Two Projects to Begin Soon!

This afternoon I will be dropping off the deposits so that two projects can get started:

1. Parsonage Basement Carpeting - Two summer ago, we had torrential rain that flooded much of the Fox Valley. The carpeting in the parsonage basement was ruined, but was not replaced. With the approval of the Church Council, we will be having a commercial carpet placed in the basement. It does not have any padding, so it should be easier to dry out in case of a flood. It will be nice to have carpet down there. We can begin to unpack our basement items and begin to place furniture in there. With such a large a basement, we have a few purposes selected for the basement :).
2. Lighting of Bell Tower Cross - The cross on the bell tower that faces the corner of Main and Filby will be back lit. We will have amber LED lighting added. We had a memorial donation set aside specifically for this project and we are excited to get it started.

Tabor Church Softball Update

With last night's victory over Hope Lutheran Church, 13-1, the Tabor softball team is now 6-0 with three games left. I continue to be impressed with the sportsmanship of all teams in the league. It is great to see everyone who wants to play gets the chance. Everyone is contributing and working together well as a team.

The team also attracts quite the crowd of church members, so it is a great ministry opportunity. It's nice to meet people outside of the church. It lets them know that I have a life outside of the church, and it provides a more relaxed place to talk.

I am saddened that I will miss the last two games of the season. I should, however, be back in time for the playoffs. ;)

Putting that Undergraduate Degree to Work...

We got a bit of a late start on Sunday morning, so I got to church with less time to mill about than usual. I did not plan ahead as well as I would have liked for worship, so I was pulling together some materials for the children's sermon. I also wanted to go over a few things with the organist regarding the music that was a part of the service that morning.

While the time might vary a little bit, usually the organist would have arrived by 5-10 minutes before the service. It was now 8:45 and there was no organist. I was informed by a member of the congregation that our organist would not be available for the service. Hmm...time to put the music education degree to work.

In addition to pastoral duties for the worship service, I also got to be the organist. I managed to muddle my way through three hymns and the Doxology. There were a few musical components that I eliminated. We also changed the last hymn...I was not playing anything with five flats ;).

In the end, it was actually quite fun. When you don't expect to do something, all you can do is smile and do the best you can. Although fun, it gives me a great appreciation for the volunteers from our congregation that are much better at this than I am. It also allowed me to utilize my piano skills from my time as a music major ;).

Service Preview for June 27

Our Gospel lesson for this Sunday is definitely challenging. Jesus makes it clear that spreading the Good News is not easy. Are we willing to put the Message first? Where on our priority list do we put our relationships with God? What are we willing to give up so that our call to discipleship takes a top priority? Are we to take his call literally or has it changed for us today?

Our Epistle lesson tells us about the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility and self-control. Our own human nature often guides us to practices that go against these fruits. We often need to fight our human desires and wants. When we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us, when we think about decisions with an attitude of prayer, we can yield the fruits of the Spirit.

At the Oakfield Church, we will be having a guest preacher during our worship service, Bud Wilburn. He will be sharing his musical talents with us during worship and will also be preaching a sermon during the service.

If you have an old cell phone that you are no longer using, please bring it to either church so that it can be donated to raise money for Circles of Support. Next week, please bring food for our food pantry donation.

The Bible readings for this Sunday:

2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14

Galatians 5:1, 13-25

Psalm 77

Luke 9:51-62 (Matthew 5:13-16 in Oakfield)

See you in church!

A Lesson in Wisdom

Christa and I have started an evening devotional using the Our Daily Bread booklet from RBC Ministries. I have to admit that the main reason we have these booklets is because they were available free. I ordered a few for each church. So far, I have really enjoyed the devotionals. Last night's was particularly good. The reading was from Ecclesiastes 9:13-18:

"There is something else I saw, a good example of how wisdom is regarded in this world. There was a little town without many people in it. A powerful king attacked it. He surrounded it and prepared to break through the walls. Someone lived there who was poor, but so clever that he could have saved the town. But no one thought about him. I have always said that wisdom is better than strength, but no one thinks of the poor as wise or pays any attention to what they say. It is better to listen to the quiet words of someone wise than to the shouts of a ruler at a council of fools. Wisdom does more good than weapons, but one sinner can undo a lot of good."

In the devotional, David Roper writes, "What matters most in the end is not the recognition and gratitude we receive for the work we've done, but the souls of those gentle folk in whom we've sown the seeds of righteousness."

I do appreciate the idea that wisdom is more important than strength. If someone does not speak up much, we tend to ignore them. Those that speak up are the ones that we listen to. As churches, we need to think about seeking out the thoughts and wisdom from everyone in the church. There are members of our church that have valuable ideas that we might never know about because their voices are not being heard. We can't always allow those that are willing to speak to guide where we go.

