New Appointment

I am currently serving as Interim Pastor at Shiloh UMC, through the end of June.

 http://mountairyjournal.blogspot.com/2012/05/first-sunday-at-shiloh-umc.html

The first of July is when all new appointments take place for United Methodist pastors. That will be when I start my new appointment as pastor for Shiloh UMC. It seems that once again, my time of service to Timberlake UMC is limited to one year. While we leave Timberlake UMC and Timberlake UMC East with a degree of sadnees, we move to our next new adventure with expectation of what is in store.

St. Andrews UMC Homecoming Sunday 2010

St. Andrews UMC had their 2010 Homecoming. We had a very nice crowd, quite a few first time visitors, along with folks that were there from some distance.  We also had our members from Republican Grove UMC and Providence UMC joining us. (I'm not really sure why everyone avoids the front pews.)

We had some special music by Maria Eakin, Jason Hall, and Jacob Wyatt. I am very appreciative of their ministering in song for us.

I got to do an unplanned children's message. When I saw that we had quite a few children with us this Sunday, I couldn't resist. I got Dave Adams to grab some varied pumpkins off the tables in the fellowship hall. I had a normal orange one, a white one, and a green one. We talked about how they all looked different, but they were still pumpkins. The I related that to people and how God sent Jesus for everyone, no matter what they looked like or were shaped like. Anyways, I think it made sense to the kids.

The choir sang "God is Here", a lovely song that was just right for the day. We may have a small choir, but we have quality. They are not intimidated by their size and are a wonderful addition to the ministry of the church.

Our guest speaker was Rev. Jacob Sahms, pastor of Blanford UMC in Petersburg, Virginia. Jacob and I were in Licensing School together several years back. There is a long story about the "Wiffle Ball Miracle", but I'll have to save that for another post. While we were disappointed that his wife, Joanne, and son, Adam, couldn't join us; we were very happy to have him be able to be here with us.

Jacob brought a message titled "Got Wonder?", using the text from Luke 17:11-19. It is the passgae about Jesus healing the ten lepers and only one returned to thank him. It was an excellent sermon for us all to hear.

After the service, we all moved to the Fellowship Hall for lunch. Homecoming season is definitely not the time of year to be worrying about adding a few punds. You can always fast a few meals before Thanksgiving.

October is Pastor Appreciation Month and they surprised Joanne and me with a special cake for the both of us. They all know that there's no Pastor Charlie without Joanne. I never cease to be thankful for having been appointed to the Mount Airy Charge. I have 3 wonderful churches with the most loving congregations you could ask for, God knew what I needed.

Of course, there was a bounty of food, no one had to leave hungry. The fried chicken was great and a few pieces made their way home with us.

There were more desserts than one person could try. Not that I didn't make a valiant effort.

After lunch and fellowship, Joanne and I headed over to the White Fall Farm Pumpkin Patch for some relaxation. I simply like hanging out there, watching the little kids and families.

It was beautiful day to be outside at the Pumpkin Patch. Apparently a whole bunch of people thought the same thing.

The Hay Bale Castle sits at the top of the hill like a crown.

The two Pygmy goats and the chickens were great entertainment. The rooster kept crowing while people threw corn kernels to him. The goats would bang heads for fun, to the joy of all the little kids (and adults).

The crowd for the Pumpkin Hunt was huge. It was fun watching the kids run all over the field trying to find the mini-pumpkins hidden in the tall grass.

Homecoming Sunday, with friends, food and fellowship. 

2010 Homecoming at Providence UMC

Homecoming Sunday at Providence UMC was September 12th and it was a great time to catch up with friends and family.

 

We had a good crowd come for Homecoming. We were happy to see so many old friends, while we remembered those who were no longer with us. Members from Republican Grove UMC and St. Andrews UMC joined Providence UMC in celebrating their Homecoming Sunday.

 Brian Daniels, accompanied by Joanne Johnson, sang two special songs for us.

 

Our guest speaker was Rev. George Schaefer. George is the pastor of the Payneton-Siloam Charge and an good friend of mine. He brought an excellent message asking whether we were simply "Committed or a Bondservant".

 

Of course, no Homecoming is complete without a grand meal following the service.

 

This was the first Homecoming at Providence UMC to use the new Fellowship Hall. It is a fine facility and met our needs perfectly. 

 

There was an abundance of desserts. The only problem was that I was limited by human capacity on how many I could try. But I did manage to sample the cherry cobbler, eclair cake, banana pudding, pecan pie, and one other that tasted great but I didn't ask what it was. It is a good thing I such self control. ;-)

 

The weather could not have been better, not too hot and with a good breeze. We simply opened the windows in the Fellowship Hall and used the ceiling fans. It was pleasant enough for many to eat outside under the canopies.

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Homecoming is a special day; a day to enjoy worshiping together, fellowship over lunch, rekindling friendships, and remembering those who have gone before us.

When Does 1+1+1=1?

Our Homecoming season on the Mount Airy Charge is the months of September and October. With Providence UMC and Republican Grove UMC having their Homecoming Sundays in September. Saint Andrews UMC having theirs Homecoming Sunday in October. This is always a great time of reunion and fellowship, not to mention some of the best eating of the year.


Normally when one of the churches has their Homecoming, the other two churches have a guest speaker and have their normal Sunday. The pastor of the Charge would always attend the church having the Homecoming and leave the other churches in the hands of someone else. This year it was suggested, by one of the members, that each church attend each other church's Homecoming Sunday. So they decided that instead of having a guest speaker at the 2 churches not having Homecoming, those two churches would close the doors, leaving a note on the door as to where they would be, and join their sister church that was having Homecoming.

