This morning I was up early to finish the February newsletter. Now it is on the copy machine. Before I leave in fifteen minutes, everything will be ready to go for the crew who will come in and get it ready to go out in the mail. I'll be putting it on the web site and sending it out electronically very shortly. More on that next time.
In about an hour and a half I'll be heading up to Andover Newton Theological School for a two day church conference. Brian McLaren will be the featured speaker. He is an expert in the field of the emerging church. That means he looks at the data and trends and makes suggestions as to where and what we should be doing to reach this generation of believers.
I'm riding up with Rev. Michael Crane, the pastor of the Essex Baptist Church. It should be a great time. We stay over night and then head back home tomorrow afternoon. I'll let you know what I learn. Better yet, come to church and find out as I try to put what I learn into practice.
Cal
Thursday, February 4, 2010
A long but good day
Wednesdays are usually my busiest day of the week outside of Sunday. I get to the office by about 8:00 a.m. on most Wednesdays and begin working on the Weekly Bulletin and my weekly epistle. almost every week several people drop in to visit or to ask for prayer or to go over something that needs to be done at church. The mornings seem to fly by. My deadline for the Norwich Bulletin is usually noon on Wednesday. When I have an extremely busy day, I drop them a note and tell them it will be coming in later.
My weekly epistles arise out of the every day stuff that happens in my life and at church. I began writing the epistles eight or nine years ago, if not more. They started as occasional letters. Every few weeks I would send one out with some thought or reflection I had. By 2003 they were coming more regularly. Then in the fall of 2004, the Editor of the Norwich Bulletin, Jim Kevlin, asked me if he could use some of them in the Norwich Bulletin. At the same time Rabbi Gary Atkins was approaching the religion editor at the paper about getting a local clergy column inserted. He wondered why they had to take something off the line when we had local people who could do the same thing.
In the Fall of 2004 I joined a rotation of religion page writers for the Bulletin. The plan was for us to take turns. We began with six of us and by the end of November I was the only regular contributor. I think early in 2005 the bulletin made a decision to use me as their regular Saturday religion writer. I never really talked to them directly after that. I just emailed in my piece. A couple times I asked about format or timing and I got an email back saying just keep doing what you are doing.
Jim left and he was replaced and I've continued to have a good relationship with Jim Konrad and the folks I've met over there. The one one thing that has changed is that now I am on a deadline. They want it by noon on Wednesday.
That works out well for me because I head off to the Norwich Rotary Club for noon most Wednesdays. Then I come back and get ready for mid-week worship. This week I had to head up to Pierce Baptist Home in Brooklyn, CT for a meeting. The marketing man for Creamery Brook wanted to talk about outreach efforts to fill the beautiful facility we have up there. It was a good meeting. We are probably going to host an information seminar here at church this spring.
Yesterday I returned from that meeting and did some work to try and finish up the February newsletter. Then I polished up my sermon for the evening service. Sixteen people stayed for the service and we talked about prejudice, judgement and God's love for the poor. It was a good day.
Cal
My weekly epistles arise out of the every day stuff that happens in my life and at church. I began writing the epistles eight or nine years ago, if not more. They started as occasional letters. Every few weeks I would send one out with some thought or reflection I had. By 2003 they were coming more regularly. Then in the fall of 2004, the Editor of the Norwich Bulletin, Jim Kevlin, asked me if he could use some of them in the Norwich Bulletin. At the same time Rabbi Gary Atkins was approaching the religion editor at the paper about getting a local clergy column inserted. He wondered why they had to take something off the line when we had local people who could do the same thing.
In the Fall of 2004 I joined a rotation of religion page writers for the Bulletin. The plan was for us to take turns. We began with six of us and by the end of November I was the only regular contributor. I think early in 2005 the bulletin made a decision to use me as their regular Saturday religion writer. I never really talked to them directly after that. I just emailed in my piece. A couple times I asked about format or timing and I got an email back saying just keep doing what you are doing.
Jim left and he was replaced and I've continued to have a good relationship with Jim Konrad and the folks I've met over there. The one one thing that has changed is that now I am on a deadline. They want it by noon on Wednesday.
That works out well for me because I head off to the Norwich Rotary Club for noon most Wednesdays. Then I come back and get ready for mid-week worship. This week I had to head up to Pierce Baptist Home in Brooklyn, CT for a meeting. The marketing man for Creamery Brook wanted to talk about outreach efforts to fill the beautiful facility we have up there. It was a good meeting. We are probably going to host an information seminar here at church this spring.
Yesterday I returned from that meeting and did some work to try and finish up the February newsletter. Then I polished up my sermon for the evening service. Sixteen people stayed for the service and we talked about prejudice, judgement and God's love for the poor. It was a good day.
Cal
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Groundhog Day at FBC
Today was a busy day I was worked on the February newsletter and Sandy tried to put the finishing touches on the Annual Report booklet. At noon I left to have lunch with my friend, Ron Baker, from Mansfield.
I checked in with Marge Booth this afternoon. Her son-in-law Daryl was having surgery. I prayed with her and then dropped by the hospital to see how things had gone. Keep him in your prayers.
I finished the day at choir rehearsal. We had two new members at our practice. Amy Rezendes and Rosie Rakowitz joined us. It's always nice to have new members of the choir to help lead worship.
Oh yeah. I didn't see my shadow today and I'm not sure what that means.
Cal
I checked in with Marge Booth this afternoon. Her son-in-law Daryl was having surgery. I prayed with her and then dropped by the hospital to see how things had gone. Keep him in your prayers.
I finished the day at choir rehearsal. We had two new members at our practice. Amy Rezendes and Rosie Rakowitz joined us. It's always nice to have new members of the choir to help lead worship.