I also believe that this reading reminds us of our own ability to cancel out someone else's voice. We always need to be listening!

A Time of Need....

"And the king will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me." - Matthew 25:40

As I was making my way through the to do list for Monday, I thought that I almost had everything completed. I received a phone call from someone who was looking for help. She was looking for a place to stay for the next two nights until an important court date. She was in a pretty rough situation. I looked up all the resources that I could find, and I relayed the information. None of them worked out.

I hesitated at this point. This individual has asked for help before, and I didn't want to feel as though I was giving too much help to her. I didn't want her to think we'd always have money for her in her time of need. We only have so much money available to help two communities. We continued to brainstorm ideas, and we weren't coming up with anything. It got to the point where she said, "I guess I'll just have to walk the streets tonight." She honestly did not seem to have anywhere to go.

I knew in my heart that I couldn't allow our conversation to end that way. I thought of Jesus' parable. How could I allow this person in need to go without? Could she be scamming me for a room? Sure...I suppose, but I doubt it. Even so, I knew I would not be able to sleep knowing that I denied help to someone in need. So, I arranged a hotel room for her for one night; she had figured out an arrangement for the next night.

Sometimes, we have to do the right thing despite our own reservations. God's call is a strong call...and he calls us to help everyone we can. God shared a reminder with me yesterday.

Annual Conference: Sunday's Sermon and Homosexuality

This morning, I would like to post a portion of my message from Sunday's service. It provides some reflections as our Annual Conference continues to dialog, debate and discuss the issue of homosexuality:

As I have mentioned in the newsletter, one of the significant topics of discussion during Annual Conference was around the topic of homosexuality. We had a three-part dialogue between delegates of the conference in which we talked about the emotions of this topic and how it might affect the future of the church. There was legislation requiring gays and lesbians to be on Wisconsin committees. There was legislation to pursue an agenda that repealed the current wording of the Discipline as it relates to homosexuality. There were threats of charges to remove the credentials from one pastor for admitting that she was a lesbian. I am sure that even bringing up this topic makes many of you uncomfortable, no less knowing how much time was spent on it an Annual Conference.

I am sure that, like at Annual Conference, we share a spectrum of opinions about homosexuality as it relates to the Methodist Church. I have talked with some of you regarding social issues, and I know that there are many different opinions out there. As we think about being in ministry to our community, there are lots of different people out there. As it relates to the issue of homosexuality, there are some difficult questions that we need to ask:

• Is homosexuality a sin?
• Should a homosexual individual be allowed to be a member of a church?
• Should a homosexual individual be allowed to be in a leadership position in a church?
• Should a practicing homosexual be allowed to be a minister?

Some of you may be able to answer those questions easily. Some of you have doubts as to what you believe. Some of you have opinions, but you are scared of the day where you might have to publicly share your feelings. It’s uncomfortable. Perhaps you’re just hoping that I will move on. Dan Dick, our Director of Connectional Ministries, quoted a Jewish proverb, “When presented with only choices, take the third.” It sounds like a copout, but as it relates to this discussion, it has some merit.

During the four days of Annual Conference, I was able to dialogue with a variety of people, and they shared a wide variety of opinions on this topic. Of all of my conversations, I spoke with an ordained elder from a different district and a lay person from a church nearby. They both shared one opinion. We need to figure out a way to move on…or at least to change our priorities. It’s not that the topic of homosexuality is without importance. It is significant. Folks at Annual Conference have talked about how this has been a topic for 40 years.

These two individuals and I imagined an Annual Conference without deep contention over social issues. What happened if there were no arguments over the Methodist church’s stance on the current Health Care Reform? What would happen if we moved on from all of our conversations about homosexuality? What if we were willing to set aside some of our opinions and change our focus? Our worldwide Methodist Church has released a new tagline that says, “What if…” So, what if our church changed its priorities?

Imagine an Annual Conference is which our focus was on love of God and love of one another. Imagine an Annual Conference in which we gathered together to think about our strategy to help grow the kingdom of God. Imagine an Annual Conference in which we focused on how we could be in mission to our local community and to the world.

Let’s celebrate the ways in which we help the least and the lost. Let’s celebrate the ways in which we take the Gospel of Jesus Christ out into the world. Let’s celebrate the way that we bear fruit in the world…not for our own glory, but for the glory of Christ’s kingdom. Let’s celebrate the times when we truly are the hands and feet of Jesus Christ, out in the trenches working hard!

