A time for waiting and a time of anticipation, A time for looking and a time for finding God's gift of love, A time for forgiving and a time to admit we are not perfect, A time for singing the Bethlehem rap and a time for angelic
choirs, A time for holding a baby and a time for a child to calm our
fears, A time for reaching out and time for enjoying the simple things
of life, A time for speaking peace and a time to make room for hope,
It's Christmas time again - time to allow a shimmering light to
overcome the darkness of our sorrows, our feelings of weariness,
the unending news of war, the political bantering, and our
hesitation to receive the Joy coming into the world.
T.C.C
Dear Friends,
Christmas can be the most fulfilling and joyful season of the
year.
As Sharon and I look back over the years, the memories of many
wonderful and warm Christmases flood our minds: Christmas cards
that we read and reread, the laughter and support of family and
friends, the illuminating lights at the Kansas City Plaza and
the lights around our house, and the undeniable light of courage
of people facing insurmountable odds, globally and locally. The
worship services leading to the Christmas Eve Service seem always to
provide a place of restored peace for the soul during the
holiday rush.
The preparations for decorating a special table at home with the
variety of Nativity scenes we have from all over the world, the
gift of messages on the cell phone from grandkids, the memory of
friends and loved one's whose voices speak from above "I will
always be with you" - all these events turn our thoughts to the
love we feel at Christmas and throughout the year.
Most of all, Christmas is when our minds go back to that lowly
manger in Bethlehem, and we hear, beyond the noise of our
materialistic world, the sounds of a "sweet little Holy child"
who comes to save us from ourselves.
We pray that you and yours will once again say, "It's Christmas
time again - I'm speaking peace and making room for hope!"
On behalf of Sharon and me, thank you for the warmth of your
presence at our recent Christmas dinner, the gift card to the
Hereford House Restaurant, and the picture, to be delivered
soon, entitled The Gospel Travelers. All of these special gifts
and wonderful times together are reminders of God's love,
support and the laughter that we need throughout all the seasons
of our lives.
Following a wonderful dinner prepared by the Warrensburg church,
the humor and reflections of guest comedian Kelley Sisney
reminded us not to take ourselves too seriously during this
deeply moving yet hectic season. By taking ourselves too
seriously we are in danger of missing the hope this season
offers.
Keeping our perspective will be especially important soon as new
evaluation forms for ourselves, our local churches and for
year-end reporting will be sent.
The ultimate goal is for you and me as
spiritual leaders to be healthy and happy while continuing to
work toward justice and making disciples of Jesus Christ.
However, the greatest gift for me continues to be the new ways
we find to pray, play, talk, learn and grow together. What a
wonderful Gift we have as a covenant community anticipating the
Gift of the Word becoming flesh.
Peace to all of you - and thank you for being you.
There is a humorous but poignant story about a wealthy
grandmother that seems fitting for this All Saints’ Day and
Thanksgiving season. She never forgot to send Christmas gifts to
her grandchildren, who never remembered to write a thank you
note to her or bothered to call her to share their gratitude for
all she had done for them throughout the year.
However, one day she bragged to her hairdresser that after
Christmas, every one of her grandchildren had come to visit her.
Knowing that these grandchildren had disappointed her over the
years, the hairdresser was surprised. “That’s wonderful. It’s so
good to know they finally are showing their appreciation and
love for you.’’
“Oh, it wasn’t appreciation that brought them to my house. You
see, this year for Christmas I sent them all a handsome
check…but failed to sign it.”
Many of us, with our busy lives, fail to name those who now rest
from their labors and who have had a profound influence on our
lives; and we forget to thank those who cheer us on each day.
There are supportive family members, caring colleagues, friends,
and patient people we work with each day who accept us as we are
and who hold us accountable to the best that we can be. We are
truly blessed by those who watch over us from above and those
who are visibly a constant source of hope and strength.
I
am remembering today my parents, who modeled a courageous faith
for each of their five children; a strong and feisty
grandmother, who lived to be 92 and who never failed to smile
each day; a wife whose love and support keeps me humanly
pressing toward the mark; and three wonderful daughters, who
keep me broke and proud in every way as a father.
Then there is the radical and passionate group of pastors,
active and retired, who offer much to my spiritual
soul and journey through their witness. There is the blessing of
our clergy families, whom I always enjoy seeing throughout the
year and who bring a special understanding and calm to every
setting and situation. And I am forever grateful for laity, who
encourage us, take the lead, and walk with us through times of
difficulty and times of celebration.
