Friday Five Another meeting

Reverend mother brings us the following Friday Five at RGPBs:

In honor of a couple of marathon meetings I attended this week:

1. What's your view of meetings? Choose one or more, or make up your own:

a) When they're good, they're good. I love the feeling of people working well together on a common goal.

b) I don't seek them out, but I recognize them as a necessary part of life.

c) The only good meeting is a canceled meeting.

And my answer is a). It also depends on if I have had marathon meetings or how tired I am from a lot of work or feeling time crunched.

2. Do you like some amount of community building or conversation, or are you all business?

I really prefer some community building, spiritual practices, etc along with the business. Holy Work as the Bishop likes to call it.

3. How do you feel about leading meetings? Share any particular strengths or weaknesses you have in this area.

Is this a loaded question or what? I tend to be put in charge of meetings, groups, clubs. I like to keep it simple. I like to involve everybody.

4. Have you ever participated in a virtual meeting? (conference call, IM, chat, etc.) Yes, yes, yes, and yes.

What do you think of this format?

I think it is helpful for people who are long distances from each other to meet and get whatever work they need to get done, done. It does keep idle chatter down and going on and on about some subject. It can feel a little disconnected and a lot so if you don't know each other or haven't met before. I think that conferences, bigger districts, and the larger church, committees could utilize it to cut down on travel time, gas costs, long meetings, etc. Are there drawbacks, certainly, there is to it either way it goes.

5. Share a story of a memorable meeting you attended.

You know I am sure there is one somewhere, but I am not drawing it up this morning.

Bonus question: pet peeves about meetings?

People talking over each other and not listening.

Not knowing the agenda, and at the same time there is a hidden agenda.

People who domineer.

People who don't talk, but then when the meeting is done, complain to others.

People who take confidential matter out of meetings and tell others that information.

People who don't come at all after saying that they would be on a particular committee.

Leaders who let people talk on and on, or let the talk get off the particular agenda item to go towho knows where.

Leaders who lead the meeting in such a way that people don't feel like they can give input.

Leaders who are not leaders.

Meetings that go over time.

Meetings that get started really really late.

Uncomfortable surroundings.

No bathrooms available.

No drink(ie water, coffee or tea) available.

Meetings that meet just to meet and accomplish nothing.

Meetings that meet to decide something, but either don't decide or decide to do something and then don't follow through.

No meetings when a meeting is needed.

Things being decided outside or before the meeting and yet there still is a meeting.

Conflictual meetings. And by that I mean unhealthy conflict.

Things I like:

Knowing the agenda, knowing the goals, knowing the vision. Some time to converse before or after and not just about the meeting issues. Time in meetings to seek God's will, centering, quiet, scripture reading. I like the feeling of accomplishment. I like the feeling of people working together. I like leaders who can hold the tension or listening and leading and guiding and keeping the meeting on track. I like laughter and fun in meetings. I like it when people give each other honest answers, but also have affirming things to say to each other. I like it when insights come, or people have God speak to them or they feel led to do something and they volunteer or suggest we need to be starting or doing a ministry. Or we need to stop, wait and listen for God. I like meetings that accomplish what they came to do and that there is follow through.

What about you?

Female Pastors earn more than Male Pastors

According to Christianity Today, in the section Church Law Today; According to a recent national survey of church workers, females in the position of full-time solo pastor earn more than their male counterparts. The survey these results were gathered from was conducted by Your Church, a ministry of Christianity Today International, and was based on total compensation, the sum of salary plus all benefits including: housing allowance/parsonage, retirement, life insurance, health insurance, and continuing education.

Although the overwhelming majority (93.7%) of solo-pastor respondents were male, female solo-pastors reported 10.4% higher total compensation. Average salary for women solo-pastors alone was 8.6% higher than men’s. Benefits for women solo-pastors were higher as well including: housing allowance/parsonage (20.4% higher) and retirement (24.8% higher). This led to the combined 10.4% higher total compensation for female solo-pastors.

The survey was conducted in early 2007 and the final tabulations include responses from over 5,750 people for 13 church positions. The total results and information can be found in the book; 2008 Compensation Handbook for Church Staff.

I knew it, I am rich, I am rolling in dough, not. I don't know who they interviewed, what denominations, the accuracy of the reporting, or any of that, I do know they didn't interview me.
Anybody else out their rich? And I am not saying that men are making a whole lot more than me either. I am just saying....

The United Methodist Church shows that women are making 9% less than men are. So which is it, I am making more or less? The fact is you will not get rich in ministry, you are not called into ministry to get rich, you are called to serve. But the report in Christianity today, leaves some questions? And the questions I have have to do with the stats of what areas clergywomen are serving in.
15% of district superintendents are women, so that means 85% are not making that salary which is a lot higher than mine.
8% of all bishops, active and retired, are women, so that 92% of women are not making that salary which is definitely bigger than mine.
2% of clergy serving as lead pastors of churches of 1,000 members or more are women, and I know I am making a whole lot less than that, and so are 98% of the women. So how are we making higher than men.

There are things you can do with your compensation package, that effects your taxes and makes it look like on paper you are making less when in fact you are making a good salary. And if you are part of a cafeteria plan, pretax dollars help and that makes it look like you are making less, when you are in fact making more. So that's why I raised the question about the reporting of the amount people made.

Thoughts? Any body else making more? Any body else seen some different stats?

Remembering six years ago

How will you remember today, 9/11/2001?

There is so much on the news, in the news, on tv, on the web, I don't think I have to write a whole bunch.

I just feel sad today. I feel sad for the deaths, for where this has taken our country, for the continued animosity and growth of violent acts. I feel sad we can't work things out with our Muslim Brothers and sisters. I feel sad that we are still at war, if you want to call it that, not sure what to call it.

And yet I also feel hope that there are those who are trying to heal, trying to live better lives, trying to cross the divide in our nation and in our world. I feel hope when I read how one person transformed this day into a day of good deeds and acts. I feel hope when I read how one survivor has written a book called "Held" that shares the steps she took in her healing from the 9/11 bombing. How the families of Septmber 11 are helping each other heal and helping others heal.