The theme for Annual Conference was, “Give Wholeheartedly.” Throughout Annual Conference, we saw a variety of videos about places that could not exist without the apportionment support of local churches like ours. We watched a video about The Crossing, a college church meeting the spiritual needs of UW Madison students. We watched a video about Harbor House, a service that helps women escaping abuse. We watched a video about mission work in Cuba, building the Methodist Church there. It is through the giving of our money and the giving of our time and talent, we “live, give and love…beyond all expectation.” We may have different opinions, but we all celebrate this vision for our Annual Conference.

In Paul’s letter to the Galatians, Paul shares a message for the people of the church in Galatia. Paul was greatly distressed because of what he was hearing about the churches in Galatia. Gentile Christians, unfamiliar to Jewish Law were expected to abide by this law. In some ways they were being treated as second-class citizens within the church. Paul felt the need to emphasize what it meant to be Christians.

Paul makes it clear: in Christ, we are one. We are one church. We are one body. We work together to further the kingdom. We work together to make Disciples of Christ. As United Methodists, we make disciples for the transformation of the world.

So, does this really help to solve our dialogue over homosexuality? Needless to say, despite a lot of conversation and all of the legislation, I’m not sure where we are. Neither side could claim victory and you could still cut the tension with a knife. There is concern over a split in the church. Is that how we would want things to end? Be it over the topic of homosexuality or any other issue in which we disagree, let us not lose our focus as a church.

So what is the third option? Is it a matter of being for or against? Or, is it a matter of focusing on what we can do to grow the kingdom of the God. I do encourage you to think deeply about the issue of homosexuality and other difficult topics. Often taking a viewpoint one way or another will likely alienate or frustrate your fellow Christians. I encourage you to think about an issue from the perspective of scripture, while also taking into account tradition, experience and our own ability to reason. I would certainly be willing to talk with any of you on this topic or another topic. But, it is something that requires prayer and reflection.

Based on our discussions at Annual Conference about this and other issues, I would ask us to think about the church. I personally feel as though anyone is welcome into our church. We do not know everyone’s background, everyone’s views or everyone’s lifestyle or personal choices. What we do know is that we are all one in Christ and we are all sinners. We are all in need of Christ’s redemption. Every…single…one of us. Let’s start there. Then we can think about putting out focus in the world, helping to put together a broken world. “For you are all one in Jesus Christ.”

I did come away from Annual Conference energized, but also somewhat unsettled. It is easy to rally around a particular issue and allow it to be our focus. We can lose sight of our true mission. Despite all of the uncomfortableness around issues like homosexuality and other topics, a larger theme came through. I don’t mean to dwell on this topic, but it something that God has laid on my heart.

I came away energized because I did not allow any one topic to get me down. A difference of opinion should never get in the way of our ability to make disciples of Christ.

Annual Conference Update

I have not submitted any posts this week because I was attending the Wisconsin Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. I am still in the process of putting everything in perspective.

I need some time to process everything before I start posting my thoughts. Until then, here is a picture of our dog, Weaver.

She is now one year old!

Service Preview for June 13

Brothers & Sisters of Oakfield & Tabor,

This Sunday, we will learn a lesson in love. We will learn of a sinner, uninvited to a party that Jesus is attending. She sneaks in and proceeds to wash the feet of Jesus, using her hair and her own tears. She openly weeps in the presence of Jesus. She uses perfume to anoint his feet as well. She is showing great hospitality; this is also a loving gesture. Simon, the host of this party, does not do anything to welcome his guest of honor, Jesus. Jesus has something to say about this...it says something about the way we should worship.

Why do we go to church? There are lots of answers to this, but allow me to offer one perspective:

When it comes to worship, we learn that worship is about emotions. We shouldn't come to worship sit down and be passive. We need to be active! We need to be excited! Our time together is worship is a time to enthusiastically thank God for everything that he has done for us. Since he has forgiven us so much, we need to take the time in worship to show our love for him. Worship is active!

The Bible readings for this Sunday'as service are:

• 1 Kings 21:1-21
• Galatians 2:15-21
• Psalm 5:1-8
• Luke 7:36-50

I hope to see you on Sunday!

Annual Conference Trip

Since tomorrow will be the service preview for Sunday's worship service, I wanted to take the opportunity to talk a little bit about next week's Annual Conference meeting. After the worship service in Oakfield, I will be making my way to La Crosse, WI where the conference will be taking place at the La Crosse Center. It starts on Sunday afternoon, and I will likely not be returning until Wednesday evening.

