Katrina Update

I have been getting lost of questions about how people can best help with the relief effort following Hurricane Katrina. This is the latest update from our Southwest Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Katrina Update from Southwest Texas Conference.

I will continue to post updates here.

peace,

will

More sad news...

Sometimes when one disaster overwhelms us, we can totally overlook another.

Hundreds of pilgrims killed in Iraq stampede.

A Deep Sadness

I am struck with a deep sadness this morning as the full impact of Hurricane Katrina begins to sink in. I realized after December's tsunami that with catastrophic events, it takes a number of days for people to truly understand. Even if we watch all the media coverage, for many, it takes a certain amount of time before the events become real and they are able to begin to process the full emotional impact. I think in a day of information overload, it may be how our brains protect us. But now, beginning to see how bad things are, and beginning to connect with the emotions, this is overwhelmingly sad.

We all have different ways of coping with news like this. For some, it is to reach out and do whatever they can to help. What helps most in times like this is money. I am working right now on an opportunity to give toward relief efforts on Sunday.

If you want to start now, you can give through the United Methodist Committee on Relief in a couple of ways. You can write a check and bring it by the church. Just mark in the memo line:

"UMCOR Advance #982523, Hurricanes 2005 Global"

You can also drop a check with the same notation in the offering plate on Sunday and we will get it to UMCOR. You can also give on the web, through the mail or over the phone by going to this link:

UMCOR: Hurricane Relief

Because of faithful giving of United Methodist Churches throughout the year, UMCOR's operation expenses are already covered. Therefore 100% of this giving goes directly to hurricane relief.

I hope you can come to worship on Sunday where we can pray about this together.

peace,

will

Meeting the Challenge - Update

Well...

I am excited that I was taken seriously when I made the challenge that we all step up and get involved in serious Bible study. Not only have sixteen people committed to join me in Disciple I, I actually have 20 currently signed up and at least two waiting for a spot.

Pastor John's Disciple III class is also filled beyond capacity and there are at least two waiting for a spot in there.

As of now, I am not going to take any more registrations for either class. However, that does not mean you should give up on Bible study. We will continue to offer additional short-term opportunities to study throughout the year. We also have a number of Sunday school classes and small groups that meet throughout the week. If you are looking for somewhere to learn in community, let me know and I will try to help you find your way.

peace,

will

In the Neighborhood

John and I had our first "Neighborhood Meeting" last night. I think it went better than we had even anticipated. One of the things that we really miss out as pastors in a large church like Grace is an opportunity to visit with people. There is so much we can learn from each other and there is so much more we can do as a church when we have a chance to communicate.

We will be continuing to meet in small groups in homes throughout the fall and probably into the winter. Watch the Grace newsletter for dates and times. If you can't find one you can get to, you can host one in your own home.

peace,

will

Turtles in our midst

There is a new resident at the Grace parsonage. Alisha found a turtle on a speed bump in our neighborhood. She figured it wasn't going to do very well against the cars and golf carts in the neighborhood so it is currently living in the atrium outside of our bathroom.

Alisha has named him Simon and he seems to be eating all of our veggies and some of Bodhi's dog food.

I will let you know how he (or she... I haven't checked yet) settles in.

peace,

will

Earth's Core Rotates Faster than Surface, Study Confirms

Earth's Core Rotates Faster than Surface, Study Confirms

You know, I am always looking up, but rarely thinking about what is below me. The earth is a fascinating place and I have a lot of respect for people who think about how it works.

I came across this article this morning. Some verfication and new details on the stuff we learned in middle school science class. I bet most of us haven't thought about it since then!

peace,

will

Stories

You know, I read a lot. Part of why I read is so that I can find ways to better articulate the good news of God's grace. As I read and understand at a deeper level, I hope that I can communicate the way that God is at work in our world, pursuing us, loving us, and transforming us.

What I find though is that all these books, mostly written by very smart people aren't nearly as good as the stories that people tell me of God's work in their lives. I have had a chance to meet with a couple of really amazing people this week. These are people whose lives have been harder than most of us can imagine. When they tell their stories I begin to see a clearer illustration of the amazing grace of God than I can read in any theological text (theological actually translates -"words about God.") When people really open up and share their walk with God, I know I am really walking on holy ground.

Perhaps there is someone out there who can see God through your story. Or, perhaps there is someone's story out there that will reveal God to you, if you are willing to listen.

peace,

will

Meeting the Challenge

I made a challenge in worship two weeks ago that we be a church that studies the Bible together in small groups. I am pleased with the number of people who have responded to that challenge by enrolling in Disciple Bible Study. I made a specific challenge for 16 people to join me in Disciple I on Tuesday nights. I now have enough people to form a class, but I am still not backing down from that challenge. I am looking for a few more people to fill that class.

