the nutshell - chestnutst.org · given by: sybil davis in memory of peggy morgan designated general...
TRANSCRIPT
Chestnut Street United Methodist Church
200 East 8th Street
Lumberton, NC 28359
NUTSHELL (PUBLICATION NO. 103-120) is published monthly by the Chestnut Street United Methodist Church, 200 E. 8 th Street,
Lumberton, NC 28358. Periodical postage is paid at Lumberton, NC POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Nutshell, PO Box
1464, Lumberton, NC 28358
Church Staff
PASTOR
Rev. Herbert Lowry,
Jr.
DIRECTOR OF
EDUCATION
Jan Kennedy
ADMINISTRATIVE
ASSISTANT
Kyle Donaldson
FINANCIAL
PROCESSOR
Debra Lewis
YOUTH
DIRECTOR
Kyle Donaldson
MUSIC DIRECTOR
Harriette Lovin
ORGANIST
Angie Carter
CUSTODIAN
Dennis McBayne
910-739-3304
www.chestnutst.org
CIVIL OBEDIENCE Every person is to be in subjection to the
governing authorities. For there is no authority
except from God, and those which exist are
established by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists
authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and
they who have opposed will receive condemnation
upon themselves. 3 For rulers are not a cause of fear
for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have
no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will
have praise from the same; 4 for it is a minister of
God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be
afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for
it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath
on the one who practices evil. 5 Therefore it is
necessary to be in subjection, not only because of
wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6 For because of
this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God,
devoting themselves to this very thing. 7 Render to all
what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to
whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom
honor. (Romans 13:1-7 NASB)
Although the book of Romans is the Apostle
Paul’s most systematic, thought-out, theological treaty, it
should still be viewed as an occasional letter. What I
mean by this is, he is writing to address issues regarding
a particular congregation in a particular
context. However, the principles set forth are applicable
for our present time and context. I confess I have always
had difficultly surrendering to the authority of the
State/Government. This is due, in part, because of my
personal family history and cultural identity. In short, I
felt the government was unfair, biased and unjust. For
me, Lady Justice was not blind as her statute and symbols
suggested and her “scales of justice” were tilted in favor
of the majority.
It is clear from the above passage that Christians
are called upon to be subject to the governing powers of
the State. But is the State always right/correct? Are there
times when Christians should disobey the State for
conscience sake? When the State enacts Laws contrary to
Biblical principles
should we still
obey? If it is legal,
does this mean it is
not Sin? Though I
view the State as
suspect (after all it
was the governing
authority which
killed my Lord), I
submit myself
under its yoke
because of my faith
nevertheless.
What I find most bothersome, as a
Pastor, is how easily Christians and the Church
in general, look to and/or rely upon State Laws
to derive theological conclusions! Please hear
me. The disciple of Christ looks neither to
state laws, nor political opinion polls for
her/his Christian convictions. “The B-I-B-L-E,
oh that’s the book for me” is the primary
source and THE only rule for Christian Faith
and practice. Furthermore, to declare that
“Jesus Christ is Lord” is both affirmation and
protest. It is affirmation in that the disciple has
surrendered all to Him and seeks to be in His
service to humanity. It is protest in that it is a
reminder to ALL the pseudo-powers,
governments and kings of the earth that their
reign is temporary. In short, if Jesus Christ is
Lord, then Caesar (government) is not. I have
never experienced, in my short lifetime, a
period where the State is in such conflict with
traditional, orthodox Christian doctrine. I
believe the Church in North America is
entering into a dispensation where the disciple
of Christ will be rejected, and find it necessary
to stand in defense of the Faith. I view this as a
great time of opportunity. Revival, renewal
and “great awakenings” have always taken
place under such distress, distraction and
disillusioning. No longer will the disciple of
Christ be able to passively sit on the
sideline. He/she will find it necessary to take
up the cross. I pray to God for strength and
conviction to “fight the good fight” and be
labeled among the “fellowship of the un-
ashamed.” “May I not finch in the face of
sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity,
negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at
the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze
of mediocrity.” When Christ bids us come, He
bids us to come die with Him.
