We are starting a new video series that will be played on our website - www.oursaviorsbeloit.org. Below is the first video - let me know what you think.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
Oh the days we have
So I thought today was going to be a nice, easy day. I had a couple of meetings scheduled, time to do some work on newsletters and other paperwork, and maybe even a little bit of reading. But all that went out the window quite fast.
In the middle of one of my meetings I got a call that the mother of one of our custodians had died. So I went to the ER to meet up with him and walk with him during this time of grief and loss. When I got there he already had people with him to support and care for him, but it was a true blessing for me to be there as well.
During this time I was visibly reminded of the need for community. The need for others to walk with us during our times of sorrow and loss. The need of human contact and love. As humans, we were created to live in community, to live with others so that we can share in the experiences of others and they can share in our experiences as well.
So today, I invite you to reflect on the communities you are a part of. Reflect on those who give you strength, as well as the ones you are able to be with during their times of struggle. And also remember that central in these communities is God, the one who will always love and care for you.
In the middle of one of my meetings I got a call that the mother of one of our custodians had died. So I went to the ER to meet up with him and walk with him during this time of grief and loss. When I got there he already had people with him to support and care for him, but it was a true blessing for me to be there as well.
During this time I was visibly reminded of the need for community. The need for others to walk with us during our times of sorrow and loss. The need of human contact and love. As humans, we were created to live in community, to live with others so that we can share in the experiences of others and they can share in our experiences as well.
So today, I invite you to reflect on the communities you are a part of. Reflect on those who give you strength, as well as the ones you are able to be with during their times of struggle. And also remember that central in these communities is God, the one who will always love and care for you.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
What's been going on since the last post
I know that it has been a while since I last posted, so I wanted to do a little update on what has been happening. December was a great month. At church we had a wonderful Christmas at Twilight concert - where the music was spectacular - and the kid's put on a great program the following week. It is amazing to go back and see Sierra's first Christmas program and compare it with this one. She is growing up way to fast! We then had some very moving Christmas Eve services and after Christmas our family took a little break for some R and R.
January came on fast. We started the year with four funerals, which was followed by five baptisms (three adults and two children). It was very moving to observe the transition from death to new life in a very dramatic way. We also started a new study on Comparative Religions where we are hosting leaders of other denominations and religions into the church so that they can talk about their faith. This has been very positive and we are making DVD's of their talks that can be checked out from the library.
Another new ministry is our video series - Faithsteps Videos. These videos will be on the church website starting on February 1. Hopefully we will have a new video every two weeks.
All of this has been exciting and exhausting. I am constantly reminded of the gift of rest - rest for the body and rest for the spirit. There are many days when I feel pulled to go, go, go - and it is in making time to rest in God that I am given the strength needed to keep up with everything around here.
So as we continue in this new year, I invite you to continue to make time to rest in God. Rest by praying, listening to music, going for a walk and enjoying the gift of creation. Rest in some way where your spirit can be uplifted, always knowing that GOd is continually coming to you - blessing you with his love and peace every day.
January came on fast. We started the year with four funerals, which was followed by five baptisms (three adults and two children). It was very moving to observe the transition from death to new life in a very dramatic way. We also started a new study on Comparative Religions where we are hosting leaders of other denominations and religions into the church so that they can talk about their faith. This has been very positive and we are making DVD's of their talks that can be checked out from the library.
Another new ministry is our video series - Faithsteps Videos. These videos will be on the church website starting on February 1. Hopefully we will have a new video every two weeks.
All of this has been exciting and exhausting. I am constantly reminded of the gift of rest - rest for the body and rest for the spirit. There are many days when I feel pulled to go, go, go - and it is in making time to rest in God that I am given the strength needed to keep up with everything around here.
So as we continue in this new year, I invite you to continue to make time to rest in God. Rest by praying, listening to music, going for a walk and enjoying the gift of creation. Rest in some way where your spirit can be uplifted, always knowing that GOd is continually coming to you - blessing you with his love and peace every day.
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