Teaching Disciple is one of the most rewarding things I do as a pastor. Most people just don't know how rich, complex and enlightening the Bible can be. The purpose of Disciple I is to open the Bible up to you in new ways. We read the text, but we also look at the background and context. We are informed by scripture and by the history of God's people and we are also informed by each other. It is by reading together and beginning to see scripture through each other's eyes that the word of God comes alive with a message for our lives today. If you think Bible study is boring, I assure you, Disciple will change your mind.

There are also a number of openings in Pastor John's Thursday evening Disciple III class. If you have already taken Disciple I, I really want to encourage you to consider studying with John. Studying the Bible is a lifelong journey and this is a wonderful opportunity to take the next step.

If you want to register you can e-mail me or call the church office at 361-242-3333. The deadline to register is this Sunday.

peace,

will

A Blessed Sunday...

We had a wonderful Sunday of worship this week. I would say we had the largest attendance we have had since John and I got here in June.

A few people have asked me about John's sermons. They are available in print form in the glassway between the education building and the sanctuary. I am going to work this week on getting those online as well.

My Tuesday Disciple I class and John's Thursday Disciple III class are both filling up. We both have a few spots left. If you are interested in either one, I suggest you let me know this week. My class is limited to 16 and I am not sure where John has set the cap on his, but it is probably about the same.

Have a grace filled week.

peace,

will

Remembering to Rest

Exodus 20:8-11 Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work. But the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God; you shall not do any work-- you, your son or your daughter, your male or female slave, your livestock, or the alien resident in your towns. For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but rested the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day and consecrated it.

Bodhi brings us this reminder that while God created us for work and for recreation, God also created us for rest. Rest is part of God's design for us. Bodhi and I hope that you find some time this week to just rest in God's presence.

peace,

will

Young Adults - Talking about Video Games

If you are 18-30ish (I am about to turn 34 and they still let me come... then again, it's my house) join us this Thursday. If you are not, I bet you know someone who is!

We will join together again this Thursday at 7:30 at the Grace Parsonage for fellowship and discussion. Food will be modified pot luck again, which means bring something if you can. I will try to have some sort of meat. We have a ton of chips and salsa and I think we are doing pretty good on sodas, although I am sure we could use more. If you can, bring some snacks or desert (or even more meat if you like) to share.

Here is what we will be talking about:

This week, we will be talking about video games. A lot of the games out there now have quite a bit of violent and sexual content. Instead of just saying, “video games are bad, we should stop playing them and make sure our kids don’t play them,” we are going to ask a question. With the prevalence of sex and violence in many of the games today, should Christians avoid video games or do they have benefits in moderate use?

This should be a good discussion. It may be a good week to invite someone new.

If you need more info or directions, e-mail me. See you at the house!

will

Blogging Pressure

Since the Witness article, I have noticed a bit of an increase in the number of visits to the weblog. I suddenly feel as though I should be posting something meaningful. But, you know, sometimes I don't have anything meaningful to say.

If you are considering Disciple Bible Study, (See post below) today would be a great day to sign up. You can register via e-mail for the Tuesday night Disciple I class. E-mail me and I will e-mail you back a registration form.

peace,

will

Sermon for 8.14.05

This Sunday's sermon is now posted, complete with typos, other errors and some things I may or may not have said.

You can read it here.

As always, your thoughts, comments, and questions are always welcomed!

By the way, if reading the sermon piques your interest in Disciple Bible Study, send me an e-mail and I will get you all the information (and a registration form if you want one.)

peace,

will

Drawing Some Attention

Welcome to all who have found their way to the weblog after reading about it in the United Methodist Witness. They did a nice article about it this month. You can read it online here.

I will have this week's sermon posted either later today or tomorrow. I am still working on making it look like what I actually said.

peace,

will

This Sunday

In case you don't get the Sunday Preview e-mail, here is what is going on this week:

Sermon Title: "Disciple is a Verb"

Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20

We talk a lot about our need to make disciples and we often limit that discussion to how it is we can best spread the word of God. But I think we might be missing a step. In order to make disciples, we need to first be disciples.

This Sunday I will be talking about three things disciples do. I will also suggest some very practical things that we can do to deepen our own discipleship.

This Sunday is also "Rally Day." It is time for all of our children and youth to move to their new classes and a perfect day for adults to think about Sunday school and other educational and spiritual growth opportunities. We will also begin registration for our Disciple Bible Study offerings for this year.

abundant grace and peace,

will

It's Like a Circus (cause it is a circus)

In celebration of Alisha's birthday we went to the circus last night at the American Bank Center Arena. I know there are some that are opposed to the circus due to the treatment of the animals. I understand where you are coming from, but let me say a couple of things.

First, I think Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey is making a good faith effort to provide the best possible living and working conditions for the animals in their shows. I believe the trainer have a genuine affection for the animals and do whatever they can to keep them safe and healthy.

Second, I think that Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey is doing some good work in the overall conservation effort for these animals globally. As sad as it sometimes makes me to see majestic elephants doing tricks for my pleasure, I have to also realize that without agencies like the Center for Elephant Conservation (started by Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey) we might someday reach a day when these animals don't exist.