May
we all pause to remember, rejoice, and recall that God is Good,
all the time, and all the time, God is Good!
Dear Partners in Christ, A certain pastor aroused lots of curiosity and speculation because of
his habit of walking to the railroad tracks each afternoon and standing
there alone. For weeks, the pattern was the same. At exactly 2:35 in the
afternoon the freight train would roar by, and the pastor would stand
motionless, watching it pass.
"What's he doing?" people wondered. Some
feared he was thinking of doing something drastic. Finally, someone
asked him why he kept a daily appointment with the train. He replied, "I
just need to see something move around here that I don't have to push."
It's the first of October, and I am sure
that many of you can say "Amen" to the story of this pastor. You may be
wishing you did not always have to be the one to get people motivated
and excited about the vision and overall ministries of the church. You
may be tired of pushing.
This is an extremely busy time as some of you are preparing sermons or
Bible studies relative to the Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations
or perhaps preparing for the remaining Charge Conference. Others are
initiating thematic stewardship campaigns for their ministry setting. It
is also a time when pastors and Stewardship Committees are sharing "the
world of difference" we make by responding to our local church's
apportionments. And I am confident that you are making every effort for
this to be a successful year for our district and conference askings.
My prayer for you is . . .
that this will be a time in which you
model the spiritual leadership needed for your setting rather than
feeling pushed-or that you have to push;
that this is an opportunity for you to
cultivate and surround yourself with members "who get it" and can
live out the dreams and goals of the church;
that you will pursue colleagues,
teachers and mentors who can help you identify: radical, passionate, intentional, risk-taking and extravagant
approaches for effective ministry.
This is not the time to play the lone
ranger. Instead, seek the advice of persons who recharge your
batteries, renew your love for Christ and hold you accountable to the
best that is within you.
In a few days, you and your Staff/Pastor
Parish Committee will be receiving from our office a new evaluation and
consultation form that will require more reflection and input than in
previous years. The new forms represent questions that reflect our core
values and practices adopted by our conference. You will be sent a
tentative schedule for the consultation with the D.S. shortly.
Finally, mark your calendar for the second
Pastors Day Apart led by Jim Downing and myself on Tuesday, October 23,
2007. I look forward to our time together as we continue the journey of
real fun, faith, fellowship.
I want to share a quote with you that I recently read that helped me put
some things in perspective as I embark upon the busy schedule that
follows the Labor Day weekend and the numerous plans set in the month of
September.
"Ah, Lord," I have said, "I would like this to be done in this order,
with this result!"... But the Lord undoubtedly laughed at this wisdom
and said..."I am an active God who is accustomed to doing the leading,
ruling and directing."
These words of Martin Luther from his "Lectures on Genesis" capture the
dilemma we face as leaders of the church in the 21st century. We are
called to the great task of the Great Commission, and at the same time
we are called to be led by the Spirit. There
are days when it is difficult to keep the balance between the being and
doing of ministry.
My prayer for you during the fall season is that you will allow this to
be a time in which you will lead with prayer time, leadership time, fun
time, self-care time, fruitful ministry time and time for listening to
others who can assist you in the risk-taking mission and service of
which we are a part.
Here are a few of the resources and dates I would like to call to your
attention. You have received details about these event previously, but
please do not hesitate to contact the office if you need more
information.
1.) The
August "Pass It Along"
resource from the Missouri Conference has excellent suggestions on
Stewardship and Disaster relief. 2.) There will be a special lunch for seminary students (serving in
our district) with the DS on September 13. 3.) The District Celebration with the dynamic preaching of Emanuel
Cleaver III will provide renewal and vitality for you and your
congregation on September 15 at Lee's Summit UMC from 5:00 pm-6:30 pm. 4.) The
Pastors Day Apart with Bishop Schnase will be a great time
for enrichment and fellowship on September 18 at First (Warrensburg)
UMC from 10:00 am-2:00 pm. 5.) Mark your calendar for October 23 for
Soul Care for Pastors
with
training by Jim Downing and the DS at Fist (Sedalia) Celebration
Center from 10:00am-2:00pm. 6.) An excellent resource for you to read in the coming months
Direct Hit (Abingdon Press) by Paul D. Borden. You will find it to
be a practical and invaluable tool for your ministry.
