I was raised in a faith tradition that did not observe the full Christian calendar year…we celebrated Christmas and Easter, period.
As a Methodist, I have found richness in my spiritual journey by marking the different seasons of the year, Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, Pentecost, and Kingdom time.
I am sure when I was younger, I must have heard the word Pentecost, and probably my understanding of Pentecost was based on hearing about our brothers and sisters of the Pentecostal Church fellowship.
I know that from their descriptions, Pentecost seemed a bit scary. It wasn’t an accurate description of the celebration of Pentecost.
Pentecost as you may know is celebrated after Easter. Many people refer to Pentecost as the Birthday of the church. Not a specific church, but rather, the church universal, or the body of Christ. It is the day when a group of really scared followers of Christ encountered the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives and began to speak out and act as people who followed a resurrected Christ. The color for Pentecost is red to symbolize the tongues of fire that came upon the people in the upper room.
I invite you to join us for a Birthday Party on June 12! The theme is celebrating the life and work of our church as a part of the body of Christ. The preferred attire is red. Please invite all of your friends and family to the party!
Happy Birthday!
Pastor Kathleen
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Update from Catembe Mozambique
March 25, 2011
Dear Pastor Kathleen,
Greetings for Mozambique. I thank you for your letter, your thoughts and concerns to the children and our church ministries, especially the work at the chapel construction.
Here is what I can say in response to your questions: There are 5 public schools in the entire Catembe; from which one is a secondary school and the rest are primary schools. There is one private commercial school in the village. These schools are far apart from each other and are not enough still to accommodate the huge number of children in the communities and some from our congregation. We have a total of 46 children that are really in need (especially in school materials including the school outfit). These children are vulnerable and mostly orphans and they stay in people’s homes with no basic needs for food. Sometimes we send our contributions for these children in some food and clothing but it is a one time effort. We wish we could have an opportunity to have all these children in a kindergarten.
Under normal circumstances we would need the following in order to care for these (46) children:
There are issues related to HIV/AIDS in our community and also I believe there may be some members of our church with the disease. None have declared yet. One thing we do and taking into the advantage of the existence of 3 nurses in my congregation, they help us in delivering some workshops on HIV/AIDS and other diseases like malaria. This is helping us and the surrounding community to know the dangers of the diseases and work on measures to prevent contamination. Through the Mozambique Christian Center we identified children in our church and community living with the disease and we help with medication. Most do not go through the medication because of lack of food in their home. We pray for these people and help them understand that God is with them.
The Vision of the church of Catembe is to serve the community with knowledge from Christ’s life so that we can better contribute to making disciples, spreading the good news in the communities.
Thanks for your contribution to our mission. May God continue to bless you in all you do there and here in Catembe.
Francisco Rungo, Pastor in Charge
Catembe UMC Mozambique
Dear Pastor Kathleen,
Greetings for Mozambique. I thank you for your letter, your thoughts and concerns to the children and our church ministries, especially the work at the chapel construction.
Here is what I can say in response to your questions: There are 5 public schools in the entire Catembe; from which one is a secondary school and the rest are primary schools. There is one private commercial school in the village. These schools are far apart from each other and are not enough still to accommodate the huge number of children in the communities and some from our congregation. We have a total of 46 children that are really in need (especially in school materials including the school outfit). These children are vulnerable and mostly orphans and they stay in people’s homes with no basic needs for food. Sometimes we send our contributions for these children in some food and clothing but it is a one time effort. We wish we could have an opportunity to have all these children in a kindergarten.
Under normal circumstances we would need the following in order to care for these (46) children:
- $19.35 per child for uniforms
- $6.45 per child for school books
- $130 for writing pads for all children
- $9.60 for pencils for all children
- $16.00 for pens for all children
- $9.60 per month for food (per child)
There are issues related to HIV/AIDS in our community and also I believe there may be some members of our church with the disease. None have declared yet. One thing we do and taking into the advantage of the existence of 3 nurses in my congregation, they help us in delivering some workshops on HIV/AIDS and other diseases like malaria. This is helping us and the surrounding community to know the dangers of the diseases and work on measures to prevent contamination. Through the Mozambique Christian Center we identified children in our church and community living with the disease and we help with medication. Most do not go through the medication because of lack of food in their home. We pray for these people and help them understand that God is with them.
