Pastor's Report- Charge Conference 2011

God is not finished with the people of Calvary UMC. There are more ways for us to grow as a community of believers and more ministry for us to accomplish. Here is what was new in our work together on God’s behalf in 2011:

Faith risk for an 8% increase from 2010-2011 budget
Two Blood Drives which saved over 180 lives
AIM weekend at Mountain Top
Star Wars Bible Study for families
Star Trek Bible study for families
Increase in missions giving
Adults in mission (Leigh Shepherd and Charles Torwudzo)
New Handbell choir for students
Growth in participation in Prayer Ministry (am and pm groups)
Special Men’s Ministry events (i.e. Soups On ministry)
Closing of kindergarten, which created the opportunities for more preschool classes

Here is what remained excellent in 2011:
Confirmation program
Ministers of Visitation
Casserole Club
Youth ministries (small groups, missions and worship)
Involvement and presence in BBurg Ministerial Association
Mountain Top missionaries
Theatre for Christ presentation of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Brown Bag children’s sermons
4th Grade Bible class for parents and 4th graders
SPARC
SPARC’lers
Fish Fry
Women’s Retreat (new record of 35 attendees)
Angel Tree gifts for children
Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes
Back to School Apple Tree gifts
Andy Griffith Show Bible study for families
Trunk or Treat event
Easter Egg Hunt event
DISCIPLE 2 class
Jesus in the Gospels class
Book Discussion group
Women’s Bible Study
Book & Breakfast study
All Adult SS classes
Worship (weekly)
Advent and Lent special events and activities)

A list only tells you some of what is going on around Calvary. We are a busy church… using our facility, volunteers and staff throughout the entire year; seven days a week. We continue to welcome new members and deepen the faith of our familiar members. We too have experienced the stresses and strains of our larger national economic issues and moreover we carry the cultural baggage of being a suburban bedroom community.

While the surge of visitors from our initial move into this facility on this property has slowed, we are facing new and different issues around our engagement of individuals, couples and families within the larger congregation. So many things in our lifestyle today ‘compete’ for the tithe and/or offering of time and presence. This struggle for engagement through time and presence is where many of our families (young and old) live daily and weekly. This is both an enlivening opportunity and a fierce challenge for Calvary’s mission and ministry.

Most importantly, ministry remains fun, exciting, imaginative and worthwhile!

Blessings,
Michelle

All Signed Up

As promised... here is my blog entry to prove that I have indeed signed up for the Mini-Marathon in May of 2012!

All I want for Christmas is a good pair of walking shoes, walking gear and some new tunes for my iPod!

Let the training begin.

At least in another six weeks...

Moving & Staying: Itineracy Form

Even though my father was not in the military or the church, my family moved often enough that I attended eight different schools before graduating from high school. We lived in three different states during that time as well. I became very familiar with being the 'new kid' on the block and in the classroom. My last name at the time was very difficult to pronounce... and I am quite good at helping folks learn how to say it from five rows back.

As I look back upon my childhood, some of the moves I thought were fun and intriguing. Other moves I dreaded and made a fuss about to my parents.

I am sure there were aspects of the experiences that grew me as a person, made me what I am today and all that sort of good stuff. So, I find it intriguing that into this same sort of situation I made my way as an adult. Following God's lead into itinerate ministry as an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church. (No one to blame but me and God this time!)

But God has humor... because some times the spiritual growth challenge is to stay where you are and grow there. While Calvary is the second appointment I have served since finishing seminary, the bulk of my years in active ministry have been with this congregation. I am going on...(cough, cough) year twelve. (My tenure on staff has lasted longer than the average marriage in the USA. How sad?!)

My friends from seminary keep sending me their change of address cards... and ask, "Are you still there?" They too are fascinated. We, Methodists, are not known for our long term appointments mostly because of our history and our polity.

But in all honesty, over the past twelve years Calvary has grown and changed so dramatically that it seems as though I am in my 'fourth appointment' here. There were the years I first served here with Harold as our senior pastor at our Green Street location. Then what I call the "the middle years" that included Todd's leadership, my entrance into motherhood, our huge task of relocation and building, my renewal leave, and the 'surge' following the move into the new building. This middle section was so full that it was exhausting.

Now finally this third stage of my ministry has arrived with more subtle challenges and changes. The busynesss of transition and growth has passed (although we are still growing). It is just the raw newness has faded. We have more routine within our congregational life... and are dealing with different struggles and challenges.

When I reflect on all this, I become deeply grateful for the gift of my Renewal Leave. I truly believe that experience is one large reason my minstry has continued to be alive and fresh for as long as I have been appointed here. It is a gift that keeps on giving... to me and to Calvary. (Thank you Lilly Endowment for investing in the tenure of pastors so that congregations can reap the benefits for years to come.)

Many of my colleagues 'jump from appointment to appointment' as a way to 1) move up the ladder of success, or 2) find new excitement or challenges, or 3) because they are looking for a church which is willing to grow, or 4) finding the 'right church' to make the right fit. Sometimes the 'grass is greener' approach is a spiritual illusion that we chase. Other times our denomination transition clergy so much because they are lousy leaders and we just pass one mess onto another congregation without caring for the root problem. I am saddened by all this.

