Can you build a community through Facebook?

I have been really ambivalent about the use of the internet in connecting with people. But I just read a story that is pushing me right to the convinced it's a good place to build a ministry. So here's this story that has pushed me over the edge.

Read the story and learn about how this guy used Facebook to raise people and money for a toy give away for 500 children. Furthermore, he is on countdown to the opening of his church. I'm so intrigued by his story the Nathanial* in me is just bubbling up. I just want to go see.

I don't think that the internet can or will replace people getting together in one spot to worship, praise the Lord, and do the work Jesus has called us to do: those things like feeding, clothing, sheltering, visiting the sick, and in prison. (All those "separate the goats from the sheep"** things that Matthew said that Jesus wanted us to be about doing as the body of Christ.) But it does serve as valuable way to remove layers from our identity, and a means to check in on each other.

Just because something has never been done before doesn't make it automatically wrong.

But then, I guess, if you are reading this you probably don't need too much convincing.

Blessings for the New Year

Barbara

*John 1:43-51
**Matthew 25:31-46 These are good stories in the New Testament, go and read it.

On the third day of Christmas*...

Yup, it's the 3rd day of Christmas. Three french hens anyone?

In the Ancient tradition of the church,(those still practiced in the Orthodox, Anglican and Roman Catholic traditions)the Christmas season is the twelve days following Christmas daywhich includes several important feast days. Today is the Feast of St. John.

Yesterday was the Feast of St. Stephen, the first recorded martyr of the Church. I suppose it seems odd, that we can feast as a way to commemorate a martyred saint. But then, we also remember all the saints are present in our celebration of the Eucharist. Methodist's prefer to call it The Lord's Table. But the geek in me likes the Greek word Eucharist, which means thanksgiving. I like the term Holy Communion too. It says a lot more to me about what takes place in the ritual. All the Saints, those members faithfully present in worship and those in heaven, united in the Spirit of Christ, coming together, "communing" to grow in the grace of Jesus Christ.

John Wesley was a big fan of "communing" as a means of grace. It is also a mark of United Methodism that we practice an Open Communion. I'm particularly proud of that tradition. In it we acknowledge that only the Lord and the individual receiving the elements really know what is on the person's heart and in their past. No matter where you come from, who baptized you or what other's may think of you. You are welcome to receive the Bread and dip into the Cup. And most importantly, it acknowledges that the Host of the Table, the one on whose behalf the invitation is extended is Christ the Lord.

American Methodism also made it's own history by using unfermented grape juice (and special Thanks to the Welch's Family for a pasteurization process too) when the Women's Christian Temperance Movement raised the hackles of many a distiller. Other traditions have suggested that recovering alcoholics just bypass the cup to prevent a step on the slippery slope. I find that smacks of elitism- or arrogance- or just plan inconsiderateness. Being a United Methodist means we work at finding ways to be inclusive and considerate of the diversity of circumstances of others in our faith community.

Part of my preparation for any Sunday Communion is baking the bread. As the pastor, I could ask someone else to bake the bread. Others have in the past. But, in the past year I began baking the bread. At first it was just to help the person who did it monthly when we inceased the frequency of communion. Now, I just find it a to be a spiritual practice of sorts. I don't think it falls under the list of regularly recommended practices. But for me it has become a time of prayerful meditation. I pray for the members of the church. I also use the kneeding as a time of personal confession. I like the time of preparation...most of the time. Every once in a while it feels like a burden, an obligation of more work that I would like a shortcut through. Come to think of it, that sounds like some objections I hear about coming to worship. When pressed for time, I will break down and purchase a loaf at the bakery. I'm usually not satisfied with taking the shortcut. The time at the breadboard is much for fulfilling. I feel more at peace with Christ, more in touch with the Spirit, more connected to the Holy place in myself.

So, tomorrow morning will be the fourth day of Christmas. It's been snowing# all day. All those "white Christmas" dreams are coming true. That's life in the snowglobe. We remember the most wonderful gift we recieved this year, was unveiled in Bethlehem long time ago and still comes to us each day.

blessings of peace and contentment fall heavily upon you,

Pastor Barbara

*For us liturigally minded church calendar followers Christmas has only just begun. (apologies to Paul Williams, Karen & Richard Carpenter.)
#Snow Diary 5 inches cleared this afternoon; and it's still falling.

Merry Christmas!

Hurray! It's the Christmas season finally!

