Aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh.
It's a good day.
Sitting here in our little room at the Lewis and Clark hotel in Bozeman, Montana at the end of a very non-traditional Thanksgiving with Dennis' daughter Emma-Leigh, talking with my brothers and sisters and kids via text where they are gathered in Reno with my Dad, with a marathon of The Godfather playing in the background for some reason, it is a very good day.
All day long, thoughts of Thanksgivings past. My mom's recipes, and all of us kids gathered around a noisy table. Her in the kitchen all day, from before we were even awake, making the different dishes. the whole house smelling so good. Our first Thanksgiving away from home, when we were living in San Anselmo while I went to seminary, and how sad we all were...but how we made it our own by letting the kids each pick their favorite thing to have for the feast, and laughed about how steak and tomato soup and macaroni and cheese and stuffing really didn't go together, but eating it anyway. How off-kilter holidays have felt ever since my mom died a few years ago, but how hard we have all worked to create a new normal. How happy we all are this year, that it is my sister's first holiday in 2 years that she hasn't been in the hospital!!
I keep thinking, too, of the happiness and love that filled the Wolf Center on Monday, while 250+ people gathered for Fallon Daily Bread's special Thanksgiving feast. I had to seclude my coughing self from most of it, but I wish I had better words to describe how meaningful that all was. The smiles on everyone's faces, feeling so...I don't know. More than cared for, and enthusiastically welcomed. More than gratified by doing a good thing. Just feeling...together.
I ran across this hymn the other day, written (and copyrighted) by a woman named Carolyn Winfrey Gillette for Thanksgiving. I just love it. It can be sung to several different tunes, but she prefers the "Hymn to Joy" by Beethoven. You know, the one that goes "Joyful, joyful we adore thee, God of glory, Lord of love..." Let that tune play in your mind, and sing these words:
All of life is filled with wonder, so we thank you God of love
For the crash of evening thunder, clearing clouds, then stars above;
For the night that turns to glowing as we feel the morning mist,
God, we praise and thank you, knowing every day we're truly blessed.
For the joy of daily waking, for the gift of each new day,
For the smell of fresh bread baking, for the sound of children's play,
For the ways we seek to serve you, as we work and volunteer,
God we humbly praise and thank you, for your presence with us here.
For the ways we're blessed with plenty, love and laughter, neighbors, friends,
Nature's wonders, season's bounty, life in you that never ends;
For the ones who've gone before us, giving witness to your way,
We rejoice in all you give us, every moment, every day.
However you have spent the day today, I hope that you have found something to smile about, something to be thankful for. The Carson river snaking through town. The sun coming through the last few leaves on the trees. Distant mountains with snow on top. Something warm. Something that smells good. Something sweet. Someone who was kind to you today. Someone who was kind to you yesterday. Someone who believed in you a long time ago. Someone who trusts you enough to tell you their troubles. Someone who forgave you. Someone who gave you something that you still treasure.
For your love in times of trouble, for your peace when things are tough,
For your help when hardships double, for your grace that is enough;
For a stranger's gentle kindness, for a doctor's healing skill,
God we thank you that you bless us, and you bless your world as well.
Maybe this Thanksgiving is especially difficult for you. Maybe something hurts, and maybe the hurt makes it too hard to be thankful right now. If that is where you are today, then I want you to hear this truth: the God of love and life hurts with you, cherishes you, and is beside you even now, giving you strength. That absolutely nothing could ever make God leave your side. That this present darkness is not the end of your story, and that as surely as the sun rises tomorrow morning you will find the light just a bit brighter, your heart just a bit stronger, and the love of God just a bit warmer inside you. God has a new gift for you, right around the corner. Just wait, and see.
For the baby in the manger, for the cross and empty tomb,
For each time a searching stranger finds at church a welcome home,
For your kingdom's great surprises, poor ones lifted, lost ones found,
God, we thank you! Hope still rises, for your gifts of grace abound.
