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!

The TED Prize

The TED prize is awarded annually to three exceptional individuals who each receive $100,000 and the granting of “One Wish to Change the World.” One of this year’s winners is Karen Armstrong, the writer of more than 20 books around the ideas of what Islam, Judaism and Christianity have in common. In recent years I have found her book, The History of God, to be a valuable resource for my own teaching. It traces the history of how humanity has perceived and experienced God from the time of Abraham to the present through these three strands of monotheism. So, it was with great interest when I heard her accept her award and present her wish: The Charter for Compassion. I invite you to watch and listen to this most fascinating challenge. (approx. 20 minutes)

P.S. I have also found her latest book, The Bible: A Biography, to be a very important addition to my library.

A Good Read

For months, The Year of Magical Thinking, has been on my bedside table waiting to be read. I find it most interesting that I finally chose to read it during Holy Week for it is a story of living after a loved one’s death. Well-known writer, Joan Didion, explores her experiences and thoughts during the year following the death of her husband. This is not an overwrought widow’s sentimental account that will evoke great emotion on the part of the reader, Neither is this written with the voice of one on a spiritual journey, but rather as a wife’s honest struggle to make sense out of her time of grief by reconciling what was in her marriage to her new state of being.

Didion’s matter-of-fact writing style with engaging use of language immediately captured my attention. She reflects on the difficulty of change and letting-go as she copes with her grief as the result of her husband’s death. During this same time period her daughter, their only child, was critically ill. Sometimes she seems to so detach herself from these events through this exploration of her mental state that I was left wondering how she is healing her heart. She did indicate that she sought answers through literature and uses brief quotes from some of the authors. Didion also references her Episcopalian background. However, we really are given little insight to her inward journey during this time.

In her year of mourning, Didion does seem to arrive at some state of acceptance of what she understandably has been resisting. Throughout the book, her italicized refrain is
Life changes fast.
Life changes in the instant.
You sit down to dinner and life as
you know it ends.

In her suffering she realizes that she has never been very amenable to change and finally surrenders her illusion of control. Her husband's words keep repeating to her:
Why do you always have to be right.
Why do you always have to have the last word.
For once in your life just let it go.

I found this psychological adjustment based on pragmatic reflection to be exemplary of much of the contemporary experience of grief and I can maybe too easily say that I have what I think to be a well-grounded faith that offers comfort and hope. For as Didion says, “Grief turns out to be a place none of us know until we reach it.” Therefore, I recommend this to be well worth reading and would like to know what other readers think about it.

Easter 2008

Shannon and Dan with sons, William and Ethan

and two happy grandparents

O God, we give you thanks for filling our hearts with joy, our minds with hope, and for leading us along as an Easter people. Amen.

The Shack

As a result of conversation with several persons, I have just read The Shack by William P. Young. I wasn’t sure that I wanted to take the time to read it as it didn’t seem as though it was the type of book that usually interests me. Several times during the first sixty or so pages I was ready to quit. Yet, the twists and turns in the story line began to capture my interest and theological insights were emerging in most interesting ways. The author uses this fictional account of a father in the midst of “Great Sadness” following the murder of his young daughter to explain a lot of things about God as revealed in the Trinity. The wrestling with some of the timeless theological questions that most of us face at some time or another leads the reader into important reflection and that is the value of this book.

Each one of us finds God in different places and ways. Sometimes it is in fictional writing. However, because of the limitations of this genre it is difficult to really know what the author means by what he says. The author cannot always adequately offer explanations or provide footnotes to scripture. Also, the emotional impact of reading fiction can become manipulative and thwart our ability to discern what is true and what is not. So, proceed with caution and discernment if you choose to read this book.

Soul Music

Yesterday, Tim, First Church’s choir director, sang one of my favorite hymns at our Seagull and Snowbird gathering. As usual, It is Well with My Soul took me beyond knowledge to insight. It released the part of me that needed to be in tune with God.

Lately, I have been struggling with some the challenges of ministry. Because I am the one who is often thought to have the answers, I forget to ask the questions that help maintain a healthy perspective on what is happening in my life and I cannot truthfully say that it has been “well with my soul.” I often feel an urgency to answer God’s call in my life and become impatient, overbearing and abrupt when events aren’t unfolding as I think they should. I forget that God’s time, kairos, is different than that linear process that directs so much of my thinking. “When sorrows like sea billows roll” I need to refocus and know that “my sin…is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more.”

Music is the one thing which I cannot hide from my soul. It touches my pain, my hope and my faith. It gives me something that I need for the journey, God’s justifying grace. Then, “it is well with my soul.”

General Conference 2008

In my world, the buzz concerns the upcoming General Conference and legislative actions that might impact not only the UMC in general, but also our local churches. Since this happens only every four years, good refresher information may be found at this website. Delegates from the South Carolina Conference are busy preparing for this event. Let's be in prayer for and with them as they take on this most important work.

The Legacy of Friendship

In a recent NY Times op-ed column, David Brooks wrote that “William F. Buckley Jr.’s greatest talent was friendship. He showered affection on his friends, and he had an endless stream of them, old and young. ” This led me once more to consider the matters of friendships. Although there has been much discussion about people in the United States having fewer close friends than in years past, we also are told the value of friendship and its importance to our well-being. As a result of so many strained families, friends have become surrogate family and the primary source of support and affection. “Faithful friends are a sturdy shelter: whoever finds one has found a treasure” ( Sirach 6:14) To be a friend and to have a friend supports the understanding that we are social and relational, not solitary and autonomous. There is a special kind of grace expressed in friendship for a friend is someone who makes us feel more like our true selves, one who recognizes the person we were meant to be. Buckley seemed to understand that this is the way we are called into fullness of life. I am coming to realize that I haven’t spent enough time and energy in recent years nurturing such relationships.

Jury Duty

Just when I thought that I couldn’t do one more thing, I was summoned for jury duty this week. Trying to maintain the proper attitude about this rite of citizenship, I ventured forth each morning muttering something about my civic duty and I was sure it certainly would be the last day of this adventure. Finally, by noon on Thursday, I was headed to my office and ready to resume my usual routine without having to pass judgment on anyone; i.e., in any official sort of way. However, I have made these observations:

During the seemingly endless time of waiting, Horry County residents upheld the Southern tradition of making personal connections by asking – Where do you live? Who do you know? What church do you attend? Even two guys from New York played the game and discovered they knew someone in common in their home state.

The court officials were very courteous, reminded us frequently how important our service was and explained the events of the day with clarity. The new courthouse means that the needs of all are accommodated comfortably. This was definitely my best jury duty experience from this standpoint.

This part of South Carolina is becoming quite diverse as evidenced by those of us in the jury pool room, but folks here still haven’t learned to do it right like they do it back home in New York or New Jersey. (So, why did you move here?)

Even with the distraction of doing some serious people watching, I got to read much of an interesting book, The Shack by William Young. Comments about this will probably appear in another post.

The consensus of my new friends is that the latest Grand Strand traffic nightmare will be the area around the Hard Rock Park and that Stuart Axelroad puts on quite a show in the courtroom.

And, trial lawyers don’t seem to be interested in having clergy serve on juries. Thank you, Lord!

