Real Heroes

My son, Robert, introduced me to author J.R.R. Tolkien a number of years ago and I often think of his writings when there is conversation about the importance of community and how it offers support during difficult times. Tolkien created a fantasy world called Middle Earth as the setting for his Lord of the Rings trilogy. He raises the question of what makes a person a hero. The work supplies a simple answer: A hero is not necessarily the person with the biggest sword; rather, a hero is the person with the biggest heart who is willing to sacrifice for others. While powerful forces of good and evil are fighting a war to determine the entire future of Middle Earth, the true heroes are the hobbits, Frodo Baggins and Sam Gamgee. As a Christian I know that our faith community calls us to make the right choices as we live in relationship with one another. Sometimes, this means we may become a hero or encourage someone else to be one. Isn’t it great to know that we are not in isolation when bad things occur and that heroes can be ordinary people living in the moment?

Time Well Spent

Last week our DISCIPLE study group had their final gathering. It was truly an act of commitment for us to arrange our schedules to share a meal and Holy Communion. As always this was a special time as we explored the theme word – Remember - for this particular session. In doing so, we realized how important we have become to one another and that we have claimed sacred scripture as the basis for our discipleship in new and exciting ways. One of the highlights of our year was to have two group members become engaged to one another. Of course, sharing prayer concerns and moments of personal insight bound us together and connected us with God in a special way. Now the challenge is to convince others to be a part of DISCIPLE BIBLE STUDY during the coming year. Why?

From one of my previous postings:
In today’s bullet and sound-byte culture, it seems to be difficult to help persons understand that in-depth Bible study is important to their spiritual growth and that it is important to the life of the church. Repeatedly, I hear “don’t you have a short-term study, one that doesn’t require a lot of reading?” Yes, periodically we do Bible study “lite” and it introduces participants to some basic understandings. However, this encounter with the Word is not long enough to let the stories become our stories. To be nurtured in the faith stories requires discipline of reading and prayer. Developing learning relationships – students and teachers with God and with one another – is the essential frame for all educational ministries. This means that we need to be a part of an intentional spiritual community. I continue to believe that DISCIPLE BIBLE STUDY is a model that does this and functions as a building block not only for individuals, but also for the congregation.

Back in Time

As I watched our grandsons,William and Ethan, play at Sunset Beach last Friday, wonderful memories of beach times through the years filled my thoughts. Most of them were of our sons, Robert and Daniel, at Lewes, DE and Sunset Beach, NC. This second picture is of Dan (William and Ethan's father) and Robert enjoying the sandy beach at Cape Henlopen in 1976. It just seems like yesterday!

This I Believe - Part Two

Following confirmation a week ago Sunday, Ron and I drove to Ohio to visit my parents. Along the way we listened to the audio book, This I Believe. This compilation of essays from both the original and current radio broadcasts of personal reflections on beliefs and philosophies captivated our hearts and minds as we traveled. Voices of ordinary and extraordinary people revealed positive insights shaped by a variety of experiences. We especially enjoyed the timeless thoughts of persons like Helen Keller, Eleanor Roosevelt, Jackie Robinson and Edward R. Murrow. Their personal creeds are based on both religious and cultural understanding of salvation. These expressions of love and liberty are often a call to action or at least a mandate to name those beliefs that shape and define us. How amazing that this experience followed on the heels of confirmation thoughts and was on the way to Ohio, the birthplace of my most formative beliefs and values. This trip soon became more than visiting family and memories; it became an important journey to clearer self-understanding. (Tim, I think this might qualify for a God Wink.)

This I Believe

This past Sunday the affirmation of faith that was used in our worship services was written by our sixth graders as part of their preparation for confirmation. This creed is a compilation of their individual thoughts and beliefs. Each year as I assist these young minds to articulate their beliefs, I find myself reviewing those things that name my faith. This year my thoughts seem to focus on the sustaining power of the Holy Spirit and how this allows me to face the challenges of each day. Realizing how important this exercise can be, I think that we should probably encourage all church members to periodically examine their personal beliefs and to bear witness to them much like the confirmation experience. As we tell the youth, confirmation does not conclude the faith journey. It is just one stop along the way as we move toward the Christian Perfection as known by John Wesley.



to be continued

The Holy Mystery

We are in Ohio this week visiting my parents. Although I haven’t posted a blog lately, I have been pondering several different topics. Today, I am borrowing from Theolog as a focus for thought. The author says:

When you ask a Protestant patient what you can do for him, he’s likely to say, “You can pray for me.” Ask a Catholic and she’s likely to say, “I’d like to have communion." more

Communion remains very much a mystery to many United Methodists. Understanding it as a Holy Mystery can lead us into a richer relationship with our Lord. Perhaps we have been negligent in offering this opportunity within our churches?

