I’m just so proud to be here!

Add a Howdy to the front of the title and I would sound like Minnie Pearl (actually that would be a HOW-DEE, but whose counting?). Today was the first day in the pulpit at Lookout Mountain United Methodist Church and all went well.

The people were very gracious and welcoming. There were even a few folks there that haven’t been to church in a while.

I did have a surprise when I found out that I would be leading the singing. I hadn’t planned the order of worship with that in mind so there was a little bit of confusion for me and several points of shuffling between the hymnal and my bible, but the congregation didn’t seem to notice…and if they did, they didn’t say anything.

Started moving in to my office this past Wednesday. The office has been primarily used for storage over the past few years, so I get to sort out what to keep and what not…and where to put it. Felt a little lost since Helen (our part-time secretary) was in Florida with her grandbaby’s and I was trying to figure the place out on my own.

I think I’m going to like it here. The people are friendly and are so eager for good things to start happening. It’s been a long time coming for them…and us.

Gracious Lord, fill the people of Lookout Mountain United Methodist Church with your love and show us how to serve our neighbors. Fill us with your Holy Spirit that we may be set “on fire” for you. Fill us with your grace that we can extend that grace to others. Make us what you would have us to be. In Jesus name, AMEN.

Calling it like they see it

Anyone who knows me, knows that I have a big problem with the IRD. Seems that there is a new book out that exposes the IRD for what they are. Bishop William Willimon of the North Alabama Conference comments on the book and a review of the book in Christian Century. A recommended read.

Hat Tip to Jonathan Marlowe over at The Ivy Bush.

Back from Annual Conference

We are at the conclusion of one of the most interesting and awesome weeks that I have ever experienced. Last Sunday, Charlene and I traveled to Lake Junaluska for Annual Conference. Not only was it our first Annual Conference, it was our first visit to Lake Junaluska as well. I think it would be safe to say that our jaws dropped when we entered the grounds. We were both amazed at the beauty and the peaceful feeling that the setting provided. It was a place where we would feel comfortable with our daughter taking off on her bicycle and having a good time on her own. It was a place of safety. It was a place for rest and relaxation. It was a holy place. We’re already planning to return there in the fall for a few days of vacation.

The best way to describe Annual Conference is that it is a combination family reunion, camp meeting, revival and convention all rolled into one. We renewed old friendships and made new ones. We participated in awesome worship of an awesome God. We celebrated the commissioning and ordination of this year’s class of Deacons and Elders. We were inspired and challenged by Bishop Swanson to do whatever it takes to reach out boldly with the love of Christ to a world that so desperately needs to hear the Good News of God’s love for us.

I felt renewed and refreshed by the atmosphere.

I felt empowered by the sending forth service on Wednesday afternoon where I received my License for Pastoral Ministry and my appointment to Lookout Mountain United Methodist Church. I felt my heart warmed as the lay delegates from the 12 districts of the Holston Conference laid hands upon me and the other newly licensed pastors while the bishop led the congregation in prayer for our ministry.

It was an awesome experience. It was a humbling experience. It was an experience that I will never forget.

Were there any controversies? Yes, there were a couple, but nothing that wasn’t handled with grace and civility.

My overall impression? I would give the Holston Annual Conference session an A-.

Oh, and thanks to fellow Methoblogger Tim Sisk who eloquently states my opinion (intemperate or not) in this post. And Tim, congratulations on the latest addition!

Getting ready for AC

Holston Annual Conference gets underway on Sunday at Lake Junaluska. To those of you on the blogroll (and any lurkers) who will be going, I look forward to meeting you and seeing you there.

Also, this is my first visit to Holston’s AC. Any suggestions from the veterans would be appreciated.

Wayne

The goodbyes are starting…

The folks at Brainerd UMC are starting to say their goodbyes and tell me that they will miss me and my family as we move our ministry to the mountain. We won’t be physically moving but won’t be part of the Brainerd family anymore.

Tonight was the first of many last times…my last choir rehearsal. Sunday, June 11, will mark my last time to sing in the choir as I will be preaching on the 18th. I thought that I could handle the emotions…but I choked on the last song and had tears in my eyes as the choir gave me a send-off.

Things do not look good for the reception following my last Sunday.

It’s a small world…

Those were my thoughts just over an hour ago when…

(fade to interior shot of office)

I was sitting in my office at Brainerd UMC when my cell phone rings. My wife, who is a counselor with our Jr High mission team based at Camp Lookout, is on the phone.

“You busy?” she asks.

“No. I’m just waiting for the UMW luncheon to get started.” (I never turn down free food)

“Well good. I’m at St Andrews with the kids. Can you bring me a coke and something chocolate?”

It helps to know that the St Andrews Center is only about 10 minutes away from the church and we live between them so this wasn’t a bad request…even with the rumbling of my tummy.

“Sure. I’ll see you in a few.”

So I run by the house to pick up a Coke and a packet of M&M’s and head to the SAC.

The St Andrews Center is the former St Andrews UMC. The church closed in 2004 and under the leadership of my friend Rev Mike Feely is being transformed into a bustling community outreach ministry center. A team from the Jr High Service Week camp is helping out with painting, cataloging books in the library and just doing what ever needs to be done.

I meet up with my wife and spend a few minutes talking with her and Mike. She mentions that one of the team leaders is the son of my candidacy mentor and starts to point him out coming up the stairs before she realizes that it isn’t him. Still, the face is familiar. As he walks past I speak up “Jonathon Norman?”

I introduce myself but still a confused look until I say “St Phransus, meet TnRambler.” The recognition was instantaneous. I had to explain the connection to Charlene. We chatted for a few minutes and then I had to leave.

I would never have imagined that I would meet a fellow blogger in a chance encounter at a work project in Chattanooga of all places.

It is a small world after all!

Another this and that

It’s been a while since I last posted. Things have been a bit hectic and my time has been better spent elsewhere. I’m making preparations for my first appointment and making preparations to train the person who is replacing me at BUMC.

This week has been a bit easier to deal with. My wife’s aunt and uncle had some timeshare points to burn before they lost them so we were invited to spend a couple of days at Shenandoah Crossing resort in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, just outside of Gordonsville. Although it was just a couple of nights, it was nice to get away and not think about anything work related.

The resort is a little more rustic than the aunt thought it would be, but it had horses…which made our daughter happy. The stable manager let her hang out with them and help take care of the horses in return for taking a longer trail ride than what she would normally be able to take at her age…which thrilled her beyond measure. She worked hard for the privilege and enjoyed it to the fullest extent.

The return trip put us in Knoxville in time for a visit to the Cokesbury store and the opportunity to order a clergy robe. I have one that was given to me by my current pastor and this will give me another one. The robe is one of the things that I’m getting with the gift certificate from the folks at my previous employer…the rest of the gift will be partially spent on books for my library (never can have enough of those).

I’m getting excited about the appointment. There is so much potential at this charge…and the community is ripe for ministry. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, if we can concentrate on making disciples and creating a Christ centered community of faith that is reaching out to the larger community, then we can have growth. Already, I’m informed that some folks have presented a plan to the council for a PDO program that would be sponsored by the church. And this is only the beginning of the type of outreach that is currently unavailable in the community.

I will preach both services at BUMC on June 18 in order to say good-bye to a fantastic group of folks that have helped to shape me and support me in this quest to follow God’s call in my life. On June 25, I step into the pulpit as the new pastor of Lookout Mountain UMC. With God’s help, the congregation and I, working together, can reach out in love to that community and make a difference in the lives of some of its people.

With God’s help…because we can’t do it on our own.