Pew Research Study

Headlines of the past week about the changing religious landscape in America are generating conversation in a variety of ways. This is the result of the most recent Pew Research Study. Of course, many claim this information as affirmation of what they perceive to be wrong with their denomination or organized faith affiliation and I am sure that this will be freely quoted at our upcoming General Conference. So, it is interesting to read Larry Hollen’s thoughts about how we might interpret this new information in a constructive way. He says, "These figures lay out a landscape for significant ministry if we listen with sensitivity and reach out compassionately.

Everyday Blessings

Material and mundane matters seem to have been filling my thoughts lately and borrowing from Shakespeare and Steinbeck, I have been experiencing a winter of discontent. I have failed to see the interesting and profound in my days and as a result the blog postings have been sparse. In retrospect, this makes me very sad as I feel that everything in life is a potential blessing. It only depends on how we view it and what we do with it. There are elements of the sacred that underlie all facets of life. So once more I need to listen with my heart as I journey through Lent. The daffodils and tulips that we planted last fall offer a good place to begin as I seek a "thin place." (An early Celtic Christian metaphor for those times or places when the boundary between the sacred and the everyday feels “thin,” when God’s presence is more strongly felt.)

Each time I see their blooms they become moments of joy and these beautiful, simple words come to mind:

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all.

Thanks to Ron, another blessing in my life, and Pixel Pics for the photo.

Greenville, SC

As a result of a surprising turn of events, the Osbornes moved to Greenville, South Carolina in 1980. Almost immediately we became interested in the history and culture of this part of our country and began claiming it as home. However, Ron’s employer, NCR, called us to Columbia in 1983 where we lived for the next eighteen years and in 2001 we moved to Myrtle Beach so that I could serve at First UMC. During the intervening years since we discovered the red clay and textile world of the Upstate, lots has changed in Greenville. Last week we spent a day enjoying the updated version of the downtown area even on a rainy day. The new picture on the banner is of the bridge across the Reedy River Falls and this pilgrim remembering an important part of her life while looking forward to the future wherever the bridge might take her.

We visited the new Upcountry History Museum which depicts the events and resulting culture that defines this part of South Carolina. Several films and multimedia presentations provide good insight into the who and why of today’s stories. The film, “Pocketbooks, Prayer Books and Datebooks: Stories of Ambition in Upcountry South Carolina,” is excellent and a great introduction to one’s visit to the museum.

We encourage others to discover Greenville in her newest version. Then retreat to some of the hiking trails through the thousands of acres of the Upstate that have been so thoughtfully and carefully preserved. This is another story of vision by the leaders of the this corner of South Carolina that we all should applaud and emulate. Twenty-four hours in Greenville provided us lots to think and talk about as we returned to the beach.

Teaching Ministry

I have been immersed in Christian Education theory and practice as the result of some of my extracurricular activities. (I am a teaching assistant for a Columbia College e-college class and have been doing some church and district workshops about educational ministry.) As a result I have been taking a hard look at how we teach and learn at First UMC and have come to these conclusions:

Pro: Our classes are welcoming and are important fellowship entities.
Con: Our classes are territorial and do not welcome new classes which is the most effective way to grow this ministry.

Pro: We have some great teachers/leaders in our classes.
Con: We have teacher/leaders that resist growing in their understanding of faith issues and teaching methods.

Pro: We present a lot of good information through curriculum and teachers.
Con: We struggle to share it in a way that is transforming in the lives of class members.

Pro: Our classes present a variety of faith topics and issues.
Con: Much of class discussion is based on secular based thinking.

Pro: We continue to offer in-depth Bible study in small group settings.
Con: Many of the participants are the same faces year after year.

Pro: We have many families that consider Christian education to be important.
Con: We have many families that fail to regularly participate in Christian education experiences.

Pro: We have classes and groups for those interested in nourishing their mature faith.
Con: We do not offer classes for those who are seeking basic understanding of faith matters.

This analysis of our Christian education ministry could continue, but I think that I have enough to think about for now. I encourage others to further define this list and help me to get rid of some of the “cons”. What do we need to be doing to enhance our teaching ministry?

Naming

In this season of name calling I remember what we said as children, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.” I’m no longer sure of that after years of observing the pain of such naming experienced by many of God’s children. It has become obvious that the name we give to someone shapes our attitude toward him or her. Children do resent being called “Piggy”, “Four Eyes” and other demeaning names. But, how much worse to be called “nigger” or “fag” - names of ridicule all your life.

We give life to things and make relationships with them by the act of naming.. This offers identity, direction and character. It is a tradition as old as the Old Testament itself. When Moses asks God, “What is your name?” God says, “I am who I Am.” After Jacob steals his brother’s birthright and wrestles with the angel, God calls him “Israel,” the one who has striven with God. Sarai becomes “Sarah,” the one who laughed at the thought of being able to have a child in old age.

Our son, Robert Ronald, is named for his grandfather and father and his son is Jackson Robert. Daniel Taggart carries forth my grandmother’s family name as does his son, William Taggart. William is his Grandfather Amick’s name. We use family names to remember who we are and what we’re expected to be. It keeps our history alive in us.

Naming is clearly a holy act, an act of creation. It gives identity. But it can also destroy relationships. It’s a powerful device that deserves to be used with caution and sacred trust. Calling someone by name can be a mark of worth. “Hey you” is not naming a relationship of value.

Winter Realities

While traveling the highways and byways of South Carolina this past week, I was struck by how the stark, barren landscape of winter reveals the reality of what many persons now understand to be our relationship with the Earth. A hardwood tree here and there dots the horizon, decaying structures are everywhere and roadside trash abounds. We realize that we plunder and rape the Earth for our own purposes and fail to live in partnership with it. If we are to live in sacred community with the Earth, we have to rethink how we use the natural resources which we have been given.

Often these days of winter reveal the landscape of our souls, also. Lifeless and barren, we give no evidence of new growth and our spiritual life seems dead. Then comes Lent and we have the opportunity to be in a season of reflection and new life. Through study, worship and prayerful discernment we can reclaim faithful living and know that we are part of a sacred community with the Earth. We can restore that which we have wasted and neglected and the Earth and its peoples can flourish.

Refer to First UMC’s Lenten calendar for guidance.

The Value of Child Care

We are blessed at First UMC with the quaility of our Child Development Ministry. Many factors come together to create an excellent nurturning center for preschool and afterschool children. However, my personal opinion is that the director, Jeanne Voltz Loomis, is the key player in making it all happen. This morning I was most pleased to see her thoughts about the value of child care expressed in the Sun-News. What do you think?

Amish Grace

Amish Grace is the second book that I have read recently that gives understanding to those folks known as the Amish. This one is focused on the October, 2006 school shooting in Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania and how the Amish responded. Their spontaneous act of faith, forgiveness, caught the attention of those who were reporting these senseless murders and much conversation about it ensued. The authors, Donald B. Kraybill, Steven Nolt and David Weaver-Zercher, have written extensively on Amish culture and the media used them as resources in the days that followed this tragic event. Again, I have found the telling of the Amish story to be interesting and one that asks us to reflect on our understanding of living in faithfulness.