Lead well with hope and faith, and may
the Spirit's work among you bring a bountiful harvest.
Getting Ready for Real
Fun, Real Faith and Real Fellowship!
I remember
our monthly pastors' meetings in Tennessee that would include conference
dates, endless hand outs, side line comments or complaints from other
colleagues about what was happening, and the usual discussion of
expectations of each pastor. As we were leaving each meeting, a dear
friend would turn to me and say, "Are we having fun yet?" I would smile
and respond to him, "Of course! Isn't this fun?!"
My hunch is that many of you, following your vacation (which I hope you
have taken!), are still trying to find a few more days for renewal,
rest, and fun while planning for the fall season in your ministry
setting and preparing for the church conference. My question for you is,
"How will you enable the upcoming events, in addition to your ongoing
leadership responsibilities, to really be filled with fun, greater faith and fellowship for the journey?"
There are a couple of things I hope you will do as I share in this
communication a few important dates for our work together.
Real Fun -
rethink ways in which the meetings and
activities being planned can be done with less stress, more enjoyment
and greater passion for what God is calling you to do. For example, if
you have a different way for celebrating ministry during the charge
conference, you are not stuck with the format that is suggested for you.
Just call me and let's do some dreaming around the vision you have.
Real Faith -
look at what you are reading/doing that
can fire you up and bring you closer to God this week. There is a new
book, Keeping the Call: Leading the Congregation Without Losing Your
Soul, by Jill Crainshaw, that some may find helpful.
I invite you, if you would like, to respond to all
of us by email and share one book or resource you have found this summer
that might ignite new ideas for colleagues in the district.
Real Fellowship - plan a day with colleagues in your
covenant group or with new pastors in the district that would involve a
time for an enjoyable activity, prayer, and accountability. Call your
D.S. for just down time and reflection. He can also come to assist in
"bowling away" any anxious moments.
I look forward to seeing you at the next two significant events for you
and your congregation to experience Fun, Faith and Fellowship:
District Celebration - Saturday, September 15, 5:00 - 6:30 pm, Lee's
Summit UMC, Reverend Emanuel Cleaver III, preaching.
Pastors Day Apart with Bishop Schnase - Tuesday, September 18, 10:00am -
2:00pm Warrensburg First UMC.
(Not Required) Soul Care with the DS Wednesday, October 10, time and
place TBA
Finally, I want to thank each of you for your important leadership in
the payment of our District and Conference apportionments.
I hope this
communication finds you healthy, encouraged and strengthened by the
prayers that are lifted up for you today.
I was reading a quote
from the Wesleyan Spiritual Reader in which John Wesley wrote from
his Journal, Vol. 2, p. 184:
Many were comforted
and strengthened both at the Lord’s Supper, and at the evening
service. I think all jealousies and misunderstandings are now
vanished, and the whole society is well knit together. How long will
they continue so, considering the unparalled fickleness of the
people in these parts? That God knows. However, he does work now,
and we rejoice therein.
It is no surprise that
Wesley encouraged people to take communion at least once a week and
that he received this gift for himself often during the week. It was
a source of nourishment, healing, forgiveness, and direction, and
for renewing the vision of how we are to live in relationship to God
and neighbor.
In that spirit, I
invite you to think about ways in which communion and special
worship services can help to restore relationships among the
leadership and members in the congregation. Perhaps this is a time
in which we can also ask God to enable us to see, in the midst of
difficult people and situations, the peace that passes all
understanding.
I will again include,
for my own soul care, Holy Communion during the Charge Conferences
to remind me, and all of us, of the larger connection we have as the
Body of Christ. In the midst of reports and charge conference
forms, may we hear anew the life giving story of the Heartland South
District.
In closing, please
respond today with your reservations for our upcoming District
Picnic and continue to be in prayer for Brent Mustoe, Sam Fisher,
Mary Lou Toft and all our families.
June/July - A good time to De-clutter and Enjoy Life More!
I often get compliments from individuals who come to
visit my office about how neat my desk and room look to them. They
especially like the fact that it seems to appear that way all the time.
I normally respond to those who say that to me that you just caught me
on a good day when I was able to hide all my problems, or perhaps
opportunities, in one big file.
The
reality is, because I enjoy tackling a variety of roles and tasks for
the church, it has become clear that there are two key important
obstacles to overcome in life. One is to be able to get up each morning
and find your keys, and the second important obstacle is to find a small
part of some sanity in order to face the day.
