Bonnie’s Blog: Our THEOLOGY Matters!

August 31st, 2010

Bonnie’s Blog

RATIONALE:

In the Wednesday morning book discussion group, the topic of theology was explored. I shared how I came to my own new understanding of the nature of God about 40 years ago. It was at a time of life crisis and intense soul searching. I had what I call my “Damascus Road” experience. I was devastated and found solace in books. Through intense study my whole world view dramatically changed from what I call a “vertical world view” to a “circular world view”.

In the Wednesday morning group, I was encouraged to write a “blog” outlining these world views and how they impact our understanding of God and our “being” in the world.

So here it goes:

Our “THEOLOGY” matters! How we perceive the nature of GOD matters.  It shapes our world view and informs all of our relationships both personal and global.

I propose there are two basic world views: 1. “CIRCULAR” or 2. “VERTICAL”

1. In the circular world view

A. God is a friend/a co-creator /sharing decision making. Always loving. Dependable but allows self determination(which includes mistakes and grace.)

B. Men and women share responsibility.

C. Men and women/all races/all countries/all sexes are equal.

D. Dialogue/negotiation define relationships. Violent solutions are never an option.

E. Crucifixions happen.

2. In the vertical world view

A. God is the boss. Always loving/sometimes vengeful/punishing. God is male. The “commandant”.

B. Women are always subservient.

C. Some countries are “blessed by GOD” somehow “BETTER THAN”.

D. War is often considered necessary. Humans are “collateral damage”.

THEOLOGY MATTERS!

Politics – both personal and global are inseparably intertwined with how we perceive the universe – how we perceive God – How we treat our fellow travelers on this planet.

Well….that’s a beginning.

Bonny Byadiah

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The Double Bonce

August 31st, 2010

With a picnic and tour, Kathy and Rich Pittenger welcomed the congregation to their new home, the parsonage which Central Church provides for those full time people who carry pastoral and ministerial loads as commissioned and ordained members of the United Methodist Church. It was a wonderful evolving body of people, particularly with lots of young families and children. To help defuse all that young energy, Polly had us set up the trampoline across the street at the senior parsonage, as well as some other games and activities.
the trampoline was especially popular and the kids were willing to share and shift how much bouncing they could do depending upon the age of the children at any specific time. Listening to them in their happy chatter, I learned about the double bounce. The double bounce is gauging your bounce so that the other person on the trampoline can get more bounce in their spring. You can increase the energy one receives if you time it just right. At the same time you can steal, or negate the energy someone seeks in a bounce also, by timing your spring so that the it counters the spring of your partner.
It is a very social and perhaps a spiritual engagement, this trampoline bouncing. It is always our best intent, as disciples of Jesus Christ, to heighten the spiritual energy, the experience of God for others. We spring and dance around one another hoping that the energy we contribute allows others to find themselves reaching higher, or deeper into God. We want to double bounce each other. Unfortunately, I think there are some times when our own spiritual activity, our social engagement negates the energy of spirit in others. We cancel out their spirit dynamic. We steal each others capacity for growth into God.
I apologize for any stealing of the bounce from your soul, and hope you will help me learn again how to double bounce each other as well as our children do on the trampoline.
Jim

Posted in Rev. Jim's Blog | 1 Comment »

Bouncy

August 31st, 2010

We drifted again down the Pestigo River, inner tubing as we once tried when the children were very young. That earlier attempt was a failure in far too shallow water. This time, with a very rainy season behind us and water levels up, the river was a lazy slow float winding our way in serpentine fashion across the landscape of Northern Wisconsin. That is not to say that we were not required to expend significant energy on the three hour trip. The current of the river, not speedy, but constantly moving, carried us along well. But it was easy to find our journey taking us into the tall reedy grass that would slow us down, or get hooked up on some low hanging branch or a fallen and submerged tree. When we could see ourselves slowing down we would scan the river to witness the flotsam and jetsam that floated on top to find where the current was moving more swiftly. Than adjusting ourselves we would move into the journey again. At the end of the journey, just before the final bend before our point of departure from the river, the Pestigo widened and found a steeper downhill run causing a sense of rapids to ride and large stones to avoid (not white water but in an inner tube a bit of fun).

The Spirit of God carries me along in such fashion. I have memories of having to struggle with it when my own volume of water-spirit get too shallow, and the movement of God across my life was more a chore and a danger. But I have had a good sense of how God has carried me much of my life on this great journey. I find it bearing me gently and sometime unknowingly across the wild places of my life. It does it without effort on my part, just joy. From time to time I get side tracked, hung up on things that would grab me and hold me down, slow my progression in the spirit, and prevent me from the journey with God. At times I need to scan the experiences of God’s movement around me to see where the spirit is more active and adjust myself to get into that flow once again, and as the current speeds up, pick my way among the stones that are the challenges of life. But I trust the intent of the Spirit of God is to bear me along the way as long as I am willing to be in the flow.

