Sandbags

Because of the rain and the danger of flooding, sandbags are being filled at the Boys and Girls Club and the old Wal-mart parking lot. Hope to see you there.

VeggieTales Movie Event

The next VeggieTales Movie Event will be July 29, 2007 at 4:00 pm. We'll be watching A Snoodle's Tale. As always, popcorn and juiceboxes will be provided. You're encouraged to bring blankets, camp chairs, pillows, etc. If you want to learn more about the show, Netflix has a good review.

Owen Chase Horner

We're happy to announce the birth of Owen Chase Horner to Allyson and Greg Horner. Owen was born at 12:37 pm today. He weighed 6 pounds, 11 ounces and measured 19 inches long.

Trustees' Meeting Moved Up to Tuesday

The next meeting of the Board of Trustees has been moved to Tuesday, July 3, 2007 at 5:15 pm because of the 4th of July holiday.

No Wednesday Gathering July 4

There will be no Wednesday Gathering on July 4 due to the holiday.

United Methodist News Service

United Methodist News Service is the official news source for the denomination. They have stories, podcasts and email updates.

Information on the Wesleys

The General Board of Global Ministries has a nice page with links to information on Samuel, Susanna, John, and Charles Wesley.

Day Off Tomorrow

I'm going to try and take tomorrow off. Blogging will resume Tuesday.

Quote of the Day

"A wrong attitude towards nature implies somewhere a wrong attitude towards God, and the consequence is an inevitable doom. For a long enough time, we have believed in nothing but the values arising in a mechanised, commercialised, urbanised way of life: it would be as well for us to face the permanent conditions upon which God allows us to live upon this earth."

—T. S. Eliot, "The Idea of a Christian Society," 1939.

VBS Raises $280

Vacation Bible School raised $280 for Heifer International this week. The kids have voted to purchase a Water Buffalo for the use of a family in need.

This means that very soon, another family will be able to join Larry the Cucumber in the Water Buffalo song. (If you didn't catch that last VeggieTales reference, don't worry about it.)

Tip of the Hat to the Coffeyville Journal

In "A note from the Editor" on page 8A today, concerning editing of "Church news":

"Editing of the respective articles is done only as related to excessive length, not to content– however do not take advantage of this by attacking other faiths and beliefs. These are positive pages and expressions of faith– not negative. You will note that a certain infamous Kansas church, known for their hatred of everything and everybody is not on this page, though they send an article to the Journal every week."

If the editor has in mind the same "certain infamous Kansas church" that I'm thinking of, and I'm sure they are, my hats off to them. I especially like the refusal to use that particular church's name. I've long felt that any attention given to this church only serves to encourage them.

Quote of the Week

Via Sojourners:

"While there is little evidence that human nature has changed for the better over the past two millennia, a few historical events, like Britain's abolition of its extremely profitable slave trade, suggest that human history has also been something more than an endless contest of greed and power."

—David Brion Davis, a Yale University historian, in a column by Michael Gerson. This year marks the 200th anniversary of the end of the British slave trade, which Gerson calls “history’s strongest counterexample” to the claim that religion in public life only spawns hatred and extremism. (Source: The Washington Post)

Newsletter Available

After the previous post this is probably unnecessary, but the newsletter is now available on our website.

Newsletter Error

This afternoon I found an error in the newsletter. Because of some formatting errors in the final printed version, it is not possible to tell what was the Bishop's blog post and what was not. A corrected version can be found on our website or in an earlier blog post.

Chair Lift Cost

The total cost of the new chairlift when installed was $17,875. It was variously and roughly estimated that a new elevator in roughly the same place would run $150,000 - $300,000. The money for the chair lift came from various memorials and recent bequests.

No Hymn Sing Next Sunday

We'll be having a regular (well, as close as we ever get to regular) service next week. I post this because someone asked if we would be having a second Charles Wesley Hymn Sing this coming Sunday (for the second 4,500 hymns that Charles wrote). We'll wait awhile before we do that again. Sunday I sang 12 full hymns at the morning service and 6 full hymns at the Asbury service in the afternoon. Even for me, that's enough for a while.