We slept in this morning. After four winters it still feels odd to be able to sleep past 7AM and still be able to see a sunrise. But this morning, once the sun rose above the horizon all we've been able to see is snow falling. Tim reports the snow is falling at a rate of an inch an hour. We've been keeping a bit of a snow diary this year. It's not always easy to measure accurately. When the Wind comes up everything is in flux. Twice so far this year, we've had our lawn windswept clean of nothing more than a thin layer. But the precipitation has been steady this month.

Later today we will spend our white Christmas in the home of parishioners. But at the present I am waiting the last minutes of cooking of a ham that will be delivered for the inmates dinner our County Jail.

Oh, the timer just went off... must go.
... Back again-

Tim has been on call for EMS today. Thankfully it has been a quiet day. Most people have stayed safe on the roads, and without incident.

The snow has continued to fall all afternoon. By 3:30 we measured 8 inches of new snow, not that we waste time counting such things.

We are blessed to be living in this place, and serving this community. Dinner in the home of members of the Church brings to mind the early church, in that Acts tells us that the believers gathered often sharing all things in common, and "none went without." This Christmas, while we miss being with our own family we have been graciously received and welcomed at the table of a branch of the Atchley clan. We are blessed to have the opportunity to serve and learn about the treasures of living in this region of the Northwest.

We give thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ for his example of humble servitude and pray that we will be found worthy of the trust placed in us.

So today we join the angel chorus singing and saying "Gloria in Excelsis Deo!"
Glory to God in the Highest!

Today and last night in our Candlelight Christmas Eve service we have been able to recall just what a wonderful gift we have received. For we know the story of our God, who loving humanity so much, deigned to empty himself of divinity, to submit to human suffering to proclaim the release from bondage and opportunity for new life lived in the spirit. May you too open this gift. You will find the gift will never pinch your waist, it will always offer new insights, and bring peace of mind if you only heed the same message the angels first gave to Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds "Fear not."

Stay warm tonight. It's a great night to read. I'll be finishing THE SHACK

Merry Christmas! Emmanuel - God is with Us! That alone is cause for rejoicing!

The Holiday Cometh- An Invitation

The holiday songs playing are beautiful, cheerful, silly and amusing. By now we’ve all heard about poor old grandma getting run over by the reindeer, the kid who wants a hippopotamus for Christmas; and ALVIN! There are probably 100 renditions of Santa Claus is coming to town, one of which I really like and still don’t know who it is. I’ve tried to restrain my angst but I’m tired of the commercialization of a really special religious season. So much so I’m just borderline green- Grinch green. My failsafe against the barrage of Jesus-less songs while journeying the hour into Idaho Falls, is to slip in a personal favorite, the one true holiday album, Bing Crosby’s White Christmas. This takes me back to my childhood. *

One particular Christmas season was made special while I lived with my aunt in Los Angeles. We had television, but it was black and white. That year Rudolph the Red Nosed reindeer was being broadcast in color. I can’t honestly tell you if it was the first year ever, because I was only in the third grade. I just remember the trek my aunt planned using the city bus, to one of the shopping areas where a Television Store had turned all the sets to the station and ran them night and day to garner sales. We took a seat out front, and spent the next thirty minutes to watch the show. I was entranced. In those years, I hadn’t really fully educated into the hidden significance of the meaning of Christmas. But I do recall that the Carols of Christmas were much more prominent over the airwaves of radio and television, even if I didn’t understand that the angels’ who sang weren’t actually named Harold.

By the seventh grade my mother had started attending the Episcopal Church. I sang in the youth choir and went to a junior high youth group each Sunday evening. In that year, I was finally learning about the real story of Christmas through the church. Advent as a season of preparation was introduced to us by the priest.

In all my years as a child I know I never went without some gifts under the tree. The tree rarely came into the house before December 15th. That was probably as a matter of financial constraints for my parents. My step-father was a disabled veteran of world war II able to work an unusual profession as a clown which meant money was often tight, although I never was really aware of that fact either until many years later. Our Christmas gifts often included generous benefactors who signed the cards “Santa.”

I love getting the letters from friends and family that tell of the year’s highlights. When Tim and I first married I sent out cards to lots of family and some friends. Then we moved to Denver and had to expand to a letter every year to more distant friends and family. There was the annual Christmas picture of our son, then both boys together in 1982, 83, 84. The list has grown over the years but my time hasn’t expanded to keep up with it. I’m absolutely not able to get a letter out before Christmas Eve. Fortunately the Church Calendar calls for 12 days that FOLLOW Christmas Day as the season of Christmas. So now my goal is to have a letter that arrives before Epiphany, which is January 6th.

