We Have A New Moderator!

I am so excited! On Saturday night the Presbyterian Church (USA) elected its new moderator. Normally I am somewhat intrigued about who the commissioners to General Assembly will call as moderator. Being an a denomination that has predominately retirees, I also expect the moderator to be someone who is at least 60. And yet this year is a different year.

Like our political system who has a Democratic candidate for President of the US much under the expected age, it seems the PC(USA) is also searching for answers from a fresh spirit. I first learned about Bruce Reyes-Chow while listening to my favorite podcast: Decently and In Order http://www.decently.org/podcast/ I listened to all the candidates, but I really liked Bruce right off. He seemed very interested in being a faithful presence, living a life of integrity and walking through life in a emerging way with all of us. I could see why the congregation he serves must adore him -- He seems to be real with all of us.

And isn't that what we all need -- someone who is willing to walk through life with us, someone who will ask the tough questions whether they know the answers or not, someone who will live a life of integrity in all their relationships. Isn't that what we all strive for.

Now I admit I may be putting the bar a little high for Bruce, but I believe God has put him in the place he is now and given him the gifts needed to do what is need -- to journey through tough waters, through times for fear, questions, anger and outrage and into places of crisis and peace, joy and suffering and to be there with us in a real and loving way.

Thank you Bruce for stepping up and being the type of leader our church and our world needs.

Facebook as Ministry

Last Sunday, during my message in worship I talked about facebook as a way to connect. It was a risk for me. I had no idea how it would be received. I expected some to hate the idea, some to be excited by it and others to just be confused. We like many Presbyterian churches are not heavily populated by techies, but I would say that we are populated by people who care deeply about their faith, nurturing others in theirs and living a life of integrity in all their relationships.
I have so enjoyed being part of Bethany. If you haven’t found it, check out our facebook group—Bethany Church. Those at Bethany really demonstrate how to love each other. I am so amazed by their love and care.

During January, the Session and Deacons talked about what their core values and bedrock beliefs are and I was touched by their unchangeable calling to love all and to reach out to children and families. This is an important understanding, as Bethany currently is mostly those of retirement age, yet their calling has never changed.

Now Bethany stands ready to continue on what that calling means today in this postmodern age. How do we continue to honor God in our own way and at the same time find ways to be relevent in bringing our message to the world? This question and others stands before us as we work to be the church.

Today, I ask for your prayers. Pray for Bethany Church. Pray that those needed to begin the necessary steps in fulfilling the vision of Bethany step forward and take on their calling. Pray that we each find ways to follow God’s direction in our own lives whether it seems small or large. And let us pray that we set aside all that holds us back and be about following the nudgings of God rather than of the fears that lay before us all.

I am excited to be part of the Bethany family and am continually blessed by your love and care.