Several important rules for getting your life together that colleagues
and spiritual directors have taught me along the way include the following:
* Set aside each day a time for devotions, eat small meals and
exercise. One without the others can leave you temporarily uplifted yet feeling tired the rest of the day. * Streamline your desk of papers, plants, books and catalogs. * Have a throw away party in which you get rid of old notes and
files that are out-dated. * Change the room around while changing your attitude about what is
really important to the success of your ministry. * Make peace with your imperfections while working to strengthen the
gifts God has given you. * Break down a big goal with a realistic plan of action. Trying to
do too much, too fast, with little sleep is a recipe for the D.S to ultimately visit you in the hospital. * Don't allow email or the TV to control your thoughts or habits. * Remember that ministry is an adventure, not an emergency. * Take your vacation.
* Thank someone every day. On Sunday, one of the pastors in our
district started his sermon by thanking the congregation for their love and support. He then invited a member to come up front
and told the member how much he has meant to his ministry. You could feel the presence of Christ throughout the sanctuary. * Model for your church and yourself after the five practices of
healthy congregations. * Hug family members every chance you get. * Enjoy worship beyond your ministry setting this summer. It will
spark new ideas and renew your spirit.
I look forward to our ministry in the days
ahead. For now, I need to locate that file about charge conferences.
The Rev. Dennis Harper, Garden City UMC pastor, was ordained
at Annual Conference . From left, the Rev. Amy
Gearhart Sage, Bishop Robert Schnase, Bishop Monk Bryan,
Bishop Gregory Palmer and the Rev. Cody Collier. Dr.
Collier is Heartland South DS. (Picture from the Missouri
Conference Review)
See current issue in PDF.
Dear Partners in Christ,
It was a joy to see many of you and your lay delegates at our recent
Annual Conference. I was excited to present the appointments in our district for this next year that represent a creative and committed
group of elders, full-time local pastors, part-time pastors and student pastors. We are also blessed with a wonderful group of
persons who are a part of extension ministries and a supportive and active list of retired pastors.
We welcome to our covenant community seventeen people who are serving
in new appointments in our district. In addition, we celebrate this year our colleagues Bill O'Neal, who was commissioned as a
Probationary Elder, and Dennis Harper, who was ordained an Elder in
full connection. We also congratulate Stephanie Moore for receiving the
Unity Award.
Moreover, I am grateful to be a part of an inclusive and diverse
delegation to General and Jurisdictional Conference. I would invite you and your church to be in prayer for each of us and for God's
leading in this important task.
Please remember to read the district web site (www.gbgm-umc.org/heartlanddist)
for updates of coming events in the district, and mark your calendar for our district picnic, August 2,
2007, at Powell Gardens. (More information will be mailed later.)
I am also interested in hearing from some of you about the scheduling
of early charge conferences, beginning as soon as early August. This
will be most feasible where there will be very little change in the
salary support package and in nominations for the new year. This summer
scheduling would particularly enable me to fellowship with the twelve
small-membership churches in the district I have not yet been to visit.
I would love to come and provide a teaching time as part of the charge
conference agenda.
Finally, let us continue to keep in our prayers: Robert Maffitt, Steve
Smith, Steve Shearer, Maureen McNeal, Carl Whitacre and all of our families.
Hoping you are thinking about ways to care for yourself as you
faithfully provide spiritual and pastoral care for others.
I was recently sitting with a group of
pastors who were discussing the changes recommended and voted on at
our recent called Annual Conference. There were many comments in the
group about the need for change, the frustration it creates and the
difficulty of really seeing how some of the changes will make a
difference for the future.
What was evident in the pastors’
conversations was the sense of wanting to bring positive changes in
their own settings, and how fears, fatigue, and tradition have
stopped much of the discussion especially when congregations must
address finances and maintenance issues. It was agreed that we must
discern God’s will, be in constant prayer, study the Word and be
willing to get out of our comfort zones in order for the church to
develop its vision and mission toward real change for the
transformation of the world.
We all know that change can bring life
and hope to any setting. Change also brings a certain amount of
grief and stress as God is doing a new thing among us. It is my
prayer that in the coming days, with all the changes and transitions
that are occurring, we will actively support one another as a
district. In the midst of change, let us offer words of
encouragement and share spiritual resources we have found nourishing
so that we can help one another continue to create a healthy and
vibrant church.
