Celebrating “Stay UMC”

I’m celebrating the new home of a very special prayer kneeler in a new UMC! 

It was originally placed in memory of my grandmother. It was for the UMC I served as founding pastor many years ago. 

Later in history, the church renovated and no longer needed it. Eventually, they gave it back to me. I’m so incredibly grateful.

In celebration of the Stay UMC movement, I have “regifted” it to another United Methodist Church. May it bring a prayerful spirit to the people of the newly formed All Saints UMC in Trussville, Alabama! May it strengthen them and give them good courage. We are praying for you!

Cultural Christianity

Richard Rohr calls out “cultural Christianity.” I believe this wholeheartedly. It’s an alternative way.

—

“If our love of God doesn’t directly influence, and even change, how we engage in the issues of our time, I wonder what good religion is. ‘God talk’ becomes an opaque screen in which we see only reflections of ourselves, rather than any kind of true light. ‘Anyone who says they love God, and hates their brother or sister, is a liar’ (1 John 4:20). None of us wants to be a liar, yet religion’s high goals make failure almost inevitable for all of us (read Paul’s attempts to describe this paradoxical phenomenon in Romans 7:7–25). Our daily question is this: ‘Have I even begun to love’?

“Most Christians tend to echo the cultural prejudices and worldviews of the dominant group in their country, with only a minority revealing any real transformation of attitudes or consciousness. It has been true of slavery and racism, classism and consumerism, and issues of immigration and health care for the poor. From a religion based on a man who was always healing poor people and praising foreigners, it defies any logical analysis!”

Welcoming the Stranger

This deeply biblical insight on welcoming the stranger is challenging for us!

“This fundamental regard for the resident alien, and call to solidarity with the ‘outsider,’ came to full realization in the teaching and practice of Jesus of Nazareth.”

Check out the full article below.

https://cac.org/daily-meditations/welcoming-strangers-in-scripture/

Appointment at Fair Haven

Fair Haven, here I come!

Following up on my recent post about our future, I wanted everyone to know my new opportunity is confirmed! I’m excited. We announced this week to the residents of Fair Haven that I will be coming as their chaplain at the beginning of July.

Fair Haven is a bright star in the system of Methodist Homes for the Aging in the North Alabama and Alabama West Florida Conferences of the UMC. There are 350 residents in independent living, independent plus, assisted living, nursing home, and memory care units. There is a beautiful chapel for services and Bible studies, with a chaplain’s office nearby to facilitate pastoral care.

I will be appointed 3/4 time as an extension ministry of the UMC. This position will allow me to defer retirement and continue to be involved in the UMC I love, while also giving me ability to care for my dad (one of the residents) and help raise our new grand baby nearby. With a little spare time, I also plan to set up a home studio to do some writing, music, and spiritual formation ministries.

Sandy and I have been talking about how much we love Jacksonville and my wonderful appointment here. The church is healthy and strong. Whoever is appointed to come here is going to be lucky to have them.

I am grateful that they have been part of my life, and all we’ve accomplished together, as well as grateful for God‘s very clear calling into a new season of spiritual adventures.