United Church of Two Harbors

United Church of Two Harbors http://www.ucth.org/ a welcoming and nurturing faith community on the shores of lake superior en Copyright 2008 Tue, 08 Jul 2008 11:51:46 -0600 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Nothing Unclean I just purchased a new house or, rather, a new mortgage. I tell my kids that I own 3% of this house and it's whatever 3% I'm in, so if you want to be in the house that we own, you have to stay within the same 45 square feet that I'm in. Packing and unpacking, as anyone who moves can tell you, is a real spiritual experience. You pick up hundreds of objects - from teaspoons to sofas, from toothbrushes to a ceramic spoonrest made by your son - and you have to ask yourself, each time you pick up an object, "Do I keep this? Do I give it away? Do I throw it away? Does this thing have a place in my life? Do I value it?" More often than not a kind of ownership inertia sets in. "I've moved this object for the last four moves so I might as well move it again." But I tried this time to be really intentional about what I moved and why. A new house means a new opportunity to organize my life. It's both daunting and exhilarating. As I was moving into my new abode (with many thanks to those people out there who helped me move) a scripture came to me over and over again in a way I'd never heard it before. In Revelation 21 as the nations enter the New Jerusalem, which has descended pristine and pure from the sky, the writer mentions that "nothing unclean will enter it." That it will always remain pristine and pure. And I want my new house to be like that. Oh, how I long for it to be like that. But I already know, as much as I want to, it will not be so. There will be mud and there will be messes. There will be clutter and there will be chaos. In spite of my best intentions, my house will not be spotless. And, eventually, like the way of all flesh it will pass away, by cataclysm or natural decay. I was reminded of that too when I signed my insurance papers. That said, I don't think it's a bad impulse to be mindful of what we bring into our houses. The things we keep, the stuff we store, say much about us. To paraphrase the recently deceased comedian, George Carlin, what is a house if it's not a place for our stuff? And the stuff we keep says as much about us as the stuff we leave behind.]]> http://www.ucth.org/2008/07/nothing_unclean.html http://www.ucth.org/2008/07/nothing_unclean.html Essay Tue, 08 Jul 2008 11:51:46 -0600 Bear Witness to the Truth The United Methodist Church met in General Conference this past month as they do every four years and I was looking over their list of items passed and not. As United Methodists we will have a new hymnal as of 2013. We won't be changing any of our language on the inclusion (or exclusion) of gays and lesbians. We are seeking full communion with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Probationary clergy will now be called provisional clergy. And so on. But what caught my eye was a change to what we pledge when we become members of the church. The formula, for the last 70 some years, has been that we pledge to support the church through our "prayers, presence, gifts, and service." New members now will also be asked to pledge their "witness" as well. "Witness" is a loaded term for most people, burdened with images of street corner preachers or overwrought emotional testimonies at revival meetings. It's an unfortunate association because the act of bearing witness is a very simple one - if you know the truth, speak up. I think of a witness called to give testimony in court. As a witness your duty is fairly simple and straight forward - tell the truth to the best of your ability. In the New Testament followers of Jesus are called repeatedly to "bear witness" to what they have seen. They point is, again, to tell the truth they have seen to the best of their ability. I'm glad for this change because it reminds us that we are all responsible to bear witness to the truth and that everyone's faith journey is different. Sometimes, because our journeys are so different, we are shy to speak up about our experience because we are under the mistaken impression that different is wrong. But we need to bear witness so that we can learn from each others' experiences. It is how we see the work of the Spirit in our midst. Sometimes people discount their own experience because it doesn't seem as dramatic or engaging as other people's experiences, but that is far from the truth. What is "ordinary" is often the most extraordinary thing. Everyone has a story to tell. Also, the act of bearing witness means that we have to keep our eyes open to the world around us. We need to look for where God is operating in our midst. If we are going to witness to God's moving we need to be sensitive to it. This isn't simply the job of clergy or the "professional religious" but the job of every baptized Christian. We all need to bear witness to the truth. Also, bearing witness to the truth means we can't turn a blind eye to injustice or evil either. We are called to speak up. So I'm thankful to the General Conference for this change and pray that we will move into a mode of faithful witness to the truth. http://www.ucth.org/2008/05/bear_witness_to.html http://www.ucth.org/2008/05/bear_witness_to.html Essay Wed, 28 May 2008 19:43:27 -0600 New Testament Trivia Quiz are below in red.

