by Crawford UMC | Jul 17, 2020 | Conversations
~ A Conversation with Sue Powers ~
This has been a very stressful year for many of us. We moved into a new condo in February. Three days later there was a fire and we lost everything. We had nowhere to live and no clothes, etc. Friends and family came to our aid and asked how we were coping so well. I realized that no one was hurt and we could replace most of the items. Some of the items had come from my father’s home – family pictures and history. These items were hard to lose. We had much to be thankful for. I also had faith that God would help us find a way to move forward. We were able to purchase the last condo available in the area. Four weeks after the fire, Covid 19 hit. I am a nurse and work closely with staff that cared for patients with Covid 19. Many were deployed to work in areas they had not worked in before – ICU and Emergency room. They had to care for patients at the end of their life who were not able to have family with them. A nurse who is older said she should not have been there because of her age but she is a nurse and was called to help others in need. When I listened to caregivers talk I heard how isolated the staff were. Many could not go home as they did not want to infect their family. They stayed in hotels. They were also able to be in their yards and enjoy their peaceful surroundings during the spring months. Nature and faith in God are wonderful ways to help healing. “God will meet all of your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:19
Most days I talk a walk. I have a route that takes me around a beautiful pond. I hear the birds singing, the wind rustling the leaves in the trees and whispering in the pine trees. I see the frogs, an eagle, and families of ducks and swans. These are all very peaceful signs that God is sending us. As my walk ends I come across a steam of water peacefully running down over rocks and plants. I see a Blue Heron peacefully standing as the water comes down by him over the rocks. Let us believe in the grace and power of God. Let us have faith in Gods power to heal us and be with us.
by Crawford UMC | Jul 10, 2020 | Conversations
~ A Conversation with Laura Myers ~
I grew up in a loving family, the oldest of eight children. I had five brothers and two sisters. At times, we were loud, rowdy and quarrelsome. In those moments, my father, tired from a long day at work, would encourage us to settle the arguments. He would listen to the complaints and consider both sides of the issues, but eventually, if unsuccessful, with a weary sigh he would declare,
“Just BE.”
Every time I read the Bible verse from Psalm 46:10a, I chuckle, wondering if my father had been entreating us to stop, quiet ourselves and just listen. It has become one of my most favorite verses and I have often used this verse to meditate, simply resting in the presence of God, letting go of trying to figure anything out and listening in the silence to God’s bidding for my life.
Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I am.
Be still and know.
Be still.
Be.
Can I trust that God will speak to me if I just be? Can I be receptive and open to what God may reveal? In Lectio Divina, a prayerful reading and reflection of scripture, we read and listen with our hearts, meditate, pray and then let go, trusting that God will hold us in the palm of his hand. Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. (Proverbs 3:5-6, from The Message). Let us trust in the cleansing and renewing power of God’s amazing grace for Crawford Memorial United Methodist Church.
by Crawford UMC | Jul 2, 2020 | Conversations
~ A Conversation with Pam Reeve ~
My Father’s Child on the Fourth of July
I was an Army brat. Grew up on military bases, went to post schools much of my life. I adored my dad; my mom always said I was his “first born son” (I took that as a compliment at the time, might react a little differently today). Dad was a quiet and unassuming man, a fair example of the “Greatest Generation”. High school educated, he was one of the smartest people I have ever known. He was a POW in World War II and also served in Korea, before continuing to serve stateside for another 20 years. Most of my deeply held beliefs
I probably got from him. As a frail and flawed human, I am still working on them:
- Forgiveness: Dad spent seven months in internment in Germany, with the bullet in his body he ultimately took to his grave. He was interrogated, received meager nourishment and got no medical care. Yet he told me years later that he held no ill-will toward his captors. He said resentment is a cancer that can eat away at your heart; that forgiveness is the best medicine, (even if it is a little bitter going down!) Colossians 3:13 “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
- Open-mindedness: Dad always said there are at least three sides to any story: your side, my side and the right side. He was always willing to explore the possibilities of a different interpretation of events that happened or comments people made. As introverted as he was in many ways, I think his influence was one of the reasons I got into debate. To this day I enjoy looking at things from all angles, exploring the “what ifs” (sometimes to the distress of my loved ones and colleagues!) John Wesley: “Though we cannot think alike, may we not love alike? May we not be of one heart, though we are not of one opinion? Without all doubt, we may. Herein all the children of God may unite, notwithstanding these smaller differences.”