In addition to the insights into the Amish habit of forgiveness, I find their rituals which surround grief to be interesting. Although public grief is often restrained, the authors report that tears do flow freely and deep anguish is felt among the whole community. This grief is acknowledged through specific practices such as daily visits to the family for the first two or three weeks by community members. This is followed by a year’s worth of Sunday afternoon visits. Women wear black when they are in mourning which serves as a sign to the community to respond with care. Memorial poems are written expressing the depth of grief and the thanksgiving for the deceased person’s life. All of this leads those in grief to “a new normal.” How often we seek to rush through our grieving so that our lives can return to normal. The Amish recognition that death changes lives and that the healing of emotions is a process leads me to believe that they are better prepared to accept the next season of grief, and if need be to extend forgiveness, than many of us are.

The Amish community is bound together by strong ties of family, faith and culture. They readily adhere to the biblical commandment to bear one another's burdens. Living into the Word can truly be powerful.

Election Year Thoughts

It has been another interesting week in South Carolina with presidential candidates and their entourages, the national media attention and the abundance of political advertisements offering voters insight into the issues that are part of this election year. Of course, the economy has taken center stage and we continue to hear about immigration, health care and war. But, concern for worldwide poverty, the threat of global warming, foreign policy based primarily on military action and the other injustices that shape the lives of children here and around the world seems to be almost non-existent. I am sure there are position papers and expert political analyses that could give us a better of understanding of each candidate’s views, however, most of us rely mainly on sound bytes and headlines to shape our opinions. So, as the glitz and glamour subsides, I plan to spend more time digging deeper into what I need to know to vote in November.

Focus the Nation

After being overloaded on presidential primaries and economic woes, it is interesting to know that college students are calling us to focus on climate change and related environmental issues. Their understanding of this important topic might be the most important news of the week. We are proud of our daughter in-law, Kristen, and her leadership in Focus the Nation at Clemson University where she teaches. Our son offers some insight into her efforts on his blog.

Go, Tigers!

A Good Movie

I enjoy movies, but do not consider myself to be a real student of this art form or entertainment media. So, I usually refrain from reviewing or promoting them. However, we have just watched the heart-warming movie, Akeelah and the Bee, and think others would enjoy this inspiring story. Akeelah is a 11 year old student in a mediocre school and a challenging world. When her spelling skills are recognized, she finds herself being propelled into a series of spelling bees that culminate in the National Spelling Bee in Washington DC. Although it has a number of predictable elements, several twists and turns leave the viewer reflecting on the life lessons presented. The young lead actress, Keke Palmer, is delightful and should be receiving more opportunities to act in movies. Preachers will find this movie quotable and the rest of us will think about it for quite awhile.

The Family Story

After many weeks of Old Testament study, the Disciple Bible Study group that I facilitate is reading the Book of Matthew. (Yeah, we finally made it!) With this background, the genealogy that begins this account of Jesus the Messiah has taken on new meaning for us. Jesus pedigree connects the Old and New Testament in exciting ways. It stresses Jesus’ relationship to Abraham, the father of the Jews, and to David, the greatest king of the Jews, instead of to Adam, the first man. We also are discovering women’s names included in this listing and are learning how their stories of faithfulness are important to the continuation of God’s covenant with Israel.

After 28 years in South Carolina this kind of knowledge of family histories should not be a surprise to me. To a native son or daughter, there is never anything trite or dull about retelling the family stories, no matter how many times they have been heard. There is a sense of joy in the discovery of how one is part of the continuing story. To Jewish Christians, this web or series of interconnecting events led directly from Abraham to Jesus and revealed much about God’s plan of redemption. How interesting and exciting to know the story is still unfolding!

Teach us, O God, how to submit our years to you so that they may be woven with grace and beauty into the pattern of eternity. Amen.

Political Cartoon Wisdom

Once again Robert Ariail has captured an important story of the day. A political cartoon's simple and direct insight often lingers in my memory longer than lengthy editorals. I suspect that I am not alone.

However, my thoughts for today revolve around our election year in general. Even with all the frustrations that it brings, it is so important to be an informed voter. This often means listening for what is not said as much as what is said. We must keep asking the questions. We have been blessed with a democracy, but it will not be maintained without discerning citizen participation.

Blessed are the Flexible

I was a home economics major at Ohio State many years ago, but I remember well many of the classes and especially some of the professors. My home management professor spoke constantly of the need to be flexible, but was herself quite rigid in her expectations. So it was with trepidation when I had to tell her that the coffee pot was missing from the home management house in which I was living that semester. While quizzing me about the possibilities of where it might be, she also asked me what I had served for breakfast. Rather frustrated by her attitude, I retorted that we were flexible and had hot tea instead of coffee. Rather than being reprimanded for being smart aleck about this, she was delighted with my answer and quoted it to the class. Henceforth, I have tried to be flexible when encountering a dilemma, but sometimes I still miss the obvious solution. Such happened this week.

This week our Administrative Board met for the first time this year so staff members were busy collecting all the necessary information and reports. One person called to tell me that she was having computer problems and didn’t know how to get me her report. After several attempts, a co-worker tried scanning the report and sending it to me. This really didn’t work. In the midst of the conversation as to how I might get this report, it suddenly occurred to the co-worker that it could be sent as a fax. With hearty laughs from three sheepish persons, the problem was solved and I once again had a lesson about being aware of alternative answers to life’s questions. It would seem that the pilgrim needs to be ready to take another path and to be prepared for where it might lead. I wonder when I will learn this?

A Tap on the Shoulder

The first days of this new year have been filled with chasing rabbits. These rabbits have run in all directions and not all wanted to be caught. So, it was with relief today when suddenly from out of nowhere I felt a tap on my shoulder and stopped to see who it was. It was a small child who wanted to share a hug. With a smile that reflected trust and love, a bond was formed with this hug. I saw my constant hurry through the innocent eyes of a child. I miss God’s grace when I don’t stop to receive the hugs that only God can give. One more time a little child reveals an important truth.

The Times They Are A-Changin'

Our political candidates have named this is a year of change and the voters of Iowa have affirmed that idea. United Methodists are facing the possibilities of change through the actions of General Conference. Both of these events create tension between what is and what can be and we find that change doesn’t come easily. Even in our local communities and churches we resist doing things in different ways because the uncertainty of the unknown is sometimes just too challenging.

I remember another time of change, when these lyrics of Bob Dylan caught our attention and framed a whole generation's thinking:
Come gather 'round
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept that soon
You'll be drenched to the bone.
If your time to you
Is worth savin'
Then you better start swimmin'
Or you'll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin'.

Political and social issues surrounding our foreign and domestic policies are forcing voters to examine carefully the hearts and minds of presidential candidates. General Conference delegates are having to place the church in a world that is demanding for the care of the earth and its people in new and dramatic ways. It also will have to respond to matters that divide the theological understanding of its members. The cultural paradigm seems to be shifting.

Reflecting on change reminds me of many of my DISCIPLE sessions this past fall when we read and discussed the events of the Old Testament. So many times God’s people returned to their old ways and rejected change in their lives and suffered as a result. Sometimes change occurred when the weak were attracted by other gods and found themselves in an alien land. Fortunately, we also have learned that God is persistent and keeps encouraging us to embrace God’s love and grace by establishing new ways of relating to others. All of this leads me to pray the familar words of Reinhhold Niebuhr: "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference."

