Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Remembering Katrina


It may be fitting that on the 2nd anniversary of a destructive storm the weather forecasters named "Katrina" there are large rain clouds over the Florida Gulf Coast. I don't know what the weather is doing in Louisiana and Mississippi, but these ominous clouds remind me of the power and potential of rain and wind.

We've needed rain for the past two summers. But we do not need the rain of a tropical storm -- we need gentle rains that come for 24 or more hours and water crops, trees, and lawns. We need afternoon showers, not the destructive forces that come with tropical activity.

I continue to pray about the weather: thanking God for the rain when it comes and remembering his promises to Noah and creation not to destroy the earth by flood. I think of that Bible story almost every time I see a rainbow. I pray for colleagues and friends in Mississippi and Louisiana. Some friends have moved to Gulfport or New Orleans since the storms. Others have moved away, even coming here to Pensacola. I pray for friends made in Gautier, MS and surrounding cities in the months following that storm.

Finally, I pray that God will spare this nation from another storm this hurricane season. I know that the way the earth rotates, storms will swirl in the oceans and some will make landfall. They have been hitting the Pensacola Bay area since the Spanish settled and abandoned their settlement here in the 1500s. But I pray that we are spared again this year so we may prepare for the next landfall.

Monday, August 27, 2007






This morning I was thinking about my trip to Israel in February 2006. It was a spiritual pilgrimage and an opportunity to see the sights of the Bible from a religious perspective. We were 20 mid-career pastors who traveled with two professors from Columbia Seminary and an Israeli guide.

It was marvelous to worship with those friends every day in holy places. But I learned then that the places became holy not because Jesus walked there, but because I was worshiping with a group who had become my friends. I miss that and like the holy places we have here. Northminster has become a holy place for me, because it is a place where I worship with my friends and family.

Friday, August 24, 2007

PC(USA) Disaster Assistance Update on Dean in Mexico

In the middle of this entry is a link to give to the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance program for recovery in Mexico. Since Northminster Presbyterian empesises one large offering for disaster assistance at the One Great Hour of Sharing, we will not be having a special offering at this time.

This came to me because I am subscribed to the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Rapid Information Network email list of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
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Hurricane Dean - Mexico

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance has just heard from the leadership of the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico and learned that have been in touch with the Presbyteries in the area impacted by Hurricane Dean. The presbyteries include the Caribe, Peninsular, Juan Knox, and Eben Ezer de Campeche.



Most affected by the hurricane were the poor communities. Most of these homes in these communities were of simple wood and mud construction. These communities subsist on agriculture and have lost much of their harvest.



The National Presbyterian Church of Mexico is providing the affected communities with zinc sheeting and building materials to assist homeowners in rebuilding their homes, and with agricultural support for replanting crops.



PDA will be providing support to the church as they prepare a plan and budget for the response and will continue to update as this process moves along. Gifts may be designated to Mexico - DR000014. Please click here to give.



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Volunteer Work Teams – U.S. Midwest

There have been numerous calls asking if volunteers will be needed to help with clean-up and rebuilding efforts related to the Midwest floods. Currently, several members of the PDA National Response Team are working with the affected presbyteries and one area being addressed is the use of volunteers.



Although specific volunteer opportunities have not been identified at this time, we are asking interested work team leaders to register their teams online at

.



Should volunteer opportunities be identified, team leaders will be notified with details of work that needs to be done, accommodations available, and other information to help the team make an informed decision.



All teams that register will be contacted within a two-week period.

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Dean is south of Merida


Looking at maps, and reading the thoughtful commentary on Jeff Masters' weather blog at wunderground.com, I think the worst of the storm passed south of Merida and our Mayan friends in the Mexican state of Yucatan. Now, there are Mayan peoples, and Presbyterians south of Yucatan state on the peninsula, down into Belize and Guatemala, etc. We need to pray for them and to be ready to help them if we can.

Many of the folks in Mexico live in concrete houses with or without windows. This must be a frightening day for folks exposed to 100 mph winds.

The two presbytery camps I have been to on the Yucatan's Gulf coast are well north and east of the worst winds from Dean. It also looks like the worst storm-surge was on the eastern side of the peninsula.

