One More Thought

Although Confirmation Sunday, Vacation Bible School, Dancing with God, Duke Intern, and some other things are keeping me busy this week, I find my mind returning to the recent Diakonia Celebration in Orlando. From presentations and sermons to random conversations there seem to have been some seeds planted that are already growing and that may begin bearing fruit in my life. My friend, Kathy James, who also attended this event has posted some similar thoughts on her blog. I am always interested in what she has to say and it is great to stay connected in this way.

Africa

During the last few years my heart has been drawn to the people of Africa. It may have begun with learning about Africa University, hearing the stories of missioners to this part of the world or meeting persons of Zimbabwe, Cameroon, or the Sudan. Recently, the news accounts of Darfur and the gruesome human suffering therein have been lessons in political power struggles. The Nothing But Nets campaign has captured my attention and has led me to encourage others to be support this effort to eradicate malaria. As the deacons gathered in Orlando last week, we offered support to an effort by deacons to offer hope to HIV/AIDS patients in Zimbabwe. In the early morning hours on Saturday, we walked on behalf of this effort and gave our monetary gifts as signs of caring for our brothers and sisters in Africa. I am not sure what this confluence of the stories of Africa means for me. Am I to visit this land of great humanitarian need? Am I to study and advocate about the needs of these long, abused countries? Am I to share more of my resources as signs of care and concern for these children of God?

Another aspect to my interest in Africa pertains to the rapid growth of Methodism in Africa and how this could shape to our denomination in the years to come. The Chicago Tribune reported this in an interesting story this past week. As Maxie Dunnam says, “The issue is how are we going to understand ourselves as a world church?”

Reminder!

Today is the day to do something to help prevent malaria, especially in Africa. I will be joining many other United Methodists in donating the cost of my lunch to Nothing But Nets as part of Malaria Awareness Day.

Amelia Island Retreat

Our time on Amelia Island is about to come to an end. We stayed on the Intracoastal Waterway in the Fernandina Historic District and enjoyed walking the streets in this area. Many of the homes were built during the Victorian era and have been restored to their former uniqueness. See Ron’s blog. The seafood has been tasty and the nights have been restful. The skies have been blue and the sunsets beautiful. It has been wonderful time to reflect on the convocation that I attended the previous few days.

Bishop Gregory Palmer spoke about the Good Samaritan during Sunday morning worship. Within his well-crafted sermon he highlighted the innkeeper as a metaphor for the church. The innkeeper responded to a need and worked with the Samaritan to take care of the wounded. He trusted that he would be paid in full. We can assume that he might have gone the next step and used his influence in the community to campaign for safer traveling conditions. These words come only from the mental notes that I made, but I seem to keep pondering their significance to the life of this deacon and the church she serves.

Earth Day

Yesterday, much of our hotel was without water. Needless to say, it was a major inconvenience. What a subtle reminder of how a third of the Earth’s population lives in “water stressed” countries and that the world water crisis is one of the largest public health issues of our time. According to The United Nations nearly 1.1 billion people lack access to safe drinking water and this lack of clean, safe drinking water is estimated to kill almost 4,500 children per day.

Our son, Robert, is a civil engineer who specializes in water resources. He shares about the “water crunch” through a blog. As we celebrate Earth Day we need to consider whether we are part of the problem or the solution and give thanks for God's creative goodness.

Celebrating Diakonia

I am at a national gathering of United Methodists deacons and diaconal ministers in Orlando. In addition to dialogue, worship, outreach and Sabbath time, we are celebrating the thirtieth year of the office of diaconal ministers and the tenth year of the order of deacons in the UMC. From the time Ron and I left Myrtle Beach, it has been an experience of observation and reflection.

From radio news accounts along our I-95 journey, we concluded that it is far easier to buy a gun in this country than to get good mental health care. After traveling with the multitude of large trucks, we realized that no one must buy locally produced food or merchandise. The environmental footprint of motor homes and travel trailers must be quite large from the number we saw.

Meeting and greeting is always an important part of our gatherings. Sharing our stories and learning of new opportunities within the ministry of a deacon become points of reflection. Many deacons in attendance are shaping their roles to meet the emerging needs of the congregations and places in which they serve. Although I sense that I am doing something important within First UMC, perhaps we (clergy and laity) need to be in dialogue about my role? I have no preconceived thoughts about what any change might be.

Words of Wisdom

Today I encountered two quotations that have directed my thoughts. With the excessive commentary about the Don Imus incident, Duke rugby team charges and Virginia Tech murders, this Quaker saying seems appropriate to consider: "Do not speak unless you can improve upon the silence."

As we focus on environmental issues, there are so many things to consider. Perhaps these words of Martin Luther share the most important truth: "God writes the Gospel, not in the Bible alone, but also on trees, and in the flowers and clouds and stars."

May we live in God's grace as we struggle to understand headlines and commentaries.

Breaking News!

One more time the breaking news banner across the screen captures our attention and we learn of another tragedy. Today it is the Virginia Tech murders. The pictures and sounds of it all don’t make sense to us. We shake our heads in disbelief and our eyes brim with tears. How can someone go on such a rampage and take so many lives? We question a culture that evokes this insane response to someone’s despair. As details are revealed and accusations made, families and friends are grieving the loss of loved ones. We are hearing “they should have….” Larry King and Dr. Phil are analyzing what has happened. Our hearts are heavy. When will this violence end? Help us, O God, to claim our faith and to live into the hope and promise of tomorrow.

