click on the square above to see it larger and at the wordle.net site.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
World Communion Sermon word cloud
I never intended for this blog to be so dominated by word clouds of sermons. But those guys over at wordle.net, who I give credit to, just do the neatest things with my words. Here is my sermon from II Timothy 1:1-9a.
click on the square above to see it larger and at the wordle.net site.
click on the square above to see it larger and at the wordle.net site.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Sermon on prayer and humility from Luke 18:9-13
Here is a word cloud from the good folks at Wordle.net
This is kind-of outline form, I added to this as I walked around the sanctuary and talked about it. Maybe I can adapt the recording for play in a podcast. I liked this one.
sermon on prayer and humility
by Walk Jones
September 19, 2010 based on luke 18:
Let's talk about humility and sportsmanship.
Bobby Jones was not only a consummately skilled golfer but exemplified the principles of sportsmanship and fair play. Early in his amateur career, he was in the final playoff of the 1925 U.S. Open at the Worcester Country Club. During the match, his ball ended up in the rough just off the fairway, and as he was setting up to play his shot, his iron caused a slight movement of the ball. He immediately got angry with himself, turned to the marshals, and called a penalty on himself. The marshals discussed among themselves and questioned some of the gallery whether they had seen Jones's ball move. Their decision was that neither they nor anyone else had witnessed any incident, so the decision was left to Jones. Bobby Jones called the two-stroke penalty on himself, not knowing that he would lose the tournament by one stroke. (quoted from the Wikipedia article on Jones)
When he was praised for his gesture, Jones replied, "You may as well praise a man for not robbing a bank." The USGA's sportsmanship award is named the Bob Jones Award in his honor.
Nobody gets much reward for being honest.
I hope I don't get in trouble for telling this story. Long ago I saw a sign over a desk in an office: Doing a good job is like wetting your pants in a dark suit. It gives you a warm feeling and nobody notices. Doing a good job.
Jesus told a parable about two men who went to the temple to pray publicly. They were praying in front of everybody. One made a show because he was so good and the other because he was so ... sorry for what he had done.
Parables are goofy.
The Kingdom of God is like a Pearl found buried in a field
Like a shepherd who leaves 99 sheep in the wilderness to search for one
An unjust judge
a man who would give his child a snake after he asked for a piece of fish
These are weird and goofy
Both of these men are characteratures; they are extremes, and examples. To be successful charactures we have to be able to recognize them.
Like a stuffy old politician, an anorexic model , Donald Trump with his hair, Rush Limbaugh with his cigar. They are recognizable extremes of themselves. Maybe some of you think president Obama is arrogant. I've heard him described this way. You can think of this pharisee that way.
This guy is really Ned Flanders, Homer Simpson's do-gooder, church-leader, obnoxious neighbor. Doesn't he say, "Hi diddly ho, neighbor." He's a good guy, good parent, and the foil to Homer Simpson's sloppy yard-keeping. HOmer says, "Hey Flanders, can I borrow your lawn-mower?" "Yes, it is in your garage from when you borrowed it last time." In the cartoon world of the Simpsons, they are good parents too.
So let me try to rehabilitate this Pharisee a little bit in our sermon this morning.
Going to the Temple was a good thing. Praying in the first person is very biblical. In Deuteronomy 26 each Hebrew was to go to the temple every 3 years and pray a first person prayer about himself and his God. What God had done for him.
Living a righteous life was admirable (See psalm 1)
1 Happy are those
who do not follow the advice of the wicked,
or take the path that sinners tread,
or sit in the seat of scoffers;
2 but their delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law they meditate day and night.
3 They are like trees
planted by streams of water,
which yield their fruit in its season,
and their leaves do not wither.
In all that they do, they prosper.
we don't need to be adulters or thieves or rogues
So, if you are picturing this man as the president or Ned or someone else: he's a good guy. He's Bobby Jones. He's kept the rules.
The sinner here was a real dog. He was a traitor, a tax-collector for the occupying Roman army. He may also have stolen and taken bribes. When you are out of the community and working for the occupiers who knows what else
He has betrayed his country. I would like to think of treason as an ancient crime, but just this week some workers at the Los Alamos National Laboratory were arrested for trying to sell nuclear secrets to Venezuela. Whether it is John Walker Lynn or other spies selling secretes to The Soviet Union or Israel or wherever.
Recently I've heard both political parties toss around terms like treason and anti-American to describe their opponents. That's not true and its not fair and it is the reason so many of us feel alienated by the political process. This tax-collector was aligned with the Romans, he was stealing for them.