The March/April edition of the
Interpreter is one resource I would invite you to read. I want
especially to lift up some of the suggestions from a change
management specialist mentioned in the section entitled “leadership
link”:
Lead
change within your congregation only if you are willing to
change.
Begin
with the end in mind.
Commit
several years to living into the change.
When
conflict occurs, find ways to deal with it redemptively.
Communicate your vision 10 times as often as you think
necessary.
Invite
and empower others to act to align the church with its vision;
appreciate each other’s differences.
Celebrate little victories along the way.
Seek
feedback.
Insist
on accountability.
Realize
vision requires letting go, often of valued things and
traditions.
Remember, God is in charge.
I look forward to ways in which we model
a new kind of church for a new day!
1.
The leader’s task is to create an environment that is conducive to self
motivation.
If people are coming excited, if they are making mistakes freely and
fearlessly,
if they are having fun,
if they are concentrating on doing things rather than preparing reports
and going to meetings,
then
somewhere you have a leader.
2. To
a leader the important thing is not what happens when your there, but
what happens when you are not there.
3. To
be a leader means willingness to risk and a willingness to love.
Has the leader given you something from the heart?
4.
Perhaps more than anything else leadership is about creation of a new
way of life.
The
world of the 90s and beyond will not belong to managers or those who
make the numbers dance or those who are conversant with all that
business jargon, that stuff we use to sound so smart.
5.
The world will belong to the passionate driven leaders, people who have
not only an enormous amount of energy, but who can energize those they
lead.
I am
writing to you today during this “appointive season,” thankful for the
creative, supportive and excellent pastors of the Heartland South
District. I am also mindful that much has happened in the past few weeks
in our world that is on all of our hearts and minds at this time. It is
my prayer that the ongoing message of Easter will strengthen our resolve
to help local churches to be in a spiritually supportive dialogue, to
allow worship and small group studies to become a healing station, and
the pulpit a word of hope in the midst of confusion, sadness and
disbelief.
The recent
firing of CBS shock radio host Don Imus once again reminds us of words
that foster unity and words that create greater division among our
communities. The wave of violence in Baghdad, with at least 173 people
killed in a series of explosions, leaves us with feelings of despair.
And the tragic events of Monday at Virginia Tech where 33 bright young
lives were cut short by the misguided, twisted mind of a student caused
many parents including myself to call their college-age children. These
all give us much upon which to reflect.
I would
invite you to take a few moments on Sunday to be in prayer and praise
(possibly with a special altar candle) for the ways in which God can
move our church, our community, and world to be actively involved in
bringing about peace, transformation, reconciliation, and the knowledge
that God is with us. May it be so for you this weekend.
Please keep
in prayer: Bob Maffitt, who will be having knee surgery; Patrick Moore,
who is serving as a Chaplain in Guatemala; Janet Hoyland, who is
recuperating at home; Sally Haynes’s mother, Vee Hughes; Carolyn Randol,
Cyndy Fisher, Maureen McNeil, pastors and churches in transition, and
the family of Dr. Charles Baughman, who passed away on Sunday, April 8.
Finally, I
look forward to seeing you and your lay delegate (s) for the brief
Pre-Conference meeting on Saturday, April 28, 2007, at Warrensburg First
Church. The meeting will be held 10:00 a. m. until 12:00 noon. This will
be a very helpful session for you and your church as we look at the
important matters we will be addressing at this Annual Conference.
A pastor
tells the story about a wedding video he once saw. The video was shot
from the back of the church looking up the aisle toward the bride and
groom. Because of the camera angle, you could see several members of
the congregation. Suddenly, during the vows, a man jumped up from his
pew and yelled, “Yes, Yes, Yes!”
as he JUMPED UP FROM HIS SEAT.Then he froze and slid down into his seat—and sheepishly took
off his headphones. It turned out he had been listening to the
Auburn-Alabama football game, and his favorite team had just scored.
Easter is a
day for the church to jump in the air and say, “Yes, Yes, Yes.”Yes is what Easter is
about. It is God’s yes
to humanity, as God grants to us the gift of new life and new
possibilities. It is God’s yes
to all who are faithful to the end. It is God’s yes to the victory of life
over death, love over hate, faith over fear, and hope over despair.
Everything about Easter says, “Yes, Yes,
Yes.”