Often times it is most difficult to grow right where you are. (Think about how hard it is for your family to accept how you have grown and changed.) To deepen your rapport within a congregation and it's community takes a different skill set, sharpens other attitudes and behaviors, and simply inspires more prayer... it is a tremendous challenge.

And for me as a pastor and person of faith...staying in one place is a personal growth opportunity because of my itinerate childhood that I have yet to encounter until now.

I feel called and compelled to check the box on my Itineracy Form for another year at Calvary because it is the greater challenge and risk for me to grow. Ironic, isn't it?! And that's why I think God has a sense of humor about following/moving/itineracy/going where you are called.

End of the Year/New Year Pre-Panic

In order to make the holidays more holy and festive I have decided to do all of my new year's panic and freak out early. I can be organized about everything- so why not schedule my panic! Far more efficient that way!

This week I purchased a new (floral design) 2012 Personal Calendar. Ever since the purchase my pen has been to paper filing in the boxes with piano recitals, dance recitals, church events, confirmation, holidays, and birthdays. This means I am planning and organizing the 2012 confirmation class along with Lent and Easter. Why I have even looked into next summer regarding our family plans along with Vacation Bible School!

And I can feel the panic level rising.

Especially when the boss-man and I chatted about volume two of our book series. (We have our goal of the end of May.) Ack! The blood pressure is rising already! And to be honest so is the adreline and excitment of new adventures. A new year does contain a kind of freshness like new fallen snow or the beauty of an uncut cake.

But all this leaning into the new year... does have me off balance. So this afternoon I need to take care of things for today- like the mom's never ending task of homework and piano practicing. Or the dishes. Or paying the bills.

Mostly, I am tremendously grateful for the life I am able to lead, the love I am able to give, and the joy of serving a Loving, Living Lord in this year and next!

All Saints Day Challenge

Blessed All Saints day to you!

After all the candy and mayhem of yesterday, we're supposed to ponder our inner saintliness today. Or at least give thanks for the Saints who have gone before us. Mostly, I am coming down off of my sugar high from yesterday and pondering a new goal for 2012.

Today, is a perfect day for pondering. Bright blue sky and a shorter list of To Do items make this afternoon a terrific time to fill you in on my new adventure.

I am getting ready, which is amazing to think about because I can be such a couch potato and non-athletic person, to sign up for walking the Mini-Marathon in Indianapolis on May 5th of 2012. Yep, I am getting off the couch and start training.

A week or so ago I was thinking about turing 40 and this year of deaths within my family. The thought popped into my mind that a physically challenging goal is what I need to shake the cobwebs from my mind and spirit. (and maybe stay fit so that I can be around awhile for my family.)

Hey- if my childhood friend can parasail on her own, then, by golly I can walk 13 miles in a day! My time may be lousy, but I can walk that much!

So here goes nothing because I have now told more than 5 people. I am committed as they say.

But my first hurdle is signing up for the event.

I'll blog again when that is accomplished.

Grandparents- rock!

An unforeseen result of folks sharing their condolences with me has been to hear of many other grandparent stories! Fresh tears have welled up in the eyes of these grown ups who've told me about a grandmother or grandfather who was particularly special.

Perhaps I should not be surprised. But I have been amazed to hear many other grandchildren tell their pride and admiration stories for a grandparent who was special. Lots of love is transmitted within these stories and tears.

I hope I have the privilege of being a grandparent one day... to pay forward the gift grandparenting was to me toward another generation within the family tree. Wisdom, love, support, presence, hope, and faith, perspective: these are all contributions grandparents make to their children's children.

To all the grandparents among us- you rock! To all the grandchildren among us- you rock too! Because the push and pull of this special rapport and bond is definitely best observed as a mutual loving connection across the chasm of time, generation, and life experience... but it is a significant bonding that links more than generations together.

So I say to my biological grandparents who are all now in heaven: Grandpa Grant and Grandma Betty Jo, Grandpa Michael and Grandma Florence; Blest be the tie that binds! I shall remember you to my children's children...

Eulogy for my Gram

The following is the eulogy that I wrote for my Gram, Betty Jo Lowe-Krout. I wanted to brag a little about her because I miss seeing her every week in worship. I hope you are inspired by her discipleship as I have always been. We were both proud of each other.

October 7, 2011

Dear God,

I write you, Lord, on behalf of all who know and love Betty Jo. We want to say; “Thank you”. Thank you for creating, redeeming and sustaining Betty Jo. You made her a ‘good egg’. She is ‘a keeper’.

Lord, you sure did pack a lot of amazing qualities into a five-foot-two-inch body! You fashioned her with intelligence, caring, stubbornness, fun, love, faith, class, and wisdom. Betty Jo was comforting, joyful, friendly, creative, musical, thrifty, giving, and devoted. She had her quirks like drinking her strange concoction of wheat germ goop with gelatin and the billions of vitamins she swallowed yearly. But we love her anyway and are deeply grateful for her eighty-four years on this earth.

