Wilder View - June 2009

I find it interesting that it seems like there are many scriptures that talk about sowing seeds, and many texts about harvesting. However, I don’t remember any texts that talk about the growing season. It is exciting to dig up dirt and to plant tiny seeds that suddenly become tiny plants. It is also wonderful to walk through a field and pick the vegetables or fruit that follow. I don’t think though that it is particularly fun to watch something grow.

In truth, we are in the growing season, the season of summer. No one really thinks about learning or growing in the summer because everyone is on vacation, or relaxing somewhere. Yet, the hard work of growing is happening during this time.

So what are you going to do in your spiritual garden this summer to prepare yourself for the wonderful joy of a harvest? Perhaps some of these ideas can help.

Play Bible trivia with your family – it is easy really. Just think of Bible story facts and ask questions of your family or friends. Or maybe you could play charades with some of the Bible stories. You could also just spend some time in a quiet garden reading the Psalms. Another idea could be to spend a little time in your garden weeding, and you might reflect if there are any habits that are in your life that should be plucked out so that you can grow to your fullest potential.

Growing isn’t fast, and sometimes it isn’t easy either. However, if we do not grow then we truly can not experience the joy of the harvest. May your roots reach deep into the fertile soil of God’s word. May you grow strong in the sharing of your faith, and may you be faithful to the work that God’s Spirit would like to do in your life that you truly enjoy the wonder of fall’s harvest.

Happy Growing... I wish you a fruitful time this summer.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Kathleen
lppastor@sbcglobal.net

Time with Sharon: “A Church Without Walls”

June 2009

“Lafayette Park United Methodist Church will be a church without walls, creating a visible sign of Christ’s presence in our urban community and beyond.”

As I write this, I can hardly believe that June is upon us. And that means getting outside! This summer, we have some local opportunities to be Christ’s presence in our community.

One new thing happening this summer is the launch of the Hands In Mission ministry. Working in the United Methodist connection of agencies and churches, Hands In Mission (HIM for short) was created to offer a multi-generational experience of putting our hands together to make a difference in our community. Children, youth, and adults will work along side together to garden, paint, or clean, depending on what is needed. We’ll meet others while we learn how the UMC connection is engaged in the city.

Here is the Summer HIM schedule, carpooling from the church from 7:30 a.m. - noon:

• June 20th at Centenary Cares, the United Methodist feeding program in the city of St Louis, located at our sister-church, Centenary UMC
• July 25th at Shalom House, a residential program of recovery, support and training for homeless women
• August 22 at Beloved Community, our neighbor United Methodist Church, serving the community north of Jefferson.

In August and October, LPUMC has been invited to send workers to a United Methodist Habitat for Humanity build on North Grand. Working along side the prospective homeowners and of many others in the United Methodist connection, we have the chance to help build a home, make a dream come true, and change a neighborhood. Dates are: August 8 and 29 as well as October 3 and 12.

Yearn to go BEYOND our local community? LPUMC will be sending another team to Juarez, Mexico from October 3-9 to build a house for a family that has been living in a dwelling made of packing crates and cardboard. Contact Nance Thuer at nance2u2@aol.com or Jim Wilder for more information.

This is a great opportunity to get outside and put our hands to work! And it is such fun to do it together. Bring your work gloves and I hope to see you there.

Pastor Sharon