After the Grand Jury Decision

As I was waiting to hear the Grand Jury decision, I found myself reading scripture and praying,  I found a Psalm that is deeply precious to me, it is Psalm 46.

 

God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
² Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
³ though its waters roar and foam
    and the mountains quake with their surging.^[c]

⁴ There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy place where the Most High dwells.
⁵ God is within her, she will not fall;
    God will help her at break of day.

 

It is clear to me that we are in a time of trouble and that we also hold the potential to become a city who makes God glad.  So I hope that these words can bring comfort, hope, healing, and whatever else is needed you each of you personally as well as for our community.  We are not alone and God is helping.

 

One of the things that I deeply cherish about the people of Lafayette Park is that we can be on two opposite sides of a situation and still roll up our sleeves and serve God together.  It is one of the reasons that each Sunday I say, “Christ is our peace who has broken down the walls that divide us so we are no longer strangers we are family.”  Every family has members who see issues one way or the other and they talk them through (sometimes with loud voices and frustrations) however, they know that they can talk the issues through because the bond of love is stronger than the disparity of view point.  I am so proud of the bond of love we have for one another and God at Lafayette Park UMC.

 

As we walk together through this time after the Grand Jury decision, we all have many feelings, denial, fear, anger, hope, loneliness, sadness, and so many more that I can’t even begin to name.  There are a few things that I hope we can remember.

 

1. There are honorable people on all sides of this issue.
2. There are police and national guards who are working hard to provide safety in a tenuous atmosphere.
3. There are people who need to cry out for a change and they have a right to protest.
4. There is a difference between those who protest and those who commit crimes.
5. Those who commit crimes often try to hide in the midst of those who are trying to peacefully protest.
6. Truth and Light will reveal the intentions of each one’s heart by their actions.

There are a couple of churches that in the areas where these is the most unrest.  These churches have agreed to extend their hours in ministry to the community.  They provide a safe spot for people who live in the area to be safe, to have prayer and counseling, to provide drinks and food for those who do not feel safe to be in their own homes.  They are not places that are harboring people who want to do criminal acts.  Maria has forwarded an email of various items they need to help support the people who are living at ground zero in our community.

 

I am available to pray, talk, visit with you during this time.  It doesn’t matter what you think my view point or your view point is on this situation, we can join together in prayer for truth, light, healing, and a vision that helps our community truly become one that is built upon God’s foundation of peace, truth, grace, and love.

 

I hold you in my prayers and give thanks to God for the amazing people of Lafayette Park.  I hope that you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.  I look forward to seeing you Sunday as we begin Advent and we wait for the coming of Christ, Emmanuel, God with us.

 

Deep peace of Christ be with you.

 

Pastor Kathleen

Pumpkin Patch Our Outreach Ministry

I thought working in the patch would be mostly about setting it up and working each day to sell pumpkins and pumpkin foods.  I was wrong. It was much, much more.

So many interesting people came to visit.  Some were looking for pumpkins. Others were looking for more. 

There was a man who told me his pastor wasn't helpful to him and asked if I knew of a "good pastor."  Another young couple said they always admired the church building and wondered if they could be married here. Many children came and shrieked with delight as they found the "front door" of the patch designed by Steve Weurth. Some kids practiced their math skills by helping me count the prices of the pumpkins they chose.

A grandfather named Michael brought his 10 grandchildren. They had planned to go to a place in Illinois.  When his son needed surgery and chemo for throat cancer at Barnes, they came here instead.  (He went away with a gift of a beautiful pumpkin from all or us at LPUMC for his son, along with our prayers for his recovery.)

Some came from out of town to visit their families in Lafayette Square. I could see they were pleased when they learned where the money we raised went and how the Navajo and Hopi in New Mexico were helped to earn a livelihood by 2100 churches across the U.S. who hold patches and sell their pumpkins every year.

Some days Patrick just came by to take a break from his duties and we had a chance to enjoy the afternoon sun and a cup of coffee together.

One day I realized this was a ministry as much as it was a fund raiser. Maybe God didn't see it the way we all do.  Maybe God saw it as a way to give and receive love and fellowship and support and laughter to each other, to friends and to strangers who now were no longer strangers.

As someone said:  "God comes to us disguised as our life." I think God spend most of October in the parking lot.

Michael Desmond

A Prayer For Ferguson

by Assistant Pastor Dan Shanks
Call to Worship - 8/17/2014

For those who have seen their lives torn apart by violence of all kinds

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For the family of Michael Brown, his friends and his community.