Both these men are publicly praying in the temple. It is only when the praying Pharisee opens one eye and spies around the Temple that he gets in trouble.
"I think you that I'm not like that man" is what he did wrong.
Jesus is talking about humbling ourselves.
The Pharisee’s sin is his arrogance; he hasn't done anything wrong until he looks around and compares himself with other people.
We've all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
Where this story is about prayer, it is a positive story. Jesus has constructed a parable where people pray: that's a good thing. It is taken for granted and given that people would pray to God. Honest, deep, faithful prayers.
Like Deuteronomy 26 or Psalm 1 or Psalm 65.
I think we should encourage each other to pray. The one worry I have about our 90 Days of Prayer in this congregation that begins tonight is that it will divide this congregation into two groups: pray-ers and non-pray-ers. I worry (pause, grimice) that half of this congregation will be profoundly changed by this exercise and half of us won't. I worry that some will look around and say, "Thank you Lord, that I'm not like this one." Don’t do that.
As we enter the 90 days of prayer there are at least four things I want you to know:
It can be too late to say you are sorry. Don’t wait to seek forgiveness. Don’t wait to say you are sorry to someone.
It is never too late to say you are sorry, and to do so publicly.
Never too late to join this 90 days of prayer.
God will forgive you
Prayer changes things
Prayer changes Everything.
Remain humble in your new life in Christ. You're still a sinner; you and I still fall short of the glory of God.
Even the great golfer Bobby Jones was a little arrogant in his humility. "You wouldn't praise a man for robbing a bank." No, just tell the truth and don't try to be a comdeian.
This is kind-of outline form, I added to this as I walked around the sanctuary and talked about it. Maybe I can adapt the recording for play in a podcast. I liked this one.
sermon on prayer and humility
by Walk Jones
September 19, 2010 based on luke 18:
Let's talk about humility and sportsmanship.
Bobby Jones was not only a consummately skilled golfer but exemplified the principles of sportsmanship and fair play. Early in his amateur career, he was in the final playoff of the 1925 U.S. Open at the Worcester Country Club. During the match, his ball ended up in the rough just off the fairway, and as he was setting up to play his shot, his iron caused a slight movement of the ball. He immediately got angry with himself, turned to the marshals, and called a penalty on himself. The marshals discussed among themselves and questioned some of the gallery whether they had seen Jones's ball move. Their decision was that neither they nor anyone else had witnessed any incident, so the decision was left to Jones. Bobby Jones called the two-stroke penalty on himself, not knowing that he would lose the tournament by one stroke. (quoted from the Wikipedia article on Jones)
When he was praised for his gesture, Jones replied, "You may as well praise a man for not robbing a bank." The USGA's sportsmanship award is named the Bob Jones Award in his honor.
Nobody gets much reward for being honest.
I hope I don't get in trouble for telling this story. Long ago I saw a sign over a desk in an office: Doing a good job is like wetting your pants in a dark suit. It gives you a warm feeling and nobody notices. Doing a good job.
Jesus told a parable about two men who went to the temple to pray publicly. They were praying in front of everybody. One made a show because he was so good and the other because he was so ... sorry for what he had done.
Parables are goofy.
The Kingdom of God is like a Pearl found buried in a field
Like a shepherd who leaves 99 sheep in the wilderness to search for one
An unjust judge
a man who would give his child a snake after he asked for a piece of fish
These are weird and goofy
Both of these men are characteratures; they are extremes, and examples. To be successful charactures we have to be able to recognize them.
Like a stuffy old politician, an anorexic model , Donald Trump with his hair, Rush Limbaugh with his cigar. They are recognizable extremes of themselves. Maybe some of you think president Obama is arrogant. I've heard him described this way. You can think of this pharisee that way.
This guy is really Ned Flanders, Homer Simpson's do-gooder, church-leader, obnoxious neighbor. Doesn't he say, "Hi diddly ho, neighbor." He's a good guy, good parent, and the foil to Homer Simpson's sloppy yard-keeping. HOmer says, "Hey Flanders, can I borrow your lawn-mower?" "Yes, it is in your garage from when you borrowed it last time." In the cartoon world of the Simpsons, they are good parents too.
So let me try to rehabilitate this Pharisee a little bit in our sermon this morning.
Going to the Temple was a good thing. Praying in the first person is very biblical. In Deuteronomy 26 each Hebrew was to go to the temple every 3 years and pray a first person prayer about himself and his God. What God had done for him.
Living a righteous life was admirable (See psalm 1)
1 Happy are those
who do not follow the advice of the wicked,
or take the path that sinners tread,
or sit in the seat of scoffers;
2 but their delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law they meditate day and night.