Ron's Ministry

When we moved to Myrtle Beach I was excited about the possibilities of ministry at First UMC, but little did I realize how it would be a ministry that involved Ron to such a degree. Although Ron has always been an active church member and supportive of my ministry, he was also busy with career and parent matters. He is now retired and our sons are married. Therefore, he now can do some new things, such as creating the Mousepad, introducing PowerPoint to our Monday evening worship, assisting with our webpage and most importantly chairing First Church’s Environmental Stewardship Committee.

After being aware of environmental concerns for a number of years, it was only when Ron began to read some of the serious literature about it that he truly became a bona fide tree-hugger. After attending an environmental conference at Lake Junaluska, he began to claim it as a faith issue and encourage others to make a commitment to care for God’s creation. Recently, a writer from the SC Advocate contacted him about the First Church’s green ministry and an interesting story has been written for South Carolina United Methodists to read. It is now posted on our church website, also. It is a good story, but note that Ron is a retired engineer, not a retired minister.

Although, I often refer to Ron as my administrative assistant, he has his own ministry and I am very proud of his efforts as I know that they encourage faithful discipleship. I hope that we both model to others that learning and growing can be part of who we are no matter our age or stage of life.

A Political Year

As the New Year begins, we are quite aware that 2008 will be a very political year. Not only are we having national elections, but also our General Conference will be convening in Fort Worth. Although both events can try our patience, we need to be aware of issues, vocal about our opinons and willing to let the litmus test of them to be our faith in Jesus Christ. Larry Hollen's current post addresses the issue of immigration and reminds us that "the nativity is a story of displacement and immigration." I am afraid that we might vote to exclude rather than include on a number of matters in both of these political arenas. We need to be responsible citizens and faithful disciples by studying and praying the issues before us.

I wonder what we will be facing as we enter 2009? In many ways it will be determined by the votes cast in 2008.

Resolutions

Much attention is given today to New Year’s resolutions. Losing weight and exercising more usually lead the list for many of us, especially after the gluttony of the holiday season. With the arrival of credit card bills and tax forms, the call for better financial management is heard by others. Recently, I read that nearly half of the adults in this country make resolutions and 25 percent of people break them in the first week. Six months later the majority of those making resolutions have broken them. However, according to several sources, making resolutions is useful. Those who do so are more likely to modify their behavior than those who don’t set specific goals. Of course, many fail a number of times before success.

So, one more time, I have been giving thought to those things that need to be my resolutions for the coming year. John Wesley’s Covenant Service begins with these words of invitation: “Commit yourselves to Christ as his servants.” With this in mind, I remember these words of Howard Thurman:

When the song of the angels is still,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins:

To find the lost.
To heal the broken.
To feed the hungry.
To release the prisoner.
To rebuild the nations.
To bring peace among brothers (and sisters).
To make music in the heart.

It is the acts of compassion and mercy that define our servanthood and fulfill resolutions that make a real difference not only in our lives, but in the lives of others. Blessed are those who live in the Word.

Happy New Year!

P.S. Thanks for your responses to this blog. It has become an important discipline as I try to connect my faith to the world around me.

Dorothy

Our grandaughter, Annaka, is with her other grandparents for a few days in Sumter where Santa seems to have come early. In recent months, Annaka has become a big Wizard of Oz fan and is especially captiviated by Dorothy. Grandma Ruth created this wonderful dress to help a little girl live a fantasy. I can almost feel the excitement and hear the singing. Wouldn't it be wonderful for all children to know such joy?

BOOM!

I recently listened to the audio version of Boom!, Tom Brokaw’s latest book, during my everyday driving. Therefore, I heard only short portions of it at a time which means I could ponder about what this bit of our national history (1963-1974) has meant to me. Like Brokaw I straddle two generations. I am shaped by the 1950s, but definitely defined by the 60s. The pivotal year during this time frame was 1968 - LBJ, RFK, MLK - and the 40th anniversary of it is being observed by the public media in a variety of ways. (Ex. Newsweek – November 19, 2007) So it was with personal interest I listened to Brokaw’s stories of both famous people and ordinary citizens in what he defines as a virtual reunion. He readily admits that the aftershocks of the 60s are not fully understood and that the verdict cannot yet be rendered about the effects of this time on our culture. However, the challenges and changes within this controversial era resound in our lives today and perhaps there are lessons that might guide us in the years ahead.

Boom! One minute it was Ike and the man in the grey flannel suit, and the next minute it was time to “turn on, tune in, drop out.” While Americans were walking on the moon, Americans were dying in Vietnam. Race, war, politics, feminism, popular culture, and music are all explored. Tom Brokaw analyzes how this formative decade has led to a recalibrated perspective–on business, the environment, politics, family, and our national existence.

In reflection, I understand much about the influence of the 60s on my life and on our nation. However, we still cry “let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream” . (Amos 5:24) Why?

Watercrunch

I enjoy reading my son's blog, Watercrunch, even though sometimes I don't fully appreciate some of the more scientific information that he often includes. However, the element of a mother's pride prevails and I faithfully read whatever he has to say. I think that his post for today is especially noteworthy.

Speaking of water issues, it is raining today! Praise the Lord!

Along the Way

Once again we are on the way to Christmas and I find myself wondering what might happen to us and within us and among us if we were to truly leave our fields and follow the star to Bethlehem to see this thing which has come to pass?

We might begin to believe that the Light will indeed shine in the darkness and that the darkness will never overcome it. We might know in our hearts that the one who made us is with us and offers hope.

We might begin to believe that the one true Love, the Love that has the power to change us all has come into being in the person of the babe in the manger.

We might begin to believe that the sharing in and the sharing of that Love, however and wherever we can, in ways great and small, is the only thing worth doing.

The great message of Christmas, of the Incarnation, is that in our weary world and our often times darkened lives, Jesus comes to share God’s love and grace. We might really believe God is with us and allow peace and justice to prevail.


"The shepherds returned; glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen..." Luke 2:20

Extending the Invitation

This week I had an interesting conversation with a young woman that has been attending our church for quite awhile. It left me saddened, frustrated and motivated because she told me, with an edge in her voice, that no one has invited her to join First Church. She also wondered why an invitation wasn’t given as part of worship. Of course, I immediately wanted to offer all sorts of reasons (excuses) as to why she felt that she had not been invited. But, I listened to her thoughts and offered an apology and tried to assure her that she was invited to join us.

Too often we are offended by honest comments and fail to see them as an invitation to us to examine what we do and to make changes if needed. It is very easy to blame others as to why newcomers might not feel invited to join, but we have to question our own roles in this. Perhaps, as a Christian educator I should provide a learning experience for this congregation about offering an invitation. Certainly, I will address this matter with our Council on Ministries. As a staff member, I can help analyze our process for inviting persons to join. As a disciple, I need to be more intentional about extending personal invitations to join us

In this season of Advent, we witness to the Christ child’s coming through our acts of love and caring. In addition, we need also to make sure that we are inviting others to join us as we journey to Bethlehem. It would seem that we too often leave them to be spectators only.

The Golden Compass

The movie, The Golden Compass, is generating a lot of discussion in a variety of settings. I find myself easily irritated at anything that sounds like censorship and get frustrated with some of the irrational comments that hear about it. Yet, I want to have a better understanding of this movie and its author, Philip Pullman. Today, I was most pleased to hear NPR's On Point and commend it to others. For some viewers, this movie could be thought provoking and enriching. Others, could be confused and led astray by it. If my teen really wanted to see it, I would see it with him or her and make sure that we had a conversation about it. In the meantime, I think I will save my movie money for something else.

