Tuesday, November 24, 2020

"Midweek and Thanksgiving is Just Two Days Away" Pastor Cindy's Devotion 11/24/2020

 


Hello everyone,

This Thanksgiving will probably be different from what we had planned.  No matter what your plans were, we can still live Thanksgiving by giving thanks.  

I have been reading Gratitude, The Transformative Power of Giving Thanks by Diana Butler Bass and I stumbled on to David Steindl-Rast.  He is a Benedictine Monk who has thought a lot about gratitude.  He writes, “We are never more than one grateful thought away from peace of heart.”  Need peace today?  

Follow this link and scroll down and watch the video “A Good Day.”  Let it soothe your soul.  https://www.spreadinggratituderocks.com/brother-david-quotes

And a little heart work for you. 

The American author, Melodie Beattie writes:  “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life… It makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”

Think of one thing from your past you are grateful for.

Mrs. Blank taught me to read in third grade.

Think of one thing about today you are grateful for.

I will zoom with friends today.

Think of one thing about the future you are grateful for.

Winter nights watching it snow. 

Now repeat and now think of two things. Gratitude redirects our minds and opens us up to possibilities.  

All three of these authors have spent a lot of time thinking about gratitude.  That sounds like good work, doesn’t it?  It also sounds like a path that leads to God. 

I am grateful for you.  Happy Thanksgiving.

Blessings,

Pastor Cindy

Pastor Cindy Hickman

West Des Moines United Methodist Church
720 Grand Avenue
West Des Moines, Iowa 50265
515-279-0826

Like us on Facebook or visit us at wdmumc.org.  And join us for worship on Sunday mornings at 9:30 and posted all week long. 

This Week At WDMUMC

Thanksgiving Day Worship!  At 9:30 Pastor Cindy and Pastor Trevor will lead us in Thanksgiving prayer and the Cross Generations Trio will lead us in a special Thanksgiving song.  At 4:30 Bishop Laurie Haller will lead us in a worship service.  You will find it all on our website and Facebook page. 

This Sunday Advent Begins!  We are making our way to Christmas!  Pastor Trevor will be preaching and leading us in communion.  Have bread and juice ready in your home so that you can join in this holy moment.  And following worship, the children will have Sunday school via zoom.  Contact Pastor Trevor if your family would like to join in. 

Advent Candle Lighting  Each Sunday we will light a candle on the advent wreath.  If you would like to start this tradition in your home this year, the weekly advent readings will be posted on our website.  There are lots of fun ways to create Advent Wreaths. 

Luminaries!  If you would like to light up your neighborhood this Christmas with luminaries, you can purchase them through our website.  All proceeds will be used for our hunger program, Everybody eats! 

 

Wednesday, November 18, 2020

"Midweek and You're Family" Pastor Cindy's Devotion 11/18/2020

 


Hello friends,

I think it is safe to say that human beings like to be part of a family.  Being part of a family means we look out for one another.  We encourage one another.  When one member of the family achieves a goal, we celebrate.  When someone is hurt, we rally around and offer comfort.  We are connected in ways beyond words. The ties go deep.

Families are formed by biology, but groups of friends can also become family.  Our co-workers become a family team.  Our church is a family.  I think of my hometown as a kind of family, and I think us Iowans like to think of ourselves as family.  When I was traveling in London, I ran into a couple from Iowa—and it was like connecting with family.  I don’t think it is a stretch to think of the entire United States as having a family feeling.  I remember 911 and the day of John Kennedy’s funeral and the day our astronauts walked on the moon and these were events shared by a family. 

Families dance at one another’s weddings, cuddle one another’s babies, celebrate (sometimes obnoxiously!) at graduations.  Family members squabble, but we also find security in one another’s company.  In our families, we learn important lessons on how to share.  I grew up in a house with one bathroom and two parents and three children.  We shared out of necessity.  If one member of the family is treated unfairly, we close ranks around them.  And if one is hospitalized, we wait anxiously for updates.  If that person dies, we stand beside the casket, and we cry together.   

And, in our way, we pray together giving thanks for family. 

And families, when they need to, adapt. A new baby arrives and we make room.  Grandpa is hard of hearing so we talk louder.  Uncle Bill and his family move to Arizona for a new job and we call and zoom and visit when we can to maintain the connection. 

Right now, if we think of our family, all our families from our close biological bunch to the big family that is our country, how are we doing? 

The Iowa-nice answer is fine.  And you know, we are doing fine, all things considered.  We are keeping our communities running, we are looking out after each other, and we can be proud of how hard we work. 

We also know we are not all fine.  Our family is facing a pandemic.  The young families in our communities are scrambling to care for their children and work and follow the daily changes in their workplaces and schools.  Our health care workers are working overtime.  And our elderly are vulnerable to the worst of this pandemic crisis. Things are rough in the family right now. 

Next week is Thanksgiving, which has traditionally been a family event.  But because we are family, we know that we have to do what is best for the family.  This year, we adapt.  What does that mean at your house?  What is the best thing to do? 

On Sunday evening at 4:30 (note:  this is a change of time), our church family in partnership with the Des Moines Register, will ring the bell and read the names of more than 300 people who have died due to covid.  The event will be live-streamed on our Facebook page and the Register’s.  As a family, we want to remember and honor the more than 2,000 people in the “Iowa Family” who have died. But as a family, we also know we need to do all we can to keep each other safe.  So here’s the irony.  Unless you are part of the event, don’t come.  I encourage you to stay home and watch online.  As much as we would like to gather, it is not the best thing for our family. 

I believe the family was originally God’s idea.  One person was created to be a helpmate to the other.  Two sons were born to that first couple.  The sons fought.  That’s family too.  The family grew into a tribe.  And the tribe wandered. They sometimes betrayed one another and sometimes saved each other’s lives.  And they spent lots of time waiting and wandering in the desert.  And through it all, they seemed to intuitively know that they were connected, the well being of one impacted the well being of the entire family. 