Today I will remember those who died. Pray for those who survived and the families of those who died. And I will have hope because our hope comes from

Saturday College Football

I have no braggin' rights, my team, FSU lost to Clemson in the "Bowden Bowl" Thursday night. They were awful, just awful. I thought they would be better with some new coaches, but no. I'm thinking its Papa Bowden's last year, and son Tommy gets the nod. I could be wrong. Today they have their home opener against UAB, they should win.

They are saying the big game is Va Tech at LSU. But Va. Tech had better play a lot better than last week. You can say they had an excuse because it was their first game after the shootings. But LSU is just really rocking and rolling, and they are going to rock and roll all over Va Tech unless Va Tech plays better, and LSU plays down.

I think Miami(FL) and Okalahoma could turn out to be very interesting. No telling who could win.

And after being humiliated last week, will Notre Dame have a come back on Penn State? But if you remember Notre Dame beat Penn State last year? Or since they are playing in Happy Valley will Penn State be the happy ones?

Another match up is GA versus So. Carolina. Will GA roll all over So. Carolina or does Spurrier have an ace up his sleeve? They are playing in Athens, GA so my guess is it's GA's Game to lose.

As I am writing this, Marshall is leading over #3WVU. Did they take a page out of the play book from last weekend's Mich. loss? Will this last the whole game? We will see.

Could the same thing happen at the Akron - OSU game? Has this become the year of the little guy beating the big guy? Did Appalachian state set a pattern or was it a fluke? A game is four quarters and it will show in the end.

St John and Angel Food Ministries

Celebrate, celebrate, we got the phone call yesterday that we have been approved to be a host site for Angel Food Ministries!

Over a year ago, one of the members came to me and said that he would like to see if St. John could do Angel Food Ministries. So what we did was start working with the Angel Food ministries at Edgemont UMC on distribution date. At first there was just a few of us, and then more came to help. After a year of working there to see if it was something we felt led to do and that we could, we proceeded with presenting it to the Admin. Council, and they voted to go ahead and apply for being a host. It took about 6 weeks to get approval.

I am so excited! The Team is excited! Tomorrow we will tell the church.

As Bob says we now have to get to work getting ready for the first time we are the host. This coming Saturday is distribution day so we will still be going over to Edgemont to work their site. Then we will be putting the details together once we get the package that the Angel Food Ministries is sending us about being a Host site.

Bob went over Thursday afternoon to Edgemont to see what they do to do the ordering and processing of the individual order forms. He came back in a daze. He said it was something to watch how they put it all together, but that we can do it with the help of people who can do math. Edgemont has been so helpful, they are going to share their software with us, and show us how to set it up and do it. They are giving us their old shopping carts to use.

I am just praising God today. God has been in this from the beginning for our church and I believe as we listen to God, follow God, obey God, love God, we will continue to experience God in the midst of this ministry.

If you don't know about this ministry, want to learn more, you can go to the Angel Food Ministries website. You can order their information pack which includes a video to view.
And if you want to ask me any questions about it, you are welcome to do so. I'll be glad to answer what I know or lead you to who knows. You click on email me in the links section or here is my email address revabi@yahoo.com.

What are you celebrating today.

Friday Five on Saturday on Overcoming

Sally over at revgalblogpals says: "I am preparing this Friday 5 just before I take Chris into hospital for a cardioversion, right now we are all a little apprehensive. But this whole thing has got me thinking, so many of us are overcomers in one way or anoither, so many have amazing stories to tell of God's faithfulness in adversity."

And so I bring you this Friday 5;
1.Have you experienced God's faithfulness at a difficult time? Tell as much or as little as you like... Yes and no, not right now, some other time. Its too late and I won't make much sense. Suffice it to say, I have had my share of hard times, who hasn't, but God has been faithful.
2. Have you experienced a dark night of the soul, if so what brought you through? Yes, God, friends, family, the church, Spiritual Guide, Marriage and Family Therapist Supervisor, Prayer and more prayer.
3. Share a Bible verse, song, poem that has brought you comfort? Does it have to be one? My favorite hymn to sing when I am going through a tough time, is "Great is Thy Faithfulness" .
4. Is "why suffering" a valid question? It sure is, and if it isn't our God is too small as far as I am concerned. If I can't ask why suffering, I don't care, I don't love, I am too small, and I am in denial.
5. And on a lighter note- you have reached the end of a dark and difficult time- how are you going to celebrate? A good meal, gratitude, maybe a party of sorts, tell everybody.

Bonus- anything you wish to add....

If you have not read Dark Night of the Soul, by St. John of the Cross, you can read it here at Chritian Classics Etheral Library The "dark night" of St. Paul of the Cross in the 18th century lasted 45 years; he ultimately recovered. Mother Teresa of Calcutta, according to letters released in 2007, "may be the most extensive such case on record", lasting from 1948 till her death in 1997, with only brief interludes . St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the 19th-century French Carmelite underwent a similar experience, centering on doubts about the afterlife. She reportedly told her fellow nuns: "If you only knew what darkness I am plunged into." St. Theresa of Avila experienced her own dark night of the soul and Thomas Merton.

And in other quarters, these all experienced a dark night of the soul. Martin Luther, Martin Luther King Jr., John Wesley, C.S. Lewis, Martin E. Marty, and Frederick Buechner, the list goes on.

Sorry if this has been a little heavy I will try to lighten up soon!!! Sally I personally think this is a very good Friday Five.

Thoughts on the Anniversary of Mother Teresa's death

"We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love"
Mother Theresa

I guess it took me by surprise that Mother Theresa death occurred so closely after Princess Diana's death. It was 10 years ago on Sept 5th. I am not Catholic, but that doesn't mean I don't have respect for her. She had a great deal of influence on a lot of people. A friend of mine went to India to spend time with her and work with her and the other nuns. It was the hardest work he had ever done, and yet it changed him. I admired her because she could do the hard thing and say the hard thing.