3 They are like trees
planted by streams of water,
which yield their fruit in its season,
and their leaves do not wither.
In all that they do, they prosper.
we don't need to be adulters or thieves or rogues
So, if you are picturing this man as the president or Ned or someone else: he's a good guy. He's Bobby Jones. He's kept the rules.
The sinner here was a real dog. He was a traitor, a tax-collector for the occupying Roman army. He may also have stolen and taken bribes. When you are out of the community and working for the occupiers who knows what else
He has betrayed his country. I would like to think of treason as an ancient crime, but just this week some workers at the Los Alamos National Laboratory were arrested for trying to sell nuclear secrets to Venezuela. Whether it is John Walker Lynn or other spies selling secretes to The Soviet Union or Israel or wherever.
Recently I've heard both political parties toss around terms like treason and anti-American to describe their opponents. That's not true and its not fair and it is the reason so many of us feel alienated by the political process. This tax-collector was aligned with the Romans, he was stealing for them.
Both these men are publicly praying in the temple. It is only when the praying Pharisee opens one eye and spies around the Temple that he gets in trouble.
"I think you that I'm not like that man" is what he did wrong.
Jesus is talking about humbling ourselves.
The Pharisee’s sin is his arrogance; he hasn't done anything wrong until he looks around and compares himself with other people.
We've all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
Where this story is about prayer, it is a positive story. Jesus has constructed a parable where people pray: that's a good thing. It is taken for granted and given that people would pray to God. Honest, deep, faithful prayers.
Like Deuteronomy 26 or Psalm 1 or Psalm 65.
I think we should encourage each other to pray. The one worry I have about our 90 Days of Prayer in this congregation that begins tonight is that it will divide this congregation into two groups: pray-ers and non-pray-ers. I worry (pause, grimice) that half of this congregation will be profoundly changed by this exercise and half of us won't. I worry that some will look around and say, "Thank you Lord, that I'm not like this one." Don’t do that.
As we enter the 90 days of prayer there are at least four things I want you to know:
It can be too late to say you are sorry. Don’t wait to seek forgiveness. Don’t wait to say you are sorry to someone.
It is never too late to say you are sorry, and to do so publicly.
Never too late to join this 90 days of prayer.
God will forgive you
Prayer changes things
Prayer changes Everything.
Remain humble in your new life in Christ. You're still a sinner; you and I still fall short of the glory of God.
Even the great golfer Bobby Jones was a little arrogant in his humility. "You wouldn't praise a man for robbing a bank." No, just tell the truth and don't try to be a comdeian.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Another Sermon Word Cloud
Many Thanks to the guys at Wordle.net! Here is a cloud of today's sermon on prayer. Sorry, but you have to click it to go to the wordle site to see it bigger. (worth it)
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
a word cloud of Sunday's sermon from Philemon
I think you can click on the picture to open it as a bigger (readable)one from the wordle site. I give credit to them (wordle.net).
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Belhar Confession
This fall and winter the presbyteries will debate adding the Belhar Confession from South Africa to our Book of Confessions. A copy of the Belhar can be found here.
You'll have to make one more click from that page to get a pdf file of the confession. I plan to quote it Sunday, Sept 5, 2010.
You'll have to make one more click from that page to get a pdf file of the confession. I plan to quote it Sunday, Sept 5, 2010.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
"Fake Christian Young People"
Sunday I quoted extensively from a piece on CNN online. I don't think there is video of it, but if a reader has a link, please share in in the comments.
The article is "More teens becoming 'fake' Christians" on CNN.com and is found here.
The article is "More teens becoming 'fake' Christians" on CNN.com and is found here.
Monday, August 9, 2010
word cloud of yesterday's sermon
click on the word cloud to be taken to a bigger image on wordle's web site. I give them credit for the program and project.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
On Faith
Sunday, Aug 8, I will be preaching on faith.
Brian McLaren had an interesting take on Anne Rice's announcement she is leaving the Christian Church is his own blog. His thoughts are here.
I'm also intrigued by the book Called to be Human by Michael Jinkins, the new president of Louisville Seminary. He has a lot to say about faith and being human as the purpose of Christianity. I will probably quote him Sunday. A like to the book is here. I'm looking forward to getting to know Michael once he moves to Louisville in September and I go to Board meetings with him.
I will add a few more thoughts as Sunday approaches.
Brian McLaren had an interesting take on Anne Rice's announcement she is leaving the Christian Church is his own blog. His thoughts are here.