It is a powerful thing that the Christian year begins and ends with Thanksgiving. The secular Christmas holiday tries to overshadow and overwhelm everything else, but -- whether the secular world is fully aware of it or not -- the birth and life and death and resurrection of Jesus Christ IS THE REASON we celebrate Thanksgiving! So, I hope that you linger here, on this holiday that is rooted in all of that. Linger here, around the table, and remember Jesus eating with saints and sinners...
sharing meals with Pharisees and disciples, as a woman washes his feet with her tears and dries them with her hair,
sharing a few loaves of bread and a few fish, that became enough to feed thousands,
sharing a last supper with friends and betrayers,
sharing a breakfast of forgiveness and miraculous life on the beach,
making himself known to them in the breaking of the bread.
I hope you let a spirit of gratitude infect absolutely everything you do, from this moment onward. May the simply, powerful act of gratitude melt away the stresses in your life, strengthen your relationships, fill you with new energy, and enable you to walk through life fearlessly and joyfully.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Pastor Dawn
A Chronicle of the Life of Epworth United Methodist Church in Fallon NV
Thursday, November 23, 2017
Sunday, November 5, 2017
Madness.
Hello beloved,
I am sure that you have heard the news by now, of the shooting at First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, Texas. And I know you are crying with them, and praying for them, because of course you are. Everything in us cries out when things like this happen, even as we are becoming horribly desensitized to it, protecting ourselves from hopeless despair by detachment and denial, steeling ourselves for the inevitable words, the predictable responses by politicians and citizens who just want to make it STOP.
The problem is, there is no easy, clean, simple solution. Because it is madness, spiritual madness. And madness defies logic.
So, the only solution is utter madness in response.
My first thought after hearing of this shooting, in the midst of impotent rage and stomach-turning sadness, was to batten down the hatches. To develop an emergency response plan for the church, a way to protect ourselves should these horrors come to our doorstep, and into our home. And we will do that, because we have to. And yet...
I say we throw the church doors open even wider.
I say we SHOUT love loudly and clearly, from the doorways and the windows and the rooftops, and dare the forces of violence and death to try to defeat us.
I say we add 100x to our spirit of welcome, on Sunday mornings and on every other day. I say we reach out even more readily, to bring every stranger into this place of care and kindness, mercy and generosity. I say we make our openness an act of radical defiance.
I say we refuse to cower, refuse to close ourselves behind steel doors, refuse to descend into anger or despair or apathy, and instead stand tall and strong and determined, like David met Goliath. Knowing that the battle is not ours but the Lord's.
"Be strong, and courageous," said God to Joshua, on his way to the promised land, knowing the dangers he would face. "Do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
Steve Garnaas-Holmes is a brilliant Christian poet. I find these words, from a poem he wrote some time ago, to be powerfully comforting and deeply meaningful.
Fearlessly,
Pastor Dawn
I am sure that you have heard the news by now, of the shooting at First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, Texas. And I know you are crying with them, and praying for them, because of course you are. Everything in us cries out when things like this happen, even as we are becoming horribly desensitized to it, protecting ourselves from hopeless despair by detachment and denial, steeling ourselves for the inevitable words, the predictable responses by politicians and citizens who just want to make it STOP.
The problem is, there is no easy, clean, simple solution. Because it is madness, spiritual madness. And madness defies logic.
So, the only solution is utter madness in response.
My first thought after hearing of this shooting, in the midst of impotent rage and stomach-turning sadness, was to batten down the hatches. To develop an emergency response plan for the church, a way to protect ourselves should these horrors come to our doorstep, and into our home. And we will do that, because we have to. And yet...
I say we throw the church doors open even wider.
I say we SHOUT love loudly and clearly, from the doorways and the windows and the rooftops, and dare the forces of violence and death to try to defeat us.
I say we add 100x to our spirit of welcome, on Sunday mornings and on every other day. I say we reach out even more readily, to bring every stranger into this place of care and kindness, mercy and generosity. I say we make our openness an act of radical defiance.
I say we refuse to cower, refuse to close ourselves behind steel doors, refuse to descend into anger or despair or apathy, and instead stand tall and strong and determined, like David met Goliath. Knowing that the battle is not ours but the Lord's.
"Be strong, and courageous," said God to Joshua, on his way to the promised land, knowing the dangers he would face. "Do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
Steve Garnaas-Holmes is a brilliant Christian poet. I find these words, from a poem he wrote some time ago, to be powerfully comforting and deeply meaningful.
