Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Preacher Camp!



Last week I spent time with 1,800 preachers from a variety of mainline Protestant denominations from North America!  It was, in other words, preacher camp!

And it was awesome for a preacher nerd like myself!

Wow!  To the left is a photo from Central Lutheran Church a congregation of 600 which hosted half of our preaching services and lectures during the week.


To the right is a photo from Westminister Presbyterian church which hosted the other half of our preaching services and lectures.  Within walking distance of each other we were able to move to and fro in order to fill our souls.

I must say that my preacher-soul was fed to overflowing, filled up, preacher out, washed and cleansed, renewed and redeemed, powerfully encouraged and hopeful!

WOW!  Gotta go again to preacher camp!

Thanks to my husband and daughter who made it through the week without me, our conference for my continuing education grant, and my congregation/staff for letting me alone for a week!  And my UM colleagues who I was able to deepen friendships with during our time.

Thursday, May 15, 2014

Retreat with the Ladies of UMW

I expect this weekend as I retreat with the United Methodist Women of Indiana that I will re-learn- "This ain't your grandma's church group!"

I expect to meet mighty and amazing women of God who are engaged in spiritual growth and mission in action.

And I expect some of the ladies will be grandmothers and others will not be!  What an honor to be invited to lead them in retreat this year as they explore the theme of It's Happenin': Living Sacramentally.

But I do expect a lot of fun as we play and pray together!

I cannot wait!  Let's do this!

Friday, May 9, 2014

Mother of Methodism's House Rules


While working on my sermon for Mother's Day I paused to have lunch with another clergywoman.  She shared with me her sermon musings and that she had just researched on Susanna Wesley- especially her House Rules!  Well, I thought I have to see the mother of Methodism for myself!

So here are Susanna's House Rules.  Remember she was born in 1669 and that was 345 years ago.  Some things may have changed yet, you may surprised as I was with Susanna's common sense and fairness.  Remarkable lady!

Susanna Wesley's 16 House Rules
1. Eating between meals not allowed.

2. As children they are to be in bed by 8 p.m.

3. They are required to take medicine without complaining.

4. Subdue self- will in a child, and those working together with God to save the child's soul.

5. To teach a child to pray as soon as he can speak.

6. Require all to be still during Family Worship.

7. Give them nothing that they cry for, and only that when asked for politely.

8. To prevent lying, punish no fault which is first confessed and repented of.

9. Never allow a sinful act to go unpunished.

10. Never punish a child twice for a single offense.

11. Comment and reward good behavior.

12. Any attempt to please, even if poorly performed, should be commended.

13. Preserve property rights, even in smallest matters.

14. Strictly observe all promises.

15. Require no daughter to work before she can read well.

16. Teach children to fear the rod. 

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Ten Things I Like About Being Diana's Mom

Yesterday read a great article about celebrating Mother's Day by making a list of the reasons why (as a mother) I like being a mother.  I will share them with you and then also with my kiddo.

  1. Being part of watching, shaping, and growing a human being into an amazing person is totally intimidating, addicting, and beautiful!
  2. My kid is just plain too cool!  She geeks rocks, birds, woodland creatures, and reading!
  3. When you are blessed with the gift of life it opens your generosity "glands" so that all other kids are precious too. Not that they weren't before, but the weight and joy of that is changed!
  4. I like her gifts of dandelions, artwork, and notes in church.
  5. Hugs from kids are the best!
  6. Because when you parent with your life-partner you are privileged to watch him grow as a person and a father- that is just too cool to witness!
  7. Her friends become your investment!
  8. Parenting is a life long faith lesson in surrender, sacrifice, and silliness!
  9. Because it is an excuse to relive the BEST parts of childhood like ice cream cones, bike rides, beach play days, toys and toys and toys!
  10. My Diana is the only one like her in the world... and she is amazing!

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Mother's Day Run?

If May isn't full enough of a laundry list of busyness for mothers to keep in their heads (graduations, teacher appreciation, testing, field trips, field days, family birthdays, recitals, end-of-the-year award banquets and etc.), I decided to add something for me.

Weird, but true.

I am squeaking some training in so that I can run/walk a 5K event this Saturday designed for mothers.

Mother's Day Rose Run is what I shall do for me while the my kiddo is at her grandmothers and my husband is at the IMS inaugural Grand Prix!

The exercise will do me good and so will the sense of achievement when it is all over!

Just remember to tell my family, they are fixing dinner this weekend!

It is, after all, Mother's Day!


Waters of Baptism!

Smiles are evident on our two youth staff and myself, the reason why the baptism candidate is not smiling is because he is very very cold!

His baptism (along with our other two candidates( was memorable that way!

We plunged our three students into the cold spring waters Saturday evening.  We could not have asked for a more beautiful spring night with over 50 people present.  The Body of Christ grew by three.  Did you hear the growth pang?

We, the church, could not be more proud of this group of young people.  There have been so many little miracles, healing moments, faith-filled moments, grace-filled moments along the way that if I started pondering them all I would not stop crying for joy.

Holy tears, that is!

Makes me glad and proud to witness the church being who and what SHE is called to be: disciple making community!