Children's Sermons

This morning it was my turn to do the children's sermon. I continually struggle with what this needs to be. I believe there should be some substance to the message, "not cotton candy in a religious wrapper" as voiced by some Christian educators. Some of my pet peeves include playing to adult humor, embarrassing children, using adult language and object lessons that make no sense to a child's literal mind. But, how can this be done in a few minutes with a wide age range of children and no time for genuine dialogue? I read the experts, listen to workshop leaders and still remain frustrated. I am glad that we at First Church try to do something for the sermon that relates to the text. This helps identify the children's sermon as part of the whole and give children the understanding that they have a special place in our community. Also, I hope that what is said opens the door to further conversation in the hours or days ahead. Therefore, perhaps the best that we can do is to leave them with a single question and/or a thought to ponder - a spiritual nugget. I have also found it helpful to name and see the children in my mind and heart as I prepare these sermons. This seems to give me insight as to what might be signifcant to them and to their relationship with God. It also reminds me of the importance of this part of our worship. "Let the children come..."

God's Earth

In his retirement, my husband has focused his mind and energies on environmental issues. By doing so, Ron makes family and friends aware of matters that are important to the well-being of all. He also gives much time to the Enviromnental Stewardship Committee at First UMC which shares information and concerns about being responsible citizens of God's creation. He now invites us to read some of his discoveries on his new blog, Earth Focus.

According to the UMC Social Principles (Para. 160) -
"All creation is the Lord's and we are responsible for the ways in which we use and abuse it. Water, air, soil, minerals, energy resoureces, plants, animal life and space are to be valued and conserved because they are God's creation and not soley because they are useful to human beings."

Save a Life

As noted in several of my past blogs, Nothing But Nets, the global campaign to save lives by preventing malaria, has captured my heart. So it is with great interest that I note that United Methodists are being encouraged to observe Malaria Awareness Day on April 25th by supporting Nothing But Nets by donating the cost of a lunch. Of course, I have shared this information with others and I am glad to know that this will be promoted throughout First UMC.

-Every 30 seconds, a child dies in sub-Saharan Africa because of malaria.
-9 out of 10 deaths caused by malaria occur in Africa.

A $10 donation goes directly toward the purchase, distribution, and education about the proper us of these bed nets, and the Gates Foundation will match each donation, net for net.

In addition to supporting this life-saving campaign, United Methodists will be praying for the children of Africa, for those suffering with malaria, and for global health. From my perspective, this day is an important one to observe. We can make a difference!

Easter

The following words are framed and hang above my computer in my office. The author is unknown although I have read similar comments credited to several different persons. They inspire me daily.

Hope is stronger than memory.
Salvation is stronger than sin.
Forgiveness is stronger than bitterness.
Reconciliation is stronger than hatred.
Light is stronger than darkness.
Resurrection is stronger than crucifixion.
The open tomb is stronger than the bloodied cross.
The risen Lord is stronger than the dead Jesus.
Easter is stronger than Good Friday.
Hope is stronger than memory.

We are the Easter people.
We are the people of hope.
We are the people of the open tomb,
The risen Lord, and new life in Christ.

Chilly Easter

The weather gurus are predicting record breaking cold temperatures for Easter. My mother reports that it is to be colder in Ohio than it was for Christmas or New Year’s Day. Explanations abound for this anomaly and we all feel it to be incongruent with our understanding of how Easter should be. However, perhaps it is just a reminder that we are given new life no matter what circumstances surround us when we embrace the Word of God as known through the life and death of Jesus Christ?

Maundy Thursday

When I have trouble sleeping, it usually means that all is not well with my soul. Such has been this week. I know that I am struggling with the Holy Week scriptures. The shadows are lengthening and darkness is falling across my heart. Everything seems to be upsetting and of crisis proportions. Maybe I am like the disciples; I just don’t quite get it. However, I don’t think that I am the only one.

In our continuing effort to help parents be a part of their children’s faith development, we created a Walk with Jesus for Holy Week. Modeled on the Stations of the Cross, we created ten different stations in our classroom area for children and parents to explore the story of Jesus. Families have been invited to participate at one of three scheduled times. Jamie Eagerton provided the leadership for this project and did a great job of making the stations. To date, her children are the only ones that have experienced this Walk with Jesus. Maybe tomorrow other parents will take this opportunity to allow their children to discover that Holy Week is a time to be set aside for a special time with Jesus.

In an effort to redeem this week for me, I am prayerfully reading, reading and reading. I especially enjoyed this blog by Diana Butler Bass and commend it to others to consider all the resurrections they have seen.

Monday-Holy Week

As I walk through this week, I find myself repeating the simple prayer known as the Jesus Prayer – “Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.” The more I say these words the more I realize how much I need Jesus and that I am falling short of Christ’s teachings each day. It helps me to “pray without ceasing” as I am faced with decisions and actions. Acknowledging my sin keeps me humble and accountable to Christ. By his blood he saved me and I depend on his grace and mercy. “Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

Palm Sunday Quiz

Discovered this quiz about the Gospel accounts of Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Good to check what the Bible really says about this event.

Holy Week Begins

Today, the children wave the palm branches and the music is magnificent, but the grim reality of Holy Week is lurking in the recesses of our minds. Although we look forward to Easter, there is hesitancy on our part to enter into this time of suffering and death that is the necessary prelude. In this dark and difficult time, we seek to participate more fully in the unfolding story of Christ’s redemptive act of love. Walking in the way of the cross calls us to love God and to love our neighbors as ourselves. It also means that we need to suffer death before resurrection can occur. This is part of the pilgrim journey for us this Holy Week. Like Jesus, we give ourselves up to death, so that we, too, can be resurrected. We die to sin, to selfish ways, to all that has held us captive. We let go of our need to control, of our anger and our envy, of our love of power, status, and wealth. May God’s grace and mercy guide and direct us during this Holy Week so that we can declare with certainty on this coming Sunday that we are an Easter people.