Oh yeah. I didn't see my shadow today and I'm not sure what that means.
Cal
Monday, February 1, 2010
What do I know of ... Holy?
There is nothing like a song to prepare our hearts for worship. This song is one that speaks to the holiness of God and invites us to bow down on our knees to worship Him. Enjoy.
Cal
Cal
Our Super Bowl Party
We are going to get together to watch the Super Bowl next Sunday. Nancy Allen has invited us to her home in Gales Ferry. Let me know if you can make it. We have a great time. We watch the game, of course. some of the folks work on a crossword puzzle. Others chit-chat. The food and fellowship is always good. And if we have a fan in the house, it adds to the excitement. Are there any Colts or Saints fans? The fun begins at 6:00 p.m.
Cal
Cal
Visits are fun
I was on the road today. I visited two of our older members. Doris Regets lives at Academy Point in Mystic. I caught up with her as she was returning home from lunch with her son, Bill. We had a nice visit talking about travel and restaurants, Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon. Then I prayed and left.
I stopped in to see Jean Roscoe on my way back to town. Jean is doing rehabilitation at Orchard Grove and hopes to get home in the coming weeks. She had just had a nice visit with her cousin and grand-nephew. We talked about church and family and then I prayed with her. For many years Jean was at the center of our prayer ministry. She would send out cards and notes to people on our prayer list. She organized our Bible study and prayer meeting. Now we need to keep her in our prayers. It is always nice to visit her.
Visiting folks is one of the best parts of my job. Unfortunately I don't get to do very much of it these days. People are so busy that a home visit is more trouble for people than they want to admit. I'm always open to visit but it usually comes at a person's request now-a-days. So if you would like me to drop in on you, drop me a note and let's make an appointment.
Cal
I stopped in to see Jean Roscoe on my way back to town. Jean is doing rehabilitation at Orchard Grove and hopes to get home in the coming weeks. She had just had a nice visit with her cousin and grand-nephew. We talked about church and family and then I prayed with her. For many years Jean was at the center of our prayer ministry. She would send out cards and notes to people on our prayer list. She organized our Bible study and prayer meeting. Now we need to keep her in our prayers. It is always nice to visit her.
Visiting folks is one of the best parts of my job. Unfortunately I don't get to do very much of it these days. People are so busy that a home visit is more trouble for people than they want to admit. I'm always open to visit but it usually comes at a person's request now-a-days. So if you would like me to drop in on you, drop me a note and let's make an appointment.
Cal
Sunday morning drama
I have to confess that I was a little off during yesterday's worship service. I have always been sensitive to what's happening around me so when we began our service I knew something wasn't quite right. Before long I found out that we had a troubled soul worshipping with us.
This young man has been coming for a few months now. Worship service has been a blessing to him as he tries to get himself straightened out and back on his feet. I first met him at the monthly interfaith luncheon. He appreciated our outreach and the prayers we offered. He like the warm hospitality he felt. Then he showed up at church. He told me it soothed his soul.
This week he came in out of sorts and intoxicated. When we got up to welcome one another he became a little unruly. Fortunately our Diaconate and ushers were right on top of it. Mark Kane went to sit with him. He was highly agitated and eventually they talked him into going into the chapel to see the rest of the service. The police arrived to check things out and when they saw we had everything under control, they left without incident.
I had been alerted to what was happening and then watched the scene as it unfolded. I prayed for him and my heart ached that he had succumbed to the alcohol. Yet, I knew that he knew that he needed God. I'm proud of the way our guys handled everything. Our first job is to insure the safety of everyone present and Deacons and ushers took all the steps to insure that happened. We also wanted to minister to this man's soul. I think we did that too.
The truth is that my heart was aching during the service and it moved me off my game. I forgot to make a couple of announcements. I also forgot to invite people to bring their " gift" cards from last week and put them in the offering plates. Thankfully the women in our choir did a great job and our Praise team had a wonderful song to share.
Someone told me afterwards that they thought this young man really needed to hear my message this week and they hoped he heard some of it. That's good. That's the way God works. Yesterday was his day, whether he knew it or not.
I pray that God will speak to you today. Even though there isn't a specific worship service planned, God is always just a prayer away. God bless.
Cal
Next week we will try again.
This young man has been coming for a few months now. Worship service has been a blessing to him as he tries to get himself straightened out and back on his feet. I first met him at the monthly interfaith luncheon. He appreciated our outreach and the prayers we offered. He like the warm hospitality he felt. Then he showed up at church. He told me it soothed his soul.
This week he came in out of sorts and intoxicated. When we got up to welcome one another he became a little unruly. Fortunately our Diaconate and ushers were right on top of it. Mark Kane went to sit with him. He was highly agitated and eventually they talked him into going into the chapel to see the rest of the service. The police arrived to check things out and when they saw we had everything under control, they left without incident.
I had been alerted to what was happening and then watched the scene as it unfolded. I prayed for him and my heart ached that he had succumbed to the alcohol. Yet, I knew that he knew that he needed God. I'm proud of the way our guys handled everything. Our first job is to insure the safety of everyone present and Deacons and ushers took all the steps to insure that happened. We also wanted to minister to this man's soul. I think we did that too.
The truth is that my heart was aching during the service and it moved me off my game. I forgot to make a couple of announcements. I also forgot to invite people to bring their " gift" cards from last week and put them in the offering plates. Thankfully the women in our choir did a great job and our Praise team had a wonderful song to share.
Someone told me afterwards that they thought this young man really needed to hear my message this week and they hoped he heard some of it. That's good. That's the way God works. Yesterday was his day, whether he knew it or not.
I pray that God will speak to you today. Even though there isn't a specific worship service planned, God is always just a prayer away. God bless.
Cal
Next week we will try again.
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