Back to School

After a summer of activity, it is strangely quiet. No more children's voices next door during the middle of the day. No bicycles going up and down the sidewalk as I take my morning walk. No grandchildren calling to say "Can we come over?" School has begun and our neighborhood feels the impact. The cycle of life goes on--

As i think about the beginning of the school year, I am reminded of all the possibilities that lie ahead. Our children will be once more involved in the official learning process, although the unofficial learning process never stops. Sometimes we forget that learning, whether in the form of formal education, or in the form of life itself always goes on. I get excited when I think about this. There are so many new things we have yet to discover about who we are and how we fit into God's great creation and about creations itself.

As our children begin this school year, I pray that we teachers, families and friends, will nourish their joy of learning. I pray that we will set an example of excitement about discovery--learning a new word, a new way of doing something, learning a new skill or honing one already acquired. I pray we will help them understand that the classroom is simply a part of the learning that goes on within them all the time.. I pray we will listen to them hear their stories and then celebrate with them and sing with them. And when times are not so joyous, I pray we will hold them in their frustrations and be patient in their need to voice what is going on. I pray that we are wise enough not to give them answers so much as give them love.

I believe that we all have a part to play as our children walk into that new classroom with their backpacks full of new colors, new folders, new ideas, hopes and dreams. I for one plan to do my part--how about you?

Pastor Jan

Responsibility and Politics

Welcome! As I venture into this new territory for me, I pray that I will be able to provide some food for thought. I know that you probably will never believe that a pastor would be at a loss for words, but occasionally I do run out of things to say. Nevertheless, I will try to keep this updated at least once a week. I will also try to keep my comments relevant.


Well, here goes--I had an interesting experience this last week. I was interviewed by a reporter from our local newspaper. I say interesting not because this has not happened befoe--it has, (afterall I am the only female senior pastor in town and I am still somewhat of a novelty), but because of the results of the interview. Anyway, I was asked two questions. First had I seen the political forum by Rick Warren of Saddleback Church, which I had not been able to, and second what am I looking for in a Presidential candidate. Timely subject, I thought.

I tried to be as honest as I could be without holding up one candidate over another, mostly because I know some people at least take very seriously what I say, and I personally feel that everyone has to make up their own minds about this important issue. The experience was interesting because the reporter or the editors left out the one thing I said in the interview that I really wanted to see in print, (besides my personal desire for honesty and consistancy). I said that I believe strongly that we as Christians need to be in prayer for our country and for both men who are seeking the presidency. We need to be seeking God's will, not just this year, but in every election. Then we need to put our prayers into action by registering and voting. This was not in print.

What I didn't say were the reasons I have for feeling the way I do. Perhaps I should have. As I look back over history, I have noticed that when the people cease to care, or believe that they have no say, the vacuum created allows the very worst examples to take control. We Christians have a duty to stand up and be counted. We may be on different sides of the political fence, and I personally think that is ok. But I think it is vitally important that we know the issues, prayerfully think them through, and then exercise our rights as citizens of this great nation of ours.

Maybe I am asking a lot, but then maybe it's too important not to do so.


Pastor Jan

8-13-08

test.......