-Herbert
The Nutshell CHESTNUT STREET UNITED METHODIST
CHURCH 200 East 8
th Street
Lumberton, NC 28358
July, 2016
MISSION STATEMENT: Worship, Welcome and Nurture as We
Serve Christ in Love.
Lumberton Assisted Living: Margaret White
Golden Living: Virginia Martin, Carlene Burns, Gladys Gullatte
Glenflora: Cleo Beasley
Woodhaven: Margie Britt
Quail Haven Village: Faye & Olin Welsh
Missionaries: Rev. Virgil (Butch) Huffman, Missionary, UMVIM, 226 George Wilton Dr., Clayton, N.C. 27520
Wesley Pines Retirement Center: Ellenor Lorman, Lois Huggins, Mary Stephenson Townsend,
Margaret Folger, Dorothy Ruddle, Helen Wehunt, J.B. Helms,
Catherine Black, Jesse & Mary Lamm, Pete Gammon ****If you have a prayer request or wish to add someone to our prayer concerns, please call Jane West at cell phone
number 734-2848. ****
PAT (Senior Adult Fellowship) will not meet in July or August. Candy Sue’s is
closed on July 5 and some members will attend the senior conference at Lake
Junaluska the first week in August. We will resume PAT meetings on Tuesday,
September 6. Our thanks to Kathryn Calvert for the Father’s Day devotion and
Carolyn McNeill for the pretty bags of candy at the June 7 meeting.
Juanita Sinclair / (Jean Crouch’s sister)
Gibson Gray/(member)
Robert McClintock / (Kristen Stone’s father)
Pat Odom / (Linda Wade’s cousin)
Angie Carter / (Staff)
Lessie Stephens / (Ann Pittman’s cousin)
Charlie Britt/(Jeff Paul’s friend)
Linda Wade /(member)
Deborah Groves/(member)
Richard Walker/(Linda Wade family friend)
Robert Everson/(Jon Everson’s father)
Joyce Darr/(Amby Taylor’s mom)
Buck Hardin/(Dr. Ben Hardin’s brother) Brittany
Sumner/(David Sumner’s niece)
Margie Britt/(Friend)
Dorothy Watts/(Member) Robert Taylor/(Friend)
Lou Crouch/(Jean Crouch’s daughter–in–law) Lucy
Cline/(Member)
Kenny Boomer/(Libby Welsh’s nephew)
Ann Chaney/(Friend)
Mary Mason/(Member)
Jerry Wesiner/(Bobby Pittman’s brother-in-law)
Prison Ministry /Jon Everson & Eddie Smith
(Leaders)
Denise Britt / (Vicky Talton’s sister)
Bill Israel / (Vicky Talton’s father)
J.P. Powers / (Angela Sumner’s cousin)
Lester Hardin / (Mike Hardin’s father)
Gary Hunt/(Becky Ward’s brother)
Trina Pittman/(Ann Pittman’s cousin)
Olga Diaz/(Rosemary Long’s family)
Jacob Moore & Moore family/(Leslie Nance’s
friends)
Bill Windley/(member)
Lori Maring & her son Jake / (Julia Ledwell’s
sister)
Susie Peregory/(Amby Taylor’s sister)
Laura Artis/ (Member)
Flossie Maria Hunt/(Connie Lowry’s friend)
Thomas Miller/(Vickie Talton’s stepfather)
Jon Thorston/(Member)
Shirlyen Page/(Lucy Cline’s daughter)
Lynda Price/(Member)
Phiena Doares/(Member) Glenda Weisner/(Danny Pittman’s sister)
PRAYER CONCERNS
WEDNESDAY NITE L.I.V.E. (Live in Victory Everyday)
Join the Chestnut Street UMC family for a midweek time of fellowship and a delicious meal in Asbury Hall.
Meal Cost:
$6 for 7th
graders-adults
$3 for K-6th
graders.
Preschoolers eat free.
