"Women's Ministry Sunday"
It was in the lat 1980's that the Rocky Mountain Conference of the United Methodist Church urged all of our churches to have a "Women's Ministry Sunday". The reason for doing this was not obvious then and is not very evident even today. 15 years ago there was an interesting reversal of a trend in seminaries. More and more second career women were going to theological schools and preparing for ministry. There was a time when the number of women far exceeded the number of men.
The Conference realized that many of our churches had never had a woman preacher and many of our large churches had never had a woman Senior Minister. With the demographic turn it became necessary for all churches to begin to take women's ministry seriously and to consider the possibility of a woman spiritual leader.
But Women's Ministry Sunday is much more than an adjustment to the increase of women clergy. It is established to honor the women who have built our churches into the outstanding institutions they have become. It is an opportunity to acknowledge the historic importance of the United Methodist Women's organization and the significant contribution made by UMW concerning women and children's issues all over the world.
Later this week I will have someone post more information about next Sunday. You can direct your questions to meganryan@fcfumc.net.
Our church has been fortunate to have had some wonderful women clergy in the past and at present but we have never had a woman Senior Minister. Some day we will and there are outstanding women clergy in our Rocky Mountain Conference.
If you have thoughts about this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. Do you think the church has been fair to the women clergy in the past or do you think women are treated fairly in the church presently?
I look forward to hearing from you.
If you are willing to have the community read your thoughts click on the 'comments' box below.
Charles Schuster
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
Friday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
"For the Love of it"
There is a certain aspect of life that is required. There are things we have to do. Some of those things we do for the people we love and we receive the joy of doing them. There are sacrifices we make and we wouldn't think of not making the sacrifices. We do it for the people we love.
We take jobs we really don't want. We work long hours and we strive to please the people we love and the reward comes in doing it for them.
Much of our lives are driven by convenience. We do what we do because it seems like the thing to do. We don't think about it but we just do it. We could be said to lapse into much of life without reflection or thought.
What this sermon is trying to point to is the thing we do for the "love of it". It is that act or set of actions that is motivated by love for doing it. Something takes over our lives and we give ourselves to it.
For some it could be music and we feel the music and we are relaxed by playing our music. For some it could be raising our children and they provide rest and being with them. hearing them form new words, watching them learn, and observing their character developing is something that is personally fulfilling and brings rest and joy.
We all have something we do that we love and that we can give ourselves to. Maybe it's something we left behind when it seemed important to move on. I knew a woman who played the flute in high school and hadn't played it since. They picked up the music and her flute and now enjoys playing in a local orchestra.
What is the thing you do or would like to do for the love of it?
Write me if you have thoughts on this at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the 'comments' box below.
If you would like a rough draft of the sermon let me know and I'll send it later today or tomorrow.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
There is a certain aspect of life that is required. There are things we have to do. Some of those things we do for the people we love and we receive the joy of doing them. There are sacrifices we make and we wouldn't think of not making the sacrifices. We do it for the people we love.
We take jobs we really don't want. We work long hours and we strive to please the people we love and the reward comes in doing it for them.
Much of our lives are driven by convenience. We do what we do because it seems like the thing to do. We don't think about it but we just do it. We could be said to lapse into much of life without reflection or thought.
What this sermon is trying to point to is the thing we do for the "love of it". It is that act or set of actions that is motivated by love for doing it. Something takes over our lives and we give ourselves to it.
For some it could be music and we feel the music and we are relaxed by playing our music. For some it could be raising our children and they provide rest and being with them. hearing them form new words, watching them learn, and observing their character developing is something that is personally fulfilling and brings rest and joy.
We all have something we do that we love and that we can give ourselves to. Maybe it's something we left behind when it seemed important to move on. I knew a woman who played the flute in high school and hadn't played it since. They picked up the music and her flute and now enjoys playing in a local orchestra.
What is the thing you do or would like to do for the love of it?
Write me if you have thoughts on this at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the 'comments' box below.
If you would like a rough draft of the sermon let me know and I'll send it later today or tomorrow.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Wednesday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
"For the Love of It"
In the hierarchy of our motivation we can begin with what we do because we have to do it and we do what we do for the people we love. We take jobs we would rather not have and we postpone decisions for the welfare of our loved one.
Some of what we do we don't even know why we do it. We don't think it through. We just do it without much thought or consideration.
But there are things we do because something important has hold of us. There is something compelling that awakens us to some things that we do because we love it. We do what we love and life is good.
What are some of those things?
What do we do because we love doing them? Maybe it's fishing or hunting or working crossword puzzles. Maybe its playing cards with friends or seeing a movie or walking in the woods with a friend. We do it because we love it.
