Well, it certainly has been a very long time since I updated and for that I apologize. Anyhow, this summer has been great. The church is beginning to take steps into inhabiting the community again and for that I am very glad. We decided to have a summer program called SNAP (thanks to Susan Z.) The attendance for it was great but the best thing about it, in my opinion, was the fun the kids had and an afternoon just prior to that week. On that afternoon Suzan and I spent a couple of hours simply walking and talking around the neighborhood. We would converse, then stop and chat with any children and/or their parents whenever we would see any. The majority of the children that came were not the ones we contacted on this walk and that is fine. What I liked was the fact that for the first time in a long time there was a calvary member walking the neighborhood with no other agenda than to talk with people who live there! Surely we wanted to spread the word about our program but what I liked the best was that we were actively looking for people who live in our immediate neighborhood.
We want to become a neighborhood church again and the best way to do that is doing exactly what we were doing on that day, we need to "live" in norristown again. I'll be looking to do much more of that this fall.
Friday, September 01, 2006
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Joseph Vento, a sad story
Please read this article
http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/news/14697552.htm
Mr. Vento has joined a long list of 2nd generation immigrant, "native", xenophobics who reject the very principles that have allowed them the priviledge of being born here. It makes me sad to see the child of a hard working immigrant family refuse to serve memebers of families very much like his own, with the only difference that they are not Italian. Perhaps Mr. Vento should have asked his grandparents how hard it is to learn a new language. Most of these "immigrants" have just arrived, nearly all are trying to learn English but it takes time, especially since a great many of "these people" work 6-7 days a week! I guess Mr. Vento wouldn't have served his grandparents for their first 5-20 years here. I wonder how he would feeel on hearing that his grandparents were refused service for being Italians who don't speak English. After all, how does he know these people aren't trying hard to learn the language? What if they've just arrived within a year or two? Surely there are some who are not trying to learn to speak English, but that is not unique to the Latino culture. Growing up in Jersey half of my Italian friend's grandparents did not speak English, eventhough they'd been here for 50 plus years!
Just one more thing, does Mr. Vento not serve tourist who don't speak English either? Or is it that he does not want to serve Latinos who don't speak English? A german, a Venezuelan, Italian legally visiting for 3 weeks needs to have studied English just so he could have a cheesesteak at Mr. Vento's store? Or, is he somehow able to discern who is a tourist and who is one of those "immigrants"?
http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/news/14697552.htm
Mr. Vento has joined a long list of 2nd generation immigrant, "native", xenophobics who reject the very principles that have allowed them the priviledge of being born here. It makes me sad to see the child of a hard working immigrant family refuse to serve memebers of families very much like his own, with the only difference that they are not Italian. Perhaps Mr. Vento should have asked his grandparents how hard it is to learn a new language. Most of these "immigrants" have just arrived, nearly all are trying to learn English but it takes time, especially since a great many of "these people" work 6-7 days a week! I guess Mr. Vento wouldn't have served his grandparents for their first 5-20 years here. I wonder how he would feeel on hearing that his grandparents were refused service for being Italians who don't speak English. After all, how does he know these people aren't trying hard to learn the language? What if they've just arrived within a year or two? Surely there are some who are not trying to learn to speak English, but that is not unique to the Latino culture. Growing up in Jersey half of my Italian friend's grandparents did not speak English, eventhough they'd been here for 50 plus years!
Just one more thing, does Mr. Vento not serve tourist who don't speak English either? Or is it that he does not want to serve Latinos who don't speak English? A german, a Venezuelan, Italian legally visiting for 3 weeks needs to have studied English just so he could have a cheesesteak at Mr. Vento's store? Or, is he somehow able to discern who is a tourist and who is one of those "immigrants"?