I also trust that you are looking around to see where the spirit flows and are working to be a part of that in your life. I am hoping you are witnessing that flow in the activity and ministry of Central Church and as you come out of your summer floating are guiding your life into the community where the Spirit can again lift you and carry you with holy energy.

From my inner tube
Jim

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Welcome Back Middle and Senior High Youth

August 24th, 2010

Hi Everyone,

Here’s what we have planned for the month of September.

  • Saturday, September 11 – Rally Day for Youth Groups – picnic and human foosball game beginning at 5pm at the church
  • Sunday, September 19 – Pizza, Painting and Planning 5pm at the church – We’ve got to finish our mural from last year and plan out what you want to do the rest of the year
  • Saturday, September 25 – Cedar Point Halloweekend – weather permitting, we’re going to Cedar Point (more details to follow)
  • Sunday, October 3 – Crop Walk (approx. 1pm – more details to follow)

Please tell your friends and family who may want to join our youth groups.

Hope to see you on September 11,

Mark

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News for Dancers

August 24th, 2010

Greetings, current and future Jubilate and Alleluia Dancers,

Just a note regarding the upcoming liturgical dance season. We will be trying a new model for our group by combining the Jubilate and Alleluia choirs. They will remain separate entities, yet rehearse and perform together the combined rehearsal time will be 4:15 to 6:00 p.m. We realize some dancers will arrive late, some will need to leave early to attend bell choir and w are aware of these conflicts. We would appreciate all efforts to attend as much of the rehearsal as possible. Our first worship participation will be Sunday, November 7, 2010. Due to the new worship schedule, we will only be dancing in one service at  10:30 a.m. We welcome anyone entering 3rd through 12th grade to join us. Our first rehearsal is Thursday, September 16, 2010. If you have any questions or concerns, please call Stacy Kawa at 248-693-9621. In God’s Movement,

Stacy Kawa, Katey Gay and Polly Strosahl

Posted in Music and Dance News | No Comments »

At the Trailhead

August 12th, 2010

While we were beginning our hiking in the Porcupine Mountains we encountered a man on his way out. He was an oddity because rather than backpacking, he had tried to bicycle the trail. If you have biked around the Porcupines, you know that even on the South Boundary Road, the hills, though gentle are not always easy grades for many bikers. To try and translate that onto a mountain trail seems ludicrous. Evidently the man had come to the same conclusion, because he muttered under his breath as we passed, “bad idea.”

His bike had been custom fit, (duct tape and bolts) with large buckets fastened to the front fork to carry materials (bear barrels, clothes, tools, etc.). It was an odd machine.
The trail he had chosen was The Pinkerton, one of the easier ones in the park: relatively flat though lots of ups and downs through gullies, and washes; a large number of narrow board walks to protect the terrain in wet seasons; and ending at the steep stairs down to the Little Carp River bridge. Beyond that is the Lake superior Trail and other cross sections that do not get easier, with downed trees to circumnavigate, or steep grades and drops following the rivers back up stream.

What possessed him to think that he could use a bike on such trails is baffling.
I assume that he wanted to try the adventure and thought this would be easier than having to carry his living on his back. Wheels should make this smooth. But there was no way to make that work in this terrain.

I empathize with the guy. I sense that my journey in the Spirit of God is sometimes difficult to do. I look for some other vehicle to make the journey easier, to shortcut the experience. I spend time building some mental construct that will carry what I need for life so that I don’t have to spend the more significant energy on the trail with God, only to find that it doesn’t get me where I need to go.
There are no gimmicks to the encounter of God. We simply need to bring ourselves into the journey, use our spiritual muscles, stride out on the trail and eventually I expect that we will find ourselves in the presence of God filled with holy awe.

Posted in Central News, Rev. Jim's Blog | 3 Comments »

How’s Your Fruit? – Joy

August 10th, 2010

Joy…I don’t know about you but joy is a hard fruit for me (secretly they’re all difficult!).

If you are like me then you understand how easy it is to get swept up in everyday life.  We are constantly bombarded with social interactions, tasks, circumstances, etc., that affect our outlook and mood.  The littlest things can set me off towards a not so happy day: a bad night’s rest, a huge workload, constant phone calls, a disagreement with my wife or a family member, lousy weather, and the list goes on and on!  This is not to say that sometimes good things happen and I’m in a great mood, but for me it is much easier to get hung up on the things that are not going the way I had planned.

I wrote all of that to say that I recognize that I am swayed greatly by what comes along.  It never fails, something or someone makes an impression on me and my day is totally changed either positively or negatively.  Those random occurrences can directly effect how the rest of my day goes.

One of the biggest things that I learned in the counseling I received while I was struggling during hospital chaplaincy was that when I allowed people (crazy drivers, sales calls, pushy or rude people) or circumstances determine how I felt or responded, I was giving up control! I realized that I had a choice in who or what could effect me and my attitude. To whom or what are you giving control over your emotions/attitude?

