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| Christy's
Comments , September 2006 Newsletter |
| Last week I was meeting with my mentor pastor
and talking with her about my deep joy at being able to
serve here at the Krum United Methodist Church. She reminded
me of several conversations we had last fall when I began
to wrestle with what I called a “holy restlessness”
in my soul. |
| My work was going extraordinarily well
at Lovers Lane and there was every reason to expect further
expansion in my opportunities to do effective ministry.
I didn’t get the pulpit often, but was doing much
teaching and discipleship along with some innovative work
in web streaming technology. After two years of long commutes
for me, my husband and I finally had appointments that
were only 15 miles apart. We lived in a simply gorgeous
townhouse. Clearly, all was well. |
| And yet . . . that restlessness continued.
My mentor, my spiritual director, and my husband all graciously
gave many hours of conversation and reflection as I explored
what seemed to make no sense. For three months, we prayed
and examined the situation. Then, Keith and I sat down
with our District Superintendent, Dr. Larry George, to
bring him into this conversation. We sought together to
answer this question: “How is God leading at this
time in my life?” |
| Larry agreed with the conclusions that
the rest of us had reached. It was time to consider a
move. A further conversation with my Senior Pastor, Stan
Copeland, simply added to the consensus. |
| Yet as the appointive process moved forward
it became evident that there was no place to move me that
would best fit both the church in question and my own
gifts and graces. I prepared with a receptive heart to
continue my work there. |
| As does happen in the United Methodist
Church, the call came suddenly and unexpectedly. Stan
and I were actually in conversation concerning my job
responsibilities when Larry called him to see if he would
be willing for Kerry to be appointed there. The Cabinet
had decided that morning that I would be coming to the
Krum UMC. An hour later, all was settled. Twelve days
later, I had the privileged of being introduced to the
members of the Staff Parish Relations Committee here.
And nearly three months later, here I am, so filled with
joy at being a part of your lives that sometimes I can
hardly contain it. |
| In the midst of that joy, I offer to you
now some of the events and opportunities for study, service
and worship that I see coming up soon: |
| Wednesday, September 13, 7:00 p.m., I will
begin teaching a mid-week study. Although this may sound
strange, we’re going to begin by reading and discussing
a simple business book called “Leadership and Self-Deception.”
This little book manages to be one of the most Christian
books I’ve ever read, yet never mentions the name
of Jesus. It has been transformational in the lives of
many. |
| Sunday, September 17, I will begin teaching
the Confirmation Class to all of our sixth graders. Instead
of a two month Confirmation Class, we will meet for about
seven or eight months. Confirmands are invited into all
the privileges and responsibilities of church membership
and I want to make sure we have enough time to look at
those things as fully as possible. Because of the shortage
of Sunday School rooms, we will meet in the Parsonage
Dining Room. I do need a short meeting with all confirmands
and their parents right after church on September 10. |
| Sunday, October 1, we will have a “test
run” of our new 8:15 worship service and with a
formal launch on October 8. We’re going to do a
simple and yet meaningful Service of Morning Prayer and
Holy Communion. It will be considerably different from
our 11:00 service and invites us the rhythms of prayers
and lectionary readings of the church. Nursery care will
be available from 8:00 a.m. on starting that day. Following
Morning Prayer, the choir will go to their rehearsal and
we will also have time for food and fellowship. Eventually,
we will begin another adult Sunday School class at the
9:00 hour. |
| Our 130th anniversary celebration which
was planned for September 24 will be moved to November
5. I’m still working on the details of this, but
with our dear Bishop’s death, we needed some time
to rethink what we are going to do. November 5 is also
the annual Charge Conference and we hope at that time
to make a major leap forward in the plans for our new
building. Please remember to keep John Thompson and the
whole building committee in your prayers as they have
a number of crucial tasks before them this fall. |
| There is so much more, but I think I ran
out of space some time ago. Remember, if you want to receive
the emails with the latest news and information from the
church, please go to our website: www.krumumc.org and
click on the link to sign up for the email newsletter.
This is a very handy way to keep in touch when information
needs to get out quickly. |
| May we all experience the richest of the
blessings of God as we go forth to serve the world in
the name of Jesus. |
| Christy |
| The Rev. Dr. Christy Thomas, Pastor, Krum
UMC |
| christy@krumumc.org |
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