March 2008 - Posts
A covenant signed Feb. 23 by bishops of the Holston Conference and the East Africa Conference began the first United Methodist mission effort in south Sudan. This story, plus another on Ginghamsburg UMC's ministry in the Darfur region.
It’s sometimes hard to tell during an interview with the board of ordained ministry if a pastoral candidate has what it takes, says Brent Olson.
in two weeks jason and i will making a trek to willow creek for their "shift" conference. which is their student ministries conference. if you are going, let me know, i'd love to meet up. i am sure that i...
well, the hymnal isn't in a state of saving yet, but there is continued talk of revamping it and putting in and taking out hymns. i am far from the expert on the hymnal, but it has been an important...
So, John. Suppose, for the sake of argument, that PBS made the whole thing up. Suppose that William Kristol, who was Dan Quayle’s chief of staff and who attended White House Senior Staff meetings, made the whole thing up. Suppose all those reporters and others interviewed by
Frontline made up the story about Wolfowitz and company wanting to invade Iraq, ever since the presidency of George H. W. Bush. Suppose Barton Gellman of the Washington Post never saw the document he claims was leaked to him. Suppose Richard Perle was lying to Frontline, as was Kenneth Pollack, former National Security Council Staff and CIA Iraq Analyst. Suppose Elaine Sciolino of the New York Times lied to Frontline, as did Evan Thomas, the assistant managing editor of Newsweek.
Suppose that this article (written by Barton Gellman and shown by Frontline) never appeared in the Washington Post:
And suppose Frontline forged this document (featured in its television special), and ascribed it to *** Cheney and Paul Wolfowitz:
Suppose all of that, John. THEN, what theological support would you give to your view that a random Arab country should be chosen so that the %#$* could be bombed out of it?
I meant to post this a couple of weeks ago, but my friend Shelly recently led a group of students from Brevard College on a mission trip to Cambodia. You can read about their amazing adventures
here. I hope they will soon post some pictures on their blog!
I just read a
very 'on' article in Christian Century, written by Martin B. Copenhaver, called "Handshake Ritual." Reflections on the practice of greeting the congregation at the door after worship.
Excerpt:
"Worship is over and I am standing in the doorway shaking hands. In front of me is a couple I do not recall seeing before. I say, "Good morning! I'm Martin Copenhaver." By my manner and my tone of voice you might think that I am greeting long-lost friends, rather than introducing myself to these people for the first time. The woman of the couple responds, "Good to meet you. We are Jill and Bob Townsend."
"Welcome. So good to have you here." I think, Focus on their names. Catch the names before they simply drop to the floor. But while I am chatting with the new couple I see out of the corner of my eye the person next in line, whose grandmother just died. I give a nod in her direction to let her know that I want to speak with her, but not yet. I need to be attentive to the new couple for at least a few more moments: "Are you new to the area or just new to us?" What is their name? Townsend! Whew. Still got it. My thoughts spin back toward the one who is next in line and I begin to second-guess myself. Wait, was it her grandmother who died or her grandfather? Actually, I think it was her grandfather. And then my mind lights ever so briefly on the person she is talking to, a parishioner I have not seen in worship in some time. I think, It's been, what . . . almost a year? I wonder why she is back today. But I need to stay focused on the new couple. Quick, file away their names before you lose them. Townsend. I can remember that because they are "new in town." Jill Townsend says, "We've lived here for years, but we're looking at other churches." OK, Townsend, as in "not new in town." I say, "Well, I hope you can stay for some coffee." She smiles and says, "Not today, but I'm sure we will be back." I look for someone to introduce them to, but they are out the door before I have a chance.
Next is the woman who lost her grandfather. Or was it her grandmother? I say, "I'm so sorry to hear about your loss." She says, "Thanks. I so appreciate that. But it was a blessing." I ask, "Was your whole family able to gather for the service?" It's a rather lame question, but I am stalling for time, hoping that she will drop a personal pronoun. Before she can respond, my teenage son comes up behind me and drapes his arms over my shoulders: "Dad, you know you want to give me money so I can get something at the bake sale." Normally I would remind him that this is no way to ask me for something, but I don't have time for a lesson in manners. "Sure, Todd, here." I give him a ten-dollar bill. It's all I have. "Thanks, Dad."
I turn back to the grieving grandchild. She says, "Yes, the whole clan gathered. He would have been very pleased." I should have remembered that it was her grandfather. I say, "Well, I know you were very close to him. We will continue to hold you in our prayers." She responds, "Thank you. And you know Mary, don't you?" indicating the member of the flock who has been missing in action. And I do remember her very well. I say, "Of course. It's great to see you, Mary." Mary says, "Yeah, well, I haven't been around for a while. There's just been a whole lot going in my life." I think, OK, there's something to follow up on. I say, "Well, it would be good to catch up when you have a chance." She says, "Sure. Any time." Using a common pastoral way of closing a conversation, I say, "I'll call you." And then I hope I remember to call.
A teenager approaches with a cast on his right arm. I search my memory: Did he have that cast on last week? I playfully extend my right elbow and he does the same. As our elbows touch we share a little laugh. I say, "How are you hanging in there?" He responds, "OK. I broke it playing soccer." So the cast is something new. I ask him how it happened and he tells me the story. When he is finished I put my hand on his shoulder and say, "I'm so sorry. But you should see the other guy, right? I'm just glad you play soccer instead of tennis so that you can keep at it."
A man about ten years younger than I, who has been waiting in the wings, suddenly steps forward for his moment: "You don't remember me, do you?" He does look rather familiar, but in the way a person can remind you of someone else you know. He bails me out: "I was in the first confirmation class you taught, 25 years ago." I say, "Of course I remember you. Absolutely. But I have become very bad with names in my old age. Help me with yours." He replies, "I'm Scott Harrison." Shaking my head in contrition, I say, "Of course you're Scott Harrison. Absolutely, I remember you. That was a great confirmation class. How have you been?" Then, after a few more snippets of conversation, I offer him my hand again as a way to draw this conversation to a close.
Someone else approaches who says, "I really have to take issue with your sermon today." I say, "The sermon is just the beginning. Then comes the conversation, which often is the best part." He says, "Well, maybe that's a conversation we'll have." I say, "Great. I welcome that. Will you call me?" In this instance I want to put the onus on him to call."
Oh, I so relate!
one of my favs of led zepplin
my district superintendent whom i respect a lot has mentioned on more than one occasion that he wanted me to input on this 'virtual church' project. i didn't know much about it till yesterday. hap, a pastor whom i also...
jay has set up some new methoblog blogroll widgets and new plug in images for your blog.
The people of the Kenyan village of Lwala sold everything they owned to send two brothers to college in the United States. Their only request was that the brothers not forget them. A new documentary tells the story.
New denominational statistics show continuing U.S. membership decline in the United Methodist Church, but a steady increase in non-members who receive care from the church.
project365:87 - new family Originally uploaded by gavoweb. i finally got around to updating and uploading my project 365 photos. this is a picture i have been trying to capture all week. we have had this mourning dove make one...
This is the number one reason why I no longer trust you. This is why I have not supported your candidacy as the Democratic nominee candidacy from day one. The phone call came. The moment of decision came and gone, and then you were not a critic of George Bush until most of the country [...]
Interesting…….
A STATEMENT CONCERNING THE REV. JEREMIAH WRIGHT The Reverend Jeremiah Wright is an outstanding church leader whom I have heard speak a number of times. He has served for decades as a profound voice for justice and inclusion in our society. He has been a vocal critic of the racism, sexism and homophobia which still [...]
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