My theory on joy is that is an anchor that holds us in a place of contentment and peace DESPITE our circumstances.  This joy springs from our relationship with God and that peace and contentment rests in knowing we are loved by God and upheld by God and God’s people.
Joy is not an emotion but a constant state. All emotions are fluid, they come and go. Joy remains the same. We all feel emotions and it is not wrong to do so, but are you tethered to God during them so that they do not make you swing to and fro based on daily encounters?

The practical advice from Laura Rogers says, “Joy: to find something wonderful even in the most dreadful of days.”

Posted in The Road to Rich's Reflections | 1 Comment »

THE BUSINESS OF THE CHURCH

August 8th, 2010

For years I have heard from local church leaders a variety of responses to the question:  “Is the church a business?”  Some would contend you have to run a church like you would a business.  Others react with  – no, we are a spiritual community that primarily relies on the mysteries of faith.  As we look toward the November election facing the State of Michigan, the campfires are already burning.  Some are certain we need a person who knows business, who has run a business, to lead the state.  Another camp holds that we still require someone with experience and leadership in the politics of government to get things done.  This observation is obviously simplistic.  A third camp may be content to pray that God will select the next governor.

Back to the church.  I happen to believe the church needs business oriented individuals, including the presence of “bean counters”.

But even in the important realm of church finances the church should intentionally be sprinkled with dreamers.  Visionaries and accountants are not to be compared to the mixture of oil and water.  Monthly giving reports and budgetary requirements are necessary parts of a church’s life.  But so is holy waiting for God’s presence and guidance as we seek our way in these troubling times.  Sometimes it seems as if we have brief devotions/prayer before we “get down to business” in our church gatherings.  We only have so much time to give as volunteers.  Tight agendas, snappy reports, diminished chit chat and we’re out in an hour!  I don’t blame folks for desiring this approach.  After all. time is money.

Jim Kellermann’s recent blog on ”teeter totting” was right on the mark!  The church does need to be efficient, focused, purposeful in its administration.  But all work and no “pray” makes Joanie and Johnny spiritually thirsty and hungry.  If we are committed to knowing and doing the “business” of faithful servanthood we need to be sharp and organized and disciplined like any successful enterprise; but we have neglected, many of us, the never ceasing call of God to be in constant communion with the Living Spirit of God as revealed in Jesus the Christ.

Rev.  Paul Blomquist

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Cruisers Do It Again!

August 4th, 2010

Bob Swartz and John Pierre presenting trophiesCentral United Methodist’s “Cruise for a Cause,” M.S. Society Fundraiser topped last years proceeds by $1000 dollars! Over $5000 raised in four hours to help the M.S. Society Michigan Chapter beat down multiple sclerosis. Great job Fellowship Cruisers and a HUGE thank you to everyone who came out! Big thanks to Shiela in the kitchen who pulled off a great pork sandwich…..get it? It was pulled pork…  and to everyone else who helped out. Bob, you’ve outdone yourself again!

Bob Swartz took video: 

(http://www.waterfordcumc.org/musicMinistry.php) 

and we also have photos that are coming in soon. Thank you to Carol Hopkins who, once again, gave us some fabulous publicity.  Another chance to stick it to M.S.! As Bob and his crew would say, M.S. Sucks! (Can I say that too?)

Great Job!

Pam

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Oreos and God

July 22nd, 2010

I admit it, I love Oreo cookies. If I could, I might eat a whole box – granted, I would feel sick and awful, but they just taste so good! My new favorite dessert combines three of my favorite desserts in one. It is my own conconction – a Dairy Queen blizzard with vanilla ice cream, chocolate oreo cookies and golden oreo cookies all blended together in a thick, rich, dessert. Should I eat these? No, absolutely not, but sometimes I just can’t resist!

We all have “oreos” in our life. That thing that we enjoy and in moderate is totally fine. But when we consume too many, watch out for that stomachache and headache!

Having a relationship with God is kinda like eating my favorite Oreos. Once I start engaging in relationship with God, I want more. The awesome thing is, I don’t get a stomachache or headache! Usually when I “consume” more of God I find peace, joy, contentment, and love. Sometimes God challenges me. Always God walks with me.

How, you may ask, does one “consume” God? Through prayer, devotion time which may include meditation, Bible reading, centering prayers, worship, fellowship with other people who enrich your spiritual life, maybe it is going on a walk and “drinking in” God’s creation.

As a Mom, I want Elijah to grow up knowing that he has someone to turn to who can handle all his problems and concerns. I want Elijah to know he has a God who will celebrate with him in times of great praise and cry with him during times of deep sorrow. And when I reflect that to him, it reminds me that I want it for myself too.

Perhaps I need to eat fewer Oreos and spend more time with God…

How do you “consume” God?

Posted in Rev. Kathy's Blog | 4 Comments »

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