Our 2011 Annual Conference is about to begin. I must admit to being a bit nervous about my role with the title of Chair of this awesome event for our church in Indiana. I remember watching this and wondering how the people organized and prepared for this event.
I pray this will be a Spirit filled time with a focus on learning and the renewal of the UMC. We have a tremendous speaker and worship leader with Dr. Marcia McFee. Our theme of doing justice, loving kindness and walking humbly with God is just what the world in which we live needs and the church - the people - are the ones to provide that with courage.
Day 1 begins this evening (Wed, June 8) - my birthday - at Ball State. We will be gathering as clergy and laity in separate places. The first ballot will be taken for delegates to General Conference. May this be a reverent time for all.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Thomas Merton
Several months ago I ordered Thomas Merton's A Book of Hours. Off and on I have read the day's reflections at the scheduled time. Throughout our trip to Alaska and Canada I made a more intentional effort to be engaged with his writings and thoughts.
What wisdom and insight he has. The things I read were so appropo for the place I find myself. His words of hope, contentment, strength of faith, sacrifice, simplicity, contemplatoin, needing to learn, God is all around, the joy of the Lord is everywhere.......
Most of all over and over he reminds me to listen to God in silence. "We do not know we are full of paradise becuase we are so full of our own noise that we cannot hear God singing us and all things into being."
What wisdom and insight he has. The things I read were so appropo for the place I find myself. His words of hope, contentment, strength of faith, sacrifice, simplicity, contemplatoin, needing to learn, God is all around, the joy of the Lord is everywhere.......
Most of all over and over he reminds me to listen to God in silence. "We do not know we are full of paradise becuase we are so full of our own noise that we cannot hear God singing us and all things into being."
Return from Alaska and Canada
We spent 11 days traveling to Alaska and Canada - flying to Vancouver, cruising to Juneau and Skagway via the Inner Passage. Then the White Pass train to Canada, on to Whitehorse via bus, bus to Dawson City with some fun stops along the way. Two days in DC, then bus over the Top of the World Highway - it sure felt like the name fit! - to Tok, Alaska. Bus to Fairbanks where we learned more about gold mining and then train to Denali National Park where we took a marvelous Tundra Wilderness Tour and saw the wildlife in their natural habitat. Then on to Anchorage via train and home.
It was lots of time traveling in a huge open space of land in the Yukon and Alaska but that is what that area is really about. Beautiful scenery, wildlife, and a different way of living than our custom. We met people who lived through long stretches of winter with temperatures around 40-60 below, who had no electricity and chopped wood, hunted, lived alone in days that are dark most of the time. Rugged, rugged people with a different perspective on life. More like pioneers than contemporary dwellers on earth!
But what I reflected on much of the time was the passion with which the people lived. Many had gone to Alaska for a summer position or to find a retreat and had stayed because they absolutely loved it there and felt a connection with the land and way of life.
What if we had that same passion for whatever we were doing in life - what happens when we feel people want to take that away or we can't do the things for which we have passion? How is our passion for being a follower of Jesus reflected in our lives? What would happen in our churches if we had that same whatever it takes attitude for a full life of growing and serving?
It was a great trip and we are looking forward to sharing with people who helped us get connected with this journey. I am looking forward to sharing what I experienced in sermons.
It was lots of time traveling in a huge open space of land in the Yukon and Alaska but that is what that area is really about. Beautiful scenery, wildlife, and a different way of living than our custom. We met people who lived through long stretches of winter with temperatures around 40-60 below, who had no electricity and chopped wood, hunted, lived alone in days that are dark most of the time. Rugged, rugged people with a different perspective on life. More like pioneers than contemporary dwellers on earth!
But what I reflected on much of the time was the passion with which the people lived. Many had gone to Alaska for a summer position or to find a retreat and had stayed because they absolutely loved it there and felt a connection with the land and way of life.
What if we had that same passion for whatever we were doing in life - what happens when we feel people want to take that away or we can't do the things for which we have passion? How is our passion for being a follower of Jesus reflected in our lives? What would happen in our churches if we had that same whatever it takes attitude for a full life of growing and serving?
It was a great trip and we are looking forward to sharing with people who helped us get connected with this journey. I am looking forward to sharing what I experienced in sermons.
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