A Walking Paradox

Not that bad...

2012-01-10T09:17:00.000-08:00

Mikey's Funnies is generously hosted by Agathon Group, website development and hosting with a ministry heart:
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today'sFUNNY===========================

YOU KNOW YOU'VE HAD TOO MUCH COFFEE WHEN...

~ You can type sixty words a minute...with your feet.

~ Instant coffee takes too long.

~ You chew on other people's fingernails.

~ You answer the door...before people knock.

~ You sleep with your eyes open.

~ You go to sleep, just so you can wake up and smell the coffee.

~ You don't even wait for the water to boil anymore.

~ You're the employee of the month at Starbucks and you don't even work there.

~ You lick your coffeepot clean.

~ You go to AA meetings just for the free coffee.

~ You're so wired you pick up FM radio.

~ You have a picture of your coffee mug, on your coffee mug!

Methophile

2011-12-22T14:49:00.000-08:00

I have to admit I am a bit of a Methodist Geek...but more uniquely in the reading kind of way.

And I have been searching for a word that describes the collection of Methodist Memorabilia, is it Methophilia?

Lately, I have been cataloging my collection of Disciplines, and next it will be the Hymn books (I just have to find a good reference book for a Methodist Hymnograph)

I read all kinds of literature, and subscribe to countless (okay I could count them, but I don't) UM blogs, twitter feeds and Facebook friends and pages.

I recently opened up the UM Connector from the Oregon Idaho Conference, to find them quoting a Bishop from Minnesota, Bishop Sally Dyck (found online here: http://www.umoi.org/enewsletterarchives/detail/147 ) I have reprinted that here at the end of this post. And then a little more about the Nativity scene as we know it from another Methodist Blogger from Wales - Richard Hall is here:
http://theconnexion.net/wp/?p=11803#axzz1hIu8JbuF

COMMENTARY

The Smell of Christmas Is Not Always Pretty
By Bishop Sally Dyck*

Imagine this. You go to church, and the pastor dumps a bag of manure in the center aisle. Soon the stench begins to overwhelm the other aromas: the cologne people received in their Christmas stockings, pine branches, candles burning.

That might be the best Christmas sermon you could receive: a sensory message that jars your thinking about what Christmas is.

You see, the Christmas story begins with a certain stench. It’s not just the cattle in the barn, but an economic situation where the emperor is taking a census to increase taxes in an already depressed economy. Political situations where people live as captives. Personal situations, such as Mary giving birth away from home. Her new family being homeless.

Christmas was born in stench.

For many people this Christmas, life stinks. Today it stinks that Grandma has Alzheimer’s and sometimes doesn’t even recognize your voice. It stinks to get that cancer diagnosis. It stinks to endure surgery. For some, it stunk long before the economic downturn, before they lost their jobs, before they wondered if anything would ever be the way it once was, before they got cancer, before the divorce, before bad things happened. For others, the stink is fresh and new, overpowering in its physical and spiritual pungency. We’ve all faced times in our lives and with each other that stink.

But life stinks sometimes, whether we made the stink ourselves or it just happens to us like a pile of manure being dumped on our parade.

Yet, even in the midst of the stink, the message of Christmas is: God is with us . . . and there must be a pony in there somewhere!

But how will people know God is with us and there’s hope, like getting that pony, unless we who claim faith in Christ Jesus share that love with them?

It’s a sweet-smelling Christmas for others and us when we share the love of God, the love of family and a faith community, and a hope that only comes from Christ Jesus to make a difference in a world that sometimes really stinks.

* Bishop Sally Dyck is episcopal leader of the Minnesota Area

Augustinian?

2011-12-20T08:49:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I probably need more help from my more scholarly friends out there on this one.

I have been preaching Wesley's forms of Grace - Prevenient, Justifying, Sanctifying and Perfected in Love, with the attendant actions of human kind, repentance, restoration, and holy action during the Advent season this year.

I have also been doing this backward, which means it was Prevenient Grace that I preached this past Sunday. As such, I delved a little into Augustinian Theology.

Now, this is where some corrective may be necessary. I understand Augustine to tell us that we are at Core, born into original sin, and therefore sinful. I held this in contrast to Wesley, who seems to say, we are at Core made in the image of God, and therefore Holy beings. Original Sin, then, in a Wesleyan context is our own "bent to sinning", which introduces Prevenient Grace. Prevenient Grace is God's permanent call to each of us that we are loved and desired for relationship. God doesn't sit idly by while we figure out whether to come back, but is constantly searching the horizon for our return (those who are hearing the story of the Prodigal Son in echo may have a fuller picture of the sermon).

Justification then is what happens when we return to God, but does not stop upon our return to God.

I dare say that Augustine might well be missing the Sanctification element of Wesley. For if we are at Core sinful beings, and justification restores us to God's presence, then there is no real chance of losing salvation for Augustine, which Wesley definitely says is possible - losing salvation that is.

Just thinking out loud, and checking myself.

Peace,

Thanks-Giving

2011-11-04T12:31:00.000-07:00

Of late I have begun to notice the correlation between Thankfulness and Giving more closely.

As such, I offer a few things that have helped me to notice this...

I am thankful for the Food Pantry and Disability Supply closet we have at the church. In sharing the story of thankfulness for this, one of our Boy Scouts in Troop 87 took this as his Eagle Project to expand it. In sharing that story of thankfulness, the supplies of food and disability supplies have grown, even as the use of those supplies has grown.

I am thankful for my family, my wife and child, as well as my extended family, Mom/Dad, Grandma, and my Sisters and their families. In telling them how thankful I am for them, the time we have dedicated to one another has grown, and those experiences, even when strained have led me to be more thankful, and giving of my time.

I am thankful for the service professionals who have helped serve me - in Food Service, Maid Service, Car Service, Banks, and even the greeters at the hospital who direct me to the right place. In giving thanks for their time, attention to my concerns, and simply sharing that with them, I have found them more willing to take an extra step to make things easier for me and my family, as well as my own willingness to give them more flexibility in dealing with things I did not want to address, as well as paying them more than I had previously.

I m grateful for the ministries of St. Andrew UMC, and so I have found myself giving more of myself and my attentions to helping grow those ministries and supporting them, with my words, my money, and my time, as well as my expertise and the expertise of those who are most helpful to the varying needs present therein.

All of this is in response to God's faithful giving to me, and my awareness and thankfulness for that which I notice, which translates to loving God and loving neighbor more. In turn, I find I am more giving, of time, energy, knowledge and ultimately love.

I guess there must be something to that song my dear daughter was singing this week...
Magic Penny
Notes: words and music by Malvina Reynolds; copyright 1955 and 1958 Northern Music Corporation, renewed 1986. a.k.a. "Love Is Something." Despite the later copyright dates, this song was actually written while Malvina's daughter was at a junior high school dance, so around 1949.

Love is something if you give it away,
Give it away, give it away.
Love is something if you give it away,
You end up having more.

It's just like a magic penny,
Hold it tight and you won't have any.
Lend it, spend it, and you'll have so many
They'll roll all over the floor.

For love is something if you give it away,
Give it away, give it away.
Love is something if you give it away,
You end up having more.

Money's dandy and we like to use it,1
But love is better if you don't refuse it.
It's a treasure and you'll never lose it
Unless you lock up your door.

For love is something if you give it away,
Give it away, give it away.
Love is something if you give it away,
You end up having more.

So let's go dancing till the break of day,
And if there's a piper, we can pay.
For love is something if you give it away,
You end up having more.

For love is something if you give it away,
Give it away, give it away.
Love is something if you give it away,
You end up having more.

Crazy - Perhaps

2011-10-28T12:11:00.001-07:00

Yesterday, as I was standing at the copier waiting for a few more copies to come off the press for a Finance meeting at the church I spied out the front door of the office a few youths with a video camera and a bike positioned at the top of the stairs from the street into the church parking lot.

I admit we have one of those signs that prohibits any kind of skating, biking, etc on church property. I also freely admit that we sometimes provide a safer environment to allow some stupidity than other areas of the city, and so I am a little more relaxed about all this.

So, as this young man was on his bike at the top of the stairs I noted that the rail along the side of the stairs was pretty tight on the concrete block wall. Even more dangerous is the fact that the railing is straight while the block wall is stair stepped down. That is to say, trying a rail ride on the pegs of the bike would invariably end up in a major calamity.

I quietly walked out to the boys, where the cameraman was sure to turn the camera on me to get the reaction I had to their coming stunt. I simply checked in with the boys to see what their plan was...simply to ride the stairs down, and I admitted my fear that they were going to try something truly stupid and railride the obviously problematic handrail/stepped block wall combination.

As I turned my back to walk back inside the young man on the bike made a tremendous jump and cleared the approximately 12 steps in a single jump. He did not ride the rail and he did not simply ride the stairs down.

No injuries, to him, or anyone else. I often wonder what the real insurance concerns are with this, how liability plays in, and whether I am doing anything of real worth with the young men and women who come to our church (or any church I have served) to find a safe and somewhat interesting landscape to try their tricks.

What is your position, understanding, etc?

SERVICE

2011-10-28T12:01:00.001-07:00

The Mission of the Church is to SERVE

I have been involved in a number of conversations of late about the structure of the United Methodist Church, especially as the local church relates to the Conference and General Church.

One of the primary concerns raised time and again is that the Local Church is the Basic Unit of Instruction for this to take place. The Discipline has this to say in ¶ 120. “The Mission—The mission of the Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Local churches provide the most significant arena through which disciple-making occurs.”

The Mission Statement of St. Andrew UMC offers this understanding, “To serve God by sharing, teaching and living the Word”.

The United Methodist Church is currently working through a structural change as outlined in the Call to Action Report, which can be found online here: http://www.umc.org/calltoaction.

The California-Pacific Annual Conference is also undergoing several changes to the structure, including the organization of committees, the number and size of Districts, as well as local Mission Areas.
With all the changes proposed to the District, Conference and General Church, a number of people around me are asking questions about what the actual purpose of a church is. This is especially heightened when finances are tight, as they are now, in local churches, right on up to the General Church. I have mentioned lately in my sermons that we need to consider this same question for St. Andrew UMC.

Ultimately, Jesus Christ gave us a fairly direct answer. Matthew 28:19-20 says this: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

We, the church, local, and national need to get out of ourselves. We need to care more about the people who aren’t in the pews of ANY church, than we do about ourselves, and the survival of our institutions. The balance we strive for is to maintain enough institution to provide for the needs of others as a collective service agency, such as a preschool, a food pantry, disability closet, international missionary or other avenue of service, while also coordinating the efforts of the greatest resources available to any church or organization, the people who are there. We come to serve – our God and our neighbor.

Peace,
David Camphouse

The Neighbors

2011-10-02T13:12:00.000-07:00

What kind of relationship do you have with your neighbors?

Then think about what kind of relationship you have with the neighbors of your church or work.

I got to thinking about it a little more today. We had outside worship, at a strange hour, with lots of animals, dogs, cats, a bunny and a horned toad. You see today was World Communion Sunday, and for the life of St. Andrew UMC, we also celebrated the Feast of St. Francis with a Campout last night at the church, followed by a Blessing of the Animals during worship today.

We don't really know the names of our neighbors. We prayed for them all last year about this time as we walked the neighborhood. But we didn't meet them at the door to say hi. (There were a few chance encounters of folks out to check things). We have since hosted a wedding reception for our most immediate next door neighbor, but don't have much we have done to engage all of our over-the-fence neighbors, or even those within two blocks of the church.

Part of the communication plan for this coming year probably ought to involve something to engage those neighbors, so we can communicate with them, about special events, and how to manage those things (including perhaps the HS and College Football games held at the HS across the Street), as well as concerns and issues as some have noted in the past - like sprinkler (or lack thereof) issues, and trees that may be fall hazards.

Have you engaged your neighbors at work or church? Do you have a plan of action for this? What has worked, and been most effective in talking with these the most immediate of you neighbors?

Peace,

A Simple Funeral

2011-09-27T19:08:00.000-07:00

Okay, so sometimes I park a few items here for memory sake.

This happens to be one of them, and I welcome your thoughts or suggestions about this basic outline for developing a funeral with a family...

