Pastor Kathleen's Blog

Church and Politics

associatepastorwumc — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 20:32:58 +0000

“A new Pew Research Center poll on religion and public life showed that two-thirds of Americans think religion is losing its influence on American life.

“The poll’s results, released Aug. 19, showed a mixed view about how churches should be involved in politics. A slim majority — 52 percent — said churches should keep out of political matters while 43 percent said they should express their views on day-to-day social and political issues.” (http://www.thebostonpilot.com/article.asp?ID=12241)

Should we (the church) be involved in politics? I believe the answer is yes and no. Yes, we should be involved in politics because it is a way to express our faith to the greater society. When Christians take a stand in politics, the world can change. Christians have been active in equal voting rights for all Americans-no matter gender or race, the abolition of slavery, fair labor practices for children, adults, migrants…and many other things. American Christians can be the conscience of society.

However, we should not wait on politics to do what is right in the eyes of God. We should move forward with caring for the sick through the establishment of hospitals and clinics, feeding the hungry at food pantries and providing shelter for the homeless through programs like Interfaith Hospitality Network. When Christians get to work, we are often more efficient than secular or government groups. Prisons are asking for the Karios program because more criminals turned Christian means a less violent prison. There are lots of other examples of how the Church’s influence is greater than the government programs.

Should Christians be involved in politics? Yes and no. We should make a difference in where we can in society and proceed to care for the broken and wounded as if there is no one else to help. What do you think?

Skipping Church Rules

associatepastorwumc — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 19:55:48 +0000

There is an interesting blog out there, that is soon to be a new book-”Stuff Christian Like” (www.stuffchristianslike.net) I liked this handy-dandy guide for skipping church. For the complete list go to the website.

Skipping Church Rules
1. If you want to skip cause you got even a whiff of a guest speaker, you better go.
2. If you want to skip because the minister is too young to be taken seriously, you better go.
3. If there’s been a time change, of the Quantum Leap variety, and you really hope this next leap is your leap home, go to church.
4. If you skip because you’re too sick but then go do something within the same hour you’re in trouble.
5. If your kid has a cold, don’t skip.
6. If your kid needs stitches, skip.
7. If you’re out of town on vacation at the beach, skip.
8. If you’re out of town on vacation in the mountains, don’t skip. (For some reason, a woodsy vacation feels more “churchy.”)
9. If your kid joins a Sunday soccer league and every Saturday night you feign surprise that you won’t be able to attend church, you better find one with a night service.
10. If you get sucked into a Touched by the Angel marathon, ohhh tough one. Too close to call.
11. If you’re the pastor and you’re preaching, don’t skip. (Shoot! There goes my excuse!)
12. It’s Easter. What? Are you serious? You should have skipped right over this one the second you saw the capital E.
13. If the sermon series makes you uncomfortable because it hits so close to home, you should go.
14. If the sermon series makes you uncomfortable because you’re actually mentioned by name in it, “Don’t be like Scott Jacobs. A three-part look at jerks.” Skip that Sunday.

Give of Yourself, Be a Donor

associatepastorwumc — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 15:13:58 +0000

In the state of Ohio, we have the option to indicate our desire to be an organ donor on our driver’s licenses. If you have not have not already done this, please do so and let your family know your wishes. I have had friends benefit from a new set of lung, a kidney and even a skin graf. I figure that when we die, we are done with our bodies. Our soul is with Christ and we have the opportunity to share life through organ donations.

Also, you can be a bone marrow donor. There is a child at our school who is about to receive the gift of life because of a stranger’s generosity. I have been on the bone marrow registry for 15 years. Maybe I will get a call and maybe not. However, I would welcome the chance to save a life. If you are not part of the registry, check out this website to learn how to participate: http://www.marrow.org/index.html?src=tabhome Thank you!

Why I Don’t Have a Blackberry…Yet…

associatepastorwumc — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 20:56:15 +0000

Last month, a Jewish group (Reboot), encouraged people to unplug for one Sabbath (Friday sundown until Saturday sundown). That meant no computer, cellphones, texting, facebooking, blogging, IM-ing, web surfing…you get the idea. Also, I had a friend who gave up Facebook for lent. What both of these actions encouraged was real connections, not digital connections.