However, to
get to God’s amazing Yes,
we must walk faithfully through the cheers of Palm Sunday and the Friday
experience of Jesus being tried and condemned like a common criminal.
Because of the drama of Holy Week and its deep meaning for Christians,
we find ourselves both pulled toward this week of services and pushed
away. As I have talked with a few colleagues, I have heard the intense
time Holy Week brings--with services we look forward to doing and also
parts of the planning that we wish we could skip over and just get to
Easter.
Even as I
prepare a message for Good Friday and think about all that happened on
that day of pain and sorrow, I’m tempted to rush to the good part of the
message of Easter. But you and I know there is no way to the
resurrection except through the cross, for Jesus and for the Christian
community.
What Holy
Week does for me is to call me once again to walk beside Jesus, going
where he went, experiencing how he handled affirmation and betrayal at
the same time. It is his walking with me as a companion and guide,
helping me figure out the difficult pieces of ministry, helping me sort
through life in an ever changing Annual Conference, helping me balance
family and work. It is his presence with me as I pray for those without
a face of hope, and for all those who know only poverty, war and
violence. In the shadow of the cross, it is a time of Communion,
footwashing, anointing and seeking forgiveness for all my short comings,
and it is a preparation for the Lord of the dance.
So I am
approaching this Holy Week and its worship experiences knee bent, in
tearful thanksgiving for this amazing gift of our Creator to us—the
life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ—that by the power of the
Holy Spirit we might take this spiritual road trip with a sense of the
companionship of Jesus Christ and the knowledge of God’s “Yes” to bless and keep all
of us.
May you
feel at the foot of cross and at an empty tomb God’s abiding hope at
work!
While returning from
several meetings and preparing for the powerful worship service held
Friday at the Holy Boldness event, I received the news of the passing of
C. Shrum Burton and Charles Burner. Both names brought memories of two
exceptional retired pastors who were known for their sense of joy,
strength, integrity and commitment to ministry. We often seem to move
quickly past the deaths of those who have served so faithfully for many
years without stopping to remember their lasting legacy for the clergy
and laity in our midst. It seems appropriate during this Lenten season
to pause and give thanks for the witness and contributions of these two
individuals who have made such a difference in the lives of so many.
I was blessed to know
Charles while I was DS in the former KC North District when he
unselfishly made himself available to fill in when we needed him to
serve a local church. I remember calling him to bring some calm and
direction to a church that was in turmoil, and with his gentle spirit,
he brought healing and hope once again to a hurting and conflicted
congregation. He always met you with a smile and a sense of caring that
let you know that things would be better.
Shrum was well known
throughout the conference and had a significant impact upon the lives of
many clergy as well as laity. He was a pioneer in communicating
religious news on radio and television. As one who never really retired
from ministry, Shrum continued to lead Bible studies and provide
pastoral care in many settings. Many speak of his deep baritone voice
that communicated warmth and support to all he would meet. We felt
honored that he made the effort to attend the district picnic in August
at Powell Gardens.
We celebrate the
ministries of these two faithful servants and also celebrate as they now
join that great cloud of witnesses.
Someone once said that to recognize the
signs of God, pay attention to your stirrings. Look closely when you
feel the swell of joy within, or the tightness as your throat closes up
in sorrow. Live in that moment, poke around in its corners, and feel
the texture of its walls. Sit with it for awhile, long enough to sense
the presence of God sitting with you. This particular thought comes from
the Upper Room Devotions and has always been helpful for me as I begin
the Lenten season.
For many of us in ministry, it’s difficult
to pay attention to God’s presence among us when we are busy working to
bring a Holy Presence to others. We are so consumed with the goings-on
around us that slowing down and looking inward requires a determined act
of will.
Beginning 40 days before Easter, Lent has
traditionally been a time of telling our congregations to look inward,
to take time for self-evaluation and self-examination in order to
identify one’s sins and begin to move toward repentance and renewal. I
know that I have fasted during portions of Lent, used specific
devotional materials and given up sweets until the season is over.
However, the reality is that I need to do more than just make this a
brief period of spiritual disciplines to follow. It needs to be a time
for me to make some real changes that are lasting and transforming.
In recent years, there has been less
emphasis on giving up and
more emphasis on taking on.
Some will choose to increase their time with others, or to do their work
more faithfully, or to be more disciplined in their prayer life.
