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Journey Notes

God’s people are so incredibly well trained to notice what’s wrong in any given relationship, work situation, or experience, that it is easy to overlook what’s right.  This is not surprising since the education system trains us to notice flaws and mistakes.  In school, the wrong answers are marked, not the right ones.  In our congregations, we spend a lot of time, energy, and money working on fixing what’s wrong.  We study our failures and mistakes for hidden clues so that we can prevent them from happening again.

What if we have it backwards?  How would you have been affected if all of the correct answers on every test had been marked?  What if we spent most of our energy in church noticing and appreciating the gifts, talents, and strengths of our congregation?  What if we recognized the beauty of each congregation as opposed to exposing and dealing with its flaws?  What if, starting now, we spent an equal amount of time looking at what is working and how we can do more of that, as we do analyzing what’s wrong?

According to Joan Borysenko, the original author of this idea, we should thank God for the things that don’t need healing just as much as we ask God to fix those  that do.  This focusing on what’s right is an incredibly powerful tool for creating connections, fostering group thinking, and overcoming obstacles.

My challenge to pastors is to give this idea a try.  I believe that this idea will work with any group.  It might be especially helpful prior to a meeting that is going to deal with a difficult issue or challenge for your congregation.  For instance, gather one of your work area teams together for food and fellowship before your calendar meeting to plan for next year.  Make sure everyone understands the ground rules.

  • Everyone has an opportunity to say what he or she appreciates about each member

  •  No one has to speak

  • No one can interrupt or interject while another is speaking

  •  Receiver has to just listen without commenting

Borysenko calls the results magical, with the strongest sense of camaraderie, connection, and teamwork she has ever witnessed.

Search for the good; it’s there beneath the flaws.
As you embark upon this week’s journey, thank God for what doesn’t need healing.
 
Blessings on your journey,
John Brooks                                                                   
 
*Attitudes of Gratitude, Ryan, M. J. Conari Press, 1999 

 

District Announcements

Charge Conferences this Week 
Sunday, October 19
1:30    Sandy Ridge/Bethel
3:00    Snowdoun
4:30    Hope Hull
Tuesday, October 21
5:00    St. Paul/Rhodes Chapel
6:00    Greenville First
7:00    Fort Deposit/Oak Grove
 
Free Choir Robes
Point Washington UMC (Pensacola District) has 30 choir robes and stoles to give to anyone who might want them.  Contact the church office at at 850-231-4928 if your church would like them.  Marri Helen Taylor, children's director, will be happy to bring them to Blue Lake on her next trip or ship them. 

 

Upcoming Events

White Christmas Children's Home Banquet
(with the Montgomery-Opelika District)
Thursday, October 16
6:00 p.m.
A nursery will be provided for children age 6 and younger. 

 

(NEW) Booth Community Day
Saturday, October 18, 2014
10:00am – 2:00pm
Hamburgers, hot dogs, and inflatables for children.
Hosted by the Booth UMC and Booth Volunteer Fire Dept. 

 LOCATION:
Booth Volunteer Fire Station
1710 County Road 10
Prattville, AL 36067
 

(NEW) Worship at The Source 
Friday Nights Oct. 17, Oct. 24, and Oct. 31
7:30 p.m.
Whitfield UMC Gym
Come and join Pastors Elvyn & Bessie Hamilton and The Source for a time of worship in the presence of the Lord!

 

An Evening In Africa
Locust Bluff United Methodist Church
October 18, 2014 at 6:00 p.m.
Locust Bluff UMC, The Church on the Move, invites you to attend this special night.  Pastor Virginia Kagoro and the Kagoro family will perform a night of music, song and dance. A special guest appearance will be made by Charles Cooper, Jr. The proceeds will benefit Imagine No Malaria and the Healing Heart Ministry.

 

Red Bird Missionary Conference Partnership
October 20-23, 2014, a team from our conference will go to southeast Kentucky to meet with the leaders of the Red Bird Conference to listen to each other and begin to shape the details of this partnership - the details that will honor to the gifts we have to offer to each other and will explore how God is calling us to be in mission to our communities and to the world. 

If there are leaders in your church - clergy or lay - who would like to participate in this formational trip, or even if you cannot attend but still want to participate, contact Susan Hunt at 334-356-8014 or susan@awfumc.org.

Click HERE for a short informational flier and click HERE to read more about the partnership. 

 
 
Mary Ellen's Hearth Hope 5K Run
Saturday, November 1   
8:00 a.m.
Montgomery Multisport 
To support Mary Ellen's Hearth by running/walking or making a donation as a "phantom runner", the registration link may be found HERE.  
 

 

(NEW) Coming Home Seminar
November 7, 2014
Blanchard Hall, Cunningham Center, Columbus State University.  
Registration begins at 8:00 a.m.
8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and includes lunch.
"Coming Home"  is dedicated to the challenges faced by Veterans and their families.  The seminar is divided into two half-day sessions:  Helping Congregations Become Welcoming Communities and Moral Injury, PTSD and Healing of the Soul: A Way Home.  
Participants may attend one or both sessions.

Click HERE to read the complete and detailed flyer and to print a registration form. 

 

Job Posting

Hope Hull United Methodist Church is currently seeking energetic, dedicated applicants for a part-time Youth Director position ministering to Junior and Senior High youth.  Candidates for this position should contact Dr. Charles Smith, pastor of Hope Hull for a detailed job description, application materials, and other information.  Please contact the church at (334) 288-3956 or by means of the church website at www.hopehullumc.org

 

Want more?

Contact us

4719 Woodmere Boulevard
Montgomery, AL 36106
Phone: 334.239.7329
Email Us
Open Hearts. Open Minds. Open Doors.