This week I found myself wishing I had a blackberry. While on my weekly date with Craig, I thought, “If I had a blackberry I could check about what movies are playing or find a new restaurant while we are driving.” That’s nuts! I have resisted a blackberry because I actually don’t want to be THAT connected. I want to focus on the person I am with, not answer texts or calls during a meeting or night out. I want to get away from the hustle and bustle of life knowing that only the babysitter will call (which never happens).

Having said that, being connected is a lot of fun. I enjoy keeping up with far-flung relatives via Facebook because weekend visits are not possible in my line of work. I enjoy connecting with lost friends (I almost cried when my college roommate found me after years of searching for her) and staying connected to new friends. Yet, there are limits. Technology time should not become a substitute for face to face time or real phone conversations.

If you are thinking about having a technology break/sabbath, Reboot makes some suggestions:

1. Avoid technology.

2. Connect with loved ones.

3. Nurture your health.

4. Get outside.

5. Avoid commerce.

6. Light candles.

7. Drink wine.

8. Eat bread.

9. Find silence.

10. Give back.

Take a look at your technology. Is it enhancing your relationships or coming between you and your loved ones? Is it helping you to relax or allowing you to hide from reality? The bottom line is: Is technology a help or a hinderance in your life? What do you think? I would love to hear your response.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/03/19/national.unplugging.day/

The Funny Side of Parenting

associatepastorwumc — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 15:40:53 +0000

This is from a e-newsletter I receive from Biblical Parenting. It is a fun looking at parenting and often too, true! Enjoy!

1. The later you stay up, the earlier your child will wake up the next morning.

2. For a child to become clean, something else must become dirty.

3. Toys multiply to fill any space available.

4. The longer it takes you to make a meal, the less your child will like it.

5. Yours is always the only child who doesn’t behave.

6. If the shoe fits…it’s expensive.

7. The surest way to get something done is to tell a child not to do it.

8. The gooier the food, the more likely it is to end up on the carpet.

9. Backing the car out of the driveway causes your child to have to go to the bathroom.

10. The more challenging the child, the more rewarding it is to be a parent…but you usually have to work overtime to get that reward.

www.biblicalparenting.org

Obituaries (Jerusalem, 33 AD)

associatepastorwumc — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 17:34:29 +0000

JERUSALEM: Jesus Christ, 33, of Nazareth, died Friday on Mount Calvary, also known as Golgotha, the place of the skull. Betrayed by the apostle Judas. Jesus was crucified by the Romans, by order of the Ruler Pontius Pilate. The causes of death were crucifixion, extreme exhaustion, severe torture, and loss of blood.

Jesus Christ, a descendant of Abraham, was a member of the house of David. He was the Son of the late Joseph, a carpenter of Nazareth, and Mary, His devoted Mother. Jesus was born in a stable in the city of Bethlehem, Judea. He is survived by His mother Mary, His faithful Apostles, numerous disciples, and many other followers.

Jesus was self educated and spent most of His adult life working as a Teacher. Jesus also occasionally worked as a Medical Doctor and it is reported that He healed many patients. Up until the time of His death, Jesus was teaching and sharing the Good News, healing the sick, touching the lonely, feeding the hungry, and helping the poor.

Jesus was most noted for telling parables about His Father’s Kingdom and performing miracles, such as feeding over 5,000 people with only five loaves of bread and two fish, and healing a man who was born blind. On the day before His death, He held a Last Supper celebrating the Passover Feast, at which He foretold His death.

The body was quickly buried in a stone grave, which was donated by Joseph of Arimathea, a loyal friend of the family. By order of Pontius Pilate, a boulder was rolled in front of the tomb. Roman soldiers were put on guard.

In lieu of flowers the family has requested that everyone try to live as Jesus did. Donations may be sent to anyone in need.