Now we read that in letters she wrote, she suffered what she called the "silence of God. "

"Jesus has a very special love for you. As for me, the silence and the emptiness is so great that I look and do not see, listen and do not hear. " — Mother Teresa to the Rev. Michael Van Der Peet, September 1979. Since this new book, Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light has been published, the news media has been calling it her "crisis of faith." Time magazine's "Mother Teresa's Crisis of Faith". or read Newsweek's: Teresa, Bright and Dark.

I find her more admirable that she did have a crisis of faith, if you want to call it that, or that she felt empty or experienced the silence of God. I don't know though that I like that the letters she wrote and asked to be kept confidential were not. It feels like someone taking advantage of her or trying to put her in a bad light.

But, I don't know of anyone who has not gone through a crisis of faith or felt empty or experienced the silence of God. It is part of being human, part of being Christian, part of being on a spiritual journey. If you read of Jesus' experience in the garden of Gethsemane and even on the cross was exactly that. Following Jesus is not easy, we carry a cross too. Being called by God to Pastor or any form of ministry is not easy. You will have dark nights of the soul, desert times, loneliness, emptiness, silence, and dark night of the soul. But you will also have times of joy, sheer joy, not happiness, joy, peace, peace that has no earthly explanation, you will have the things promised.

Lets ask this, was she depressed? Perhaps. Burned out? Perhaps. Did she have compassion fatigue? Good possibility. Would medication have helped, maybe. Would time away and time out help, most likely. Would spiritual direction help, yes. It makes you wonder if the persons on the other end of the letters knew she suffered so, why didn't they try to get her help or encourage her to get help? Maybe they did try. I wonder if she carried the pain of the world, the sadness, the horror, the emptiness of the world, the silence of the world towards itself? She had to have great compassion to do what she did, and yet where was she getting fed and nourished for such a task?

Have I experienced such times in my life, my walk with Jesus, my ministry, you bet I have, and I can only imagine they will come again. I ordered the book, and plan to read it when I get it.

Boat Adventures

Yesterday, we had the pleasure of taking the boat out for a ride. And for the first time in awhile we didn't experience any motor troubles. That was wonderful. We have had several times of boat trouble, but Bob finally got a professional to fix the motor this time. And boy could you tell the difference. It was beautiful out, not too hot, and nice breeze. It was late in the afternoon, so the sun was starting to go down, and the sky was turning pale blue and pink. You couldn't ask for more. We didn't stay out long though, because we didn't want to run the risk of motor trouble again. Sure hope to be able to go out again soon.

I wrote about our first experience of motor trouble in a post last year called a Comedy of Errors
You can read a shortened version of it below.

I wrote about our latest experience of motor trouble for the Pastor's newsletter article. I thought I would share it with you all as well. So here it is:

Mark 4:35-41

35On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. 37A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. 38But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” 39He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. 40He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” 41And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

Last weekend we took our boat out to see if it the motor and everything was working alright to be able to take the youth out on the river. You may recall that last year we brought our boat up to Waterloo for the Church picnic sponsored by the men. You may also remember that we could not get the engine restarted again. That led to bringing the car and trailer to the lake house to get the boat out of water. And as Murphy’s law would have it the trailer and car got stuck at the water’s edge. It was a memorable day, one you can look back at and laugh at. Everybody pitched in and helped. The Jordans let us leave it all there over night until we could get a tow-truck out there. We got to ride back with everybody in the church van and have some more fun with everybody.

Bob fixed the motor or at least he thought he did. We went down the river this last weekend for miles it seemed like. The water was placid and pretty. The breeze made the heat bearable. On our way back the engine quit, so thinking it was out of gas. Bob switched over the gas cans, but it would not restart. We tried to start it thing over and over. In the meantime the boats are passing us by, and the kids are getting increasingly anxious. Finally someone stopped to haul us back to the harbor. Russ, the youth director had come along with us and turned out to be immense help. He helped keep the kids calm and get the boat back on the trailer manually.

Now why am I telling you this story? Well glad you asked, there are several reasons;

1. Sometimes you will be in the “storms of life”, and sometimes you will be in the “doldrums of life”. Even churches can go through storms or times of being stuck. Even our spiritual lives can be stormy or with no movement.
2. God is the God of the wind and the water. God is in control, we aren’t, and we need to trust and rely on God when we go through times that are stormy or in despondency.
3. God cares and God does provide. We may wonder if God does care when we are going through such times, but he does. And He provides just what we need. Not what we want but what we need.
   
4. Some people are good Samaritans. In both situations there were good Samaritans who helped us out. Are you thanking God for the good Samaritans in your life? And are you allowing God to use you as a good Samaritan in other people’s lives.

The Organizational Elves

Yesterday, the organizational cleanup elves visited our house. They began in the living room, swept through the formal dining room, and ended in the parent's bedroom. I can't figure out what brought them to our house, or why they got started even. I can't even figure out why they chose the rooms they did. But I will say those rooms really look good now.

They came back this morning to help the male of the house dust and wipe. It must be magic because the big male started picking up the family room, dusting and wiping. And the little male picked up the little toys and such that were scattered all around his room. And the little females did likewise with their room. The big female blogged about it, because she was in shock, she is the one who usually does the picking and cleaning up, and the elves told her to sit down and do nothing. Imagine that.

I hope the elves start coming on a daily basis instead of once a year. But I am grateful they came. I also hope they will go out in the garage and work their magic. There seems to be a lead female elf who is really good at what she does.

Wouldn't you like the organizational elves to come to your house?

Thank you little organizational elves, come back again real soon!

I'll take them since the elves of Middle Earth were unavailable at this time, maybe next time.

The top painting of the cooking elves is by Sebastian Theilig at the Harry Party Lexicon

For my Knitting Friends

I don't knit. I wish I could, but I forgot what my grandma taught me so long ago.

I sat in a seminar the other day, watching three other women knitting while listening to the speaker. I went over and talked to them about it. They told me they seemed to remember more from seminars, meetings and lectures when they knitted than if they didn't. Now that's an idea. I did have a Chaplain friend that did that too. I instead doodle away, pages and pages of doodles.

But I wanted to post this for my knitting friends, especially those of revgalblogpals. And by the way the women in the seminar were clergywomen, but not part of revgalblogpals. I really need to start carrying a card around with me that has the revgalblogpals on it somewhere.