Our Summer Intern

Meet Laura, our summer field experience student from Duke Divinity School. We had a delightful introductory visit last evening. Today we will make sure that we are fully oriented for this experience and make plans for her Myrtle Beach summer. I think this will be a good summer for all.

Weary Days

We all have them...days when we feel so physically, mentally, emotionally tired that we are also spiritually tired. I once heard a woman say, “I am tired – way down into next year.” Recently, I admit that I have been feeling a bit like that. So, it was a special moment when I read this passage. “…Jesus, tired out by his journey, was sitting by the well.” (John 4:6) Whenever the journey becomes overwhelming, Jesus gives an example to follow. He was weary, so he sat down and rested. It was as though I had permission not only to be tired, but also to rest. I also heard the invitation – “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) So, with a long list of things to do I stopped last evening and rested. This morning the list remains, but I certainly feel better equipped to continue the journey. Why is this such a hard lesson to learn for some of us?

General Conference News

As the 2008 General Conference comes to a close, I share a few of the stories that have caught my attention.

Our mission statement has been expanded to read - "...to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world." Bishop Gregory Palmer's comments about how this is the "why"we make disciples and a fulfillment of Wesleyan thought make sense to me.

A committee was authorized to develop a new hymnal that will be presented to the 2012 General Conference for approval. Already I can hear the lively discussion about what will or will not be included.

Membership vows will now include the promise to be faithful in "their witness". I look forward to observing how congregations will interpret and fulfill this vow.

The Judicial Council elected its first woman president. Susan Henry-Crowe is an elder in the South Carolina Conference who currently serves as dean of Cannon Chapel at Emory University. It is nice to know people in high places and to be confident in their ability to serve.

The Study of Ministry will be continued for the next four years. Although I understand the concerns by some United Methodists that we need to move forward with some significant changes, I believe that we should continue the discussion as to have a clearer understanding of the orders before major legislation is introduced.

Once again General Conference has agonized over the issues that surround homosexuality and apparently has maintained its current stance. Isn't it interesting that Jesus never spoke of this matter, yet we choose to engage in such painful, devisive dialogue about it?

Not only have I enjoyed being part of General Conference through the coverage found at www.umc.org, but also through several delegate's blogs. Again, I refer you to Stephan Taylor's blog for an insight into a delegate's experience. I give thanks for those who have so faithfully served our church.

Dreams

I seem to be dreaming a lot lately or at least remembering my dreams as I awake. Although I do not keep dream journals or think that there is great meaning in them, I do understand that they indicate that I may be unusually concerned by certain situations or events in my life. So, I find it important to name them and give them prayerful attention if I am to have restful sleep. It is interesting how dreams seem to weave stories of our past and present together. Are they omens of the future? Maybe, if we don’t handle them with care.

My current dreams seem to focus on tests….ones for which I have not studied or have studied the wrong material. This may be because my e-Christian Ed students at Columbia College are at the end of their semester and some are not ready for their final assignments. Yet, these dreams do lead me to thinking about whether I am ready for the tests in my life. I am a dedicated student, but sometimes I wonder if I have studied the wrong things or have not fully engaged in the process of learning with openness and discernment. When tested, I see only one answer and if that doesn't work I don't always know an alternative one. Therefore, these dreams about tests may be reflective of a need to claim God's gifts of a searching heart and questioning mind. Perhaps dreams are just another way to discover life-giving truths for the journey.

This and That

As I read the news from General Conference and some delegate blogs, I am impressed by the legislative process and the evidence of detailed planning for this important event. This should not be a surprise as we are Methodists. The worship experiences must be awesome! I encourage others to follow the happenings at GC and to be in prayer for the delegates.


I was part of a training team for a Safe Sanctuary workshop in Florence this past Saturday. We had some challenges, but we were pleased with the response of the participants. We not longer have to spend a lot of time convincing people that such policies need to exist. Churches just want to know what they should include and how to implement them. Much of what we discussed may be found on the SC Conference website. One frightening statistic that we quote certainly reminds me why I am spending several days doing this training. It is that by the time of conviction, pedophiles average over 200 victims.

Yesterday, we sang Whispering Hope during our worship. It is one of those hymns that you love or really dislike. If it evokes good memories of persons and events of the past, one probably feels a tug at the heart when singing it. If it has not been part of ones faith tradition, it probably is not appreciated as it does not reflect current tastes in music. All of this reminded me of how important it is to carefully select music when planning worship. Personal favorites may not be the congregation's choice for inspiring worship.