I'm also intrigued by the book Called to be Human by Michael Jinkins, the new president of Louisville Seminary. He has a lot to say about faith and being human as the purpose of Christianity. I will probably quote him Sunday. A like to the book is here. I'm looking forward to getting to know Michael once he moves to Louisville in September and I go to Board meetings with him.
I will add a few more thoughts as Sunday approaches.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
vacation
I'm going on vacation July 22-31, so I probably won't blog until August, unless I see something really interesting I want to pass along
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Recipe for South African meatloaf - bobotie
Here is the recipe I followed, although there are many on the interwebs.
http://www.ehow.com/how_6640685_make-african-bobotie.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_6640685_make-african-bobotie.html
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Anghaarad Teague-Dees' prayer for the Gulf
This is the prayer a group of ministers prayed at Pensacola Beach this week. I encourage you to pray it when you can.
O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. Yonder is the great and wide sea with its living things too many to number creatures both small and great. As we hear the waves crash against the shore we are reminded of the mighty works of your hand and we humbly ask that you step in with works of restoration.
The fragile balance of the Gulf waters is tainted and yearns for healing. We come to you today with heavy and humbled hearts asking for healing, comfort, strength and wisdom as we face this unfolding tragedy.
We confess that we demand more energy for our homes, autos, farms, and industries
We demand more plastic things that begin from oil; things big and small; things expensive, things ordinary, things cheap. Our demand for more has degraded and destroyed the earth’s bounty. We have taken for granted the beauty and grandeur of this amazing creation. Like Adam and Eve, in our desire to taste the good life, we overstep the boundaries you have placed on your creation. We are sorry.
We seek mercy, we seek vision and we seek the courage we will need as we work to help the victims of the sins of human greed.
We pray for workers injured, missing & presumed dead from the explosion on the rig and for their families and friends.
We pray for the engineers, laborers and individuals working tirelessly to contain the spill & protect the fragile ecosystems and communities from its toxic impacts.
We pray for all who grieve and mourn for this situation. For our children who worry about the impact it will have on their futures. Give us the words of comfort and hope that they seek.
We pray for all of those who live off the sea, the fishermen and women, those who live off tourism, vacationers, and those of us who do not know how to live without the sea. Be with those whose jobs are affected in an already tough economy, May they receive your provision.
What a shame that your creatures should suffer! We pray for the smallest sea creature to the birds of the air. For dolphins and pelicans, grouper and shrimp, algae and scallops…Lord, please protect and heal them. What a shame that your creation should be damaged!
This is wrong, Lord. This will be wrong for a long time to come. Strengthen us to bravely face the days ahead.
We turn to you the Creator whose restoring power is stronger than any human folly.
Eternal God, who brought order out of chaos accept the prayers of your people. Guide and strengthen us by your spirit that we may give ourselves in love & service to one another and to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. Yonder is the great and wide sea with its living things too many to number creatures both small and great. As we hear the waves crash against the shore we are reminded of the mighty works of your hand and we humbly ask that you step in with works of restoration.
The fragile balance of the Gulf waters is tainted and yearns for healing. We come to you today with heavy and humbled hearts asking for healing, comfort, strength and wisdom as we face this unfolding tragedy.
We confess that we demand more energy for our homes, autos, farms, and industries
We demand more plastic things that begin from oil; things big and small; things expensive, things ordinary, things cheap. Our demand for more has degraded and destroyed the earth’s bounty. We have taken for granted the beauty and grandeur of this amazing creation. Like Adam and Eve, in our desire to taste the good life, we overstep the boundaries you have placed on your creation. We are sorry.
We seek mercy, we seek vision and we seek the courage we will need as we work to help the victims of the sins of human greed.
We pray for workers injured, missing & presumed dead from the explosion on the rig and for their families and friends.
We pray for the engineers, laborers and individuals working tirelessly to contain the spill & protect the fragile ecosystems and communities from its toxic impacts.
We pray for all who grieve and mourn for this situation. For our children who worry about the impact it will have on their futures. Give us the words of comfort and hope that they seek.
We pray for all of those who live off the sea, the fishermen and women, those who live off tourism, vacationers, and those of us who do not know how to live without the sea. Be with those whose jobs are affected in an already tough economy, May they receive your provision.
What a shame that your creatures should suffer! We pray for the smallest sea creature to the birds of the air. For dolphins and pelicans, grouper and shrimp, algae and scallops…Lord, please protect and heal them. What a shame that your creation should be damaged!
This is wrong, Lord. This will be wrong for a long time to come. Strengthen us to bravely face the days ahead.
We turn to you the Creator whose restoring power is stronger than any human folly.