In the latest Guidepost that I got Thursday, there was an article by the author Debbie Macomber called "Stitch by Stitch". In it she writes about SIX reasons knitting is good for your soul, with this advice: What’s good for knitting is good for living.
The six reasons are as follows:

1. Get hooked
2. Follow a pattern
3. Take it stich by stich
4. Don't worry over loose thread
5. Click it together
6. Give it away

These come from her latest book: Knit Together Discover God's Pattern For Your Life.


She also has her own blog with a Knitter's Club. (Don't know how she does all she does.)


She also knits for Guidepost's Knit for Kids.








Okay is all this coincidental or serendipitous? Is God saying something to me about knitting? And who is going to teach me? Go check out the Debbie Macomber in the latest Guideposts if you are knitter. I think I'll have to check out knitting after all, or do something with my doodling.

A Prayer for Justice on Labor Day

God of love and justice, we come to You this Labor

Day asking for Your presence and guidance. You have asked us to

walk with our brothers and sisters and told us there are no strangers

among us. Yet, we still turn against You and the law You have given

us to love one another as we love ourselves. As the Psalm says, we

know that good will comes to those who are generous and lend

freely, and to those who conduct their affairs with justice. However,

we have sometimes failed to be generous with our time and

resources, and have neglected opportunities to treat others with

human dignity.

God, as we remember those who

are struggling and organizing

for a living wage, healthcare,

and human dignity in their

workplaces, remind us this

Labor Day that You have

called us to walk in

solidarity with our

brothers and

sisters, as we

conduct our

affairs with

love and

justice. May

it be so.

AFL-CIO

One in three workers in the world is either unemployed or earns less than the equivalent of $2 a day. According to the annual labor market report by the International Labor Organization (ILO).

According to UNICEF, there are an estimated 218 million children aged 5 to 17 in child labor worldwide, excluding child domestic labor.[3] The most controversial forms of work include the military use of children as well as child prostitution. more Americans, including children without health care coverage—a record 47 million with no coverage.

With fewer workers covered by traditional pensions, Social Security is more important than ever.Only half of all workers participate in any workplace retirement plan at all. In 1983, the vast majority (88%) of these workers were covered by defined-benefit pensions. By 2004, only a minority (37%) had traditional pensions, as employers shifted responsibility for retirement saving to workers through 401(k) plans. This leaves Social Security as the only guaranteed source of retirement income for most workers (Munnell and Sundén 2006).

Want to know more about the issues facing America's Workers and families? you can go here to the AFL-CIO union website to gain the information

Prayer for Workers

Wonderful God, Mightiest Worker, Parent of the Carpenter Jesus,
We offer prayers for our brothers and sisters in labor.

As our labor serves others by providing services, goods
and profits may it also serve you in its diligence, dignity and justice.

May our employees and employers be
guided by the common good and not the selfish interest.
May justice rule over profit.
May safety reign over risk.
May love overwhelm harsh rules.
Bless us all, living God, and raise up workers clear of mind,

glad to labor in your name and striving together to
build your Beloved Community. Amen.

Adapted from a Labor Day prayer,

the Presbyterian Church (USA)

Book of Common Worship, 1946.

A Prayer for Labor Day Weekend

Gracious heavenly Father/Mother
as the United States pauses to contemplate the freedom to work and the employment opportunities that are available to us, may we never lose sight of the fact that it is only because of your grace and favor that we are able to work. Thank you, Lord, for the blessings of employment and work that I have had in the past and at present. May all that I do at work give glory to you and your precious name. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, whom I love and serve. Amen.
Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod

Painting of Rosie the Riveter from Encarta


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I chose this painting of Rosie because it showed her in action welding something. My father was a welder/mechanic, and I wanted to honor him this weekend too. I chose this other art work to honor my dad. I am grateful for his hard work that provided our needs as a family, and made it possible for me to get the education I have gotten. I wanted to honor the women who broken into a man's world as the Rosies of their time, and opened the door for me and other women to step through that door. I wanted to honor all the laborers who work or worked so hard on their jobs. I labor, but my labor is not the physical kind like theirs. I saw how it wore my father down. Artwork Produced by the United States War Production Board in 1942

God we pray for all laborers everywhere. Help us to be mindful that in some places many are not free but slave laborers, or are children or women working in awful conditions getting paid neither nothing. Help us to be mindful of the people crossing their borders to come to our country for a new life, better wages and better conditions, but are unable to obtain legal documents to do so. God help us to do the right thing. God we pray for the day when all laborers are set free by you.

Friday Five: Seasons Change...

Reverend Mother over at RevGalBlogPals laid down the challenge for the Friday five; It's Labor Day weekend here in the United States, also known as Summer's Last Hurrah. So let's say goodbye to summer and hello to the autumn. (People in other climes, feel free to adapt as needed.)

1. Share a highlight from this summer. (If you please, don't just say "our vacation to the Canadian Rockies." Give us a little detail or image. Help us live vicariously through you!)

It was on our vacation to the Smokies. It was after the long climb up Clingman's Dome with the kids. It had taken a lot of effort to the top. The kids had complained the whole way up, even though we had taken rest stops. We got to the top, and what a view from the top of the observation tower. It was a beautiful clear day to be able to really see the Smokies. It was worth the walk up. Unbelievable, Awesome moment. The kids were excitedly chattering and, looking from one side to the other. While I had vertigo at the top, and set down to enjoy the view. (Thought you would like that last part.) All the way down the mountain the kids were chattering about the view, the scenery. MC and VISA can't pay for that, and no money can buy that.

2. Are you glad to see this summer end? Why or why not? What end to Summer are you talking about? It is still hot as hades here and will be for awhile. I will however be glad when it is finally over to enjoy a little respite from this unbearable heat.

3. Name one or two things you're looking forward to this fall.
I am looking forward to an end to this unbearable heat. I am looking forward to the changing of the colors. I am looking forward to being able to be outdoors more.

