Three Days of Lunch Adventures

Too often I end up eating a sandwich at my office desk while I try to catch up on some work.

Funny how the highlights of the week seem to be when I get away from the desk and gather with others for some nourishment.

Every Tuesday I start the day with a staff meeting and then a clergy meeting at the church. Like most organizations, that also involves the hallway discussions which I call "premeetings" and "postmeetings."

I leave the church meetings and walk over to the main campus of Augusta State University just across Arsenal Avenue. I direct the ASU Wesley Foundation, a United Methodist sponsored campus ministry, and our big meeting each week is a Tuesday lunch in the student activity center. When I arrived back in Augusta in summer 2007, and began working with the ASU WF which had gone dormant for 6 months, I found I had no student leaders and no students!

Rather than compete with the existing religious groups on the 7500 member commuter campus who have a track record and students we chose to do something different. The existing groups build their program around a weeknight big worship event. We chose to work the day time crowd and offer food, conversation, and a coffeehouse approach emphasizing music and relationship building.

It has been tremendous fun, and usually the highlight of my week as 75-100 students of different backgrounds, majors, races, & religions gather. I can't adequately convey how wonderfully diverse the group is! The lunch gathering has awakened me to how the church ought to be everyday out in community, with emphasis on relationships, eager to engage people in conversation and life, and not so quick to emphasize the points that can easily separate people. I always enjoy the lunch because of the conversation and encouragement that is shared.

On Wednesday I gathered with my friends at the Salvation Army. We are working together on creating more of a partnership here in Augusta in the Harrisburg community. The church is ready for ministry which is more than band aids on old problems, and more than throwing a little money at someone who is requesting financial assistance for this months bill. So, we talked, and toured, and then sat down for lunch. It turns out they serve 3 meals a day, including 2 which are open to the public. Imagine a small cafeteria with some of the SA workers, 3 church visitors, and then many men and women who currently call the SA home. It totally changes a conversation ABOUT someone when THOSE people you are talking about are sitting next to you.

Then to top of my three days of lunch adventures I stumbled upon lunch.

Since we are starting a Hispanic ministry I figured I'd catch a little fast food somewhere and drive around south Augusta and then toward Grovetown to look and think about the project. As I took a cut through road I noticed some cars at the Korean Methodist Church. That made me think about our Korean Methodist friends in Togo who were such a help to the ministries this summer. It also reminded me that though we are neighbors in the same town, and share the same faith, we really don't know each other.

I turned the car around and went in to see if we couldn't take some first steps in developing a relationship.

As I walked into the building I smelled food, and as I turned the corner found six people eating lunch. I apologized for interrupting their meal, and after making my introduction and handing over my card said I'd come back at a more convenient time. But they'd have none of that and had me sit down to join them! What a delicious treat with different food, tastes, and textures than I'm accustomed to each day. It sure beat a boring old sandwich as I wrapped meat, rice, and vegetables in a leaf. It was a better lunch than I'd imagined I'd have, the best Korean food I've eaten since our guests in Togo fed us, and I think the conversation is the beginning of something new and exciting!!

Life sure is exciting when you venture away from the desk, enjoy some good food, and enjoy living and learning from others.

Hispanic Ministry Training Welcomes Rev. Nora Martinez

What a challenge and opportunity to create something from nothing.

Currently I'm helping facilitate Carmen Welch getting established in local Hispanic ministry. Carmen was a Methodist pastor in Mexico, and has lived in the U.S. for seven years after marrying a native of Georgia. We're getting into discussions and trying to build the necessary partnerships to establish Carmen in ministry in Augusta by next summer.

We've got a half dozen local UM churches involved at this point, and a key meeting this weekend. We'll have Rev. Nora Martinez an associate director of the Church Development Office of the North Georgia United Methodist Church visiting Augusta. Rev. Martinez leads Hispanic/Latino Ministries for the conference which includes work in Atlanta, Gainesville, and Athens. Nora will be featured at our Hispanic Ministry Training event Sunday, September 28, 5:00-6:30 PM at Trinity on the Hill United Methodist Church in Room A004. Area churches and individuals interested in this session are invited to attend. For more information please contact Rev. Scott Parrish at 706-738-8822, ext. 18. That meeting room is most easily found by going into the parking lot between Trinity and St. Mary's Catholic Church (corner of Monte Sano & McDowell) & if you go into the end door of the Main Building and into the basement you'll find us in that large room.

We've already got an exciting assortment of skills and interests in education, social work, parenting, recreation, worship, and language skills as well! Carmen will have some traditional food and drink available for us Sunday evening so RSVP a number if you can attend.

Rev. Scott Parrish
Minister of Outreach and Missions
Trinity on the Hill UMC

Augusta State University Wesley Foundation Director

Children's Consignment Sale Update

Ever seen 60,000 items?

We had that number of items for our Children's Consignment Sale last weekend. Think of a fellowship dining hall and a gym and a hallway full of clothes and toys. Quite the vision!

