Dan Dick's New Blog

Dan Dick, whose position at the General Board of Discipleship was recently eliminated, is writing a new blog. I understand the need for staff cutbacks during these times, but it would seem that we will miss the important kind of insight that his research provided as we try to respond to the world around us So, I am glad that we can continue to read some of Dan's thoughts such as the this post, “What We’re Not Is As Important As Who We Are.” Through three stories he examines the possibilities that the institutional church excludes instead of welcomes those who are truly seeking spiritual growth. It certainly reminds us to take note of those who are not in our pews and just maybe to do something about it.

A Day of New Beginnings

The psalmist tells us, “This the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” No matter where one’s political heart rests, today is an exciting day for us all. We are part of a democracy that perpetuates itself by the actions of responsible citizens who vote and allow for the transition of leadership to be orderly. Only history will reveal whether the inauguration of Barack Obama has been a defining moment in the life of this country. But one thing is clear, it will only be realized if we each do those things that are needed to build a healthier nation. Let our counsel be our faith as known through Jesus Christ.

These wonderful words of this hymn by Brian Wren (music by Carlton R. Young) come to mind as I try to capture the meaning of this day –

This is a day of new beginnings, time to remember and move on, time to believe what love is bringing, laying to rest the pain that’s gone.

Christ is alive, and goes before us to show and share what love can do. This is a day of new beginnings; our God is making all things new.

News Media Changes

Like many people, I vacillate between embracing change and holding on to the past. One of the greatest examples of this would be how I receive the news. An unbreakable habit seems to be beginning each day with a newspaper (and coffee). Why? Maybe it is just a habit, but I think it is part of an important personal ritual that allows me to know what is happening in the world. The change is that a local newspaper no longer allows much insight into world news or even state news. However, it does allow me to learn how the people of Myrtle Beach are responding to the events and happenings beyond the waterway. Because, a local newspaper reveals so much about a community through its stories, editorial comments and advertisements, its slow demise is painful. Local radio and television stations daily news coverage only offers us the same handful of stories over and over again.

Television’s power to cast an indelible image certainly influences our thought processes and often inspires individual action and commitment. However, the growing tendency for producers to televise stories with very graphic detail has become and should be a parenting issue. Our children need to be aware of news happenings, but only at their level of understanding.

ETV Radio and NPR continue to be great sources for insight into and discussion of current South Carolina and national news stories. Funding struggles often bring changes to personnel and content and I have to adjust.

One aspect of the transition of news coverage of the world that I am enjoying is on-line news. From major newspapers to blog reports, I am gleaning a wide scope of information any hour of the day and almost wherever I happen to be. The overwhelming amount of news available in this way can be mind-boggling.

As a news junkie, I have also read Newsweek since a teenager and know that the words and pictures within have been important to my understanding of my place in the world. I have noticed that it no longer seems to cover a variety of stories, but focuses on a topic. A Washington Post article explains the change that news magazines are undergoing. It will be interesting to see their place develop as a source of cultural reflection and shaping. For the time being, I will continue to renew my subscription.

Karl Barth, a great Christian theologian of the Twentieth Century, often referenced the importance of reading the newspaper in one hand the Bible in the other hand. Although a Blackberry may replace the newspaper, it would seem that this directive continues to be important as we live into faithful discipleship. In many ways, Paul’s letters were news accounts (although biased) of what was happening in the world and helped the early Christians to respond.

As citizens of a democracy we know freedom of the press. In these most important days for our country, it is our responsibility to make sure that we maintain this constitutional right. It would seem to insure this, we need to keep being discerning consumers of all forms of news media.

Warm Thoughts

The weather might be leaving many of us chilled, but our hearts are being warmed by some of the current news stories. The “miracle on the Hudson” has allowed us to believe in what seems unbelievable and has reminded us in so many ways of whom we need to be. We are also being captivated by the stories that are surrounding the upcoming inauguration of Barack Obama as our president. Political preferences aside, this historic moment is one that fulfills the vision of our democracy, a government for and by all the people. In the midst of these stories, we also remember an important voice that has helped lead us to this place in our history, Martin Luther King, Jr. For a number of years, United Methodist Bishop Woodie White has written a birthday letter to Martin as reflection on racial equality. Of course, this year’s letter is about Barack Obama. The weather may be cold, but warm thoughts are allowing many of us to let new ideas grow in our minds and hearts for the days ahead. Praise the Lord!