We do what we love.
But there is a higher level of doing that involves loving what we do. We love what we do because something has hold of us and it brings together our vocation and our avocation.
What are the things you do that you love?
What are the things that you do because you love what you do?
What do you do for the love of it?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net.
If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
In the hierarchy of our motivation we can begin with what we do because we have to do it and we do what we do for the people we love. We take jobs we would rather not have and we postpone decisions for the welfare of our loved one.
Some of what we do we don't even know why we do it. We don't think it through. We just do it without much thought or consideration.
But there are things we do because something important has hold of us. There is something compelling that awakens us to some things that we do because we love it. We do what we love and life is good.
What are some of those things?
What do we do because we love doing them? Maybe it's fishing or hunting or working crossword puzzles. Maybe its playing cards with friends or seeing a movie or walking in the woods with a friend. We do it because we love it.
We do what we love.
But there is a higher level of doing that involves loving what we do. We love what we do because something has hold of us and it brings together our vocation and our avocation.
What are the things you do that you love?
What are the things that you do because you love what you do?
What do you do for the love of it?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net.
If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Monday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
"For the Love of It"
On Sunday, February 27th I want to spend some time looking at what we do and why we do it. I want us to take a look at what motivates us.
There are good reasons to do what we do and some of those reasons are not altogether altruistic. It is important to do what we do for utilitarian purposes. We want to be able to survive and some of what we do is in order to be paid for it. It allows us to buy the food we need to eat, to support the people of whom we are responsible, and to have a roof over our head.
It is true that we can become preoccupied with the need to survive to the point that that motive drives everything we do. We can become obsessed with survival.
When I was appointed to First United Methodist Church in Boulder I got to meet and work with many homeless people. Many of them were without homes because of circumstances beyond their control. Some of them were homeless by choice. I recall the time we found a place for one of the men who came around the church. We found an apartment for him. We found him a permanent job. Bryan was able to last in that circumstance about a month and he left his apartment. He said he needed to see the stars at night and didn't want a roof over his head.
Bryan was a survivor who showed us that the important things are not things; but relationships. I know I could have survived on the street. He taught us that.
The accumulation of things can be a motivation but things are not very satisfying after a certain point.
We can find purpose and meaning in life when we begin to do what we do for the love of it.
When our motivation for work is for the love of it everything takes on a different. When our motivation for all that we do in life is for the love of it then each day is an opportunity and nothing is an obligation.
What do you do for the love of it?
If you have some ideas about that write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
On Sunday, February 27th I want to spend some time looking at what we do and why we do it. I want us to take a look at what motivates us.
There are good reasons to do what we do and some of those reasons are not altogether altruistic. It is important to do what we do for utilitarian purposes. We want to be able to survive and some of what we do is in order to be paid for it. It allows us to buy the food we need to eat, to support the people of whom we are responsible, and to have a roof over our head.
It is true that we can become preoccupied with the need to survive to the point that that motive drives everything we do. We can become obsessed with survival.
When I was appointed to First United Methodist Church in Boulder I got to meet and work with many homeless people. Many of them were without homes because of circumstances beyond their control. Some of them were homeless by choice. I recall the time we found a place for one of the men who came around the church. We found an apartment for him. We found him a permanent job. Bryan was able to last in that circumstance about a month and he left his apartment. He said he needed to see the stars at night and didn't want a roof over his head.
Bryan was a survivor who showed us that the important things are not things; but relationships. I know I could have survived on the street. He taught us that.
The accumulation of things can be a motivation but things are not very satisfying after a certain point.
We can find purpose and meaning in life when we begin to do what we do for the love of it.
When our motivation for work is for the love of it everything takes on a different. When our motivation for all that we do in life is for the love of it then each day is an opportunity and nothing is an obligation.
What do you do for the love of it?
If you have some ideas about that write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Friday, February 18, 2011
Friday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
Two thoughts run through my mind this week. The Shrek movie highlights the importance of seeing the beauty in what appears to be something monstrous. The Sports Illustrated "swim suit" edition arriving this week reflects beautiful women's bodies in an almost naked appearance and gives us something beautiful that seems exploitative.
I struggle with the ugliness that is beautiful and the beautiful that is, in fact, demeaning and ugly. Ironically, both Shrek and the "swim suit" models are both cartoon characters. They both represent characterizations of reality and neither are real.
To find beauty and to be led by the beautiful is to discover an imperative. Beauty requires work on our part.
We have get to know a person before we can see their true beauty. We have to forgive a person their past before we can appreciate the person they are trying to become. We have to understand the beauty within our own souls before we can see the world as beautiful.
