Early in my life at Lafayette Park, someone referred to me as their ‘crazy pastor.’ I am not exactly sure who it was that gave me this title, and I’m not even sure they might not have been right. It might have been the idea of the tower climb, or making the sign (and holding it up during a sermon) that said, “No Struggling.” Or it might have been the crazy idea of hosting a pumpkin patch…after all as one of our early customers said…”I saw your patch from my car as I was getting off ’44,’ and I called my brother and told him we had a pumpkin patch in our Hood.” I guess it really did seem like a tremendously crazy idea to host a pumpkin patch five years ago. We were a relatively small church then (averaging 82 in worship). We had never seen a pumpkin patch. We just knew that someone was going to ‘steal our pumpkins’ or take the pumpkins and throw them at our beautiful stained glass windows. Yet, there were a few people who said, “Why not? This could be fun.”
Well, we made it that first year primarily due to the dedication of Debra Crowe and Lynn Chrisler, both of whom spent countless hours in horrible weather, watching pumpkins, and wiping the pumpkins dry every day (no small task considering it seemed to rain every day that year. ) Each year, it seems like we have more help and more people play on our patch. It has become something that the neighborhood looks forward to each year now.
I was talking to a couple of people just last week and they shook their heads at me and said, “Why are you so excited about the pumpkin patch?” I told them, that while our original intention was to be a fundraiser for the church, we never have really made what everyone projected that we would make. However, we have accomplished something so much more important.
You see, the very first year, we hosted the patch, a woman from the Family Resource Center stopped by the patch, and looked at it with great big eyes. She asked if their children could come to the patch and play. The children that are served by the Family Resource Center are children who have experienced great tragedy in their lives at a very young age. She told me that they would have the appropriate number of adults to watch the children but they also mentioned that the children might have emotional reactions to being outside. When she realized that the pumpkins were for sale, she explained that they really didn’t have money to purchase the pumpkins. “Would it still be possible for them to come and play, even though we can’t afford to buy pumpkins?”
I will never forget the first day they came. The children and their caregivers got out of vans, and they were all huddled together. The children had a mixture of excitement and fear, as they wondered what strange place they were being taken to. Then a few moments later, they were playing with chalk, and running around the patch. The air was filled with laughter and joy. For one day, the pain of their past slipped away and they were happy children playing in a pumpkin patch. The best part was that we had talked to various groups in the church and they sponsored a pumpkin for each child! Each year, we reserve time for children who would not be able to go to a pumpkin patch, and we find sponsors to send them home with a pumpkin.
Yes, we probably will never make the kind of money that other churches do on the pumpkin patch. However, the memories we make are priceless. Sometimes it is good to be crazy. Who knows how God’s grace will show up? You just never know what seems absolutely crazy today could become something that is just a part of our everyday life, a few years from now. What crazy thing is God calling you to do?
Grace and Peace,
Reverend Kathleen
lppastor@sbcglobal.net
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Time with Sharon: How to measure fruitfulness
October 2008
For several years now, we have been tracking our hours of service and prayer each week by filling out the brightly colored Stewardship Record sheets that come in our Sunday bulletins and dropping them in the Offering Plate. It has been a way to remind ourselves that our discipleship goes beyond attending worship and putting our check into the plate (two really important commitments), but that we have also pledged to support our church with our prayers and service.
With his emphasis on leading us to grow into more fruitful churches, Bishop Schnase has asked that we track the fruit of our ministries together, including hands-on mission and service, and intentional faith development through study, discussion, and learning. To do that, we have modified the Stewardship Record a bit so that we can name the time spent cooking and driving dinner down to Shalom House, or preparing and attending a Bible study class. These are two examples of the “fruits” of a growing, caring church. Gathering this information will help our bishop (and us) know how we are living out our commitment to God through LPUMC.
It may seem a strange thing to be doing paperwork at church. But I think this is a good thing. Ours is a connectional system, and it will be helpful to the Conference to know which churches in the connection are vibrant and alive, and which ones need some help turning in that direction. It also helps us stay accountable to God, to our church, and to ourselves. To be active in our faith walk is far more stimulating and gratifying than to be a passive participant. Every time I fill out one of those little record sheets, I am reminded that I did something this week (or I didn’t) that contributed to helping build God’s Kingdom in our present and in our future.