For all those who grieve the loss of life tragically ended.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For those who believe the only response to violence is more violence,

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For those people of faith willing to step out and to lead in times of trouble.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For those who look at a situation from a distance, neglecting to get  involved or too easily passing judgment.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For those in positions of power who work for reconciliation and justice.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For those who hold places of authority but have abused that power towards unjust ends,

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For the people of Ferguson and of St. Louis, city and county—north and south, east and west,

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Easter Greetings

As I have been thinking and praying about what to write in this Easter letter, I found that my experience this past fall kept invading my thoughts. As many of you know, I encountered a heart attack on Oct. 11 of last year. On Oct. 12 it was revealed that I had two blocked arteries. One artery was blocked at 95% and a stent was placed in that artery immediately. I remember feeling a great sensation of when the blood began to go through my body. Life began racing through my body and it was an amazing feeling. I had no idea that my arteries were blocked and impacting my health. On Nov. 21, I received a second stent and now I have no blockages in my heart and I am on my journey to health and wholeness.

In many ways, I believe I had an Easter experience last October. I hadn’t realized that my life and health were in jeopardy. In some ways, the blockage in my heart was like the stone placed upon Christ’s tomb. I experienced the miraculous power of God’s healing through a trained and caring medical team. I also experienced the sustaining grace and love of God through my faith community, you, the people of Lafayette Park UMC. These two experiences transformed my life. I now find that things that used to cause me to lose sleep at night no longer have power over me because in truth they are not life and death issues. They are things that no one will think about or even remember in a month or two.

I realize now that even though I have always considered myself an Easter person I haven’t really lived an Easter life. An Easter life is one that approaches each day knowing that we have already died and are living a resurrected life. Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in Christ who loved me and gave himself for me.” Each day I try to learn more about how to walk around in a healthy body empowered by God. It will be a long journey because I am a Methodist and, as Wesley invites us to do, I am going on to Christian Perfection.

In coming weeks I would like to request a few things for you to consider. First please join us this Sunday, March 25, after worship for a special gratitude fellowship from the Wilders. It is our humble way of trying to say thank you for all of the prayers, meals, rides, gifts, and amazing ways you have supported our family.

Secondly as we approach Easter, reflect on ways that you might be living as I was living, blocked and worrying about things that no one will remember in a month. What are the ways that you too can live in the power of a resurrected life? What habits or thought patterns need to shift to transform your life?

Our Easter offering this year will go to the restoration of the large east stained glass window. At the writing of this letter, we have over $39,000 towards our goal of $60,000 to restore the window. This restoration will give new life to our window and increase the quality of life in our sanctuary. It will care for the window for the next 100 years.

I pray that whatever you do in the next few weeks you may also experience the transforming miraculous power of Easter in your life.
Blessings,

Pastor Kathleen

What Lent Means To Me - 4/1/2012

This is the fifth in a series that will be included in the Sunday Bulletin each week during Lent.

by Cindy Pillow

There were tables in the shape of 3 large crosses, hot cross buns and hot tea. You must behave yourself. You are eating with at least 50 elderly women. There is a Sacrificial Breakfast at church. What fun??? Why call it “Good Friday”, Jesus DIED today. A program that is especially boring for children. Oh no, those are not
raisins in the hot cross buns, it’s that nasty candied fruit, I wonder if I can hide it under my plate?

Dying eggs, new shoes and what’s for Easter dinner? Oh, my it’s Lent, “What should I give up?” Maybe it should be soda, ice cream or CHOCOLATE? Where can I get Easter crosses for the Easter Baskets? No candy for the child with braces. While in a hurry to prepare for Easter the season of Lent is delegated to a mild inconvenience of remembering to deny myself a pleasure, but God’s love is never denied to us.

Now, repentance, self denial and gratitude from Ash Wednesday to Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. We should not be giving up but giving more. I should be giving my time for a letter of thanks or praise of a job well done. Giving my abilities to listen, lead or create. What more can I give when Jesus gave it all?

What Lent Means To Me - 3/18/2012

This is the fourth in a series that will be included in the Sunday Bulletin each week during Lent.

by Daron Smith

When I was asked to share what Lent means to me the first thing that popped into my head was the anticipation of Easter and a really great family dinner with presents and candy. Ok, that was what the kid in me thinks about but now that I'm a little older that has changed a bit. Don't get me wrong; who can resist those Reese's Peanut Butter eggs?! Family memories of Easter time are something I will always cherish and hold close, but now during Lent I reflect on my spiritual development and where my life is going. As Christians we focus on the resurrection and new beginnings so that is what I think about. How can I change and grow and become a better Christian? It's not always an easy thing to do so I'm more intentional about it during the Lenten season and along the way I still manage to sneak a peanut butter egg here and there.