Brian McLaren: The Need for a New Rhetoric

A good post on the need for love to guide all our conversations:

A Long Obedience in the Same Direction

Kansas Bishop Scott Jones had this to say in his most recent blog entry:

"I love the title of Eugene Peterson’s commentary on the Psalms, “A Long Obedience in the Same Direction.” I value that and aspire to it."

"The last two Sundays I have worshipped in a chapel at a state park. It is led by United Methodist people, and sometimes people from the nearby congregations come to worship there. But there are always people who attend while they are camping or vacationing at the park. It gave me great pride that this lay woman and a lay speaker were faithfully leading worship every Sunday so that God could be praised and God’s word be preached. It is a quiet story, but one that is replicated all over Kansas."

"We sometimes give attention to our largest churches or the ones that can connect technologically. It is true—they are important. But we must not lose sight of the faithful pastors and laity who are serving God in our small towns and have been doing it for generations. The lay speaker spoke of her father, a Korean War veteran who died last winter. This Memorial Day he would have been playing taps at the local cemetery, and she was missing that fact. He had played taps there every Memorial Day for 50 consecutive years. A long obedience in the same direction."

"Thank God for faithful servants."

I think this is an important word for us to hear in the midst of our current struggles, in the midst of our attempts to reach out to younger people, in our ongoing efforts to better connect with technology. While it is dangerous to get so caught up in the past that we cannot see the future nor act in the present, to neglect and forget the past is to risk losing the knowledge of who we were and to lose the knowledge of who we were is to risk forgetting who we are. The first Methodists were established in Coffeyville by a circuit rider, W. T. Selby in 1870. We have been here a long time. Let us draw courage from the example of those who came before us and continue “a long obedience in the same direction.”

VBS Off to a Good Start

VBS is off to a good start today. Things seem to be running smoothly and we have 33 kids.

Pilates Cancelled

We will not be having Pilates this coming Monday because of Vacation Bible School.

No Youth Tomorrow

In observance of Father's Day.

Inclusive Language in the NRSV

In case your wondering about the translation of the Bible we read in worship, The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), consider this summary from Wikipedia.org

"In the preface to the NRSV, Bruce Metzger wrote for the committee that 'many in the churches have become sensitive to the danger of linguistic sexism arising from the inherent bias of the English language towards the masculine gender, a bias that in the case of the Bible has often restricted or obscured the meaning of the original text.' The RSV [Revised Standard Version] observed the older convention of using masculine nouns in an inclusive sense (e.g. 'man' instead of 'person'), and in some cases used a masculine word where the source language used a neuter word. The NRSV by contrast adopted a policy of gender-inclusive language: 'The mandates from the Division specified that, in references to men and women, masculine-oriented language should be eliminated as far as this can be done without altering passages that reflect the historical situation of ancient patriarchal culture.'"

"One of the conventions NRSV uses is to expand gender exclusive phrases. For example, if a translation used 'brothers' to refer to a group that is not known to be all male, NRSV may use 'brothers and sisters.' Where such adjustments are made the more literal translation is noted in a footnote."

—Wikipedia.org, "The New Revised Standard Version."

Note that the statement is "in references to men and women." In the NRSV, God, even God the Holy Spirit, is still referenced by the masculine pronoun. I hope this provides you with some comfort if the previous two posts were making you nervous.

And ... Campolo on the Feminine Traits of God

"These same Fundamentalists are threatened by anything that even seems to be tending toward feminist thinking, as is evidenced by their upset over the use of inclusive language in church liturgy or in any translation of Scripture. You can count on their outrage in response to any suggestion that God transcends what some of us consider to be culturally prescribed definitions of masculinity. Whenever I preach about the mothering side of God—revealed for instance, when Jesus talked about wanting to gather people together as a hen gathers her chicks (Matthew 23.37)—I can expect letters of condemnation during the days that follow."

