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knew just how I wanted my wedding to be. Rene and I had planned to have our ceremony in the morning followed by a luncheon with our family and close friends. Rene’s family wanted to have a big party the night of our wedding, as was their tradition. I didn’t understand that, it wasn’t part of my tradition and didn’t fit in with things as I imagined them to be. Now, almost 18 years later, I wish I’d been more discerning. It would have meant so much to Rene’s family and it would have been the right thing to do in recognizing both cultures perspectives. Last month I started a conversation about discernment. In a nutshell, there are processes you can go through, individually or in a group to determine God’s will for a particular situation. I wish I’d followed such a process in determining the details of my wedding. In the church, the Callings and committees have decisions to make on a regular basis. I’d like to share one method of discernment that could be used. It’s from St. Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises and was written in the sixteenth century. There are six steps to this process. ¨ What is your question? Write it down so you can clearly determine what’s at the heart of the decision you need to make. ¨ Remain open and objective about the possibilities for answering this question. We are likely to have a preference for one outcome or another but being open to all the facts that come forward will allow us to see the big picture. ¨ Pray for God to set our will aside so we might see what God would have us to do. ¨ Make a pro and con list for the choices before you. In making your list, consider the following questions: What will be gained in choosing each of the paths? What will be lost in rejecting any of the choices? How do the choices benefit others? In what ways do the choices inconvenience or disrupt the lives of others? What excites you most about the options? What do you look forward to? What would you dislike if you picked one path or the other? What are your motivations for choosing one option or another? ¨ After examining your lists and answering the questions, which side seems more reasonable? ¨ Take your conclusion to God in prayer and, with an open heart, ask for confirmation or guidance that your discernment is correct. As the body of Christ we are called upon to do God’s work. There are varying opinions on how to go about doing it. St Ignatius developed this approach hundreds of years ago. Many other methods have been used. May God lead us to listen with our hearts. (posted April 9, 2007)
The Evangelism Calling is ordering polo shirts with the First Presbyterian Church-McAllen logo for anyone who would like one. These are great for casual activities! Complete the form in your Newsletter (can be downloaded from this site) and turn in to the office or give it to Evangelism chair Mitch Magee along with your payment. (posted April 9, 2007)
ANNOUNCEMENTS DURING WORSHIP Any future event of immediate interest that needs to be made from the pulpit during the Greetings and Announcements section of the Worship Service must be handwritten/typed and turned into the church office no later than the Thursday prior to that Sunday’s service. MARCH & APRIL ARE BROWN BAG MONTHS Our semi-annual food drive for the Rio Grande Valley Food Bank is upon us! Bags will be handed out after Worship Service at the two Canctuary exits and by the Choir room each Sunday through April 15. The basic food staples, as suggested by the Food Bank, will be listed on a small sheet of paper and attached to each bag. Our goal for March/April 2007 is 1,000 pounds!! Please help feed the hungry. AN INTERIM SEARCH COMMITTEE HAS BEEN FORMED Due to the recent health issues of Rev. O’Quin Kelly, an interim pastor search committee has once again been appointed by the Session to find a replacement for Rev. Kelly. The committee is chaired by Drue Wilkes and includes Nadine Force, David Pankake and James Warren. Keep them in your prayers as they diligently seek an interim minister. NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS To submit articles/photos for the next Newsletter, you can either: 1) Email to news@fpcmcallen.com, or 2) Place in “Newsletter” mailbox located in the church office. (posted April 9, 2007)
WOW! I’m sure glad we had a break last week so we could get ready for the storm that has hit this week. Coming back to school has been crazy. With registration, pictures, scheduling for next year, kids readjusting, luncheons, monies collected … and the list goes on and on. I can actually catch myself going in one direction and wondering why I came in that direction in the first place. But then, I can stop and listen to the sounds of the children and that gives me new perspective again. They live only in the moment, enjoying each one. They don’t worry about tomorrow or what they will eat or accomplish. And isn’t that what Jesus told us to do? Not to worry about anything, instead to pray about everything. And not to worry about what we eat or our needs for tomorrow because we have a loving father that will provide for us. God continues to show me new lessons through these precious children. I need to be content in this moment and allow God to use me now and not to concern myself with the next moment for He will provide for that. Thank you, Lord, that you love me enough to show me your lessons over and over again. (posted April 9, 2007)
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