Our meals are catered by Abigail’s Tearoom of Lumberton. Meals are served at 5:30 p.m. and following the meal
we enjoy a time of fun, games, and a meditation. This is a wonderful time to get to know each other as a Christian
family. Please make dinner reservations by noon on Tuesdays by calling the church at 739-3304. Our menus are
posted on the church website: www.Chestnutst.org.
July Birthdays Children’s Birthdays
July 12. Emily Hall
Youth/Young Adults’ Birthdays
July 5. Will Norton
6. Alec Dent
9. Matthew Carter
11. Cole Hill
13. Callie Davis
19. Kayleigh Gabriel
24. Hannah Moore
26. Joshua Bengston
29. Joshua Sumner
30. Mark Bergstresser
Mission Committee Update Robeson County Church and Community Center
Food Pantry The Church and Community Center Food Pantry needs
our help to restock their shelves. The food is used for
those who cannot provide enough food for their
families.
The Food for the Month of July: Canned meat &
canned fruit
but the cabinets are very bare so if you want to bring
any extra food, it will be welcomed.
Please leave food items in the baskets in the Education
Building.
THANK YOU
The Family of Agnes Stanton would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the members of Chestnut Street
Church for the overwhelming amount of prayers, support and kindness that was shown to us due to the passing of
our mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Love you dearly,
The Family of Agnes Stanton
Dear church family,
The most difficult part of moving to Florida is being apart from our Chestnut Church family. Our 13 years with
you were the foundational years for our children. You all showed us the hands, feet, and smiles of Jesus. The
examples of Dot Wilkerson, Keith Taylor, Betsy Kinlaw, Jan Kennedy, Judy Seals, and so many others have
made a lasting, eternal impact on, and investment in, our family. We have been incredibly blessed and will carry
forward the love of Jesus through Chestnut Church as we go into another part of God's creation. We will leave
Dominic with you to finish his senior year of high school. We only do so with the confidence that he will still be
with family - all of you. We will likely be up and down the east coast and look forward to worshiping at Chestnut
at every opportunity.
Blessings to you all,
the Dent family
Memorials In memory of Buck Stubbs
Designated General fund Given By: The Chandler Family Given By: Bess & Jimmy Harrington Given by: Sybil Davis
In memory of Peggy Morgan Designated General Fund
Given By: Phiena & Bill Doares Given By: Elizabeth & Bruce Jobe
In memory of Fran Tusai Designated General Fund
Given By: Elizabeth & Bruce Jobe
Riddles of the Month
1. I never was, am always to be, no one ever saw me,
nor ever will, and yet I am the confidence of all to
live and breathe on this terrestrial ball. What am I?
2. Pronounced as one letter, and written with three,
two letters there are, and two only in me. I’m
double, I’m single, I’m black, blue and gray, I’m
read from both ends, and the same either way?
3. What is a photographer’s favorite food? (Credit:
Frank Daughtrey)
ANSWERS FOR APRIL RIDDLES 1. I Am more useful when I am broken. What am I? An Egg
2. A car’s odometer shows 72927 miles, a palindrome
number. What are the minimum miles you would need to
travel to form another? 73037
3. What word starting with BR, that with the addition of the
letter E, becomes another word that sounds the same as
the first? Braking becomes breaking
In Honor of the Chancel Choir & Praise Team
Designated Music Memorials Given By: Mack & Harriette Lovin
In memory of Lois Huggins Designated General Fund
Given By: Jean O. Crouch Given By: William B. Gallagher Given By: Linda, Johnnie, Jr., Harriet & Bryan
Designated Flower Fund Given By: The Joy Sunday School Class
In memory of Eva Cooper Designated General Fund
Given By: Bess & Jimmy Harrington
In Honor of Kyle Donaldson Designated Doris’ Kids Foundation
Given By: Jan & Garry Kennedy
In Honor of the marriage of Zella Cooper Settlemyre &
Jerry Settlemyre Designated James & Rosa Cooper
Scholarship Fund Given By: Donna Hicks
YOUTH MISSION TRIP WILL BE JULY 17
THROUGH JULY 23RD
.
