#32: Platte City UMC (after worship), #33 Weston UMC (2:30 Pm) and #34 Turney UMC (scheduled for 4:30...actually 4:55....)
Just a few un-eloquent notes:
Was able to sleep a little later this a.m.---worship at Platte City (packed in as usual) at 11 am followed by lite lunch and cc. Very, very warm sense at this church. I would say that the average age was under 45; bibles were given to 14 second graders; a great "stewardship moment" by a man who is a financial planner for a living, who was as truthful and eloquent around seeing our giving to church as a response to God's love as I have ever heard, yet not over the top. Good cc; not too terribly many people there. A fantasy: when my very rich great aunt (yeah, tell me another one) dies and gives me 5 million dollars, two million would go to Platte City so that they could enlarge/build a new sanctuary. The community is growing rapidly and large. Great pastors, Bob Howard. Great associate pastor, Julie Bogart.
A delight to be present. Great chili, too.
Weston: just down the road from Platte City. Again not too terribly many people. NOTE TO SELF: do not schedule cc at Weston on Sunday afternoons. Weston is a very tourist driven, cute shops, great antiques kind of town. Parking was almost impossible. BUT is Andrew Lovins great or what??? I'd spend another million on seminary education that produced more Andrew Lovins types.The church is packed out for worship most Sundays (do we have a theme here?) ...and the church is contemplating a second service. Lots of mission work. Up 20 percent in worship since end of 05. I did not "do" the 5 practices here---was"taken up by the spirit" and told John Wesley stories---"submitting to be more vile" ... standing on his father's grave...you know the story...and how Weston can follow that spirit...just got whisked away in Wesley land there for 10 minutes or so...anyway, pretty good cc...and then
Turney: I was SO late---I stood around talking too long at Weston and was 25 minutes late. I HAVE to get all the pastors numbers downloaded to the new phone. But the folks were very nice. SO much going on. Judy Frost (see two days ago picture with the bishop) is their new pastor and doing a great job. She told a story of how Larry Linville, who left there in June, gave all the members pebbles to carry in their pockets and remember to pray for her each time they remembered the pebble.She told it a quite a bit better than that. LOTS of mission stuff from UMW; fellowship; and one of my favorite moments of the day came when Roy, their lay member to annual conference, whom I knew was really excited about the 5 practices, told me they had purchased 20 copies of the book for distribution---and they average about 30 in worship. I was even given a copy! At the end of the conference, I asked for questions and Roy got up and asked how small churches were using the book. I asked him which of the practices seemed to strike him as needed most attention at Turney, and he said "hospitality...I wouldn't exactly call it radical yet"...they are establishing a new team for the church..."evangelism" which will look about concrete ways to be more invitational. Great left over stew and desserts from their gospel concert last night---the first of several events to celebrate the 100th anniversary of their building. (Note to those reading this: Read the comment below for more info on Turney and hospitality)
Home by 7:30 p.m. I was beat and crabby when I got home, but Cana washed the dishes, we both got the trash out, I sat and downloaded gorgeous solo piano music from Itunes, and am watching the Sox beat the Rockies. And am better. And Caleb spends Sunday nights with his dad, so I don't have to take him to school. Sleep, wonderful sleep :-)
A good day.
1 comment:
The Trifecta !!! (Sorry about the gambling medifore) These three churches in the Heartland North District faithfully lead by our "Super" DS Susan Cox-Johnson and the wonderful Pastor's and Laity mentioned in this blog are alive with the spirit of Christ and talking the talk of our Bishops 5 Practices of Fruitful Congregations - Amen. I must share a story about Turney UMC, and yes Roy ... it is "Radical". I was on my way to work in St. Louis last Thursday and planned my route to leave early and take pictures of some of the HND churches on the Hwy 36 corridor, my second "swoop through" was Turney. I had a pretty good idea where the church was, but knew I'd be pressed for time, so while mailing a Birthday card to our niece at the post office I asked if she knew where the Methodist Church was and could she direct me ... well, a very dear lady who had pulled up the same time I did (it was about 9AM) turned to me, introduced herself, and said..I go to the Methodist church, it's just up the street, would you like to see it? I smiled and said, no not this time, but I would like to get a picture, next thing ya know, she (Charlotte, if I remember correctly) is leading me there, stopped and was telling all the things going on with the 100 year celebration, the new addition and repairs to the building, how wonderful Judy and her husband are, and just gushing with spirit filled love for this unknown stranger, when I introduced myself again, this time as one of the District Lay Leaders, this dear sweet servant of Christ just continued to extole the many blessings of this small country church and ended with inviting me to come and worship with them ... anytime. That's Radical Hospitality! Amen.
There are many, many examples of the 5 Practices going on all over the Heartland North District and while listening to the stories, around the Missouri Conference and beyond...but when it's all said and done, it is the people of our risen Lord that carry his cross, and welcome a stranger, comfort a child, celebrate his name, and give of their time, talent and treasure that brings Christ to others. Amen for folks at Platte City UMC, Weston, and Turney, as Super Susan goes about the Charge Conference 2007 tour, and during those times when Linda Leabo and I are able to attend with her we are so blessed to see, hear and feel the spirit. Blessings.
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