The Vision of the church of Catembe is to serve the community with knowledge from Christ’s life so that we can better contribute to making disciples, spreading the good news in the communities.
Thanks for your contribution to our mission. May God continue to bless you in all you do there and here in Catembe.
Francisco Rungo, Pastor in Charge
Catembe UMC Mozambique
Greetings to Pastor Francisco Rungo
March 2, 2011
Francisco Rungo
Pastor in Charge
Catembe United Methodist Church
Congratulations on your appointment as pastor of Catembe UMC. We are very interested in learning more about your ministries and your vision for the people of Catembe?
We have heard of issues completing the chapel. I understand that the roof is the next priority towards completing your chapel. We hear stories nightly about children and HIV/AIDS in Africa.
Our church works with our local schools to provide reading tutors, success bags and a community garden. We were wondering about the children, what are the educational opportunities? What barriers exist for your children to be educated?
Our church is also very passionate about HIV/AIDS ministry. We have had programs over the years of focused on inclusion and comfort. Has the disease impacted Catembe?
We pray for your success and the success of your congregation. We want to hear more of your vision and how we can be engaged in your ministries.
Yours in Christ,
Rev. Kathleen Wilder
Lafayette Park United Methodist Church
Francisco Rungo
Pastor in Charge
Catembe United Methodist Church
Congratulations on your appointment as pastor of Catembe UMC. We are very interested in learning more about your ministries and your vision for the people of Catembe?
We have heard of issues completing the chapel. I understand that the roof is the next priority towards completing your chapel. We hear stories nightly about children and HIV/AIDS in Africa.
Our church works with our local schools to provide reading tutors, success bags and a community garden. We were wondering about the children, what are the educational opportunities? What barriers exist for your children to be educated?
Our church is also very passionate about HIV/AIDS ministry. We have had programs over the years of focused on inclusion and comfort. Has the disease impacted Catembe?
We pray for your success and the success of your congregation. We want to hear more of your vision and how we can be engaged in your ministries.
Yours in Christ,
Rev. Kathleen Wilder
Lafayette Park United Methodist Church
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
The Wilder View - April 2011
I remember the first time Jim and I visited Lafayette Park UMC. We were active members at another church and I guess someone from Lafayette Park just asked us to come one Sunday and worship with them. I was working in corporate America at the time, never dreaming that one day I might be a pastor serving at Lafayette Park. I remember walking in the door at the front of the church and seeing two people standing in the area by the sanctuary door. There was a big sign that had a bunch of name tags on it, and the two people had name tags as well. They were smiling at us and greeted us warmly when they handed us a bulletin. I thought wow, these people have their stuff together.
We found a seat towards the back and before we could really sit down, someone came up and talked with us. They let us know where the bathrooms were just in case we needed it at some point in time. They also introduced us to someone else and we had several lovely conversations before worship began.
The service began and then there was the passing of the peace and we watched as the whole church jumped up and starting walking around and hugging each other. People walked from one side of the sanctuary to the other and there was such a great energy in the room. I remember thinking how great it was to be greeted so warmly. I left that day thinking, you know if I were looking for a church to be part of, Lafayette Park would be a great church.
Sometimes we can get busy on Sunday taking care of the various ministries we are involved in. Dare we confess that sometimes the passing of the peace is the time that we connect with various people on our ministry teams to work out logistics of the next activity? Dare we confess that we might just miss the opportunity of greeting that new visitor who is looking for a place to belong, a place where they can plug in and make a difference in the world?
We have been having new visitors each Sunday and I anticipate that as we draw closer to Easter we will continue to have more and more visitors. Easter Sunday I hope and pray that we will be a full church with people who want to connect with God but really haven’t had an opportunity to find a community where they feel welcomed and wanted.
I invite you in the next several weeks to be intentional about praying for God to draw new people to worship with us during the week. I ask you to be sensitive to new faces and ask that you be intentional about connecting with them. Who knows, what might look like a new face to you might be someone that has been worshipping here for a few months! Perhaps you might consider volunteering to be one of those smiling faces at the door who greet people and welcome them. Or perhaps you might be intentional about greeting the new folks who are visiting each week.