Out of the Darkness

Isn’t it ironic that in this season of bright and flashing lights and general sensory overload that we (I) often stumble into darkness? I warn others about this, yet find myself struggling to stay on the path to Bethlehem. The absence of compassion and of justice that captures my attention each day seems especially poignant. The shadows fall across the earth early in the day leaving me feeling as though the day is over and I have not accomplished what I should. A sense of loneliness in a time of busyness leaves me feeling that I am going the wrong way. The voices around me are echoes lost in the canyon of my empty soul. The Good News is that each time when I reach this point something or someone resets my compass and leads me back to the path which is to be traveled. Saturday it was the unconditional love of William and Ethan.

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world, anyone who follows me will not be walking in the dark, but will have the light of life.” John 8

Unpacking the Creche

Yesterday, Patrick Downes, our organist, and I had lead our Snowbird-Seagull ministry in Advent worship. Using music and the word imagery of unpacking the crèche, we invited our senior adults to open their hearts to the promise of the season. As usual, I probably received more of a blessing from this effort than those who worshiped with us. I share some of the thoughts that I used and know that the seasonal music interspersed within was important to this time of worship.

For many of us the unpacking of the nativity or crèche opens our hearts to the promise of the season. As each precious piece is unwrapped and put in place, we find ourselves at the manger waiting for Jesus to come again. Whether elaborate or simple, our crèches each has a story unto itself…of who created and/or bought it, of its history and the family traditions that surround it. At one look it recalls in us all those whom we love, but no longer see. We remember Advents past and Christmases long since gone and half forgotten. And in this ritual of unpacking the crèche, these cherished figures will remind us of the Promise that has been made and will be kept when we let it.

With Mary we listen; with Joseph we remember to do the right thing. As shepherds keep watch, we know that in the dark God breaks through into our lives. The Wise Men come later, but are important as they tell of God’s gift for all.

As we put the babe in the manger, we pray:

“O little Jesus, sleep. Sleep while we kneel and watch over you in a dim light this Christmas too. We honor the woman that bore you. We admire the man that adopted you. We maintain sweet memories of those who brought us, like Mary and Joseph, into the stable to worship you during our own Christmas past. But you are the one we praise. You are the one whom we trust. In you we rest. In you we place our faith. Forever and forever, you are the Christ - and you are our Lord forever.” Amen

Walt Wangerin, Jr.
Preparing for Jesus

While I spoke about unpacking the creche, I remembered the little one which our sons enjoyed as children and that still has a prominent place in our home during this time of waiting. I have written a post about this previously.

World AIDS Day 2007

Fifteen years ago I became an AIDS care team member. Our patient was dying and most of us were venturing into a new territory. Needless to say, we were apprehensive. After participating in training provided by the Christian Action Council, we met Randy. His partner and a small community of friends were trying to meet his needs. However, resources were limited and his family had abandoned him. Not everyone felt this was what we needed to be doing, but the scriptures reminded us that Jesus broke through all the stigmas of his day and his culture. He touched, he walked with, he prayed with, he ate with, and he entered the homes of those who were stigmatized. Jesus tells us to do the same. The message to be delivered then and now is be not afraid, be not ashamed. There is nothing that separates us from God’s love and God’s acceptance. I know we did the right thing by being a friend to Randy and others. I remember them today, but realize that I have become one of those the news media identifies as complacent. The 40 million HIV/AIDS patients have just become numbers and I trust the humanitarian and medical communities to deal with this on-going crisis. The 6,000 children who each day lose a parent to AIDS need my attention, also. Forgive me, O God, for forgetting to care.

In-between

Thanksgiving is past as is the Festival of Faith and the time of stewardship emphasis. So Advent must be next. It is great to know that I have this week before Advent officially begins. However, the challenge to be ready to get ready is almost overwhelming. Sermons, teaching plans, programs are all in various stages of incompleteness. Of course, I want everything to be in order and perfect for what should be a most meaningful season of reflection and preparation. Yet, I feel that I will never get out of the wilderness and will miss the main event. How can I tell the Advent story and be heard over all the competing and distracting stories around me? Perhaps the problem is that I am peeking ahead to the last chapter and know what happens. Advent deserves our very best efforts. Wouldn’t it be better to live into these days with open eyes, ears and heart and then truly celebrate in the days following Christmas after the story truly unfolds in our lives? These in-between days are my last chance to decide how I will experience this most holy time of Advent. Come, Lord Jesus.

Remember the Hungry

As we count our blessings during this time of Thanksgiving, we also are reminded of those who are less fortunate than we are. A variety of news stories tell us about those who are hungry in this country. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 10 percent of adults and almost 17 percent of children live in “food insecure households.” Twenty-six million Americans rely on food stamps, an average weekly allotment of $21 or $1 per meal. This means many diets consist of rice, beans and low-cost starches. Fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products and most meats are not found in many meals of food stamp recipients. By the way, food stamp benefits have not been adjusted for inflation in more than a decade. Food banks, soup kitchens and generous individuals daily feed many of these and other hungry persons that are part of communities throughout the county. However, all these efforts continue to be but a band aid and real cures for hunger are seemingly elusive.

Many factors contribute to the persistence of hunger and poverty in this nation. Voices for the hungry continually try to help us understand there are political solutions to social injustices. Low wages, high housing, medical and other costs of living expenses means a continuing struggle for many, esp. women, children and the elderly, to receive good nutrition. Oxfam and Bread for the World are well-respected resources for information about hunger issues and a good place to study what it means to “give us our daily bread.”

Let Thanksgiving be a time of social challenge for us so that more may come to the table of plenty another year. Let us pray the familiar Thanksgiving Prayer by Samuel F. Pugh:
"O God, when I have food,
help me to remember the hungry
When I have work,
help me to remember the jobless;
When I have a home,
help me to remember those who have no home at all;
When I am without pain,
help me to remember those who suffer,
And remembering,
help me to destroy my complacency;
bestir my compassion,
and be concerned enough to help;
By word and deed,
those who cry out for what we take for granted."
Amen

Plain Secrets

From childhood I have been fascinated by the Ohio Mennonites and Amish who drive horse and buggies and live so simply. However, I really have never known that much about them except that they make interesting quilts, are good carpenters, dress uniquely and walk gently on the earth. So it was with great interest that I recently read Plain Secrets by Joe Mackall. Through a friendship with the Shetler family, members of the Swartzentruber Amish of Ashland County, Ohio, Mackall has revealed much about this very conservative group. Just as he struggles with understanding the harsh religious practices of shunning and excommunication, so do I. However, the Amish connection with the land and their community generates respect. Of course, I question riding in a buggy without lights or reflectors and refusing to send children to school beyond the eighth grade. Perhaps, the most interesting part of this book is discovering how the English and Amish live or don’t live in harmony. There are life lessons on almost every page. I'm glad I finally decided to discover more about the Amish.

The Right Questions

I enjoy reading the Lewis Center’s online newsletter, Leading Ideas and share this quote from a recent one. “Leaders do not need answers. Leaders must have the right questions.” In keeping with this thought, I find “Ten Provocative Questions” by Lovett Weems to be insightful and a good basis for holy conversation about the vitality of the United Methodist Church. It would seem that how we arrive at the answers will be as important as what the answers are.