PRELUDE

Seating of Family

SPECIAL MUSIC

WELCOME

PRAYER

HYMN

SCRIPTURE

EULOGY

SCRIPTURE

HOMILY

PRAYER

THE LORD'S PRAYER: Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for Thine is the Kingdom, and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

COMMENDATION OF THE BODY

BENEDICTION

EXIT OF THE FAMILY

POSTLUDE

Random Happenings around the Interwebs

2011-09-20T08:15:00.000-07:00

Some of the recent links that have been helpful, interesting, thought provoking, and/or amusing.

The Alloy of Law excerpts from Brandon Sanderson (same guy who is finishing up the Robert Jordan Wheel of Time series)

http://www.tor.com/features/series/the-alloy-of-law

Kudzu Life: The Troublemaker Series #3: The Clergy

http://kudzulife.blogspot.com/2011/09/troublemaker-series-3-umc-clergy.html

Sharing God's Goodness Through Grief:

http://www.morethandodgeball.com/youth-ministry/guest-post-taste-and-see-%E2%80%93-sharing-god%E2%80%99s-goodness-through-grief.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+simplyjosh+%28MoreThanDodgeball.com%29

Metanoia from Daniel Wilcox, as shared by Pastor Rick Bloom:

http://infiniteoceanoflightandlove.blogspot.com/2011/09/change-our-mindsour-lives-metanoia.html

The Pastoral Passion Need Not Fade:

http://justcallmepastor.wordpress.com/2011/09/11/the-pastoral-passion-need-not-fade/

10 Disturbing De-s of the Bible:

http://www.nakedpastor.com/2011/09/07/the-10-disturbing-de-s-of-the-bible/

Peace,

$500,000

2011-09-17T07:44:00.000-07:00

I have spoken with several folks recently, who when a loved one passed away they came into a goodly size sum of money.

I have also worked with several churches who have had the same blessing shared with them.

I posit for your consideration:

You just received $500,000, how would you use it?

Your church just received $500,000 how would they use it?

For those who would have the fortune of being able to speak from experience, I would like to ask you to imagine what would happen right now - not what was, as that experience has certainly shaped how actions might change or be affected at this moment.

Peace,

Extra Cannonical Thoughts from the Cannon of My Sermon

2011-09-11T12:37:00.000-07:00

I spoke this morning about the difference in "giving up my life" for a cause I believe in.

We are called as Christians to be willing to do exactly that.

The persons who destroyed the World Trade Centers, the Pentagon, and those who attacked Pearl Harbor (a tangential commonality) all had such a belief as well.

The difference comes at the cost of the life of others.

Those who must destroy others, find their life forfeit as a side-effect of such action.

Those who stand up, in courage, for their belief ultimately find their death because of the action of others.

The thought occurred to me that those who must destroy another to rid the world of that belief, and to make their own superior, must by the very reason that such behavior is necessary, be in an unreasonable belief system.

If my ideology is strong enough, by its own merit, then it will have a life beyond my physical might. The very power of reason, and moreover, its substance, as I act out such belief, will provide the means by which such ideology can surround the world. My death then becomes a warning peal to all others that what I stood for was a threat.

Those who cannot change the world with their belief, and subsequent action, must therefore destroy all opposition, because it cannot stand on its own merits.

May I have the grace and ability to do as I believe, and believe in such a way as to convince others, rather than find needs to destroy them, so that my beliefs may live.

Peace,

Quote of the Day

2011-09-09T08:34:00.000-07:00

From a friend at church:

"There is nothing in my hand that was not put there by another."

Thanks Alex. I found it to be a helpful hermeneutic with Stewardship Campaigns on the way.

Blessing of the Animals

2011-09-05T07:42:00.000-07:00

To help facilitate the Blessing of the Animals, we will be having one worship service at 10AM, Sunday October 2nd.

Each year on or near the Feast Day of St. Francis, which falls on October 4th, there are requests for a liturgy of blessing for animals. This practice has a history at St. Andrew UMC, sometimes taking place in the Spring, near Easter, as a celebration of new life. This year, 2011, we will be celebrating the Blessing of the Animals October 2nd.

We have the all church campout on October 1 and 2 here at the church. We will be using this time to remember the simple times when people lived together in small communities, with the animals living in and among the people.

We invite all persons of the church, the Happy Hollow Preschool, the Music Academy and other members of the Santa Maria Valley Community to join us, with your pets invited as well. We will be outside on our courtyard lawn. Large animals may be staked along the side yard of the church, near the outdoor chapel, and small pets are invited in appropriate carrying cases. If you need space for a horse trailer or otherwise, we do have space for these vehicles on our upper parking lot in the dirt area.

We have incorporated the Blessing of the Animals into the normal order of worship, and we will celebrate Communion as well, as we usually do the First Sunday of the Month.

For more information, please feel free to call the church office (805)937-2470, or my phone (805)421-3521, or even send me an email david.camphouse@gmail.com

Blessings in advance.

Visitation Thoughts

2011-09-01T07:41:00.000-07:00

Pastor’s Corner, September 2011

I feel as though we have only just begun. We started this journey of faith together two short years ago, and much has happened, in the life of the church, in your lives and in mine. So, I feel like, even for those that I have had a chance to visit with over a meal, coffee, in your homes, or workplace, or even here at the church in my office, I need to sit down and check in with you again.

I hope that during the Fall we can find time to do exactly that. I am, once again, asking for your help. Please call the church office (805)937-2470, or my phone (805)421-3521, or even send me an email david (dot) camphouse (at) gmail (dot) com to set up a visit. I will be working on checking in with those who do not call ahead to set up an appointment, but I would encourage you to go ahead and set something up according to your schedule early on, so that in trying to get to everyone, and dealing with the regular concerns of the church administration, weekly preaching, and emerging issues, like hospital visits, and funerals, that we can be sure to connect.

One of the joys of meeting with the people of St. Andrew during the Summer and Fall of 2009 when I arrived was that several people got together with friends and family to host a meal, or to come by the church as we talked. I was so blessed because I have often discovered that our memories are enhanced as we share tales with one another, spurring stories from other people who are gathered there too. The tapestry of lives is then put together in a different way than if I were just to hear from one person at a time.

Some of you may be wondering if I have an agenda with these meetings. My purpose in these meetings is to come with a very simple agenda, to hear your story, how your life has been intermingled with the life of St. Andrew UMC, and to listen to you as you help me get to know you more clearly. If you have agenda items you want to discuss when we visit, those are perfectly acceptable to me, whether they are church business items, life changes, or questions for me about me and my life. I am open to all of these, and just a time to visit.

Thank you for helping me get these visits scheduled, and understanding as Alesia and I call to set up these appointments so I can get to know you, Santa Maria St. Andrew UMC, and the Santa Maria Valley.

Blessings,
David Camphouse

Pounding Our Pastor

2011-08-29T07:40:00.000-07:00

Pounding Our Pastor David (sort-of)

It sounds painful, but it’s really not. Pounding the Pastor stems from an old tradition

also known as Food Pounding where church congregations welcomed their new pastors by

giving them a pound of something for their home. We are going to follow this tradition

of “Pounding” when we welcome Reverend David Camphouse back to our congregation. Yes,

we know he was reassigned to our congregation the end of June. But we, and he, have been

very busy doing other things like vacations, workshops, camps, etc., and David felt it would

be better to wait until September to have his ‘welcome back’ celebration.

We are asking that everyone bring a “pound” of something to welcome him. You are not

limited to, but can certainly include foodstuffs, such as a pound of flour, coffee, nuts

or chocolate chips. Feel free to also contribute nonfood items, maybe office or garden

supplies. You are only limited by your imagination! Feel free to include a note saying who

the pound is from.

As a twist on this “pounding” David has asked that the food items be donated in his name

to the “new” resource of our food pantry. Items should be new, with clear current labeling

and; should you want to give baked or cooked goods for our pantry freezer, be clearly

labeled with contents and securely packaged ready to go into our freezer. This is not an

opportunity for you to clean out your cabinets or freezer, bring the good stuff. Stuff you

would want for your family.

If you are not aware of our “new” resource of our food pantry, tours will be given on that

Sunday so you may be aware of the expanded resource we now have available for those in

need. Included in the food pantry area is our disability closet which has a

We will be presenting our “pounds” to David between and after services on Sunday,

September 18th. There will be refreshments, food and disability closet (garage) tours,

and an opportunity for you to express your appreciation to David for his work here at St.

Andrew United Methodist Church.

Again, here’s what to remember:

Sunday, September 18th, between and after services

A “Pounding” to welcome Reverend David Camphouse back to St. Andrew for another year

Bring a “food” gift for the church’s food pantry or freezer in his honor.

Thanks,

SPRC Committee

SMSAUMC in Ministry

2011-08-28T19:44:00.001-07:00

Matthew 10:8 reminds us of the work of the Disciples, as Jesus sent them out to do ministry.

“Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment.”

Matthew 25:34-40 reminds us that the work given to the disciples is not that far from what we have been commissioned to do in the name of Jesus Christ as well.

34Then the king will say to those at his right hand, “Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” 37Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink?38And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? 39And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” 40And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.”

With these texts in mind, I want to say thank you to the people of St. Andrew UMC, for their faithful witness in ministry throughout Santa Maria, and the world.

Some of the ministries we named during worship on Sunday, July 24th are:
-Afghans for homebound and sick
-Ministry of presence with those who are sick (at home, in the ER or in the hospital)
-Healing the sick; by anointing with oil and prayers, laying on of hands, and through medical practice.
-Welcoming the stranger
-Returning lost sheep to the fold (bringing persons back to the church who have left or been shunned from the church)
-Clothing the naked; direct giving to persons in need of clothes, and through charitable giving with agencies like Goodwill, Salvation Army, and Catholic Charities.
-Faithful participation in a prayer group
-Leading a Bible Study
-Offering Hope and Compassion for all persons
-Contributions of time, talents and money to the local animal shelter and the ASPCA
-Feeding the hungry, with meals provided through Meals on Wheels, delivered home-made meals, welcoming friend and stranger to our tables, contributions to the Food Bank and the Food Pantry at SAUMC.
-Reading to kids
-Donations to the Disability Closet, either through SAUMC or the Elks.
-Offering senior counseling services, for taxes, medicare, and support.
-Participation in Youth Education beyond those ministries already attached to SAUMC, like Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Academy of Music, Happy Hollow Preschool and Youth Group.
-Charitable gifts to Muscular Dystrophy, Susan G. Komen Foundation, and various other organizations.
-Providing Shelter, by helping others pay for rent, and utilities.

Often we forget these ministries when we think of the ministries of St. Andrew UMC. We need not limit the ministry that St. Andrew UMC engages and enables to those ministries that are housed or sponsored directly through the giving of St. Andrew UMC.

I am grateful for this witness, and the ongoing witness each of you conveys as a result of the work of Jesus Christ in your lives. I am grateful for a church, such as St. Andrew that equips and encourages each of you to go out into the world and be ministers of the Gospel, for the Glory of God.

Thank you,

David Camphouse

Purpose Statements

2011-07-12T11:16:00.000-07:00

I have now gone through the Mission and Visioning process with a couple of churches, helping to formulate what our mission and vision are.

I realize now, that the next phase of that seems to be a purpose statement.

I am aware that many folks regularly get these confused and depending on the context they are sometimes interchanged.

For my current setting I am thinking of it this way.

A Vision is what we want to be;

A Mission is how we do that;

A Purpose is why we do it (for what reason).

Now back to your regular musings...

Planning for a 50th @SMSAUMC

2011-07-06T07:34:00.000-07:00

Long-Range Thinking

The 50th Anniversary of St. Andrew UMC is coming up. Our first service was October 14th, 1962. Our first members were received November 4, 1962. Our official Charter was created January 20, 1963. One of the amazing things about 2012 and 2013 is that we will be able to celebrate those dates exactly as the 50th anniversaries, since the Sundays coincide.

We are already working on getting in touch with former pastors, and clergy leaders of St. Andrew. We have begun to share the story of the ministry of St. Andrew, in the members received, baptisms offered, confirmands confirmed, budgeted dollars, Endowment Giving, and Dedicated Gifts. We have at least 8 Charter members still on the books, Millie and H.G. Riewald, Marvin and Luella Snyder, Dean and Joyce Nelson,, Marvin Adams, and Paige Gerber. (If there are others I missed, please let me know - and I apologize in advance for any oversights) Each of these persons are still involved in the life of St. Andrew, and we are seeking to be in touch with persons who have also been involved with the life of St. Andrew over these past 50 years. We would like to locate as many of the Charter Members as possible.

