Bethel UMC Celebrate 100 years of ministry

Here is an article I wrote for the centenial celebrate of the church of my childhood. I will try to find a picture of the building or the people of Bethel and post it here soon....



The rich heritage of Bethel continues to bear fruit in my life and ministry. There are so many ways that this is true that it is hard to choose merely one to write about.

I was baptized as an infant and entered confirmation class when I was in the 5th grade. Bethel was at that time in the planning and building phase of the current facility. I have vivid memories of that old building. I even remember having worship services in that old chapel. Rev. Brooks Ambose was the pastor at the time and taught confirmation class. I remember that the class met every week throughout Lent. Rev. Ambose insisted that our class learn and understand the meaning behind the seasons of the Christian year. He emphasized observing Lent with serious spiritual disciplines: fasting, confessing, and praying. It may seem a little ridiculous to emphasize these things with 5th graders who are going through the most narcissistic phase of life. At the time, I remember having a myriad of feelings about it. On one hand, I’m certain that I rolled my eyes and said something like: “why do we have to learn this?” Yet, on the other hand, the different symbols and colors and even the Latin words that were hard to pronounce and a bit silly fascinated me. In order to be confirmed in the church, as a final rite of passage into church membership, our whole class observed a 12 hour fast. The evening after Good Friday service our class had a lock in and it was clear that it would not be a “party” but an evening of scripture reading and silence. It was a modified fast and we were allowed to eat a few simple things, a couple crackers and a few grapes. We drank water. It was a powerful time for me. In those hours, I really did contemplate Jesus death on the cross and the great love that it displays.

There are two ways that this experience shaped who I am. First, it planted in me a hunger for God. The rich symbols and traditions of the church invite us into a larger reality than we can contain in our individual lives. They remind us that we are invited into God’s kingdom and that that kingdom transcends our small worlds. Celebrating the differing seasons of the Christian year reminds us that God is in charge. The rhythms of these different seasons reflect God’s greater work. They give us markers along the way in our effort to follow Jesus.

I am so grateful for that seed that was planted. Yet, I am even more grateful that in and through this confirmation class, I learned that tradition is important but it is not really the main thing. All of these “traditions” are not the main thing; they simply point us to the main thing. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

Kite Runner

This book blew me away. It is a powerful story. The action is narrated through the main character Imir Jan. The invitation that he hears over the phone immediately drew me in: "there is a way to be good again." What an awesome journey it recounts! Isn't there a common desire running through all human life...goodness, beauty, and hope?

You absolutely MUST read this!

MLB and Church- Makings of something Great

We quickly learned that in Southern Illinois people "have" to be Cardinal fans. Yet, one 94 year old woman in my congregation is a die-hard Cubs fan. I suppose no one challenges her because of her advanced years and dedication. No one tries to convince her any more that the Cubs are not going to ever win. (notice that they ARE in first place in their division and currently ahead of the Cards by one game)

As I have been musing about change and how difficult it is for all humans, I wonder if there is a lesson for the church to learn from MLB teams. For instance, the Cards are not doing all that well and some of the sports guys say that it is due to them having so many new(er) players. Perhaps, in spite of their emmense talent, they do not seem to have it all togather....the line up isn't right, the pitching is not all that consistant, they constantly leave lots of runners on base, etc... They are going through a rough adjustment period. They have what it takes to be a great team, they just need more team work and trust in order to make it happen.

Change in the church is often so very difficult. Here at Parkview, they have changed pastors. Other "players" have also changed. The adjustment period is no where near over and yet there is that same unsettleness that I sense with the Cards. In one sense, we have all the makings of a great church, yet, the pieces are not all working in synch yet and the team is not sure how to best work together. The trust that it takes to be a great church is not present.

Impatiently, I resonate with the Psalmist: "How long, O God" ...."search us, O God"

I am hopeful even in the midst of slumps, especially in churches because I know that if the Holy Spirit is calling us and empowering us....anything is possible, even the impossible! For instance: bitterness and grudges can be forgiven, cold hearts can be replaced with compassionate ones, and those who once exchanged hurtful words can shake hands and embrace one another. I know this can happen because I have seen it with my own eyes. I believe God wants to do this kind of miraculous work in our church and I am praying that it be sooner rather than later.

The Cubs have not won the World Series since 1908 and they still have many loyal fans. Like Dan Daley says "Being a Cubs fan has taught me a lot about church reform; for example, any church can have a bad century now and then."

A century is a long to to wait!

Flowers and Roots

These petunias are part of an enormous hanging basket that I bought from a greenhouse owned by a Mennonite family near St. Paul, Illinois. Yesterday, I spent four hours driving some rural roads of Fayette County. Most of these roads are paved (sort of). For example, the road from 51 through St. Peter onto Farina is Fayette County road #23, but it is most often called "St. Peter blacktop." The road goes through Augsburg which used to be a township but is now simply an intersection, church, and cemetery. There were some folks buried in the cemetery in 1918....born 1862, died 1918! Most of these were impossible even to read and pronounce due to my ignorance of things German or Dutch. One family name there was "Ludwig," and some others with "wig" or "wick" on the end. Clearly some of these families have had people buried there spanning three centuries. This kind of thing is incomprehensible to me, being a sojourner as I am. Think about it: the simple, plain clothed young lady who helped me with my flowers can probably tell me the names of her great-great-great grandparents who fist settled that land. She probably sat by the fire while some older saints in their community talked about their roots and how important it is to stay connected to God, family, and the earth. She will be encouraged to marry within that community and her skills at tending flowers and helping customers at the greenhouse will bring smiles to many faces as it did to mine. She may even still speak her ancestors native tongue. Her life is so much different than mine, but I do not pity her. If anything, I am a bit envious of deep roots like that. Perhaps, envious is not exactly the right word. It could be simply this longing that I have to be connected to something-Someone that is bigger and grander than little ol' me.