–Author Unknown

A Modern Parable

associatepastorwumc — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 19:18:24 +0000

Rev. Smith was appointed to a new church. When he arrived, he noticed that the piano was in a very awkward place in the sanctuary. Being a go-getter, no-nonsense kind of guy, Rev. Smith moved the piano to the other side of the chancel. On Sunday morning, there was great wailing and gnashing of teeth over the piano move. After the service, Rev. Smith returned the piano to the original location. Unfortunately, the damage had already been done. The congregation asked the Bishop for a new pastor and Rev. Smith had a new appointment

Several years later, Rev. Smith returned to the church for a conference and noticed the piano was not where he had left it. In fact, it was in the position he tried to place the piano years earlier! Perplexed, he found his replacement, Rev. Jones and asked her to explain. “Well,” she began, “I learned from your mistake. I knew that the piano needed to move, so each week, I came in and moved the piano one inch. Before the congregation realized it, I had moved it across the sanctuary.”

The moral of the story is that sometimes dramatic moves need to happen in tiny steps.

It’s Spring!

associatepastorwumc — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:36:33 +0000

I always say that it’s not spring until after Easter, no matter what the date. Somehow, Easter weather seems to end up being cold. Despite that, it truly must be spring. The delicate, little, yellow flowers with no name appeared through the melting snow and now my purple crocuses are in full bloom! I LOVE SPRING!!! I love seeing the last of the cold receed and the warm, but not hot, days appear. I love watching the plants emerge from their slumber and my dog become more energetic! It won’t be long and the pear trees will be in bloom!

Spring is about a new and fresh beginning after the challenges of winter. So this year, spring is full of many new beginnings. The children have only 2 more days attending school in the Price Hill neighborhood of Cincinnati (5 miles from home). After spring break, they will return to their newly renovated school, complete with playground equipment and only 1.3 miles from the house! In the midst of boxes everywhere, there is a sense of excitment in the air!

Craig is also about to make some changes, also. Next week are his exams and then he will have finished school with an associates degree in nursing. This will allow him to sit for the RN state certification. When that is complete, then new opportunities await him.

And not to be overshadowed, the biggest transformation of all, the ressurrection of Jesus is about to be celebrated. The Easter ressurrection brings each of us new life, no matter what darkness in which we have traveled.

So, enjoy the spring. Be thankful for the new beginnings and take advantage of the fresh start of each new day!

Haiti, Chile and the Olympics

associatepastorwumc — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 17:28:12 +0000

Yes, I know the Olympics have been occuring the last couple of weeks. The Olympics are a great time for countries to be together with less politics. It is a time for average, normal people to find common ground through healthy competition. However, now that the torch is extinquished, our focus needs to return to the earthquake victims in Haiti and Chile. The United Methodist Committee on Relief has been on the ground in Haiti, even before the earthquake. I found this blog to be helpful in understanding what is happening right now for our brothers and sisters who are anxiously awaiting the start of raining season. Please be sure to check it out at http://media.gbgm-umc.org/umcorblog/

Give It Up or Pick It Up!

associatepastorwumc — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 19:52:11 +0000

Welcome to Lent, that time of year where Christians take time to focus more intentionally on their relationship with Jesus. Often this includes giving up something for Lent (the six weeks between Ash Wednesday and Easter). I do not always give up something for Lent, but have done so throughout the years. One year, I gave up caffeine. That was NOT pretty! Last year, I gave up being in a hurry. My children did not like this because it meant I drove the speed limit and people passed us!

Other times, I have picked up something new. I’ve done journaling, which I still do on a sporadic basis. Another year, I tried the Daily Examin- reflecting on where I had disappointed God throughout the day. That was a bust for my optimistic personality.

The whole point of the give-it-up or pick-it-up mentality is to find ways to connect to God and deepen one’s faith. Every time one is drawn to a particular vise or participates in a new habit, Christ should be the focus. I have a young friend who gave up facebook for Lent. This is a HUGE deal. However, I am sure that when she has the urge to be on facebook that she turns her thought and prayers toward her savior. I will be excited to hear about her off-line experience with God after Easter.

It’s not too late to try something new for Lent. What can you give up: chocolate, coffee, television, internet? OR what can you pick up: Bible reading, attending church, slowing down, prayer? May God bless you in whatever way you chose to grow!