"Do not be afraid to live among people who love the sword,
who speak with iron hearts.
You have been sent to make gentle this wounded world,
to live in peace among those who are afraid,
to bear healing to those who are captive
to the spirit of pride and violence.
Do not despair because of the oppressors,
those who judge and despise,
who will not listen,
who do not know how to join with neighbors.
Rejoice, for you have been given to them,
to shine light into the darkness of their world.
The Holy Spirit sustains you,
so that you may dwell as healers among fearful men.
who speak with iron hearts.
You have been sent to make gentle this wounded world,
to live in peace among those who are afraid,
to bear healing to those who are captive
to the spirit of pride and violence.
Do not despair because of the oppressors,
those who judge and despise,
who will not listen,
who do not know how to join with neighbors.
Rejoice, for you have been given to them,
to shine light into the darkness of their world.
The Holy Spirit sustains you,
so that you may dwell as healers among fearful men.
Bear your outrage lightly; do not cling to it.
Let it lead you toward compassion, not anger.
Pray that you may not be defeated by vengefulness,
eaten by the appetite for power,
destroyed by the spirit of destructiveness.
Anger is not your weapon; it is your enemy.
Let it lead you toward compassion, not anger.
Pray that you may not be defeated by vengefulness,
eaten by the appetite for power,
destroyed by the spirit of destructiveness.
Anger is not your weapon; it is your enemy.
The spirit of violence seeps into the world.
But you radiate Good News,
you breathe gentleness into the air that all others breath,
you establish trust on the earth.
Be broken hearted.
And through the cracks let light shine...
the light shines in the darkness
and the darkness cannot overcome it."
But you radiate Good News,
you breathe gentleness into the air that all others breath,
you establish trust on the earth.
Be broken hearted.
And through the cracks let light shine...
the light shines in the darkness
and the darkness cannot overcome it."
~ Steve Garnaas-Holmes
Fearlessly,
Pastor Dawn
Saturday, October 28, 2017
Jesus Loves Me, and That's All I Need to Know
Good Saturday morning, beloved!
October is hands down my favorite time of year. If I were a better photographer, I would have a hundred pictures of the railroad bridge just as you come into Fallon from the west, with the trees all orange and yellow and gold. And of the view of the mountains and soft desert foliage at Camp Kelly (stopped out there for a bit to visit with Kay Knutson on Tuesday, on my way to Ely to officiate at their Charge Conference), and of the night sky between Fallon and Austin where I swear I have NEVER seen so many stars.
I have heard it said that Hasidic Jews are taught to carry two pieces of paper in their pockets. One says "I am only dust and ashes." The other says, "All the universe was created for me." I find that to be a beautiful and powerfully important thing. It reminds me of how it feels for many of us when we see the ocean for the first time (or the thousandth time), or meet a newborn baby, or take in the vast expanse of the desert with the Ruby Mountains off in the distance, or turn the corner on Mt Rose Highway and see Lake Tahoe all lit up by the morning sun, or see the Milky Way stretching across the sky when the night is clear and so, so dark. We feel tiny. Small and overwhelmed and something like afraid. We have this urge to stop, to stop everything, to fall down on our knees, stunned. Overwhelmed by wonder, and gratitude, and humility, and this bone-deep understanding that we are a part of something absolutely incomprehensibly beautiful.
Awe. That's the feeling. Awe.
This week in worship we finish our series on Everything We Really Need to Know, the simple truths we learned long ago in the Sunday School classroom. Things like, share everything. Don't be afraid of the dark. Clean up your own mess. Say you're sorry when you hurt someone. Learn some, and think some, and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some. Take time to rest, and worship. Milk and cookies are good for you. And this week, the most important one, the one that is the basis of everything else: LOOK around you, let wonder overwhelm you, and remember that Jesus loves you.
Take some time, when you can, and read Psalm 147. And John 3:16-17. And Romans 8. And Zephaniah 3:14-20. And so, so, so many more. And then look around you. Go outside, maybe, and let wonder overtake you.