I have provided a list here of the charter members. I am aware that some of them have passed away, and gone to be with our Father in Heaven, but would welcome any news or word you have about any of the persons listed here. This is all part of the story of St. Andrew. If you know the whereabouts of any of these persons, living or deceased, please pass that information on the Church office.

Original Membership Records
Name
Brown, Elsie
Brown, Charles
Turben, Ann
Turben, Carrol
Shiveley, Vivian
Shively, Jack
York, Marjorie
Burmstead, Dorothy
Patterson, Barbara
Patterson, Robert
Day, Trula
Day, Robert
Day, Linda
Lyons, Ann
Lyons, Rex
Lyons, Pamela
Plunkett, Woodrow
Cox, Leslie
Cox, Phyllis
Hesser, George
Hesser, Yola
Grisso, Roy
Grisso, Jeannetta
Pope, Kenneth
Riewald, Mildred
Godfrey, Forrest
Godfrey, Rita
Hixson, Margaret
Baker, Gene
Baker, Kay
Drace, Charles (Sr.)
Drace, Richard
Davis, Richard S.
Davis, Georgia
Hixon, Larry
Hixon, Phyllis
Hughes, Jesse
Hughes, Sue
Nelson, D. Dean
Nelson, Joyce
Reid, Donald
Reid, Dorothy (Dottie)
Sweeney, Edgar
Sweeney, Jean
Winstead, Marlene
Hass, Richard
Hass, Dolores
Enos, Edward
Enos, Mary
Bedrick, Agatha
Enos, Susan
Enos, Mark
York, Paul
York, Lucille
Wise, Fred
Wise, Betty
Drace, Charles, Jr.
Nelms, John
Nelms, June
Adams, Marvin C.
Adams, Ella V.
Adams, Marvin F.
Drace, Glatha
Read, William T.
Read, Billie (Mrs.)
White, Ralph
White, Eleanor
White, Ron
Lee, Patricia
Lee, Donna
Rieshal, Marilyn
York, T. N.
York, Monti (Mrs.)
Harlan, Gilbert
Harlan, Holly
Kemp, Emo9ry, Lee
Spears, Shirley Maria
Honeycutt, Everett C.
Honeycutt, Alma
Honeycutt, Elaina
Honeycutt, Carol
Hynard, Donald
Hynard, Marilyn
Hynard, Donna
Thomas, Marguerite
Riewald, H. G.
Richardson, Harold (Buck)
Richardson, Donna
Swanson, Mrs. Jenn
Bennett, Mrs. Maura
York, Kay
Snyder, Marvin
Snyder, Luella
Thomas, Mr. Marinn
DeGeus, A. J. (Tony)
DeGeus, Iowa (Mrs.)
DeGeus, Andy
Honeycutt, William B.
Honeycutt, Linda
Richards, A. W. (Gus)
Richards, Jeannette
Richards, Charles (Chuck)
MacLean, Mrs. Grace
Hopkins, Annesley
Hopkins, Louise
Hopkins, Melinda
Hopkins, Pat

Blessings,
David Camphouse

Youth News @SMSAUMC

2011-07-03T19:34:00.001-07:00

Youth News

Several major youth events are happening this summer, with Sierra Service Project in Downtown LA for our Sr. High Youth, as part of an urban rebuild; and Coarsegold, CA working with the Native American tribe there as part of a Jr. High work team.
Brad Jones has faithfully headed this ministry as St. Andrew for many years now, and will be leading the youth in their endeavors.

District Camp will be happening again this year. Our Elementary Camp has already concluded at Camp Wrightwood, the week of June 19-26. Jr High and Sr High Youth will be participating at Camp Wrightwood as well July 3-9, with both camps living in the same spaces, and sharing program and special events, even as each age group will be clustered together for lodging and small group study.

Youth 2011 is a major national event for Youth put on by the General Board of Discipleship, Youth Division. This year, they have taken a big step and located in two places, for Purdue University and in Sacramento. Again, we will have youth participating in this event, and have found ways to partner with Reseda UMC and Simi Valley UMC as they too are sending youth and leaders to this great event, of worship, study, small groups and development of the church as lived out among our youth and the leaders who support them.

Pastor’s Corner January 2011

2011-05-30T14:45:00.000-07:00

Pastor’s Corner January 2011

The turn of the pages on the Calendar to bring in another year also means folks are talking about the New Years’ Resolutions they made, and in some cases already broke. I discovered long ago that I could make a few, but to hold myself too firmly to the fire merely meant I would get burned. I set high goals, and got frustrated when they did not pan out. So some years I would skip the New Year’s Resolution altogether. Then I began to understand that some flexibility could carry me a long way. Set the goal, establish your desires, and then be flexible, on timeline, achievement, talent, etc. This wasn’t a matter of cutting corners, but adjusting along the way.

In the church, I realize many of the same principles are always in play. We need to be flexible, adjust, and ride the waves of good fortune, and the riptide of frustration. As one friend put it to me once again recently - “This too shall pass”. This phrase is purported to have been one of the real pieces of wisdom imparted from the lips of Solomon, and inscribed on one of his rings, for the reminder that the good times will pass away and we need to enjoy them all the more, and the bad times too shall pass away, so that we may see a brighter day ahead.

In past years I have had to outline particular goals for the Staff Parish Relations Committee, or for my supervisor. I know that in the local congregation both are the larger congregation. SPRC serves as a sample of that congregation and everyone is supervising what I do according to their own standards and expectations. I suppose it only fair that I share with all of you the goals I have, and have had since I arrived at St. Andrew UMC.

-Trust: As is so often the case, nothing of substance can happen without trust. Now, there are a few little tricks of the trade I have been taught over the years; like as a pastor you get your first three “wishes” in a church, after that all bets are off (not sure if I ever used all of them). This comes about because the new church wants to trust you, and has hope that the “wishes” you are making will be the magic bullet to solve all the problems of that church. Trust comes in making what my wife, Anna, would call “pie-crust promises: easily made and easily broken”, just to follow through and do them. Sometimes it means keeping promises that were made by someone else, and never completed. And, it means making big promises and keeping those as well. We have had many instances of this, from completing name badges that were commissioned long before I arrived, to setting a series of preferences for what the pastor (me) would preach, and carrying that out. We have some that are still in process, like completing the technology upgrades to the church for all to have better access, repairing the roof of the Social Hall and Classrooms, and restoring the finances of this church to completeness and invoking the next word:

-Transparency. We want to be clear about what we take in and what we spend, and show all of our finances with clarity and with accuracy. But, there is more to a church than financial transparency, and one of the deepest challenges to any community is the transparency of its members with one another. I have tried to provide an example of this (this newsletter article being just one such example) through my recounting of facts and foibles, successes and failures before the congregation, whether that is from the pulpit, through electronic communication such as Facebook or Twitter, in print, like my blog or the newsletter, and with my covenant group. Transparency and trust go hand in hand. Trust without transparency leads to devastation and destruction, transparency without trust leads to defamation and devaluation. We build a base of trust and provide transparency to establish a long-term viability to the program and ministry, as well as the individual witness of those in the local church, and the local church itself to the community in which it serves.

-Truth. As noted above, truth involves telling the complete story of oneself and of the church. When we are afraid, we hide information, and keep people from helping us find real and effective opportunities to solve those issues and problems we have, as persons and as community. There is another truth in play for me as well. I have seen several laments over the past years about what we can tell the congregation about the Bible. the general idea is that we cannot tell the congregation about the Bible, or the truths that are evident, because it would obscure the capital “T” Truth (God/Jesus/Gospel) for them. I try to offer the truth at every turn, even if it challenges our current notion of what the scriptures say. I struggle with the places where it says things I do not like, or agree with, and where it seems to say something different than what I thought I read elsewhere in scripture. I open myself to being wrong each time I read scripture, about what I thought I knew, or even making a wrong turn in what I think I discover in this reading. I have found that this vulnerability allows me to be more transparent, and allows God greater room for Truth to invade my very being, from my words to my actions and to the perception of me, which helps me to transition.

-Transition is that state of change which is neither here nor there. The common phrase, “the only constant is change” reminds me that we are ever in transition, from one phase of life to another. I came from an appointment at Ojai UMC where I was there for a one-year appointment. [Truth is, all appointments in the UMC are one-year appointments. We are appointed one year at a time from July 1- June 30 of the following year] At Ojai UMC, I had the privilege of working with that congregation to complete their vision statement.They were transitioning from what they had been over the last 50 years to what they would yet become, and the vision helped lay the foundation for the how and why of what they would become in their future. Prior to my appointment at Ojai, I followed a beloved pastor in a church who had been burned out of his home at the parsonage, and where the church was dealing with the loss of community and homes during the Old Fire of 2003 in San Bernardino. My penchant for telling the truth got me in some hot water when I told that congregation 2 months into my time there that I was their “transition pastor”, and that “whether they were transitioning to me or to someone else was yet to be seen”. Transition is that space that is uncomfortable because there is obvious need for change, or has been dramatic upheaval in the community at large, but where the future is yet undetermined and needs to be fleshed out and created. From this seeking and discovery I use the tools at hands - the gifts and graces of the individuals in the church, the assets the church can bring to bear, and the needs of the community. Transition is that time of discovery. We are still seeking the answers to all of these questions, and even when we find the baseline for each of these categories they will need to be reassessed on a regular basis because “the only constant is change”.

-Transformation: I leave this for last, but the reality is that this is the first goal. The other areas I have named are all there to help create space for Transformation. And the reality is that “the church” in any form, let alone the form it takes at St. Andrew UMC, is here because God has already transformed people and the very order of creation by the birth, life and death of Jesus Christ, and the existing relationship God had with Israel. Transitions help us to move through those spaces where we are neither here nor there, but transformation is what arrives on the other side. Our small transformations, such as how we interact with a certain individual in a given moment, or how we choose to spend our money, or whether we are going to sing with gusto to the hymnody, all are part of a larger transformation. The true Transformation is what we have become in Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit. We are challenged in each moment to allow God’s rule to guide us and not our own. When we all gather together and claim the name of Jesus Christ, and allow the Holy Spirit to work in us and through us, the “church” as a gathering of people in a certain time and space can become something far more powerful than the sum of its people, the assets they bring to bear individually (wallets) and corporately (walls [of the church buildings]). The transformations effected are those of individuals and churches, and most especially communities. If we are truly living according to God’s transforming power, then the principalities of this world cannot stand against us, and God’s Kingdom will come on Earth as it is in Heaven. To that end, I seek to make adjustments in my attitude, and my actions, and sway people according to the understanding of Truth I share, but more deeply the power of the Holy Spirit given opportunity to act in my life, and the openings to do so in yours. God is faithful, even when we are not. We take each moment as it is given to us, to begin to find a solid unity of people and purpose for God’s action which will change and transform the world around us into the new Heaven and new Earth promised in Jesus Christ.

I hope that laying my goals out before you, adds another level of transparency to our relationship. At the end of it all, what I want most is for meaningful relationships to translate into more meaningful relationships, beginning with those who are immediate family and church friends to those who are further from us, in walks of life, in location, and in understanding. We want to challenge one another to have a deeper relationship with the God who named us, and sent his son Jesus Christ into the world, knowing that would not be enough and sending the Advocate, the Holy Spirit to abide within each of us. May we transform the world, because we have chosen to listen to the truth of the Gospel, and been willing to transition through the difficult times, transparent with one another, building trust along the way.

Peace,

David Camphouse

Pastor's Corner February 2011

2011-05-26T14:42:00.000-07:00

Pastors Corner February 2011

Recap and preview.

During the first few months I was here at St. Andrew UMC I asked a few questions about how we do things, and what we want to be doing. You all told me about all kinds of things, from money to maintenance, worship to outreach and beyond. We have worked on all of these, and are continuing to do so, and I think I have done a pretty good job of recounting the stories of what we have done with money, maintenance and outreach through the telling of “One More”, as told in the January Voice newsletter, and in more complete detail in the Pastor’s report for Charge Conference 2010. However, we set some very particular goals for what we wanted to be doing in worship. I heard from you some of the areas of interest, and wrote them down. I want to give you a bit of a recap of what we have already covered, and what the plan is to cover the other topics and scriptures you asked to learn more about in the years ahead of when we did that survey during worship.