Thursday, April 20, 2006
A march for immigrants
There has been much said about the immigration debate in our country this past couple of months. The issues around the current immigration debate are way to complex for this particular vehicle. However, within all that is going on I wanted to highlight the march sponsored by our ministerium here in Norristown. I personally think this is an issue the churches cannot afford to stay on the sidelines. We are dealing with issues of injustice, so we as Christians cannot stay on the sidelines and quietly watch the debate go on. We, as followers of Christ are called by our faith to stand with those who are being abused and speak for them especially when it is most inconvenient. This is exactly what the Ministerium chose to do on this day as we gathered on the
steps beind the courthouse to make our call for justice heard. Our protest was not in favor of those who break the law or for weaker border security. We took a stand in protest of a measure that would have us, amongst other things, require proof of legal residence from those we are helping. We are Christians are required, by our faith, to stand in the face of injustice and seek to rectify matters. I was proud to be part of that march as a concerned citizen yes. But I was especially proud of being there as a Christian speaking out for justice.
steps beind the courthouse to make our call for justice heard. Our protest was not in favor of those who break the law or for weaker border security. We took a stand in protest of a measure that would have us, amongst other things, require proof of legal residence from those we are helping. We are Christians are required, by our faith, to stand in the face of injustice and seek to rectify matters. I was proud to be part of that march as a concerned citizen yes. But I was especially proud of being there as a Christian speaking out for justice.
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Wednesdays at CBCCLC
Every Sunday we pray for a classroom in our children's learning center. Praying for those children is one of my favorite times on Sunday mornings. The problem though is that sometimes
it feels like a routine. Not only that, many times the names we recite end up being little more than names. I am sure no one in church simply recites the names without giving a thought to the children those names represent. I know that because the church created that space for these children. So, as a way to rekindle our relationship with those children, the pastors have decided to be available to host any members wanting to come over and spend time with the children and meet their parents on Wednesday afternoons as part of our three year ministry plan. I invite you to come join us on wednesday afternoons and meet some of these children. Come visit with us and get the benefit of receiving some of the "life" that just exudes from these kids, plus they are incredibly loving and funny. It's actually a great deal for your time, you give us an hour and you get, fellowship, fun, life, joy, etc.
Come discover yet another way we're using calvary's resources to enable church in Norristown.
it feels like a routine. Not only that, many times the names we recite end up being little more than names. I am sure no one in church simply recites the names without giving a thought to the children those names represent. I know that because the church created that space for these children. So, as a way to rekindle our relationship with those children, the pastors have decided to be available to host any members wanting to come over and spend time with the children and meet their parents on Wednesday afternoons as part of our three year ministry plan. I invite you to come join us on wednesday afternoons and meet some of these children. Come visit with us and get the benefit of receiving some of the "life" that just exudes from these kids, plus they are incredibly loving and funny. It's actually a great deal for your time, you give us an hour and you get, fellowship, fun, life, joy, etc.Come discover yet another way we're using calvary's resources to enable church in Norristown.
Sunday, March 12, 2006
Adoption
Greetings all, a very interesting thing has happened in my building. Some time ago, probably around December or so, a man began hanging out in the small vestibule of my building. The space is very small but carpeted and heated. This man did not "move in" per se. He'd use the space irregularly, mainly when it was very cold or wet outside. Then an amazing thing began to happen, somehow my building adopted the man! Things began to appear exactly on the spot he'd sleep on when he'd be over. One day there was a thick flannel shirt, obviously just washed and neatly folded. Another day, a couple of shirts in a plastic bag. My building, full of suit wearing people who only sleep here in Norristown, was actually embracing a homeless man! What an amazing example of the good in God's creation. Not everyone agreed with that of course. three weeks ago or so I received a phone call from an officer asking me to let his officers into the building. After asking him how I would know if he was a cop, he decided to go downstairs to see if these were real cops. They were and as I opened the door they asked me if I'd seen a homeless man around. Apparently someone had called them saying there was a homeless man somewhere in the hallways of my building. Never mind that the man never even entered the building itself, all he did was use the small heated space at the entrance of our building. So the cops came in and walked the entire building. The very next morning there was a bag full of clothes on "Bob's" spot in the vestibule. My building has a relationship with a man most of us have never spoken with. He doesn't abuse the relationship and we reach out to help him. I have enjoyed very much watching this relationship unfold, I don't know where it will go but as for now it's been great to see Goodness in a tangible way. Perhaps St. Augustine wasn't all that far off when he said, All that is, is good", after all, God made it.
Monday, February 13, 2006
snow riding
Greetings all.
