Posts
We've been in Nepal for about a week and a half now, and we're just overwhelmed with amazing memories. We have been welcomed into homes from all walks of life, toured ancient historic sites, been prayed for and chanted for by priests and monks, enjoyed hot water buffalo milk on the side of a mountain, ridden in three wheeled taxi-buses, and even eaten yak cheese pizza! Through it all, we have felt safe in the guidance of our daughter and son in law. It reminds us of how important it is, when we find ourselves in situations beyond our own capability, to know who is our guide and protection. Sometimes a regular person (like a son or daughter or trekking guide) will be enough, but sometimes not. I'm thankful that we can always rely on a love and care that extend beyond any human knowledge or skill. We can always know our ultimate guide and protector.
Grace and peace to all--see you soon.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
A Pastor's Delight--Vacation Bible School
Instead of the normal plain paneling of the fellowship hall walls, we have seen a ship's railing, the ocean and a bright blue sky. Instead of a piano, we have stood in front of a two tall sailing masts and a quarterdeck with a conning wheel and ship's bell, as a parrot has looked down on us from the crow's nest. We have assembled beautiful crafts, sung exciting new songs, shared dramatic re-tellings of scenes from the Acts of the Apostles, played great outdoor games, and enjoyed snacks that reflected our daily lessons. The kids who are participating in this year's VBS are having a great time, and so are all the leaders and helpers.
I've really looked forward to playing Jack, the dim-witted and somewhat bumbling sailor in our opening skits, and it's been a great outlet for my natural hamminess. And I can't offer enough praise to adequately thank our Sunday School Director and everyone else who has helped organize and put on the program.
As fun as the week is, Vacation Bible School is also very important for the church. Our congregation is amazingly blessed to have a large number of active children and youths, and they are tremendously important to our church's ongoing life--not just in the future, as they grow into adulthood, but also right now. Our children enrich our worship, deepen our adults' understanding of the faith, and signal to newcomers that this church is a vital and energized faith community. The faith development and active discipleship of our young people are crucial priorities that need the attention of everyone.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Fireworks and Freedom
This week we celebrated Independence Day, with all of the traditional festivities our family has observed for a long time. Like many people, we wore red, white and blue, displayed our flag, and we ate hot dogs and hamburgers, along with fresh green beans and potato salad. Our family also eats special Fourth of July sandwiches, called "Ham On Swiss Egg Rolls," baked with a mixture of mustard and mayonnaise. After all the parades, we generally watch our DVD of the musical, "1776," and we sing along with all of the songs. Then, of course, we try to watch fireworks.
This year, because July 4th fell on a Sunday, it seemed that the various towns in New Jersey didn't know when to conduct their Independence Day observances. Most towns seemed to avoid holding their parades and firework displays on Sunday, and opted for Saturday or Monday (which became the official "day off").
But it seemed appropriate to me to celebrate on Sunday, too, because the main thing our nation can claim credit for is the large degree of personal liberty we share as individuals--and especially our example in guaranteeing freedom of expression and freedom of religion. Yes, there are "purple mountain majesties" in America, but those are just accidents of location. Around the world, there are many places with beautiful vistas and amazing natural resources.
What I am especially grateful for is the fact that I do not need to face any restrictions, either legal or social, on my choice of how (or whether) to worship. Unlike citizens of many countries, I face no business interference, no legal hassles, no personal danger, and no social rejection because of my choice. That is an amazing, wonderful feature of our national heritage that needs to be protected for everyone, and not just those who, like me, are in the religious majority.
I'm a believing Christian, and I want to share God's love with everyone. But Christ only wants willing disciples; he's unimpressed by people who cry "Lord, Lord!" only because they feel required or pressured to do so. As Christians, then, our best opportunity for evangelism is in an environment of maximum freedom and safety for all religious, non-religious and even anti-religious thinking. So, on Sunday especially, let freedom ring!
This year, because July 4th fell on a Sunday, it seemed that the various towns in New Jersey didn't know when to conduct their Independence Day observances. Most towns seemed to avoid holding their parades and firework displays on Sunday, and opted for Saturday or Monday (which became the official "day off").
But it seemed appropriate to me to celebrate on Sunday, too, because the main thing our nation can claim credit for is the large degree of personal liberty we share as individuals--and especially our example in guaranteeing freedom of expression and freedom of religion. Yes, there are "purple mountain majesties" in America, but those are just accidents of location. Around the world, there are many places with beautiful vistas and amazing natural resources.