See you in worship. :-)
Love and blessings,
Pastor Dawn
PS Sunday evening, October 28, is Singspiration! Join us and a bunch of our other area churches, just to sing together and enjoy each other's company. 6pm at Epworth UMC in Fallon.
PPS Our Church Charge Conference is on Wednesday, November 8, beginning with a pot luck supper at 6pm. Bring something to share if you can, and join us to celebrate our church, pray over our many leaders, and vote on important stuff.
PPPS Our annual pie auction is November 19 after worship! Call the church for details if you'd like to donate a pie of your own, and come to the auction to bid on DELICIOUS desserts made by our fantastic cooks to add to your Thanksgiving feast.
PPPPS (haha, all of these P's) Next week we begin a new sermon series called Methodist Pie! All about the history of our faith, the joy in our fellowship, and our LOVE of good food. :-)
October is hands down my favorite time of year. If I were a better photographer, I would have a hundred pictures of the railroad bridge just as you come into Fallon from the west, with the trees all orange and yellow and gold. And of the view of the mountains and soft desert foliage at Camp Kelly (stopped out there for a bit to visit with Kay Knutson on Tuesday, on my way to Ely to officiate at their Charge Conference), and of the night sky between Fallon and Austin where I swear I have NEVER seen so many stars.
I have heard it said that Hasidic Jews are taught to carry two pieces of paper in their pockets. One says "I am only dust and ashes." The other says, "All the universe was created for me." I find that to be a beautiful and powerfully important thing. It reminds me of how it feels for many of us when we see the ocean for the first time (or the thousandth time), or meet a newborn baby, or take in the vast expanse of the desert with the Ruby Mountains off in the distance, or turn the corner on Mt Rose Highway and see Lake Tahoe all lit up by the morning sun, or see the Milky Way stretching across the sky when the night is clear and so, so dark. We feel tiny. Small and overwhelmed and something like afraid. We have this urge to stop, to stop everything, to fall down on our knees, stunned. Overwhelmed by wonder, and gratitude, and humility, and this bone-deep understanding that we are a part of something absolutely incomprehensibly beautiful.
Awe. That's the feeling. Awe.
This week in worship we finish our series on Everything We Really Need to Know, the simple truths we learned long ago in the Sunday School classroom. Things like, share everything. Don't be afraid of the dark. Clean up your own mess. Say you're sorry when you hurt someone. Learn some, and think some, and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some. Take time to rest, and worship. Milk and cookies are good for you. And this week, the most important one, the one that is the basis of everything else: LOOK around you, let wonder overwhelm you, and remember that Jesus loves you.
Take some time, when you can, and read Psalm 147. And John 3:16-17. And Romans 8. And Zephaniah 3:14-20. And so, so, so many more. And then look around you. Go outside, maybe, and let wonder overtake you.
See you in worship. :-)
Love and blessings,
Pastor Dawn
PS Sunday evening, October 28, is Singspiration! Join us and a bunch of our other area churches, just to sing together and enjoy each other's company. 6pm at Epworth UMC in Fallon.
PPS Our Church Charge Conference is on Wednesday, November 8, beginning with a pot luck supper at 6pm. Bring something to share if you can, and join us to celebrate our church, pray over our many leaders, and vote on important stuff.
PPPS Our annual pie auction is November 19 after worship! Call the church for details if you'd like to donate a pie of your own, and come to the auction to bid on DELICIOUS desserts made by our fantastic cooks to add to your Thanksgiving feast.
PPPPS (haha, all of these P's) Next week we begin a new sermon series called Methodist Pie! All about the history of our faith, the joy in our fellowship, and our LOVE of good food. :-)
Saturday, October 21, 2017
Naps. Naps are great.
Hello, church family!
It has been a good day off. I am so thankful for time to spend the day in comfy elastic-waist pants, cook and clean and winterize the garden, and stop WHENEVER I WANT to take a nap on the couch while watching a marathon of Bones. I probably haven't spoken more than 10 words in the last 10 hours. That may or may not sound like paradise to you, but for me it really recharges the batteries, and reminds me of how good life is. And it is very, very good.
