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Centre Grove’s council has been reading, discussing, and acting on Bishop Robert Schnase‘s Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations. So far, we have completed discussion of one of the practices (Radical Hospitality) and we recently started on a second (Intentional Faith Development). In this chapter, Bishop Schnase stresses the importance of learning together in community. He … Read more
As we prepare for our second adoption, we’re again thinking about the importance of bonding, particularly in those first days, weeks, and months with the new baby. Adoptive Families magazine has articles devoted to bonding. I think the article, Your Baby, Yourself, is especially helpful in talking about the importance (and challenges) of bonding for … Read more
While our conversation on Radical Hospitality is mostly behind us (Centre Grove church council), we’re still working on some of the practical steps (primarily adding directional signs, which have been completed, and revamping our welcoming ministry of ushers and greeters). We’ve named our ministry of ushers and greeters “First Impressions Ministry” (not original with us). … Read more
A few months ago I wrote that I would read Eugene Peterson during Lent. Unfortunately, my reading got pushed out for a while out due to the work we had to do for commissioning (as Provisional Elders) and I’ve just recently gotten back to reading Peterson’s Eat This Book. Usually, I read a book as … Read more
Months ago, Ethan learned the fruit and the word, “apple.” One day, even though apples are usually red, he pointed at the lighted white Apple logo on my Mac notebook and said, “apple.” (And, in case you’re wondering, he did it without any prompting from me! 😀 ) Speaking of computers, someone bought a toy … Read more
Monday was Ethan’s second birthday. We took him to JCP Portraits to get his photos taken. We were a little concerned about how cooperative Ethan would be, having been peopled-out last week. Ethan wasn’t overly in-the-mood for getting his photos taken, but the photographer was still able to get a number of good shots. Below … Read more
Today, Ethan turned two. We celebrated his second birthday yesterday with family at a small park in Williamsburg, PA. After an intense week at Annual Conference, it was a nice way to end the week. What a journey we are on. We thank God for the gift of Ethan!
At around 4:00 p.m. today, we wrapped up annual conference with the ordination service. The ordination service is always one of the highlights of annual conference. In fact, one of my favorite parts of the service is at the end when the Bishop invites people from the congregation who sense that God may be calling … Read more
Home. That’s a word that Ethan has been saying over the course of the last 24 hours or so. Ethan is ready to go home. Being in an unfamiliar place in a sea of mostly unfamiliar people is pretty daunting, especially for a soon-to-be two-year-old who is getting a lot of attention! Today’s session of … Read more
We are at the annual conference of the Central Pennsylvania Conference this week taking place at Messiah College. We arrived yesterday to settle into our room and to attend a dinner with the Board of Ordained Ministry for those who are in the commissioning process along with their mentors. Annual Conference began this morning with … Read more