Cultivate Hope

Cultivate Hope

It’s been a stressful few weeks, but also it has been a very hopeful few weeks. Sounds like a Dickens novel, “it was the best of times it was the worst of times.” So, as not to be melodramatic let me elucidate. 

My family found out that my mother had bilateral breast cancer in August. We had a saga with insurance but thankfully short version of the long story it worked out. Mom had surgery 2 weeks ago. I flew to Florida to be with her (and Dad) in the hospital and at home. It was stressful, but I’m deeply grateful I could be there. My congregation was supportive of my absence, two local pastors covered in case of ministerial crisis and it was a gift to just go focus on my parents. Mom did very well, she’s impressive and we got the preliminary news the day of surgery that she would likely not need further treatment (other than recovery from a double mastectomy and reconstruction). Praise God! Note, since then (today actually) the doctor confirmed Mom will not need any chemo or radiation. Hallelujah! Also, since my aunts and sister were coming in waves to care for Mom I was able to head back to Winnsboro and not miss a Sunday in the pulpit. So, things fell into place. God is so good. 

Then we had news of this big hurricane, Florence, that was coming to South Carolina and it was going to be bad. I think the only tv program on when we got back to my folks condo was the weather channel. Stressful to see the news again and again. Next, one of my two flights home was cancelled; I could get to Charlotte but not Columbia. Church members are calling and suggesting I stay in Florida. But the Charlotte leg was still on and John was willing to come to Charlotte; so my Aunt and Uncle took me to the airport while Dad stayed with Mom until Aunt Ginger arrived. Aunt Ginger and I missed each other by less than 30 minutes. Bummer. As we’re driving to the airport I got a text from the airlines saying my flight was delayed, again. Stress. But we continue. I get to security and the agent all but calls down Jesus when she reads my destination...”honey, you sure you want to go there!” I smile and nod. Then, I got the full pat down of my pregnant self in the security line because I’m just lucky I guess. Lit up, something on their monitors. Eventually I get myself sorted and to my gate and the flight is delayed again. Deep breaths. After what felt like 9000 years we board the flight...there are a whopping 14 people. The pilot says prepare for some bumps. Yikes. But, the flight was smooth! The stewardesses were really nice and I had a good audiobook. Though by the time I deplaned and wandered through the Charlotte airport and got to John I was so tired, hungry and relieved that I just cried...poor guy. Like big alligator illogical crying. Doesn’t that response (crying)  to big emotions drive you crazy! But I guess it was just liquid relief. Since it was much later than hoped I’d arrive in Charlotte, we spent the night at my brother in laws house near Charlotte and made it back to Winnsboro the next morning. 

See, what I mean now of the theme of stress and hope. Moments of big worries and moments of divine providence. It is funny, in a very good way, how life not only reminds us we are not in control but also that we are taken care of by something much bigger than us, God. 

Oh and our gender scan was delayed until Monday the 17th...but the appointment happened and baby boy (yes it’s a boy!) looks healthy and happy. Heart, organs and such look good. God is amazing. Our boy is weighed in at 1.8 ounces and measuring about 5 days ahead of his due date. I also think he might be tall because I think from the pictures he’s got big feet. Excited to meet him in about 15 weeks. 

Grateful to be #WINNingwithyou

Pastor Meg 

Cultivate routine

If you read the blog title you might be laughing, because ministry is nothing but routine. That said, I’m starting to feel like I am finding my groove at church. We’re starting a fall Bible Study,  starting Confirmation and it is time to work on the those ever popular charge conference reports. While I may only like 2 of the 3 listed things they are indications of time moving forward and the start of my favorite season...Fall! It’s nice to get into the routine of church life, to be able to plan ahead more than the next Sunday. I’m feeling settled enough to look at the church calendar seasonally, even planning for Advent already and that is a comforting thing.

John and I are getting settled into the parsonage. Not all the pictures are hung nor is all the furniture in the ‘right’ place but it’s beginning to feel like home. We like Winnsboro. Small town life is nice. It’s good to be able (when it’s not too hot!) to walk to work. We’re enjoying getting to know our neighbors and feeling like home is a retreat not another part of work (a definite perk to the parsonage not being on campus or right next to the church.) John has started the fall semester at USC and is enjoying his course load. He has four classes this semester several of which are pretty big (300+). I enjoyed having him home for his break between summer classes and this fall,  but I think he’s happy to be back teaching. It’s his calling and I have to share him.

I’m looking forward to the Big Grab Sale, a 50 mile yard sale in which First UMC is a big participant. It’s been amazing to watch all the volunteers and efforts for this huge fundraiser. It’s September 7 and 8th. Here’s the website link for the whole event: http://www.biggrabyardsale.com/
I cannot wait to witness the event first hand.

That same weekend (Sunday, September 9) Rev John Holler Jr. president of Epworth Children’s Home is preaching and will be delivering the orders of the famous Epworth Ice Cream! Check out the church newsletter to learn more about ordering ice cream or call the church office.

September is also when we find out baby Cook’s gender...which is something we’re looking froward to finding out. We’re too old for a fancy reveal but we’ll let you know Sunday, September 16. Just in case, dear reader, you don’t know John and I are expecting our first baby sometime around January 6th, 2019.  John’s picked a dinosaur theme for all things baby and asks now how the dinosaur is doing. It’s cute. I’m glad he is excited!

So glad to be #WINNingwithyou

Pastor Meg

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.