So it’s 26 hours, 30 minutes before the Christmas Eve service which will be held at 7:30 PM. I’m mulling the message and thinking about Max Lucado’s Cosmic Christmas and letting my mind wander to other places. I’m missing my family California and now being distracted by text messages from our son who’s serving in Iraq. Technology has certainly shrunken the time for feedback, even if it hasn’t been able to eliminate the distance.

There’s no Christmas tree in the parsonage, because Tim and I chose to dispense with the ritual since there aren’t children to gather around our tree. Instead, the tree in the Sanctuary is our focal point. Thankfully the lights are now working on the tree. The candles will be ready for our guests, complete with the handy plastic holder to protect our worshippers from the dripping wax. If you are wondering where you can go to hear the reading of the nativity with carols sung by the congregation, Join us at the United Methodist Church as we commemorate the incarnation of Christ, the light of the world. To quote a hymn, “Come and worship, Come and worship, worship Christ, the newborn king”**

There are so many blessings for us this year. While the world is definitely in a state of uncertainty, we have one sure thing to rely on. Jesus Christ, the incarnation of God, the Word that became flesh, offers us a rock solid relationship to hold us through thick and thin. I pray that you too will be able to claim this as the most prized gift you unwrap for Christmas 2008.

*Especially “Adeste Fideles”
** “Angels from the Realms of Glory” (James Montgomer, 1816)

Mindfulness

I’m a person of routine. It forms my life with ritual and meaning. I walk as many mornings each week that I can to keep my heart healthy. I eat oatmeal with 1 T ground flaxseed, two spoons of brown sugar, ¼ c Silk and ¼ c Milk added. Each morning making my oatmeal is a task in mindfulness.

But this morning my mind was located other places, in prayer for friends in ministry who are really struggling this week instead of mindfully paying attention to a little detail, the timer on the microwave. The routine requires the correct bowl, the exact measurements and the correct time and power level. 4 minutes 30 seconds at 40%. But today I mindlessly set the bowl (discovered to be the best after several unsuccessful trials) into the microwave, set the time and pushed start.

The unintended results are wasted oatmeal, a dirty microwave and a meditation on the need for mindfulness in daily activity.

Mindfulness requires attention to self and surroundings. It is applied as a deep meditation practice in Zen Buddhism and therapeutic settings. I’ve not practiced mindfulness in that capacity, only in the rituality of daily life.

Being Mindful in social settings is a must in a small town. Too often words can come out of our mouths that are heard as an attack against another person either present in the room or not. Even a blog, well especially a blog entry, can cause unintended consequences. So I weigh my thoughts and ask, who will read this and what will they think about it.

So, just to set it on the record, blogs should be read mindfully also. Civil disagreement is always welcome. Petty attacks are not appropriate. Your comments are always welcomed. Just know that this blogger intends only to uplift others and expose my own self in the interest of spiritual growth for those who wander onto this blog.

Shalom,

Pastor Barbara

It's Really White

Winter will officially begin on December 21st but the early signs of a White Christmas are already present and collecting.

Life in this region is beginning to feel like one is living in a snow globe now. Friends who use facebook keep throwing snowballs my way and I refuse to participate. I am a pacifist! Well really I just have plenty enough snow around and know that I probably will have it for much longer than anyone else in my conference to get any fun out of virtual snowball wars.


On the plus side, I've already had both sets of skis tuned for a month now. So I'm looking forward to fitting in afternoon shushing cross country as often as the sun peaks through and the pastoral calls can be shifted around. It was a disappointment that we didn't get to use the downhill skis with our grandchildren while we were in Southern California but still, all in all, life is good.

Now my colleague in ministry out in La Grande Oregon is boasting about living in "the Sticks" because, like me, he comes from the urban southwest; for him Dallas, Texas to be exact. He thinks it's cool that he can gab with his friends about which rancher has the best meat direct (1/4 or 1/2 cow splits). What he can't boast about is being the church whose Men's club holds the yearly Community Groundhog Supper which has it's own special blend of sausage prepared locally.

True, he can boast about the culture of Eastern Oregon State music Department, but can he boast about the High School Musical Dinner Theatre Fundraiser which uses the entire senior class and uses a community orchestra composed of the local Pharmacist, former students, retired and active teachers, School Board Trustees and high school musicians?