4. Do you have any special preparations or activities to mark the transition from one season to another? (Cleaning of house, putting away summer clothes, one last trip to the beach) Hadn't thought about that one. Mmm, usually it is going through the kid's summer clothes, culling them out and beginning to get more of their fall school clothes out. But I suspect they will be wearing their summer clothes for awhile.

5.
I'll know that fall is really here when the spiders are out making their spider webs that I walk through on our trail, the leaves begin to change, its not so hot, there is a little more breeze in the air, plus everything in the church cranks up, all the conference reports are due, and I have my yearly evaluation.

Here is my bonus; Last night SEC football was on TV, LSU beat Miss. St.;that means college football is here and that means Fall is here! Yea. (I'll just pretend it isn't as hot as it is.) (Just so nobody is mad at me; Louisville won big time, Rutgers crushed their opponent and Boise State was unstoppable.)(Monday is the Bowden Bowl, FSU vs. Clemson. Saturday's big games are Georgia Tech at Notre Dame and No. 15 Tennessee at No. 12 Cal. While around here the big question is this, can Alabama, Crimson Tide do any better under its new Coach, Saban and will they beat Auburn this year? Second, will Auburn win its opener against Kansas St? And in my backyard the question is will the UNA Lions continue their winning ways? One more thing Virginia Tech plays its opening game this weekend, it will be quite different this year after last year's shootings. Okay enough football.)

Ministerial Integrity Workshop

I just spent 2 and 1/2 days in training on Ministerial Integrity in Birmingham, AL. I was training to be a trainer and presenter on our conference Ministerial Integrity Team. We were fortunate to be taught by Marie Fortune and her colleague Luis A. Carriere from Faith Trust Institute. Perhaps you have read some of their books, seen their videos and materials due to your denomination or conference teaching Ministerial Integrity. I have already been through our conference education twice now or more. I also taught the material for South GA and SAL/ West Florida UMC conferences in the late 80's and 90's. At that time there were a large number of suits happening in different denominations and conferences that led them to do something about it.

It is sad that even today there are cases of betrayal of trust by clergy and other church staff. But being aware that the church is one of the places people who are perpetrators use to get to their victims is important knowledge. Marie also said that now that Clergy have been educated and that there are guidelines, that they are seeing clergy who cross the boundaries and their excuse is that the rules don't apply to them. So now there are savvy offenders abusing their power and position. It is an issue that continues to plague the church, a place that is suppose to be safe, and a place of trust.

We reviewed the North Alabama policy and procedures as well. Marie says that we are on the right track. I think you can have the right stuff in place, but it is also in the implementation of the policy and procedures. The Bishop we have now has a policy of one strike and your out, whereas that has not always been the case. And initially I think some of the action on the conference's part was to protect the conference and the institution, not the victim(s). But I do see a change in that. I hope we get better and better at this.

I am not even go into the Roman Catholic thing, that's a whole other ball of wax, that could take pages to write about. It is enough to look at our own situation and seek to do the right thing in our churches and our denominations. I believe we have a biblical and theological mandate to do so.

One of the things the Ministerial Integrity workshop does is also have you look at how you are taking care of yourself or how are you not taking care of yourself, as that can become a set up for burnout and then acting without thinking. Although, I am doing a pretty good job taking care of myself according to my score, there are some areas I can work on, and I know it. For five years I was isolated as a female clergy person from peers. I try to keep good boundaries and not make laity my friends, yes I am friendly though. I worked hard at seeing people, friends in other places. I am now in a somewhat isolating situation again, and it reminds me I have to work just as hard at taking care of my relationship needs as before. During the past few days I was sitting with and conversing with some of my peers and realized I need to be intentional as I can to get with them. One of the things I shared at the workshop was how important revgalblogpals had become to me and the relationships I had made with people I connect with through the internet. Marie and Luis affirmed that and said that that is a lot of what our present generation was doing.

If you ever get the opportunity to hear or learn from Marie Fortune, all I can say is take the time. And if you want to learn more, read articles, get information and be inspired you can go to their website Faith Trust Institute. It is a wealth of knowledge.

Anne Lamott & her recent book

I love the book discussion group that happens once a month at RevGalBlogPals. It has challenged me to read some books that I might otherwise miss. I had the privilege to host the recent discussion on Anne Lamott's book Grace (Eventually) Thoughts on Faith. It was the first of her books to read. I liked it so much I bought the other two; Traveling Mercies:Some Thoughts on Faith, and Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith. I plan to read her others that she has written as well.

Lamott has an interesting way of saying things and writing.

"You can safely assume that you've created God in your own image when it turns out that God hates all the same people you do." Traveling Mercies

"Laughter is carbonated holiness." (Plan B)

"I wish grace and healing were more abracadabra kinds of things," she writes, "that delicate silver bells would ring to announce grace's arrival. But no, it's clog and slog and scotch, on the floor, in silence, in the dark." Grace (Eventually)

"There is not much truth being told in the world. There never was. This has proven to be a major disappointment to some of us." Grace(Eventually)

What she does write about in these series is about her recovery, her parenting, her faith, and God's grace. Now don't we need to hear about that more with such honesty and realism. Some of what she writes will make you uncomfortable, it did me. But perhaps we need to be a little uncomfortable.

I invite you to go over to RevGalBlogPals and read the book discussion that is going on over there about this book. And go get the book and read it.

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edifying Friday five

Sally at revgalblogpals sets the pace for this Friday Five: "I have spent the week at Summer School studying the Gospel and Western culture, we have looked at art, literature, music, film and popular culture in their myriad expressions. With that in mind I bring you the cultural Friday 5."

Name a

1. Book I'm thinking, I'm reading

2. Piece of music good music, it doesn't matter if its country, rock and roll or classical as long as it is well done.

3. Work of art I love art, I am moved by art, I am using art now as a way to pray.

4. Film I am a visual person, and I like films.

5. Unusual engagement with popular culture: Dance, tattoos, body art and cine'poems

That have helped/ challenged you on your spiritual journey.

Bonus: Is engagement essential to your Christian faith, how and why? Engagement? I have to be engaged? I have to engage myself? I have to allow myself to be engaged? Be in the world but not of the world? Get out of my Christian bubble?
I am having trouble writing this, as I am trying to multitask at the same time. Sorry I wasn't more specific.