Registrars: Frances Britt, Ann Neese
Set Decorator: Corales Clapp, Edie Duncan
Snacks: Diane Buri, Edie Duncan
Puppet/Skit: Betsy Kinlaw, Kyle Donaldson
Music: Rosemary Long, Harriette Lovin
Crafts: Jane West, Lou Ann Cleveland, Jane Thompson, Dale Gifford
Storytelling: Kyle Donaldson, Betsy Kinlaw, Jessica Townsend, Lexi Stone,
Grace Stone
Games: Shannon Luper, Amby Taylor, Bailee Luper
Life Guard Guides: Connie Lowry, Donna Valenti, Linda Wade, Brittany
Wade, Michelle Howell, Heather Miller, Mary Grace Norton, Jay White,
Isabella Wright, Pastor Herbert Lowry Jr., Jordan Lowry, Celeste McLean,
Liam White, Destiny Mishue
Photographer: Frank Daughtrey
Director: Jan Kennedy
Vacation Bible School Mission Project The mission project for VBS was the “Front Door Lunch Bag Ministry”. On many occasions hungry persons come to our church doors and are hungry. We offer them a bag meal filled with non perishable items. The Morning Glory Sunday School class has operated this ministry for many years. This year we asked the children to assist with this ministry and they collected a total of 212 items and brought in a monetary offering of $129.14 so that items can be purchased. The VBS volunteers were honored by a donation to this same ministry. Thanks to all who supported this years’ VBS mission project.
Thank you to all volunteers who so willingly served at Vacation Bible School last
week. Our children are truly blessed by the care of so many. Jan
VBS STAFF 2016 Surf Shack
July
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1.
2.
3.
9:30 Sunday School
10:30 Worship
5:00 Pastor’s Bible
Study
4.
Office Closed
5. 9:00 Weight Watchers Meeting
11:30 PAT – Candy Sue’s
6:00 Weight Watchers Meeting
6.
11:00 Pastor’s Bible
Study
5:30 WNL
6:30 Mission Committee
Meeting
7.
10:00 Pastor’s
Book Study
8.
9.
10.
9:30 Sunday School
10:30 Worship
5:00 Pastor’s Bible
Study
11.
12:00 Emmaus
Reunion
12.
9:00 Weight Watchers Meeting
6:00 Weight Watchers Meeting
13.
11:00 Pastor’s Bible
Study
5:30 WNL
6:30 Finance Committee
Meeting
14.
10:00 Pastor’s
Book Study
15.
16.
17.
8:00 UMM Breakfast
9:30 Sunday School
10:30 Worship
5:00 Pastor’s Bible
Study
18.
19.
9:00 Weight Watchers Meeting
6:00 Weight Watchers Meeting
20.
11:00 Pastor’s Bible
Study
5:30 WNL
6:30 Trustees Committee
Meeting
21.
10:00 Pastor’s
Book Study
22.
23.
10:30
Hope’s
Table
24.
9:30 Sunday School
10:30 Worship
5:00 Pastor’s Bible
Study
Nutshell Deadline
25.
12:00 Emmaus
Reunion
26.
9:00 Weight Watchers Meeting
10:30 Wesley Pines Worship
6:00 Weight Watchers Meeting
27.
11:00 Pastor’s Bible
Study
5:30 WNL
28.
10:00 Pastor’s
Book Study
29. 30.
31.
9:30 Sunday School
10:30 Worship
12:00 Hallelujah
Buffet
5:00 Pastor’s Bible
Study
ACOLYTES
3. Celeste & Ella McLean
10. Dominic & Elena Dent
17. Walt Bailey & Liam White
24. David & Sam Ervin
ALTAR GUILD
Brenda McLean
Scott McLean
LECTOR
Ken Windley
MONTHLY NURSES
Joyce Musselwhite
Pat Horne
Jean Harris
Jo Ann Falls
NURSERY HELPER
Brittany Wade
USHERS
Becky & Lawrence Ward
Dave & Lauren Morse
Tim & Sharon Bell
TRUSTEE OF THE MONTH
Eddie Smith
STEPHEN MINISTERS
3. Jan Kennedy
10. Garry Kennedy
17. Jon Everson
24. Lee Summersett
31. Lynda Price
OFFERING VERIFICATION
3. Keith Taylor & Susan Hayes
10. Debra Lewis & Linda Wade
17. Greg Price & Jimmy Harrington
24. Angela Sumner & Gayle Windley
31. Mike Hardin & Diane Buri
P.A.T. JULY BIRTHDAYS
8. Mary Lamm
12. Dot Davis
16. Jean Harris
FLOWER CHART
3. Myra Norton
10. Available
17. Available
24. Available
31. Available
July
If you choose a florist other than
Flowers By Billy please let Billy know
so the church will not be charged.