He also boasts about his proximity to great natural lands- the way God intended them. But we know that Fremont County, Idaho is the richest wilderness region in the state of Idaho with Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton NP, Henry's Fork,Snake River, Island Park, Caribou Targhee National Forest.

Ashton also has one Fine Flea Market, with new items everyday. The only thrifty priced previously owned goods shop in town is cooperatively operated. Each week a different charitable organization will take a turn at operating the shop with all net proceeds supporting their cause.




Thinking about winter and cooperation reminds me that Ashton has it's famous annual Dog Derby held every February. A community event where all hands come out to help pull off a two day dogsled race event in subzero weather that brings mushers from all across the nation to compete.

Ashton has changed over the years.It used to have three grocery stores. Now it has one. It had two theatres. Now it has none. Ashton had a newspaper of it's own once but now the main gathering of local news comes when the neighbors gather for coffee in the farmers section at the Trails Inn. We have a Newsletter put out by the Chamber of Commerce twice monthly and the Island Park news (certified politically incorrect) provides some of the finest community and wildlife reporting a person could hope for. And of course, there is always the announcements from local church pulpits to gather the prayer concerns and expose ministry opportunities.Yep, belonging to a church helps a body stay connected and in the know in a small town. Ashton has several to choose from. I just happen to serve the more liberal of the options available.


In this county people live in homes that are mostly known by who lived there when it was built, no matter that they've gone on to their eternal reward. And we don't have any red lights on main street to stop your scenic ten block run through the city limits. If you built your home recently, your land will be known by the homesteader or farmer that sold the property for it to be built. The people are proud of their heritage as pioneers, homesteaders, farmers, and immigrants to America.

The people are friendly and welcoming, eager for new people to join in the community projects. In this town, if a neighbor has a crisis, people respond generously. Knowing that bad things happen to good people is the foundation for our working together to bring about change in difficult times. In Ashton the community has a great bunch of people who have always done alot but it is also a community that is working together to empower new leaders to create a thriving community.

Early Christmas

After all the frustrations I related about the internet in the office I have to give a follow-up report.

It seems that the best way to upgrade your internet service in Ashton is to wait until the modem just fizzles out. After techno talk that drove me up the wall, me being directed to check every conceivable cord, outlet and configuration of the telephone system they "referred me up." 24 hours later a nice guy on the other end, Lee, said we would need to replace the modum. "Easy to do and the fastest way" was to have me come down to St. Anthony to pick one up and install it myself. But I don't like denying those who are specialists in their field the opportunity to show off how capable they are. And I didn't want to add a drive to St. Anthony to my schedule either. I agreed to wait until it could be scheduled as a discipline in patience.

"by the way," I asked "can i get a wireless modum?" "Oh sure."

could this be an opening for more new technology for worship?

Happy Advent-uring to you!

Oh blogger me

A couple of weeks ago my internet service in the office went south on me. It took me several days of patiently, well not too patiently, waiting. On the first day, turning off all things and reconnecting them several times didn’t work. Checking all the connections reaped no reward. So I just went to plan B. I went home to use my own connection to complete the important correspondence of the day. And I did this repeatedly for several days until the problem resolved itself. Later, talking to an older member of the church about this frustration, more in passing than serious lament, she commented that I was spoiled by the internet.

“O contraire!” was my reply. She just didn’t understand that the internet is now our primary means of communication on so many levels. Internet has become the primary means of delivery and connection in the Oregon Idaho Conference. United Methodist organizations at all levels communicate to pastors, and laity with increasing reliance upon the Internet as the medium.

Within the same week a short article came across my desk, (yes, it actually was printed on paper and mailed) which raised the issue of the church and Digital Natives.
I am not a digital native. I’m far too old. My first introduction to computers was after I began working in the banking industry somewhere around 1975 or ‘76. ATM’s were just coming out at that time. Banks sorted and cleared checks using row upon row of computers and keystroke operators. A whole fleet of people and machines worked to sort out the daily work of every branch office in San Diego County for San Diego Trust and Savings Bank. The building was kept at a very cool temperature of about 66.7 degrees in order to keep the machines from overheating.

About a year after that I took my first class in computer programming. If you are a digital native this probably means very little to you unless you are also a digital geek. Those of us who took any programming classes in the 70’s had to use punch cards to write our programs, one card for each line of a program. I wrote the simplest program, prayed not to drop the stack of 70 lines of command in a some foreign language cobal or fortran I think, and shouted for joy when I completed the class with less than an A but better than a d plus.

