New Banner, etc.

I have been looking for a picture that would represent "A Pilgrim's Persective." This one seems to say so very much as Tom commented so eloquently to my previous post. I, too, thought of Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken” and remembered all the choices I have made. It also reminded me of Dutchess County, New York, a special place in my heart. Others have thought it to be Kentucky, New England or England. The picture was taken in Scotland and unfortunately I was not the photographer. A picture truly can say "a thousand words.”

I continue to be quite interested in the Nothing But Nets campaign and was interested to read this week that United Methodists have raised more than $1.75 million worldwide for this campaign in less than a year. So far, the campaign has distributed approximately 196,000 nets in Zimbabwe, Congo, Nigeria and Chad and positive results are already being noted.

Two favorite blog posts this week were “Creation, Community and Healing” by Larry Hollen and “Just Imagine” by Kathy James. Both gave me something to ponder on my daily walk.

Live the Questions Now

Years ago one of the UMW Mission School study books was Live the Questions Now. I don’t remember many of the details of the book, but the title has been a mantra for me ever since. It has been an invocation to be in relationship with God in the moment and not to dwell in the past or dream only of the future. Although past and future are important, it is today that we are to know as holy. But, there are always unsolved questions in the heart and the answers seem elusive. I have come to understand that we need to live and love these questions themselves for they are the source, the energy, the stuff of which my life is made. When we embrace the tensions, fear, conflict and vulnerability that entails, we are empowered to live in God’s presence.

As I continue to try to live fully in the moment, I have found my blogging to be helpful. It calls me to think about what is happening in God’s world and my life and where the two meet or don’t meet. Yet, such reflection is a challenge that I fail to accept on too many days. However, I know that even when my soul seems barren God is not through with me and that I will be able to fully live the questions and maybe even know a few of the answers in the todays of my future.

Capital Letters

It has been a long time since Mrs. Rutledge taught me basic grammar and writing rules and some of them I have obviously forgotten or have chosen to disregard. However, the trend of using capitalization at whim does irritate me. It's great to find someone of like mind. In the land of blogs, Word Wise, serves as a good refresher course in writing. The current post by Dan Santow addresses this issue by reminding us that only proper nouns are to be capitalized. I like the blog title, "Say No to Capital Punishment." Now I wonder, are such titles put in quotes, underlined or italicized? I will have to search Mr. Santow's blog.

It's Free!

I like to read the NY Times (on-line), especially the op-eds. Several years ago, the management decided that they would put the good stuff behind the pay wall. Knowing my frustration about this turn of events, my son gave me a subscription to Times Select and I was an appreciative mother. Then, as I entered into the blogging world and wanted to share some of the provocative thoughts of Friedman, Kristoff and Dowd, I was limited as I couldn’t link to their editorials. So, it was a great beginning to my day when I received notice that as of today the New York Times no longer charges for access to their on-line version. Their rationale was interesting:

"Since we launched TimesSelect, the Web has evolved into an increasingly open nvironment. Readers find more news in a greater number of places and interact with it in more meaningful ways. This decision enhances the free flow of New York Times reporting and analysis around the world. It will enable everyone, everywhere to read our news and opinion - as well as to share it, link to it and comment on it."

Although when Thomas Jefferson said, "Liberty depends upon a free press," he was speaking about the freedom to write of political issues. I believe that general access to this writing is part of this equation. Today, that means being able to read it on-line.

A Different World

Not only do I make a point to read Issac J. Bailey's column in the Sun-News, but I also often read his blog. Of course, I don't always agree with him, but I find his writing perceptive and thought-provoking. Like many bloggers, he passes along other writer's efforts that represent his viewpoint. Today, his post, The High Cost of Low Price , is a good example of this practice. This author states very well what I, too, have been thinking during the past few weeks.

Watercrunch

Our son, Robert, is a civil engineer who specializes in water projects. His blog, Watercrunch, focuses on water related matters, especially as they associate to environmental issues. Some posts are more interesting to those in the trade. However, yesterday he posted an interview with book author, Cynthia Barnett ,that caught my attention. He quoted her as saying, "I was and remain shocked that some 9,000 children on our planet die every day for lack of access to fresh, clean water." Although I am aware of our global water crisis, this number shocked me, also. Missional water projects take on a more urgent meaning and I want to know more about these initiatives, especially those that the United Methodist Church sponsors. Children, even when they are 37 years old, can lead us into fuller understanding of caring for God's world.

Thought for the Day

When I saw Ron preparing this slide for our Monday night worship, I had to borrow it to share. It reminds me of my parents who recently had trees in an old orchard removed and are now making plans to plant some hardwoods as their gift to future generations.

Thought for the day....

A society grows great when old men plant trees
whose shade they know they shall never sit in.