What I am especially grateful for is the fact that I do not need to face any restrictions, either legal or social, on my choice of how (or whether) to worship. Unlike citizens of many countries, I face no business interference, no legal hassles, no personal danger, and no social rejection because of my choice. That is an amazing, wonderful feature of our national heritage that needs to be protected for everyone, and not just those who, like me, are in the religious majority.
I'm a believing Christian, and I want to share God's love with everyone. But Christ only wants willing disciples; he's unimpressed by people who cry "Lord, Lord!" only because they feel required or pressured to do so. As Christians, then, our best opportunity for evangelism is in an environment of maximum freedom and safety for all religious, non-religious and even anti-religious thinking. So, on Sunday especially, let freedom ring!
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Of Mice and Ministers
As many of you know, we've been struggling for several months with mice in the parsonage kitchen. I haven't had much experience in dealing with mice, but now we're living out in the country, in an older house with plenty of little crevices, and mice seem to have no difficulty finding ways to escape from the cold. After finding a happy winter home, they've apparently decided to stay.
Initially, I noticed a small dropping or two in the drawer of the oven, but nothing else. We just tried to encourage them to move somewhere else, by cleaning carefully and making sure no food or drink was left out in the open. But soon the droppings started appearing in the food cupboards and on the counter tops, and it became obvious that stronger measures were needed. So reluctantly, we started putting out traps. Enticed by the advertising for "anesthetizing trays," I put several of those on the counter tops. I was shocked a few days later at breakfast time, when I discovered a poor, pitiful mouse trying to run away down the hallway, dragging a tray trap stuck to its foot. I switched to enclosed traps, trying to avoid having to look at the mortal effects of my anti-rodent militancy, and caught several unlucky creatures. Friends offered various electric clicking and beeping devices intended to drive mice away, and we used them all. But the insurgency continued. We were beginning to feel like the American military in Afghanistan, dealing with a largely invisible and seemingly inexhaustible group of adversaries, who simply refused to negotiate or be reasonable.
Even as the weather grew warmer, new evidence of nocturnal explorations continued to appear almost every day. We continued to try to clean everything, and to place silverware, plates, pots and pans in sealed tubs and in the refrigerator. It was frustrating to keep retreating to a smaller and smaller range of "known clean" workspace and utensils, and disgusting to have to clean up all the mouse droppings.
Finally, it seemed obvious that we needed professional help, and we called an exterminator, who calmly and confidently took over. What a relief.
I was reminded that there are a lot of times like that in life, when our best efforts seem to be floundering, and all we can do is reach out for help. Even when our own efforts are obviously futile, we often resist accepting that help, either from the people who love us or from God. I guess we just don't want to admit our own failure. But when we finally admit our needs, we find such great relief and renewal. Our problems may not be unsolvable after all.
"Come to me, all you who are burdened and heavy laden," Jesus said, "and I will give you rest." I pray today for the simple grace to recognize when I need to lay my burdens down, accept the opportunity to rest, and receive the help of the One who knows what I really need.
Initially, I noticed a small dropping or two in the drawer of the oven, but nothing else. We just tried to encourage them to move somewhere else, by cleaning carefully and making sure no food or drink was left out in the open. But soon the droppings started appearing in the food cupboards and on the counter tops, and it became obvious that stronger measures were needed. So reluctantly, we started putting out traps. Enticed by the advertising for "anesthetizing trays," I put several of those on the counter tops. I was shocked a few days later at breakfast time, when I discovered a poor, pitiful mouse trying to run away down the hallway, dragging a tray trap stuck to its foot. I switched to enclosed traps, trying to avoid having to look at the mortal effects of my anti-rodent militancy, and caught several unlucky creatures. Friends offered various electric clicking and beeping devices intended to drive mice away, and we used them all. But the insurgency continued. We were beginning to feel like the American military in Afghanistan, dealing with a largely invisible and seemingly inexhaustible group of adversaries, who simply refused to negotiate or be reasonable.
Even as the weather grew warmer, new evidence of nocturnal explorations continued to appear almost every day. We continued to try to clean everything, and to place silverware, plates, pots and pans in sealed tubs and in the refrigerator. It was frustrating to keep retreating to a smaller and smaller range of "known clean" workspace and utensils, and disgusting to have to clean up all the mouse droppings.