After talking with our youth and boiling down the requirements for a “church” to exist to three simple things - Something to worship, worshipers, and the act of worship itself. I think that is the core of what we want to do. We want to be worshipers worshiping the One to be worshiped, the Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We are definitely aided in the process by the fact that God exists, and is longing for us to gather and worship together. We gather in many different forms and locations throughout any given week, but it is the Sunday morning gathering, where we have tried to take what you all presented as areas of interest, form worship themes around them, and develop our acts of devotion accordingly, in music, prayers, discernment (by way of meditative thoughts and the sermons) and service (we move from the time of worship into more active service in the week ahead, as well as the service we provide as ushers, musicians, worship leaders, and technicians).

We began each of the last two years with celebrations of Epiphany (the time when we remember the coming of the Magi to the manger), and a baptismal remembrance service, where we take the water to ourselves and accept our calling to ministry. 2012 will follow in this same pattern. 2010 then started at the beginning as we covered Genesis, with particular focus on the creation stories, Abram (Abraham), and Joseph (and his amazing coat). With Easter arriving early last year on the first Sunday in April we covered traditional texts for Palm Sunday and Easter, and followed that up with a series on Death and Resurrection, in the healings of Jesus and the Disciples, and a look back at the death of David and Bathsheba’s firstborn child. We recalled the birth of the church with Pentecost, and looked at the deeper meaning of what it means when we say we worship a Triune God, on Trinity Sunday. The Summer months took us back into more traditional Lectionary texts, and brought out some of our brightest stars to shine as guest preachers, hearing from David Seibert, Chris Odell, and Dave Goss. To be fair, we also heard from Brad Jones and Scott Davis during the year, and Dave Goss helped lead us into the journey’s of Paul, after an introductory sermon, Dave came to share about the power of conversion. In October, we examined the power of the Exodus story, leading to Christ the King Sunday, and into Advent.

All of that covers where we began in 2010 to the current time. We are currently looking at the Psalms and discerning some of the many facets of what it is we can learn from the Psalms in 2011. Following Ash Wednesday we will delve into the Spiritual Gifts, and Spiritual Gifts discernment. As the year quickly speeds away we enter into Holy Week, celebrating Passion Sunday, and Easter, followed by a series on the Book of Judges, which seems appropriate after we have just discovered our spiritual strengths to find out how the spiritual strengths of the Judges were also those things that led to their demise, and how to care for our gifts to not fall into that same trap. We will look at the development and use of Spiritual gifts during this time, and realize we are at the doorstep of Pentecost, Trinity Sunday, and into a Summer tumble through some of the larger characters of the Old Testament, Ruth, Esther, and David. The plan for the Fall is to see how Jesus fulfills the prophecies of the Old Testament. Before we enter into the wonder of Christ the King, Advent, Epiphany and Baptism of the Lord, we will take one last look back at the Old Testament for a story request from the Prophets of Baal on Mt Carmel with Elijah.

2012 will offer up a look at Leviticus, and several of the Creation Stories of scripture, including Genesis and John, with Ash Wednesday stashed in between. Palm/Passion Sunday leads us right into Easter, and what appears to be a “Pastor’s Discretion” segment in the preaching schedule, just before Pentecost and Trinity Sunday. The Summer will find us perusing the many parables of Jesus, before we look at the Spiritual Disciplines (for those who like to get a jump start on things, you may want to pick a copy of Richard Foster’s Celebration of Discipline to read before we hit the Fall of 2012). We then conclude the Calendar year with Christ the King, and Advent.

All of this is to alert you to where we have been, what we have ahead, and the reminder of the covenant we share, to develop our discipleship through the learning and understanding of scripture. I realize that for some my style of preaching is a little different. I am not one who is prone to giving answers, but rather raising questions. My hope is that you will leave with more questions than you came in with on a Sunday morning, and that that energy to discover and challenge those questions will spur you into action for Christ and the Gospel. In that way, many of my sermons feel like they are left right at the part where I “just get going”. My desire is to leave that sense of energy and unfulfilled promise as part of your entry into a new week.

Sincerely,

David Camphouse

Some Favorites

2011-05-25T07:20:00.000-07:00

I am trying to get back into some blogging, which may or may not mean I post anything original. Just some stuff that gets my attention.

Some links for today

Campings Calendar via Nakedpastor

Towel Day via Neatorama

Huguette Clark dies and leaves a huge estate; now what? via The Independent and Yahoo News

Peace y'all

Worship Thoughts

2011-05-23T14:39:00.001-07:00

Pastor’s Corner June 2011

A brief review of our worship service will be our topic this month. I want to take a moment to explain some of the theology that goes into our service as it is, and some of the personal choices I have made in how to transact those theological moments.

830AM Service

Welcome

Announcements

Songs of Praise

Children’s Moment

Offertory

Opening Prayer

Scripture Reading

Sermon

The Lord’s Supper

Benediction

1020AM Service

Order of Worship

GATHERING

PRELUDE

OPENING HYMN

PRAISE and PRAYERS

CALL TO WORSHIP
INFORMAL MOMENTS

GREETING ONE ANOTHER

CHILDREN’S TIME

PRAYER HYMN

CONCERNS FOR PRAYER

SILENT PRAYER

PASTORAL PRAYER

CHORAL ANTHEM

PROCLAMATION

PRAYER OF GRACE AND ILLUMINATION

THE SCRIPTURE

GLORIA PATRI

SERMON

RESPONSE

INVITATION

CONFESSION AND PARDON

RESPONSE HYMN

OFFERTORY

DOXOLOGY

PRAYER OF DEDICATION

HOLY COMMUNION

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

THE LORD’S PRAYER (in unison)

TAKING BREAD AND CUP

SENDING FORTH

CLOSING HYMN

BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE

EXPLANATION

The preparatory time for worship in both services is a little varied.

During first service, we begin with the announcements, clearly placing these outside of worship. This is more confused in the 1020 service with announcements, which are not worship, and the time of greeting one another firmly placed in the allocation for praise and prayers. The Call to Worship is effected through the responsive reading in the 1020 service, and the music of praise and worship in the 830 service.

In the traditional order of service for a church service the greeting would come at the end of the service, as an addition to the benediction, with those who have gathered unsure of where they might be next, as they may have been interlopers present for a psingle service, or under some scrutiny for their faith, and thus subject to persecution which would prevent them from participating during the next service.

This time obviously breaks the flow of a worship service, and can make it difficult to bring the people back together, which we know to be the case in both of our services, using music and the children’s message to drag people back to their seats to continue to participate.

This brings me to the question of a children’s message. What I find interesting about this time, is that it is used in churches to do a variety of things. Some churches use it as a “dumbed down” version of the sermon, because the “kids” won’t understand what the pastor has to say. In some churches, like ours, it is used as a prelude to dismissal, where we tell the children that they are to be different and separated from the rest of the church body. The children’s message is a new advent in the church, implemented during the 1900s. Prior to that children were in the entire service with the entire congregation, to learn how to be Christians, to be a reminder to the entire congregation that we are all children in the eyes of God, and as a social trainer to help children learn how to act in the rest of society. The old adage from Africa, “it takes a village to raise a child” was the premise of the children in service. Kids were cared for by the entire congregation during the service. The other alternative, which was what some churches turned to was that the children were not in church at all, set apart for Sunday School during the worship service, or just allowed to be elsewhere to play games or be with other kids.

The location of the offering is always a question. As ultimately, the offering is to God, with the church as the means by which it gets conveyed. In true worship, our offering is given not in response to what the church is or is not doing according to our desires, but given to God as a means of sharing our adoration and praise for the God who has already given us everything, and freely so, including our salvation with the gift of His only Son Jesus Christ. The placement before the sermon signifies this more clearly, and after the sermon it is seen as a means of responding, in action, to the very message of the Gospel communicated in the Sermon.

The Scriptures we use for worship are also a little contrived, as we have not been following the Lectionary of late. The Lectionary is designed to help tell the story in thematic ways, with an Old Testament lesson, a Psalm, an Epistle (letter) and a Gospel Lesson (from Matthew, Mark, Luke or John), and intended to help teach the scriptures, though it does leave many passages out, and rarely deals with the troublesome or difficult passages of scripture. Our current method of selecting scriptures for worship comes from the scriptures you asked to hear more about, either because you felt you knew them well, and wanted a chance to share that wonder of Scripture with the rest of the congregation, or because it was a passage or segment of scripture that was pretty fuzzy and unclear to you, and you wanted to learn more. I have also thrown in a few other pieces to help stay with the Seasons of the church (Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Easter, Pentecost) and affirm the traditions of the church by these means, as well as a few passages that have been “Pastor’s Discretion” with the idea that for the good of the congregational life of St. Andrew UMC we might need to review or learn more about a particular topic or passage of scripture.

In the Order of Service I have chosen to explain our service and the meanings thereof, I also picked a service that has Communion. Insomuch as the Sermon is designed to communicate God’s message in words of the Gospel, and the good news of Jesus Christ, Communion is a “Tangible Sign of an Inward and Spiritual Grace” which was freely offered in Jesus Christ. John Wesley called this a “Converting Ordinance”. If the purpose of a sermon is to encourage change in the life of the congregation member, through the hearing of the message, then Communion effects real change in the Spirit of the individual. The “Converting Ordinance” then is to say that if someone is being pulled to come to Communion and participate God has already effected a change in the person, and in the moment of participating in Communion, the individual affects the mantle of Jesus Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit, and is made a Christian, and begins to live the life God has called us to live out the Great Commandment, “To love God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind; and to love your neighbor as yourself”.

We follow the effected and affected changes of the worship, transmitted through the Call to Worship, Prayers, Sermon and Communion, with the Benediction to send us out in ministry to the world. At this point, our worship must really begin - with purpose and practice, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ, in thought, word and action, according to the grace given us by the Holy Spirit, in the name of God.

I realize that I may sound overly harsh in my assessment of the way in which we do worship. The reality is that this is the form of worship we have learned and decided to participate. I want to acknowledge that I am very open to doing worship in the way of St. Andrew UMC, and many other forms as well. I have a hard time with High Church worship, with stalwart traditions, as most of us are, because it is not a particularly participatory worship, nor was it intended to be. Worship in the traditional forms, especially under the traditional Latin Mass, was for the priest to direct the attentions of the people to God, and the understanding of the language used was not as important as the fact that God was being worshiped properly.
It is from some of this background that I dissected the worship styles we use at St. Andrew. We tend toward the “Isaiah model” of worship which concludes with the sermon, and the idea that the sermon should be driving people out to action, and is the culmination of the work of the Spirit in the acts of worship preceding it.
I realize that there are a variety of theological and practical understandings for the way in which we do ministry, and practice worship. God is faithful in all of them. The various forms we use are tools for helping direct us, and are derived from the initial forms of worship established in Jewish Synagogues and the Temple many years ago, sustained through the ages since by the Catholic and Orthodox Churches, as well as the various denominations we have formed since. It is in the amalgam of people we have worshiping with us, that the things that are familiar are utilized and developed to create our current Order of Service here at St. Andrew.
I also want to acknowledge that I do not know it all. If you have insights or knowledge to share with me about the forms we use in our worship, please do so. I will do my best to learn and understand even more deeply from the richness of backgrounds we bring to this time together as we offer ourselves back to God for the many wonderful things God has already given to us.

Important Reminder

2011-05-12T07:13:00.000-07:00

The art of leadership

Go to the people. Learn from them. Live with them. Start with what they know. Build with what they have. The best of leaders - when the job is done, when the task is accomplished - the people will say, we have done it ourselves.

Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because they want to do it.

Lao Tzu - Dwight D. Einsenhower (via Emergent Village)

MURPHY'S LAWS ON WORK (via Mikey)

2011-03-31T09:15:00.000-07:00

today'sFUNNY===========================

MURPHY'S LAWS ON WORK

~ Everything can be filed under 'miscellaneous.'

~ To err is human; to forgive is not company policy.

~ Important documents that contain no errors will develop errors in the mail.

~ There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but there is always enough time to do it over.

~ If you are good, you will be assigned all the work. If you are really good, you will get out of it.

~ If it wasn't for the last minute, nothing would get done.

~ The authority of a person is inversely proportional to the number of pens he/she is carrying.

~ No one gets sick on Wednesdays.

~ The longer the title, the less important the job.

~ Once a job is fouled up, anything done to improve it makes it worse.

~ Success is only a matter of luck; just ask any failure.