Here are several thoughts that have been
helpful for me in developing a more faithful walk:
First, pace your day with doing the right things. Stop filling your whole day
with stuff. Pay attention to the goodness of God that is all
around you, instead of concentrating on so many things/demands that keep
you depressed and down. Start with the important things you can
accomplish for the day. Be attentive to the people/places/peace that the
day offers you in a more reflective, yet intentional, way.
Second, learn to forgive yourself and others. I can often be hard on
myself and those who seem to be a threat to my ministry or peace of
mind. It is important to say I am sorry for some of my own sinful ways
and to stop critiquing the people who don’t agree with me. When you can
let go of past mistakes and not see people as the enemy, your arms are
open and ready to receive all the good things God longs to give you.
Third, develop intimacy with God. Gather into yourself a phrase
from your personal readings or a passage of scripture that keeps you
connected to God. Let the thought or phrase filter through your heart
and mind throughout the day. Say it when you get in the car and make
hospital visits, when you eat your lunch, before that difficult Council
or Finance meeting. Let it settle deeply in your heart so that it can
work from within to bring you into closer intimacy with God.
Lent need not be a time for you to get other
people spiritually charged up toward the Resurrection dance. It can also
be a time for you and me to receive new life and victory as well!
Two resources I would highly recommend for
the Lenten season: Prayers for Lent,
Easter andPentecost,
by Donna E. Schaper, and A Clearing
Season – Reflections for Lent, by Sarah Parsons.
An angel greeted
ordinary, unsuspecting people with most extraordinary news:
You are old and barren will
conceive…”
You who are of low estate will
bear a Savior…
You, who watch flocks in the
cold of night,
Will know
great joy!
Christmas is the story
old, unassuming, poor people greeted by an angel who ask them to believe
astonishing news, to perform preposterous things, and … to have no fear!
Christmas is a story about fearful people transformed into singing and
shouting people. It is the story of Word of God conceived in the
darkness of wombs made of wilderness, barrenness, and disbelief. It is
the story of Jesus born amidst fear and poverty and conflict – the Word
made flesh. It is the story born of hope for weary and faithful
messengers like you and me.
May it speak to you
again with joy, peace, and love you offer so many throughout the year.
Yes! This news of
great joy is for you and for all people.
Gratitude for small things
makes every day a gift.
Sue
Bender, author of Everyday Sacred
This simple yet profound statement reminds
me, as we start November, of the deep gratitude I have for God in my
life, for my family and friends, for good health and also days when I am
totally exhausted, and the blessing of having each of you as a part of
my covenant family. The sense that there are so many people who bless my
life with creativity, humor, wisdom and understanding makes the journey
for me hopeful and sacred.
I wonder if you will be taking some time in
the midst of this busy season to remember those who have made a
difference in your life--to call or write a word of thanks for those who
keep you grounded in the midst of the many demands of ministry. It is
easy to get so self absorbed with all that you are doing that you begin
to feel alone and unappreciated when in reality we have been the
recipients of countless unexpected gifts, blessings and surprises
throughout the year. Even when things have been difficult or
challenging, we still have much for which to give thanks and celebrate.
My prayer is that this will be a time for
you, with an attitude of gratitude, to remember the special people in
your life, past and present, whose very spirit provide you with the
gifts of acceptance, clarity, peace, encouragement and a reason to get
up and try again tomorrow.
For this and so much more I give thanks for
the small things that makes every day a gift!
A time for waiting and a time of anticipation,
On behalf of Sharon and me, thank you for the warmth of your
presence at our recent Christmas dinner, the gift card to the
Hereford House Restaurant, and the picture, to be delivered
soon, entitled The Gospel Travelers. All of these special gifts
and wonderful times together are reminders of God's love,
support and the laughter that we need throughout all the seasons
of our lives.
I want to share a quote with you that I recently read that helped me put
some things in perspective as I embark upon the busy schedule that
follows the Labor Day weekend and the numerous plans set in the month of
September.
Shrum was well known
throughout the conference and had a significant impact upon the lives of
many clergy as well as laity. He was a pioneer in communicating
religious news on radio and television. As one who never really retired
from ministry, Shrum continued to lead Bible studies and provide
pastoral care in many settings. Many speak of his deep baritone voice
that communicated warmth and support to all he would meet. We felt
honored that he made the effort to attend the district picnic in August
at Powell Gardens.