Full Moon

As the skies darkened tonight, a nearly full moon caught my attention. I prevailed upon Ron to capture this beautiful sight with his camera so that I could share it. The official full moon is tomorrow night, but the weather forecast indicates that we might not see much of it in Myrtle Beach. The moon in any stage can capture our imagination and cause us to cast poetic thoughts into our conversation and writing. I envy those who can include such moments in poems and prose. However, I can enjoy reflecting on its beauty both today and days past, especially the memories of a winter moon reflecting across the snow covered fields of the family farm in Ohio. Tonight’s moon reminds me of Andrew Wyeth’s Full Moon, a print hanging in my home for many years. There are many biblical references to the moon including Psalm 8:3-4 telling us of God's creative power and goodness. Watching this bright solitary light climb across the silent winter sky seems to be a precursor of the healing that night can bring to the soul. May it be so.

Snowbirds Have Arrived!

The snowbirds have once again migrated to Myrtle Beach. Each winter we welcome our friends from the North who come to enjoy our weather and golf. Over the years our Snowbird and Seagull Ministry at First Church has provided a sense of community for many of them. Locals also enjoy making new friends and participating in this fellowship time. Making sure that we continue to have a viable program is one of my responsibilities and since this is one of many programs that I am to make sure happens, I have had to practice what I preach. That is, I have had to establish a committee, define its tasks and delegate, delegate and delegate. It has been a joy to watch this particular group learn to take charge of meals, programs, golf and outings. Dabney, our program assistant, is also an important part of assuring and assisting these leaders in whatever need they have. All of this is to say, each of us – lay and clergy – can discover new ways of being effective servant leaders if we accept change and possibility in our lives. I am learning a lot from my older friends.

Mister Rogers' Neighborhood

Matters that affect children always interest me, but my grandchildren give me more reason to be tuned in to what is being said and written about children’s well being. Thus, a recent commentary about the demise of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood on PBS caught my attention. Although Fred Rogers was often the basis for jokes and laughs, most of us realized that his gentle, caring manner taught our children more about healthy living than most any other television programming. His signature statement, “I like you just the way you are,” has enhanced self-esteem for several generations of children. In his absence, parents and teachers may need to be more attentive to doing this for today's children.

Danny Duncan Collum writes in Sojourners:
"Apparently there will never again be room in the mainstream of American culture for children's programming that is mostly about unquantifiable intangibles such as truth, beauty and love."

full commentary

Daily Bread

With the beginning of the New Year, I am looking forward to encountering my journey with renewed energy. Although there will be a certain amount of high-level activity, it is the intentional refueling of the heart and mind that will give me nourishment for the days ahead. In no particular order, the initial efforts include:

Reading – A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah. Upon completion, I am sure that I will be sharing my thoughts about this remarkable account.
Family and friends – Lots of good conversations both in person and via phone. I really need to be more attentive to these relationships through regular contacts and visits as they allow me to understand in so many ways who I am and need to be.
Eating and Exercise – I have been enjoying good, healthy meals and know that lots of fruits and vegetables need to be part of my diet. Although we have not been to the gym for two weeks, we are faithfully walking through the neighborhood.
Study – I am preparing a four-part study “How the Bible Shapes My Faith?” and a homily for Seagull-Snowbird worship service. As usual, I am gaining the most.

However, as I reflect on what really does give me real energy and nourishment on my journey, I once again discover that there is a very real and trustworthy source of renewable energy. This source comes straight from God and can be drawn upon in times of silence, stillness and prayer. It also comes in unexpected encounters with God’s surprises. Every day offers a new opportunity to be nourished, to receive my “daily bread.”

New Beginnings

"For last year's words belong to last year's language
And next year's words await another voice
And to make an end is to make a beginning."

-T.S. Eliot,
from his poem, "Little Gidding"

Reading these words was a gift as I was trying to fulfill my resolution to be more attentive to this blog and my efforts at profound reflection or insightful prognostication were going nowhere. So I have not only spent the day packing away Christmas decorations, but also have allowed my heart and mind to discover the excitement of new beginnings in 2009.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.”
- John 1:1-5