[forwarded by Gretchen Patti]

today'sTHOT============================

I'm gonna miss Kadafi's outfits. He makes Lady Gaga look like Johnny Cash.

=======================================

PASS IT ON!
Yeah, you can send this Funny to anybody you want. And, if you're REAL nice, you'll tell them where you got it! www.mikeysFunnies.com

Prayer and Repentance

2011-03-24T19:11:00.000-07:00

Using Job 1-12 and Esther 8-10 as the allocated texts for my time to pray with the CalPac Prayer and Repentance 80 hours of prayer and scripture reading, I was put to the test.

This, I share as part of my prayer reflection, living in the moment, and praying for discernment, and using the power of pulling the text out as it spurs my thought.

I wonder at the kind of repentance we are called to as a conference dealing with the hanging of Haman, and the destruction of all those who opposed the Jews

I am mindful of the text from Job, which reads "Job 1:⁹ “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied." - fear is awe and revere, lift up, not a matter of running from, in the NIV. And I question the levels of which we have allowed God to become too intimate, and not mysterious enough, listing away from the power of awe and reverence, to the point at which we might actually "fear" God, as the punisher - because that is the intimate we know: Fear and Danger, unmitigated anger, and grace which must be arbitrarily imparted, at the whim, not of God, but of the angels who attend our God.

And then in verse 16 the servant attributes to God, that which rightfully in action belongs to Satan, "¹⁶ While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The fire of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”"

Imagine then my confusion at being confronted with worship in a new context:

²⁰ At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship ²¹ and said:

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
and naked I will depart.
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
may the name of the LORD be praised.”

²² In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.

A new context for worship is that which acknowledges God as the one of power, mystery and wonder. This is worship as praise. And I am mortified to think of the last time in my tragedy I praised God, not for the action that was perpetrated, or for anything other than the greatness of God, unassigned to any actual action, but instead to the very being of God.

And then this interchange between God and Satan:

⁴ “Skin for skin!” Satan replied. “A man will give all he has for his own life. ⁵ But now stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face.”

⁶ The LORD said to Satan, “Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life.”

Satan is doing his level best to make God go against the nature of God to create and make whole, by asking God to strike against Job, and God, in wisdom, actually allows Satan his own wholeness, despite the anger he seeks to draw out of Job, and the pain he wants to assert. Definitely, an interesting little bit for my contemplation about healing and repentance. I might need to more seriously consider repenting of hindering others, even when they are seeking to diminish and destroy, as I have not allowed them to be whole in themselves, or I failed to impart healing which would bring about a different state of wholeness.

And that (pause) just brings to life a completely different, but related thought - I guess I always assumed that wholeness for one would look an awful lot like wholeness for another. And if I give credence to that earlier thought that the side of Satan that sought to inflict pain, and incite malice against God, was in fact leading to Satan's wholeness, then wouldn't it also follow that some people might have a similar path to wholeness?

Then I consider what it was to be a friend to Job, and marvel at the stamina of his friends, as I have a hard time staying even an hour

Job 2:

¹¹ When Job’s three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite, heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him. ¹² When they saw him from a distance, they could hardly recognize him; they began to weep aloud, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads. ¹³ Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was.

What would it mean not to repent, or even to heal (in the sense of the miracles of healing as Jesus performed), but to heal in the sense of being "wholly with" another who is in pain, with torn robes, and in ashes - perhaps that means wearing a hospital gown to visit with those in the hospital (and now I am stuck wrestling once again with Simone Weil [which drove me nuts in seminary, and every time since])

And then this lament from Job:

²⁰ “Why is light given to those in misery,
and life to the bitter of soul,
²¹ to those who long for death that does not come,
who search for it more than for hidden treasure,
²² who are filled with gladness
and rejoice when they reach the grave?
²³ Why is life given to a man
whose way is hidden,
whom God has hedged in?
²⁴ For sighing has become my daily food;
my groans pour out like water.
²⁵ What I feared has come upon me;
what I dreaded has happened to me.
²⁶ I have no peace, no quietness;
I have no rest, but only turmoil."

How often have I heard this from people with terminal illness? There is no rest. There is no peace. As much as they would give up, there is still life within them. There is no plan or progress, and no sense of what might be - other than death. And yet, as much as they give up and give in, without committing suicide and ending it themselves, this pain will not cease.

And here begins the litany of empty words offered from the friends of Job. So often I feel like my visits are the same. The only real healing that I can offer comes not from my words, or from the lack of physical wholeness I could provide, but instead from my simple presence. And maybe that is the healing I need to offer more clearly (and I might even submit that for actual repentance, I might need to do the same - be with those whom I have wronged, in a simple state, an act of being with, and nothing more of expectation, except that I walk with[and again I am drawn to Simone Weil - boy I wish I had something else to work with on this - Bonhoeffer perhaps?])

Edit: Job 6:14-23 seems to make the same point - your words are empty and your presence is that which is most valuable.

And I find that Eliphaz the Temanite is eerily reflected in the text of Isaiah 40. Both seeking to offer hope, despite great oppression, one for an individual and the second for a nation. And I find myself back in the comforting arms of a mysterious God that cannot be fathomed.

I also am slightly cowed by the sense present in the earlier monologue of Job, and the current monologue of Eliphaz that God inflicts injury. However, I have to find the space to reconcile (be healed? Repent of my wrong-headedness?) that thought and conception of God by humans (and perhaps all of humanity, with the God who does not actually do harm, but allows another to do so to fulfill his (Satan) sense of wholeness.

[At this point I stopped with the blogging prayer of discernment, due to time constraints, and trying to finish reading the scripture, and taking some time to pray with my daughter at bedtime (which did include prayers for healing and repentance*grin*)]

Changes?

2011-03-01T08:43:00.001-08:00

The Past is the New Future

Introductory Notes by Doug Pagitt

DougPagitt.com

Change, it's our norm

It's only a slight exaggeration to say that everything in our lives, everything we depend on for our basic survival, was created in the last 200 years.Think about your typical day. You wake up in a bed made of materials-internal springs, polymers, anti-microbial fabrics, that didn't exist 200 years ago. You are awakened by an alarm clock that was invented in 1876 (or maybe to an iPod that was invented in 2001). You take a shower (indoor plumbing arrived in the mid-19th century), eat eggs shipped by trucks from a different part of the country, purchased at a grocery store with a credit card, and cooked over an electric stove. You drive a car to work and maybe make a few calls on your cell phone on the way.

You might live in a state that was open frontier in 1860 or in a town that was nothing but grassland in 1922. You might send your kids to a school where they read digitally printed books and use computers and watch DVDs. You might go to church on Sunday morning at 11:00 where you speak into a micro-phone and sing along with words projected on a screen.

For most of human history, changes in broad social structures came occasionally and were limited in geographic scope. But in the last two centuries, cultural change has become far-reaching, constant, and increasingly rapid.

Doug Pagitt

DougPagitt.com

To the Church at St. Andrew UMC, Santa Maria, CA

I noticed the other day just how often we come full circle in the church.

I was amazed to find several living will documents in the church files, along with an Advance Directive for Health Care. I wondered how these people 30 years ago knew that getting information out about Living Will, Trusts, Lifetime Giving, and Advanced Directives for Health Care are all on the agenda for several of our committees, including worship, finance, trustees, and church council. We have talked about how we haven’t done much with the Giving Tree (which is a Trustees item), about how helpful it was to have a file on a member with the particular wishes for how a funeral was to be carried out (Worship team), and with the many hospital visits to congregation members, and my own surgery this past year, I was reminded that everyone ought to have an Advance Directive for Health Care. We revisit many of the same themes in cycles in the church.

Another conversation led to the discussion about how we might grow the church, and what that means. This too has seen the history of the church take turns in each of several different modes - wandering people, temporary meeting places, permanent meeting places, transitional people (neither tied to a home, nor without one) and back through the cycle. I was asked how we might get people “out of the church” and “into the world”, which sounds an awful lot like the transitional phase, recognizing very clearly that St. Andrew UMC has been very permanent for nearly 45 years, as we come upon our 50 year celebration, and that for almost 100 years the motto has been “if you build it, they will come”, after simply setting up a tent where the people were prior to that. The movement of the church takes us around again.

I was talking with a friend the other day about all the stuff the pastor wears. You know the items, robe, collar, stole. We got to talking some about how those things have come and gone, depending on the times, and the denominations. These days robes are meant to signify something or someone different. They are a throwback to the role of the priest in the Old Testament. Only it wasn’t so much the robes then, but the colors, and the different armor the priests put on, from that of a common warrior. The breastplate had semi-precious stones embedded, and the 12 tribes of Israel inscribed on onyx shoulder pads, and a giant helmet. This was a very strong departure from Moses and his predecessor priests who led by example, rather than ornamentation. Since that time the church has seen the ebb and flow of each of these types of ornamentation, that which meets the people as they are, and that which shows the display to draw attention. The cycle is ever-changing, and the rationale always fluctuating between the need to be seen as “human, like them” and “a special one from God”.

And so it is with life cycles. Some lives run longer than others, like that of the church (institutions seem to have lifespans of about 200-250 years), versus that of a human being (current average age in the US is about 76), or the fruit fly (in optimal conditions about 30 days). As we consider where in the stages of the lifecycle we find ourselves, we have the opportunity to remember why we decided to act as we did in gathering for this activity or that one, and for the mission of the church at the outset. In doing so we have a great opportunity to re-envision how we can help the next generation meet those same questions of “why” in their lives, knowing full well, that the what will change, as well as the rationale that will get them to the why.

You see, for all the cycles and rhythms of life, the why of the church never changes, to worship God, and show God’s love into the world today. In a world with growing diversity, and increasing differences between people, economically, educationally, spiritually, ethnically, and beyond, the lines are also becoming more blurred, and open to question. Ours then, as the church, and its people, continues to be a deep need to share the Amazing God we know with the world, in such a way that God is made clear.

Peace,

Witnessing

2011-02-16T16:53:00.000-08:00

Have you ever been convicted?

You know that deep turning of your soul that reminds you of a particular action you did or should have done.

I had that experience just now. The doorbell rang, and it wasn't the very wonderful and gracious lady who has provided meals for my sick wife, child and myself for the past few days with another kind offering of great food. My daughter ran to the door and pulled back the curtain, and it was young men dressed in shirt and tie, holding pamphlets and Scripture books.

I opened the door wary and yet with enthusiastic greeting. I was immediately set-upon to shill the church these young men attend. I asked if they would then be coming to my church, as I am a pastor, too. This of course caught them offguard, shoved a few pamphlets and treated to silence and quick looks at one another as they formed the next step in their strategy.

Out came those most carefully applied words of traditional evangelism in the last 40 years, "If you were to die tonight, would be assured that you were going to Heaven."

It was at that moment that I lost my sense of decorum, laughed quite boisterously and said, "Really, that's your opening? You really need to work on that."

I did conclude with, "Yes, I am a pastor. Yes, I am assured I am going to Heaven. Thank you." Then I shut the door.

My wife, being the ever-faithful ecumenist, offered her apologetics and tried to remind me of what these young men were really trying to do. And I applaud her greatly for this, knowing full well, that if it had been her, I would have been attempting to redeem them at that moment as well.

She then offered this great line, "How scared of God do you have to be to go door to door trying to get others to be so scared of God that they would come to your church?"

And then it hit me. The moment of conviction fell upon my poor little head, and I think I know what I need to do in the next few weeks.

I had prayed for our neighborhood over the past year, and I have mentioned that I need to go visit with our neighbors. I haven't done it yet, and the time has come. God has whomped me over the head with this kind of reminder, that I have something else to offer, with an outstanding church.

I expect to spend time in the next few weeks going to our immediate back fence neighbors and saying hi, introducing myself, and asking what we can be doing to be better neighbors. I might get laughed at. I expect to get yelled at, because we have not done what some of our neighbors have "demanded" that we do. There are old wounds from the church, both ours and others.

At the end of it all, I want to remind folks that I am not there to convert them. The truth is God does that job. Mine is to help them find fellowship, and a place of sanctuary with our common space, the fence and community we share. This means we are present in those moments to help birth transforming love.

As for what I might do about the church that came visiting, my mind is still spinning.

