Author: John Collins

Ever watch "Christian Leaders" on the news and feel that you’re not being represented? The United Church of Christ has a new campaign to address bias in news broadcasts. You can read about it here: http://ga3.org/campaign/network1?qp_source=view. The main site for this effort is http://www.accessibleairwaves.org/viewnew/.

The cover of Time magazine pictures a bereft polar bear on the cover and reads: “Be Worried. Be Very Worried.” The story begins by saying “No one can say exactly what it looks like when a planet takes ill, but it probably looks a lot like Earth.” The article goes on to detail how the earth has reached some unfortunate tipping points in global climate change do to human activity. I first became acquainted with the idea of global warming in high school, but I’ve been hesitant, much to hesitant, to say much about it because of the controversy. Well apparently the controversy is gone.

Scripture tells us that “The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it” (Psalm 24.1, NRSV) We have been poor stewards of God’s good creation. Especially those of us in the U.S. which, as Time notes “is home to less than 5% of the population, but produces 25% of the world’s CO2 emissions.” It is time to change that. Christians have started taking notice, including such luminaries as Rev. Jim Wallis and Rev. Rick Warren, two of the founders of the Evangelical Climate Initiative. I’m glad that Christians have started focusing on this issue. As Paul wrote to the Collossians In the book of Genesis, God tells us that we have been given stewardship over the earth. It is about time we started taking that responsibility seriously, we have a Biblical mandate to care for God’s good creation.

Read the article to learn more (if you don’t subscribe to Time you can read it online (like I did).

This coming Palm/Passion Sunday we’ll be reading the passion in parts.
It won’t be a big production and there won’t be any rehearsals. If
you’re willing to help please let me know.

Jenny, Elizabeth and I will be taking some time off soon. I’ve noticed that on the “professional” blogs, there is often someone who comes in and does “guest blogging” to keep things going. I’ve got some ideas, but I’m hoping someone will step forward of their own accord. Any volunteers?

Have you ever had a question about the United Methodist Church that you couldn’t get answered? If so you might want to consider the following:

InfoServ, the official information service of The United Methodist Church, responds to over 200 questions a day by e-mail, phone, and fax. Located in Nashville, TN, InfoServ is here to respond to not only your questions, but point you in the right direction to locate people and necessary resources. (From the InfoServe webpage.)

You can get answers via the InfoServe webpage or by calling 1-800-251-8140.

Elizabeth and I enjoyed breakfast with some of the members of the
Keystone class this morning. the biscuits were stale, and the gravy
was cold, but the conversation was great.

Tomorrow is our Sabbath, so no new posts until Saturday.

One of the best things about being a pastor at First UMC is that you’re invited to attend all the various events put on by the different Sunday school classes. We ate with the Tri-M class tonight and enjoyed a wonderful meal. I then went upstairs to teach our Lenten Bible study. I was moved by the fellowship of the Tri-M class, how they were “being” church as they gathered for a common meal. I was impressed by the intensity of the Lenten Bible study and the eagerness shown by those participating to learn more about the Bible and God, to whom the Bible points. Small groups like Sunday school classes and short-term Bible studies have so much promise for First UMC. The challenge is getting more people involved. I have some ideas of my own, but would like to hear yours.

We previously discussed Kathryn Lopez’s article in the Wednesday,
March 15, 2006 edition of The Coffeyville Journal. We also think this
passage from Leviticus bears consideration:

“The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 19:34).

Mark your calendars now–the dates have been set for Vacation Bible
School this summer! VBS 2006 will be held June 12-16 from 9:00 am to
Noon. The theme this year is: Adventure of the Treasure
Seekers–Exploring God’s Promises. We are in the process of
recruiting folks to lead or help with missions, crafts, Bible
storytelling, music, snacks, and recreation. We will also need folks
to help decorate, collect supplies, take the groups around to the
different activities, etc. If you are interested in helping out with
VBS, please let us know–there are many ways to be involved in this
exciting ministry opportunity.

Jenny, Elizabeth, and I attended the Lenton Lunchen today. The UMW served the meal. Jenny and I thank them for taking the great taco soup. Elizabeth thanks them for the corn chips.

In The Call to Conversion, Jim Wallis quotes Matthew 10.38 where Jesus says, “He who does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” He then goes onto make the following point: “We have no reason or right to choose another way than the way God chose in Jesus Christ. The cross is both the symbol of our salvation and the pattern for our lives” (The Call to Conversion, page 93).