God Through Us

Lake Mills UMC website slogan-G.R.O.W.
Gather To Worship.
Remember To Study.
Open Ourselves To Service.
Witness As Disciples of Christ.

One of my favorite thinkers and a unique spiritual person is Albert Einstein. I quote him often because he always challenges me to ponder my life and my calling as a pastor. Einstein once said, “Whatever there is of God and goodness in the universe, it must work itself out and express itself through us. We cannot stand aside and let God do it.”

One of my chief priorities, as I prepare myself to begin serving as pastor at Lake Mills UMC is to do everything in my power to catch people doing things right and doing things well. Much of the time, in the world around us, folks like to catch others doing things wrong or in the making of mistakes. And they are the first ones to tell when they catch another!

So, I want you all, my congregation soon to be, to be on guard. Yes, I will be on the look out for how well you are making the presence and the goodness of God visible in and through your lives and your faith lived out inside and outside your church. When I witness it, I will thank God and thank you. It is fun to catch folks being the people that God created them to be! I know how faithfully you have lived and I can't wait to be a part of it.

I will be spending some weeks early on, from the pulpit and in meeting times, addressing the significance of our unity and togetherness as the people of God in Lake Mills. You have done so much so well, that has brought you to this point in your life and history. As I get to know you better, I will be telling you about how I see God within you. We need to continually remind ourselves of the many ways in which we are living as channels for the love and presence of God.

On Memorial Day my wife, Loretta and I stopped by the church and took some digital photos. I paused for a minute in the Prayer Garden and thought about your labor of love and memorials in that special place. I said a prayer for you and I thanked God for the ways in which our Creator has led us together.

I look forward, more each day, to the time when I can meet the church family by the prayer garden, in the sanctuary, enjoying each others company in the hearth room, gathering in the entryway over coffee and conversation and stopping by to say hello. May God bless us all as we prepare for July 1st at Lake Mills United Methodist Church.

Blessings.

Rev. Bill

On Going Public

Lake Mills UMC website slogan-G.R.O.W.
Gather To Worship.
Remember To Study.
Open Ourselves To Service.
Witness As Disciples of Christ.

Today was a very different day in church at Eagle UMC (my current appointment until June 30th). The announcement making of my leaving Eagle and moving to Lake Mills was met with a somewhat predictable response. Some were sad and a few were shocked. Many were quiet and could not quite look me square in the eye. It was a happy/sad sort of day.

They were happy for me, knowing that I wanted a greater challenge and opportunity in my life. The time has come and it awaits me at Lake Mills UMC. For this I am glad. They saw my excitement about Lake Mills and wanted to congratulate me for what I was receiving, that they could not possibly provide. I sense they are sad to see me go. I saw in their looks, an affirmation for my ministry to and with them for these 4 years. They too, like I suspect the Lake Mills congregation, are already wondering about their new pastor.

It was for me a time to begin to say goodbye. I am really glad we celebrated the Sacrament of Holy Communion today. This act always gives me a chance to share and serve them in a high and holy moment. This was especially true today.

At times like these one realizes how much one has invested in the well being, spiritual growth and care of others. I find myself, with one foot still in Eagle but with the other foot and my forward viewing spirit already anticipating Lake Mills. I have been waiting and seeking this moment of an appointment with faith and prayer. But now that it is finally here and I am preparing for “there”, I feel a sense of strangeness and newness envelope me. I never really rehearsed the goodbyes. I always seek to live in the events and challenges of today.

I look forward to July 1st when I will really be “there”. But I am still “here” and have much to do to wind things down and complete my work.

As I was listening to my Staff Parish Relations Chair announce my move, I thought about Lake Mills UMC and how Pastor Jeff was doing as his committee went public with his move. I am trying to picture you, the congregation at Lake Mills listening today and now wondering what your new pastor, what’s his name; Rev. Bill McBride will be like? I hope this blog gives you some help in getting to know me and in understanding that in how much I love my Eagle congregation I too will grow to love you at Lake Mills and settle in and be the best pastor I know how to be.

Let me ask you today; What do you hope for in your new pastor coming to you on July 1st?

It's Time To GROW Together!

Welcome to the place to G.R.O.W.! I am glad you stopped by for a visit. I am excited about the opportunity to join you on your spiritual path, as your pastor, begining July 1, 2009.

Since this is an electronic log, a "weblog", I thought I'd fashion it after your Lake Mills UMC website slogan-G.R.O.W.
Gather To Worship
Remember To Study
Open Ourselves To Service
Witness As Disciples of Christ.

When you think about it, there is a life time of leaning in that slogan isn't there? Sounds like a good place to start, live and thrive.

If this is your first visit, please leave a comment. If you've been here before, welcome back. Put me in your favorites and lets see what we can do together to make this and our church the best G.R.O.W.ing place ever!

As I move closer to my start date of July 1, 2009 and as I prepare in this time of transition, I will be sharing some of the questions I am asking myself and wondering about the congregation at Lake Mills United Methodist Church. I have already begun praying for you and our shared ministry together in and around Lake Mills.


When you read my upcoming posts and if you have any ideas, please step in and post a comment or even send me an email. (Click the "view my complete profile" on the right side for my email address, or copy and paste my email address at the top of my blog).


I look forward to joining with you and growing alongside of you in Lake Mills. I believe with certainty that there are no accidents in our world and lives, just opportunities and places to grow and share and explore. God bless us all as we anticipate and prepare for our ministry together at Lake Mills United Methodist Church.

Blessings


Reverend Bill, pastor soon at Lake Mills UMC