What Lent Means To Me - 3/11/2012

This is the third in a series that will be included in the Sunday Bulletin each week during Lent.

by Lynne Keay

I was raised in a small town southeast of here. There were four churches and Lent was observed by all. There was a community Ash Wednesday service but I don't remember any ashes. Then there was Palm Sunday but I don't remember any palms. We had service every evening of Holy Week. The egg hunt was on Saturday and then Easter Sunrise Service that moved from church to church(PJs and raincoat). It was not until later that I understood that Easter wasn't just a new outfit with hat. In 1998, I was fortunate to walk the Via Dolorsa (Way of Cross) in Jerusalem. The street was rough and uneven, steep, and narrow. It gives you a unusual feeling of awe and amazement. Seeing the street fired my imagination of the sacrifice and pain had by Jesus.

Lent is the time I realize the sacrifice that has been made for us. How I honor it is up to me.

What Lent Means To Me - 3/4/2012

This is the second in a series that will be included in the Sunday Bulletin each week during Lent.

by Olivia Natwick:

As a youngster growing up in Wyoming I was not aware of the liturgical season of Lent. What I do remember about this period of time is that it seemed like there was one gray day after another. February and March are cold months in Wyoming . It also seemed that most of the time when Easter morning rolled around it was sunny. Today looking back at that time I know that not every day was cold and gray leading up to Easter and I remember some Easters that were not sunny. I find that today for me Lent is a time when I can sit and contemplate how my sins have led me away from a relationship with God. That separation can feel for me like those endless gray and cold days of my childhood. For me Lent is a time of finding my way back to God. As I do this I can look forward to stepping into God’s love and forgiveness on Easter day.

What Lent Means To Me - 2/26/2012

This is the first in a series that will be included in the Sunday Bulletin each week during Lent.

By Brenda Deertz:

Lent is one of my favorite times of year. Spring is on the way and with hope and renewal in the air I try to take this opportunity to grow into a closer relationship with my Lord. I usually give up something for Lent and I look for something in my life that truly separates me from God. That leaves out things such chicken wings, as that is my favorite food (although God knows I could always eat healthier). I want to strive for things more like the year I gave up fear after I experienced a medical scare. In that vein, as these are uncertain times for many of us and I have a lot of worries right now about the future, I have decided to give up DOUBT. This won’t be easy for me and I will not be perfect at it, but my hope is that by removing doubt, I will learn to put more trust in God's plan for me and for all of us. Doubt is, for me, a barrier to God’s love. Hopefully by Easter I will be putting my trust in the Lord more than I do now and freely experience his love.

Happy New Year!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your amazing support of the ministry of Lafayette Park United Methodist Church in 2011. Each of you has made a significant impact in our ministry within the church, in our community, and in our world. Thank you for your commitment to our ministries with your prayers, your presence in worship, your financial tithes and gifts, your service in mission, and your witness in our community. Our church is stronger and our community is healthier because of you.

Thank you for faithfully committing to be part of passionate worship, intentional faith development, radical hospitality, risk taking mission, and outrageous generosity. Thank you for the many ways you live out your commitment to follow and serve Christ in our community. You truly epitomize our vision statement of being ‘a church without walls creating Christ’s presence in our community.’

On a personal note, there are no words to convey my deep gratitude for the many ways you have supported me and my family through our season of health challenges. You have taught me an extremely important lesson about the power of community. I am truly humbled and overwhelmed by the many ways you have helped sustain my family. I have seen many people over the last several months at both St. Mary’s and the VA who did not have a church family. I don’t know how anyone can survive without one… I know I couldn’t have without you. Thank you for being my family.

God has truly accomplished many wonderful things through you this year. Thank you for participating in the journey. Thank you for the many things you will do this year to share God’s love and grace with the world around us.

Pastor Kathleen

The Wilder View - June 2011

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

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:

• $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)

In the existing elementary school the children are overcrowded and they are unable to understand the teachings there. This is where the idea of kindergarten comes, because we will have our children in small groups and will learn better. Also these children come from long distances, lack school uniform and sandals and school materials.

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

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

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

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…

• "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

It seems to me that this is a compelling critique of the ‘institutional church.’

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

“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

Mosquito Nets For Catembe - Update

Our Campaign to provide mosquito nets for all of Catembe, Mozambique is exceeding expectations. Simply put, malaria kills. Nets can save lives.

Last year, we raised 220 nets to cover the members of our “sister” church, The Catembe United Methodist Church. This Year’s focus is on providing mosquito nets for everyone in the city of Catembe. We need 2000 nets to protect the women, children and families of Catembe. So far we have raised enough funds for 1239 nets. We are at 62% of our goal.

