Kontakion

Well we're here, we are finally moved in, at least mostly into our new home. I did take three pictures of the sanctuary to post. More pics will follow as we get each room in order. I am also starting my first week of full time church work today, I started on my sermon and some reading I want to accomplish that is church related. I'll bet a better idea of what the church expects from me tomorrow night when I have my first SPRC meeting. I also plan on getting back into the grove of posting at least once a week here on this blog about the various things I'm reading as well as picking up on my doctrinal blogging again (at least I hope). This first picture is of the front of the sanctuary, you can tell that the church was built in the 50's by the A-frame style building. Also the stained glass shows a stylistic influence of the 50's. That being said I don't think it dates the building to much, things still look very contemporary which can be interpreted as a p...

This book written by Tom Breen the "Internet Theologian" was one of the books I picked up at annual conference. This book was actually very enjoyable, he had be chuckling on numerous occasions, and usually if a book can get me to laugh out loud thats a really good sign. On top of that his off handed humorous critique of Christianity in America is very much needed for todays overly serious worshipers. Over all I highly recommend this book as a humorous and thought provoking (probably to the disappointment of the author) read. I feel I need to give another update, that is that this week my family and I are moving out of our home into the parsonage at my new appointment Immanuel UMC in Allentown (no they don't have a web site yet...I know, its on the top of my list). So while post have been becoming a bit more regular over the last couple of months unfortunately I will be thrown out of wack here for a couple of weeks.

I've been doing some thinking. I've been apart of and have been watching the discussion taking place on Locust and Honey on the General conference. I did post some statements but recently a relatively short discussion on homosexuality has surfaced. Now this is a hot button issue for pretty much everyone but there were a few issues I had with the various points that were given, as well as some thoughts on what is happening in the church right now around this issue. First off, I was struck by the insistence that the church needs to be open and affirming. I am not making any claims on whether this is right or wrong but the church has never in its history been an "open and affirming" organization. This is just a statement of fact, and I find it quite interesting that most people claim that the Methodist church needs to be open and affirming when I believe that John Wesley would not have been. Lest we forget John was known for kicking people out of his societies if ...

Wow, I'm getting two posts in today, I must really be sick. I finished reading "The Celts a History" today. My reading has been slow for the last several months because of working two jobs and a lack of drive to read when I have time off. This past weekend I was able to purchase three books, this being one of them. I wouldn't say this is a particularly thrilling read. I picked it up because near as I can figure Irish factors heavily in my family tree. Celts are of course one of the main players in Irish history. This read was a little disappointing in the fact that while it did fair justice in trying to paint an accurate picture of various point of Celtic life it also got bogged down in the linguistics. For someone who doesn't know ancient Celtic nor many of the words that developed from them it was a little frustrating. Over all it wasn't a bad read I rate it as a fair if you like to read history.

Well since I'm home sick today I have enough time to write a little for once. The updates aren't major, we are still waiting to move only the count down is closer (I think I counted 4 weeks left of work at TSSing). It appears right now that Katie is going to get a job at the preschool of the church as the director/teacher which is exciting. We're a little nervous in that respect because it means all of our work is occurring in the church for both of us but in the end we think job wise its the best option. Olivia's very excited about having a new home, she can't wait to paint her room purple or green, the color changes everyday. I do have an odd rant today. I hate, I HATE Oreo Cakesters. Why, you ask. Because they are a ripoff of a Pa Dutch classic treat called a woppie pie. Of course a Woppie pie is only a billion times better than a cakester but the majority of people will never know that will they, because if they travel now in Pa Dutch country they will ...

I have been watching a discussion over on Locust and Honey on communion. I haven't posted a comment or reply there because I don't agree with the majority of the comments that are being posted. I decided however to write on some of my thoughts and concerns about the discussion. If I am understanding right the discussion is really about what happens with the elements at the time of blessing, this has then led to discussion on who can serve communion as well as the blessing of the elements for shut ins and so on. Now to clear this up right away, I personally feel that anyone can serve communion, and that elders should not be fighting to make the list of who can bless the elements and serve them more exclusive. However I have a very high view of communion, I do believe that when the elements are blessed that they are no longer just bread and wine(grape juice). I also believe it does matter what we do with the remainder of the elements, we can't just throw them in the tr...

There have been several reasons for the recent hiatus from blogging. Primarily it has been the fact that I have not been allowed to share anything that has been going on, but now I can talk. I have been re-appointed to Emmanuel UMC in Allentown Pa. (Sorry to the blogging folk, they don't have a web page yet but I'll see what I can do :)). This is a tremendous step for my family, we will be moving into the parsonage that is literally attached to this church, my wife will be quiting her job of 6 years, and we will be the farthest away from our family that we have ever been. All in all though it is very exciting. The reason that the move was decided was because I can't keep working two jobs, the possibility of burn out (these are two very high stress jobs) is just to great. Also financially we will be coming out ahead with just my pay at a full-time appointment. I haven't been able to blog also because of the general stress of the last few weeks. I have not had a ...