Don't Be Afraid of the Dark

What a gorgeous autumn morning!

I am sitting here in prayer, in my office before a celebration of life begins for a friend from Fallon Daily Bread, Cathy Winans, and I find myself overwhelmed with gratitude. In the other room country music is playing while the family sets out the decorations and talks together, Vince Gill and Reba and Tammy Wynette and Alan Jackson, and one of my all-time favorite country songs, "The Night the Lights Went out in Georgia." It is good to hear them laugh and cry and talk and remember Cathy. I am so thankful for being in ministry with you, in this beautiful place, among such kind, thoughtful, caring people. Your generous welcome, the way you share your time and your stories, the way you stand with and for each other, your passion for your church and for God...you have been a healing balm to my soul, and I am so glad to be here.

I am really enjoying our worship series on the simple Sunday School truths that we need go guide our lives. We are inspired by Robert Fulghum's book "All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten", resonating with his words that wisdom is not found on the top of the graduate school mountain, but in the sandbox at Sunday School. Levia did such a FANTASTIC job of reading our first book, "The Sandwich Swap" last week, didn't she? And I loved the way that sweet little book, and her sweet little self, helped us hear the story of Jesus feeding the thousands in a whole new way as we explored our first truth: share everything. This week, we will hear a very silly little book called "Pout Pout Fish in the Big, Big Dark" and the story of David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17 as we talk together about our second bit of Sunday School wisdom: don't be afraid of the dark.

If you're able, I hope you can find a little time and take a look at the story of David and Goliath. And when you do, maybe take a little time to think about the Goliaths in your own life: the things that make you feel small, powerless, or afraid. Maybe think about the things in your past that have been overwhelming or terrifying, how you handled them, where you are now, and what you learned from them. And then, pray on this:

There are over 100 passages in the Bible that encourage us to not be afraid. Not as a command, as though being afraid is some sort of character flaw, but as an inspiration. A source of strength, and comfort. Listen:

"Do not be afraid, and do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

"Even though I walk through the darkest valley I will not be afraid, for you are with me." Psalm 23:4

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you. He will never leave you, nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6

"Do not be afraid, for I am with you." Isaiah 43:5

It is a good day, beloved. I pray that you see God everywhere in it. And then, rest well and we will see you in worship.

Love and blessings,
Pastor Dawn

PS If you're not able to join us in worship, please join us on the radio or on Facebook Live on the church Facebook page, Epworth UMC Fallon!

PPS Please consider bringing items for our UMCOR flood buckets! You can pack a whole bucket yourself, or bring a little bit (or a lot!) of one thing or a few things. We will be packing them up this week and bringing them to South Reno UMC for pickup next weekend when the UMCOR truck comes through town. Here's a link to the list of stuff. Thank you!

http://www.umcor.org/ArticleDocuments/232/Cleaning%20Kit%20Assembly%20Instructions%20Sept.pdf.aspx?Embed=Y

Keep It Simple - Do the Next Thing

 Keep It Simple—Do The Next Thing

Anyone who knows me knows that I consider myself an introvert. Not because I don’t like being around people or that my lifelong dream is to be some kind of hermit, but because these Ashlee Batteries are charged in calm, quiet places (often involving some hot drink made from magical beans, but that’s neither here nor there...).

In Isaiah 30, God tells His “obstinate children” (you know, the Isrealites) that they’re looking for safety and identity in all the wrong places and in verse 15 (NIV) reminds them that “in repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength...”

In the quiet place it is easy to hear my own thoughts and worries, much easier than in the midst of weekday Mommy-Duty and church office bustle. I know I’m not the only one who experiences this thinking. Honestly, how many times have you asked yourself “is this where I am supposed to be?” or sometimes maybe you’ve had a little deeper and more personal thought like “I just want to know that my what I’m doing makes a difference.”

You know what else is easier to hear in the quiet place (at least as soon as I get my own self out of the way)? Yeah, you do know. I know you know. I know you know as well as I do that the stillness is where we find the voice of our Creator, our Guiding Light, the Ultimate Direction Giver (I made that last one up myself, and I kind of like it). The quiet place is where He knows you will hear.

Recently, a musical group called Disturbed has taken one of my all-time favorite Simon & Garfunkel songs, Sound of Silence, and gave it new life. The song itself has a pretty powerful message, but the remaster has made it relevant to a new generation and given it that much more power. We’re all guilty of “talking without speaking” and, maybe especially, of “hearing without listening.” I would encourage you all, if you haven’t already heard it, to find it on YouTube (here's the link: https://youtu.be/u9Dg-g7t2l4) or from wherever you get your music and give it a listen. You can even stop me wherever we may run into each other and I will share it with you from my phone!

I have heard God many times (and even listened!) but often have been guilty of being more like Jonah instead of Jesus in that I’m afraid to leave what I know in order to do God’s work where I am called instead of being open to God’s will, regardless of what it looks like. For a long time now, God has been calling me to do His work in my home, with my family and I have foolishly rebelled, assuming that my family would better be served by me having a paycheck. I foolishly convinced myself that since that paycheck came from my church and my service was to Him and my church family that it was close enough to my calling. I was wrong on both accounts, and probably many more. This selfishness on my part also prevented Epworth from being served by whoever actually IS being called to serve here.

After listening (for real!) to the Ultimate Direction Giver (I still think it fits....) and my own personal desires to focus on my family, including the incoming Christmas(ish) baby girl, it is time I leave the part-time office chair for the full-time nursery rocker.

My last day in the office is October 18th. This DOES NOT mean that we will leave the church. On the contrary, this will allow for me to get involved in other ways to which I have been unable to commit. You all are our family and we love you.

Church, our Pastor and Staff Parish Relations Committee are working diligently to find the perfect fit for Epworth so that our office will run as smoothly and efficiently as possible. Keep them and the process in your prayers!

(If you think that you might be a perfect fit, or maybe you know someone you think would be, then by all means turn in a resume!)