Sunday Worship, begun Lenten series, looked at the reality of evil. Monday Began Lenten Study on We Make the Road by Walking. Had 15 people begin the study. Tuesday Breakfast with Friends of the Carpenter, local homeless outreach/woodworking shop ministry. Won this beautiful hand-turned chalice and paten. Also saw an Olympic gold medal courtesy of Roni Sasaki! Long but good day with District Committee on … Continue reading This Week in Ministry
I remember whining to Rick about my inability to sustain a running habit. He said to me something like ‘just make sure you start over one more time than you quit’. I can’t say I’ve started over with running again, but I have taken advantage of Daylight Savings to be up walking early again. It is nice to start the day with 5,000 steps to … Continue reading Starting Again
Dear Church, I want to begin by apologizing for missing last week’s post. I had a post begun, but in the chaos of life it languished in the draft folder and never got out in time. I want to continue asking you to pray for General Conference 2019 which is only 3 weeks away. This is the most consequential meeting of United Methodists since our … Continue reading Praying for GC2019 Pt. 4
Dear Church, Sorry this is a day late. A month from today, the United Methodist Church will be almost half-way through General Conference 2019, the process whereby we will determine our church’s position on matters of human sexuality. That position will be consequential. In my research to understand the deep ramifications of General Conference 2019, I came across this article about the various petitions that … Continue reading Praying for GC 2019 Pt 3
Dear Church, Last week I asked you to begin praying for General Conference 2019 every Wednesday through February 27, the day after the Conference closes. In my original invitation in our January Sower article, I confessed that I really didn’t know what to pray for. This is still a murky issue for me. But as I’ve tried to model the way for you as a … Continue reading Praying for GC 2019 Pt 2
Dear Church, As I shared in last week’s Sower article, I am asking us to pray for General Conference 2019 taking place in St. Louis February 23-26. This General Conference will address the church’s stances on issues of human sexuality amidst a climate of serious division. It’s hard to pray in the darkness of ignorance and I am aware that this may seem very new … Continue reading Praying for GC 2019
Mary’s visit to Elizabeth is the meeting of two prophesies: one of John, one of Jesus. It is the upending of conventional means of power. Two women of particular scorn have come together. One was barren: a sign of cursed-ness. One was pregnant outside of marriage: a sign of sinfulness. Two undesireables are now harboring the greatest secret in the history of the known universe. … Continue reading Mary + Elizabeth = Good Trouble
Dear Church, What shall we as Christians think and do regarding the ongoing controversies between teachers and their employing school districts? I offer these principles and practices for your consideration. Principles Traditionally United Methodists favor strong public schools and the rights of people to bargain collectively. Specifically, we have adopted the following social principles and resolutions. We believe that every person has the right to … Continue reading The Church in a Strike
Sunday 6/24 Left PNWAC18 early to make it back for the dedication of Project Transformation interns. Missed a moving floor address by Rachel Byers (38:00). Thanking God for the powers of the internet to see what I missed. Monday 6/25 Welcomed a new season of Project Transformation to Orchards UMC. We had increasing attendance all week. The interns performed well. I’m glad to open this … Continue reading This Week in Ministry
At Order of Elders, we were invited to share a word or phrase that epitomizes our calling. I couldn’t think of a scripture. But I eventually fell to a piece of advice given to me by the right person at the right time. I was accepted to seminary when I came across an opportunity to apply for a program with the World Council of Churches. … Continue reading DON’T SOUR