1) How many books are there in the New Testament? a. 27 b. 33 c. 4 d. more and more every year 2) The author of most of the books in the New Testament is… a. Jesus b. Peter c. Paul d. Billy Graham 3) The books that record the life and teachings of Jesus are known as… a. the Annals b. the Dead Sea Scrolls c. the Chronicles d. the Gospels 4) The book of Acts… a. records stories of Jesus’ youth b. contains short plays about Jesus c. records the stories of the apostles after Jesus’ resurrection d. records the story of Jesus trial and crucifixion from the point of view of Pontius Pilate 5) Mark… a. is the shortest of the gospels b. is commonly accepted as the earliest written gospel c. has two endings d. all of the above 6) Paul’s conversion from persecutor of the church to apostle is recorded in… a. Luke b. 1 Paul c. Revelation d. Acts 7) Apocalypse in the Greek literally means.. a. catastrophe or destruction b. revelation or unveiling c. divine wrath d. dance music with marimbas 8) The earliest written book in the New Testament was likely… a. Matthew b. Isaiah c. Acts d. 1 Thessalonians 9) Matthew, Mark, and Luke are known as the synoptic gospels because… a. they were discovered near Synopsis, Greece b. they were the earliest gospels c. they are similar d. they all contain a synopsis of the Old Testament at the beginning 10) The number of books written by Jesus in the New Testament is… a. 0 b. 1 c. 4 d. 27 11) The Epistles... a. is the anglicized version of the word “apostles” b. are letters c. are the books in the New Testament that are not the Gospels d. is the Greek word for the Gospels 12) The books of the New Testament are all generally believed to be written… a. by Paul or followers of Paul b. in Greece c. between 45 and 140 AD d. in Aramaic before they were translated into Latin 13) The New Testament as it is (books and order) has existed since approximately… a. 110 AD b. 367 AD c. 733 AD d. 1821 AD 14) Matthew is unique because… a. it is the only Gospel to record Jesus’ genealogy b. of the story of the Wise Men bringing gifts to Jesus c. it doesn’t list the names of the disciples d. all of the above 15) Mark is notable because… a. its repeated use of the phrase “kai euthos” (“and immediately”) b. it was the only gospel not to be written by one of the 12 Disciples c. it has Jesus being born in Nazareth instead of Bethlehem d. all of the above 16) Luke has more of these than any other gospel… a. chapters b. parables c. disciples d. all of the above 17) John is unique because… a. it contains multiple visits to Jerusalem by Jesus b. there are no parables c. Jesus washes the disciples’ feet d. all of the above 18) Acts is believed to be written… a. by Paul b. before any of the Gospels c. by the writer of Luke d. by a woman 19) In Romans, Paul… a. compares the Gentiles to a branch grafted onto an olive tree b. argues that God has not rejected the Jewish people c. asks for support for a trip to Spain d. all of the above 20) Arguably the best known passage from 1 Corinthians is… a. a chapter about the nature of love often read at weddings b. the story of Jesus’ birth c. the story of Paul cheating at a dice game d. none of the above 21) In 2 Corinthians Paul compares his own imperfections in proclaiming the Gospel as… a. yeast in the bread b. a thorn in his side c. a treasure buried in a field d. a clay jar containing a treasure 22) Galatians was written… a. to ask for money b. by Peter to Paul who was in Gaul c. against those who taught that Gentiles had to be circumcised to become Christians d. none of the above 23) Ephesians… a. uses a metaphor of putting on armor to describe Christian readiness b. instructs slaves to obey their masters c. instructs wives to obey their husbands d. all of the above 24) Philippians… a. was written to Philip of Rome b. contains a recipe for bean soup c. contains what is thought to be an early hymn that begins “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus” d. none of the above 25) 1 Thessalonians is… a. the first of Paul’s letters b. concerned with those Christians who have died c. instructs believers to “pray without ceasing” d. all of the above 26) 2 Thessalonians was written… a. before 1 Thessalonians b. apparently because the Thessalonians didn’t understand the first letter c. in response to 1 Peter d. none of the above 27) In 1 Timothy, Paul… a. tells Timothy not to let people put him down just because he’s a youth b. instructs bishops and church leaders to have no more than one wife c. forbids women to have authority over a man d. all of the above 28) In 2 Timothy, Paul tells Timothy not to be ashamed of… a. not being able to grow a beard b. his body c. making a money by preaching d. suffering for the sake of the Gospel 29) In Titus, Paul… a. reveals the name of Jesus’ wife b. asks Titus to prepare a room for him c. is concerned that some preachers are calling Cretans liars and gluttons d. none of the above 30) Philemon is written… a. to the church at Philemon b. by Philemon, a tax collector c. about the first Olympics d. to the master of a runaway slave 31) Hebrews describes Jesus as… a. the pioneer and perfecter of our faith b. a high priest c. as co-creator of the world d. all of the above 32) James contains the phrase… a. “faith without works is dead” b. “the Lord helps those who help themselves” c. “you’ve got to know when to hold them and know when to fold them” d. “love is never having to say you’re sorry” 33) 1 Peter describes Christ as… a. a cornerstone b. a stone which the builders rejected c. a stumbling block d. all of the above 34) 2 Peter contains a description of this event in Jesus’ life… a. Birth b. Baptism c. Transfiguration d. Ascension 35) 1 John says that… a. God is light b. God is love c. no one has ever seen God d. all of the above 36) 2 John is addressed to… a. the elect lady and her children b. Paul in Rome c. 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue d. those who follow Christ 37) Most scholars think 3 John was written… a. by the same John who wrote the Gospel of John b. by the same John who wrote Revelation c. by Paul d. before 1 & 2 John 38) Jude refers to this archangel fighting with the devil… a. Gabriel b. Uriel c. Raphael d. Michael 39) Revelation is written to churches in seven cities in Asia Minor including... a. Moscow b. Paris c. Jerusalem d. Philadelphia 40) Revelation was written by John of Patmos. Patmos is… a. a city in Asia Minor b. John’s father c. a prison island d. none of the above]]> http://www.ucth.org/2008/05/new_testament_t.html http://www.ucth.org/2008/05/new_testament_t.html Bible Study Sat, 10 May 2008 10:06:04 -0600 Spring Luncheon