Eternal God, who brought order out of chaos accept the prayers of your people. Guide and strengthen us by your spirit that we may give ourselves in love & service to one another and to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Trinity Sermon word cloud
Word Cloud for Trinity Sunday (Click it to got to a bigger image on their page)
from wordle.com (thanks guys)
from wordle.com (thanks guys)
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
New Funeral Policy
Below is the new Northminster funeral policy.
If anyone knows how to truncate this post and only show the first paragraph, then link to the whole post, please let me know. I see it done on other blogs, but don't know how to do it here.
If anyone knows how to truncate this post and only show the first paragraph, then link to the whole post, please let me know. I see it done on other blogs, but don't know how to do it here.
Northminster Presbyterian Church
Funeral Guidelines and Policy
These guidelines are written for members to plan their funerals, and to help families of members who have died. Over the past few decades the church has gotten away from ancient Christian practices. This policy hopes to bring back time-tested Christian tradition and practice at funerals. We encourage a pre-planning conversation with the pastor.
At time of death the pastor should be contacted. Telephone numbers are below. The pastor may go with the family to the Funeral home, or should be contacted immediately by the Funeral Director to check the church calendar.
Funerals are for the deceased. This is the time the church gathers and journeys together to burial. Therefore, whenever possible, the body of the member who has died should be present in the sanctuary for the funeral service. One picture of the deceased may be placed on an easel or small table in the sanctuary, a large table for pictures and mementos may be placed in the narthex. Pictures and mementos are never placed on the communion table. We cannot accommodate video displays.
Visitation may take place before or after the Funeral. The church’s Congregational Care Committee has a policy that encourages receptions after the funeral. The casket may be open before and/or during the Funeral service, but normally it is closed for the service.
There is no charge for services at Northminster, nor is there a fee for the officiant. The organist or accompanist should be paid a minimum of $75, and $100 if he/she rehearses with a soloist. Soloists or ensembles from the Northminster choir may sing. The congregation should sing at least one hymn. This is a Christian worship service; the Bible should be read, prayers offered, and words of hope shared. The font, table, and pulpit will always be present. The minister may allow up to two short speeches about the deceased member.
Normally, a funeral pall will be placed on the casket or urn as it enters the sanctuary. The American flag may cover the casket of a veteran.
Normally the burial rites of clubs and fraternal organizations are conducted at graveside after the minister concludes the burial service. Rites may also be conducted at the lodge, clubhouse, union hall, etc. Upon request of both the family and fraternal organization, the Session will consider allowing rites to be performed at Northminster after the funeral.
When there is a question about this policy the pastor and/or Session will clarify it. If the pastor is unavailable at time of death the Director of Christian Education and Music, Mr. Randolph should be contacted, or the Elder in charge of Congregational Care.
Adopted by Session
May 18, 2010
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Pentecost Offering Information
Plan to wear red no Northminster on Pentecost, May 23, 2010. [I may wear a white shirt and RED tie.
We'll have a guest preacher, Susan Sampson from Thornwell Home and School. We'll receive the Pentecost Offering. 40% of the offering will go to Thornwell. 60% is used for youth leadership training and children's ministry of our denomination.
Remember there is a congregational meeting following the service to talk about pausing sanctuary building process.
Here's a video about the offering.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Letting Go of Instutional Nostalgia
Outgoing Moderator of our General Assembly Bruce Reyes-Chow blogged about changes in the church and challenged us to let go of institutional nostalgia. His blog is here.
I'm not sure I know how to let go of those structures -- although we often disagree with them, they do the biblical work mandated by the Bible.
I was going to repost his whole blog, but think I'll just let you go to the link above. What do you think of that?
I'm not sure I know how to let go of those structures -- although we often disagree with them, they do the biblical work mandated by the Bible.
I was going to repost his whole blog, but think I'll just let you go to the link above. What do you think of that?
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Pics of our children's event and Youth Sunday practice
Above, the men of the Brotherhood small group pose with the children after making birdhouses together. Thanks guys!
Here Nancy and some youth practice for the GRACE children's sermon.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
notes and sources for April 25 sermon
The Belhar Confession from the PC(USA) web page. Wait, here is a better text of Belhar from the RCA web page.
Wikipedia on the Belhar Confession.
The Uniting Presbyterian Church of South Africa's page.
Mowbray Presbyterian Church's page.
Wikipedia on the Belhar Confession.
The Uniting Presbyterian Church of South Africa's page.
Mowbray Presbyterian Church's page.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Information about Eboo Patel
His book is Acts of Faith.