Since those early days of learning to embrace the technology of computers I’ve taken other classes, and determined that minimally I’m just a user. GUI -Graphic User Interface- made it so much easier than those early days. And now, like 10,400 others who list themselves as pastors in their profile, I’ve taken to using a blog as a means of reflecting – hopefully also inspiring, those who may never once step their foot within the door of any church that I preach in.

My husband kicked and complained about the use of the internet for business purposes until about 6 years ago. Now within just the last 24 hours he too is seeing the value of the blog for connecting. For him and the rest of our family we are setting up a private space, thanks again to blogspot, a place where we can connect with our family which resides in Iraq, California, Missouri, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Oregon, and who knows where else.

My son and daughter in law were sharing about their experience selecting a church for their family. Their search started with the internet. She studied the mission statements and vision statements of every church around their community. Not being present on the internet with a complete website automatically eliminated a lot of prospective congregations.

Now I know that what I blog is supposed to be "fresh" and "in the moment". So let me confess, I started writing this about two weeks ago. I saved it, and put it aside. But again today, my internet in the office "NO tabaja!" Once again I've had to pack it up and head to the parsonage, and that just to check email and download documents that my denomination dutifully requires me to file annually. And that, my friends led me to pulling out this piece of bloggerity.

Back to the younger set looking for church on the web. Out here, on the edge of the timber, I wonder who is searching for a connection with the Divine, Methodist version or otherwise, through the World Wide Web? And after they've found it, what do they think of us once the walk through the doors to discover that they quite likely, on that particular week are the youngest in the room?

Will they want to worship when I'm also reduced to using DIGITALLY recorded music for our worship through the winter because our accompanist has gone south for the winter?

So tell me, if you're out there, what are you looking for from a church? What will keep you coming back, well, at least once or twice every quarter? How can the church be the church for you?

Thanksgiving Day

"Give Thanks to the Lord for He is good,
His love endures forever"

In these troubling times still there is so much to be thankful for.
Harvest is in.

The snow is now beginning to fall in earnest. What is one your list of things?

The season of Advent will begin on Sunday November 30th.

Recent news reports remind us the world we live in is still imperfect, needing the Spirit of God to move with might and majesty to transform hardened hearts which draws us into a state of watchful anticipation of the return of Jesus Christ.

Pray for the city of Mumbai and all of the country of India.
Pray for the victims and survivors of violence in Mumbai and around the world.

Give thanks to the Lord for men and women who respond to the role of service and protection for each community in law enforcement.

May the Lord bless you as you gather to mark the season, whether that be with friends, or family.

Glorify the Lord with Thanksgiving and praise- Praise to the highest Heavens the Living God.

The Coin of the Realm

Here's a thought,

if Jesus never paid taxes except with those coins recovered in fish,
what kind of coins are used in the Kingdom of Heaven?

Matthew 25: 14-33

If Jesus turns the worldview upside down, the big debt reducing currency has to be something only God would want to be passing around profusely.



"Go then and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20


Maybe Matthew should have stopped using parables for the judgment discourse and just said "for in as much as you have shared the message of God's forgiveness, and forgiven as I have forgiven you... now you get to enter into my joy too."

Joy filled God, how we would love to enter into your joy. But too many of us have become weighed down with images of you as harsh, judging and critical. Fear overpowers the prospect of being close to you. Hear our prayers to be released from the fears of Judgment. Empower us to claim with confidence a place inside the circle of your loving arms. As we continue to open and embrace new people into the circle of your love may we never fear that you will loose track of us or forget us just because others have been drawn into the circle. Fix in us a vision of your overflowing wellspring of joy, peace and forgiveness so that we too can share that vision with others. Amen.

Ashton Community Food Pantry

The Pantry was open for only fours hours this month but in that four hour period, the volunteers helped 22 households.

We didn't know how many people might be in need when we began talking about the project but we were sure that there were families who didn't know about the resources available right in our own community to help them in times of need.

As we worked to roll out the NEW location of the food pantry we found that many people were unaware that the Boy Scouts Scouting for food stayed in Fremont county.

Thanks goes out to so many anonymous donors. Thanks to Klara Bainbridge for having the inspiration to work to help neighbors in need. Special thanks goes to Ashton Christian Fellowship. For many years they have run the pantry through their church. The decision to offer up the food and participate in seeing the resource relocated is demonstration of our connection as the Body of Christ working to glorify God not self.

If you want to help by contributing food supplies to the food pantry you can leave food donations at the United Methodist Church in Ashton.