I am writing this on a beautiful Monday after noon, right after my bike ride. This is the Monday after our "record" snow fall weekend. It feels a bit strange to have missed Sunday morning and it's even thrown off my inner schedule. I woke up this morning at 8am worried that my alarm hadn't gone off and I was going to be late for bells with Neil and the crew. That short moment of panic was rewarded with one of my favorite pleasures in life, going back to sleep.
Later on in the day I decided to go riding as I hadn't in about 3 days or so. I was a bit worried about the trail being convered in snow still but though I'd go check it out anyway. As I got to it I realized how indeed it was still convered but also filled with tire marks so I decided to make some of my own.
The idea of riding on snow/ice was fun and challenging. The actual riding was a completely different story. I had to work three times as hard to go half as far and fast as without the snow. I think one of the best ways to know ourselves is to pay attention to our reactions and comments when exercising. In this particular day, in the midst of my frustrations, working hard, etc.
I found myself saying many things. One of them went sort of like this, why do I always do this to myself! I ride on snow in the middle of winter, I work at a church, etc...It wasn't a comment on Calvary itself, rather it was a release of frustration at what's been going on at our church. Lately it seems like everything's going south at Calvary. I don't know how much longer our "crisis" time will last, but I do know we are moving and will get to our goal. I just pray we all support each other as we fight on and on and on.
I am writing this on a beautiful Monday after noon, right after my bike ride. This is the Monday after our "record" snow fall weekend. It feels a bit strange to have missed Sunday morning and it's even thrown off my inner schedule. I woke up this morning at 8am worried that my alarm hadn't gone off and I was going to be late for bells with Neil and the crew. That short moment of panic was rewarded with one of my favorite pleasures in life, going back to sleep.
Later on in the day I decided to go riding as I hadn't in about 3 days or so. I was a bit worried about the trail being convered in snow still but though I'd go check it out anyway. As I got to it I realized how indeed it was still convered but also filled with tire marks so I decided to make some of my own.
The idea of riding on snow/ice was fun and challenging. The actual riding was a completely different story. I had to work three times as hard to go half as far and fast as without the snow. I think one of the best ways to know ourselves is to pay attention to our reactions and comments when exercising. In this particular day, in the midst of my frustrations, working hard, etc.
I found myself saying many things. One of them went sort of like this, why do I always do this to myself! I ride on snow in the middle of winter, I work at a church, etc...It wasn't a comment on Calvary itself, rather it was a release of frustration at what's been going on at our church. Lately it seems like everything's going south at Calvary. I don't know how much longer our "crisis" time will last, but I do know we are moving and will get to our goal. I just pray we all support each other as we fight on and on and on.
Sunday, January 29, 2006
HARVEY CEDARS TIME
HARVEY CEDARS TIME!!!!!!!!!
Greetings all! I know it’s been a while since there was a new posting here but I am back and ready to visit with you through the blog again. I will write an update on my life a bit later on but now I’d like to tell you about our youth winter retreat. It was fantastic! We had 4 boys come, Sam, Ben, Kyle, Mikey. We joined up with two other Baptist churches, 1st Baptist Lansdale and Colingswood. I was a bit nervous about taking our 4 kids to a retreat with two already established youth groups. I was mainly wondering about how they would relate to the other two groups. I am so very glad to say that we had no problems of that kind at all. We (the leaders) were amazed at how well the kinds came together. We had no problems with them relating and making friends with each other.
On the first night there they invented a game they called, “table ball”; basically it’s seeing who can hit the ball at someone else the hardest. As long as it bounces once on the table. (parents, they were supervised the entire time ;-)
on the first night they were all very willing to spend time with each other. Normally they are all willing to spend time with each other at first then it splits into groups. But, not this weekend, they all hung out together the whole time. We always moved as a group and all our 35 kinds hung out togeeeether.
It was a wonderful time filled with the Holy Spirit. The theme of it was evangelism, sharing your faith. We shared a couple of sessions on what Salvation is, What makes a Christian, and how to share your faith with others based on the first two. On Saturday afternoon we had testimony time and the Spirit moved through that worship time in incredible ways. It was amazing seeing those kids speak about their faith and then to see the support from the rest of them as they all listened to each other.
