Thoughts from an UMAC newbie

Some people check the water level of the proverbial pool before they jump in. But you all know that I’m not ‘some people.’
I’m a co-chair of my Annual Conference’s Communications team, and frequently contribute to our online and print media communication. This qualifies me to become, as I did this year, a member of the [...]

I’m not ready to *not* make nice…

Howdy, y’all, from down here in Nashville! I’m attending the United Methodist Association of Communicators’ Annual Meeting (about which I will say more later), where this blog, that’s right, this very one, has been awarded Best in Class for non-fiction in the local church category.
No pressure there.
So, on to being relevant. Today, my inbox was [...]

Book rec and priority check

Our congregation decided this year to use the stewardship program “Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity” by Adam Hamilton. I ordered one study guide and the program book, and I have been thrilled with what I’ve seen so far.If you’re looking for a program for your church, whatever the size,I highly recommend this one.
The [...]

Sometimes God speaks by slapping you upside the head.

When I wrote earlier about hearing the call to ministry, a few people asked about the specific moment itself. I tend not to talk about it too much, not only because people look at you funny if you say you hear voices in your head, but because sometimes it’s discouraging to people who don’t have [...]

Why I didn’t ignore them.

It’s a fair question, and one I’ve wrestled with a lot, as you know if you’ve been reading. I found myself articulating it pretty well to a friend who’s keeping me honest about my motives. What I said, in part, was this:

I do think that ignoring the Westboro Baptist Church is the best approach. Unfortunately, [...]

Love is louder (and a lot more fun) than hate.

I was not as silent as I thought I’d be.
I really tried, but it was just too much fun to sing happy songs and laugh along with the clowns (who insisted they weren’t the biggest circus in town). The ignoring-them idea is good in theory, but would only work if everyone does it; as long [...]

The silent NO.

Tomorrow is the day that Montpelier anticipates the arrival of the Westboro Baptist Church picketers, and our local paper is abuzz with letters to the editor and articles arguing for various responses (in addition to the GLAD donation program, which you can read about on my blog or visit at facebook here to learn about [...]

News again

This time, I think even my staunchest, most conservative colleagues and friends can’t argue with the position I’ve taken. Barre/Montpelier Times Argus: Montpelierites (including one Methodist pastor) debate whether to protest Westboro group. I do think I said pray and puzzle; I remember the alliteration. Other than that, a great article that points out the [...]

What’s a Christian to Do?

Back from a lovely family vacation, and I learn online and from local media that the Westboro Baptist Church (no, I will not plug them with a link!) plans to visit my fair city next week. On September 1, Vermont’s equal marriage bill goes into effect, and so the hate-sign toting anti-gay ignoramuses from the [...]

Hearing the call

The hardest part of discerning a call to ministry for me was believing it was possible.
I was raised by parents who told me I could be anything I wanted when I grew up, so it wasn’t that I didn’t think the sky was the limit. And yes, I was Roman Catholic, and so I’d never [...]