Cultivate Preparedness

Today is May 31st, John and I have been married 4 years. We, like crazy young people, got married the day before Annual Conference four years ago and you guessed it, spent our honeymoon in Florence,SC at Annual Conference. Romantic, right? (We knew nothing!) I stood up in the pastor’s meeting Sunday night and corrected the Bishop (oh my!) to tell him my new married name. I was commissioned that year as a provisional Elder in the SC conference of the United Methodist Church and 3 weeks after Annual Conference we moved to Epworth....what a whirlwind.

Now, we’re in the midst of what feel like another happy whirlwind. John is coordinating with the movers, packing all the things, talking to Donnie (chair of trustees) about the mold situation (so grateful, we know mold remediation is a process and expensive...thank you), he’s supervising the plumber at the Epworth parsonage (yes we’re still having some plumbing inconviences) and preparing us for another trip to Annual Conference- preparation that is more than packing clothes but also meal planning/food since we don’t often risk eating out with my allergies and it’s cheaper. Go John, go! He’s also starting to prepare for summer session 2 at USC when he’ll resume teaching. He starts the Monday of moving week. I’m coordinating Epworth’s Salkehatchie team (7 teens, 2 staff and me), researching for the projects at my site (I’m a site leader this year), planning for Graduate Sunday, Homecoming Sunday, my last Sunday and looking ahead to Vacation Bible School at Winnsboro (Rolling River Rampage, July 29-August 1, 6:00pm-8:00pm). And yes, I’m packing too.  I guess it’s good to be busy!

By the way, it looks like we will move into the Winnsboro parsonage some time the week of July 3-6. This is a little later than usual (UMC pastors in SC will all move on June 27th) but this is because the mold is being remediated. Thank you. We’re also blessed that Rev. Holler, Epworth president, is allowing John and I to stay in the Epworth parsonage an extra week. This saves a great deal of moving stress and expenses since we will not need to store our things, stay in a hotel or need to figure out living without a kitchen. God is so good, this remediation (admittedly something that doesn’t feel positive) gives us extra time. In all things God works for good! Time to set up the office and a little bit of recovery time after Salkehatchie (June 16-23). Rather than moving the week after Salk we get a little rest before the big move to Winnsboro.  But don’t worry it won’t be all rest! I will commute to Winnsboro the first week of July from Epworth.

Speaking of busy, in June I will start a short term transition clergy coaching training to help me start on my very best foot at FUMC Winnsboro. Transitioning from Epworth Children’s Home to a traditional church is a pretty big pastoral shift. Epworth has been a natural extension of my previous 15 years of Christian Educator experience, ECH is a much different setting than a traditional church. I want to “get it right” as I move to a broader arena of ministry at Winnsboro. This is one idea that came out of the pastoral transition retreat which I got to attend with Lea Weed last week. I’ve also been working on my sermon and plans for Sunday, July 1; day 1 at FUMC Winnsboro. We’re down to 4 Sundays...wow!

FUMC, I look forward to WINNing with you!  #theCooksWinn

Pastor Meg

*want to know more about my allergies, check out my “Cultivate Introductions” post.

Cultivate Readiness

Six more weeks at Epworth, six weeks until I start at First UMC Winnsboro. Time is moving both slowly and quickly. When I look at packing time has slowed down; I wonder are we making any headway!? When I look at what still needs to be done at Epworth time is flying. Trinity Sunday, Graduate Sunday, Annual Conference, Homecoming, Salkehatchie and my last Sunday at Epworth Memorial. It's a sprint. John is diligently packing at the house while I'm finishing up at Epworth Memorial. Before you feel bad for him, I've already packed about half the house and most of my office. He's quickly outpacing me though in the packing productivity. He has coordinated with movers, with Barbara Martin and handled the changing of addresses. Where would I be without the detail guy?

We got some news this week on the Winnsboro parsonage, it didn't pass the mold inspection. While this is bad news, the good news is it will be remediated before we move in. It's a blessing, though a curveball. John and I are grateful the house will be taken care of.

At the Epworth parsonage, we're still experiencing inconvenient plumbing issues which started about a month ago when the city updated the sewer line updates. The front yard I have worked hard on for 4 years is all torn up and they may have to cut into the driveway. Sigh. Doesn't everything always seem to happen at the same time?  Looking for the silver linings (Pastor Pamela will have great plumbing) and trying not to lose my sense of humor (the new grass may now be greener for all the umm.... "natural" fertilizer).

Tomorrow, Lea Weed and I will head to the Pastoral Transitions retreat with the Columbia District out at Mount Horeb UMC. I look forward to the training, insights and hanging out with Lea Weed!  I'll report more on that training later.

Still looking forward to "WINNing" with you!