On a sadder note of news items

Christianity Today also reported at its

Weblog: Juanita Bynum 'Battered' by Bishop-Husband Outside Hotel

1. No charges filed in fight between prominent preacher couple
Juanita Bynum is one of the most prominent female preachers in America. Her husband, Thomas W. Weeks III, founded a series of churches called Global Destiny. The two married in 2002 in a televised ceremony; her ring famously sported a 7.76-carat diamond. But the couple has apparently been in for a rough patch lately,and they met at an Atlanta hotel to try to reconcile. It apparently didn't go well. At 4 a.m., the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports, a physical fight broke out and a bellman had to pull Weeks off of Bynum. "She was bruised up and battered," a police officer told the paper. "She had purple bruising around her neck and upper torso." No charges have been filed against Weeks, the paper reports. (Associated Press) carried a report too.

I don't know either one of them, but it does say to me it doesn't matter if you are a Christian or a Preacher, you can have problems too, and you can be the abuser or the abused. The Atlanta Constitution now says that charges have been charged by Bynum against Weeks.

It has been sad to watch and read the unraveling of Michael Vick's life and career. It has made me sick to know about his involvement in Dog Fighting.

ow New York Knicks guard Stephon Marbury defended Michael Vick, calling dogfighting a sport and comparing it to hunting. Marbury spoke Monday about the federal dogfighting conspiracy charges against Vick while promoting his basketball shoe in Albany, N.Y. "I think it's tough," Marbury said, according to Albany TV station Capital News 9. "I think, you know, we don't say anything about people who shoot deer or shoot other animals. You know, from what I hear, dogfighting is a sport. It's just behind closed doors." On Monday, Vick said through a lawyer that he will plead guilty to a federal charge of conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities and conspiracy to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture. He also faces possible prosecution in Virginia. "I think it's tough that we build Michael Vick up and then we break him down," Marbury said. "I think he's one of the superb athletes, and he's a good human being. I just think that he fell into a bad situation."

Uh Stephon, Hello, it is not a sport, it is a crime. It and cruel to the dogs. Don't you watch Animal Planet and their Animal Cops?

Haven't you seen them rescue dogs who were being trained to be fight dogs? And don't you know that there is a strong connection between animal cruelty and domestic violence. Rethink your position Mr. Marbury, go out on a call with the Humane Society and find out the truth. I know you are standing up for Michael Vick, but you are standing on the wrong reason. And frankly we didn't break him down, he did it to himself and allowed himself to make the choices he made and to be with the group he was with. I went and looked it up, dogfighting is a felony in Alabama.

Here is a hard working Female Pastor

I could not believe my eyes when checking out Christianity Today, that they had an article on a Female Pastor and her churches, plus that she is United Methodist.

But here is some of the article and the link to it.
I admire this woman!
And kudos to Christianity Today for carrying this article.

After the Fire
A Methodist pastor and her two congregations discover hope amid the ashes of adversity.
By Ken Walker

After experiencing events during the past year that are best described as miraculous, Methodist minister Julia Bolling knows something about the power of prayer.

Bolling, who also works as a part-time hospital chaplain, serves a United Methodist church in Huntington, West Virginia, and another in Glenwood, about 20 miles northeast of Huntington. After conducting Sunday-morning services at Guyandotte United Methodist, she leads evening worship at Glenwood United Methodist. With fewer than 15 members in June of 2006, the latter congregation was already struggling. Then a fire gutted the sanctuary.

Investigators believed the blaze was the result of arson. But what seemed like a death knell sparked a series of developments that are leading to renewal within this country congregation.

Miracles keep coming

All these events have encouraged Pastor Bolling, who has been in her two-church position since June of 2004.

"The congregation at Glenwood has taught me a lot," she says. "They have accepted this tragedy. They're puzzled, confused, and hurt, but they're not angry. They said, 'We've got to pray for whoever did this.'

"It has brought everyone in the church together. It has brought the whole community together."

I have not had to minister to a church that has experienced this kind of tragedy. I have heard good and bad things can come from things like this. The church I attended while in Seminary burned a couple of years after I had been gone. It was arson. It was really a hard time for the church.

We have a church in our district, that burned. It has been a struggle. Then we also have a church in the South West District that burned and seems to be handling things well. Of course we are also notorious for the two young Birmingham Southern (A fine United Methodist College) Students who burned churches in rural areas and have been sentenced this year.

I can only imagine what it is like for these church members and for their Pastor to make their way through after the fire. I would think it is possible, but difficult.

Interestingly enough, I did not find one news item at the UMC.org website nor the West Virginia Conference website about these churches and their Pastor.

Not ticks, but chiggers

To follow up with the tiny tick story, I have been meaning to write this, and other posts. I meant to play the friday five and didn't. I have had a lot of meant toos, and get around to its as well. However we had a death that took place that took lots of my time with the family and the situation.

I got all the tiny ticks off that day. Bob went out and mowed the path. Since that day I have been wearing long pants and my hiking boots. They seem to be attracted to light clothing and shoes. Bob did find one tick on him the next day. But you know what I found later, was chiggers. I have chiggers from that walk, all up and down my legs. I am miserable from the itching and the tiny bumps. Been using a lot of benedryl and steriod cream. It is starting to feel better.

But the chigger bites got me thinking of things that get "under my skin". I read where the chigger doesn't actually get under your skin, rather they attach and inject a fluid into the tissue which dissolves it. The fluid injection causes welts to appear which may last for two weeks, and some people are very allergic to the fluid. But none the less, it does feel like something has gotten under your skin, and you can't get it to stop itching. I have to live with these welts for 2 weeks? yuck. I haven't had chigger bites in a long time. Oh well.

But it got me started thinking about though the things I let get me "under my skin". You know what I mean, things people say or do. My kids know how to get under my skin quicker than anything. I also let people who say they are going to do things and then don't get under my skin. I let those who know something that needs to be done, and then put it off hoping some one else will do it get under my skin. Next thing I know I got a lot of things bothering me, causing me to itch and be uncomfortable. I wish I didn't let people's words and actions get under my skin so much, but they do.