If you are a part of WDMUMC, you’re family.  Keep in touch.  We want to help one another. We are far from perfect, but we try to do what we can.  If you are just encountering WDMUMC, you are just family we haven’t met yet.  Welcome!  We have one parent who wants us to be whole and healthy and at peace.  One day we will dance together again and we will celebrate and we will all be at one table together. For now, we need to do what is best for the family.  The one who created us wants us to do that. 

Blessings,

Pastor Cindy

Pastor Cindy Hickman

West Des Moines United Methodist Church
720 Grand Ave
West Des Moines Iowa 50265
515-279-0826

Like us on Facebook or visit us at wdmumc.org.  We worship on-line posted at 9:30 on Sunday mornings and available all week long.  And did you know you can invite all your Facebook friends to worship with you?  Simply share the link to the wdmumc Facebook page on your Facebook page.  Invite others to be part of the family!

This week at WDMUMC!

Worship!  This week we will finish our sermon series “Bridges.”  There are big divisions in our country.  Can we reconcile our division? 

Sunday School!  Our children are zooming through Sunday school.  Contact Pastor Trevor or reply to this email if you would like to be part of the fun. 

Memorial Service for the More than 2000 People Who Have Died in Iowa Due to Covid  Watch on-line at 4:30 on Sunday evening as WDMUMC and the Des Moines Register partner to share a memorial service.  We have lost a lot and we grieve together. 

Thanksgiving Day Worship Service At 9:30 on Thanksgiving Day, we will post a worship service that has been created by our Bishop and team.  (The children’s time is hilarious!)  We can still give thanks on Thanksgiving Day!  You will find it on our Facebook page. 

Luminaries!  Our Midweek Refuel Team is selling luminaries as a way to raise funds for the hunger ministry.  You will find a link on our website, wdmumc.org

Advent Begins on November 29!  Christmas is on the way!

As we prepare for Thanksgiving, I give thanks for our church family. 

 

Wednesday, November 11, 2020

"Midweek: Looking for Shelter" Pastor Cindy's Devotion 11/11/2020

 


Sanctuary! 

"A holy place." "A place of refuge."  "A hideaway."  "An oasis."  "A haven." "A shelter."    

Life is coming at us, isn’t it?  The pandemic is unrelenting.  Yesterday the Governor held a press conference urging Iowans to take greater precautions to mitigate the spread of the virus.  Our bishop, Bishop Laurie Haller, has directed United Methodist Churches to halt in-person activities.  Our local schools are trying to find the best plan for their students and staff.  I am hearing reports from the people of our church of loved ones testing positive for the virus. It feels like the heat is being turned up, again. 

Lots and lots to think about and process and ponder and worry. There are plans to make for sure….but right now, I just want an hour or so of sanctuary. To quote a line from a Bob Dylan song, I am looking for a “shelter from the storm.”

Where and how are you finding your shelter?  I know people who are baking, and there they find shelter.  Some people are reading books or playing the piano.  With all those leaves that covered our lawns in the last week, maybe raking can be a little sanctuary.  A walk in the evening.  Playing with the dog.  Calling a friend.  Going for a drive. 

Whatever is happening in your life, I want you to know two things. 

First, I am feeling it too—the too-much that is coming at us. 

Second, I hope each day, in some part of each day, you are finding some sort of sanctuary, some oasis where your soul can rest a little. 

This is more that we can handle on our own.  It is actually more than we can handle together.  But, it is not more than we can handle if we look to God.  Today, do what your soul needs.  If you need it, allow yourself to shelter a bit, rest, renew, refresh. 

And, then we can face the storm again, God leading. 

Blessings,

Pastor Cindy

Pastor Cindy Hickman

West Des Moines United Methodist Church
720 Grand Ave
West Des Moines Iowa, 50265
515-279-0826

Like us on Facebook or visit us at wdmumc.org.  And join in worship on Sunday morning at 9:30 online and posted all week long. 

This Week At WDMUMC

The Little Food Pantry continues to provide food for our neighbors every day.  If you would like to drop off donations, you can simply leave them at the lower level doors.  Many thanks to Jane who takes care of this ministry every day.

Everybody Eats!  On Monday our Midweek Refuel team dropped off meals for 40 families in need at Hillside Elementary.  This had been planned for the school holiday break in December, but there was concern that the school might close due to the pandemic.  And if school closed there would be no way to get the food to the families.  Facing that uncertainty, the Midweek Refuel Team flew into action and within a few days, food was purchased and packed and delivered.  Jesus asked us to feed his lambs.  We are working hard to live up to our commitment that “Everybody Eats!”

Luminaries!  The Midweek Refuel Team will be selling luminaries to light up your neighborhood for Christmas and to place around the church on Christmas Eve.  This a free-will offering with the proceeds going to continue our hunger work.  If you would like to purchase luminaries, you can pick up an order form at our lower-level doors or use this link https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080a4da5a82ea0f49-stirring  And hurry!  The orders are due by November 20. 

Prayer Vigil  November 22 at 6 pm.  Sadly by that date, more than 2000 people will have died in Iowa from Covid.  We will host a prayer vigil outdoors near our bell, reading names, and praying.  Bring a candle, wear a mask, plan to social distance, and join in this memorial service. It will be live-streamed so you can watch it from home too.  

And while we are talking about shelter, here’s something I have been thinking about.  Our health care and hospital workers must be exhausted.  I have been wondering how we might thank them and encourage them.  How can we give them shelter?  Any ideas?  I am grateful every day for the work they are doing.  How can we help?  Serving others--that is a refuge, too.