Peace is what’s on my mind today. Well, most days. I think that’s a result of having three children. Doing all the wonderful parent things brings me peace but also sometimes I’m just looking for some peace and quiet. We had parent-teacher conferences last night and my two 4th graders are doing very well academically, socially, and seemingly internally as they are discovering themselves. My 9-month-old is usually a pretty calm baby but during conferences, she was super loud and refused to just chill. It’s okay, that’s what babies do sometimes… whether or not the teacher agreed, that’s what I kept telling myself as I struggled to hear all that was being said about my children. Overall, yesterday evening brought a sense of peace that my kids are “on the right track for success” whatever that means.
As someone who wasn’t on the right track for much of his life, I can say that sometimes “tracks” are a little overrated. So if you aren’t or your kids aren’t or someone else’s kids aren’t… have some grace and be intentional.
Even so, the peace of the afternoon shifted after I got the kids all laid down in bed. Bedtime was actually easy last night but then I started to work on some of my homework for my chaplaincy program at Unity Point Hospital. I remembered my classmate who told us that he’s not allowed to return home to Turkey because of politics. If he showed up, he’d be arrested. Not because he did anything morally wrong, but because he is a supporter of a peace movement.
Politics. Ugh. I thought about our own conflicted politics. I realized that peace in the home for our children isn’t a reality for all children. I thought about how once they leave our safe home, they’ll be confronted quickly with a myriad of conflicts and many spaces in our world that lack peace - even in our own backyard. How do we prepare our children? How do we teach them peace? I attended a covenant group meeting yesterday morning where I left thinking about what it means to be an active agent of peace. We are creators of peace.
How do you create peace? Not rhetorical. I really want to know. Send me an email (tvaughn@wdmumc.org) and let me know. Then join us on Sunday morning at 8:30 & 11 as we continue this conversation on peace.
Peace be with you.
Pastor Trevor
Rev. Trevor Vaughn
West Des Moines United Methodist Church
720 Grand Ave West Des Moines, IA 50265
Church: 515-279-0826
West Des Moines United Methodist Church we worship on Sundays at 8:30 in a traditional way and at 11 in a casual way. You are invited to worship in whatever way is right for you! We are livestreaming our 8:30 service. Check us out on Facebook or visit us at wdmumc.org.
This week at WDMUMC
Midweek Refuel Tonight! Chicken and Gravy over mash potatoes tonight! Come and enjoy it! Supper’s on at 5:30.
Church Directories! Do you need a church directory? Contact the church office!
Ministry Opportunities! Hospitality needed!
Office Volunteers needed! Are you available to staff the reception desk a few hours a week and answer the phone? We are looking for volunteers! Reply to this email if you are available!
Sunday Morning Coffee Hour! Our super coffee hour team will be vacationing in March. We need coffee hour hosts March 1 and March 29. Would you and your friends be willing to host? Reply to this email!
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