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.