December 2010

The Amazing Pace

Fri, 12/24/2010 - 2:23pm
The NCC Wellness Committee is introducing a pedometer-based walking program free to all NC Conference clergy members in 2011. Enrollment is also free to NC Conference and local church lay employees enrolled in the Conference Health Plan.

From a December 20 news release by the North Carolina Conference:

Tags - Connection: 
Living Well
Physical Health
Community
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Choosing Where to be Present

Tue, 12/21/2010 - 9:42am
The Incarnate Son of God chose to be present in the hurting and dangerous places and among the outcasts and marginalized.

By Kenneth L. Carder

 “What advice do you have?” I asked a veteran bishop as I prepared to assume that same office after my election in 1992.

“Choose carefully where to be present, especially your first Sunday,” he replied. “Where you decide to be will be remembered longer than what you say or do when you get there. And, where and with whom you spend your time will shape your view of the church and your role in it.”

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Liturgical Year
Reflections
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Balancing Christmas hoopla with Advent spirituality

Fri, 12/17/2010 - 12:31pm
Lillian Daniel writes about loving both the solemn mood of Advent and the fun of "cultural" Christmas.

In a 2009 essay at the Call & Response blog at Faith & Leadership, Lillian Daniel writes about loving both the solemn mood of Advent and the fun of "cultural" Christmas, the shopping and wrapping and baking, etc.

Our North Carolina pastors will be in my prayers this coming week.  Amidst all the "meaning making" you are responsible for, I pray that you get to stop and smell the evergreen branches.

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Liturgical Year
Reflections
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The power of yes and no

Wed, 12/15/2010 - 9:37am
Joseph was going to call the whole thing off.

Here is an Advent reflection for this week, by our friend and office-neighbor Bill Lamar at Faith & Leadership.

A preview:

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Liturgical Year
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Connecting Self-Care to Ministry

Tue, 12/14/2010 - 9:39am
To step away from your parish for three solid days and to turn your mobile phone off (at least for part of the time) is a tall order.

Last week, Faith & Leadership published an article by Mark Miller-McLemore about clergy sabbaticals.  The writer identifies a number of downsides for the congregation and staff who must hold down the fort while the senior pastor is away.  The purpose of the article is not to urge against sabbaticals, but to point out some pitfalls that should be kept in mind when a pastor plans for a sabbatical. 

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Living Well
Resources
Spirited Life
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The Incarnation of Excellence

Fri, 12/10/2010 - 8:44am
The One who is the incarnation of excellence was born of a young peasant girl among the homeless in a cattle stall.

By Kenneth Carder

Defining excellence in ministry remains a challenge. Some people suggest that the term excellence carries so much class and cultural baggage that an alternative descriptive word or phrase should be used.  Faithful, fruitful, and effective seem to be the most frequently suggested substitutes.

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Reflections
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Groups

Thu, 12/09/2010 - 2:27pm
This week, we reached another major milestone as Spirited Life participants learned to which of three groups they have been randomly assigned as part of our wellness program and health study.


A few hurdles down, many more to go as we move toward helping clergy prioritize health.

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Spirited Life
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Advent and Christmas Resources

Wed, 12/08/2010 - 1:16pm
Just a quick drive-by to point out some Advent resources that may be of interest or use to you.

Sisters and brothers,

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Liturgical Year
Reflections
Resources
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