Churches that are learning and serving together are exciting places to be. And so I suspect the ultimate measure of our fruitfulness will be felt over time as others are attracted to come and experience God with us through worship and the bevy of great ministries that happen here. In the meantime, please help us with our record keeping. It only takes a moment and is anonymous, so if you’ve had a lousy week, no one will be wagging a finger at you. It will be good for the greater connection, good for our church, and good for each of us in our own walk with Christ.
God bless your walk,
Sharon
lpassociate@sbcglobal.net
For several years now, we have been tracking our hours of service and prayer each week by filling out the brightly colored Stewardship Record sheets that come in our Sunday bulletins and dropping them in the Offering Plate. It has been a way to remind ourselves that our discipleship goes beyond attending worship and putting our check into the plate (two really important commitments), but that we have also pledged to support our church with our prayers and service.
With his emphasis on leading us to grow into more fruitful churches, Bishop Schnase has asked that we track the fruit of our ministries together, including hands-on mission and service, and intentional faith development through study, discussion, and learning. To do that, we have modified the Stewardship Record a bit so that we can name the time spent cooking and driving dinner down to Shalom House, or preparing and attending a Bible study class. These are two examples of the “fruits” of a growing, caring church. Gathering this information will help our bishop (and us) know how we are living out our commitment to God through LPUMC.
It may seem a strange thing to be doing paperwork at church. But I think this is a good thing. Ours is a connectional system, and it will be helpful to the Conference to know which churches in the connection are vibrant and alive, and which ones need some help turning in that direction. It also helps us stay accountable to God, to our church, and to ourselves. To be active in our faith walk is far more stimulating and gratifying than to be a passive participant. Every time I fill out one of those little record sheets, I am reminded that I did something this week (or I didn’t) that contributed to helping build God’s Kingdom in our present and in our future.
Churches that are learning and serving together are exciting places to be. And so I suspect the ultimate measure of our fruitfulness will be felt over time as others are attracted to come and experience God with us through worship and the bevy of great ministries that happen here. In the meantime, please help us with our record keeping. It only takes a moment and is anonymous, so if you’ve had a lousy week, no one will be wagging a finger at you. It will be good for the greater connection, good for our church, and good for each of us in our own walk with Christ.
God bless your walk,
Sharon
lpassociate@sbcglobal.net
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Wilder View - September 2008
Just a few Sundays ago we shared the familiar story known as ‘Loaves and fishes.’ Even if you were not at church that Sunday you probably remember the story from your childhood days. The Bible tells us that there were 5,000+ people gathered that day to listen to Jesus and experience his teaching and healing. Towards the end of the day Jesus told the disciples to feed everyone. When the disciples said they couldn’t, a few loaves and fishes were found, Jesus broke the bread, and everyone ate until they were full and there were leftovers beyond belief.
This story reminded me of a ministry we have here at Lafayette Park United Methodist Church. It is a ministry that has nurtured, healed, and supported untold numbers of people. Some of you may have never heard about it, or you have heard about it and just didn’t know what it was. Others of you were the creators of this ministry.
As I understand the story, many years ago, we had a member in our congregation who was in a really stressful place in their life. They were very ill and unable to work. They didn’t have income enough to cover their housing, their food, or their medicine. Some of our members decided to do something about this situation, and created the ‘Loaves and Fishes’ ministry. This is an account where people can donate money to the church and then as a need arises, there are resources available to help people.
In the four years that I have been at Lafayette Park, this fund has helped people purchase medicine that they can not afford to purchase, pay a utility bill that couldn’t be covered, cover a month’s rent for someone digging out of a disaster, purchase a stove for who was unable to purchase one when their stove died, and even transportation to a family funeral, just to name a few.
Last year Jim and I encountered a young man that we had known for over a decade. He was homeless, unemployed, and had some medical complications based upon his HIV status. He had fled from an abusive relationship which placed him in this situation. After consultation with a few of the church leaders, this fund was used to help him with part of the deposit for an apartment. The impact of this donation enabled him to get a home find employment, and deal with his significant health issues. I am pleased to tell you that he is doing great and has recently received a promotion at his job. Whenever this fund is used, it is used in such a way as to provide the recipient with confidentiality and dignity.