Pastor Meg

#theCooksWinn

Cultivate Expectancy

Not too much to post about this week. We’re still packing. John finished up classes and final exams at USC, so he’s switching from teaching mode to packing and coordinating the move mode.  A greatly appreciated shift as we’re heading into a busy season before our move to Winnsboro. John and I are trying to be pretty much packed by Annual Conference since I know the last 3 weeks of June will FLY. Especially, as the week before the move we’re both heading to Catawba Salkehatchie with the Epworth Children’s Home team.

My week has been pretty typical. Intern Pastor Faye and I met with the MYF leadership team today (Sunday) to help equip them to lead in the midst of this pastoral transition. I am proud of this select group of high schoolers and how they are stepping up to lead their peers, as well as, their ideas for welcoming Pastor Pamela to Epworth in July. It is often said in ministry that we plant seeds for trees whose shade we will never sit under. It’s nice to get a glimpse of that shade in the hearts and minds of these young leaders.  (Photo: The big tree on the circle at Epworth by the church. It is interesting to ponder the history this tree has seen!)

Tomorrow (Monday), I’m looking forward to meeting Julie Barfield and several of the leaders at FUMC as well as meeting with the VBS team. VBS, I can’t wait! First United Methodist Church, I look forward to WINNing with you!  #theCooksWinn

Pastor Meg

Cultivate Introductions

The day finally came! Sunday was our introductory visit. John and I drove to Winnsboro and met with the District Superintendent (DS) and the SPRC committee. DS Rev. Dr. Cathy said she “saved the best for last” as I was her final introductory visit in the district. We shared a devotion, snacks and I got to hear some of the most wonderful testimonies about the church in the lives of the members of the SPRC Committee. Stories of growing up in the church, coming to the church by more winding routes, the joys of belonging to a faithful community/family and the support each person had received through not only a relationship with Jesus Christ but with the church as Christ’s body. I get the distinct impression, FUMC is a place that loves well. 

John and I enjoyed touring the church (the sanctuary is gorgeous) and seeing the parsonage (also lovely). We feel warmly welcomed not only by the church but also by Pastor Julie and Travis. I think it is a blessing to follow well-loved folks. 

I got to field some questions, one of which was about my allergies. I groaned inwardly because I do not want to be defined in ministry by an allergy but, Barbara Martin assures me that folks need to know so they can love us well. So, here you go. Hi, my name is Meg and I have celiac disease. I also have an anaphylactic reaction to eating wheat. I bump elbows and give side hugs. I have to watch out for hidden sources of gluten, like lipstick and makeup. So, while I’m happy to hug you, and I love people very much, please don’t kiss me. Also, try to aim your hands for clothes rather than my skin as I have had a skin reaction to gluten; on that note a great time to hug your Pastor is Sunday morning as I’ll be almost fully covered by my preacher robe. It’s kind of like pretty armor. I’m a fan of the ministry appropriate side-hug since our faces won’t bump. Feel free to invite me (and John) to lunch or dinner, give us a heads up and don’t be surprised if I pack a lunch bag. I love to socialize and John packs the best bag lunches!  Thankfully, I can be next to someone eating wheat; the joke is just don’t lick me or touch me. The only type of places that are really hard to visit are places where there is flour in the air (like: bakeries, pizza places that make their own dough, etc). Also, John is allergic to nuts, his allergy is not a severe reaction, but please keep him healthy too...He is kinda important to me! 

Some more interesting facts about your pastoral family...John and I will be married 4 years May 31st. John grew up in Fort Mill and Indian Land. John’s parents were teachers and two of the 4 “cookies” (Cook kids) are teachers as adults. I’m from a small town outside Buffalo, NY (Elma). When I was growing up, Elma was a rural place with more cows than people. By comparison, Winnsboro is pretty big city! I’m also one of 4 kids, I’m the 3rd kid, if birth order is of interest to you. We are both lifelong United Methodists. My parents chaired everything at church and John’s Dad played the organ at Pleasant Hill UMC. Church kids through and through. I went to Ohio Wesleyan for undergrad (BA History), Pfeiffer University (MA Christian Education) and The Methodist Theological School in Ohio aka. MTSO (M.Div.). So, because of my time in Ohio (and the fact my Father got his PhD there) I’m a Buckeye fan, especially football. O-H! John went to Clemson for undergrad and graduate school (Physics and Astronomy), and now teaches physics at USC. John is not a big sports fan, so we don’t have to worry about that rivalry, but he will watch the Olympics especially curling. 