There’s just one more incredible thing that happened this weekend, the worship was amazing. We had a great band with us and the kids were all just incredible about joining in on worship time and singing along. I am glad I was there to worship in such a special, Spirit filled time. We even had a first class sound system! That’s Tom our sound guy for the weekend, you rock Tom!!!
I will just close with some quotes from this memorable weekend,
“I serve society by rocking”; “when I’m rolling in the benjamins I’ll throw you and your dog a bone”; “Hey, is there a French fry between my pants?”;
“you have 92 mosquito fish?”, after some thought; “ what are mosquito fish?”
Funny conversations:
Shower time Sunday morning
Kid 1 ahhhhhhhhhhhh, the water is freezing! ( last one in the shower)
Kid 2 Just suck it up and deal J, I had to yesterday!
Kid 1 yea but my head is even hurting now!!!
Kid 2 HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Last kid out of the pool.
Kid is it still raining outside?
Leader yeah, it is.
Kid oh man! I’m going to have to put my towel over my head, I don’t want my
Hair to get wet!
At the Gym
Leader this is the rock, paper, scissors game
Kid wait, what does scissor look like?
It was an amazing time and we even got to indulge in a life long tradition at Harvey Cedars, beach day! Parent disclaimer THIS WAS ON THE STILL WARM SATURDAY ;-)
(image placeholder)
Greetings all! I know it’s been a while since there was a new posting here but I am back and ready to visit with you through the blog again. I will write an update on my life a bit later on but now I’d like to tell you about our youth winter retreat. It was fantastic! We had 4 boys come, Sam, Ben, Kyle, Mikey. We joined up with two other Baptist churches, 1st Baptist Lansdale and Colingswood. I was a bit nervous about taking our 4 kids to a retreat with two already established youth groups. I was mainly wondering about how they would relate to the other two groups. I am so very glad to say that we had no problems of that kind at all. We (the leaders) were amazed at how well the kinds came together. We had no problems with them relating and making friends with each other.
On the first night there they invented a game they called, “table ball”; basically it’s seeing who can hit the ball at someone else the hardest. As long as it bounces once on the table. (parents, they were supervised the entire time ;-)
on the first night they were all very willing to spend time with each other. Normally they are all willing to spend time with each other at first then it splits into groups. But, not this weekend, they all hung out together the whole time. We always moved as a group and all our 35 kinds hung out togeeeether.
It was a wonderful time filled with the Holy Spirit. The theme of it was evangelism, sharing your faith. We shared a couple of sessions on what Salvation is, What makes a Christian, and how to share your faith with others based on the first two. On Saturday afternoon we had testimony time and the Spirit moved through that worship time in incredible ways. It was amazing seeing those kids speak about their faith and then to see the support from the rest of them as they all listened to each other.
There’s just one more incredible thing that happened this weekend, the worship was amazing. We had a great band with us and the kids were all just incredible about joining in on worship time and singing along. I am glad I was there to worship in such a special, Spirit filled time. We even had a first class sound system! That’s Tom our sound guy for the weekend, you rock Tom!!!
I will just close with some quotes from this memorable weekend,
“I serve society by rocking”; “when I’m rolling in the benjamins I’ll throw you and your dog a bone”; “Hey, is there a French fry between my pants?”;
“you have 92 mosquito fish?”, after some thought; “ what are mosquito fish?”
Funny conversations:
Shower time Sunday morning
Kid 1 ahhhhhhhhhhhh, the water is freezing! ( last one in the shower)
Kid 2 Just suck it up and deal J, I had to yesterday!
Kid 1 yea but my head is even hurting now!!!
Kid 2 HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Last kid out of the pool.
Kid is it still raining outside?
Leader yeah, it is.
Kid oh man! I’m going to have to put my towel over my head, I don’t want my
Hair to get wet!
At the Gym
Leader this is the rock, paper, scissors game
Kid wait, what does scissor look like?
It was an amazing time and we even got to indulge in a life long tradition at Harvey Cedars, beach day! Parent disclaimer THIS WAS ON THE STILL WARM SATURDAY ;-)
(image placeholder)
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