There are countless people that have benefited from the sharing of our resources. I would like to take the opportunity to thank those of you who support this ministry, especially those who make a monthly contribution. Thank you for the way you bless me when I am able to see the look of relief that comes into people’s eyes when I can tell them that we can help them get their medicine, or give them a grocery card to purchase food for their family. Thank you for your faithful support of this ministry. Truly you create a miracle in many lives through your support. Thank you for the way you help our church live out the calls of Jesus in Matthew 25, “I was hungry and you fed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me.” Through the Loaves and Fishes ministry we have fed, clothed, and helped heal members of our church and close community. Thank you for creating this ministry and supporting it all these years. Truly, the miracle of loaves and fishes continues. Thank you.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Kathleen
lppastor@sbcglobal.net
This story reminded me of a ministry we have here at Lafayette Park United Methodist Church. It is a ministry that has nurtured, healed, and supported untold numbers of people. Some of you may have never heard about it, or you have heard about it and just didn’t know what it was. Others of you were the creators of this ministry.
As I understand the story, many years ago, we had a member in our congregation who was in a really stressful place in their life. They were very ill and unable to work. They didn’t have income enough to cover their housing, their food, or their medicine. Some of our members decided to do something about this situation, and created the ‘Loaves and Fishes’ ministry. This is an account where people can donate money to the church and then as a need arises, there are resources available to help people.
In the four years that I have been at Lafayette Park, this fund has helped people purchase medicine that they can not afford to purchase, pay a utility bill that couldn’t be covered, cover a month’s rent for someone digging out of a disaster, purchase a stove for who was unable to purchase one when their stove died, and even transportation to a family funeral, just to name a few.
Last year Jim and I encountered a young man that we had known for over a decade. He was homeless, unemployed, and had some medical complications based upon his HIV status. He had fled from an abusive relationship which placed him in this situation. After consultation with a few of the church leaders, this fund was used to help him with part of the deposit for an apartment. The impact of this donation enabled him to get a home find employment, and deal with his significant health issues. I am pleased to tell you that he is doing great and has recently received a promotion at his job. Whenever this fund is used, it is used in such a way as to provide the recipient with confidentiality and dignity.
There are countless people that have benefited from the sharing of our resources. I would like to take the opportunity to thank those of you who support this ministry, especially those who make a monthly contribution. Thank you for the way you bless me when I am able to see the look of relief that comes into people’s eyes when I can tell them that we can help them get their medicine, or give them a grocery card to purchase food for their family. Thank you for your faithful support of this ministry. Truly you create a miracle in many lives through your support. Thank you for the way you help our church live out the calls of Jesus in Matthew 25, “I was hungry and you fed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me.” Through the Loaves and Fishes ministry we have fed, clothed, and helped heal members of our church and close community. Thank you for creating this ministry and supporting it all these years. Truly, the miracle of loaves and fishes continues. Thank you.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Kathleen
lppastor@sbcglobal.net
Time with Sharon: Healing our Hurting World
September 2008
I recently was blessed to hear a presentation by Gary Haugen, founder of International Justice Mission. He talked about how hard it is for people who are hungry, sick, or imprisoned to believe that God is good. Their lives are full of pain and misery. He asked us, “What evidence can they see about them that there is a good God who loves them?”
Ahhhh, that’s where we come in. You see God has a plan to heal our hurting world. And, my friends, we are it. It is through our loving actions…feeding the hungry, providing medicine and care for the sick, reading books to youngsters who struggle, and advocating for those caught in unjust systems in our culture…that God’s love is seen, heard, and felt. An encouraging word, a listening ear, a ride to the doctor, a net to protect a family that we might never meet from malaria-bearing mosquitoes, getting involved in a grassroots effort to pass legislation to ease the suffering of the voiceless. These, and a million others, are all ways that we participate in God’s plan to bring healing and wholeness to the world. And THAT is how folks begin to experience the goodness of God…through us.
It occurs to me that it is an incredible privilege to be invited to participate in God’s great action plan of healing! Every one of us has received the invitation. As we walk in the way of Jesus, we are responding to that invitation.