Earth Day 2008

“The universe is a communion of subjects, not a collection of objects” – Thomas Berry

This quote introduced me to the writings of Thomas Berry and helped me focus my thinking as we planned for celebrating Earth Day Sunday at First UMC. In a society that champions individualism, the concept of interdependent living is a challenge for many to accept. Understanding Earth as sacred community is the reality we need to embrace. Our Environmental Stewardship Committee led this effort to reflect on God’s creation and our place in it. From music and liturgy to scripture and sermons, we were reminded that we live in a divine world, one that we are called to maintain. We also enjoyed lunch on the lawn, a great opportunity for fellowship and a reminder of the importance of living in community.

For several months, Evening Thoughts by Thomas Berry has been part of my bedtime reading. Almost ritualistically, I have read a few pages of it for personal reflection. Fascinated by Berry’s thought process and use of language, I have found my own thinking to be challenged and expanded. This eco-theologian calls us to be a part of this time of confronting the integral well-being of the Earth. All creatures of Earth are looking to us for their destiny. He reminds us that “our children and grandchildren depend on our decisions for the sustenance and flourishing of the life systems of the planet.”

At the conclusion of the book, the editor included “An Intellectual Biography of Thomas Berry” which in itself is interesting reading. This leads me to wonder what my intellectual biography might say? I hope it is still being written.

Interesting Reading

Larry Hollen has another blog posting which has caused me to think about how we live our lives even in the church. Toxic Niceness seems to allow bullying and lying to define too many relationships. He says, "There is a place for niceness in the workplace and the family but it must be authentic and not a mask for false equilibrium. It shouldn’t cover up dysfunction. It must be accompanied by truthfulness, responsibility and accountability"

I think it is interesting that the topic of toxic niceness leads me to thoughts of the upcoming General Conference. South Carolina delegates - Tim McClendon, Kathy James and Stephen Taylor - have been busy reading, reading and reading proposed legislation in preparation for it. Tim is also seeking election as bishop this year. Their blogs have been insightful to what is happening and each welcome our thoughts.

A Few More Thoughts

I am still processing some of the information and thoughts presented at Caring for Creation. Although the urgency to be more environmentally responsible was at the forefront of most presentations, there was also a strong message of hope. This hope can be realized by doing simple things to reduce energy consumption which in turn means burning less fossil fuels, the major contributor to the climate crisis that is looming over us.

Some of the simple things that I am trying to incorporate into my life include:

• Change a light as one regular light bulb with a compact fluorescent light saves 150 pounds of carbon dioxide a year.
  
  
• Lower the thermostat 2 degrees in the winter and raise it by 2 degrees in summer saves 2,000 lbs. of carbon dioxide.
  
  
• Recycle more as I can save 2400 pounds of carbon dioxide per year by recycling half of household waste.
  
  
• Plant a tree as it will absorb one ton of carbon dioxide over its lifetime.
  
  
• Turn off electronic devices when not using them as this becomes a major saving of carbon dioxide.
  
  
• Think globally, eat locally. I can save about 500 pounds of carbon dioxide by supplying 25% of our food from local sources. (I guess that means lots of sweet potatoes.)
  
  
• Encourage others to adopt similar practices.

Coach Jean

I have been blessed to have a wide variety of opportunities in and through my ministry. Coaching is one of the more recent ones. Last fall I began training to be a coach for those trying to discover what it is that God wants in their lives and to help them succeed at doing it. (Oct.4, 2007) This week I concluded phase one of this undertaking with more training. It has been six months of wondering about the value of coaching and whether it is what I need to be doing. However, as we gathered and shared our experiences it became clearer to me that perhaps this will help me fulfill the call I have to prepare the way for those who follow in the ministry of the deacon. I sensed God’s grace as I realized the ineffectiveness of my efforts with my guinea pigs – Kyle and Melissa. I will ask for their forgiveness and move forward with phase two. I think I better understand what it is that I need to do to be a better coach and look forward to my next assignment. My friend, Kathy, also has some interesting comments about this experience.

However, I still wonder why we need to create this artificial relationship between peers. Why can’t we just ask supporting and encouraging questions of one another as we walk along the way? Somehow we have created a culture that plays life like a game and the winners have good coaches. Tom, I can’t wait for your response.

A Great Book!

As I continue to reflect on what I heard at Caring for Creation and try to understand what this means to me, I keep thinking about this quote from St. Augustine that was used:

"Some people, in order to discover God, read books. But there is a great book: the very appearance of created things. Look above you! Look below you! Note it. Read it. God, whom you want to discover, never wrote that book with ink. Instead He set before your eyes the things that He had made. Can you ask for a louder voice than that?”

