Clergy day away

I spent a thoroughly enjoyable couple of days at the Illinois Conference UCC "Clergy Day Away" for 2007. (If it was two days, shouldn't we change the name to "Clergy retreat"?) The "Two-Day Away" event (enough with the quotes already! And the parentheses too!) was at Pilgrim Park Camp and Conference Center in Princeton, IL.

John Bell -- Church of Scotland minister, hymnwriter and resource person at the Iona Community -- led us in a time where he encouraged us, through music, presence and teaching, to encounter Jesus the person as we experiencing him in scripture.

We encountered Jesus who was a man, who loved to eat, who spent lots of time with and loved women, who used humor and sarcasm, who got angry, and who never endorsed "Christian Family Values." I left this afternoon feeling spiritually refreshed, physically tired and ready for the next few days of training in Cleveland.

I leave for Ready-Set-Grow training tomorrow.

Wedding Crashers

I'm headed to Florida to perform a wedding ceremony this weekend (Hey! How about some encouragement instead of a chorus of boos!)
It just so happens that this week's blog entry for "Opening the Bible" at i.ucc comes from one of those famous wedding passages! Here's "Wedding Crashers."

I've seen the movie -- and laughed out loud when the two main characters made a bet as to whether the Bible reading at a wedding would come from 1st Corinthinans (13) or Colossians 3:12 (-17). I have to admit, I'm partial to the Colossians reading myself.

I'm going to be officiating at a wedding ceremony this weekend. (Yes, I'm a pastor -- and yes, I do weddings sometimes.) I really do like being a part of weddings and offering what little words of advice I can as we prepare and during the ceremony itself. (I tell couples that being a pastor has given me some training to do that, but being married for 19 years is what really qualifies me!)

A Bible reading I present at almost every wedding ceremony I perform is also one of this week's Bible readings. Colossians 3:12-17 (Not the one read during the movie -- the wedding during the "Scripture bet" in Wedding Crashers had 1 Corinthians 13 read) has simple, wonderful advice on how to live at peace with others. It has advice that was not, and is not limited to the Christian world, yet offers advice I think all in Christianity should heed.

In this passage, people are encouraged to have compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience. People are encouraged to forgive each other and to always act in love. All are also expected to let Christ's peace be the reference point that guides everyday actions.

What if everyone took advice like that seriously and lived with it and in it? Sure it goes beyond "Love" as the most important thing of all, but it expands on what love calls us and expects us and encourages us to do. If we lived following that advice, what do you think life would be like? Is it likely we could get there? Even if it isn't, isn't it worth it to try? Can we rely on God to provide us with the ability to get there? Can we do any less?

I think that's great advice for couples and singles and everyone in every kind of family. I'll be sure to share it this weekend.

Last and first

Last Sunday I'll be serving at St. Matthew UCC in Wheaton: February 4, 2007
First Sunday I'll be serving at Union Congregational Church in Somonauk: February 11, 2007

Reality Check: 7 weeks

Announcement!

I've been called as the new pastor at Union Congregational Church in Somonauk, IL.

Whoa.

I start serving sometime in February of next year.

It's so exciting to get ready to serve and for new opportunities. I'm looking forward to help lead a new congregation as we grow together in Faith.

And it's bittersweet because it means saying goodbye to the St. Matthew congregation.

Transition isn't easy -- and I trust that God will continue to provide strength and continue to guide both St. Matthew UCC and Union Congregational Church.

More excitement to come!