STEWARDSHIP – JUNE
AVERAGE WORSHIP ATTENDANCE 155
AVERAGE SUNDAY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE 82
OFFERING IN JUNE: $42,881.90
OFFERING NEEDED MONTHLY: $36,440
ATTENDANCE GOALS FOR JULY ARE SUNDAY SCHOOL 110 AND WORSHIP 200
HOPE TO SEE YOU IN CHURCH!
Resolutions There were only two resolutions this year, both of which passed without dissent.
The first, brought by First UMC in Rocky Mount, was titled “A Resolution of Thanksgiving.” It
called for the conference to give thanks for the visionary leadership of Dewey G. Clark, who became
president of N.C. Wesleyan College in 2014. Under his leadership, it said, the college has been the
fastest-growing college in the state for the past two years.
The second, titled “Public Funding Issues in North Carolina,” cited high teacher turnover and
low teacher pay and called on the North Carolina Annual Conference and Western North Carolina
Annual Conference to support public education through nine initiatives:
Honor teachers; encourage young people to enter the teaching profession; insist on the best
textbooks; advocate for the inclusion of “differently-abled” students and ensure that teachers have the
training to meet these children’s needs; advocate for adequate public school funding and equitable
distribution of state funds; offer candidate forums during school board elections; advocate for
strengthened teacher training; advocate for universal, early and quality preschool education for all
children; and advocate for public education as a basic human right and not rely on school fund-raising
and state alternative revenues, “such as gambling.” for financial support.
It was amended from the floor to ask church members to write to their legislators to share these
concerns and to express the concerns through newspapers.
Annual Conference notes The conference raised more than $1.112 million for Imagine No Malaria, exceeding the
$1million goal, during a three-year campaign. Bishop Ward said the money will save 111,288
lives. The overall Methodist church raised $68.5 million.
Chaplain Dave Smith, in speaking about the Soul Care Initiative, said that more than 740,000
North Carolinians, almost 10 percent of our state population, are veterans, many with severe
injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder. He said Soul Care Initiative resources churches to
help returning veterans and their families reintegrate into the community, and wants to help
churches help veterans find hospitality and spiritual care to create a climate of healing and care.
A special offering at the conference raised $9,189.57 for the Mission Endowment Fund, which
provides resources for new missions, such as the development of a church within a Harnett
County prison.
The Rev. Leonard Fairley was endorsed as a nominee for bishop. The election of bishops will be
at the Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference, nine southeastern states, July 13-15 at Lake
Junaluska. Our own pastor, Herbert Lowry Jr., has been elected to participate.
Without providing numbers, it was announced that a record was set for youth attendance.
Respectfully submitted by Bob Horne
Conferees met in Greenville June 16-18 in a conference devoid of controversy and squeezed into
three instead of the customary four days. It was the last in a quadrennium, 2013-2016, focusing on the
strength we receive from God. Each year focused on one aspect of that relationship. This year’s focus
was “Give!” Some 1,500 clergy and laity gathered for worship, praying, Bible study, communion and to
conduct the conference’s business.
There was only one passing mention of General Conference, the worldwide conference for all of
Methodism, which was earlier in the month in Portland, Oregon. And for the first time in years there was
no mention of a topic that has divided Methodists since the 1970s: gays in the church and whether the
Book of Discipline should be changed to be more accommodating of gays. That matter was put on hold
again at General Conference, which meets every four years.
