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The congregation of John Knox Presbyterian Church welcomes you to this preview of our life together. We hope you will explore this site; but better yet, we hope you will join us. Our congregation is warm and welcoming, inviting all to worship, serve, share and explore the love of God known through Jesus Christ. May God bless you richly as you continue your personal journey of faith in Jesus Christ.
Rev. Dr. Tom MacMillan, Pastor
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Volunteer Management Workshop |
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Saturday, August 4th 9:30 to 12:30 Would you like a little help with volunteers? Information about a workshop on how to attract and retain them is attached in three forms: an information sheet, a sign-up sheet and a planning sheet. If you'd like to attend the workshop, please fill out the planning sheet and either return it with the sign up sheet, or stop into the office. See you there!
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Pastor's Page - July 2010 |
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Written by Rev. Dr. Tom MacMillan
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My oldest son Duncan is working as a swim coach this summer. It has been great watching a young man who doesn't like to be hugged or touched now encounter the swarming masses of children hanging on him. While he is coaching the bobbing swimmers from the side of the pool, 7- and 8-year-old girls will come to the edge and start touching his toes with unbelievable delight. He simply smiles, possibly wondering how in the world he is going to make it through the summer.
A few weeks ago at a swim meet, I found myself beside the far lane of the pool watching a 9-year-old struggle like mad to make it to the other end. He started with freestyle, along with the other swimmers who needed complete one length of the pool. But soon he switched to an awkward breaststroke, followed by a type of zigzagging backstroke. As all the other swimmers finished the event I noticed that no one was cheering for this boy who still had a half a length to go. But then from the other end of the pool I heard Duncan. He was yelling for Ethan, calling out his name and encouraging him to keep going; saying he could do it. Ethan's expression of misery changed upon hearing his coach's voice. A smile surfaced along with kicking feet. He rolled over for a type of side stroke and finished the event with all kinds of cheers from parents who did not know Ethan, but trusted the coach who knew his name and had just given him a boost of confidence.
In the church we learn the ways of faith. Our beliefs are not simply mental convictions. They are actions. At times it feels awkward to pray for more than 5 minutes, to forgive an enemy, to give anonymous gifts, to bless the children who tickle your toes and climb on your back and leave smudges on your mirrors. We might notice others who seem to have it together better than we do, but we all grow at a different pace. We are learning the ways of faith so that these ways become natural – as they were meant to be. We are listening to God's voice through his Word and experience, which at first might seem distant and obscure. In time and in community, that voice becomes nearer and closer to the heart. Our expression of misery at having to serve, having to give, having to pray, later turns to delight in knowing that we’re getting it — not mastering it — just getting it, that we are a little more at home in God’s love.
The more at home we are in this steadfast love, the more authentic we become. We don't need to pretend any more before God or others. We know who we are (strengths and weaknesses) and we know whose we are; beloved children of God.
Enjoy the summer; learn, grow, worship, rejoice and swim a little.
Tom
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Monday Message 07-12-2010 |
Sometimes sporting events lend themselves to intriguing conversations, especially at baseball games. Last week at Colin's game I spoke with a special education teacher. I was intrigued by a comment she made about teaching. She noted that when a teacher is self-oriented, they have a hard time helping students learn. Of course, a good number will understand the teacher's instruction and follow right along, but what about the others? If a teacher is self-oriented, that teacher will have a hard time adjusting method, attending to various learning needs, and being sensitive to students. A self-oriented teacher will grow impatient when students “fail” to learn. Refusing to adapt and adjust to the apparent need, the teacher will often strike out with judgment, scorn or ridicule. When that happens, learning is tossed out the window since the environment is no longer safe for the student. Not only is the student denied the chance to learn and grow in this environment, but the teacher is denied the chance to watch what happens when a child finally gets it.
Her observation helped me recognize the importance of being other-centered so that we are more sensitive to people around us. There is a lot of brokenness out there and we often times don't recognize it. We go moving past and brushing by, without inquiry, without concern, without compassion. I like how Eugene Peterson in the /Message/ paraphrases the following passages, “Jesus got them together to settle things down. ‘You've observed how godless rulers throw their weight around,’ he said, ‘and when people get a little power how quickly it goes to their heads. It's not going to be that way with you. Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave. That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not to be served—and then to give away his life in exchange for many who are held hostage’" (Mark 10:43-45). “Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside and help others get ahead. Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand” (Philippians 2:1-4).
Can we slow down a bit and listen? Can we find more gentle ways to help kids learn and grow and experience the world? Can we laugh a little more and judge a little less. Can we seek another’s honor before our own?
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the German theologian who poured out his own life at the hands of the Nazis because he refused to allow the church to be the tool of oppression, wrote: "The church is the church only when it exists for others. . . . The church must share in the secular problems of ordinary human life, not dominating, but helping and serving. . . . It must not underestimate the importance of human example which has its origin in the humanity of Jesus."
The other day when Jess and I were in Mojo's Coffee Shop she noticed a poster on the wall entitled How to Build a Community:
Turn off your TV Leave your house Know your neighbors Look up when you are walking Greet people Sit on your stoop Plant flowers Use your library Play together Buy from local merchants Share what you have Help a lost dog Take children to the park Garden together Support neighborhood schools Fix it even if you didn't break it Have pot lucks Honor elders Pick up litter Read stories aloud Dance in the street Talk to the mail carrier Listen to the birds Put up a swing Help carry something heavy Barter for your goods Start a tradition Ask a question Hire young people for odd jobs Organize a block party Bake extra and share Ask for help when you need it Open your shades Sing together Share your skills Take back the night Turn up the music Turn down the music Listen before you react to anger Mediate a conflict Seek to understand Learn from new and uncomfortable angles Know that no one is silent though many are not heard. Work to change this.
Now that's good teaching!
Tom
Click here to contact Tom |
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