Lafayette Park UMC is a great church and we can extend God’s grace to people by how we greet them. Let’s be intentional to reaching out on Sunday mornings and welcoming people so that when they leave us they say, “Wow, it was great to connect with God today. If I were looking for a church, Lafayette Park UMC would be a great church.”
~Pastor Kathleen
We found a seat towards the back and before we could really sit down, someone came up and talked with us. They let us know where the bathrooms were just in case we needed it at some point in time. They also introduced us to someone else and we had several lovely conversations before worship began.
The service began and then there was the passing of the peace and we watched as the whole church jumped up and starting walking around and hugging each other. People walked from one side of the sanctuary to the other and there was such a great energy in the room. I remember thinking how great it was to be greeted so warmly. I left that day thinking, you know if I were looking for a church to be part of, Lafayette Park would be a great church.
Sometimes we can get busy on Sunday taking care of the various ministries we are involved in. Dare we confess that sometimes the passing of the peace is the time that we connect with various people on our ministry teams to work out logistics of the next activity? Dare we confess that we might just miss the opportunity of greeting that new visitor who is looking for a place to belong, a place where they can plug in and make a difference in the world?
We have been having new visitors each Sunday and I anticipate that as we draw closer to Easter we will continue to have more and more visitors. Easter Sunday I hope and pray that we will be a full church with people who want to connect with God but really haven’t had an opportunity to find a community where they feel welcomed and wanted.
I invite you in the next several weeks to be intentional about praying for God to draw new people to worship with us during the week. I ask you to be sensitive to new faces and ask that you be intentional about connecting with them. Who knows, what might look like a new face to you might be someone that has been worshipping here for a few months! Perhaps you might consider volunteering to be one of those smiling faces at the door who greet people and welcome them. Or perhaps you might be intentional about greeting the new folks who are visiting each week.
Lafayette Park UMC is a great church and we can extend God’s grace to people by how we greet them. Let’s be intentional to reaching out on Sunday mornings and welcoming people so that when they leave us they say, “Wow, it was great to connect with God today. If I were looking for a church, Lafayette Park UMC would be a great church.”
~Pastor Kathleen
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Wilder View - March 2011
Often I hear people saying, “I hate change, why can’t people just leave things as they are?” Or the old classic, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” It just seems as though just when things are getting rolling along, something comes along to make it change.
However, the interesting thing about change is that many times we (with great joy) make choices that make changes. For instance, when you make a commitment to love another person and share a life and home with them…Or when you decide to conceive, or adopt, or even mentor a child. When you accept a promotion or take on another job. All of these are major changes and in most cases, we greet these changes with excitement, joy, and hope. Dan and Chip Heath point out in their book Switch, that while we have generally negative feelings towards changes, if we understand the reason and the purpose behind a change we can embrace the change and change can become a very positive experience.
During Lent, many of us are reading (in small groups) a book called, Changing the World, Recovering the Message and Mission of Jesus. This book invites us to look at the ways we are currently being church in our community, and to consider changes. Changes in the ways we are church; changes that might make our church more relevant to both our personal spiritual needs and the needs of our community. Some of the first groups have already met as I am writing this article and I am excited to hear about the energy that is coming from the discussions. If you are not already reading the book or are not signed up for a group, there is still time to participate. I invite you to take a journey with us this Lent to see how we can change our world for God’s glory. I invite you to read the book or the study guides, and to talk with those around you, or give me a call and share your ideas. Books are available at the communion rail. Please consider joining us.
I am hopeful that this Lenten season will be a time in which we can reflect and dream about what God would have us do to make St. Louis a city that is known for the mighty works that God is doing in our midst. I am hopeful that we will find ways that we can make subtle changes that will enhance our personal relationship with God and each other. God truly is “doing great and amazing things in our midst.”
Blessings on the journey.
~Pastor Kathleen
However, the interesting thing about change is that many times we (with great joy) make choices that make changes. For instance, when you make a commitment to love another person and share a life and home with them…Or when you decide to conceive, or adopt, or even mentor a child. When you accept a promotion or take on another job. All of these are major changes and in most cases, we greet these changes with excitement, joy, and hope. Dan and Chip Heath point out in their book Switch, that while we have generally negative feelings towards changes, if we understand the reason and the purpose behind a change we can embrace the change and change can become a very positive experience.