I Don't Have Time

On Tuesday and Wednesday I attended the fall meeting of the SC Conference Board of Ministry. Our purpose was to interview the candidates for ordination as full deacons and elders. I serve on the Call and Disciplined Life Committee whose work is to explore with the candidates how they are living out their call and practicing disciplines that lead to effective ministry. Health issues often dominate these discussions as too many of our candidates are overweight and under-exercised. The response of the candidates to this matter and other issues of disciplined life usually include, “I don’t have time.”

One thing that I have noticed in reading scripture is that those who heard God’s call may have said, “I am not worthy” or “I do not have the skills.” They did not say, “I don’t have the time.” They retreated for prayer, meditation and instruction. And, of course, they walked and walked. Things have changed since Bible times for “I don’t have time” is a common reply to God’s call in our lives. Our conversations seem to focus on how busy we have been, currently are, or soon will be. We try to cram every minute full of activity.

The problem with living in a frantic pace is that we lose touch with the joy inherent in really being present to the moment. We lose touch with our souls. We lose touch with one another, especially our families and friends. Our ministry loses its effectiveness and we become stalled or detoured on our faith journey. I don’t think that these thoughts pertain only to the ordained.

Water Issues

I enjoy reading the blog, Water Crunch, which gives me insight into some of the water issues that are prevalent throughout the Southeastern U.S. and should be of concern to us all. A statement of full disclosure would reveal that the author is our son, Robert. Although there are times that it is a little technical for this reader, I find it to be very informing. Robert's observations about the human side of these issues are especially interesting and sometimes sad. For instance, this week he noted that "some affluent homeowners in North Carolina wanting to avoid the whole 'shared sacrifice experience' of conserving water" had found an answer to their inconvenience. They are digging wells and no law prevents them from irrigating their lawns with this water. How did we become such a self-centered society?

Robert's post about how some Atlanta businesses are coping with water shortages is also interesting.

The Community of Jesus

I am sure that Jesus was seen as just another upstart cult leader as he gathered his odd assortment of followers together. He frequently ignored traditional laws in the interest of restoring human dignity and hope. Marked by diversity and inclusiveness, the community that gathered around Jesus exhibited willingness to challenge the complacent acceptance of religious law. The Gospels remind us that Jesus especially welcomed those who were disenfranchised in that culture…women, children, lepers, tax collectors, and many whose minds or bodies separated them from the worshiping community. Jesus not only welcomed them into a worshiping community, but also into a teaching community.

Worshiping and teaching continue to be the heart of the servant community of Jesus Christ. Sustained by the Holy Spirit, we are to move beyond what has been to experience the presence of Christ in fresh ways. That may mean opening ourselves to new understandings of faithful discipleship through prayerful discernment grounded in scripture, tradition, experience and reason. The community of Jesus looked at the world around it with new eyes and responded with action. Do we?

Altar Calls

During the recent Festival of Faith at First UMC, questions and comments about altar calls once again emerged especially among those that this custom is not part of their faith heritage. This has challenged me to do some historical review and personal reflection.

The period of the Great Awakening seemed to generate a lot of concern about the effectiveness of the Holy Spirit and the need to count those who had been converted. As a result, the altar call gained popularity in the 1830’s with the rejection of the Calvinist teaching that human nature was irreparably depraved; human wills, not their natures needed to be converted. Preachers sought to create revival by using a time of decision following their preaching. This public profession of those gathered at the altar seemed to be an effective method of insuring this change of wills. D.L. Moody and Billy Graham continued to make use of the altar call and it became part of the evangelical Protestant culture. It is hard to find a scriptural basis for this, but we can name it as part of our tradition.

The current version of the altar call is usually offered in terms of rededication to Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. With the organ playing “Just As I Am”, we are summoned to make this public witness to our faith. This becomes a moment of profound sacredness to many. However, some find this emotionally manipulative and without purpose. I think they may have a point to consider as this single act often creates a false impression that all is well with our souls when we answer this invitation. Also, it can be a time of judgment against those who chose not to participate. If we are seeking to claim Jesus, wouldn’t it be more transforming to heed the words of dismissal at the close of each worship service…the words that send us forth to live and serve guided by Jesus Christ? Isn’t it in the everyday that we are the most effective witness to our faith? Whether at the altar or in the pew, may we hear God's call on our lives and respond to it.

Autumn

I love the change of seasons and although at times it is nearly imperceptible in Myrtle Beach, there are always signs that connect me with this important rhythm of life. Such are these days as we finally experience some cooler days and see a hint of fall foliage. This transitional season is one of comfort. A sense of quiet begins to invade our lives and it is almost as if we are yawning. Only the clocks are alert as they prepare to change.

Personally, as the world seems to fade except for the low, orange moon, I can almost smell the musky, woods-like odors of autumn and recall days past when I walked across the Ohio State campus on my way to a Saturday afternoon football game or when I took walks along picturesque wooded paths in a variety of places. My thoughts drift to faces of yesterday which seemingly float like ghosts though my mind. Bluejeans and turtlenecks become my favorite casual attire and hearty soups are regularly found on my menu. With the deliberate preparations being made for colder days ahead, I rejoice that a needed time of quiet and peace is approaching and out of this new life will surely spring. Praise be to God!

New/Old Thoughts

A current headline story on various church websites quotes Bill Hybels as saying Willow Creek leaders have conducted an extensive study of their congregation (and several similar churches) and have concluded participation in programs did not inculcate Christian discipleship and that they had spent "millions of dollars" on programs thinking that they would help people grow—only to find that there was no real increase in parishioners' love for God or their neighbor. "We made a mistake," says Hybels: "What we should have done when people crossed the line of faith and become Christians, we should have started telling people and teaching people that they have to take responsibility to become 'self-feeders.' We should have gotten people, taught people, how to read their bible between services, how to do the spiritual practices much more aggressively on their own."

As the Leadership Journal blog put it, "Spiritual growth doesn't happen best by becoming dependent on elaborate church programs but through the age old spiritual practices of prayer, bible reading, and relationships. These basic disciplines do not require multi-million dollar facilities and hundreds of staff to manage."

Diana Butler Bass writes, “As I have traveled across the U.S. and Canada, I have found that many congregations—including mainline churches, progressive evangelical communities, and synagogues—are rebasing their life on spiritual practices including prayer, theological reflection, doing justice, generosity, storytelling, discernment, shaping community, hospitality, and leadership.”

Nearly every week someone suggests to me that we need this program or that one at First UMC and as a result all would be well with us. It would appear that it might be better for us to intentionally create a climate of transforming practices. Perhaps growing Christians mega-style isn’t the answer after all. I hear a call for the return to basics.

Charge Conference 2007

A funny thing happened on the way to the First UMC Charge Conference. We discovered a lot of faithful church members don’t have any idea what this is. Someone decided to invite everyone that has a leadership role in the church instead of only the Administrative Board members. Subsequently, I got the opportunity to explain to many of these folks what a charge conference is when they called to say they couldn’t attend. What I have discovered is that this is a teachable moment and one that we need to use next year for lessons in Methodist history, polity and even theology. As I put this on my 2008 calendar, I will share this definition of a charge conference:

Charge Conference is the local church administrative body to which clergy (elders and deacons) report; also an annual meeting in which local church officers are elected, reports are received, and the mission and ministry of the local church are reviewed. The Charge Conference recommends candidates for ordained ministry. Members of the Charge Conference include members of the local church’s Administrative Council (or Board) and all clergy appointed to the church. Clergy appointed beyond the local church and/or those appointed outside of their own Annual Conferences relate to Charge Conferences in the areas in which they are serving. The District Superintendent or his/her appointee presides.