$10 Saves a Life — Buy a Mosquito Net, and give the gift of a healthy life to our brothers and sisters in Catembe! The nets are treated so that in addition to protecting people from mosquito bites, any mosquito that lands on the net is dead within a few minutes. The result is an 82% reduction of malaria cases in the area that the nets have been distributed.

Congratulations everyone for helping saves lives.
Pastor Kathleen

http://www.nothingbutnets.net/nets-save-lives/

The Wilder View - December 2010

Isn’t it amazing how things change so quickly? Yesterday we were walking around in short sleeves enjoying one more day of Indian summer in St. Louis, and today we are wearing sweatshirts. It seems to me that this year has been a year of extremes. We have experienced great joy as we have grown as a church in our faith walk and in our mission outreach. We have experienced significant pain in walking with each other through sickness, death, and loss of employment. We have shared laughter at the wonderful things that God is doing in our midst, and we have shared tears at the challenges of friends losing jobs, and home.

I confess there have been times this year when I have said, “God, I am ready for it to get easier,” only to find that the next day offers an even greater challenge. There have also been times when I have felt so overwhelmed I couldn’t even make my brain think. And then there have been times when I have said, “God, I can’t take any more of this because it is just so wonderful.” And then the next day offers an even greater blessing from God. Maybe you can relate to those feelings and how quickly everything can change.

There is a popular Christian song called ‘Blink’ by a group call Revived. I think the words of this song can be especially meaningful for us as we embark into a season of holidays and end of the year reflection.

Teach me to number my days
And count every moment before it slips away
Taking in all the colors before they fade to gray,
I don't want to miss even just a second more of this.

When it's all said and done
No one remembers how far we have run
The only thing that matters is how we have loved
I don't want to miss even just a second more of this.

Slow down, slow down
Before today becomes our yesterday
Slow down, slow down
Before you turn around and it's too late.

It happens in a blink,
It happens in a flash
It happens in the time it took to look back
I try to hold on tight but there's no stopping time
What is it I've done with my life
It happens in a blink.

By the time you receive this newsletter we will have celebrated Thanksgiving Day. You might find yourself joyfully looking forward to all of the festivities of the season, or find yourself wanting hide in solitude. No matter how we feel, God is present with us and will sustain us through our joys and sadness’s. I invite you to take time this Advent season to stop and listen to God’s Spirit in your life, so that you don’t miss the beauty that is around you before it flashes by.

Peaceful Advent
~Pastor Kathleen

The Wilder View - November 2010

I don’t know if you have noticed it yet, but it seems to me that we now have a new ‘currency’ here at Lafayette Park United Methodist Church, and that currency is nets! It has been just a few weeks since we began our challenge to generate enough nets to cover the city of Catembe, Mozambique with ‘bed nets’ also known as ‘mosquito nets, and we have already made great strides towards that goal. It will take a total of 2000 nets to cover Catembe and at this point we have raised enough for 485, so we only have 1,515 to go.

However, the most exciting thing for me is not only hearing people talking about nets, but finding out what they are doing to raise ‘net money.’ We are receiving donations for nets for many different reasons. Here are a few; “We can’t buy that…it is half a net.” “Just because I can give.” “I am going to match my daughter’s donation.” and “From our cuss jar.” People are baking and serving and giving the profits towards nets. One of our children gave a net from his birthday money. We have received donations from the sales of Cheesecakes, pumpkin bread, and pumpkin crochet hats. People have turned in money from substituting and babysitting. “I held off shopping for souvenirs in Mexico.” One of our children has their classroom that is taking this on as their project and a whole school that is going to collect money for nets during Lent. It is downright exciting!

Yet, the most exciting thing to me at this point, is to hear people talking. Here are some of the conversations that I have heard. “This will sell at the Christmas Bazaar and it will be 1 net, and this will be one 10th of a net.” It is like we no longer have dollar bills but we have denominations of nets! I am also hearing people say, “Let’s not do a ‘drive through’, that would be a couple of nets. Let’s just eat at home.”

God is truly doing a great work within our lives and the life of our church. We are thinking about ways to live more simply so that we can give the simple gift of a healthy life to our Sisters and Brothers in Catembe.

I have no doubt that we will successfully meet our goal. Lafayette Park is a church that listens for God’s voice and direction and then follows that voice. Please do include a note with your donations so we can all see what ways our goal is reached. These will be faith stories that will encourage and excite our congregation.

Thanks for all of your faithful support as we work together to change and save lives in Catembe!