Friends in Mexico

As you can see from maps of the track of Hurricane Dean, it is passing south of the city of Merida and the towns and villages we visited in July. Yet, this is a wide storm with a wide swatch of damage. It will affect Presbyterian Churches we helped. I will reflect more on this in a few hours, please stay tuned.

Saturday, August 18, 2007

Bread


I'm intrigued by Biblical images of levan, yeast, dough, and bread, especially as I am trying to learn to bake. Tomorrow I'll teach children of the church about the Lord's Supper. In this 2nd class on the subject we'll bake bread together in the church kitchen.
I'm intrigued by Biblical images of leaven, yeast, dough, and bread, especially as I am trying to learn to bake. Tomorrow I'll teach children of the church about the Lord's Supper. In this 2nd class on the subject we'll bake bread together in the church kitchen.

I've never been much of a baker. Usually I combine grain, water, and yeast with some hops to make home-brewed beer. Making bread with most of the same ingredients is surprisingly similar.

Making bread takes a long time! Chris is going to help me with the right ratios of water and flour, but it is finally up to me alone. One has to be patient. Bakers already know this, but I'm surprised; I don't like sitting around waiting for something to rise, so I can beat it down and let it rise again.

Jesus talked a lot about bread. He reminded us that people don't live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. He reminded us of the importance of yeast -- how a little can leaven a whole loaf. I think he was saying that a few Christians can change their community.

But of course, I think mostly of the Lord's Supper, where he took the unleavened Passover bread and shared it with his disciples, saying it was his body, broken for them.

I'm learning to bake bread so we can make Communion Bread. This most-basic of foods becomes very special when it is 'churched.'

Thursday, August 16, 2007

well written essay

There is a marvelous essay on the bottom of the Editorial page of today's New York Times. Below is a link, I don't know how long it will be free and active.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/16/opinion/16observer.html

Verlyn Klinkenborg is the writer, appearently he is a retired professor of some kind who now lives on a farm. I will try to learn more about him. If you like good writing, which I enjoy but can't do, check this out.

UPDATE: this URL is now only available to NYTimes subscribers.

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

sign repair



Many Thanks to Ernie, Lamar, Wes, and perhaps others for repairing the sign this month. As you can see, it looks great. Things are looking good around the church; the hard rain we had on Saturday has kept everything very green.

I appreciate all the Darren and Ernie do leading the Facilities committee. The mowing crews are doing a great job this summer, keeping ahead of the grass.

pic is worth 1 000 words

I continue to test the mobile blogging system. This should enable me to post pictures of the church (or a home) following a natural disaster. These are flowers I photographed earlier this summer and sent directly to the blog from my PDA.

You may want to watch this blog for updates about Northminster should there be a disaster this fall.

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

this is a test of

this is a test of the mobile blogging system. With this I can post from many places, or without power. I don't want a storm. But I feel ok.

Tuesday, August 7, 2007

Reality Check

It was a wonderful two weeks of vacation. I saw the following in my inbox this morning that brought me back to reality, it was sent from Craig Fugate, Director, Florida Division of Emergency Management to his staff and Emergency Coordinating Officers for Florida. It provides a timely reminder that we are entering the most active period of the hurricane season. Please read Craig's email below:

In 1992 on August 1st, there had been no named storms, we had a new Governor, and the State Budget was a mess with Special Sessions required to set a budget.

HURRICANE ANDREW

In 2004 on August 1st, there had been one named storm.

HURRICANES CHARLIE - FRANCES - IVAN - JEAN


We are now entering the most active period of the Hurricane Season - August - September - October

Are you Ready?

Checklist

Family Disaster Plan - Completed
Emergency Job Assignments - Trained - ready to deploy or serve in the State EOC
Emergency Station - Checklist in Place, all equipment and systems operational


We are either ready or not, storms don't care - get your game face on, because its HURRICANE SEASON!

********end of email**********

In the coming days I will post a few thoughts about Northminster's disaster plan and links to state, federal, and Presbyterian disaster sites. I'll also retest my mobile blogging capabilities so you may check this site for Northminster news and I may blog from my PDA.