More from Mikey

2011-02-07T08:45:00.000-08:00

Here's a list of what NOT to give her for Valentines Day:

- A box of chocolates, clumsily rearranged in an attempt to hide the fact you ate all the caramel ones.
- Any video starring Sylvester Stallone, Jim Carrey, or Jenna Jameson.
- Flowers from a hospital's gift shop--or worse, a mortuary's.
- Poetry, no matter how heartfelt, that starts out "There was once a girl from Nantucket..."
- Any household appliance, power tool or other item from the harder side of Sears.
- Cash.
- Any food item with the words "diet," "light," or "high fiber" on the label.
- Any clothing item with the words "push-up" or "slim-down" on the label.
- Anything you could have bought at the gas station mini-mart on the way over, even if you didn't.
- An apologetic look and the words "That was today?"

http://www.mikeysfunnies.com/

Leave 'em hanging

2011-02-01T08:07:00.001-08:00

I have to say, I did not realize how much I miss reading the Bible daily, until I pick it up again.

I need conversation for my thoughts to foment and build. For this reason I love the classroom setting, and Blogging, too, for that matter.

As I sat down to read the scriptures again this morning, I discovered something that hit home again...

I remembered this comic strip from ASBO Jesus...

Then, I remembered the many conversations I have had with congregation members, who have shared that I finish my sermons, unfinished, that I just leave too much to their imagination.

And threw on top of that this passage from the Gospel of Matthew 21

²⁴ Jesus replied, “I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. ²⁵ John’s baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?”
They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ ²⁶ But if we say, ‘Of human origin’—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.”
²⁷ So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”
Then he said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

Hearing the Scriptures in the Scriptures

2011-01-31T08:08:00.000-08:00

I had a seminary professor who admonished us that if we were reading something in Scripture and did not hear at least three other passages of scripture, then we did not know our scripture well enough.

Today I was going through the One Year Bible Reading from Biblegateway, and came across this passage in Exodus 12.

¹¹ “After the LORD brings you into the land of the Canaanites and gives it to you, as he promised on oath to you and your ancestors, ¹² you are to give over to the LORD the first offspring of every womb. All the firstborn males of your livestock belong to the LORD. ¹³ Redeem with a lamb every firstborn donkey, but if you do not redeem it, break its neck. Redeem every firstborn among your sons.

From it I recalled this passage.

Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King
¹ As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, ²saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. ³ If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”
⁴ This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
⁵ “Say to Daughter Zion,
‘See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”^{a]" style="font-size: 0.75em; line-height: 0.5em; ">[a]}
⁶ The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. ⁷ They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. ⁸ A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. ⁹ The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

And of course when I kept reading in the devotional, there it was. Someone else has set this up to find the parallels for us. Do you hear the similarities too? A strange sense of foreshadowing is taking place here to remind us that this time the Donkey will not redeem the Lamb.

(Of course the cynic and snark did crop up and I wondered why the Lamb of God would redeem the asses of this world)

Peace,

Praise in Spite of Pain

2011-01-20T05:40:00.000-08:00

I got an email the other day from a friend, right after I had preached on Psalm 40 and the similarities to Psalm 70. After that, I read through a short book by Matt Redman, The Unquenchable Worshipper. All those thoughts began to come together, and I wanted to connect a few pieces.

First, Psalm 40 and Psalm 70. Turns out the two Psalms are the same from the end of verse 12 in Psalm 40 to the end, and all of Psalm 70. I talked on Sunday about how the lament part can be an ingrained response, whereby, no matter what happens we still fall back on "I am poor and needy". We can start to change the refrain which is what Psalm 40 seems to do, only to find ourselves back in the same rut.

I was thrilled then to see how David Youngdale, a sometimes reader of this blog, put together another piece of scripture.

"And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them."
-- Acts 16:25

Singing and praising and thanksgiving all go together.
Paul and Silas had been beaten with many stripes, cast into prison, their feet were in the stocks. But at midnight they prayed and sang praises unto God. Aloud. And the prisoners heard them.
Most people in similiar circumstances would have griped and complained something like this.
Silas: Paul, are you still there?
Paul; Silas, where else could I possibly be?
Silas: I'll tell you my poor back is hurting me so bad. I don't understand why God sent this on us. I don't understand why God let this happen to us. He knows I've tried to serve Him and do my best.

That kind of praying would have gotten them further in instead of out. God didn't have them thrown in jail. The devil did. But there's truth and instruction here to help us in our midnight hour, the hour of test, of trial, when the storms of life come. That's a time to pray and praise and sing and give thanks!

Confession: I praise and thank God at all times. I don't ever have a "poor old me" attitude. I keep an attitude of praise.

I found Matt Redman's commentary on unquenchable worship helpful. He talks about how the ways to put out a fire are to remove one of the three elements: Heat, Oxygen, or Fuel. But, I have to admit my favorite part of the story was his citation of an event involving Charles Wesley.

None of these incidents or stories deny that there is pain or hurt in the world or in our lives, just that God is somehow greater than all of them. Paul and Silas were not healed of their injuries. Charles Wesley did not miraculously find himself standing on a solid floor on an upper level again, nor does the Psalmist stop having trials and tribulations as life continues, but in the midst of it all, somehow, someway, the desire to worship and praise overwhelms the spirits of those who are at work for God.

Anonymous

2011-01-05T07:35:00.001-08:00

Occasionally I post, and even then I rarely get comments (no this is not an appeal for comments for my otherwise flagging self-esteem)

But, I often struggle with what I should do with comments from "Anonymous". I am grateful for the few folks who, though posting as Anonymous by default, add their name at the end of the comment they make. I tend toward throwing out the Anonymous comments, as I do with such comments in the local church (anonymous letters, notes, comments, etc). However, I have found that I do need to read them (well, except for the SPAM), and discern whether the comments are adding to the conversation, either in how they challenge my thinking or in contributing some piece of neglected wisdom, or clarification.

How do you handle your "Anonymous" Comments?

Bucket List

2010-12-29T16:23:00.000-08:00

35 is gone, and the start of a new decade seems well underway with a year under the belt. I guess before my life slips away some long-term goals ought to be laid out. Some have been around for a long time, and others, well they just are getting life in my brain now

Some things I want to do:

- Finish all 50 states visits (45 so far: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Alaska, South Dakota and Michigan are left) [bonus: territories - Like the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam]

- 7 Continents (I haven't left North America, except to hit Hawaii)

- Israel, Egypt, and Europe are particular travel sites I hope to visit

- Skydiving or bungee jumping or both (perhaps when the Bug hits the age where it matters to her, I'll go with her)

- Mt. Whitney (I'd like to hit the summit this time, even if it takes a couple of days)

- An archaeological dig (i'd probably be bored out of my mind in a day, but I want to say I've done it)

- Get rid of half my stuff, before I have to (with retirement, or a "home").

- Follow my call and run a camp (as manager or program director, possibly own it too) [Sidenote: I have run camps as a Dean, and this coming year as the District Coordinator]

- Be a life-long learner

- Take sabbatical

- Do something that as of right now has not been invented yet

- Grow a church

- Survive a church closure

- Nurture a new person into Ordained Ministry

- Teach some old dogs new tricks (could actually be a dog, but I was thinking of teaching a "tired" church some "new-to-them" activity and discipleship), every year of my life

Now, I admit this is not Jon Acuff's 40 by 40 list, but it is a start...and maybe it is 40 if each of the states and continents and places of notice are taken individually.

Musings from my Wife

2010-12-29T10:07:00.000-08:00

Still wrestling with a thought from my wife who in a Bible Study the other day was asked about why Atheists were such a hard breed to crack.

She shared the thought that the problem Atheists face is the same problem Biblical Literalists face: namely that concretes are the imperative. Where the atheist sees no concrete answers to the "God problem" the literalist must hang closely to the "facts" of scripture, and find concrete evidence therein.

I bring this up as the latest news shares the discovery in Israel of a 40,000 year old set of remains of early humans, thus refuting the previous hypothesis that Humans started in Africa. I suspect literalists will jump on this very aspect as further "proof" that the creation story is accurate.

And in the end the Atheists will bring to light the major flaw of such thought that if we follow the Scriptural account closely 40,000 years ago is far beyond the age of "Biblical Creation" generally regarded as about 6,000-8,000 BC.

Suffice it to say, our faith is one of wonder and mystery, and looking at the facts, and the doubts, and questioning, and learning about the most important aspect of it all, relationship with God and one another

Quotes/Thoughts

2010-12-27T17:55:00.001-08:00

Some thoughts that have gathered steam in my speech of late, and I need to worry:

"Hurt people hurt people"

"Deal with the diva, and forget the music"

Hope your life is easier!

For Anna

2010-12-26T17:22:00.000-08:00

Stuck Like Glue lyrics

Quote of the Day

2010-12-19T16:39:00.001-08:00

The follies which a man regrets most, in his life, are those which he didn't commit when he had the opportunity.
- Helen Rowland

Long-term Funding

2010-12-17T02:28:00.000-08:00

A question for some of my friends and colleagues out there in the non-profit sector...

I saw this article recently, and was captured. I wondered what kind of success any of you have had in implementing such practice in the local church, and if anybody has templates of bequests.

Planned gifts are the pinnacle of donations. They represent a donor's ultimate desire to support a nonprofit organization. Essentially, a planned gift is any donation that is planned in advance, including bequests, annuities, trusts, life insurance and more.
Bequests are the most common planned gift. Typically, a bequest can be included in a will as a particular amount of money, a percent of the total estate, or a contingent gift that depends on certain circumstances.
Here are three simple ways to promote planned giving for your nonprofit organization.
1. Remember Us In Your Will. The easiest way to solicit bequests is to include "Remember us in your will" in your newsletter. Don't be afraid or timid about including this information. Other organizations are doing it and if you don't, you are missing the boat.
2. Provide some sample text for a bequest in your newsletter or on your website. It will make planned giving easier for some donors and at the very least, should help spark ideas for those who are interested in leaving your organization in their will.
3. Use prewritten materials. There are companies out there that write, design, and publish planned giving materials that you can add your logo to and give to your donors. The Stelter Company and The Sharpe Group are two great examples. You can get help with planning, internet-based solutions, and more, so it's worth your time to check them out.
Have some professional volunteers at the ready to help your donors make their planned gift happen. While most donors have their own advisors, offering your donors the names of financial, tax, and legal professionals who can help them can take you far.
Want more practical tips and ideas for successful fundraising? Get the twice-monthly "Bright Ideas for Fundraising" at http://www.getfullyfunded.com.
Sandy Rees is a nonprofit fundraising coach and speaker who shows small nonprofit organizations how to raise more money, gain more supporters, and strengthen their Boards.
(c) Sandy Rees, CFRE
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sandy_Rees

Advent Devotional

2010-12-16T07:38:00.000-08:00

AUTHOR
David Camphouse
DATE
December 5, 2010
TITLE
Discovering Jesus
SCRIPTURE
Luke 2:36-38
36There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. 38At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
DEVOTIONAL STORY
Anna, too, discovers Jesus. Luke is unique in his revelation to both men and women, and the power that each side brings to the story. This is much of the controversy that the DaVinci Code stirred among the churches, was that it was bringing back the feminine aspects of the Gospel, and the story of Jesus, to the point that it was empowering women again. Now there were other controversies in the book and movie DaVinci Code, such as his child, and his marriage to Mary Magdalene, but both of those tie back to the power of women in the ongoing story and revelation of Jesus.
The truth is that we need to recognize the power of women in the telling of our own story of faith, the Gospel message and the hope for the nations.
The final discovery is the discovery of an imminent future for Israel, and if we are to be honest with Christ and the Gospel story then we too need to have an imminent future.
PRAYER
God, you meant for your son to come for all nations, for all peoples, of all tribes and station in life. You came for the priests, and the prophets, you came for the tax collectors and the prostitute. You came to men and women in your proclamation of the new world you were creating. Help our hearts to be moved to create your world here on earth as it is in heaven. Amen
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
What are we discovering about God, as it leads us to discovering how we will be church in the world today?

Advent Devotional

2010-12-09T05:07:00.000-08:00

Home Again

11 Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his fa-

ther, `Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them.

13 "Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country

and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a se-

vere famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out

to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach

with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

17 "When he came to his senses, he said, `How many of my father's hired men have food to

spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him:

Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your

son; make me like one of your hired men.' 20 So he got up and went to his father.

"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for

him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

21 "The son said to him, `Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no

longer worthy to be called your son.'