If you have thoughts on this subject write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the 'comments' box below.
If you would like a emailed copy of a rough draft of the sermon today or tomorrow morning let me know and I am happy to send it.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
I struggle with the ugliness that is beautiful and the beautiful that is, in fact, demeaning and ugly. Ironically, both Shrek and the "swim suit" models are both cartoon characters. They both represent characterizations of reality and neither are real.
To find beauty and to be led by the beautiful is to discover an imperative. Beauty requires work on our part.
We have get to know a person before we can see their true beauty. We have to forgive a person their past before we can appreciate the person they are trying to become. We have to understand the beauty within our own souls before we can see the world as beautiful.
If you have thoughts on this subject write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the 'comments' box below.
If you would like a emailed copy of a rough draft of the sermon today or tomorrow morning let me know and I am happy to send it.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Wednesday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
The question in the sermon; the issue that permeates the message is the search and discovery of beauty. Plato observed that the search for beauty is a primary motivation for us as human beings. We want and need to see beauty and when we find it we want to share it with other people.
I will approach the sermon by asking the question, "What keeps us from finding beauty?"
I have decided there are three things that make it hard to find beauty.
1. We often miss the beauty in each other when we fail to notice it because we are concentrating on the ugliness that is more visible.
2. We sometimes miss the beauty in other people because we know what they have done in their past. They may possess beauty but their actions are ugly and we can't get over that.
3. We mostly forget to see the beauty that is in ourselves. The beautiful person that we are is frequently compromised by the feelings of doubt and inferiority that we have accepted. The most beautiful person in the world is the person we are but have forgotten to notice.
Who are the beautiful people and how do we get to know them so we can embrace their beauty?
If you have some "beautiful" thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts with the blog readers click on the 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
I will approach the sermon by asking the question, "What keeps us from finding beauty?"
I have decided there are three things that make it hard to find beauty.
1. We often miss the beauty in each other when we fail to notice it because we are concentrating on the ugliness that is more visible.
2. We sometimes miss the beauty in other people because we know what they have done in their past. They may possess beauty but their actions are ugly and we can't get over that.
3. We mostly forget to see the beauty that is in ourselves. The beautiful person that we are is frequently compromised by the feelings of doubt and inferiority that we have accepted. The most beautiful person in the world is the person we are but have forgotten to notice.
Who are the beautiful people and how do we get to know them so we can embrace their beauty?
If you have some "beautiful" thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts with the blog readers click on the 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Monday's thoughts on next Sunday's sermon
"Shrek is More Than a Monster"
There isn't a more profound influence on children than the Shrek movies. Shrek is a monster; a troll. He is ugly and big and awkward but he is a hero and you begin to see the beauty in him as you watch the movie.
Shrek is the movie we showed one summer when we had a movie night in the patio outside the parlor. We filled the court yard with children and parents. We had pop corn and an evening of fun. The children new the movie so well they were repeating the lines of the characters as they were speaking on the screen.
What is beauty? How do we define it? Where do we see it?
Sports Illustrated had a article about Jake Plummer, the former Bronco quarterback. They gave a part of the eulogy he gave at Pat Tillman's funeral. This is what he said:
"I was in the store the other day and I saw People magazine, and it had the cover of the 50 most beautiful people in the world, or America, and there was a picture of Pat. It was kind of ironic because I really looked and said, What is beauty? Is beauty a pretty face, a nice smile, flowing hair, nice skin? Not to me, it's not. To me beauty is living life to higher standards, stronger morals and ethics and believing in them, whether people tell you you're right or wrong. Beauty is not wasting a day. Beauty is noticing life's little intricacies and taking time out of your busy day to really enjoy those intricacies. Beauty is being real, being genuine, being pure with no facade--what you see is what you get. Beauty is expanding your mind, always seeking knowledge, not being content, always going after something and challenging yourself."
What do you think of Jake's definition?
I think it's right on target.
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
There isn't a more profound influence on children than the Shrek movies. Shrek is a monster; a troll. He is ugly and big and awkward but he is a hero and you begin to see the beauty in him as you watch the movie.
Shrek is the movie we showed one summer when we had a movie night in the patio outside the parlor. We filled the court yard with children and parents. We had pop corn and an evening of fun. The children new the movie so well they were repeating the lines of the characters as they were speaking on the screen.
What is beauty? How do we define it? Where do we see it?