- Unconditional love: Dad always assumed good will on my part, even during those times I could rightfully be accused of something less. Our biggest argument and the only time I think I really hurt him, was about the Viet Nam war. He had always encouraged me to be independent, and when that independence reared its head in positive or not so positive ways, his love was steadfast. I never doubted it. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
- Principles: Dad really believed in the ideals of the US, even as he was clear-eyed about the work to be done to realize them. He believed in equality of opportunity, dignity, justice and community. He was a strong (strong!) believer in moving forward. He would broach no disrespect to others of different color or economic status, nor a wallowing in the past or previous failings. He believed a loving community could overcome all odds. His gifts of hopefulness, hospitality and generosity were shared with all his whole life, including long into his “retirement”. Romans 2:11 “For God does not show favoritism.” Jeremiah 29:22 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Hebrews 10:24-25 “and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”
So–during this difficult week, in a difficult month, in a difficult year, as we approach a celebration of the birth of our country, I am turning my thoughts to Lt. Col. I. C. Andersen: Thank you, Dad.
by Crawford UMC | Jun 26, 2020 | Conversations
In the heat of the day and the times, take a moment. Stop. Breathe. Take two minutes for yourself. Take two minutes with God.
Silence is a friend who claims us, cools the heat and slows the pace,
God it is who speaks and names us, knows our being touches base,
Making space within our thinking, lifting shades to show the sun,
Raising courage when we are shrinking, finding scope for faith begun.
– From Come and Find the Quiet Center by Shirley Erena Murray
Thank you, Barb, for the reminder,
Breathing with you,
Hope
by Crawford UMC | Jun 19, 2020 | Conversations
Hello Crawford Family and Friends:
A few weeks ago, ten people met to begin working on re-entry and regathering in the Crawford building. With guidelines from the Annual Conference, we talked about initial steps for beginning the process and decided that we want to hear from you. At present, we are working on survey that will help us understand your needs and desires even as we work on the initial steps in the process of reopening.
Engaging in these ways and moving intentionally means that we will move cautiously. We do not anticipate worship in the building through the summer. Keeping you up to date on our work and where we are in the processes of returning to the Crawford building is a primary goal.
With all that is happening in our lives and in our world, know your health and safety remain at the forefront of our prayers.
With faith,
Hope
by Crawford UMC | Jun 12, 2020 | Conversations
Crawford community at the kitchen island baking, laughing, caring and finding Jesus in our midst.
This week a friend said, “I’m a Mary surrounded by Marthas. And it feels kinda crappy.”
In the last umpteen weeks of sheltering in place and homeschooling, one would think that there would be all the time in the world to slow down but really they have just been layered on — more work, more demands, more busyness without the luxury of space to attend to it all. For me, this time has upped by Martha-ness but in my soul I wish I could be more like Mary.
Do you remember the story of Mary and Martha? In the Gospel of Luke, after Jesus shared the story of the Good Samaritan, he goes to the home of Mary and Martha where Mary sits at Jesus’ feet listening to him, and Martha works like mad in the kitchen to get things prepared for their guests. Martha resents her sister for not working with her; Mary doesn’t care. She knows this is an opportunity that she may not have again. After Martha tells Jesus to make Mary help her in the kitchen, Jesus, in his gentle way, reminds Martha, “One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it—it’s the main course, and won’t be taken from her” (Luke 10:38-42).
What about you? Do you identify more with Mary or with Martha? Do you ever feel drawn to be the other? Do you ever feel called to sit and listen for God in the midst of all the tasks, all the chores that need to be done? John Wesley, the founder of our denomination, taught us that prayer should lead to action and action should lead us back to prayer; that we should not act without praying nor should we pray without acting. These two, prayer and action, are interconnected, interdependent. Or in other words, Martha needs Mary and Mary needs Martha; they too are interconnected, interdependent.
As my friend and I continued our Mary and Martha conversation, another friend chimed in and said, “In my image of the story all three (Mary, Martha and Jesus) have moved to the kitchen island and are chopping carrots and listening and laughing together, even Jesus who is also juggling a baby on his lap.” She went on, “Don’t let anyone make you feel less than you. You bring to the kitchen island exactly what God designed you to bring—all of your beauty and wonder, compassion and passion. The time for shaming and dividing is done.”
Today I hear God in these very simple, very wise, and very direct words. We all bring to the kitchen island exactly what God designed each of us to bring. It is not the same but it is all needed. Especially in this day and time when nothing is normal, with all that demands our time and our attention, let’s make a commitment to be who we are (not who others want us to be or demand us to be) and notice Jesus with us listening, laughing, chopping carrots, juggling the baby, and loving us as we are.
See you for worship,
Hope