During Lent, many of us are reading (in small groups) a book called, Changing the World, Recovering the Message and Mission of Jesus. This book invites us to look at the ways we are currently being church in our community, and to consider changes. Changes in the ways we are church; changes that might make our church more relevant to both our personal spiritual needs and the needs of our community. Some of the first groups have already met as I am writing this article and I am excited to hear about the energy that is coming from the discussions. If you are not already reading the book or are not signed up for a group, there is still time to participate. I invite you to take a journey with us this Lent to see how we can change our world for God’s glory. I invite you to read the book or the study guides, and to talk with those around you, or give me a call and share your ideas. Books are available at the communion rail. Please consider joining us.
I am hopeful that this Lenten season will be a time in which we can reflect and dream about what God would have us do to make St. Louis a city that is known for the mighty works that God is doing in our midst. I am hopeful that we will find ways that we can make subtle changes that will enhance our personal relationship with God and each other. God truly is “doing great and amazing things in our midst.”
Blessings on the journey.
~Pastor Kathleen
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Wilder View - February
I often notice that on some emails people will have a quote at the bottom of their email. I’m sure you know what I’m talking about…
There is a hunger that has been stirring in me for sometime about what it would look like if our church were more like the early church. We would certainly have more people visiting with each other in homes. We would have more prayer groups, and we would experience the mighty power of God throughout our community and the world. We would see systems that have oppressed people for centuries fall away and I wonder… could we? ...Just maybe, be more like the early followers of Jesus Christ.
At annual conference last year I heard Rev. Mike Slaughter, the pastor at Ginghamsburg Church, in Tipp City, Ohio, speak about recapturing that passion and purpose of the early Christians. He has written a book called “Change the World, Recovering the Message and Mission of Jesus.”
We are beginning the process of organizing small discussion groups to read through this book together as a Church during Lent. I invite you to begin to pray about this opportunity. Starting the week of February 27th we will have a series of groups meeting at the church, coffee shops, and homes around the St. Louis area. It will be a great time to meet new people and build friendships as well as look at how we can be a stronger Church in 2011.
Please prayerfully plan to join me in this study and upon the next great adventure.
Blessings on the journey,
~Pastor Kathleen
- "We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them." Albert Einstein;
- or…‘Little Children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.’ 1 John 3:18.
- There is one that I have thought about several times even after the email has long since been deleted… "Live like Jesus did, and the world will listen." - Mahatma Gandhi
There is a hunger that has been stirring in me for sometime about what it would look like if our church were more like the early church. We would certainly have more people visiting with each other in homes. We would have more prayer groups, and we would experience the mighty power of God throughout our community and the world. We would see systems that have oppressed people for centuries fall away and I wonder… could we? ...Just maybe, be more like the early followers of Jesus Christ.
At annual conference last year I heard Rev. Mike Slaughter, the pastor at Ginghamsburg Church, in Tipp City, Ohio, speak about recapturing that passion and purpose of the early Christians. He has written a book called “Change the World, Recovering the Message and Mission of Jesus.”
We are beginning the process of organizing small discussion groups to read through this book together as a Church during Lent. I invite you to begin to pray about this opportunity. Starting the week of February 27th we will have a series of groups meeting at the church, coffee shops, and homes around the St. Louis area. It will be a great time to meet new people and build friendships as well as look at how we can be a stronger Church in 2011.
Please prayerfully plan to join me in this study and upon the next great adventure.
Blessings on the journey,
~Pastor Kathleen
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
“Nets for Catembe” 100% of Goal!
Friends,
There are no words to express my gratitude at the amazing work you have done to raise 2,000 mosquito nets to help eradicate Malaria in Catembe Mozambique. We have received commitments at this point that will take us to our goal of 2,000 nets or a total of $20,000. These nets will be deployed in the area of Catembe Mozambique. Our church has been able to help and entire community find life giving hope. Thank you.
This is so huge for us to be able to do this, there is no way to calculate the lives that you are impacting through your generous and sacrificial giving to provide nets Catembe Mozambique.
We will keep you posted on the deployment plans and time line.
In the mean time, thank you.
Pastor Kathleen
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