Last week in worship, we talked together about the value of hard work and discipline, about taking responsibility for our mistakes, and about how responsible living honors God. We talked about how, when life gets messy, we can lose track of what is precious to us, and how so much of life consists of keeping the messiness under control so that the precious things remain precious. This week, we will talk about sabbath: about the importance of leaving the mess alone for awhile for the sake of rest, and family, and play, and the holiness in all of it.
Take a look at the first creation story in Genesis, if you can find the time, especially Genesis 1:26-2:3. You will see the balance there between work and rest that God has designed for us. It's spelled out in Exodus 23:12, and again in Deuteronomy 5, that God commands us to rest from our work one day in 7, in order to refresh our spirits. It is a good and holy thing to rest, even when -- especially when! -- the stresses of life and the drive to get things done feel overwhelming. It is good to stop awhile. To deliberately withdraw from all that consumes us in order to breathe slowly, and take a look around. When we do so, we remember that we are not just here to make a living, but to make a life. We keep things in perspective, being constantly reminded that the world really does keep turning without our help. And, we keep our priorities in order. To work is holy; to rest is holy, too. Remember the sabbath day, beloved, and keep it holy.
See you on Sunday!
Love and blessings,
Pastor Dawn
It has been a good day off. I am so thankful for time to spend the day in comfy elastic-waist pants, cook and clean and winterize the garden, and stop WHENEVER I WANT to take a nap on the couch while watching a marathon of Bones. I probably haven't spoken more than 10 words in the last 10 hours. That may or may not sound like paradise to you, but for me it really recharges the batteries, and reminds me of how good life is. And it is very, very good.
Last week in worship, we talked together about the value of hard work and discipline, about taking responsibility for our mistakes, and about how responsible living honors God. We talked about how, when life gets messy, we can lose track of what is precious to us, and how so much of life consists of keeping the messiness under control so that the precious things remain precious. This week, we will talk about sabbath: about the importance of leaving the mess alone for awhile for the sake of rest, and family, and play, and the holiness in all of it.
Take a look at the first creation story in Genesis, if you can find the time, especially Genesis 1:26-2:3. You will see the balance there between work and rest that God has designed for us. It's spelled out in Exodus 23:12, and again in Deuteronomy 5, that God commands us to rest from our work one day in 7, in order to refresh our spirits. It is a good and holy thing to rest, even when -- especially when! -- the stresses of life and the drive to get things done feel overwhelming. It is good to stop awhile. To deliberately withdraw from all that consumes us in order to breathe slowly, and take a look around. When we do so, we remember that we are not just here to make a living, but to make a life. We keep things in perspective, being constantly reminded that the world really does keep turning without our help. And, we keep our priorities in order. To work is holy; to rest is holy, too. Remember the sabbath day, beloved, and keep it holy.
See you on Sunday!
Love and blessings,
Pastor Dawn
Saturday, October 14, 2017
Clean Up Your Own Mess
Good Saturday morning, church folk!
Did you know that Lattin Farms does a "Fall Festival" every Saturday in October?? Probably you knew that. I did not know that, til the other day. There's pumpkins and pie and kids' stuff and a corn maze...you can make your own scarecrow, you guys. And have you SEEN all of the cool stuff that the downtown theater is doing?! There are so many great opportunities to spend time with family and friends in this awesome town, I hope you are taking advantage of it. We will talk about the importance of taking time to play a little bit later in our sermon series about the life lessons we learned in kindergarten, but I hope you are doing it now! Time is fleeting, beloved...kids grow up so fast, all of us get older, life is short. Take time for happiness.
Of course, it's not ALWAYS time for play. And in order to really enjoy life, in order to feel good and strong and satisfied and fairly stress-free, we need to have our life reasonably well in order. King Solomon, in writing about where to find meaning and hope in life, writes a lot about wisdom. In Ecclesiastes 2:24 he says:
There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his work. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God.
Our scripture passage for this week is a piece of the story of Jonah. For those of you who may not be familiar with Jonah's story, he was commanded by God to go to Ninevah as a prophet, to tell them about God and convince them to turn their lives around. That is chapter 1 verse 1. In verse 3, Jonah responds by taking off on a boat, going in the exact opposite direction from Ninevah. Evidently, he had no interest in doing the work God had given him to do. What Jonah's plan was, exactly, we have no idea other than fleeing from God and this work, but the result of Jonah's irresponsibility is a mess that affects everyone around him.