Click on the pictures to see an enlarged version. Many thanks to all who participated and to David Glass for the photos. ]]> http://www.ucth.org/2008/05/spring_luncheon_1.html http://www.ucth.org/2008/05/spring_luncheon_1.html Event Tue, 06 May 2008 11:16:01 -0600 What Large Stones Mark 13:1-2 when the disciples, like all tourists in big cities, are gawking at the large buildings in temple complex in Jerusalem. "Look, Teacher! What large stones!" Jesus reminds them that buildings do not last. It's hard to hear that. Buildings have, in general, lifetimes that exceed the human span. They seem solid, unmovable, permanent, trustworthy. But buildings are transitory. They cannot last. Jesus also said, "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:21) We need to be careful where we place our hearts and how we invest our spirit. On the other hand, it's good to take care of buildings so that they can accomplish their missions. We need good schools not for the sake of the buildings, but for what happens in them. We need good churches, again, not for the sake of the buildings, but for what happens in and through them. The building, inasmuch as it has a mission, is important. We are fortunate that we have had generations of good caretakers of the building where United Church is housed. It is a sorrow, however, when the building becomes the mission. Unfortunately, I've seen this happen over and over with churches. The building itself becomes the focus of the community - its restoration or maintenance. It's sad to see that happen. So much energy and time and money going into keeping a building alive which has lost the mission for which it was built. I pray that never happens to our congregation. I'm reminded of a children's hymn that you've probably heard...

The church is not a building, the church is not a steeple,
the church is not a resting place, the church is a people.
I am the church. You are the church. We are the church together.
All who follow Jesus, all around the world! Yes, we're the church together.

Couldn't have said it better myself.]]> http://www.ucth.org/2008/05/what_large_ston.html http://www.ucth.org/2008/05/what_large_ston.html Essay Thu, 01 May 2008 09:59:35 -0600 Easter Quiz click here to see the answers. The answers will be in red.