This is the Wisconsin Annual Conference's yearly meeting. It always takes place in mid-June. I should have thought about the placement of this conference before Christa and I got married. OUr anniversary (June 16) will likely almost always overlap with Annual Conference. Annual Conference is an opportunity for clergy and lay members from United Methodist churches all across the state to get together and take care of the business of the church.

The theme of the conference is, "Give Wholeheartedly."

There are lots of committees that will give reports. There are lots of individuals that will give reports. We will hear about new ministry opportunities. We will discuss pieces of legislation that will change the by laws of how the Wisconsin Annual Conference will work. This year we will be having a discussion on homosexuality. There are wonderful evening worship services, as well as an opportunity to take in La Crosse.

Our lay leaders who are attending conference will present a report upon our return. Pray for us as we do the work of the Church!

What Driving Habits Tell Me...

Nothing does a better job of bringing out my anger than a few minutes behind the wheel. I will certainly vouch for my own faults when it comes to driving, but will say that I do my best to be accommodating and I do my best to yield. I wish I could say the same for others.

On the road, I feel as though everyone is out for themselves. People will cut out in front of you to turn onto the road, even though there is no one behind you. People pull out of a parking space even when they know you am coming. People engage in what could barely be called a stop at the stop sign so that they can get out in front of you. Where are people going that they are in that much of a hurry?

People's driving habits are a small microcosm of our current societal attitude: look out for yourself. It scares me. Where is the concern for our neighbor? Where is common courtesy? Where is our desire to help each other our and keep each other safe? Have we really become this self-serving?

At a wedding this past weekend, I was talking with a few folks about the roundabouts that are becoming more and more popular in Wisconsin. They are touted as being safer than stop lights. Unfortunately for us, roundabouts are dictated by giving right of way. They require you to slow down. If the way people drive today is any indication, it's going to take a long time before we figure this one out.

I wish driving did not bring out the worst in me. Again, I admit my driving behavior is not perfect. But, it is scary on the road these days. How do others feel about this?

An Anniversary

I realize that I am a day late. During our announcements time during the Tabor worship service, one of the members pointed out that June 6 is the anniversary of D-Day. Let us never forget the cost of freedom for those here and abroad. Many lives were lost that day.

Service Preview for June 6

Brothers and Sisters of Oakfield & Tabor,

This Sunday is Communion Sunday. We will join together as a church to renew our vow of discipleship. We will join together to remember that Christ died for us, so that we may not longer be bogged down by our sins. We are made free!

We will also be taking a collection for local food pantries. Oakfield UMC will be collecting food items for the Oakfield Food Pantry. Tabor UMC will be collecting food items for the Fond du Lac Salvation Army Food Pantry. Will collect food on the first Sunday of each month.

The message this Sunday will focus on our reading from Luke. We will learn more about Jesus' role as a prophet and will we will learn more about his care for those who were marginalized. We will also see the connections between the work of the prophets in the Old Testament and how it links to Jesus' ministry.

The scripture lessons for this Sunday are:

• 1 Kings 17:8-24
• Galatians 1:11-24
• Psalm 146
• Luke 7:11-17

I hope to see you in church!

Course of Study Update

As I have written before, I will be leaving for North Central College for Course of Study, hosted by Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary. I am preparing for four classes that I will be taking from July 11 - July 30. Over the last few weeks, I have been feverishly working on completing the reading and papers for this class.

Of the 15 books that I was asked to read in advance of the classes, I have read all but one. I have a select of Wesley's sermons left to read. Of the 29 papers that I need to write, I have a rough draft of all but 4. I have 5 papers edited and ready to go.

It all needs to be received at the office by June 16th. It is my hope to have everything completed by June 13th before I leave for Annual Conference. I will likely have them overnighted to assure that they get there on time.

Meeting and Field Trip

This morning I had the opportunity to meet with Laureen, the Director of Religious Education for the Sons of Zebedee Catholic Parishes in Oakfield and Byron. Over the last few years, we have teamed up with the Catholic Church to put on a Vacation Bible School for the community.

I have met some great people from the Catholic church, but have never had the opportunity to see their church. When Laureen and I decided that we would meet to begin talking about VBS, I also asked if I could get a tour. I got to see their administrative building which has offices, a meeting room and a large fellowship. I got to see their sanctuary, which is beautiful. The sanctuary was built in 1867! Father Michael also gave me a tour of the rectory (parsonage). I learned a great deal.

I hopeful that we can grow the relationship between the Catholic and Methodist church. It starts with VBS, which Laureen and I are hoping to get started for 2010.

As an FYI, the 2010 Vacation Bible School will take place on August 4th and 5th. It will likely be taking place during the day. We will be having our first planning meeting on Thursday, June 10 at 7:00PM at Oakfield UMC.