There are some food items we are already in need of: In particular we could use dried "protein staples" which will provide many nutritious meals.

These shelves will need more rice, beans and legumes.

One, two or five pound packages of any rice will be greatly appreciated.



The Community Food Pantry will open two Saturdays in December on the 13th and 20th, from 10am to 12pm. SHARE Network will meet on Tuesday Nov 18 at 6PM
Contact Klara Bainbridge at 681-6527 for ideas, questions or emergency

First Thoughts on Baptism

It's been in the news in the past week that the LDS Church has been getting a lot of heat over their practices of Proxy Baptism of Jews who died in the Holocaust. Any time such a topic hits the mainstream media it creates conversation. As a pastor, this is right up my conversation alley. I've decided two raise this topic by offering two posts.

This post is a "reprint" of a Church newsletter article first published in July of 2006, for the Ashton Community United Methodist Church.

As the pastor for this congregation, I receive many calls requesting any number of pastoral services. The most recent, intriguing request was a call from someone wanting to know if the pastor could perform a baptism on a specific day. The name was new to me, not a member or constituent of this congregation. He was in Island Park. My husband took a message and assured I would return the call when I returned. I was curious. This is in fact, exactly the kind of question that every candidate for ordination is asked to address. Would I perform a “private baptism.” The caller was requesting a date weeks in the future, so this did not appear to be a situation of someone lying on their deathbed, ready, at long last to yes to Jesus as their Lord, make peace with God and enter heavens’ gate.
I returned the call, ready to ask many questions but ended up playing round two of phone tag. And so, I was left to continue my own reflect on the meaning and importance of Baptism.
What does your baptism signify to you? What does the baptism of a child mean to the family that surrounds the precious infant? For many decades, in early American History, the number of Roman Catholic priests was so limited, and the concern for the eternal life of the infant without baptism so grave, that mothers and midwives were authorized to perform the infant baptism. The baptism would be reported to the parish priest, and entered on the baptismal role. God’s work accomplished by the hands of caring women.
“Remember your Baptism.” These three words, so short but so full of richness, was the instruction of Martin Luther to a parishoner who questioned how he could be assured of his salvation. Luther was absolutely convinced salvation was entirely God’s work. The life in Christ, begun at baptism, provided the assurance of salvation, trusted in God’s grace and justification received through Christ’s death on the cross.
Back to my caller. We finally connected this week. I still had a long conversation that I wanted to enter into with the gentleman. But, to be fair to him, I had to answer the primary concern on his part: was I available on the date requested which was, no. His date fell in the middle of my time away. I heard his request as a middle ground in a relationship of mixed theological backgrounds. His wife, a Roman Catholic, himself best classified as Episcopal. His request was for a “non-denominational” baptism of their infant. Would I be able to perform such a service? While I wanted very much to sit at length in conversation with the parents, I felt that his own need was more to be likened to a business transaction, he had, after all, said he would explore other options. Rather than satisfy my own need as a minister to explain the theological understanding of baptism, I simply let him know that I was unavailable. I still feel I’ve missed the boat, a great opportunity to educate and enlighten just slipped through my fingers.
And still the questions linger for reflection and now I ask you, how do we, as Methodists, view baptism? It’s been months, almost a whole year, since this congregation has witnessed a baptism. What happened on that morning when that new member came forward to kneel at the rail? One came forward and professed her own belief in Jesus and pledged loyalty to him as her Lord and Savior, and loyalty to the work of the United Methodist Church. Surrounding her were the members who shared in the liturgy. Those present promised to do all in their power to increase her faith, confirm her hope and perfect her in love. They renewed their own vow to uphold the entire congregation by prayer, presence, gifts and service.
But for an infant, the vow is more profoundly rooted in our understanding of God’s grace. As the congregation we together affirm to each other and to the parents a shared responsibility to teach the child about our faith that in the end the child will join fully in the life and ministry of the Body of Christ as a faithful disciple. My favorite picture of this Church is a picture of our youngest children gathered for the children’s moment. It happens to be the Sunday, I told the children a secret. The secret is “Jesus Loves You.” The great mystery of baptism is that the congregation affirms together, that Jesus loves Us. Because of that great Love, we join together as disciples to lead others into the life of Christ. Our worship, God willing, aims to celebrate our oneness in Christ which began when we were first grafted into the body at our baptism, and recalls our dependence upon God’s grace in all we do.


Top photo - The Baptismal Font at Cantebury Cathedral,England.
Bottom photo- The baptismal font at St. Andrews Church of England, Epworth,England; Baptismal location for Charles and John Wesley.

