Cultivate Light Day 5

Day 5: Question of the day: Can you stay lit? Staying shiny even as you leave, finishing well. Don’t let your light go out.

John 8:12 (NLT) Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness because you will have the light that leads to life.”

It’s day 5, it’s friday. Almost done. I hope you are pleased with how far you, your family and this home has come. A light has been lit in the darkness of worries, fears, will we ever finish, does anyone care about me and my family….these darknesses have been sent away in the face of the bright light of Christ. You, and God, are making a difference. As the gospel writer of John says, “you won’t have to walk in darkness because you have the light that leads to life.” Has the light changed you? Has the light changed this home? Has the light changed this family?

I’m confident that this house, family and site team are changed and are beautiful. Truly. “Beauty is not in the face, beauty is light in the heart.*”

I hope this family, this home, this experience on the 40th anniversary year of Salkehatchie...I hope this stays with you. I hope when darkness comes into your life you remember the light of this experience, the skills, friendships and strength you learned. You are people of the light. Finish well and continue to shine your light today AND as you leave. Don’t forget your symbol today. This is something from your job site, something small, something special that will remind you of this time in the light. Tonight we’re going to share these symbols and ask you: How will you remember this time in the light?

*Quote by Kahil Gibran

Prayer: Dear Lord, the creator of light. Help our witness, which is our words, actions and deeds, to reflect the light of Christ at this home, at our camp and all throughout this week.  Amen.

Cultivate Light Day 4

Day 4: Question of the day: Do you glow in the dark? What does it mean to have faith that will glow in the dark? (the big push)

2 Corinthians 4:6-7 (NLT) “For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not ourselves.”

We talked yesterday about shining God’s light and we learned a new word. Anyone remember? (Coruscate) That word was coruscate, which means to reflect vibrantly or to sparkle. We might not feel as sparkly today. The to-do list for your day may look daunting and dark. It’s true, Thursdays are hard. But we can do hard things!  Second Corinthians 4:6-7 (NLT) reminds us that the light within us is contained loosely, so that people can see the light comes from God and not from ourselves.

Ernest Hemingway explains it this way, “We’re all broken, that’s how the light gets in.” I would add that our brokenness also allows the light to get OUT!  We’re here to help not because we’re powerful and have so much to brag about….We help because Christ helped us first! We’re here to work hard because in other circumstances we may be the one needing help.  What kind of help would you want?

I know we’re tired and it may seem like there is still so much to do...let’s lean not on our own strength but on the light that is within us. Allow God’s light to shine through your brokenness. Can you glow in the dark? Persist. God has got this.

Prayer: Dear Lord, the creator of light. Help our witness, which is our words, actions and deeds, to reflect the light of Christ at this home, at our camp and all throughout this week.  Amen.

Cultivate Light Day 3

Day 3: Question of the day: How do you illuminate those around you?

Ephesians 5:8-9 (NLT) “For one you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.

So it’s hump day...we’re in the thick of it and it might feel dark OR we may begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel. You are getting there! Our scripture today says that light within us (Christ) only produces what is good and right and true. We’re in the middle of this project and it’s a good time to remember that our work should be good, right and true.

Biblically, the concept of light always involves the removal of darkness. I bet at this point you have removed a LOT of stuff from your family’s house. Have you also removed darkness? Have you brought in the light of love? It’s not just about the work friends, it’s also about the people in this place. Are you a bearer of light? Do you shine? The fancy word for this idea is to coruscate*. Coruscate means to reflect vibrantly or to sparkle. Do you reflect the light of Christ? Do you sparkle?

There is an anonymous quote I want to leave you with it says: “We are stars wrapped in skin, the light you are seeking has always been within.” You have the right stuff, you are in the right place, you are with the right people. You are here for a purpose. Shine the light within you, the light of Christ.

Prayer: Dear Lord, the creator of light. Help our witness, which is our words, actions and deeds, to reflect the light of Christ at this home, at our camp and all throughout this week.  Amen.

*Coruscate pronunciation: CORE-US-KATE

Cultivate Light Day 2

Day 2: Question of the day: What kind of light are you?

