I admit that I am pondering a bit late this time … this last time that I will be posting (I will still post on my personal FB page if you'd like to follow.) But last week was a little bit crazy in these here parts. It could be that I was the only one feeling that way, but maybe not.
During worship on the 23rd, we didn’t say goodbyes. Instead, we said, “See you next time.” And for a fair number of us, “next time” would be, and was, soon. On Wednesday and Thursday, JoAnn, Beth, Kim and I hosted the last afternoons of Kool Kids Camp for a dozen kiddos. These three did a great job teaching and creating fun times. Also on Wednesday, Dorothy and I met so she could sign letters and to talk membership. Jeff and I met to discuss recordkeeping and reimbursements. Bernie and Lorene were willing to forego their evening meal so that we could serve each other a sacred meal. On Wednesday night, Mick, Don, Linda, and Tricia hosted the last Kids ROCK that I would enjoy with them. Pastor SeungLi You was able to join us for hot dogs and fishing. Mick and Don certainly had their hands full baiting hooks and removing fish for seven young anglers! In between times, I prepared final reimbursement reports, accompanied my mom to an appointment, drafted a letter to honored members receiving certificates by mail, pitted the last 3 quarts of cherries from our tree, compiled documents to hand off to new pastors, and tried to pack in order to move. And that’s what nearly made me crazy. There was no time to pack! I know. It’s my own doing. But I’ve come to realize that the time we spend together, relating, that’s what’s important. And it’s less about what’s being done and more about the relationship that’s being created. The doing will get done. The relating brings the calm. I say that now … after Carol, Braden, and Briana, Mick and Darlene, Dan and JoAnn, Mary, Beth, and Kim loaded and unloaded my furniture and boxes on Friday! I say that now, after Sewing Day in Davenport on Saturday … the babies grow up so fast. And after a sacred meal with two sisters, Dorothy and Arlene, on my way home. There’ll always be time to settle in. Grace and peace … --Pastor Pat
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Maybe it’s because I learned this song at General Conference in 2008, and I’ve loved it ever since.
Maybe it’s because we sang it on my last Sunday as we were saying goodbyes at York First and Waco UMCs. And we sang it again in my last days at Schuyler Christ, Rising City, and Brainard UMCs. Or maybe it’s because today is my last Sunday at Milligan and Fairmont Community UMCs. Nearly all week, I have been singing the refrain of the song that we learned here almost two years ago, shortly after we began our ministry together. I am speaking of Draw the Circle Wide, by Mark Miller. Truly a gift he has given us! Draw the circle, draw the circle wide. Draw the circle, draw the circle wide. No one stands alone, we’ll stand side by side. Draw the circle, draw the circle wide. This song has become especially meaningful to me and countless others since February’s Special Session of General Conference in St. Louis. A theme song, if you will. Drawing the circle of Love wider has always resonated with me. Having lunch at a table by yourself in the cafeteria? I am the one who will join you at your table so you don’t have to eat alone. Can’t seem to catch a break? I will pray for God’s guidance and see if there’s a way to help you get out of a jam or a mess. Needing someone to listen? Or needing encouragement to keep moving forward after a loss or an error in judgment? I will be there to listen to whatever you are holding onto. To seek justice for you when you aren’t able to yourself. To walk alongside you. To strengthen and encourage you for the next part of your journey. Grace and peace … --Pastor Pat Last week was strawberries. This week is cherries. Actually, the strawberries are still going strong, June-bearing, so there is overlap.
Last week was notifying the last of our automatic debitors and creditors of our new checking accounts, due to potentially fraudulent activity. This week was making sure our new accounts are all linked as the old had been so we receive one consolidated statement instead of ten. Next week maybe we can check some more items off the identity theft checklist. Last week I was dreading moving. This week I’ve been able to make a plan for moving. Next week, we will follow the plan. Last week Kids ROCK Summer Series began. This week Kool Kids Camp began. Yay, Yay, Yay! Grace and peace … --Pastor Pat Great Plains Annual Conference 2019 is in the books. Clergy appointments were fixed on Saturday by Bishop Ruben Saenz, Jr. at the close of our plenary session. This seems to be a good time, if you hadn’t heard before, that I have been appointed to serve the Beaver Crossing, Utica, and Ebenezer United Methodist Churches beginning July 1.
This means that I have already met with some of the leadership from the churches, in early April and again last week. I have asked if it would be possible to fence in the back yard at the parsonage for Arapahoe and Xian. And the trustees are working on that. The Rev. Tamara Holtz, their current pastor, and I got together one day for a drive and conversation … to get a lay of the land. Reminded me of our seminary days when we shared rides to and from Kansas City. This also means that our church leadership and I are working toward smooth transitions for the churches as they form new parish alignments and welcome new pastors. Milligan and Exeter will align and welcome The Rev. Murray Johnston as their pastor. Fairmont and McCool Junction will join in welcoming The Rev. Seung Li You as their pastor. There has been a fair amount of sorting, deciding whether to save or share, and handing off of important documents and materials. This will likely continue right up until we begin loading the U-Haul … if this move is like the last two have been. This means also that we are saying goodbyes in stages. Cheering on faithful disciples to keep on and finish strong. Remembering together how God called us to break out of our ruts in order to show, teach, and share God’s love in new ways. Sharing a meal, as Jesus did, with dear ones for the last time. Before my last Sunday … June 23. There is a whole lot more sorting, decisioning, and packing to be done between now and move day, whenever that is. Thankfully, and I mean this sincerely, Kids ROCK in Fairmont and Kool Kids Camp in Milligan will be welcome diversions. Fun and laughter amid the work. Keep the faith. Finish strong! Grace and peace … --Pastor Pat Mr. Pat is off to Arizona to celebrate birthdays with the grandkids. Soon I will be leaving for Annual Conference in Topeka, riding with a pastor friend for the last leg of her travels.
Arapahoe, Xian, and the fish (in the aquarium and in the pond) will be cared for. Neighbors will pick asparagus and strawberries … if they can get to those areas through the mud. And the grass will be mowed … if it ever stops raining. It will be good to be away for awhile. Recent attempts to do so in the past couple of months haven’t worked out so well for me. This scheduled meeting, the venue, and the conversations that are part of Annual Conference may not be as peaceful, as restful, as if I were at my favorite retreat center. That’s understood. But there will be ways to disconnect from the real world and reconnect with the divine. And I will seek them out. I am grateful to Fairmont’s UMW for scheduling UMW Sunday for the Sunday after Annual Conference. I am grateful to Linda Zuerlein for bringing the message. It will be great to hear her preach the Word! And I am grateful that Milligan is a singing church that enjoys having a good ol’ hymn sing once in awhile. Communion and baptism are also part of worship on this particular Sunday. Wonderful all the way around! Grace and peace … --Pastor Pat |
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