Observations from our 2007 Charge Conference:
- Thanks to the efforts of those in our business office almost everything was in order.
- One thing always seems to be overlooked and this year it was naming an Epworth representative. We will do this at our next Administrative Board and be back in the good graces of the powers that be. In other words, no big deal.
- Although this can be a burdensome event each year, it is good to have this opportunity to review our ministries and feel this sense of connection with other United Methodists and to tradition.
- This year each church was asked to report on its Safe Sanctuary policy. We can celebrate that not only do we have a policy, but we adhere to it.
- Although we had not conferred with each other, it was interesting to note that each of the clergy spoke of the need for First UMC to look and be beyond our doors. The 2008 reports could be very interesting if we take this seriously.
- It is sad to think that Rowan Crews and Mike Black were the last clergy who have been ordained from this church. However, Danny Chamblee and George Olive are serving as local pastors. We need to pay more attention to supporting those among us who may be hearing a call to ordained ministry.

Quotes of the Week

Sometimes it’s the encounter with a brief statement of truth that lingers longer than a lengthy narrative. Such are these three thoughts that have been part of my week.

“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” Albert Einstein

“The present is what the past is doing now.” Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury

“What if we treated our Bible like our cell phone?” Leonard Sweet (Guess who forgot her Bible this week, but had her cell phone?)

Lake Junaluska

I am spending a few days at Lake Junaluska at the SEJurisdictional Deacon Gathering. We are exploring what our ministry means to the church since 1996 when General Conference established the order of the deacon. We are especially interested in the ministry report that will be presented to the 2008 General Conference and possible legislation that might result from it or submitted petitions. At this point, many of us feel that we are still living into the last changes and that it probably is premature for any drastic changes in the ordination process and the orders. Perhaps after what I hear in these sessioins, I will change my mind. It is exciting to hear that there are over 1600 persons in process to be ordained as deacons.

Mountains Beyond Mountains

On a recent road trip, Ron and I listened to the audio version of Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder. The author reads this book about the quest of Dr. Paul Farmer to cure the world of infectious diseases. This most interesting and inspiring account is one of hope and of the understanding of the Haitian proverb “Beyond mountains there are mountains”: as you solve one problem, another problem presents itself, and so you go on and try to solve that one also.

An outstanding scholar, Paul Farmer earned a MD and PhD in medicine and anthropology at Harvard while making frequent medical mission trips to Haiti. As he searched for the root causes of disease and ways to change conditions within this impoverished country, he was able to create Partners in Health, a non-profit organization that would generate some significant research and aid. Farmer’s compassion seems to be grounded in matters of faith and he is quoted as saying that he has found a “place to look for God among the suffering.”

In recent years, this book has been frequently named as one for common or shared experience reading in colleges and communities. What a great choice! I will be thinking about Dr. Paul Farmer for a long time.

What Are We Teaching?

Ralph Waldo Emerson is credited as saying, “All children have at least one thing in common. They close their ears to advice but open their eyes to example.” I remembered this today as once again I observed the coffee-doughnut ritual at First UMC and wondered about the lessons being taught. We offer fat-laden doughnut holes to children who we know are being threatened with obesity. We serve coffee that is not *fair-trade and forget the injustices to humans and the earth that are contained in each Styrofoam cup. (We could also discuss the chemicals liberally added by many coffee drinkers) By the way, only coffee is served. The purpose of this time in the parlor is to meet and greet others. Yet, it does not seem to be an intergenerational exercise. The final concern is that some of our children depart with cupfuls of doughnut holes that are not shared with others in their Sunday school class. I refuse to be the doughnut police. However, much is being learned each Sunday in this fellowship time and I think we need to consider developing new curriculum. By the way, I fully realize that this is heresy and I will probably be charged with such.



*Fair Trade Certified coffee guarantees farmers a fair price for their product and requires them to make environmental protection a part of farm management

Interesting Information

A current United Methodist Communications press release offers this information. It certainly is something to consider as we look forward to the 2008 General Conference.

"One-third of the membership of The United Methodist Church now lives outside the United States. But the denomination’s structure remains decidedly centered both in and on the United States itself. How to respond to the new global reality was the topic of a panel discussion during the Oct. 8-11 annual meeting of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. Scott Brewer, director of research for the denomination’s General Council on Finance and Administration, reported that at end of 2005, the denomination had almost 13.8 million baptized and professing members, which includes children who have been baptized. While the U.S. baptized and professing membership stands at more than 8.9 million and continues to decline, "globally, the United Methodist Church is growing," with most of the growth
in Africa, he said."

New Hymnal

Although I am a pathetic musician, all sorts of music feeds my soul and I understand its importance in the life of the church. I especially know it to be important to the learning and understanding of our theology, so the following United Methodist news release interests me:

"United Methodists are invited to participate in an online survey identifying their 10 favorite hymns to help the United Methodist Publishing House and the United Methodist Board of Discipleship analyze and plan for congregational singing resources and identify changes and trends in musical styles. The selections may come from the United Methodist Hymnal and/or The Faith We Sing. The survey also asks participants to select up to 10 of their least favorite hymns and songs and the titles that should have been included. In addition, participants are asked to respond to five geographic questions. The survey is available at www.gbod.org/favoritehymns.html. For more information, contact Dean McIntyre at (615) 340-7073 or dmcintyre@gbod.org"

I plan to give this some serious thought and respond. I hope that some of you who read this take the time to participate in this survey and maybe even share with me some of your choices. My first thoughts of favorites include "It is Well with My Soul" and "I'll Praise My Make While I've Breath". "What Gift Can We Bring" has wonderful lyrics and I wish that we knew it at First Church. "Majesty" probably tops my list of those not to be included. For some reason that chorus grates on my nerves. Previously, it has seemed that the naming of the hymns to be included in the UM Hymnal has generated more heated discussion than prayerful consideration. May it not be so this time.

The Journey of Discovery

Once again as I enjoy a Disciple I class and the “ah-ha” moments that are part of it, the theme of journey emerges from the scriptures. We identify with the story of Abraham as he “journeyed by stages.” We read of the excitement and misery of the Hebrew people as they sought new life with Moses as their leader. We cherish the story of Ruth who values loyalty to her mother-in-law more than the security of her homeland. We know the familiar story of Mary and Joseph making long and strenuous journey to fulfill the demands of the state.

As we reflect on our personal journeys, we know that it is possible for journeys to affect only the outside of life, while the inner person remains untouched. However, most of us realize that these outer changes often propel us into an often tumultuous inner journey where we are forced to search for hidden strengths. We enter into a confusing and unfamiliar time in which we sometimes feel angry or frustrated. We long for the end of the road. Too often we fail to cherish the journey. I wonder why we are so afraid of the process of discovering new life that offers us the possibility of living more fully and more faithfully? I am glad that once again Disciple Bible Study is giving me the opportunity to intentionally look through the lens of scripture at where my journey is taking me.