I have been trying to practice that principle of letting them go to God and and letting their behavior and actions go to God and not let them bother me so much. And I have been trying to practice the principle of not worrying so much about these things and how will they get done, and when will they get done, and will I have to do it myself. It is very hard to do. But I think it also involves the principle of speaking up about the behavior and the effect it has on persons, me and others. Saying it in a way that states that, and letting it go.

Some people exhibit an allergic reaction to the fluid of the chigger which may result in severe swelling, itching, and fever. I think some of my "allergic reaction" to people who get under my skin is related to some of my issues I have not finished working through and am presently working on in therapy. I often have what is called post traumatic reactions to things, and it takes me awhile to sort through all my feelings and reaction. I am working on these things so I don't have such allergic reactions. I can't really tell you what all I am doing presentl y but it involves some body work, journaling, art, meditation, imagery. Yes, that is work and time and energy, but it is time, work and energy well spent.

Many years ago, when I was dating my husband and we were getting closer, my parents were coming for a visit and to meet Bob. Well, the day before they got there I had the worse case of hives. I had not had them up until that time. I was so anxious about their visit and their meeting Bob that it got under my skin, and my nerves went into overtime work. Needless to say I got through it, and the hives went away. But one of the things I was having to do at that time with my parents were setting boundaries, healthy ones. As I have set healthy boundaries with them, I have been able to set healthy boundaries with myself and others.

I just thought I had to be a wide open person, and give people anything they wanted or needed. And that I had to put up with whatever people did or said. I don't. Healthy boundaries are a part of not letting people get under my skin. Perhaps I am now in a time of setting healthy boundaries for myself in some different places in my life.

Tiny Ticks

I was going to write more about my books I am reading, but this came to me this morning as stirring something in my soul .

Bob and I have been making a concerted effort to get out and walk everyday in the woods behind our house. We do as soon as he comes back from dropping the kids off at school, before the heat becomes unbearable. We take the dogs cause they love it too. When we come back we look for ticks. Monday I had one on my leg, but not Tuesday. Today though I kept feeling something crawling on my legs, but couldn't find it. Finally I saw little dots appear on my shorts, and realized they were little tiny baby ticks, some call them invisible ticks. I ran got a credit card to scrape them off.

Now I am not good at making metaphors or similes, but it made me think of the little things I let pile up in my room, my office, my house, until they are big mounds of stuff to clean up. And this led me to think of the little things I ignore in my own life, my emotions, my spiritual life, my habits, that eventually pile up and get the best of me. And get between me and God, me and my relationships, me and myself. I then have to go through and do a thorough house cleaning. Instead if I had taken care of the little thing in the first place, I wouldn't have to be putting major energy and time out on the this huge pile of junk, clutter, weeds, mess whatever you want to call it. If I had spent that time in prayer and meditation to begin with. If I had not eaten the first bite. If I had acknowledged and dealt with a problem, conflict, anger in the first place.....

I am not a disciplined orderly person, it takes me work to be one, but I have realized over the years it pays to be one. I won't be able to get all these ticks the first time, but they certainly they have my attention and I'll be on guard for them. I remember one time two of our dogs got loose and ran away into the woods for almost a week. Finally found them, they were covered in burrs, ticks, fleas, you name it, and stunk to high heaven. It took us forever to get all the present stuff off of them, and then to get the ones that kept cropping up later as well.

I am now going to get these little baby ticks off to the best of my ability, so I don't have a bigger mess later. I am not going to take my first bite, I will spend time in prayer and meditation this morning, I will pay attention to my feelings and acknowledge and deal with them as needed. Just for today...so I am not having to clean up a bigger mess later.

Monday doings

• Got the title to my Honda Odyssey today, its now officially paid off. No more big car payments. Now will it last. I really put the mileage on it while living in Wadley. It will have to last, I am not buying a new car for awhile. I don't seem to be putting as much mileage on it these days. But most of all, thank God it is paid off.
  

• Kids are really enjoying being back in school, can you believe it? The girls already have homework, but not Zach yet. He was jealous that he didn't have homework. Bob tried to explain it to him, that it will come soon enough. Katy goes around singing "I am happy, I love my school. I love my teacher. I love my desk. Happy happy Katy." Kara just cannot say her teacher's name yet, but she'll get it. Zachary thinks that his teacher is beautiful and wants to marry her.

• Our one day VBS is over. It was a great success. The kids had a great time. In fact everybody had a great time. I am not sure if the adults had more fun or the kids. We had a big water slide out front for the kids to slide on at the end of the day. It was a sight to be hold and in fact cars were slowing down to get a look. We agreed it was good PR. I think we are going to do it this way again. We have all been talking about what a fun good time we all had getting ready and doing it. In fact I used it in my sermon Sunday. They did a great job. We had men and women working it. And we had a good group of kid, especially the older age group. Yea!
  

• Sunday I preached on Passionate Spirituality from the NCD eight characteristics of a healthy growing church. In the end people came up and were talking about the sermon. Like I said I talked about how God was in the planning, the day of VBS. People were grinning while I was preaching. The Grand niece of two of our members came and played violin for our special music. She listens to U Tube, teachers herself the piece and then plays it. What a gift, and she is only 11. She did a great job.

• One of the revgals talked about de accumulating from their library books they were no longer using. I really need to do that. I still have some from college and seminary days. But it seems like in the major changes in ministry in the last couple of years, I have bought a lot of new books. I can't keep up. I am slowly finishing ones I have bought and planned to read like, "They Love Jesus, but not the church". I really like that book, it has inspired me more to try to get out of my "Christian Bubble" into meeting people who are not church goers. I read "The Secret Life of Bees" which I also really liked. It got me looking for the Black Madonnas. It is interesting the different ones and different theories surrounding them. I am about to finish "Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Berg. I like the eat part in Italy, although I would probably gain more weight than she did eating like she did. I had trouble reading about her time in India, its foreign to my world. I am just getting started with her time in Indonesia. But I had to remind myself she was in a time of seeking. But a lot of what I read these days are about NCD, trying to understand it, and how to implement the findings for our church.