I will try to put a link below so you may purchase it directly from Amazon.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
map to the sunrise service at UWF on Easter Sunday 6:15am.
This map seems to work, you may have to click it a few times. The x marks the end of Campus Drive.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Seeking Meaning from the Trip to South Africa
I am still praying for wisdom about the two week trip to South Africa that ended Friday. As noted below we spent a lot of time with our partner churches and had a little fun on our own. I was so happy Nancy could go with me. Having another member of Northminster who has seen, heard, and begun to understand our partner churches will be helpful. She can also hold me accountable for some of the plans and promises I made while there.
At the very least our partner churches (Mowbray and M.P. Dube Memorial) have become real places, not pictures in my imagination. Both seem to be middle class churches -- although a sociological study of South Africa could convince me otherwise. Their society is much more complex than ours. I now have a sense of that and want to convey it to our church and presbytery.
We're real partners. Northminster does not give money from our budget to either church. This seemed to have surprised some leaders of the Presbytery of Western Cape. We have given them a refrigerator before, and participated when the presbytery helped them rebuild after freak tornadoes in 1999. But nothing from Northminster's budget goes to either church. We pray for one another, we support each other, and I hope to expand this over time.
What does it mean to be an equal international partner? This is the meaning I hope to seek in the coming weeks.
I am also interested in both presbyteries participating in joint Two Cents A Meal projects.
At the very least our partner churches (Mowbray and M.P. Dube Memorial) have become real places, not pictures in my imagination. Both seem to be middle class churches -- although a sociological study of South Africa could convince me otherwise. Their society is much more complex than ours. I now have a sense of that and want to convey it to our church and presbytery.
We're real partners. Northminster does not give money from our budget to either church. This seemed to have surprised some leaders of the Presbytery of Western Cape. We have given them a refrigerator before, and participated when the presbytery helped them rebuild after freak tornadoes in 1999. But nothing from Northminster's budget goes to either church. We pray for one another, we support each other, and I hope to expand this over time.
What does it mean to be an equal international partner? This is the meaning I hope to seek in the coming weeks.
I am also interested in both presbyteries participating in joint Two Cents A Meal projects.
Friday, March 19, 2010
On Friday in Pensacola
We made it home after traveling 33 hours from the Bed and Breakfast in Robertson South Africa to Cape Town, to Jo'Berg, to Atlanta, to Pensacola. Andrew picked us up at the airport. All our luggage arrived. Sorry some folks and their luggage did not get to P'cola with us.
More later -- and lots of pics.
More later -- and lots of pics.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Wednesday morning thoughts from Africa
I have not had access to a wireless link recently, so I have been unable to upload pictures. We are at the end of the trip and may not e able to upload pictures until we get to Atlanta. This may be my last blog post until we are home. Since there are no pictures, I'll try to add links.
Nancy and I have driven east from Cape Town. Driving on the left side of the road is not as hard as driving on two-lane roads with wide shoulders, then pulling into the shoulder (at speed) to let faster cars pass on the hills and mountains. I was a little stressed yesterday; will try to relax today.
We spent the night at a Game Lodge near Albertinia. Yesterday we went to Still Bay on the Indian Ocean to dip our toes in its water. This has been a trip of 'bucket list' sights and experiences: Africa, Indian Ocean, Cape Point, seeing penguins and many wild animals up close. Penguins are cute little oafs; we saw them at Cape Point and Robben Island.
Today we will drive back towards Cape Town and eventually the airport tomorrow for our long flights home to Pensacola. We get home Friday morning. The flight over was not too bad.
It has been a treat to come to know our partner churches and their leaders during this trip. I think it will help Northminster be a better partner with them.
Nancy and I have driven east from Cape Town. Driving on the left side of the road is not as hard as driving on two-lane roads with wide shoulders, then pulling into the shoulder (at speed) to let faster cars pass on the hills and mountains. I was a little stressed yesterday; will try to relax today.
We spent the night at a Game Lodge near Albertinia. Yesterday we went to Still Bay on the Indian Ocean to dip our toes in its water. This has been a trip of 'bucket list' sights and experiences: Africa, Indian Ocean, Cape Point, seeing penguins and many wild animals up close. Penguins are cute little oafs; we saw them at Cape Point and Robben Island.
Today we will drive back towards Cape Town and eventually the airport tomorrow for our long flights home to Pensacola. We get home Friday morning. The flight over was not too bad.
It has been a treat to come to know our partner churches and their leaders during this trip. I think it will help Northminster be a better partner with them.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Thoughts on Sunday worship (March 14)
Sunday was a wonderful and full day in Guguletho, the township where our sister church, the M.P. Dube Memorial Presbyterian Church is. We spent the whole day with Boniselli and his wife, Nunyebo. They are a wonderful couple and became our good friends. There is a universality to the church and pastors' experience and that of pastor's spouses.