22 "But the father said to his servants, `Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a

ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast

and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So

25 "Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music

and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 `Your

brother has come,' he replied, `and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back

28 "The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded

with him. 29 But he answered his father, `Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never

disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my

friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes

home, you kill the fattened calf for him!'

31 "`My son,' the father said, `you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32

But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he

DEVOTIONAL STORY

When we see the story of the prodigal son, we often forget the story behind the story. As we read

about in the Ten Commandments we are called to honor our father and mother. One of the ways to

dishonor parents in days gone by was to treat them as dead and claim the inheritance they would

leave. This is exactly what the prodigal son did. The penalty for such a claim was that the son would

have been stoned by the townsfolk upon his return to town.

It is the love of the father that kept watch for the son, such that when he saw the son, yet in the dis-

tance, he went running to gather him in, and reclaim him into the family, so that the son would not

be put to death. This was a true redemption, and it is the very love that God seeks to give to each of

us, that we might know love fully and completely, redeemed into the family and restored to the in-

heritance that we squandered without the guidance and surrounding of God’s powerful arms of love.

The main thing the Lord wants is to say: this is my son, daughter, child and this is the place that I

have prepared for them.

Home is where the heart is--have your heart in Heaven.

Home is Heaven, His creation-therefore all is Home.

PRAYER

Lord, when we were still waiting to find you, you were watching out for us. You ran to meet us on the

road to death. Thank you for opening your home and your life to us once again. May we never forget

such love, seeking to offer amazing love as this to many others in your name. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Where is your heart?

What makes something feel like home to you?

David Camphouse

Pastor's Corner December 2010

2010-12-07T07:11:00.000-08:00

Reflections on National UnFriend Day 2010

On his show November 11th Jimmy Kimmel called for a National UnFriend Day to be celebrated November 17th.
video here: http://abc.go.com/shows/jimmy-kimmel-live/national-unfriend-day

The basic principle makes sense. Kimmel says we need to get back to what friendship is really about, interpersonal relationships, developed with actual contact, emails, phone calls and face-to-face visitation. As one who lives in an industry defined by how many visits you make, and how many are making a personal relationship commitment to Jesus Christ (and by extension the local church, which is to be God’s visage in the world), this issue is before me all the time.

So, what do we do with all the people who are friends, acquaintances, and followers?

I have posited in the past the theoretical boundary of Dunbar’s Number. Wikipedia offers a quick definition as such:

Dunbar's number is a theoretical cognitive limit to the number of people with whom one can maintain stable social relationships. These are relationships in which an individual knows who each person is, and how each person relates to every other person. Proponents assert that numbers larger than this generally require more restrictive rules, laws, and enforced norms to maintain a stable, cohesive group. No precise value has been proposed for Dunbar's number. It lies between 100 and 230, but a commonly used value is 150.

I consider too, the old adage, “just give me twelve committed persons and I can change the world”. I have to admit that as an introvert in a very extroverted position I tend toward the 12 for comfort, but I have found the value of friends that number into the thousands.

The truth is Dunbar’s number is theoretical, but it also pretty accurate for the number of deep meaningful relationships any one person can maintain. The semantics of such a definition leave room for many other tangential relationships. I was told of a school principal, who would pour over the 2000 names of the students coming into the school each year who would practice all summer long to learn the names.

I grew up in a town of 12,000 people, and I can recall that it was rare that I came across someone I didn’t know, at least peripherally, and at a little bit of effort, couldn’t get to know better.

I guess that’s what is so intriguing to me about Facebook, and in turn, the Church. We have so many peripheral connections. I wanted to be more intentional about those. I wanted to try to find out more about these great people. I have to admit, I have made some unusual friends on Facebook (and through the church for that matter), like the folks in the chat group for the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan, my high school nemesis, fraternity brothers, and my family.

In some ways I look at it all kinda like Sunday mornings at church. There are a lot of people there. I may not get to meet or know them all, but I have a way to connect. When something comes up I have a chance to pray with them, or for them. I can encourage these friends across miles and lifetimes, with the hurts they experience, the joys they celebrate, and indeed the dreams they express.

Facebook is merely a tool, for helping to get my mind ready for a deeper relationship. The other pieces will have to follow, visits, talks, and written conversations. It is both the modern business card, as a means of introduction, and the Christmas card, as a way of keeping up with friends from years gone by.

As you might have guessed, because of these aspects of Facebook, I opted out of National Unfriend Day. I think relationships are important. And an understanding of the medium can help develop meaningful relationships. However, I do think Jimmy Kimmel got it right about this, Facebook does not stand for real relationship. Facebook is a bookmark in the lives of others, which needs nurturing and attention so that meaningful relationship can be made. Perhaps that is the truth of Sunday morning as well. And the truth is, I am in both places to make an impact, learn about others, and develop something greater, with an eye to another friend I want folks to know because of me, Jesus Christ.

Peace,
David Camphouse

Holiday Foolishness

2010-12-02T16:08:00.000-08:00

Top 20 worst Nativities from whyismarko.com

Merry Kitschmas on Flikr

Jesus Kitsch on Flikr

And just for good measure - ShipofFools kitschmas

So have yourself a merry little kitschmas

Advent Devotional

2010-11-28T07:56:00.000-08:00

TITLE
Unseen Mover

SCRIPTURE
2 Corinthians 4:18
18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

DEVOTIONAL STORY
My first memories of Christian Educators Fellowship are from behind the scenes. CEFers were unseen wonders to my mind.
I had the pleasure of working on worship materials for CEF 1996. I was amazed to hear of all the various working groups within the United Methodist Church, and that a group would be dedicated to Christian Education and gathering together to form ideas, hopes, dust off the playbook, and develop a sense of community around worship.
I then heard more tales of the CEF 1998 Conference when my bosses (2 out of three of those who oversaw my work as an Assistant Youth Director in a large metropolitan church) returned from their time of celebration with this fine group of dedicated professionals (yes, I consider the volunteers to be professionals too – your payments just don’t look the same). I think I may have even received a few “give-aways” from their trove of gifts that CEF shares with so many of its participants.
What I began to see was not so much with my eyes, but with my soul, for I began to see the effects that CEF has on its participants, both as a contributor to the behind-the-scenes aspects, and the participatory aspects. The changes in my co-workers was one that was renewed and refreshed, excited by the energy of a group of persons seeking to teach the Gospel to the world around us.
Realizing this allowed me to reconnect with the “unseen” God who moves and transforms the lives of persons around us. We don’t necessarily see the group itself, but the effects of the group upon the lives of those around us, just as with God. We may not see God, or hear God, but we see and hear what God has done for those around us, inviting us into a new future with Christ.
I am excited to participate once again as one of those who may not get to see the whole event from the eyes of a participant, but as one who gets to see the effect of the event upon the lives of those who are fully involved. Thank you for letting me be a part in such an amazing organization.

PRAYER
Dearest Lord God, I do not always get to see with my own eyes, but I pray that you will show me through the eyes and stories of others. Your story is lasting and eternal, and will always be spoken through your people, excite me to be one of your people, who lives and acts and educates for the next generation that your Word may live on through eternity. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
I did not see it for myself, but by trusting in the experience of another I may see more clearly.

New York Homelessness and Christian Response

2010-11-26T05:15:00.000-08:00

There is nothing so unsettling to my sense of Christian responsibility and response as the homeless of New York. The homeless in other places stir it as well, but New York seems to hold a special place for my Christian sense of right and wrong.

I recall that we are called to serve by feeding the hungry, visiting the imprisoned, casting out the demons, clothing the naked and healing the sick, as well as “teaching them to obey all that I have taught you.”

Even taking seriously the thought posed to me that not all of us are so gifted by the Holy Spirit as to be able to do the healing of sick, or especially the casting out of demons, then somewhere I have also failed to do my job as a pastor, who is charged with equipping the saints for the ministry of Christ in the world. One would assume that even if I did not have the calling to do such ministry, that some do, as there is just too much issue without the help of Christians taking their jobs seriously.

Therefore I can only assume that too many Christians are abdicating their responsibility, which in turn leads me back to introspection and the look at myself in examination of my spiritual gifts and whether or not I am, in fact, being called to such a ministry of casting out demons and healing the sick, and how I might go about building up those spiritual muscles working with the Holy Spirit.

How do you understand the Christian Response, in light of Christ's commandments, and the realities of our world today? Can you help me from feeling a deep sense of despair and failure, as a pastor and as a Christian?

Book Signing 1 week later

2010-11-25T07:58:00.001-08:00

Book signing redux
Thanks to all of our authors who showed up for the local author book signing November 18th, in our fellowship hall.
-Whitney Hankinson
-Katie Cushman
-Daniel Wilcox
-Evelyn and David Dabritz
-BJ Scott
-Jennifer Best
-Rudy Federman
-John McReynolds

These authors were greeted by some nice finger foods, and wonderful people to listen to their brief personal story and introduction of their book(s). All of the authors were willing to sign their books, and tell a little more in one-on-one conversations at the author tables.
We have interest in doing another one, and are in conversations with some big name authors to help headline our next event.
We have copies of the books from the authors who were present in our church library, and contact information if you would like a copy for yourself.

Thanks for supporting your local authors and the joy of reading.

Letter to the authors who attended, listed above.

Dear _______,

Thank you for celebrating the written works of several of our local authors in the Santa Maria Valley and surrounding areas. St. Andrew United Methodist Church was pleased to have gathered such a wonderful array of authors, and story materials.

In the days that followed, I heard from many who attended who wondered how we could manage to do this again, and be sure to get more people involved. As you heard I hope that we can do this again, and I had a few ideas about how to get more folks to come out and hear from our authors in the area.

I hope that you will be able to join us at that time. I was excited to see that several of the authors with us had new works coming out within the next few months, and I hope we can profile some of the new works on hand, as well as some more authors.

In order to help us grow this event, I hope you will share with your friends, the next time we gather. Additionally, in an effort to attract more authors, I would welcome any new names of people in the area. I have heard of two authors from as far away as Santa Barbara, including Thom Steinbeck, and Sue Grafton.

May you enjoy your writing, and thank you so much for coming to share with all of us. I had a great time, and I know those who attended did as well.

Sincerely,
David Camphouse

More from Mikey

2010-11-01T07:29:00.000-07:00

I don't drink the stuff, but in case you do...Mikey

SIGNS YOU'RE DRINKING TOO MUCH COFFEE

~ Starbucks is accepting bids for a franchise located in your house.

~ The National Bank of Columbia has offered you a Platinum Visa card with zero percent interest.

~ Folgers has offered you a "distributors" franchise for your block.

~ Your co-workers are getting rich buying stock in companies that manufacture foam coffee cups.

~ You just went to the store and bought ten cases of non-diary creamer "to get you through the week."

~ Those strange footprints in the ceiling of your office.

~ You haven't slept in a week and no one notices, not even you.

~ You find yourself sneezing Folger's Crystals.

~ Juan Valdez starts sending you hand-written Thank You notes.

~ You eat garlic to overcome coffee breath.

~ Your dentist upgrades to a belt sander.

~ Alvin & the Chipmunks start to sound like Barry White.

~ Auctioneers begin to make sense.

And the number 1 Sign You've Had Too Much Coffee...

~ YYoouu ssttaarrtt ttyyppiinng lliikkee tthhiiss..

Benchmarks

2010-10-21T07:55:00.000-07:00

After spending some time reviewing my draft of a stewardship letter to the church, I discovered helpful thoughts in my musing.

Here are the learnings and benchmarks of St. Andrew for 2009-2010.

We want to tell a story of success, so we are looking at the theme developed this year: “One More”. My hope is that we will carry the momentum of “One More” into 2012 and beyond, with our commitment to giving for 2011.

What we have done to demonstrate “One More” in the ministry of the church this year is:
-One More Girl Scout Troop and One More Boy Scout Program have been offered sponsorship by the church

-One More Eagle Scout has come through the ranks, and contributed to the aesthetic life along the side of the church property with a Horseshoe Pit, and enhanced Cross Space.

-One More area of the church is being used on a regular basis as the Orcutt Youth Football League Cheerleaders and the Orcutt Youth Soccer League are each using the front lawn as practice area.

-One More Youth Group has developed and graduated leaders into the world, and the church as Zach Thomas, Micaela Stewart and Peter Limich all celebrated with us this year.

-One More cost saving program was put into place as we changed the lights throughout the buildings with energy saving bulbs (and Oh! What a difference in the Sanctuary!)