• Last but not least, my back has been giving me fits for about a week. Lots of Ibprophen, heat, massages, and stretching. It gets better, and then starts back. I don't know what I did, but this is for the birds. I told one of the church members, if it doesn't get better this week, I am going to go see the chiropractor. I am walking around like a stoved up ole woman. My kids even told me I was old the other day. Thanks kids.

Well thats all the news from Lake Wilson, where all the women are really good looking, the men are too, and the kids are really above average!

The Friday Five: Busting the stress rocks!

I loved this picture that Sally put up for the Friday Five over at RGBP's, so I borrowed it. And this is what she offered:
I am off to spend a few days at the beach chilling out after a hectic few weeks and before I head off for Summer School...

So with that in mind this weeks questions are looking at how you deal with the stress monster!!!???

1. First, and before we start busting stress, what causes you the most stress, is it big things or the small stuff ? Both, The little things pile up and get too big, and the big things are always big. But in a way it is my perspective of these things and what is inside of me that gets triggered, whether I am negative to myself or get into "stinkin thinkin" as I call it or haven't been spending time with God.

2. Exercise or chocolate for stress busting ( or maybe something else) ? How about reading a book, taking a hot bath, talking with someone who cares, prayer and meditation.

3.What is your favorite music to chill out to? Anything that says rest and relaxation, but sometimes something to dance to as well sets me free.

4. Where do you go to chill? Mountains and/or beach.

5. Extrovert or introvert, do you relax at a party, or do you prefer a solitary walk? You know in my maturity, (I was going to say Old Age,) I have grown to appreciate both.

Bonus- share your favorite stress busting tip! Hot bath with soothing oils or bath salt, a book, a drink, can be cold or hot, some nice music and NO KIDS! (I don't do candles, have burnt myself or the cats too many times.) My really favorite was that we had a hot tub at our former house in Columbus, and we would go out at night and get in it and relax. Waah I need I want my hot tub back!!

Let us know in comments if you play and we'll trek on over. Sure why not come on over and relax. I'll run purchase a portable hot tub to use. ("Now where is that money to pay for it?" "Oh I can put it on credit, you say." "What and give myself more stress? No Way!)

Wedding pictures as promised

This is the mother of the bride in blue and the future mother of two brides to be in the green, me.

This is the father of the flowergirls, can you believe it, he can still wear his suit that he got married in. Not Fair! Not fair at all!

Here are the darling flowergirls of mine..... aren't they just beautiful! And they did so good in the wedding. They stood up there so solemly and turned their little baskets upside down emptying every last one of the flower petals on the floor. But isn't that what they were suppose to do with the flower petals?

Were having a heat wave....

Today the weather channel, and my google weather bar are flashing warnings about a major heat wave in our area. I didn't know we were ever out of one. But this one is apparently worse.

...A HEAT WAVE COULD BECOME MORE DANGEROUS DURING THE NEXT FEW DAYS...

HIGH TEMPERATURES WILL REACH NEAR OR AROUND 100 DEGREES EACH AFTERNOON THROUGH FRIDAY. SOME LOCATIONS MAY REACH TRIPLE DIGIT TEMPERATURES...ESPECIALLY ON WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY. WITH HUMIDITY ADDED IN...HEAT INDEX VALUES WILL RANGE FROM 104 TO 108...POSSIBLY EXCEEDING DANGEROUS LEVELS AROUND 110 DEGREES. ANOTHER CONTRIBUTING HEAT STRESS FACTOR WILL BE LIMITED NIGHTTIME RECOVERY COOLING EACH NIGHT...WITH LOWS ONLY IN THE LOWER TO MIDDLE 70S...ESPECIALLY IN URBAN AREAS.

Well we live in an Urban area.

PROTECT YOURSELF AGAINST THE HEAT BY LIMITING OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES. SLOW DOWN IF YOU MUST BE OUTSIDE...AND TAKE FREQUENT BREAKS WHICH INCLUDE PLENTY OF WATER.

TARGET GROUPS ARE ATHLETES...OUTDOOR LABORERS...THE ELDERLY...AND YOUNG CHILDREN. HOWEVER...ANYONE CAN BE AFFLICTED BY HEAT EXHAUSTION.

BE AWARE OF SIGNS OF HEAT EXHAUSTION... AND IF YOU FEEL ANY SYMPTOMS...STOP IMMEDIATELY AND FIND A COOL PLACE TO REST. ALSO REMEMBER TO PROVIDE EXTRA WATER AND A SHADY PLACE FOR PETS.

I am glad they added that part about pets. I sent my pet (Hubby) out to mow the yard this morning since this warning was made. I didn't want him to suffer heat exhaustion. I have a church member who didn't pay attention to the heat nor the symptoms and became very sick. He since has had a lot of problems, and can't do the kind of work he like to do. So please pay attention and be careful out there. I guess if the kids go out at all it will be to play in the pool. I guess our pets will mainly be staying inside. I guess I'll do my walking early in the morning or at the gym.

So a word of advise, be careful out there if you go out at all.

I bloggeth something

Yea, verily there comes in ones life a time when they just cannot bloggeth.
They sit with hands poised on the keyboard, but no words come forth, no meaningful thoughts, no funny happenings. Thou then step away from the computer to think about it, eat something, drink something, pray, clean up the bathroom, play with your kids, hoping that the word will come.

Sometimes writing sermons are like that, the first words, thoughts, feelings just don't come. It is a struggle to come up what to write or say. you feel like the Holy Spirit has failed your or the connection is not there. So you readjust yourself, try to reconnect if the connection is down, and hope you come up with what will sound meaningful.

But there is something different. The blogging world are people I don't see face to face. The people who read our blogs are not people we know.

So I force myself to bloggeth something. So I bloggeth that we are back down in the area where I served as Pastor for five years. My girls are flower girls for their former baby sitter who is getting married. My girs are so excited, my boy is jealous. The wedding is not in the church I preached at, but the church the groom is a member of, it is bigger. I am not the officiant, its Baptist, his pastor is officiating. I get to sit and participate. It feels funny to be back here after a year. Can't say why exactly, but I'll write about it later.