While traveling from the mighty ocean to the pale green mountains last weekend and seeing wisteria, dogwood, redbud, azaleas, and daffodils blooming, the beauty of God’s creation unfolds before us and words of praise are on our lips. “O Lord, how manifold are your works!” (Psalm 104.24) Gentle rain and bright rainbows, songbirds and butterflies, mountains and streams – all are evidence of God’s creating presence and steadfast love. The vastness of the sky reveals life eternal and a voice calling us to faithful, sustainable living is heard.

Next year's Caring for Creation at Lake Junaluska will be March 5-8, 2009. I invite you to join us there.

Look at the World

After listening to the speakers and participants at Caring for Creation, I realize how much more I need to understand about the scope of the topics presented and to make a greater commitment to environmental well-being through personal lifestyle choices. Ron and I had much to discuss as we traveled back to Myrtle Beach and I am sure that certain aspects of that conversation will become part of this blog in days ahead.

Quite appropriately, worship concluded the conference. A choral ensemble from First UMC in Waynesville introduced me to a John Rutter anthem, “Look at the World,” which was wonderfully uplifting. Bishop Kenneth Carder’s sermon text was Matthew 6:25-33 – “Consider the birds of the air and the lilies of the field.” He reminded us that creation is God’s house and we are the servants called to care for all creation. Our response was the new Social Creed being proposed at General Conference. The benediction to go forth and serve the Lord by caring for creation was received with commitment and renewal of spirit.

Caring for Creation

This weekend Ron and I are attending Caring for Creation, a conference at Lake Junaluska that promotes care and justice for Earth and its people. For the past two years, Ron has found this event to be very important to his understanding of how the faith community needs to be involved in these issues. This year he encouraged me to participate and after observing his efforts to make environmental issues matters of faith, I could not refuse. It is unique for me to be the tag-along at a church-type conference. That is usually Ron’s role.

However, I have encountered folks I know and especially have been pleased to visit with Thomas Henderson who after a nearly tragic accident has been able to return to his passion for creating a sustainable culture as it relates to agriculture. He is a walking, talking miracle. He would love to offer South Carolina a program on some of the work he has done in several different settings. I will welcome any thoughts about this.

We ate breakfast this morning with some folks from Broad St. UMC in Kingsport, TN. (By the way, they are very excited to have Clark Jenkins as their senior minister). They were sharing some of the ways their congregation is becoming more eco-friendly, but said that they are having to proceed slowly because older people don’t like change. Then, almost immediately we all decided that this might not be the age group which is hindering progress for most of the attendees of this conference are 55 and older. Also, many older adults have known rural life, minimal consumerism and a simpler lifestyle. They have an appreciation for the impact of nature on their lives that comes from life experiences. Just think of all the changes older adults have seen in their lives. It is probably the younger generations who have a more difficult time changing. Just a thought.

God and Mammon

As economic and environmental matters dominate the headlines, we are being made aware of our passion to possess and the false standard of a good life based on accumulation. The Gospel of Matthew says that “No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.” (6:24) How can we embrace an authentic response to the gospel? Maybe this prayer by Joyce M. Shutt gives some direction.

Consumers’ Prayer*

throwaway bottles
throwaway cans
throwaway friendships
throwaway fans

disposable diapers
disposable plates
disposable people
disposable wastes

instant puddings
instant rice
instant intimacy
instant ice

plastic dishes
plastic laces
plastic flowers
plastic faces

Lord of the living
transcending our lies
infuse us with meaning
recycle our lives

*Living More with Less by Doris Janzen Longacre (Scottdadale, Pa.: Herald Press, 1980), 14.

One More Easter Thought

The joy and hope known through the celebration of Easter linger in my thoughts. I have especially wondered about the Easter only people who came searching for something special this past week. Do they realize that they can know that Christianity celebrates the resurrection of Jesus each Sunday? Do they know Jesus in their everyday? Are they still looking for Jesus the Christ?

The faithful women went to the tomb to prepare Jesus’ body and to bury him properly, but found strangers appearing out of nowhere to tell them that Jesus was not there any longer. “Why do you look for the living among the dead?” Here is the real question. These men in white remind the women of Jesus’ own words to them, that he would rise on the third day. They were looking where he said he would not be. This seems to be the experience of many even today. We look where Jesus is not. We look for the living among the dead. We look to our own intellect and strength. We look to the comforts of this world for inspiration and comfort. Yet all we need is to remember, like the women at the tomb, what Jesus has told us.

We find Jesus where he told us to look: in the community of believers. Jesus has been raised and it is in this gathered community of the church where we will find him. In all living things the promise of renewal is found, and that is where we are called to service. We are called to look for Jesus among the living, among those who need to be served and in those who are serving them. We look for the Living One among all those to whom he has promised life. Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed!