decision, ask for a day to "think about it."
-When calling others to decision, offer a time of silence for reflection before acting.
-Have a conversation with someone, then attempt to capture it on paper, writing the other side of the conversation as close to verbatim as possible.
-Pose questions and make space for hearers to offer their own answers first.

A Nice Surprise

I discovered a nice surprise when I opened umc.org tonight. Tim Koch, First UMC and Andy Fowler are all mentioned in an article about the upcoming Wesley Choral Festival at Lincoln Center. I was also impressed that proceeds will go to UMCOR’s landmine removal project in Angola. Wish that I were going to be in the audience on February 18. Andy Fowler's compositions are always insightful and inspiring. I am sure the choral presentation will be first rate as that is what one can always expect from Tim Koch. It truly is a blessing to be in ministry with such a gifted musician as Tim.

Soup Season

Finally, it appears that soup season has arrived. With the prospect of a cold, nasty day ahead, I am ready to prepare and eat a thick and hearty soup. I don’t know what it will be until I inventory possible ingredients. But, I am sure whatever it is will not only nourish my body, but my soul as well. The aroma of simmering soup reminds me of my mother’s delicious creations and cold Ohio winters. Good memories always make my heart and mind more receptive to new thoughts and ideas. Perhaps, it is a matter of good stock.

Maybe, I will take the frozen stock made from the Thanksgiving turkey and create something special and unique. I know that I will need quality ingredients for the best results. Also, the seasoning has to be carefully chosen and added. Good soup just doesn’t happen. It takes careful preparation. Perhaps this wondering thought has become a simile. Good soup is like a good life. I better get out the soup pot and be ready to share the soup with others.

The World Is My Parish

It has been an important week to remember Mr. Wesley's response to those who said that he should stay within the boundaries of his parish. We are part of a global community and issues of war, care of the earth, and justice call for a Christian response. However, to frame this response means on-going study and prayer and of opening our hearts and minds to new understandings. It means abandoning many of our secular thoughts about the priority of the individual. So let this be my challenge of the New Year.

Perspectives, the blog by Larry Hollen, continues to be one of my regular reads. His global experiences help me understand Methodism's place in the world community. His last three posts from Zimbabwe are quite interesting and the tug on my heart to this part of the world grows. I encourage others to read Mr. Hollen's reports.

Go, Bucks!

For those concerned about Ron’s state of well being after last night’s Buckeye defeat, he’s okay. I heard words about it being a big disappointment after such an outstanding year and the usual fan reaction, “there is always next year.” The post game analysis has not begun. His photo blog posting probably says it best. Anyway, he is on his way to Columbia for federal jury duty. This might not be the best day for him to determine someone’s fate, especially if they are from Florida. Should I warn them?

I understand that the Buckeyes have a big basketball game tonight. GO, BUCKS!

e-Christian Ed

I have been happy to hear that my blog has been missed these past few days. My thoughts have been muddled by puny health. I am not usually sick, so this has made me ill-tempered and not in the mood for reflective writing. But life does go on while the body recovers.

Once again, I am serving as a teaching assistant for an on-line course that is part of a Christian education certification program offered through Columbia College. While driving to Columbia for our face to face class this past Saturday, I found myself wondering about the kind of experience the class and I would have this semester. Feeling lousy, I will admit that I was not overly optimistic. However, after being with the students and doing the introductory session together, I know why I do this. God has called some very special people to do educational ministry in our churches, but they want and need to be better equipped for this. This program allows these persons to do most of their work on-line on their own schedule. When congregations seriously consider how it is that they are to pass on the faith to all who seek God, called and trained Christian educators can provide important leadership. Therefore, it is crucial that those of us that have an opportunity to fulfill our call to educational ministry provide guidance and direction to those who are to follow us. It is obvious that these students will each offer unique gifts to our common experience. Let the class begin!

The Color is Green

My friend, Tom, reminded me that I haven’t been blogging about polar bears, global warming and other environmental issues. So, for those who wish to begin the New Year by being “green”, I recommend these ten simple tips from the current issue of Newsweek for befriending our environment. Most of them are reasonable and possible. However, I will admit that I am not sure I want recycled toilet paper. Also, I strongly urge everyone to see Al Gore’s documentary film, An Inconvenient Truth, for better understanding of the scope of the issues we face by not taking care of God’s creation.

President Ford

As I watch the funeral events surrounding President Ford's death, I am being given a good refresher course in U.S.history and government. Well-prepared journalists and writers seem to be offering both words of respect and reality. It is giving me lots to think about in the days to come. Along with many others, I am surprised at the emotion that I feel while watching the proceedings, but I will let the commentators analyze this. However, I do know it is a day that we can understand the blessing we have by living in this democracy.

Political cartoons often give us important messages. Such is this one found on Slate website tells today's story. (A review of their 2006 collection is a worthy use of time)

2007 Time Capsule

Today the temperature was 74 degrees.

Three thousand US soldiers have been killed in Iraq since the war began in 2003.

The country is celebrating the life of President Ford. After a final visit to the Capitol Rotunda and the National Cathedral, he will be buried on Jan.3 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Saddam Hussein was put to death by hanging during the last few days and now we wait to see how the people of Iraq will react.

Global warming, YouTube, and Ohio State football are major topics in my home.

The Sun-News headlines say Myrtle Beach is on the verge of change with major development projects beginning. Included are the Hard Rock theme park, Market Common and new life for the Pavilon and Myrtle Square properties.

First UMC is planning for the future through the efforts of its Vision Quest team.

New Year's Thoughts

Although I don’t usually make New Year’s resolutions, I do think this can be a good time of re-commitment to faithful living. Yet, the news stories of war and genocide, abuse of the Earth, greed and human neglect capture my attention and being obedient seems impossible. Once again, this passage from Micah 6:8 gives me direction:

“He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

So as I begin 2007 I know this to be important - Live simply, be present to the lonely, love and nurture children, study, learn and work. Also, daily pray for the healing of the nations, for God’s holy presence working through people changed by love and for helping to bring peace.

When I read this, I feel overwhelmed by what it means to be faithful. But, I remember our call to be part of a community of disciples who share its gifts for the powerful witness to the coming of the Kingdom. Together, we can allow the Word to become flesh among us. Thanks be to God.