It was a wonderful site to see. Members from all three churches worshiping and fellowshiping together. At least 50% of the members of the churches not having Homecoming joined the church having Homecoming for their special day. I think it was a blessing to the congregations, the guests, and especially to me.

I have encouraged the three churches of the Mount Airy Charge to think more as one Charge rather than three individual churches. We have had numerous services and projects where the three churches have joined together in work and fellowship. But, this one was their idea. It had never dawned on me. So, when does 1+1+1=1? When 1 church + 1 church + 1 church come together under the moving of the Holy Spirit as 1 Charge. 

I told a pastor friend what a blessing it had been. His response, being the pastor of a Charge, was that is was more than a blessing, it was a miracle. I've always liked miracles.

Saint Andrews UMC Homecoming Sunday 2009

On October 18th, Saint Andrews UMC had their 2009 Homecoming Sunday. I love Homecoming Sunday and its not just about the food. It is a time to see folks who live too far away to be with us each week, but who still hold their connection close to their heart. I've also been serving the Mount Airy Charge long enough that I recognize those I only see maybe once a year. We had people with us all the way from Oregon and Colorado.

Once again, all three churches of the Mount Airy Charge came together for another church's Homecoming.

Our guest singer was Alyce Blanks, who sings with the group "The Ageless Wonders". Alyce sang in the choir at Fairview UMC when we were there. Joanne provided piano accompaniment for Alyce and for the service.

Rev. Tim Earnhardt was our guest speaker. Tim was the Senior Pastor at Fairview UMC when I was the Youth Director and Joanne was Organist and Church Secretary. Tim did Gospel Magic for the chirldren who came to Homecoming.

The Gospel Magic may have been meant for the children's message, but you can tell by the look on the adults that they were as interested as the kids.

Tim delivered an excellent message on "Becoming Childlike Again" using the passage from Mark 10:13-16 as his text. He blended together his gospel magic lesson and his sermon that helped the flow of the whole service.

Yeah, you knew the fellowship meal pictures were coming. There is no better eating than at a church Homecoming. Everyone brings their best and no one leaves hungry. The fried chicken for the meal was prepared by the Mount Airy Store and it was really good. You can tell by all the smiles that everyone had a great time together.

There is one special thing that happened that morning that I just have to tell you about. Our god-daughter, Hannah Gaitten, was in town from Colorado with her daughter, Noah, and we had talked to her on the phone about maybe coming down to church on Sunday. She said she would call us and let us know wether to expect her or not. Well, we had stayed at the parsonage on Saturday night and never got a call from her. So, we thought we would have to see her later in the week.

When the service was closing and I had gone to the back of the church for the benedction, I saw someone holding a child in the entry area. When I finished the benediction the person walked in and it was Hannah and Noah. After a shocked hug, she told me that she didn't have my cell phone number and didn't have my blog address on her laptop. So, she went to Courtney's blog (my daughter), found where I had made a comment, and from there she found my blog. She then went through the blog and saw which churches had already had their Homecomings. Then she figured that it was St. Andrews UMC that was having their Homecoming that day. She then Googled the church to get the street address and then went to Mapquest and got directions. She had been there for the entire service and I didn't even see her. It was a wonderful topping on a wonderful Homecoming Sunday.

Republican Grove UMC Homecoming 2009

Yesterday, Sunday the 27th of October, Republican Grove UMC had their annual Homecoming Sunday. It had rained all day on Saturday and it wasn't looking too favorable on Sunday morning. But, by the time we were going to start the service the sun started peaking out and it turned out to be a beautiful day. It was nice, having been here 3 years, to recognize the folks that I only see at Homecoming or for special occasions, because they live too far away or attend a different church.

The other two churches of the Mount Airy Charge, Providence UMC and Saint Andrews UMC, joined Republican Grove in celebrating their Homecoming Sunday. It is something special to see all three of the churches coming together to fellowship and worship.
This year for Homecoming Sunday I was asked to speak. I told them that I was unaccustomed to being in the pulpit at Republican Grove. Usually, everyone sits on the piano side of the church and I use a podium on the floor level. It feels less like preaching and more like having a Bible study. I used the Book of Ruth for my scripture passage (no I didn't read the entire book), family photos I've been scanning (parents and grandparents when they were younger), an excerpt from the movie "Field of Dreams", and lyrics from a song by 70's rock group Blind Faith in the sermon. Somehow, to my surprise and the congregation's, it all came together. Isn't God amazing?
Brian Daniels, from Providence UMC, sang "You Lift Me Up" for us. The members of Republican Grove asked specifically for Brian to sing for their Homecoming after hearing him sing when they had joined Providence UMC for their Homecoming two weeks earlier. Brian has an excellent singing voice and I think that in the future Providence will be having to share Brian's talents more often.

After the service concluded everyone went out front of the church to enjoy the warm sun, while the final preparations were made for lunch. It was well worth the short wait.

As always, the food was abundant and delicious. I would try and give you a run down of all the food that was there, but I'd still probably forget half of it. No one had to leave still hungry. Homecoming meals are an excellent case for fasting the next day or two.Everyone enjoyed the meal and the fellowship. It was a good time for remembering, catching up on each others lives, and renewing friendships.

Looks at all these desserts! It is a diabetic's nightmare or, if you're a sugar junky like me, a really sweet dream. I made sure that the first thing on my plate was Doots Abbott's peach cobbler and there was still room for just a tiny bit of everything else.

It always seems that when I sit down with a full plate of desserts, someone comes around the corner with a camera. It never happens if I have a plate of salad. I tried to slide the plate out of view with my little finger, but I wasn't fast enough.

It was a great day. Thanks to all who worked to make it that way. Food, Family, Friends, and Fellowship; it doesn't get much better. See you all next year!