Next year’s Annual Conference will be in Greenville on the same dates, but will be on Friday,
Saturday and Sunday, ending on Father’s Day. Typically, conferences have concluded on Saturday.
Bishop Hope Morgan Ward said the change was made in hopes that more “young professionals” can
attend. She said the Western North Carolina Conference will have its annual conference on the same
dates.
Membership, participation down Conference Statistician George Speake delivered bad news, reporting that virtually all
membership and participation declined in the conference in 2015. He said it was the biggest decline he
has seen in 20 years. The decline came on the heels of slight increases in most categories in 2013 and
2014, which broke a long streak of decreases.
Total membership fell 1,101, to 228,611, and average worship attendance fell 2,446, to 74,450,
only about 32.6 percent of membership. He reported that professions of faith fell 428 to 2,378, and
membership transfers from other denominations were down 237 from 2014, to 1,248.
The Rev. Speake said churches are spending more money for church programming and made
$17.5 million in building improvements in 2015. He encouraged all lay and clergy to spend time this
summer and fall preparing for the annual January reporting period. He reminded everyone that money
spent by the local church is reported on Table II, which is the only report used to calculate
apportionments. Therefore, he said, it is imperative that the records are correct.
‘Reaching Every Generation’ In a breakout session titled “Reaching Every Generation,” the Rev. Steve James acknowledged
the difficulty in getting younger and older generations talking to each other. James is president of Steve
James Coaching. He was minister of Parish Life at Charlotte’s Myers Park UMC from 2003 until 2008
and director of Congregational Development for the Western North Carolina Conference from 2008 until
2013.
“The church doesn’t grow when you’re sitting inside the building," he said. “It grows when
you’re on the move. We can’t just wait for people to come in. I’m not going to ask you to go out and go
door to door," but he said he believes churches can do more reaching out within the framework of what
they’re doing now.
James said he has learned that young people have a hunger to learn who they are. He told a story
of helping to start a church in Las Cruces, New Mexico through a telemarketing campaign, which he
doesn’t recommend because he doesn’t believe it would work today. But, he said, 180 people showed up
that first Sunday, largely through the work of a 14-year-old, very-committed girl who worked tirelessly
calling people on the phone.
He said churches today need a systematic outreach campaign through what he calls “a currency
of love," or simple conversation. He told of how people walked trails ages ago and stopped to speak with
2016 N.C. Annual Conference
others they met on the trail. Then came electricity and the radio, the telephone and television. He recalled
how he remembers three TV channels at first and how more than 3,000 are available now.
Furthermore, he said, there is the computer in-box. So instead of stepping around a cubicle at
work and speaking with someone, people are sending emails or texts.
“Conversation has been driven out of our society,” he said.
But there, at the workplace, is where he said conversation needs to be restored and where to
reach young families with busy and complicated lives. There, he said, the different generations can
engage one another and participate in conversation, which in turn can result in more young people
coming to church.
He said 42 percent of the work force consists of millennials, people who are 19-36, “and the best
way to reach them is where they’re working.” People love to talk about themselves, he said, “and if
you’ll listen, they’ll open up and tell you their story. ... The spirit of Jesus that lives in you is what you
need” to engage young people and over time interest them in church.
He told of a program that works for some churches: Take a pastor to work. He said young people
“are so thrilled to tell you about their life and let you see what they do.” And that provides the pastor a
“conduit” to reach other younger adults.
Older people can engage in the “grandparent experience,” he said, and make young people feel
welcome in church. He said Snack and Chat is becoming “old-hat." And, although programs are helpful,
he said, “they’re not necessarily looking for a program; they’re looking for something else, and it might
be you.”
Financials The church portion for pastors’ health insurance increases $26.41 per month next year, to
$1,082.74, a 2.5 percent increase. The pastors’ portion is determined by whether they carry single or
family insurance and the type of plan they carry. The conference has a self-insured health plan that is
administered by Blue Cross/Blue Shield.
Sheila Ahler, chair of the Conference Council on Finance Administration, said that, although
local churches paid 91.4 percent of apportionments in 2015, the conference used reserve funds to pay 100
percent and was one of only 26 worldwide conferences to do so.