I was reminded that there are a lot of times like that in life, when our best efforts seem to be floundering, and all we can do is reach out for help. Even when our own efforts are obviously futile, we often resist accepting that help, either from the people who love us or from God. I guess we just don't want to admit our own failure. But when we finally admit our needs, we find such great relief and renewal. Our problems may not be unsolvable after all.
"Come to me, all you who are burdened and heavy laden," Jesus said, "and I will give you rest." I pray today for the simple grace to recognize when I need to lay my burdens down, accept the opportunity to rest, and receive the help of the One who knows what I really need.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
The Beautiful Garden
As the early spring has blended into the late spring, I've found myself continually wondering at each new type of perennial flower blooming in the garden behind the parsonage. Just as one group of flowers begins to fade away, something else creeps into view and bursts into bloom.
It's been not only beautiful but inspiring, because none of this has been the result of my own work. All of these flowers were planted by Pastor Jane or someone else, long before Marsha and I arrived here in Sussex, and the planning, planting and cultivation of the garden obviously required a lot of effort. Because I am the only one here during much of the middle of each week, and because the garden is not easily visible from the entrance to the church, I am the only one to see many of these wonders. That not only gives me a great appreciation for the hands that helped make the garden what it is today, it also fills me with a sense of obligation to preserve and tend the accomplishments of those who preceded me.
In many ways, that's a lot like the church itself. The Apostle Paul noticed very early that while he might plant a church, others would need to care for it, and still others would see the fruit of all the labors. We all need to recognize (and be grateful for the fact) that the lively and dedicated congregation we now share is the result of many years of faithfulness by other people we never even knew. At the same time, we cannot simply enjoy the fruit of the labors of those who preceded us. It is our responsibility to build up the church that is now in our care--even knowing that we may never be able to see much of the result of our efforts. Our willingness to devote our best efforts to serving God's kingdom, without really knowing whether we will be here to see what comes from our efforts, is what faith is all about.
But if you have time while you're passing by the back of the church, take a minute to check out the flowers back here--they're worth the time!
It's been not only beautiful but inspiring, because none of this has been the result of my own work. All of these flowers were planted by Pastor Jane or someone else, long before Marsha and I arrived here in Sussex, and the planning, planting and cultivation of the garden obviously required a lot of effort. Because I am the only one here during much of the middle of each week, and because the garden is not easily visible from the entrance to the church, I am the only one to see many of these wonders. That not only gives me a great appreciation for the hands that helped make the garden what it is today, it also fills me with a sense of obligation to preserve and tend the accomplishments of those who preceded me.
In many ways, that's a lot like the church itself. The Apostle Paul noticed very early that while he might plant a church, others would need to care for it, and still others would see the fruit of all the labors. We all need to recognize (and be grateful for the fact) that the lively and dedicated congregation we now share is the result of many years of faithfulness by other people we never even knew. At the same time, we cannot simply enjoy the fruit of the labors of those who preceded us. It is our responsibility to build up the church that is now in our care--even knowing that we may never be able to see much of the result of our efforts. Our willingness to devote our best efforts to serving God's kingdom, without really knowing whether we will be here to see what comes from our efforts, is what faith is all about.
But if you have time while you're passing by the back of the church, take a minute to check out the flowers back here--they're worth the time!
Monday, April 5, 2010
What an Easter
By any measure, this was an extraordinary season for Lent and Easter. As recently as March 7, the cover art for our worship bulletin was a photo of the two feet of snow piled up outside the parsonage kitchen. Within three weeks of that Sunday, daffodils were blooming in the garden, birds were singing before dawn, and the air temperatures seemed more like those of mid-June. Everything changed so quickly. Even after the long weeks of Lent, then, it seemed startling to realize that Easter had already arrived on the doorstep.
I know that I am really a creature of habit, even as the necessary habits keep changing. I tend to acclimate myself to my current conditions fairly quickly, and that tends to help me avoid the depths of despair, regardless of what is happening. On the other hand, I often find it difficult to imagine that things might really change radically for the better. The current circumstances just seem to reflect "the way of the world." Political parties often seem dominated by money and the temptation to pander; major parts of the news media seem infected by partisanship and invective; the economy continues to struggle; climate change seems to be escalating; and so many people everywhere seem hopelessly focused on narrow self-interest or anger.
