"Midweek and Church in a Bar...Really?" Pastor Trevor's Devotion 09/05/2019

Church in a bar… really?

Chances are you’ve heard that Pastor Trevor is inviting folks to do some sort of church in a drinking establishment. Maybe this the first time you’ve heard it. Either way, you’ve got to be wondering what that’s all about. I’m here to answer some frequently asked questions.

Why in a bar?

The worship series we are starting this Sunday tells this story. We want to “see all the people.” If you look around the church on Sunday morning you might realize that all of the people in our community aren’t sitting in the pews next to us. There are a lot of reasons for that. Our intern Priscilla reminded us of some of those reasons in her final sermon this summer. She told us that some are disenfranchised by the church. Some have been hurt. Some don’t see the church being relevant or making an impact. When I was a seminary student working construction I had numerous conversations with folks about faith. They had unending questions about God, scripture, and how faith impacts life. When I invited them to church they said, “No &#@*# way." Many of them felt like they weren’t good enough for church or that "their type" wouldn’t be allowed. I’ve encountered so many folks who want to work out their faith but are convinced they can not do that in the local church. When I asked them where I could meet them they suggested the bar. So, we go where the people are.

But isn’t the bar full of sinners?

Yep, just like the church. We’re everywhere. I’ve noticed people are more apt to be honest and authentic at the bar when asked a question like, “how are you today?” Haven’t you ever wanted to be able to share with others how things really are going?  Haven’t you wanted a place to voice your doubts and ask the tough questions? This is that place. We think the church can be that place, too, but it takes a lot more work! We hope this authenticity permeates our churches.

You don’t drink though, do you?

I do. I love craft beer. More importantly, I love being able to break down boundaries and create safe places for conversation. A pastor having a beer with folks really seems to do the trick. It’s important to set boundaries and stay healthy. All good things can be bad if overly consumed or abused.

What about alcoholics?

Now, this is a great question! I’m no stranger to substance abuse. I’ve experienced it in my family. This is a real concern. I’m working to familiarize myself with alcoholics anonymous and other folks who really know how to help others who struggle with substance abuse. Building relationships with folks is the starting place. Once others know you care about them, you can be genuinely helpful as you walk with them through their struggles. We don’t recommend continuing to come to the bar if you struggle with abuse but we do want to stay in relationship so we’ll have to meet in other places also!

Does it have to be in the bar?

Absolutely not. Coffee shops are great, too. So is the gym. And the park. And anywhere else people are already gathering. This movement is about meeting people in the community. Seeing ALL the people in ALL the places. God’s love and grace have no limits. Neither do we. We see you. So this group is starting by meeting people in the bar. Or as is the case for WDM, the brewery. You’re invited. When you join us, bring that friend or family member who says they don’t like church. We think they’ll find this gathering very meaningful.

Are others doing this as well?

Oh yes! People of faith meeting in the bar isn’t a new idea. However, this neat little Bar+Church expression has official groups in Indianola, Council Bluffs, and Choteau, Montana so far! We think this is important work so please keep this ministry in your prayer that we may see all the people in all the places.

I have a lot of really good stories from my work in the Indianola Bar+Church over the last year and half. I’d love to share those stories with you. All you have to do is ask! You could even join us and be a part of some of these stories yourself.

Blessings, 

Pastor Trevor 

Pastor Trevor Vaughn
West Des Moines United Methodist Church
720 Grand Ave.
West Des Moines, IA 20265
515-279-0826
wdmumc.org

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Coming up this week....

• Our new worship series “See All The People” begins on Sunday, September 8th. Bring your cell phones so we can see all the people together. 
• Our Neighborhood Block Party is from 4-7pm this Sunday. Come help us meet new people and enjoy free food, live DJ, games and fun!
• Choir has started! 

 

"Midweek and a Good Question" Pastor Cindy's Devotion 08/27/2019

Good morning!
This morning I visited John at hospice.  We always have good conversations and today was no different.  He asked posed a question and I am passing it on to you.

“Why did God give us this day?”

That is a really healthy question.

First, it recognizes that today is not a random accident, not simply a box on the calendar.  We didn’t make today happen.  No one pushed the sun up in the east this morning.   It is all a gift from God beyond our making.

Second, it recognizes that we are supposed to make something of today.  We have choices.

Third, if God gave us this day, it only makes sense that our choices should reflect our gratefulness to God.

A few weeks ago, John was the recipient of what probably seemed at the time to be a small act of kindness.

Except it wasn’t small at all.  It was the right act of kindness at just the right time.  John is grateful.
So today, I am thinking of John and God, and I am pondering the question, “why did God give me this day?”

And I am thinking of ways that I can express my appreciation to God.

Maybe I can make a difference in someone else’s life.

Why did God give you this day?

Feel free to pass this along.

Every blessing,
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.  We worship on Sunday mornings at 8:30 in a traditional way and at 11 in a casual way.  You are invited!

This week at WDMUMC:
Our Staff Parish Relations Committee and our Trustees are meeting and both will be looking at how we fill our Building Superintendent Position and our Music Director Position.  Prayers for all our leaders as we find and faith our way through this!