We are all blessed because of her impact and positive influence on our lives.
Lord, you blessed Betty Jo with family. She was nestled in the middle of her siblings: Anna Lou and Jim. Her parents George and Julia were entrusted with a blue-eyed daughter who loved dance lessons and music (she played violin and sang), reading and writing. They made sure she was baptized in their home congregation of Jamestown UMC the January after her May birth. She was also surrounded by loving, kind grandparents who helped fashion her strength and Christian faith.

Betty Jo’s early years were humble and simple. People would today call her situation: poor. Her modest childhood explains her later hobby of doll making and dollhouses. She loved to read anything and everything. She was a consistent letter writer. As a pre-teen she created and designed her own newspaper. Her childhood dream was to become a writer and/or journalist.

Lord, you blessed Betty Jo with intelligence and determination. She graduated from Crawfordsville High School in three and a half years. She was the valedictorian of her class. She wanted to go onto college, but the financial resources were nonexistent and there were few choices that appealed to her.

She may have never made it to a four year college, but my final year at Duke Divinity School, Gram attended my Preaching the Parables class with Dr. Richard Lischer. (I think she was the only grandmother to ever sit in at Duke.) A week later Gram mailed me a letter with the completed homework assignment that Dr. Lischer gave in class. The assignment was to write an original parable. I handed in her paper with mine. I am proud to say we both got A’s. Didn’t I say she was a capable writer?!

Lord, you blessed Betty Jo with faithful, devoted husbands; first with Grant and then later with Gene. During high school, she met Grant Lowe at a county Methodist youth gathering. He later drove his brand new tractor to her house to propose. They were married July 30, 1944. And they quickly gave birth to two intelligent, beautiful daughters. But their home and love took in countless stray critters (i.e. birds, pigs, lambs, and raccoons) as well as the eight young men who worked for them became “their boys.”

Married to a farmer and not content to be cooped up in the house, Betty Jo insisted that “if she was going to be responsible for the farm, she needed to learn how to drive a tractor.” Remember Lord, you made her stubborn! And she did plant crops and plow fields; much to the stunned amazement of her Quaker in-laws and family. Grant and Betty Jo were partners in love, life, service, and their family business.

Lord, you blessed Betty Jo with tiny, petite but able hands. And she used her hands to care for her family. Her Grandmother Dixon, a professional seamstress, taught her to sew. She took chicken feed sacks and made clothes for her daughters. Later she passed her sewing skill onto her daughters.

Betty Jo gently cared for her family in times of medical need and/or end of life circumstances. She supported her in-laws Jonathon and Jesse, her grandparents Grandma and Grandpa Dixon, her Aunt Ruth, her mother Julia, and her sister Anna Lou. Betty Jo was a life-long mental health advocate. She showed all of us kindness, comfort, and consolation in our times of sorrow or distress. Many times she has dried our tears. Gene calls her, ‘his minister’, because of the consolation and support she gave him in his grief over his first wife’s death.

When her daughters got older Betty Jo took floral design classes at the Purdue University Ag Extension. She worked at Brownsburg Flower Shop from 1965 to 1994. She received an Associate’s Degree from Ivy Tech in Nursing Home Activities while also taking classes in accounting and business to help with the Lowe Farm business.

Lord, only you know how many millions of green beans, tomatoes, and peaches Betty Jo canned with her hands over the years. Or how many flowers she arranged for worship every Sunday at Lizton UMC. Or how many sleeping bags she made for the homeless. Or how many prayer shawls she crochet’ed or how many preemie baby clothes she made for local hospitals. Or how many Sunday School lessons she taught for the Koinia Class at Lizton UMC or Seekers Class at Calvary UMC.

My favorite memory of Gram as a creative, passionate teacher is the Sunday morning Grandpa Grant was loading the car for church. He kept carrying all sorts of stuff to the car. Two trips later, I asked her why she had him put in a large planter with a rubber snake sticking its’ head out of the leaves. She replied with a chuckle, “Oh, that’s my visual aid. I’m teaching on the Garden of Eden story today.” Apparently Satan was the rubber snake.

Lord, later in her life when she was at a crossroads following Grant’s death, you gave Betty Jo the gift of Gene. What a blessing he has been to Betty Jo; giving her companionship, friendship, passion, and joy! Betty Jo had lots of love to give and her love grew and multiplied as she and Gene connected and created a larger family. Gene gave her the opportunity to play and travel on their wonderful trips to Hawaii, Florida, Mt. Rushmore/Yellowstone, and countless shorter trips around Indiana. Their romance and friendship has been a gift to all of us.

Finally, Lord, your Holy Spirit blessed Betty Jo with a robust living faith! She was a person of simple piety and personal prayer, but also a person who put her belief in God into action. Your Spirit anointed her with gifts of giving, healing, intercession, wisdom, teaching and mercy. And she used those gifts fully.

We say to you, Lord, thank you for your outpouring of blessings upon Betty Jo. We are very proud of her. And our pride and admiration are small in comparison of your great love for her. We, her family and friends, trust that You, O God, said to her a week ago last Thursday, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Well done!”

All my love,

Michelle (a.k.a. one of Betty Jo’s “sweethearts”)