Now, Jonah is a very imperfect person. But he does see the mess he has created, and he takes responsibility for it: he admits his fault, and takes charge of doing his part to make things right. It isn't easy or pleasant, but he does it...and God meets him there, giving him the strength and protection to get through it. It's a great story, short and pretty hilarious really, and full of wisdom. I hope you're able to take some time to read it today, or sometime this week. Here's a link to Bible Gateway, if you like to read on your computer or tablet; you can choose from among a whole lot of different translations in the search bar:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jonah+1&version=NRSV
Illuminating our scripture lesson this week is the story "Just a Mess" by Mercer Meyer. His books were some of my kids' favorites when they were little, sweet and funny and good. It will be a good day. Have a wonderful day today, and we will see you in the morning!
Love and blessings,
Pastor Dawn
Oh, and PS! If you are a worship leader (like, if you do the Young at Heart moment sometimes, or if you read scripture and lead the welcome, or if you serve communion or light the candles) or if you would LIKE to do some of those things, then please stay after worship this week for a quick refresher course! We will talk about the meaning of all of the things we do in worship, and the joy we get in doing it. We will practice reading and leading, play with the microphones, and answer any of your questions. It will be fun! Hope to see you there.
Did you know that Lattin Farms does a "Fall Festival" every Saturday in October?? Probably you knew that. I did not know that, til the other day. There's pumpkins and pie and kids' stuff and a corn maze...you can make your own scarecrow, you guys. And have you SEEN all of the cool stuff that the downtown theater is doing?! There are so many great opportunities to spend time with family and friends in this awesome town, I hope you are taking advantage of it. We will talk about the importance of taking time to play a little bit later in our sermon series about the life lessons we learned in kindergarten, but I hope you are doing it now! Time is fleeting, beloved...kids grow up so fast, all of us get older, life is short. Take time for happiness.
Of course, it's not ALWAYS time for play. And in order to really enjoy life, in order to feel good and strong and satisfied and fairly stress-free, we need to have our life reasonably well in order. King Solomon, in writing about where to find meaning and hope in life, writes a lot about wisdom. In Ecclesiastes 2:24 he says:
There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his work. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God.
Our scripture passage for this week is a piece of the story of Jonah. For those of you who may not be familiar with Jonah's story, he was commanded by God to go to Ninevah as a prophet, to tell them about God and convince them to turn their lives around. That is chapter 1 verse 1. In verse 3, Jonah responds by taking off on a boat, going in the exact opposite direction from Ninevah. Evidently, he had no interest in doing the work God had given him to do. What Jonah's plan was, exactly, we have no idea other than fleeing from God and this work, but the result of Jonah's irresponsibility is a mess that affects everyone around him.
Now, Jonah is a very imperfect person. But he does see the mess he has created, and he takes responsibility for it: he admits his fault, and takes charge of doing his part to make things right. It isn't easy or pleasant, but he does it...and God meets him there, giving him the strength and protection to get through it. It's a great story, short and pretty hilarious really, and full of wisdom. I hope you're able to take some time to read it today, or sometime this week. Here's a link to Bible Gateway, if you like to read on your computer or tablet; you can choose from among a whole lot of different translations in the search bar:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jonah+1&version=NRSV
Illuminating our scripture lesson this week is the story "Just a Mess" by Mercer Meyer. His books were some of my kids' favorites when they were little, sweet and funny and good. It will be a good day. Have a wonderful day today, and we will see you in the morning!
Love and blessings,
Pastor Dawn
Oh, and PS! If you are a worship leader (like, if you do the Young at Heart moment sometimes, or if you read scripture and lead the welcome, or if you serve communion or light the candles) or if you would LIKE to do some of those things, then please stay after worship this week for a quick refresher course! We will talk about the meaning of all of the things we do in worship, and the joy we get in doing it. We will practice reading and leading, play with the microphones, and answer any of your questions. It will be fun! Hope to see you there.
Saturday, October 7, 2017
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
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
Tuesday, October 3, 2017
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!)
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