Children’s Week…A Beginning Point

Next Sunday at First UMC, Princeton, we will be celebrating Children’s Sabbath. This week is a special time for us to focus on children, near and far. Throughout the week, I will be sharing some prayers, thoughts, and even some words on some fairly controversial issues dealing with children.

However, today, I decided to start this journey near home with something a little more on the “lite” side of things.

Our Children’s Moments at FUMC are improvisational messages that I base on some object that one of the children bring in a brown bag. (Yes, we do have some rules – nothing can be placed in the bag that is alive or was recently alive and nothing can be placed in the bag that might embarrass someone. Also, I encourage the children NOT to bring anything overtly religious. It should be an everyday item for them.)

To say the least…this is a lot of fun…sometimes more for the children and adults than it is for me.  But rule one of improv, I believe, is to accept whatever you have been given.  The rest comes from there and prayer.

Enjoy this time we had with our children…feel free to share and comment!

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Home Away from Homes…

I am an avid reader.  If you have any doubts, check out my book list on Goodreads.  (One of these days I am actually going to scan in all the books in my library, go through my Kindle and list every book but the list their now shows that I just love to read.

My Newest Book
just waiting to be read!!

Today I got a new book.  Haven’t even had time to “break it in yet” but did take the time to make sure it is going on my “First Edition” shelf, probably right beside Stephen King’s “The Stand.”

I think that one of the main reasons that I like to read is that a good book will carry me someplace other than the place that I am in right at the moment.  Rowling’s books on Harry Potter did just that.  King’s “The Stand” is one that I re-read quite often because it can take my imagination places I can never get to on my own.

For me, reading is part of the creative process.  It helps me be creative in ministry but more importantly, it helps me be creative in life.

Sometime over the weekend…I don’t know when exactly…but sometime, this little gem will get in my hands and begin to carry me somewhere else.

But I know…it won’t be far from home.

PS – One of the readers of this blog sent me this picture.  LOVE it!!

There’s No Place Like…

A Whirlwind

And so it happened. They were walking along and talking. Suddenly a chariot and horses of fire came between them and Elijah went up in a whirlwind to heaven.
2 Kings 2:11 The Message

The past seven days have been something of a whirlwind for me.  I haven’t really had much time to take a breath and seriously think about it but I know that in the midst of this latest busy trek on the path to home, I have experienced the very presence of God.

I knew that presence as I sat next to a colleague who just six months ago gave me some of the greatest words of support and encouragement that I have ever received.  I still carry that note with me and it will always bring me joy!

I knew that presence as I sat at lunch with a colleague who has prayed for me and my family during a time of transition…One who calls me “Scottie” and gets away with it…Who insists on hugs every time we meet and I don’t mind a bit.

I knew that presence as I sat in continuing education sessions with a colleague who has supported me in a Covenant Group for several years with prayer, encouragement and accountability.  He is one who knows my sense of humor and appreciates it always.

I knew that presence when I ate dinner with a colleague who helped my daughter through a very special time in her life and we shared with each other about our “other” homes.  I know that I will be praying for him and his girls even as he prays for me and mine.

I knew that presence as I worshiped with clergy from all over the West Virginia Annual Conference at Cedar Lakes and felt their affirmation as I stepped into a new role and a new place I will call one of my homes.

I knew that presence as I met with my Clergy Covenant Group at the best place in West Virginia to enjoy crab cakes – Crabby Patti’s in Ripley – and we shared our joys, our worries, our hopes, our struggles and our dreams in the midst of much change in our Conference “home.”  I know I am praying for them, but probably not as much as they are praying for me. And yet I know they still love me.

I knew that presence as I ate dinner with my Mom and Dad, and Mom’s Aunt and Uncle and then visited with them even more that evening and the next morning.  I heard stories I had not heard before and heard others that triggered memories long ago set aside as we shared about family.  I felt connected to generation after generation of my family and I felt the presence of God.

I knew that presence as I shared a lunch with a friend who I not only still trust with my health care but is one that anyone can trust.  It was great to spend time with one of God’s healers who is still humble enough to live into their humanity.

I felt that presence as I was reunited with my family after a few days away – laughter, stories and great donuts made for good times!  “Friday Night Lights” with the Princeton Tigers and their wonderful band and a fifth quarter at the church that went on till Saturday.  (A soft bed made for a good night’s sleep as well.)

I felt that presence in the moments – that came quite often – when I thanked God for the great staff members who were caring for everything at First Princeton UMC.

I felt that presence as I worshiped with my newest church family and felt their grace, prayers and support after a long week.

I felt that presence as I watched the churches of the Princeton Parish (UMC) unite with community members of Princeton to serve those around us by cleaning up two local parks and a fountain area downtown.

Ah…the whirlwind…I felt it.  And even though I know these recollections don’t come close to naming every moment I felt it, I know that it is carrying me closer and closer to home.

photo credit: *nacnud* via photopin cc

9/11 and Home

As I read a devotion written by a colleague I was reminded of what a huge difference the events of 9/11 made on my home.

Unlike many people, I was not glued to the news on that day.   In fact, Pam and I did not learn about the tragedy until several hours later. At the urging of our Bishop’s spouse, Jane Ives, Pam and I were receiving Marriage Enrichment training at Spring Heights. We did not hear the news for a couple of hours when it was reported to us by the staff. We were no where near any televisions to see what was happening.

The leader of our training asked us to make the decision about whether we should stay there for our training or return home to our families and churches. Pam and I talked and prayed about it and realized that our children were in the very best care – our parents were watching them and our family from Peterstown UMC were checking on them. They were safe in a home we couldn’t build on our own.

However, we were doing important work ourselves on the home we were making for those two girls, my older daughter and our witness to the church.

Our church had a prayer service without a pastor present. I understand it was very moving.

Our children got to see the loving, caring side of the church and the commitment of grandparents that had reared their parents.

Pam and I continued to work on the one strong gift of peace we could give – the witness of a stronger marriage. We have never regretted that decision.

Although the world changed in many ways on that day… It got stronger for me. The bonds of my many homes were very real and very present!

“Something Different” Prevention Week

Hopelessness or Depression

I realize that right up front that I am walking on some very tricky ground here.  I know that this week is known as National Suicide Prevention Week – and believe me, I want to do all that I can to help bring awareness and change to this tragic form of death in our society.

However, because of my association with some great people who introduced me to AFSP (The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention) in Parkersburg, WV, I have a very difficult time using the word “suicide” at all.

Taking one’s own life is a very desperate act, usually coming at the end of a battle with depression or hopelessness.  I have sometimes said that taking one’s own life in the midst of depression or hopelessness is a final prayer to God to end the suffering.

Sometimes the deaths are very intentional…sometimes very accidental.  No matter what the circumstance, when we place the label “suicide” upon these tragic losses of battles with very real diseases and spiritual conditions, we are placing a stigma on both the person who lost their battle and to those who are left behind.

We do not do this with victims of cancer, heart disease, diabetes or any other illness and yet with depression and hopelessness, we do.

I would like to see us change the name of this week, just so we can call it what it truly is.  Let’s call it “Preventing Death by Depression and Hopelessness Week” or something else that is more catching.  I don’t care.  I am just sick of the “S” word and all the baggage and tags it carries with it.

Just some thoughts… would love to read yours as well.

photo credit: Helga Weber via photo pin cc