1) On which day is it traditional to make pancakes? a. Maundy Thursday b. Good Friday c. Shrove Tuesday d. April Fools Day 2) What are the 40 days before Easter known as? a. Advent b. Lent c. Epiphany d. Eastertide 3) Jesus was crucified on… a. Palm Sunday b. Easter Sunday c. Good Friday d. Maundy Thursday 4) Easter is celebrated on… a. the fourth Sunday of March b. the Sunday closest to the beginning of Spring c. 100 days after Christmas d. the first Sunday after the full moon on or after the Spring equinox 5) Jesus was betrayed for… a. 30 pieces of silver b. 30 pieces of gold c. a colt and a donkey d. an all expense paid trip to Rome 6) Gethsemane means… a. place of the skull b. press of oils c. beautiful garden d. get some more of these 7) What color was the cloak Jesus wore on the way to the cross? a. green b. black c. red d. purple 8) Who helped Jesus carry his cross? a. Joseph of Arimathea b. Simon of Cyrene c. Simon the Zealot d. Saul of Tarsus 9) What does Palm Sunday celebrate? a. Jesus entering Jerusalem b. Jesus entering Bethlehem c. A traditional Jewish festival when people laid fresh palms in their homes on their floors d. A traditional Roman festival when dates were eaten 10) Who rolled away the stone from the mouth of the grave in which Jesus had been placed? a. an angel b. a soldier c. the gardener d. Joseph of Arimathea 11) Easter gets its name from… a. the direction of the rising sun b. the Anglo-Saxon goddess of eggs and bunnies c. the Latin word “astor” which means “rising” d. the Greek word for “Passover” 12) What is burned to make the ashes for Ash Wednesday? a. cedar wood b. slips of paper on which prayers have been written c. witches d. palms from the previous year's Palm Sunday 13) Jesus was laid in the tomb of… a. Joseph of Arimathea b. Simon of Cyrene c. Judas Iscariot d. Nicodemus 14) What is celebrated forty days after Easter Sunday? a. The Ascension b. Pentecost c. All Souls' Day d. The Assumption 15) The day before Ash Wednesday is known as… a. Fat Tuesday b. Shrove Tuesday c. Mardi Gras d. All of the above 16) Mardi Gras literally means… a. Fat Tuesday b. Great Day c. Throw me some beads d. Day of the Geese 17) Lent is Latin for… a. "Sorrow” b. “Fasting” c. “Spring” d. none of the above 18) Pretzels… a. were invented as a Lenten food b. symbolize arms folded in prayer c. were first made by German monks d. all of the above 19) On Ash Wednesday ashes are placed… a. on the forehead in the shape of a cross b. in a box to be taken home and scattered on the garden c. on the priest or pastor’s hands and feet to mark where Christ was crucified d. on lily bulbs that will bloom on Easter 20) The color of Lent is… a. green b. purple c. red d. gray 21) At Christ's crucifixion what did the soldiers place on his head? a. a wreath of laurels b. a crown of thorns c. a crown of jewels d. a crown of thistles 22) The soldiers who crucified Jesus rolled dice for his… a. Clothes b. Jewels c. Donkey d. Cross 23) Judas betrayed Jesus by… a. pointing at him b. describing him to the authorities c. kissing him d. shaking his hand 24) Christ was led away to which high priest first? a. Annas b. Vitellius c. Caiaphas d. Josephus 25) Above Jesus on the cross was a sign which read… a. Behold the man! b. Thus always to tyrants c. King of the Jews d. Savior of the World 26) The sign above Jesus on the cross was written in… a. Latin b. Greek c. Hebrew d. all of the above 27) Jesus rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday on… a. a colt b. a donkey c. a white stallion d. maybe a colt, maybe a donkey, maybe both 28) When Jesus died, for how long was there darkness over the land? a. 3 days b. 3 minutes c. 3 hours d. 3 weeks 29) While on the cross Jesus gave care of his mother to… a. Peter b. the "beloved disciple" c. Mary Magdalene d. Pontius Pilate 30) According to all four gospels the first person to see the resurrected Christ was… a. Mary, the mother of Jesus b. Mary Magdalene c. Peter d. accounts vary 31) Pilate offered the crowd to release Jesus or… a. Jesse James b. Barabbas c. Paul d. Barnabas 32) Jesus' side was pierced with a… a. Sword b. Knife c. Spear d. Axe 33) When Jesus said he was thirsty he was offered… a. water from a waterskin b. wine from a cup (the holy grail) c. vinegar in a sponge d. none of the above 34) When Jesus died… a. darkness descended even though it was day b. there was an earthquake c. the shroud in the temple was torn in half d. all of the above 35) Which disciple wanted to see the imprint of the nails before he would believe? a. Andrew b. Thomas c. James d. Bartholomew 36) After Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus he… a. repented of his sin and rejoined the disciples b. escaped to Egypt c. hanged himself d. became a Roman citizen 37) When Jesus was being arrested Peter… a. wept b. took out a sword and cut somebody’s ear off c. ran away d. none of the above 38) Golgotha means… a. place of the skull b. press of oils c. beautiful garden d. hill of the Goths 39) Jesus predicted this person would deny him before the rooster crowed three times... a. Judas Iscariot b. Pontius Pilate c. Peter d. Mary Magdalene 40) What is celebrated 50 days after Easter? a. Trinity Sunday b. Ascension Day c. Memorial Day d. Pentecost]]> http://www.ucth.org/2008/03/easter_quiz.html http://www.ucth.org/2008/03/easter_quiz.html Youth Wed, 19 Mar 2008 10:21:35 -0600 Stimulating United with your Stimulus Check Here's a very simple proposition... Give 10% of your Stimulus Check to United Church. Starting in May people will begin to receive their Stimulus Checks from the Federal Government. These checks are being sent out to help stimulate the economy in a time of economic downturn. Well, your church is part of that economy and churches in general have been hurting. All I am asking is that when you receive that $600-$1200 in the next couple months is that you remember your church with a tithe. The idea of tithing is an old Biblical idea that goes back to the story of Abraham. When he received an unexpected bounty he gave one tenth of it to the priest Melchizedek as a thanksgiving offering. (Genesis 14:18-20) Many people set tithing (giving 10% of their earnings) as a standard for faithful giving. It is not mandated by scripture, but generosity in giving is always encouraged and hailed as a virtue. The most recent statistics show that Presbyterians give, on average, 1.5% of their income to the church while United Methodists give 2.1%. Assemblies of God members are, on average, among the most generous givers with 5.25%. The fact of the matter is that the church operates through your generosity and good will. Please remember United when your check arrives.]]> http://www.ucth.org/2008/03/stimulating_uni.html http://www.ucth.org/2008/03/stimulating_uni.html Essay Tue, 18 Mar 2008 10:37:17 -0600 Kinda makes you want to skip Presbytery meetings, doesn't it?