One way we can respond is through participation in the feeding program at our sister-church, Centenary UMC. We meet every first Tuesday of the month, from 4:30-6:30. Come join us on September 2nd (Contact Daron Smith, or just show up). Another way is to get involved in supporting the children of our neighborhood through cooperative efforts with Sigel and Hodgen Elementary Schools. There is a great need to provide reading tutors for kids who have learning lags (see me immediately if this idea gooses your interest). Has God’s Spirit put a ministry opportunity on your heart that reaches out in the name of the God of love and justice? Then let’s talk. I would love to hear what God is whispering in your ear.
There’s a hurting world all around us…but God has a plan for healing. And we’re it!
What an amazing and trusting God we love.
Peace,
Pastor Sharon
lpassociate@sbcglobal.net
I recently was blessed to hear a presentation by Gary Haugen, founder of International Justice Mission. He talked about how hard it is for people who are hungry, sick, or imprisoned to believe that God is good. Their lives are full of pain and misery. He asked us, “What evidence can they see about them that there is a good God who loves them?”
Ahhhh, that’s where we come in. You see God has a plan to heal our hurting world. And, my friends, we are it. It is through our loving actions…feeding the hungry, providing medicine and care for the sick, reading books to youngsters who struggle, and advocating for those caught in unjust systems in our culture…that God’s love is seen, heard, and felt. An encouraging word, a listening ear, a ride to the doctor, a net to protect a family that we might never meet from malaria-bearing mosquitoes, getting involved in a grassroots effort to pass legislation to ease the suffering of the voiceless. These, and a million others, are all ways that we participate in God’s plan to bring healing and wholeness to the world. And THAT is how folks begin to experience the goodness of God…through us.
It occurs to me that it is an incredible privilege to be invited to participate in God’s great action plan of healing! Every one of us has received the invitation. As we walk in the way of Jesus, we are responding to that invitation.
One way we can respond is through participation in the feeding program at our sister-church, Centenary UMC. We meet every first Tuesday of the month, from 4:30-6:30. Come join us on September 2nd (Contact Daron Smith, or just show up). Another way is to get involved in supporting the children of our neighborhood through cooperative efforts with Sigel and Hodgen Elementary Schools. There is a great need to provide reading tutors for kids who have learning lags (see me immediately if this idea gooses your interest). Has God’s Spirit put a ministry opportunity on your heart that reaches out in the name of the God of love and justice? Then let’s talk. I would love to hear what God is whispering in your ear.
There’s a hurting world all around us…but God has a plan for healing. And we’re it!
What an amazing and trusting God we love.
Peace,
Pastor Sharon
lpassociate@sbcglobal.net
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Time with Sharon: A Letter to You About Our Children
It seems that everywhere I go, there are BACK TO SCHOOL advertisements, reminding us that soon it will be time for our children to return to their classrooms at school and begin their lessons again. They will be stretching their imaginations, and building their knowledge and skills to prepare for the world.
September also marks the return of Sunday School Class at LPUMC. We have a place for all our children, preschool through 12th grade, with teachers who are glad to be there to share the Bible stories through storytelling, fun games, engaging crafts, music, and thoughtful conversation. The children and youth will be growing their faith through engaging their imaginations and building their knowledge of God’s Holy Word, to prepare for life.
Our children need both kinds of educational experiences. It is my prayer that you will pray about including your children in this important opportunity at church to explore and grow their faith. An Adult Bible Class is also available during the same time to help you grow your faith too.
Class convenes from 9:00am-9:50, Sunday mornings, beginning September 14th, in the lower level of LPUMC. I hope to see you there!
Grace and peace,
Pastor Sharon
September also marks the return of Sunday School Class at LPUMC. We have a place for all our children, preschool through 12th grade, with teachers who are glad to be there to share the Bible stories through storytelling, fun games, engaging crafts, music, and thoughtful conversation. The children and youth will be growing their faith through engaging their imaginations and building their knowledge of God’s Holy Word, to prepare for life.
Our children need both kinds of educational experiences. It is my prayer that you will pray about including your children in this important opportunity at church to explore and grow their faith. An Adult Bible Class is also available during the same time to help you grow your faith too.
Class convenes from 9:00am-9:50, Sunday mornings, beginning September 14th, in the lower level of LPUMC. I hope to see you there!
Grace and peace,
Pastor Sharon
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