Roots with no Foundation

 Do you ever feel like a tree with roots but no foundation?

I think our faith provides us with a firm foundation (someone should write a song).  Imagine how you could be nourished without the foundation? Without soil? Without faith?

Book Review: Worshiping with United Methodists

 Information about the book

Worshiping with United Methodists (revised edition) by Hoyt L. Hickman. Abingdon Press, Nashville, 2007.  (Cokesbury Link)

Summary

From the Cokesbury website: "Hoyt Hickman explains the basic pattern of United Methodist worship within the broader context of Christian worship. "  The book explains basic resources for planning and leading worship, gives the basic pattern of United Methodist worship and its origins, and provides resources for worship leaders to plan and implement effective worship.

Impressions

I enjoyed reading this book.  I was especially impressed with the explanation of how the basic pattern of Christian worship  - word and table - can be seen in the encounter with Christ on the walk to Emmaus (in Luke 24).  As a person who enjoys history, I liked the chapter that walked us through the evolution of the pattern of worship in the Christian church - through Protestantism, and into Methodism.  The author makes an important point all through the book of the balance between authentic worship and worship that provides for encounter in the church's context.

My understanding of worship planning was greatly enhanced by the book.  Chapters 5-8 take each element of the Basic Pattern of Worship and provide helpful details that both inspired me and informed me.  I imagine I will be referring to this book in the future as I plan worship and will use it as a resource in our Conference CLM Course.

Posts about book

Posts about the book are are here.

Vaccines

Do I write very often about current events?  I don't think I do, although I do think about them.  

Have you thought much about your opportunity to be vaccinated against COVID-19?

I was so grateful when my mother, who is 83, was able to call and make an appointment for her first shot.  The appointment for her second vaccine was on a day that was snowy and icy.  I was grateful I was able to take the time and drive her to her appointment (she doesn't drive in bad weather).  I remember the relief that she was able to quickly get the vaccine once it was available for her age group.  All through the pandemic I had been worried I would somehow bring the virus into her home, and that she would get sick from something I had done. 

I waited patiently - and it was patiently - for my turn to be vaccinated.  On a day in March an email went out to our Sunday school list, suggesting that people call the health department - there were available appointments for anyone over 55 (which I am).  Steve and I both called - I was able to get through, and to get appointments for both of us.  In 25 minutes from the end of the call.  At the mall.  Which is 25 minutes (or so) from our house.  I texted him as I rushed around the house. He was at his office, and was able to jump in the car and drive to the mall.  I did the same, and we met there. 

Getting our first vaccination was such a huge relief.  I was giddy.  Four weeks later, on the dot, we went back for our second shot. I am grateful to say I am "fully vaccinated."

I remember as a young child a family that lived two doors from us.  Their daughter had had polio, and had permanent issues because of it.  How grateful I am that I never had to worry about that with our two boys.  I think we forget how lucky we are to live in a time when there ARE vaccines.  How blessed we are by the difference they can make in our lives.

Am I grateful that I am vaccinated against COVID-19?  Immeasurably.  Not just because of the protection it gives me against the disease.  But more so because of the protection it gives those around me from the disease.  How would I feel if someone I know got sick because I passed the virus onto them?  If my mom had?  If a co-worker had? If anyone I know had suffered through COVID-19 because of me?

If you haven't been vaccinated, please do today and do it.  How will you feel if your granddaughter gets sick because you chose not to be vaccinated? If she has lasting, long term effects because of a choice you have made?  How will you feel if your father gets sick and - heaven forbid - dies, because of a choice you have made?  I don't say this to frighten you into vaccinated, but so that you will see the impacts of your choice.

I hope your choice is the protection science can offer us.  It's my choice.  And I'm grateful for it.