But Easter is a reminder that things can change suddenly. None of the women approaching Jesus' tomb on third day after his crucifixion expected to find anything but a corpse to anoint. When they excitedly returned to find the disciples, no one believed the good news they reported. Reports that radically challenge our assumptions about the natural order of things can be hard to accept, even when the report is hopeful.
Back when I worked for AT&T in the late 80's, one of my work colleagues suggested at the cafeteria lunch table that Soviet Premier Gorbachev would be unable to limit his policy of "glasnost" to a modest increase of individual liberty for Soviet citizens. Based only on his observation of the televised news reports, my friend had concluded that we were about to witness what he called the "dissolution of the Soviet Empire." The rest of us thought his conclusion was ridiculous; we couldn't imagine any aspect of the world scene more permanent and predictable than the continuation of the Soviet Union as the dominant threat to America. But he was right: within a year or two, all of the communist governments of the Warsaw Pact, including that of the Soviet Union, had collapsed.
It is easy to imagine hard and difficult times continuing indefinitely; but it takes an act of faith to imagine a radically better future, and an act of faith to start making it happen, as if all things really are possible for God. This is a time to imagine great things. This is a time to start fresh. Christ is risen!
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Dan
I know that I am really a creature of habit, even as the necessary habits keep changing. I tend to acclimate myself to my current conditions fairly quickly, and that tends to help me avoid the depths of despair, regardless of what is happening. On the other hand, I often find it difficult to imagine that things might really change radically for the better. The current circumstances just seem to reflect "the way of the world." Political parties often seem dominated by money and the temptation to pander; major parts of the news media seem infected by partisanship and invective; the economy continues to struggle; climate change seems to be escalating; and so many people everywhere seem hopelessly focused on narrow self-interest or anger.
But Easter is a reminder that things can change suddenly. None of the women approaching Jesus' tomb on third day after his crucifixion expected to find anything but a corpse to anoint. When they excitedly returned to find the disciples, no one believed the good news they reported. Reports that radically challenge our assumptions about the natural order of things can be hard to accept, even when the report is hopeful.
Back when I worked for AT&T in the late 80's, one of my work colleagues suggested at the cafeteria lunch table that Soviet Premier Gorbachev would be unable to limit his policy of "glasnost" to a modest increase of individual liberty for Soviet citizens. Based only on his observation of the televised news reports, my friend had concluded that we were about to witness what he called the "dissolution of the Soviet Empire." The rest of us thought his conclusion was ridiculous; we couldn't imagine any aspect of the world scene more permanent and predictable than the continuation of the Soviet Union as the dominant threat to America. But he was right: within a year or two, all of the communist governments of the Warsaw Pact, including that of the Soviet Union, had collapsed.
It is easy to imagine hard and difficult times continuing indefinitely; but it takes an act of faith to imagine a radically better future, and an act of faith to start making it happen, as if all things really are possible for God. This is a time to imagine great things. This is a time to start fresh. Christ is risen!
Grace and Peace,
Monday, March 29, 2010
Welcome to the Parsonage Kitchen
We've recently created a Facebook group for our church, for news, discussions, photos, announcements, and other kinds of sharings, and it's been fun to experiment with that new means of communication. At the same time, I've enjoyed reading the blogged essays and passing thoughts of clergy friends I respect and admire, and I thought I might make an effort to share my own thoughts in a similar way.In doing so, I realize that my own thoughts are not often as subtle or deep as theirs. I hope, though, that the discipline of trying to write regularly can help me develop my own thinking and writing skills. It may also serve as a sort of devotional activity that can deepen my own spiritual life.
My overall goal is to help extend the ministry of the Sussex United Methodist Church in Sussex, New Jersey, where I now serve as pastor. If this effort succeeds in that, it will be worthwhile. If it does not do that directly, it may lead to something else that will help.
I hope you will help, by adding your own thoughts and comments. This will be a public blog, so please remember that everything you say here may be seen by others. All content will be subject to our church's Safe Sanctuary Policies, and pictures should be posted only with permission from all people in the photograph (and parent or guardian of youth and children). Everything here needs to be appropriate for a church site, and we will reserve the right to remove any content.
Let's enjoy this opportunity, and see where it goes...
--Pastor Dan
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)