Hungry for information...Hungry are fed..

Amazing things happen if you are patient.

This evening I was out at a class that has been long talked about as a strategy to help people live through these tough economic times. Thanks to a Caroline Neubauer for her willingness to make the contacts with the University of Idaho's Extension Educator in Jefferson County we had 14 women come out to part 1 of two lessons on meal planning and budgeting.

I realize, you may be thinking big deal... Well, it is a big deal. We're a tiny town, barely 1200 in all. Publicity is always a challenge- word of mouth is a big factor in getting the word out. And doing the leg work before hand seems like a cinch- until you work all the angles correctly.

Anyway, we've talked alot about the ideas of how to help people help themselves over the last three or more years. This was a success of idea to completion.

On top of that Ashton rolled out it's new and improved more centrally located Food Pantry this month. Last Saturday was the "grand opening" first day. The pantry is now situated upstairs (room 2) at the Community Center.

Just about two weeks before Ashton's scout and cub troups filled the pantry selves to the capacity with the Scouting For Food.

The Pantry is open 10-12 on the 2nd and 3rd Saturday of each month for the present. The first day we served seven households.

And then they said to him "when did we see you hungry and feed you?" ...The King will reply, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:37,40

Fall is almost over..

It's been a wonderful fall. A final trip to Yellowstone just before the Park closed for snow accumulation was filled with great wildlife sitings. Of course the hunter in Tim was frustrated. Why are the elk always abundant in yellowstone and not in Area 62 when he has a permit in hand? Well, this doe got away scot free but Tim couldn't resist the urge to get as close as possible.

You should have seen Tim when we spotted the grizzly..... don't worry, it was behind bars.

With winter soon coming, evidenced by snow showers for the last two nights, we've taken in our ski's for tune ups and adjustments. We're looking forward to a trip to California over Thanksgiving week and a first ever trip to the slopes with both of the grandchildren. Among our blessings that we are giving thanks for, this year we will celebrate our 33rd anniversay on Thanksgiving day.

Election night plus 7

Back in February I slipped out one night to attend the Democratic Caucaus for Fremont County.

In this deeply conservative region I knew that I was attending a minority party event. On that night I figured there would be about ten or twelve, maybe the "Big Wig" Democratic Party leadership for the county. In short, I expected very few people but this was were I felt I had to be. In fact I saw a few familiar faces from around the county and was very surprised to see so many young faces turn out for the event.

I was delighted to hear the charged enthusiasm for the candidates. Even though I've always liked Hillary, and still believe her to be a dynamic force, something about the idea of voting for the up and coming Senator from Illinois, now our President Elect felt absolutely correct.

And at the end of the night, I traveled back home up that snowy road to Ashton, turned into my driveway and pulled the car into the garage at the parsonage. No signs in my yard, no bumper stickers, and no buttons to declare my choice of candidate. Everything very hush hush so as to avoid offending anyone in the congregation. Ah, the life of pastor. How different from the years when I worked as a volunteer in campaign headquarters.

Other than sending one small contribution to the campaign I've said very little out loud. I played it neutral because I felt it the best way to serve the congregation and community. No need to create any reason discontent.

Ten days before the election I stepped into the County Clerk's office at Fremont county and requested an absentee ballot. My mind was already set on who I would vote for. there was no need to hang around until the last minute. It was time to "get 'er done."

It's been a week since I sat at this very screen and watched the results coming in. My eyes streamed with tears as I read the results. I remembered the hatred of some past generations in my own lineage toward anyone of color and began to feel real pride in the change in America.
Can America ever elect a black man? Yes we can!

We can make history once again in America.

In 2002 our present administration kept calling for "regime change."

For the first time in years, I can once again say, I'm truly proud to be an American.

Regime change is in progress at this very moment the way it should come about.

I pray for peace in the Islamic dominant nations of the world, just as I pray for peace in America.

I pray for renewed relations abroad that will reestablish respect for our differences in faiths and traditions. I pray for the leaders of all nations as well as our president elect as he works to form his new administration.

Tonight a few concerned citizens are meeting in the community center of Ashton discussing poverty in our community in a Idaho Horizons Study Circle. That meeting followed another meeting of an even smaller number of people who have been responding to concerns for the welfare of our neighbors in the community, The SHARE Network, bringing out to main street a Community Food Pantry. The connections of needs and possbile solutions are generating lots of ideas. The cross-polination of possiblity thinking is crystalizing into some great enthusiastic activism.