Just a reminder:  in the last few weeks someone was impersonating me and used emails and texting to try to get funds from the people of our church.  Please note:  I will never ask for funds or personal information from you through email or texts.  Guard your social media in the same way you guard your purse or wallet.  Do not fall for scams and do not share personal information.  If you have questions about something you received, you can always call the church. 

Blessings on this beautiful day!

"Midweek and We've Got Rules" Pastor Cindy's Devotion 08/21/2019

Good morning,
This summer I have been sharing what it means to be Methodist.  I love being a Methodist.  It suits me and seems like the best path for me to grow as a disciple.  I love that grace, God’s unrelenting love, is at the core of our tradition.

So today, I want to share one more thing about being Methodist:  we have rules.

I think we often bristle at the idea of rules.  Americans are fiercely independent.  We want to do things our way.  But the truth is, good rules work.  Do you remember the first rule you were told?  Maybe it was “don’t touch a hot stove” or “look both ways when you cross the street.”  I think the thing that makes a rule a good rule is if it benefits the one receiving the rule, the one making the rule, and the common good of everyone.  Staying in your lane on the freeway—that’s a good rule.

So we Methodists have three rules:
Rule #1:  Do no harm. 
When I think of this rule, my mom immediately comes to mind.  My mom moved through her life with gentleness, careful not to hurt anyone or anything.  She was kind to people for sure, but she was especially kind to the environment, long before anyone was an environmentalist.  She was very careful about the way she used the earth’s resources.  Her washing machine had a feature called a “suds saver” which meant that the rinse water could be used over and over.  My mother would carefully sort the laundry, washing lightly soiled clothes first, and then reusing the rinse water each time.  It was a heck of a lot of work, but it reduced the amount of water used.  She hung clothes on the line to dry to save energy.  This all saved money, but more than that, it was a do-no-harm way of using resources.  It all may seem silly now in our convenience-filled world.  When I turn off a light in an empty room or when I avoid plastic water bottles, I think of my mom.  She would have never thought of herself as an environmentalist.  She was just gentle in the way that she lived.

Rule #2:  Do good.
I heard Cindy McCain on National Public Radio this morning.  It has been a year since John McCain died and as a means of honoring him, the family is urging people to be more civil toward one another.  If you go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6Od_sFRFdo you can see Cindy McCain’s suggestions.

When I was a young adult, I was working in a miserable job.  It paid the rent that kept me going back to work each day.  One person I worked with was the only bright spot in the job.  She was an encourager.  She carried around hope and offered encouragement to others.  And so many people are hungry for encouragement.  We are often told what we are doing wrong.  Telling someone what they are doing right and expressing appreciation is a powerful thing.  (Thank you, Sue M for encouraging me.)

Rule #3:  Stay close to God. 
When we lived in Dubuque, I met a woman named Ruby S.  She was black and there were only one or two black families in Dubuque.  At the time that we lived there, there were cross burnings and there were other racial incidents.  One night when I was driving home, I saw two men in Klansman garb crossing the street.  Being a black family in that environment was very difficult.  Ruby spoke at our church.  She said that as she drove around the city, she thought of God riding beside.  As she said this, she patted the chair next to her.  God right there beside her.
So those are the rules.  Just three.  They look simple, but they are the kind of rules that are re-learned every day.  They lead us deeper and deeper into grace.  They are good rules.

What does do no harm, do good, and stay close to God mean
·         When there is so much violence in the world?  How should I respond to school shootings?
·         When I vote?  In our politics?  In our divisions?
·         When I pick a place to park at church, knowing that we have limited space for parking?
·         In the way I spend my money?
·         In the current debate over human sexuality in our denomination?
·         When we realize there is hunger in our neighborhood?
·         When I reflect on my own soul and my behaviors?

Being Methodist is more than what we believe.  It is a way living and growing in grace that challenges us.  For that I am grateful.  Our lives have meaning.

Thanks for sharing the journey.

Every blessing,
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
We worship on Sundays in a traditional way at 8:30 and in a casual way at 11.  You are invited!

This week at wdmumc:
Time for a celebration!
·         Our State Fair Food Stand was a huge success!  We served up good food, made friends and had fun.  Through our efforts, we will fund our mission projects throughout the year.  We “Shared the Mission” with friends from DMARC, Habitat and Orchard Place and they will all receive financial gifts for their missions!

·         Everybody eats!  We have made that commitment and this summer wdmumc volunteers provided 1,822 weekend packs of food in local parks and schools.

·         Priscilla Joel, our ministry intern, shared her gifts with us throughout the summer.  She has now returned to school and we look forward to watching her career unfold.

Blessing of the Backpacks and Car Keys this Sunday!  It is time for a new school year and we will send our students off with our blessing during our worship services this Sunday.

In Gathering!  Methodist across Iowa prepare packs to be sent to places of poverty and disasters.  This Sunday we will share more about how you can help.

See you on Sunday!