-One More year shared together in ministry has begun as Pastor David Camphouse was reappointed for 2010-2011 and has requested to stay for another year.

-One More successful and life changing year of Camp and Sierra Service Project have been completed and celebrated with Camp Sunday, led by our amazing and dynamic youth.

-One More class of 4 year-olds has graduated from Happy Hollow Preschool (24 students in all) as we have continued to enhance our reputation of outstanding preschool care in Orcutt.

-One More community outreach program has led to an amazing set of authors from Santa Maria Valley sharing their talents in an Author Book Signing in November.

-One More class of new members have joined the church, as we reaffirmed our vows to uphold the church with our Prayers, Presence, Gifts, Service and Witness.

-One More saint has celebrated the life triumphant as we remember several members, friends and former members who have passed away this year.

-One More person is helped with groceries per month through the food bags you all provide the first Sunday of the month.

-One More person (actually more than 6 people) shared the testimony of faith inspired by the relationship with Jesus Christ fostered by St. Andrew UMC and the people of this place.

-One More play area for our preschoolers has been expanded and enhanced with grass, and play space.

-One More person decided to pledge this year than last year (we had 5 more pledges this year than last)

-One More Choir Director has taken leadership as the choir transitioned from Meredith Worsham Brough to Bill Woods

-One More plant was planted (by no fewer than 12 people each) beautifying our church property.

-One More sign has been added to tell of our service times along Bradley Rd.

-One More leaf has been added to the Giving Tree, honoring the gifts of those who have given to the long-term financial health of the church.

-One More small group was added with the beginning of the Covenant Disciple Program.

-One More study was conducted as we have added a prayer study between services.

-One More fellowship time has been strengthened as we created the “Breakfast with the Bells” on the second Sunday of the month between services.

-One More person added to the devotional life of St. Andrew UMC as more than a dozen of you have created Advent Devotionals for 2010.

-One More infant baptism celebrated in the congregational life of St. Andrew UMC

-One More aid ministry created with the Disability Closet

We have succeeded in providing One More opportunity for so many. We enter 2011 seeking to offer One More person comfort in a trying world; One More transformation of life for the Gospel of Jesus Christ; One More ministry of fellowship to strengthen and encourage the saints; One More person committed to reading the Bible and praying faithfully; One More profession of faith and baptism; One More person helping in service as an usher, sound tech, greeter or acolyte.

Healing the Sick

2010-09-30T08:43:00.000-07:00

I know that healing the sick is in my job description.

I so often feel like I fail at it, and can merely offer words of comfort.

The truth is I can keep my distance with church folks. Those lines have been well drawn over the years.

The hard stuff comes when I face situations like yesterday. The neighbor was squirting a power washer through the fence to spray my dog, enflaming my dogs barks.

I went to check on the neighbor, and see what was happening. She proceeded to yell at me to shut my dog up, as there were people sleeping (5PM in the afternoon). There is an invalid next door I found out in her enraged tirade against my barking dog.

Now, I know that shooting water through the fence at the dog is only going to raise the level of the barking, either because the dog feels attacked, or because the dog thinks it is play time. Neither one is going to accomplish the neighbor's wish that my dog would shut up.

And now, my conscience is stirred within me. I am supposed to visit and heal the sick, and I have a complaint with my neighbor, who is stressed beyond her measure. I feel like I want to throw up my hands, shut the dog away in the kennel full-time, and go visit with the invalid and this woman - alternately throughout the minutes and hours of the time since this encounter.

I beg, what would you do; what have you done? Does being a pastor, and a representative of the church change what I should do, or being a Christian for that matter? What does being a good neighbor say I should do - Biblically and a culturally?

I ask because I am struggling

Peace,

Understanding Prayer (Part 1)

2010-09-20T09:07:00.001-07:00

Understanding Prayer

Sunday Teaching 9/19/2010

Jesus' Instructions on Prayer

Luke 11
Jesus' Teaching on Prayer
1One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples."
2He said to them, "When you pray, say:
" 'Father,[a]
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come.[b]
3Give us each day our daily bread.
4Forgive us our sins,
for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.[c]
And lead us not into temptation.[d]' "
5Then he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, 6because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.'
7"Then the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.' 8I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man's boldness[e] he will get up and give him as much as he needs.
9"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
11"Which of you fathers, if your son asks for[f] a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

Matthew 6
Prayer
5"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
9"This, then, is how you should pray:
" 'Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
11Give us today our daily bread.
12Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.[a]' 14For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Why do we pray?
-Commandments from God and Jesus
-At base, to connect to the Divine
-to tell God what we want
-To listen to what God has to tell us
-”I pray not to change God, but to change me” CS Lewis
-God is changeable through prayer and conversation (Cf. Abraham, Ninevah)
-To order my life/center myself
-Worship
-Intercession
-Holy Spirit moves us

What do we pray?
-Healing
-Supplication
-Forgiveness
-Repentance
-Growth
-Spiritual Connection

How do we pray?
-Pray without ceasing
-Cast all your cares on Christ for he cares for you
-The Lord’s Prayer
-formula prayers
-Stories of the persistent widow and the persistent neighbor (pray until answered)
-Other prayers we have gathered

Patterns of prayer?
-What is your pattern of prayer?

Introduction to prayer methods:
-Words to know: Lectio Divina, Guided Meditation, Directed Prayer, Partner Prayer, Open Prayer, TongSongKido, Healing Prayer, Requested Prayer, Intercessory Prayer, Silent Prayer, Unspoken Prayer, Prayer Languages, Centering Prayer, Breath Prayer

Effects of Prayer:
-Healing
-Requests received
-Deepening of Spiritual Connection
-Social Awareness
-Conviction
-Stewardship
-Forgiveness
-Repentance
-Personal Awareness

Basic Instructions for Prayer:

P raise
R epent
A sk
Y ield

Hand Prayer
Pinkie - Small People/Least, Last & Lost
Ring - Family
Middle - Big People/Leaders
Pointer - God
Thumb - Self

A - Adoration
C - Confession
T - Thanksgiving
S - Supplication

NMCB (SeaBees) 28

2010-08-28T10:00:00.000-07:00

I have some new brothers and sisters. All I did was try to give.
As I walked into lunch the other day, I was followed by troops from NMCB28 (Navy SeaBees). I had one of those nudges from God that reminded me I had a great opportunity to share my appreciation for their work, and to let these fine ladies and gentlemen know that someone outside of the military is looking out for them, and cares for them as well.
As the waitress came to seat me and my cohorts for lunch (Rob Paulus and my daughter Sophia), I told her to go ahead and bring me the check for the servicemen and women that came in for lunch. She double checked to make sure - and I said 15 would be about what I could cover. Slowly the checks began to trickle back to my table, with the waitress checking each time to make sure this was what I wanted to do. I confirmed that it was each time she came by.
As the counter began to clear of the servicemen and women, I was greeted by each one in turn taking a moment to say thank you. I was frustrated that the waitress had told them I had done this. I was doing it because I could, and because it seemed the right thing to do.
(Of course, I had the reminder later that giving is hardwired in our brains to trigger the same emotional/psychological response as other pleasurable acts - like eating, laughter, and sex)
As the troops began to find their way out the door one of the men came to me and said that he would like to do something for me, as I had been so generous to them. I deferred and told him that they had already done something for me, as they were serving their country in this way. He continued and offered a letter from their commander, still to come, and he handed me a coin.
I took it in thanks, and began to look it over. Sophia, then “want it” and so I handed it to her to look over for herself. One of the servicemen at the counter next to me gasped for breath and his eyes went wide, as she fumbled it to the floor. He asked if I knew the significance of such a coin. I had to admit that I did not. He proceeded to tell me a condensed version of this story.

Air warfare was a new phenomenon during World War I. When the Army created flying squadrons they were manned with volunteer pilots from every walk of civilian life. While some of the early pilots came from working class or rural backgrounds, many were wealthy college students who withdrew from classes in the middle of the year, drawn by the adventure and romance of the new form of warfare.

As the legend goes, one such student, a wealthy lieutenant, ordered small, solid-bronze medallions (or coins) struck, which he then presented to the other pilots in his squadron as mementos of their service together. The coin was gold-plated, bore the squadron’s insignia, and was quite valuable. One of the pilots in the squadron, who had never owned anything like the coin, placed it in a leather pouch he wore around his neck for safekeeping. A short while later, this pilot’s aircraft was heavily damaged by ground fire (other sources claim it was an aerial dogfight), forcing him to land behind enemy lines and allowing him to be captured by the Germans. The Germans confiscated the personal belongings from his pockets, but they didn’t catch the leather pouch around his neck. On his way to a permanent prisoner of warfacility, he was held overnight in a small German-held French village near the front. During the night, the town was bombarded by the British, creating enough confusion to allow the pilot to escape.

The pilot avoided German patrols by donning civilian attire, but all of his identification had been confiscated so he had no way to prove his identity. With great difficulty, he crept across no-man’s land and made contact with a French patrol. Unfortunately for him, the French had been on the lookout for German saboteurs dressed as civilians. The French mistook the American pilot for a German saboteur and immediately prepared to execute him.

Desperate to prove his allegiance and without any identification, the pilot pulled out the coin from his leather pouch and showed it to his French captors. One of the Frenchmen recognized the unit insignia on the coin and delayed the execution long enough to confirm the pilot's identity.

Once the pilot safely returned to his squadron, it became a tradition for all members to carry their coin at all times. To ensure compliance, the pilots would challenge each other to produce the coin. If the challenged couldn’t produce the coin, he was required to buy a drink of choice for the challenger; if the challenged could produce the coin, the challenger would purchase the drink. ( Wikipedia )

I commented that maybe that was why I had to buy this round of lunches for the troops, I didn’t have a coin. I was therefore grateful to have one now. I know that someone thinks of me as one of his own and would protect me.
Upon further reflection I realized that maybe for the sake of my life I ought to carry this coin. I can’t help but think of how that directly correlates to my life in Jesus Christ. Just by carrying his cross each and every day, my life is protected.
I wasn’t done learning lessons from this interaction, as I heard more of the story of the coin later in the week.
The history unit commanders giving their solders coins goes as far back as at least ancient Egypt. Records indicate that the ancient Egyptians were given golden bees or flies for individual acts of valor above and beyond the call of duty. An accumulation of these "flies and bees" entitled the recipient to receive land, goods, and elevated status within the Egyptian society.
The Roman Legions routinely minted and distributed commemorative coins and medals for members who participated in various campaigns and battles. History has indicated that the Romans actually used the occupying legion or units logo as the coin of the realm. These coins were used to purchase goods and services within the occupied jurisdiction.( http://www.military-stars-and-stripes.com/s1main.cfm )
The rest of that story was that a soldier going off to war might hand one of his brothers-in-arms his coin as a challenge to care for the leaving soldier’s family should he fail to return. In that moment, I realized I was now responsible for any in that unit, should they fail to return. And, truth be told, I did all of the payment for the lunches in the name of the church, and so I by that turn indebted you all in like manner. I have since set my Google Alerts to monitor any headlines that mention the NMCB28 unit of the Navy, that I might keep up-to-date with what happens to these men and women. I have a responsibility to care for them and their families. I have some new family members.
Not surprisingly, I know that I have accepted just such coins from every member of the United Methodist Church, and the congregations I serve, in the name of Jesus Christ. I have a huge extended family, and taking care of each one is quite an expectation, but one I take up willingly and to the best of my ability.
So, here’s to my brothers and sisters - those in my family, those in Christ, and those I now have by way of the NMCB28.

For reference, here is an image of the front of the NMCB28 Challenge Coin.

The Chicken or The Egg

2010-08-26T08:45:00.000-07:00

I have been watching the statistics roll through about clergy health. The articles linked come from a variety of sources, and some different studies. Much of the latest turmoil seems to stem from The Clergy Health Initiative from Duke University - probably because it hits home with United Methodists in a new way.

One of the items I have not seen detail for is which came first, the chicken or the egg... put differently:

The cynic in me is beginning to wonder at the statistics we keep seeing. As a clergy person I am still concerned. I wonder how many of the conditions were pre-existing when someone came into ministry. The one that triggered that thought for me was the "asthma" question. I was diagnosed at 6 months, so I can't even say it was a product of my calling (which I heard at about 6 years old).
Are sick people more likely to fill a call to ministry, where they feel the "limitations" will be less obvious, or problematic, than other fields?
Peace,