Before we put all the blame on the circus, we need to think about how our individual and corporate choices affect these and other grand animals around the world. I always hold on to the hope that a child sitting in the audience will see those lions and elephants, fall in love and grow up to find a way to ensure their future.

What do you think?

More on the circus later.

peace,

will

Young Adults - Back on this week.

If you are 18-30ish (I am about to turn 34 and they still let me come... then again, it's my house) join us this Thursday. If you are not, I bet you know someone who is!

We will join together again this Thursday at 7:30 at the Grace Parsonage for fellowship and discussion. Food will be modified pot luck, which means bring something if you can. I will try to have some sort of meat. We have a ton of chips and salsa and I think we are doing pretty good on sodas, although I am sure we could use more. If you can, bring some snacks or desert to share.

Here is what we will be talking about:

I don't know if you caught it in the news a few weeks back, but the Supreme Court handed down a decision regarding eminent domain. For a while, it has been the case that the government had the right to force you to sell your home or property if they needed to do something for the greater good, like build a road or a bridge or a fire station. With the new ruling, the government technically has the right to force you to sell your home or property to promote economic development. What this means, in plainer language, is that you could find and buy a nice home, in an area you like, fix it up just right, begin to raise a family there and one day, the government could come along and tell you that you have to sell them your house and move because they want to sell it to a company that is going to put in a strip mall. And you would have no choice.

This may sound unimportant if you don't own a home or property, but it really gets at the root of how we look at private property and the idea of the greater good. I think we will have a great discussion.

Next week, by request, we will be talking about the prevalence of sex and violence in video games and what we should think or do about it.

E-mail me to let me know that you are coming or for directions or more information or just show up!

peace,

will

Disciple I

I wrote a couple of days ago about Disciple Bible Study and I want to let you know that I have decided to offer it on Tuesday nights from 7-9:30. I know that time won't work for everyone who wants to take it, but I had to settle on something.

There will be a 1 hour orientation session on August 30th and the class will officially begin on September 6. The class is limited to 15 people. So, if you are interested, e-mail me soon.

peace,

will

Back and Ready to Go

I am arrived safely back from Dallas. I am pretty revved up after the School of Congregational Development! This was a pretty impressive conferences with some amazing ideas and visions for the growth and emergence of the Church.

If the growth of the church and reaching out to the people of our community is something that is on your heart, I hope you will come talk to me about it. Some people totally avoid the issue because they aren't comfortable with "evangelism." It is not always about going door-to-door to ask people to come to church. A lot of it is just creating a place where people can feel comfortable and safe to explore that internal invitation that God is already giving them.

Blessings on your week!

will

A Little Light Reading

I tend to get a lot of reading done while at conferences. It is not that I read during the seminars or that I skip the seminars. It is just that, when away from home, there is less to be done. When I wake up in the morning, it takes me a total of 15 minutes to get ready and get to breakfast downstairs at the hotel. When I get back to the room at night, there is no lawn to be watered or cut or anything else.

I just finished reading Stephen Hawking's A Brief History of Time. Some of you may have read this when it came out back in 1986, but I just got around to it. Hawking did a wonderful job of explaining how everything works in a way that even I could grasp (mostly). What was most interesting for me though, and the reason I bring it up here, is his references to God. It would be hard for me to guess, just from reading one of his books to tell what his theology is, but he does have one. God enters into the equation, somehow.

I was also fasinated how our understanding, or lack of understanding, about how things work or how things are, can potentially place us in a limited framework of understanding about everything. Think about it this way: would you perception of God differ if you thought the world were flat? What if (and this example is from the book) you thought the earth was carried around on the back of a turtle? Mine might.

I also look at it this way. How can I pretend to know the mind of God, if I still can't wrap my head around the way the very building blocks of creation work. Hmmm.

Perhaps I have been at the seminar too long.

peace,

will

Sitting in Dallas

In case you have been wondering where I am, I am in Dallas this week at a conference on church growth and development. I love these conferences because I always learn a lot and meet great people. But, there is always too much sitting. The routine is always the same every day at every conference: eat, sit, eat sit, eat, sit, sleep. It is not all that good for the body.

In case you are intersted in what the conference is about, you can go to the website.

I am sure you will be hearing a lot about what I have learned in sermons and conversations.

I hope you are having a blessed week!

peace,

will

No Young Adults this Week

Since I will be at a conference all week, the young adults group will not be meeting. We will be back on next week. Watch this space for all the details.

peace,

will

This Week's Sermon

I am running behind again this week. I took a whirlwind trip to Austin to see my sister, brother-in-law, niece and nephew before they went back to France and my Dad before he went back to New York. Now I have one day before I head to Dallas for a church growth conference.

But, I have found time to post this week's sermon. Here it is.

Hard copies of the sermons are also always available in the glassway of the church.

As always, I love to hear your thoughts and comments, so post away!

peace,

will