We spent the day together, then invited them to our hotel room for a rest while touring the centre of Cape Town (note British spelling). Then we were off for dinner together. They told us a little about life for the Blacks and Coloureds under the previous dispensation. I want to think more about their discussions, and will probably not share much here. But it was a highlight of the trip to come close enough with them to hear a bit of their real story.
Church was wonderful -- very similar to Presbyterian worship in the States. We prayed, sang, read the Bible, I preached. Then we sang some more and closed with a benediction. The table, font, and pulpit occupied equal space in the chancel. That it was in an unfamiliar language heightened the differences. There are also some aspects of church life very different from the USA. I'll blog more about that and maybe post some pictures.
Boniselli and Nunyebo took us around the Guguletho township on Sunday afternoon to show us the binge drinking and other problems of the young people.
Today Nancy and I will take a bus tour of the city. I have more to say, but have to go to make the bus. It continues to be a fantastic trip.
We spent the day together, then invited them to our hotel room for a rest while touring the centre of Cape Town (note British spelling). Then we were off for dinner together. They told us a little about life for the Blacks and Coloureds under the previous dispensation. I want to think more about their discussions, and will probably not share much here. But it was a highlight of the trip to come close enough with them to hear a bit of their real story.
Church was wonderful -- very similar to Presbyterian worship in the States. We prayed, sang, read the Bible, I preached. Then we sang some more and closed with a benediction. The table, font, and pulpit occupied equal space in the chancel. That it was in an unfamiliar language heightened the differences. There are also some aspects of church life very different from the USA. I'll blog more about that and maybe post some pictures.
Boniselli and Nunyebo took us around the Guguletho township on Sunday afternoon to show us the binge drinking and other problems of the young people.
Today Nancy and I will take a bus tour of the city. I have more to say, but have to go to make the bus. It continues to be a fantastic trip.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Saturday pictures
Here Nancy is with Renee and David from Mowbray Pres Church who took us to the beautiful Kirstenbosh Gardens on the slopes of Table Mountain near Cape Town.
This is the front view of Mowbray Presbyterian Church, designed by a Scottish architect in about 1904. It has a pipe organ, and uses it with traditional African instruments, as well as piano, guitar, saxophone, and other instruments for a truly multicultural worship experience.
More from South Africa
We visited Robben Island, in Cape Town Harbor. It houses political prisoners as late as 1990. Nelson Mandela was jailed here. Our guide, Mr. Sparks, was a former political prisoner. (He is in blue)
Above Bonisile is in front of the MP Dube Church, immediately above are the 3 pastors of partner churches: David Smith, me, and Bonisilli.
Here Ginger is teaching pastors at JL Zwane Church.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
A few thoughts from Africa
The 4 days we have spent in South Africa are overwhelming. It is a beautiful place. The Christians we have met have been wonderful. Nancy and I worshiped with our partner church at Mowbray and had powerful, very Presbyterian worship.
We have also seen Townships with poverty that is indescribable. We have seen families living in tin-roofed boxes. We have seen great hope in the eyes of school-aged children in the program at J.L. Zwane Presbyterian church.
Nancy and I went to the end of the world Monday when we visited the Cape of Good Hope, the southeast tip of the African continent. It was incredibly beautiful. We walked among penguins near Simonstown! We visited a Presbyterian daycare near Fishhoek that prepares very poor children for elementary school -- giving them a chance in life.
I am very excited about our partner churches at Mowbray and Guguletho. It is a three-way partnership, but there is more activity between the MP Dube church and Mowbray church. Praise God.
We have also seen Townships with poverty that is indescribable. We have seen families living in tin-roofed boxes. We have seen great hope in the eyes of school-aged children in the program at J.L. Zwane Presbyterian church.
Nancy and I went to the end of the world Monday when we visited the Cape of Good Hope, the southeast tip of the African continent. It was incredibly beautiful. We walked among penguins near Simonstown! We visited a Presbyterian daycare near Fishhoek that prepares very poor children for elementary school -- giving them a chance in life.
I am very excited about our partner churches at Mowbray and Guguletho. It is a three-way partnership, but there is more activity between the MP Dube church and Mowbray church. Praise God.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
South Africa day 3
These first three pictures were from a rug factory. We were amazed at the quality of the work. This place was an oasis among the poverty and despair of the townships.
