From the Pastor (Page 10)
Who Are WE?
As I think about the troubles facing United Methodism, I am beginning to believe that we have forgotten who we are. Folks are seemingly entrenched on one side or another of any issue that you want to address… not just the issue of human sexuality which has vexed us since 1972, only 4 years after our merger with the Evangelical United Brethren to form the United Methodist Church. When I see the divisions, I have to believe that John Wesley…
Odds and Ends for May 2019
It’s hard to believe that we are already half way through the fifth month of the year! 2019 is almost half-way gone. Annual Conference is just around the corner, and there is so much happening in the next couple of weeks. This Sunday, May 19, we will re-dedicate the Fellowship Hall with a meal and a salute to everyone who played a part in making this renovation happen. Proceeds from the meal will go to local missions projects in the…
New Book Study
Our Wednesday morning book study met today and decided to begin a study of Peter Enns’ book, “The Bible Tells Me So… Why Defending Scripture Has Made Us Unable to Read It.” The ISBN number for the hardback edition is 978-0-06-227202-7 which will lead you the other available editions. You are welcome to order the book through your favorite online book seller. If you would like to order the book through the church, please contact us. We are meeting at…
All Things New
The plan was a good plan. But, like any good plan, there are always complications. Our plan for March 31, the first Fifth Sunday of the year was a good plan. After months of uncertainty, conversations with insurance folks and remediation folks, and settling upon a plan to renew the Fellowship Hall space, the plan looked good. It looked like something we could accomplish. It looked doable. But, alas, it was unworkable. Aaron, our renovation contractor, and his crew did…
Spring Break
Charlene and I are out of town this week taking advantage of her Spring Break. In my absence, the Reverend Laura Trent will preach on Sunday, March 24. Please come and support Laura as she brings the Word of God to you in Sunday worship.
2019 Lenten Devotionals
The Holston Conference Communications staff and the Clergy Services team have joined forces with our District Superintendents and the members of the Board of Ordained Ministry to offer a series of devotions for this Lenten Season. You can find a link to the devotional web page here. From the web page, you can subscribe to a daily email of the devotional, or link to the devotions that have been published. Gary Grogg and I are both contributors to this devotional…
Getting Ready for General Conference 2019
Friends, I know that there are lots of questions about the called General Conference that will take place beginning Saturday in St Louis. Delegates to the highest rule making body in the United Methodist Church are coming together to consider the report of the Commission on a Way Forward, a group requested by the General Conference meeting in 2016. The Commission on a Way Forward was given the task of studying and presenting a way for the United Methodist Church…
A Franciscan Blessing
Several people asked me about a copy of the “Franciscan Blessing” that I used to close the service on February 10, 2019. As I stated, I am not sure of the origin of the blessing, nor do I know why it is especially considered “Franciscan.” But, it is a call for us to live into our faith. I share it below: A Franciscan Blessing May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships, so that…