"Christian feminists believe that discovering the female side of God has made it easier for them to relate to God, but more important is the biblical case for affirming God's feminine traits. Consider the fact that when God's spirit is referred to in the Hebrew Bible, a feminine noun is used, and in the original Greek version of the New Testament, the Holy Spirit can be understood as being feminine."

— Tony Campolo, Letters to a Young Evangelical, 199-200.

In my experience it's not just Fundamentalists who are threatened.

Tony Campolo on Women and the Church

From Letters to a Young Evangelical:

"I want to tell you something vitally important that is too often hidden from Evangelicals: Jesus was a radical feminist! Although it was common in his time to relegate women to a position inferior to men's, Jesus treated them as equals. He invited them to be students of the Torah [Old Testament], which back then was a privilege reserved for men (Matthew 10:35-42). He broke the taboo on touching women when they were menstruating (Mark 5:25-34). He was even willing to transgress ancient Jewish standards of social respectability by establishing relationships with women of questionable ethnic and moral backgrounds (John 4.1-27)."

—Tony Campolo, Letters to a Young Evangelical, 193.

Screen Progress

The vision team met today to review the final plan and price list from Jordan Audio Consultants for the installation of video systems in both the chapel and the sanctuary. You can look some of Jordan Audio's previous projects at www.jordanaudio.com.

Taize Service Tomorrow

Tomorrow's Wednesday Gathering will be a Taize Service. Childcare will be provided.

Devotional Blogging

I'm off this morning, but as I lie in bed listening to the thunder and watching the the lightening flash, I was reminded of the words of the Psalmist in Psalm 104:

"17 The clouds poured out water;
the skies thundered;
your arrows flashed on every side.
18 The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind;
your lightnings lit up the world;
the earth trembled and shook." (NRSV)

These words come in the context of the psalmist recounting the exodus and praising God for delivering the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt. The Psalmist is asserting, contrary to pagan claims, that it is the God of Israel, and not the fertility god Ba'al, who controls the storms and the rain they bring. The pagans believed that Ba'al rode the thundercouds and threw down lightening bolts, the Psalmist is saying that it is not Ba'al but rather the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who reigns over the storm and dispenses the good things of life.

Back at Home

We're back (actually we got back about four hours ago). Sorry that I didn't keep the blogging up, but I was having quite a few problems with the wireless service at Baker yesterday. I have lots to tell and will probably be trying to unpack annual conference over the next week.

Good to Great at Annual Conference

I've been happy to hear both Bishop Jones and Dean Jones make reference to Jim Collins' book Good to Great this annual conference. Good to Great was been guiding the Vision Team as we attempt to discern the future of Coffeyville First.

Abundantly Far More

Ephesians 3.20-21 (NRSV):

"Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen."

Gregory Jones has just pointing out how far this passage goes: "to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine." That phrase: "Abundantly far more." Not just a little, not even just a lot, but "Abundantly far more." Are we willing to open ourselves up to "abundantly fare more" that God wants to accomplish in and through Coffeyville First.

Plenary Session

Right now we're listening to L. Gregory Jones, Dean and Professor of Theology at Duke University Divinity School. He's doing an excellent job of talking about Christian formation and the need to keep the standards high and helpful. I'm hoping that we can get a copy of the DVD and watch it in small groups.

Legislative Committees

Legislative Committees met yesterday. I was co-convener at committee three, I had forgotten how nerve-racking being a convener can be. Nonetheless, we seem to have made it through alright.

Bridges to the Future

The Annual Conference Session just approved a new capital campaign to improve conference ministries in the area of camping, campus ministry, and church growth and development. This campaign is being called "Bridges to the Future."

Young(er) Clergy Gathering

We're back. Annual Conference convened again at 8:00 this morning. It's an early start after the Young(er) Clergy Gathering that started about 8:30 last night and ran until to after 11:00. That's much later than Jenny and I normally stay out, but we were having a wonderful time. One of the great joys of annual conference is getting to see colleagues.