[Click to Enlarge]

"It is our tradition to recognize and all elders, deacons and clergy in the Presbytery of Northern Waters who have died in the past year at one of our Presbytery Meetings."

I've been to meetings so boring that I thought I was going to die, but not literally! We get this letter every year for the annual Necrology Report and every year it makes me laugh. I've mentioned a few times that they may want to change the wording, but I'm kinda glad they don't. Now, I'm sharing it with the world.]]> http://www.ucth.org/2008/03/kinda_makes_you.html http://www.ucth.org/2008/03/kinda_makes_you.html Presbyterian Church Wed, 05 Mar 2008 10:09:24 -0600 United Church Vietnam Vet's Journey back to Vietnam Featured in News Chronicle

You've read Roger Anderson's Travel Log here, now you can read an interview with him in this week's Lake County News Chronicle. ]]> http://www.ucth.org/2008/02/united_church_v.html http://www.ucth.org/2008/02/united_church_v.html Community Fri, 29 Feb 2008 06:38:24 -0600 Making Ice Candles with Lee Campbell

Our own Lee Campbell is featured in this on-line photo essay. She made the ice candles that decorated our steps this past Christmastide. Thanks, Lee!
]]> http://www.ucth.org/2008/02/making_ice_cand.html http://www.ucth.org/2008/02/making_ice_cand.html Community Thu, 28 Feb 2008 20:21:34 -0600 Pastor's Report 2007 I believe in the power of church. Of course I believe in the creative power of God, the saving power of Jesus, and the renewing power of the Holy Spirit, but I also believe in the power of being church. There is no other institution like the church in our society. I believe in a place where you can sing in public regardless of your natural aptitude. I believe in a place where you can mingle with the generations. I believe in a place where you can sit down at a table over a cup of coffee and talk with a total stranger. I believe in a place that is genuinely concerned with the plight of someone living hundreds or thousands of miles away. I believe in a place where scripture is read and heard and studied and acted upon. I believe in a place which values beauty and truth for their own sake and not simply for how we can profit from it. I believe in a place where people are being perfected in love, not expected to be perfect already. And United is and can continue to be that place. But we cannot be complacent. We cannot fall into the trap of being a preservation society. The mission of the church is not to preserve itself. We are not here to preserve a building. The mission of the church is larger than that. We are not here to preserve our way of worship. The mission of the church is larger than that. We are not here to preserve our values and way of life. The mission of the church is larger than that. We are not here to preserve our lives. The mission of the church is larger than that. My hope for 2008 is that we will not simply exist, but that we will thrive. And I believe what will make us thrive is a renewed sense of mission. A nun was reflecting about the lack of new initiates and, taking the long view, she said that when this country was young and there were still untamed places we needed hospitals and universities and her order did that. Now that stage of the mission is over, so it's natural to be in decline.

I do not believe our mission is over, but it may be in flux. The church will not thrive on sentimental support. It will, at best, linger on in a half existence and victimized by low expectations. So I'm going to ask some dangerous questions. What difference does United Church make? What difference can we make? What would you miss if our congregation disappeared tomorrow? We need to be engaging these questions directly in the year to come. We cannot afford to drift because the honest truth is that complacency in our mission will mean that we will either have to radically reconsider our staffing resources or our physical resources or both because our current direction is not sustainable. We might be able to make it as we are for a few years. Maybe even ten. But not long term. And, personally, I want to leave our congregation better than I found it. I hope you do too. So in the year ahead, expect to be challenged. Expect to give of yourself. Expect to think. Expect to be asked hard questions. Expect to be asked to sacrifice. And, most of all, expect joy. May God bless us in our journey.]]> http://www.ucth.org/2008/02/pastors_report.html http://www.ucth.org/2008/02/pastors_report.html Administration Sun, 24 Feb 2008 13:47:37 -0600 What Do I Do in the Silence? During Lent at United we are observing periods of extended silence during worship. Silence can be intimidating for many people. If you feel uncomfortable with it, you are not alone. Here are some things you might want to consider doing during the periods of silence in worship or your own silent prayer practice. Wrestle with your "Monkey Mind" This is what some people call the chattering part of your brain that is always trying to get your attention. It's the part of your mind that is filled with to do lists, nagging thoughts, and other urgent nothings. Let these wash over you as much as possible. If they really can't be ignored, write them down and pray over them. Clearly if your mind is bringing them up they must be of some importance, so use these things as a springboard for prayer. Focus on your Breathing Sometimes the silence is deafening and you can't even form a coherent thought or concentrate. When this happens people often find it helpful to focus on their breath. Breathing is involuntary and necessary. Remember that every breath is a gift from God. A simple prayer can be formed by simply slowing down your breath and as you exhale think of releasing your spirit to God, giving your life back to God, acknowledging your total dependence on God. As you inhale give thanks for all the gifts that you receive from God's hand, the beauty of the world around you, the very gift of life that we so often take for granted. Reread the Scripture for the Day Take the time to reread the scripture readings for the day and enter into them. Don't be afraid to take a pencil or pen and highlight passages that speak to you, even if you don't know why. Find one sentence or even a phrase and roll it over in your mind. Consider Prayer Concerns Make a list, either mental or physical, of events or people that weigh on your heart. These could be anything from world events to things happening in your own community or family. After you list them let your spirit rest on them and pray for God's will to be done. ]]> http://www.ucth.org/2008/02/what_do_i_do_in.html http://www.ucth.org/2008/02/what_do_i_do_in.html Worship Fri, 22 Feb 2008 11:36:48 -0600 We've been Waymarked!