Postscripts

Blog Action Day organizers report that over 20,000 persons registered to post blogs about environmental issues and even more persons blogged about these matters. Maybe these voices will effect change in the way we take care of God's creation?



After exploring agararian matters and sustainable living at the Duke Convocation last week, I found these comments about the globalizaiton of hunger from MADRE to be a very good overview of this topic.

"At first, the numbers don't seem to add up. The world produces more food than ever—enough to feed twice the global population. Yet, more people than ever suffer from hunger; and their numbers are rising. Today, 854 million people, most of them women and girls, are chronically hungry, up from 800 million in 1996. Another paradox: the majority of the world's hungry people live in rural areas, where nearly all food is grown. " (more)



I truly believe that these are spiritual conversations that we are to have as we are called to take care of the land. It is part of the covenant relationship we have with God

Blog Action Day

Today, over 15,000 bloggers around the web have committed to discuss matters related to our environment. Diverse voices recognizing the need for public discussion of the various topics under this broad topic are offering information, insight and inspiration in an effort to make us more aware of how we can be part of a more environmentally responsible world.

My contribution contains thoughts from “Our Daily Bread”, the Duke Divinity Convocation that I attended last week. It became a time of reclaiming an appreciation of an agrarian economy, one that I knew as a child in rural Ohio. It was with great interest I heard of the new attention being focused on local food production and trade and the renewal of a culture of community. However, it became obvious that for change to occur connections between food and the health of the land, soils and waters must be understood. Most of us have had our lives shaped by an economy based on cheap fossil fuels plundered and rugged individualism, even those of us with roots in the land. We have lots to learn and to practice. Norman Wirzba, an ecological theologian, reminded us that it is difficult to say grace authentically over our meals when we consider the practices (and injustices) that bring the food to the table. If we understand food as both a gift and a responsibility, what challenges must we accept?

A thought…

Wendell Berry says, “A society wishing to endure must speak the language of care-taking, faith-keeping, kindness, neighborliness, and peace.”

Children's Sabbath

This week people of faith throughout this country are observing Children’s Sabbath. By doing so they look deeply at their responsibility to nurture and protect children, especially those who live in poverty and are victims of our social ills. They make a commitment to action that encourages justice and inspires others to care for those who are the most vulnerable. They pray for the possibilities to sing a new song of love among the world’s children.

This week my pastoral prayer was focused on the needs of children and the concerns of their families. The following is part of this prayer:

".....Today, we know that the challenges facing children and those who care for them are many. Let your light shine into their lives. We pray for all children whose bright promise is squelched by poverty, poor child care, lack of medical attention, inadequate educational opportunities. We pray for the children who woke up this morning not knowing which motel, campground, car or shelter they are going to sleep in tonight. We pray for the abused, neglected, diseased and hunger-ravaged children everywhere. We especially remember those who are without hope as violence surrounds them and they are left without families to love and care for them. Lord, in your mercy hear our prayers.

We pray for parents who worry about what to do, for teachers who devote themselves to educating young minds, and for church, community and national leaders who make a commitment to our children’s future. Help us be the voice for children and families bound by chains of injustice and despair. Give us the courage and the energy to travel with them into your holy place. Let us sing a new song of love and care to the world’s children in the name of the one who taught us to pray…. Our Father, who art in heaven.....Amen."

A New Thought

I try to walk regularly and to use it as a time of prayer and reflection. As I walk, I hear my heart and the world around me and often within this God speaks. Yet, other walkers that I meet along the way seem to be fully attentive to their Bluetooths or iPods. It would appear that this might be an intentional effort to blot out those voices that can be so important to our being. I trust that they find time to listen for God’s voice sometime during the day.

Today, some of the conversation about sustainable living that I heard at Duke Divinity School’s Convocation filled my thoughts as I walked. The comment made by Wes Jackson that we should speak of eco-system and that no part of it is greater than the whole came to my mind. He maintained that in many ways environmentalism is a selfish term because it implies that humanity is at the center and all else surrounds us in a lesser way. As I was thinking about this, I realized that "me" is exactly in the center of the word environmentalist.

Our Daily Bread

Ron and I are at Duke Divinity School for Convocation and Pastors’ School. “Our Daily Bread: A Theology and Practice of Sustainable Living” is the focus. Author, Wendell Berry; environmentalist, Wes Jackson; and theologian, Norman Wirzba are leading us into new understanding of our relationship to the earth, each other and God. I hope that I will be able to incorporate this into my life and ministry in the days ahead. But. for now I am enjoying the thought that I have met Wendell Berry, a favorite author and thinker of mine for a number of years. His poem, Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front, reveals much about who he is.

Old Dog Learns New Tricks

I am enjoying exploring the possibilities of life coaching, especially as it might be used in helping clergy and lay leadership discover their goals and create action plans for them. As part of the SC UM Conference emphasis on Natural Church Development, twenty-two lay and clergy are being trained to be coaches. As part of that process, we are meeting in Columbia for two days. During the next six months I will be coaching two persons while personally being coached. Each of the persons who are to be my guinea pigs want to focus on where God is directing them and developing a plan to do it. Already I am excited about the possibilities of how this technique could be very effective within the life of this conference. I especially like this process of asking open-ended questions that leads the person to finding their path and setting their own goals to travel it.

I find it interesting that the person who asked me to be part of this initial group of coaches served as an effective coach when I was trying to determine if I should accept my current position at First Church. Although this was not a formal arrangement, he did ask me several important questions that led me in my decision-making process. Perhaps this is why I have accepted this new opportunity to serve the church. Isn’t it interesting what happens when we open ourselves to new possibilities?

Podcasts

Podcasts have become a part of my life. I resisted them for a long time as I thought they were like talk radio which I abhor. However, I have found them to be more like being able to access the best of NPR whenever I want to listen. Ron downloads an assortment of interesting ones from a variety of sources that we have discovered, burns a CD of them and I listen to them as I travel in my car. Leonard Sweet’s Napkin Scribbles is a favorite. Tonight on my way home from one more church meeting, I heard him offer a good retort to those who say they are not being feed. He said, “Put down your fork and put on an apron.” Love it! I doubt that I will ever say that to someone, but maybe I can deliver that message in a more subtle manner.

iTunes is a great source of podcasts, including ConnX produced by SC United Methodist Church. NPR, World of Possibilities, Speaking of Faith are other favorite podcasts. Sometimes I travel vicariously with Rick Steves.

When I see the great number of people walking around with mp3 player headphones in their ears, I have to ask, “How can podcasting become a tool for ministry?”

The Holy City

On Friday, Ron and I enjoyed a get-away day in Charleston. Our original plans were to walk across the new bridge, but the heat directed us to other things. However, we did walk miles throughout the picturesque downtown area with rest breaks in the shade or an air-conditioned space. We had no real purpose in our visit, but to enjoy the ambiance of this historical city and to find some respite in our busy lives. Mission accomplished.

The highlight of the day was visiting our friend, Ms. Nell, who has moved to an assisted living facility in Mt. Pleasant. This new residence allows her to be near her children, but separates her from her friends and church family. At 91, she finds life to be filled with God's blessings and is an inspiration to those of us who face the winter of our lives with trepidation.

A tasty meal at the River Room in Georgetown while watching the sunset ended our day. A sense of well-being filled my soul. I need to do this more often.