Greek Proverb

Knitting as Meditation

“The act of knitting is a meditation, for the work of the hands compels the mind to rest, and gives free rein to movements of the soul.” (Author unknown)

So it is with me today as my needles click in their knit three, purl three rhythm as I make another prayer shawl. My thoughts land on family and friends who are struggling with all the issues that the diagnosis of cancer brings. My neighbor who moved to Myrtle Beach to enjoy our pleasures and not to meet our medical community is coping with treatments and the prospect of major surgery. My brother-in-law who has hit a bump in the road with his on-going chemo treatments and the reality of his cancer has hit them in the face again. My friend from Columbia who has recently been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer of the colon and pancreas has had to tell his two sons at Clemson that he has 12-24 months to live. His on-line journal is a gift to all who want to be present to him at this time. And the list goes on…. Why are there so many cancer patients? What can we do to stop the invasion of this disease into our lives? The turbulent waters of life are wearing us out. We are handicapped by our fear.

Help us, O God, from drowning in our despair. Give us your hand and we will walk with you and live in hope. Amen.

Bishop's School of Ministry

United Methodist clergy from across the SC Conference met this week at Springmaid Beach for the Bishop's School of Ministry. This annual event combines learning and fellowship effectively for many. However, when one lives nearby and tries to participate in this event and to do regular church responsibilities, it means stress instead of relaxation. But, I did enjoy some special moments with my colleagues and the thoughts expressed by some of the speakers. So now I am pondering as to whether we create a culture within our churches that nurtures the faith of young people or do we just expect a set apart program to do this? Are we just reactive agents of mercy or are we proactive agents of change? I will have to work forever, because I will never understand the retirement process of the UMC. Although it is easy to complain and whine about our churches and governing structure, there are lots of good things happening in United Methodism.

Other items of interest this week have included learning that child mortality is at record low according to a recent article in the New York Times, reading a new blog by my clergy friend, Stephen Taylor and thinking about one of Will Willimon's latest posts about church growth.

It has been a good week. Now I have got to make sure we are ready for Sunday morning happenings.

Why Church?

My focus for the last week has been the sermon that I preached for our Christian Education Sunday. As this is not my primary call, sermon preparation is labor intensive for me. The text was Psalm 78:1-8, often called the Christian Education psalm, and one that has an important message about passing on the sacred stories. One illustration that I used has meaning to all who try to make a case for children to attend church.

Anne Lamott has a chapter in her book Traveling Mercies title, “Why I Make Sam Go to Church.” Sam is Lamott’s son, and he is less than enthusiastic about church going. But, Lamott writes that she still requires him to go and says:

"I want to give him what I found in the world, which to say, a path and a little
light to see by. Most of the people I know who have what I want…which is to say,
purpose, heart, balance, gratitude, joy – are people with a deep sense of
spirituality. They are people in community, who pray, or practice their faith;
they are Buddhists, Jews, Christians – people banding together to work on
themselves and for human rights. They follow a brighter light than the
glimmer of their own candle; they are part of something beautiful."

Clemson Tailgating

Football season is here and our grandchildren are learning to appreciate all the fun and food. Grandpa is also teaching them to say, "Go, Bucks". Maybe they need some scarlett and gray to wear?

Try to Remember

Ken asks me to preach two Sundays a year...two Sundays when I can't do too much damage. This year I asked if one of those could be Christian Education Sunday and he granted this wish. I look forward to sharing some of my passion for educational ministry through exploration of the Word in the sermon on this coming Sunday. The preacher of the day writes the cover for the weekly newsletter. Here is a sneak preview of what will be on the cover of THE STEEPLE.

As we celebrate Christian Education this 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. But, do we know these sacred stories? Test your Biblical knowledge.
1. Name the five books of the Torah/Pentateuch
2. Name the Ten Commandments.
3. Name 3 Old Testament prophets.
4. Why are the Exodus and Exile events significant?
5. What is the last book in the Old Testament?
6. In what book is the Sermon on the Mount and what is its main teaching?
7. Name two parables?
8. In what book are the “I am” sayings?
9. Who was present at the Transfiguration?
10.Who said, “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose”?

Also, do you recognize God’s presence in your life through these stories? Do you share with others what God has done for you yesterday and today? Do you understand how this shapes your future? These, too, are the lessons of Christianity that are to be taught and learned if we are to grow in a faith that equips us to go forth into the world sharing God’s grace and love. What is your commitment to Christian education?

Water for Elephants

During our recent road trip, we listened to the audio version of the best-selling book, Water for Elephants, by Sara Gruen and were most pleased with this choice. Jacob Jankowski reflects on his life with the circus as he lives out his days in a nursing home. In often poignant words, this character introduces the reader (listener) not only to Depression-era circus life, but also to how many older adults spend their last days. Although not a complex plot, we could see, hear, smell, feel and/or taste each part of the tale through Gruen’s word use and looked forward to hearing how the story would unfold. One needs to know that some of the language and situations are rather rough and colorful and could be offensive to some. Although not easy to hear, it does make the story more authentic. The use of two readers as the older Jacob and the younger Jacob is very effective in telling the story in this flashback method. Faithfulness and loyalty are key themes and could provide good discussion. It also could be argued that the class structure within the circus community is mirrored within our lives in many ways. Obviously, I recommend this to others as a book to read or hear.