United Church has been registered on Waymarking as a Historical Church apparently by a man named Bruce who was passing through Two Harbors this past summer, based on the photos he took. It's worth heading over and taking a look. He has a nice, concise history of the church there as well.
]]> http://www.ucth.org/2008/01/weve_been_wayma.html http://www.ucth.org/2008/01/weve_been_wayma.html History Thu, 31 Jan 2008 10:06:55 -0600 Church & State & Us Recently a United Methodist pastor from Texas, a well known spiritual advisor to President Bush, endorsed Barack Obama for President. Other pastors have gotten into the endorsement race too, endorsing different candidates. All of which has been fodder for a lot of prayerful thinking on my part. During the last election cycle several churches got in trouble with the IRS which has threatened to take away their non-profit status over political activity. So I was wondering how these pastors could do this so publicly. The line is kind of a blurry one.

Pastors may not endorse any candidate or political party from the pulpit or in print in any church publication (using church stationery or in the church newsletter).
Pastors may, as private citizens, endorse candidates in newspapers, on the sidewalk, in the church parking lot, just not in the pulpit.
Congregations cannot endorse a candidate or party in any way.
Churches may hold voter registration drives, as long as they do not endorse any candidate or party.
Pastors may preach on any issue they wish - social, economic, political.
Churches may hold forums where candidates are invited to address issues.
Candidates may be introduced in worship services.
Churches may be used as polling places.

[source] Now, many of you know that I am a politically aware and involved individual. I even was the campaign manager for a county commission seat a few years ago. I have some strong opinions about political matters, but you won't hear me in church or in the public arena using my clergy status to support any candidate. I just don't think it's wise. First of all, I'm the pastor of everyone at United and I bet we don't all agree on political matters. I don't want my politics to become a stumbling block. While I am sure we can all agree to disagree agreeably, if I went and endorsed a candidate as a pastor for any political office, local or national, there would be rifts. I just don't see any upside to that. Second of all, it's really not important. To me the job of being a pastor is not linked to my political identity. Most people when I visit them in the hospital don't care what my political leanings are. They want someone to listen to them and pray with them. I can do that. Third of all, it's not the area of my expertise. I'm a Bible Scholar and a Spiritual Advisor, not a Political Pundit. I also don't walk onto construction sites and give the contractors there tips on plumbing or electrical wiring. I don't go into your kitchen and tell you how to bake a ham. It's not my forte. All this said, I think as good citizens we all have political opinions. I don't have to divorce myself from politics. In fact, my faith calls for me to be active in social policy with issues of economic justice, the pursuit of peaceful resolution to conflicts, environmental stewardship, and the just and ethical use of resources. Inasmuch as these are political issues they are also deeply spiritual issues. So as we go to caucus and expect a good and healthy political debate in the year to come, do not expect me to be wearing a button for any candidate on my stole, but I may be leafleting your house sans collar.]]> http://www.ucth.org/2008/01/church_state_us.html http://www.ucth.org/2008/01/church_state_us.html Essay Missions & Social Concerns United Methodist Church Tue, 22 Jan 2008 10:30:50 -0600 And the Winner Is... As mentioned earlier, the United Methodists of Minnesota have been looking at redistricting the state. The plan that has emerged as the preferred one is the model above. This would place United Church in the new Big Waters District. The center of the district would move significantly to the south of what it is now, though the District office would remain in Duluth. Here is some rationale for the decision from the Conference website:

It divides the high-growth eastern part of the state, including Rochester, the Twin Cities, St. Cloud, Brainerd and Duluth, into three districts. It divides the western part of the state into two regions in the southwest and the north. This model offers greater opportunity for specialization. It allows the superintendents of the eastern districts, where much population growth is occurring, to focus on congregational development. The western superintendents will be able to specialize in rural and town-and-country churches. This model also would push the superintendents to change the way they work, which is one of their goals. The current regional office sites can be maintained.

Do you have thoughts on this model? You can share them directly with Bishop Sally Dyck on her weblog.]]> http://www.ucth.org/2008/01/and_the_winner.html http://www.ucth.org/2008/01/and_the_winner.html United Methodist Church Thu, 17 Jan 2008 10:03:05 -0600