Sunday, May 06, 2012
Mission on Stumpy Point
The mission trip was amazing. I never considered that we could have such a cross cultural experience while never leaving the U.S. All 16 of us ended up working on one home on a small island of Stumpy Point, about a 45 minute drive from where we stayed on Roanoke Island in Wanchese. We slept on air mattresses in Sunday School rooms; UMCOR brought in a portable shower in a trailer that was parked behind the church. They also brought in a tool trailer to the job site.
We worked on the home of the Midgett family; Robby, Naomi and three teenagers. Robby is a ninth generation fisherman on that spot. Their home had been flooded with 22 inches of water from Hurricane Irene. With FEMA funds they had the house raised eight feet on pilings. Our jobs were to insulate and attach plywood under the house, sheet rock three rooms in the main part of the house, and caulk and paint one bedroom. The family had been out of their home for nine months and had given up hope of returning any time soon. We gave them hope by getting so much done.
The Midgett's were as far to the right socially, politically and theologically as we are to the left. The beauty of the week was that by working side by side none of that mattered. We were able to move beyond everything that separated us to truly caring about one another and even appreciating the authentic faith of one another. The team was very compatible which helped a lot. We did a lot of laughing and crying, usually all at the same time. Blessings were found in ways we couldn't have imagined or predicted. Thanks be to God!
We worked on the home of the Midgett family; Robby, Naomi and three teenagers. Robby is a ninth generation fisherman on that spot. Their home had been flooded with 22 inches of water from Hurricane Irene. With FEMA funds they had the house raised eight feet on pilings. Our jobs were to insulate and attach plywood under the house, sheet rock three rooms in the main part of the house, and caulk and paint one bedroom. The family had been out of their home for nine months and had given up hope of returning any time soon. We gave them hope by getting so much done.
The Midgett's were as far to the right socially, politically and theologically as we are to the left. The beauty of the week was that by working side by side none of that mattered. We were able to move beyond everything that separated us to truly caring about one another and even appreciating the authentic faith of one another. The team was very compatible which helped a lot. We did a lot of laughing and crying, usually all at the same time. Blessings were found in ways we couldn't have imagined or predicted. Thanks be to God!
Monday, April 09, 2012
Wanchese, NC
Wednesday morning 16 of us from the church travel across the country to a small fishing town on the outer banks of North Carolina to repair homes damaged last year in a series of hurricanes. We are staying at Bethany UMC in Wanchese who have been coordinating mission teams around the area. I still have an Easter "hangover"; that is I am pretty exhausted in mind and body, but I think this mission trip will renew me in every way.
At the church we just finished a nine week series exploring ways to be even more inclusive. This included a class on tattoos (understanding why this has become so popular), had a transgender speaker and learned more about the Tongans in our congregation to name just three of the topics. It's so amazing to be able to bring into the light subjects that would be forbidden in many churches. I appreciate being part of a faith community where I can truly and fully be myself for the first time!
At the church we just finished a nine week series exploring ways to be even more inclusive. This included a class on tattoos (understanding why this has become so popular), had a transgender speaker and learned more about the Tongans in our congregation to name just three of the topics. It's so amazing to be able to bring into the light subjects that would be forbidden in many churches. I appreciate being part of a faith community where I can truly and fully be myself for the first time!
Sunday, November 06, 2011
new members
This morning on All Saints Sunday I baptized three adults, two who are college students. After that 13 people joined the church: three college students and one woman who will turn 90 this week. This class also included a man whose address is the homeless shelter. What an amazing faith community this is; they teach me more everyday about what it means to be a truly inclusive faith community. We have taken in 21 new members and baptized 16, half of whom are adults. Wow. The Spirit is moving so perhaps I will not be retiring as soon as I thought. God is good, all the time, God is good!
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Interfaith community
Today the interfaith clergy of Northern Nevada were invited to meet the first Imam in Reno and two new rabbis who are on different parts of Lake Tahoe. This was hosted in an Indian restaurant by a Hindu leader.
I have known that this is a much more open minded community when it comes to faith issues, and that was confirmed when various leaders were called upon to speak in order to welcome the new religious leaders. This is the first community where I have lived where Mormons include themselves. But I was not prepared to hear from a member of the Pagan "faith". A man stood up and said his name was Wolf and he is an ordained Pagan priest who represents about 1000 people in Northern Nevada. The rabbi that I was sitting with told me that usually an avowed atheist would have been part of such a gathering. My mind was definitely expanded this afternoon!
I have known that this is a much more open minded community when it comes to faith issues, and that was confirmed when various leaders were called upon to speak in order to welcome the new religious leaders. This is the first community where I have lived where Mormons include themselves. But I was not prepared to hear from a member of the Pagan "faith". A man stood up and said his name was Wolf and he is an ordained Pagan priest who represents about 1000 people in Northern Nevada. The rabbi that I was sitting with told me that usually an avowed atheist would have been part of such a gathering. My mind was definitely expanded this afternoon!