Can’t believe our move is 8 weeks away! I look forward to WINNing with you! #theCooksWinn

Pastor Meg

Cultivate the handoff

“Pastoring a church is not getting a trophy to keep; it is getting a baton to pass.” Bruce Miller

“How fast you run will keep you in the race; how well you hand off will win it!” Coach Casey

These quotes from The Changeover Zone by Jim Ozier & Jim Griffith have stayed with me as I’ve met with Pastor Julie, the current pastor at First UMC Winnsboro, and as I have talked on the phone with Pastor Pamela, who will start at Epworth in July. This is an important time, this is the handoff zone. When I was on the High School track team. (Go Iroquois Chiefs!) I was primarily a field events competitor (shot-put and discus) but I remember running a few 4x100s. This is a relay race where each girl runs 100 meters or 1/4 of the track. The few times I ran I was the 3rd leg position. As the runner rounds the corner with the baton the recieving runner also needs to be running so the team does not lose momentum on the hand off. Then the receiver throws their hand back with their palm open, thumb out of the way, the baton is smacked into their hand and off they go. This is the season I am in. Running with my hand open, trying not to let anything get in the way, ready to receive the baton...interestingly I’m also the runner coming in to hand off the baton. Finish well. Start well. No stress, right? Kidding aside, I am excited to be in this season of preparation. It is becoming a time of “leaning not on my own understanding” but trusting the coach (God).

As far as some of the logistics, the packing has begun in full earnest...the office and at our parsonage. I think about half the stuff we own is now in boxes! John is wrapping up the semester in the next week or so. John is a physics instructor at USC. Then he will really ramp up his packing efforts. I am trying to think of all the little things Pastor Pamela will need to know as she starts at Epworth, just as Pastor Julie is doing the same for me. I’m also preparing for Catawba Salkehatchie; Epworth is sending 8 residents, 2 staff and myself. I ask for continued prayers that all transition well (the pastors and congregations) and for encouragement in this next chapter of ministry.

First UMC Winnsboro, I looking forward to WINNing with you!  #theCooksWinn

Pastor Meg

Cultivate Change

Well, announcements have been made and change is upon us. I have 10 more weeks to serve as the pastor at Epworth Children's Home before John and I embark on a new chapter.

The Cook's are moving to Winnsboro, SC at the end of June! I have been appointed to serve as the pastor at First UMC Winnsboro. We are excited John can continue to teach Physics at USC; Winnsboro is about a 40 minute drive to the Columbia USC campus.

This change is exciting, bittersweet and so many more emotions.  I will miss the kids.  I have loved with my whole self serving at Epworth. Epworth is an amazing place where God is visibly at work. So much history and I have loved being connected to ALL the United Methodist Churches in South Carolina. Those who know me know that I love it when everyone can be involved. I'm an includer.

Ministry at Epworth Memorial UMC has been beautiful, inspiring, hard and oh so rewarding. My understanding of theology and God has been tempered, forged by some of the harder questions of life. Epworth has also been comfortable; as it is a natural extension of my Christian Education background. Before being appointed to Epworth, I served 15 years as a United Methodist Christian Educator. I have both a Masters of Christian Education and a Masters of Divinity. And while I'm torn, I told John it feels like I'm leaving part of my heart behind, I'm also excited about First UMC. This will be a new kind of adventure. It is a shift away from Christian Education to looking at the whole church. It will be fun to serve a typical congregation with grown ups, families, committees, musicians, a choir, a secretary and a janitor. Somebody pinch me!

I'm excited about the new role, new adventure and new friends we will make along the journey. I'm eager to start. I have so much to learn about what God is already doing at First UMC.

Oh, I came up with a hashtag for our move (and time at First Winnsboro):  #theCooksWinn 

Attitude determines your altitude....and John and I are choosing to look at this move as a win!

First UMC, I looking forward to "winning" with you!

Pastor Meg

Cultivate Faith

CULTIVATEFAITH

I was attracted to the word cultivate. Merriam-Webster defines cultivate as: to foster the growth of, or to to prepare or prepare and use for the raising of crops; also: to loosen or break up the soil about (growing plants).

Faith, for me is about DOING something. It is an active process. Cultivation implies work, the preparation of the soil for growth is not a passive process. What does it mean to be a person who strives to sows faith? I think this work, growing faith, is something that takes time, work and the grace of God. In keeping with the garden analogy; one can’t plant a seed and expect a fully grown plant the very next day. It takes weeding out (perhaps of bad theology or old habits). Growth take daily nourishment. I’ve killed enough houseplants to know that living things need attention, feeding and watering. And because this process of cultivating faith is well a process, it also means that we need to have patience. Patience with ourselves and especially with others. We never know what someone is experiencing so be kind. Plant seeds of encouragement and love. Everyone grows at different paces, and that’s okay. Also, the work is never done. There is harvesting and then preparing all over again for new growth.


PSALM 37:3-5

I found, and kind of fell in love, with this verse and version several years after adopting "cultivatefaith" as my ministry brand. It helps me, it’s kind of an attitude adjuster for me and perhaps it will inspire you too.

"Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord; and God will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in God, and God will do it."  Psalm 37:3-5