This picture captures much of South Africa. In the foreground is a slum of shacks, in the background are beautiful mountains with vineyards on the slopes. It may be hard to see on this cameraphone picture, but there is a winery in the distance. Such contrasts, such possibility, such despair -- this is Africa.
This is a view of Table Mountain. Sometimes it is covered in clouds, other times it is clear; it is always beautiful.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Scenes from South Africa
Sent from my Verizon Wireless Phone
Sunday, March 7, 2010
More pictures from Mowbray
Mildred, pictured with Nancy, is from Clarksdale, MS. She married a South African man 25 years ago.
We worshiped with these good folks. Pictured is David, the minister of Mowbray in worship practice just before the service. Wonderful communion service in which the children participated and asked questions as part of the communion liturgy -- like passover. We met the former Moderator of the Pres and Reformed Church here who wrote that liturgy and their new Confession of Faith.
David, Renee & Walk
David, on right, is pastor of Mowbray Pres Church. His charming wife is in the middle.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Thoughts before leaving for South Africa
As Nancy and I prepare to leave for Cape Town South Africa I have many thoughts. At this moment the thoughts are about this blog. I'm aware it is a public blog. Anyone in Africa, the USA or points elsewhere will have access to it. This may inhibit my candid thoughts about the trip or the folks I meet on the trip.
But I plan to post a picture a day if I can find a wi-fi location my cell phone can hit. I hope to write every few days.
On Sunday, March 7 I'm speaking at the evening service of the Mowbray Presbyterian Church in Cape Town. On March 14 I am preaching the morning service of the M.P. Dube Church in Gugulethu. During the week between we will be meeting with our partner churches and leading seminars for ministers at J.L. Zwane
Please pray for us as we travel. We'll post what we can on this blog and make several reports when we arrive home.
But I plan to post a picture a day if I can find a wi-fi location my cell phone can hit. I hope to write every few days.
On Sunday, March 7 I'm speaking at the evening service of the Mowbray Presbyterian Church in Cape Town. On March 14 I am preaching the morning service of the M.P. Dube Church in Gugulethu. During the week between we will be meeting with our partner churches and leading seminars for ministers at J.L. Zwane
Please pray for us as we travel. We'll post what we can on this blog and make several reports when we arrive home.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
NPC's Prayer Group
This morning these fine ladies gathered at Northminster to pray for our church, our leaders, the ill, grieving, and special needs they have been made aware of. I am grateful to them.
They meet every Tuesday at 9:30a.m., why don't you join them next week.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Sunset
This pic was a test, to see how easily I could send a pic from my phone to this site. I hope to be able to post a picture or two a day from South Africa. It was easy to send the pic, we'll see how easily it will work in South Africa. (The key will be finding wifi hotspots my phone can use.)
We leave for Cape Town in about 4 days; please pray for us.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
One of three banners made by our middle school youth
Many thanks to Carol and Joanna O. for your help with this banner. This one will remain at church and two similar ones will be given to our partner churches in South Africa. Our middle school students did a great job making this.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
South Africa Links
Northminster is in partnership with two churches in South Africa. The M.P. Dube Church does not have a web site I can find. The Mowbray Presbyterian Church is here. From March 5 - 19 Nancy and Walk Jones will be in Cape Town and its suburbs leading leadership workshops for our partner churches and learning about Christianity in Southern Africa.
This blog will be a place they will post their impressions of the trip, our partners, etc. If he can, Walk will upload a few pictures during the trip.
Trinity Presbyterian, Pensacola is in partnership with the J. L. Zwane church. Please click the name of the church for their web site.
Here is a tourist site for Cape Town. I need to read it, there is so much to learn.
This blog will be a place they will post their impressions of the trip, our partners, etc. If he can, Walk will upload a few pictures during the trip.
Trinity Presbyterian, Pensacola is in partnership with the J. L. Zwane church. Please click the name of the church for their web site.
Here is a tourist site for Cape Town. I need to read it, there is so much to learn.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
work has sped up on the pipe laying
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
thinking about my upcoming trip to South Africa
wow, I've not blogged in a while. I'll have to remedy that.
I want to start thinking out loud about my trip to South Africa and ways to use this blog on the trip, even doing some mobile blogging from my phone or via email. I think I will have access to computers or even wifi from my phone, even if the phone doesn't work in S.Africa. But I may also want a week or more away from email.
I want to start thinking out loud about my trip to South Africa and ways to use this blog on the trip, even doing some mobile blogging from my phone or via email. I think I will have access to computers or even wifi from my phone, even if the phone doesn't work in S.Africa. But I may also want a week or more away from email.
Friday, January 1, 2010
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