So, while the nation's economy looks dismal, it is encouraging to see people working together for the betterment of our community. The Northwest Area Foundation Horizons III Grant is presenting us with an awesome opportunity for community development.

Deuteronomy 15:1-11 suggests that two things are always going to exist.
First, there will always be people in need. Second, God expects us to be concerned about those neighbors; not taking advantage of them in their dire situation. Lord, grant the participants of these discussions with wisdom, and enthusiasm. Help us as we explore the edges of our differences, to be respectful. May we each grow in our understanding of the diversity of causes of poverty and may we approach these issues with great compassion and tenderness.

Reflection and Prayer for Lectionary Week 1 Sunday of Lent February 10

Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,

Lent is a season of reflection, renewal and growth immediately preceeding the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus, the Christ.

For years I have maintained a personal journal for spiritual reflection.

This year, I am adding to my practices an open invitation to sharing the Christian journey with any that desire a conversation or prayer partner. The basis of this Blog will come from the previous Sunday's preparation for preaching to my congregation. It will not be my sermon notes. It will include a weekly prayer, the same prayer which accompanies a prayer list for members and friends of the Ashton Community United Methodist Church.
I also invite you to consider checking out the Scriptures from the lectionary which may be found by visiting www.textweek.com.


This past Sunday the part of Christ's Body which uses the liturgical calendar and Revised Common Lectionary read from Matthew 4:1-11, the scene of Jesus' time in the Desert following his baptism and God's revelation of his beloved nature. The temptation of Christ serves as a paradigm of warning to all who seek after God's will in their life. I believe it is a tenet of Christian life, that shortly after committing oneself to the cause of God's kingdom on earth, temptation will quickly follow. If it were not so I don't believe Jesus would have included in his own teaching about prayer to his disciples any mention of temptation. Each of the gospels testify to his inclusion of the concern for protection against being led into temptation.

The season of Lent is a time of preparation and renewal. Historically the church used the season as a time of restoration and reconciliation for those who had become seperated from the Church.

Lent was, and is, also a time of preparation of candidates for baptism and confirmation, the signs of entry into the church. Preparation for the profession of faith was a serious proposition. In the preparation, the candidate pledged their allegiance to Jesus as their Lord, and renounced the Satan, and the forces of evil and wickedness in the world.

I believe that with the renunciation of Satan came the trigger for temptation. Satan is the consummate rejected lover. Satan vies for our attention, offering power. Jesus offers the revelation of the image and love of God. Satan would have us believe that what Jesus taught was illusion. Satan would like us to believe that this world is all that exists. Satan would have us live in the same self-imposed bitter isolation from the love of God that Satan has chosen.

In our post modern post enlightenment world, many are uncomfortable with the idea of believing in Satan as a spiritual entity. While large percentages of Americans polled will attest to believing in God, far fewer of the same number will actually concede a belief in Satan. They are monistic theists.

I am a dualistic monotheist. I believe in the yin and yan - light and dark - evil and good. I believe that each of us wrestles with this duality within ourselves. I venture to guess that the greatest percentage of the battle is a battle which we fight within ourselves. Once we claim the spiritual disciplines of prayer, study of scripture, attending to the means of grace through worship and communion we grow in perfection of love (agape). But, as a dualist, I also believe that we need to name the enemy of Christ, not as the present leader of our nation names people, but as the spiritual force that is far stronger than any one individual. Once named, prayer focused on the enemy of God's kingdom can be effective.

So the questions for you this week:
What are the sources of temptation in your life?
How are you protecting yourself against temptation?
Where do you see God at work in your life, providing protection?

Creating and Reconciling God, we find ourselves tempted in so many ways. The first and most important thing you would have us do is to have a realistic and true understanding of ourselves. You would have us acknowledge our unique gifts and use them to the good of your kingdom. But the first temptation is to loose the proper perspective. We are prone to thinking either to highly or too lowly of our abilities. We let pride trip us up in relationships with others. Worse yet, thinking of ourselves as unworthy or undeserving, we fail to accept your love and healing spiritual presence in our lives.
In this season of lent, preparing for spring and the celebration of Jesus’ victory over sin and death, restore us to the image of your first creating, as good and loved children. Amen

Closing thoughts...
God loves each and every one of us. The Love of God revealed in Jesus is a love that desires healing of broken spirits, empty and broken hearts. May you experience the grace that heals and restores each of us to the image and likeness of our loving God.