Wi-Fi at Baker University

Update, I have managed to get online in the Collins Center at Baker University where Business and Worship sessions of Annual Conference are being held. this means that I can blog on a far more regular basis. So far the conference is running smoothly. The bishop preached an excellent sermon for the opening worship session.

Chair Lift Installation

Is finished.

Annual Conference Blogging

We're at annual conference, actually right now we're in Panera Bread where I have internet access. Posting may be limited during conference time due to limited internet access on campus, but I'll have lots to share when we get back.

Chair Lift Installation

The installation of a chair lift from the basement, through the lobby, and up to the church office began today. Installation should be complete tomorrow or the next day.

A Ghost and a Corpse

"An individual gospel without a social gospel is a soul without a body and a social gospel without an individual gospel is a body without a soul. One is a ghost and the other a corpse."

—E. Stanley Jones, The Unshakable Kingdom and the Unchanging Person, 40.

Seen on an outdoor church sign ...

"Give to God what is right, not what is left."

Suit and a Tie or Jeans and a Tee

I got a lot of comments on the suit I wore yesterday, with questions about what this signified and whether or not it was a permanent change. I thought it might be a good idea to repost part of a Parish Visitor article that I wrote in November of 2005:

"We have a new poster beside the main entrance [now in the front entrance to the sanctuary]. Above a pair of sandals, it reads: 'It’s OK to dress casual for church, Jesus did.' And below, 'Being comfortable with Jesus Christ, starts with being comfortable. Join us this Sunday, whatever you’re wearing.' I was afraid that this might not be completely clear, so I composed a little ditty of my own: 'Suit and tie or jeans and a tee, God welcomes you and so do we.' That’s really what we’re aiming for: all kinds of people, dressed in all kinds of ways, coming to worship God. What we wear is not of ultimate importance. If being comfortable means dressing up for one person, and dressing down for another, so be it. The important thing is that the body of Christ gathers for worship."

I wear polo and khaki's most Sundays to try and make those who do not dress up, or do not have a suit and tie (or the female equivalent) feel comfortable (anecdotal evidence suggests that it's working). I sometimes wear a suit and tie to let those who choose to dress up know that I understand where they are coming from as well. Some dress casually because "the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart (NRSV)." Others suit up to honor God with their best. All are welcome and I want what I wear to reinforce that point.

Correction

If you are on the Church Council and got a notice of a meeting to be held at 8:00 pm on Monday, June 11, please know that the date was wrong. It should be the 18th. It was my fault because I put it on the calendar wrong.

Time Stamp

You may have noticed the timestamp that is present at the bottom of each post on this blog,put their automatically by the blogger program. I noticed today that the time was off by one hour, probably due to Daylight Savings Time. I played around with the settings and I think I have the problem corrected. I don't know that this matters, but I thought I would mention it.

Wesley, Medical Science and Prayer

Hal Knight shares the following interesting tidbit in a discussion about about Methodism's founder and his thoughts on physical health.

"He [John Wesley] was the first person to put into popular print this advice for assisting someone seemingly suffocated: 'Blow strongly with bellows down his throat. This may recover a person seemingly drowned. It is still better if a strong man blows into his mouth.'"
"Wesley's appreciation of traditional remedies and medical science in no way dampened his belief in prayer. 'God has more than one method of healing either the soul or the body,' he insisted and recorded numerous instances of healing that occurred in response to prayer alone. Wesley did not pit medicine and prayer against each other but saw both as means God uses to heal." (Emphasis Mine.)

—Eight Life-Enriching Practices of United Methodists, 74.

I believe this should be our approach today.

Summer Worship Services

Today, I was again asked if we were going to one worship service for the summer. I've been asked this question several times, so I thought I would give my standard answer here on the blog: I have no plans for going to one service during the summer. If the church decides to go to one service I will support and facilitate that decision, however I will not initiate it.

Coffee Restocked

If we've been out of your favorite kind of Equal Exchange Coffee (part of the UMCOR Coffee Project) in the church office recently, fear not. We just received a big order and the shelves are again full.