Happenings September 6, 2019

How many of you have told your children, you never stop learning?  How many of you have needed to participate in some sort of “Continuing Education” for your work?  Most professionals and quite a few careers and jobs encourage, if not demand, some sort of continuing education.  Clergy are no different.  We are encouraged to take some sort of professional education on an annual basis and continuing education time and allowances are often included in most compensation packages. 

Since I have been at Immanuel, I have participated in a few online spirituality and Christian Education seminars and courses.  I have also attended a few of the Middle Atlantic Association of United Church of Christ Educators retreats.  I have enjoyed these opportunities and feel they make a difference in my ministry.  I would like to do more, but time and cost limit what I can do. 

I offer this today, because it seems I am informally participating a “Continuing Ed” opportunity now.  Leah needed to pick up an “easy,” humanities course this semester at Dickinson.  Due to scheduling challenges, she was led to a Religion and Current Events course.  You can guess where this is going. 

Now, not that long ago, I found some old papers I wrote in seminary and was amazed at how much I have forgotten from my seminary days.  I was reminded of this again as Leah reached to me for help with her Religion course.  Despite growing up the daughter of a pastor, this course and the way in which it is being taught, is well outside of Leah’s comfort zone.  It does not require tests, or essays.  It is far more subjective, and she prefers objective courses and subjects.  Grades are based on pretty much exclusively on discussion and participation.  And Leah doesn’t think she gifted at “thinking on her feet,” in a discussion-based class. 

Minutes after her first class, Leah sent me her reading assignments, along with a panic filled message, “Help me.”.  My problem is that I don’t know which is harder, reading the very theoretical, philosophical essays about the nature and definition of religion, or reading these essays from the photographs Leah has sent me on my phone!  I am not sure how much I can help her.  I am also not sure how much of this might influence preaching or ministry at Immanuel.  However, the reading and conversations with Leah I expect to be fulfilling. 

Scripture

            Jeremiah 18:1-11

Psalm 139:1-6

Luke 14:25-33

THIS SUNDAY’S LEADERSHIP TEAM:

Presiding:  The Rev. Dale Krotee

Music Director and Organist: J. Curtis White

Immanuel Church Chancel Choir

Pianist:   Lynne Breil, Tina Lyte        

Acolyte:  Phoebe Elzey

Ushers:  Max Schnoor, Danny Luthy, Dennis & Lou Jones

Nursery Staff:  Stephanie Dixon

Nursery Assistant: Robin Burton

Sound System:  Jack Breil, Keith Malkus, Tom Wilkison

This Week at Immanuel:  (Office hours  M-F, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.)

    Today           9:00am                     Sunday School

  9:15-11:30am         Nursery Care

10:00am                     Worship 

11:00am                     Fellowship in the Narthex 

     Monday      6:30pm                    Church Council Meeting

     Tuesday    12-1 pm                    Bible Study