Sports Illustrated had a article about Jake Plummer, the former Bronco quarterback. They gave a part of the eulogy he gave at Pat Tillman's funeral. This is what he said:
"I was in the store the other day and I saw People magazine, and it had the cover of the 50 most beautiful people in the world, or America, and there was a picture of Pat. It was kind of ironic because I really looked and said, What is beauty? Is beauty a pretty face, a nice smile, flowing hair, nice skin? Not to me, it's not. To me beauty is living life to higher standards, stronger morals and ethics and believing in them, whether people tell you you're right or wrong. Beauty is not wasting a day. Beauty is noticing life's little intricacies and taking time out of your busy day to really enjoy those intricacies. Beauty is being real, being genuine, being pure with no facade--what you see is what you get. Beauty is expanding your mind, always seeking knowledge, not being content, always going after something and challenging yourself."
What do you think of Jake's definition?
I think it's right on target.
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Thursday's thoughts about Sunday's sermon
David Dalke is preaching Sunday. God knows what he's going to say but it will be great.
If you have thoughts contact him at ddalke@fcfumc.net.
Charles
If you have thoughts contact him at ddalke@fcfumc.net.
Charles
Friday, February 4, 2011
Friday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
Trying to find meaning in the movie "Secretariat" is not difficult. The problem is trying to determine which, of all the potential points of significance, to focus. The story of Secretariat is more about the owner than the horse and it says much about us and how we strive to exist and how we work to become more than we are. It says a great deal about the importance of risk and how we must take chances.
It also says something about what happens when we fail.
Here is what I have decided to develop in the sermon:
1. We find the courage to do what we can because it is necessary. If we don't have a high degree of ethics we have given into the forces that will tell us what to do and what we must become. Life is out there but we have to move toward it.
2. We find the hope to dream of things that can happen because we must. If we don't have a dream we are done with life.
3. We find the joy to try our best knowing that sometimes it isn't good enough. Our efforts may not be recognized but we live with the joy that comes in doing what we could and in response to our dream. We will never fail if we agree to the importance of showing up.
Courage, hope, and joy are three elements of a happy life; maybe the most important elements.
What do you think? If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the box below.
If you would like me to send you, by email, a draft of this sermon Friday evening or Saturday morning let me know. I am happy to send it.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
It also says something about what happens when we fail.
Here is what I have decided to develop in the sermon:
1. We find the courage to do what we can because it is necessary. If we don't have a high degree of ethics we have given into the forces that will tell us what to do and what we must become. Life is out there but we have to move toward it.
2. We find the hope to dream of things that can happen because we must. If we don't have a dream we are done with life.
3. We find the joy to try our best knowing that sometimes it isn't good enough. Our efforts may not be recognized but we live with the joy that comes in doing what we could and in response to our dream. We will never fail if we agree to the importance of showing up.
Courage, hope, and joy are three elements of a happy life; maybe the most important elements.
What do you think? If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the box below.
If you would like me to send you, by email, a draft of this sermon Friday evening or Saturday morning let me know. I am happy to send it.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Wednesday's thoughts on next Sunday's sermon
There is this one line in the movie Secretariat. Penny Chenery Tweedy (The owner of the horse) "You have to be willing to take risks. It's about life ahead of us and how you have to move toward it."
That is the best line in the movie and an important thought for any of us. You do have to take risks because if we are going to live a life are going to need to see life ahead of us. We are going to need to look forward and to see the future and recognize its promise and potential. Then we are going to have to find a way to move toward it.
On so many levels this is the best way to look at life. We must never become timid or afraid. We need not hold back waiting for permission from some authority. We have to surge ahead; move forward; reach for it.
I don't think we are put here on earth to occupy space. I don' t believe we have some kind of expectation that others will do something for us; we are going to need to learn to do for ourselves.
When we think of the best days of our lives it is on those occasions when we dared to be different and we acted on what was in front of us.
In the sermon I am going to look at what it means to "do what we can" and how we find the courage to do it.
That is one of the differences between champions and chumps.
What do you think? Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts with other people click on the 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
That is the best line in the movie and an important thought for any of us. You do have to take risks because if we are going to live a life are going to need to see life ahead of us. We are going to need to look forward and to see the future and recognize its promise and potential. Then we are going to have to find a way to move toward it.
On so many levels this is the best way to look at life. We must never become timid or afraid. We need not hold back waiting for permission from some authority. We have to surge ahead; move forward; reach for it.
I don't think we are put here on earth to occupy space. I don' t believe we have some kind of expectation that others will do something for us; we are going to need to learn to do for ourselves.
When we think of the best days of our lives it is on those occasions when we dared to be different and we acted on what was in front of us.
In the sermon I am going to look at what it means to "do what we can" and how we find the courage to do it.
That is one of the differences between champions and chumps.
What do you think? Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts with other people click on the 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
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