So it’s day two. Wow.  We’re learning more about the jobs we have to do, more about each other and more about our families. I hope you are starting to see the light of Christ in one another. There is a popular gospel tune that says the “Jesus in me loves the Jesus in you.” Your site team is made up of people with different skills, different backgrounds, different life experiences, different levels of patience….you get the picture and the most important thing is that you all have the light of Christ within you. You all have Jesus inside of you. Rumi, a persian poet born in 807AD (and surprisingly one of the most popular poets in the United States today) says “The lamps are different but the light is the same.” We are all different people but we came here because of the same God.

You may think your light small, but it can make a huge difference in other people’s lives. See Matthew 5:15 Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it give light to everyone in the house. Shine God’s light to everyone in this home. Shine light on your team. Shine light on your work. Shine light in your attitude. Shine light in this community. Shine on!

Prayer: Dear Lord, the creator of light. Help our witness, which is our words, actions and deeds, to reflect the light of Christ at this home, at our camp and all throughout this week.  Amen.

Cultivate Light Day 1

This week, July 21-July 28 I am the spiritual director for the Columbia Salkehatchie camp. Since this is a big chunk of my time this week I thought I’d share with my congregation the devotions (which I wrote) the campers will be doing each day on site before they begin working.

Here’s day One:

Day 1: Question of the day: From where do we get light?

It’s day one. We’re all fresh and excited. We have a big job to tackle and we’re ready to jump right in! We’re ready to expose some parts of this house to the light and tear some stuff open. It’s demo day!!!! We are lit!

These feelings of excitement are good and important, but it is also important to remember where our light comes from. Isaiah 60: 19 says No longer will you need the sun to shine by day, nor the moon to give its light by night, for the Lord your God will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.

Ok, so what does that mean for demo day? Well, it means that our light doesn’t come from our own might. Our energy, our light, our enthusiasm...all comes from God. Ultimately it’s not about us. What we do today is just a start of the glory God will work in this neighborhood through us and through this family.  Sure, we will change the look and functionality of this home, but more importantly we will shine the light of Christ.

So let’s get after it, remembering we are here for God’s glory….a much higher calling than just fixing a house.

Prayer: Dear Lord, the creator of light. Help our witness, which is our words, actions and deeds, to reflect the light of Christ at this home, at our camp and all throughout this week.  Amen.

Cultivate Summer feelings

We're getting more settled into Winnsboro and it's starting to REALLY feel like summer.
My summers for the past 6 years have included Salkehatchie. This week I got to ride around our
beautiful county with Steve McDonald to visit the 11 Salkehatchie sites and hand out popsicles.
There is something so reassuring in the ritual of bringing popsicles (something I’ve done at every
SC church I’ve worked at) to a Salkehatchie job site.  

“Hey! Great job! Your roof is looking awesome! Anyone want a popsicle?”
It’s fun and affirming act; something done at camps around our state for the 40 years of Salkehatchie
ministry. This year is the 40th anniversary of Salkehatchie, it's that amazing. Fairfield County is one
of 46 camps around South Carolina this year. That’s a huge impact to our community and to our state.
The world truly is our parish!  I’m proud that First United Methodist Winnsboro is a strong supporter
of the Fairfield County camp.

So, happy summer! Have a popsicle and say a prayer for our Salk campers and the families they are
helping around our county and our state!

#Winning with you!

Pastor Meg

Cultivate Arrival

We have arrived....It has been a joy to move to Winnsboro despite all the inherent unpleasantness of packing and unpacking. Not only did we arrive at a lovely parsonage and a wonderful church; I feel like we have arrived in the sense that we are very lucky to be in Winnsboro. It is a gift to serve a church with people who want to help! I've jokingly said "I have adults now!!" It is a joy to know that ministry is not just the Meg (and John supporting) show. Wow. That is very cool and makes me excited for the potential here at FUMC.  What will ministry look like with a team?  We have arrived!

I'm getting settled into the office with the help of many volunteers. We're getting settled in the parsonage also with the help of many volunteers and my parents who came to help. We still have a few more boxes to unpack, rooms to set up and lots of art to hang but the house is coming together nicely. Some of that settling in John and I just need to live into while being in the house. We're meeting the neighbors. I sincerely think John and I are going to enjoy living in Winnsboro. I did not realize how much I missed small town life until we moved.  

Already WINNing with you!

Pastor Meg