Conference members approved the council’s request of a little over $21.9 million for the 2018
budget, about a half-million-dollar increase, or a little more than 2 percent, from the 2017 budget of
$21.4 million. Superintendents’ pay increases $1,470 a year, or about 1.4 percent, from $106,610 to
$108,080 in 2017.
The Commission on Equitable Compensation requested a 2.5 percent increase, to $42,617, in the
minimum pay for full-time pastors for 2017. Concern was expressed that pastors drawing the minimum
salary could actually realize a decrease in take-home pay at that amount, so an amendment to increase
minimum salary to $43,810, 2.8 percent, was overwhelmingly approved. The conference supplements the
salary for churches that are unable to pay their pastors’minimum compensation.
Bishop Gregory Palmer The Rev. Gregory V. Palmer, bishop of the Ohio West Episcopal Area, spoke during two evening
services.
The first night he spoke about how the writings of Paul and his letters to New Testament
churches are relevant to the struggles within the church today. He said these texts speak about how the
people of God are to live together despite controversy and disagreements.
He based his message in the text, “What do you have that you have not received?” (1 Corinthians
4:7) and reminded members that “There is no such thing as a ‘self-made person.’ Even the breath we
breathe is God’s.”
He said the wreckage of history demonstrates that humans cannot fix this world. Instead, he said,
they take the gifts of God and mold them into items for war and conflict. He pointed out that Paul was
writing to “church people” who were arguing about “apostleship” and their giftedness. They were
seeking recognition and authority instead of serving selflessly. They had forgotten that all they had was a
gift from God. He asked if this describes churches today, expecting to be rewarded for every action,
expecting credit for all actions and offerings, or a certificate for every little accomplishment?
“Don’t get too enamored with your goodness,” he warned attendees. “The playing field is level at
the foot of the cross. The goody-two-shoes have got to stand with the reprobate.” Whether clergy or laity,
a big church or small, he said, God has already given everything needed to take the next step in
obedience and faith. He said churches need fewer certificates and more missionaries; fewer committee
members and more apostles.
“If we are going to be generous people ... we must begin to see everything as a gift,” he said.
“We don’t have a money deficit, we’re got a gratitude deficit. What do we have that we have not
received?”
The next night he used Luke 24:28-32 to reiterate that each person needs to live in the fact that
everyone they meet is a beloved child of God. He suggested that everyone we meet for the first time
should leave with the impression that they were beloved and treasured.
Christians are to be the church, he said, not spend time trying to save the church. The church
belongs to God, and only God can change the church, he said.
Rev. Leonard Fairley on generosity The Leonard Fairley, District Superintendent of the Capital District, preached on generosity
during the opening worship All Saints Celebration. His sermon, building on this year’s focus of “Give,”
was titled “Generous Saints.” It focused on the generous examples of giving and service offered by the
clergy and spouses of clergy who have passed. He said he learned generosity from his grandmother and his mother. As a child, he said, he would
watch his grandmother’s hands as she made “grandma biscuits.”
“This lady would take what she had prepared for her family, and she would invite anybody
within earshot, anybody within the neighborhood, anybody who just happened to be at our house. She
would invite them to the table,” and used it to bless the community, he said.
He reminded worshipers how they took what little they had that was blessed, and it was used as a
blessing to others. And he emphasized the generosity left behind by those who have gone on to join “the
great cloud of witnesses in heaven.”
His sermon was based on the scriptures from John 6:1-13, where Jesus fed the multitude with
five loaves of bread and two fish.
“Surely, if God could take the meager lunch of a small boy and feed 5,000 people, certainly God
can take what we release from our hands, no matter how small and no matter how insignificant, and bless
the world,” he said.
He said the desire to give, and give generously, is all about being a blessing to others. “What we
put in Jesus’ hands never returns void. ... If there is anything that characterizes a saint, it is this: Saints
are extravagant givers who have this habit of sharing from a place of God’s abundance. There can be no
blessing with closed hands.”