Add to the picture:
214 volunteers working all week for a Friday & Saturday sale.

Add 5 computers with scanners to read the bar code on each item.

Mix in 20,772 items sold.

The end result is a record breaking weekend for us with total sales of $77,292.75. The thing I enjoy (non shopper that I am there isn't much about this that's enjoyable!) is that 40% of the proceeds go to church mission work locally, nationally, and internationally. That's a tremendous impact from "stuff" that was hiding in closets and garages!

Special thanks goes to some exceptional leaders who make this all possible as Kathryn, Nancy, Tracy, and Trish go "above & beyond" putting in 12 hour days for 6 days.

The fellowship of the redeemed changes the world once again!

Augusta Hispanic Ministry

The invitation is open to everyone interested for Hispanic Ministry meetings taking place Sundays, September 21 through October 19, 5:00- 6:30 PM at Trinity on the Hill UMC. We currently have a half dozen UM churches represented in the discussion as the conference and district churches have interest in establishing Carmen Welch in ministry in our district. Carmen is married to David Welch (son of retired clergy Don Welch) and is a native of Mexico, a graduate of John Wesley Seminary in Monterrey, and has been an Augusta resident and active at Trinity on the Hill for the last few years. Attendance at all the meetings is not necessary. We are especially hopeful that mission committees and laity will be active participants in this process. We will use the meeting time to grow a coalition between interested churches and individuals. In addition to the conversation and planning which will take place we will enjoy various Hispanic food and music (think authentic from Mexico, Puerto Rico, & Nicaragua!), have Rev. Nora Martinez from the conference office visit Sept. 28, and share where God is leading us and what area churches need from this opportunity. RSVP or ask questions of Rev. Scott Parrish by e-mail (sparrish@trinityonthehill.net) or phone (706-738-8822).

Some "How To on Mission" Articles

If you don't know about the GBGM "New World Outlook" magazine you may want to give a peek at http://gbgm-umc.org/nwo/nwo-new/archived_nwo.cfm?issue=135. This issue offers some "how to" advice. It's most specifically for United Methodist churches though others may find some helpful hints as well. I also found some of the theology helpful as too often that's a missing element with mission activity & action. One critique I have with this issue is that it's a little heavy on selling the various GBGM agency initiatives. I wish they would have spent a little more time on the action of mission in a local congregation. Yet, as you read through this you can piece that together. Certainly an article or two ought to inspire the Christian or the Church to greater witness for Christ in meeting the needs of the world through mission activities.

Our Identity, Profession, & Confusion About That

I really like this blog about who we are, what we do, and identity.

http://web.me.com/larryvaughan/Site/Blog/Entries/2008/8/31_Identity.html

World View in 2025

I caught an intriguing lecture last Friday at Augusta State University. The Hull College of Business presented global trends strategist Eric Peterson as the first speaker in its Russell A. Blanchard Lecture Series. Mr. Peterson is senior vice president of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), where he is the William W. Schreyer Chair in Global Analysis and director of the CSIS Global Strategy Institute. Peterson presented 7 "structural drivers of change."

I'll be most curious about the view my church friends and mission colleagues will have on this material. It's worthy of close examination despite the fact that most church leadership doesn't do this sort of thing too well.

Peterson started the presentation with 2 great quotes and then led the large group on a thrilling adventure including an excellent video presentation.

Darwin wrote, “It's not the strongest species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the ones most responsive to change.”

"No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it. " Albert Einstein

While none of it was particularly unexpected, the presentation was well done with LOTS of information, and for me the most powerful thing was the cumulative effect of the 7 revolutions. Peterson's bottom line for leaders is that we will be in a time of hyper promise and hyper peril. I did like his lines at the end warning about "leaders devolving into managers," and shortly after he warned of "strategy succumbing to tactics." Even if, like me, you might want to argue some points this does seem to sharpen a leader's consideration about the not-so-distant future and the steps we are taking today to be prepared for 2025.

1. Population- The world population hit 6 Billion in 2006, & will TRIPLE in the next 60 years. The highest growth will be in the poorest countries while many developed countries will continue to experience marked depopulation. Migration will continue to be an issue. Urbanization will continue with a projected 5 Billion in urban areas by 2030. Challenges- there will soon be a day when there are more slum dwellers in Mumbai than the whole population of Norway. Peterson also discussed the traditional pyramid graph of population which has a large base of the younger and a narrowing tip of the older population. This is changing as people are living longer so the new graphs look like a rectangle for some countries, and for those nations with lower birth rates an inverted pyramid best captures the scenario.
2. Resource management- the "carrying capacity" of the word for this large population is an issue related to agricultural land availability, land degradation, water availability, and global warming are key elements. Available energy sources and the environment, plus the long term sustainability of all these factors are worth consideration.
3. Technology - deep computing, pervasive computing, robotics, biotechnology, nanotechnology are the issues continuing to change the world in this revolution.
4. Information- the gap between the knowledge proficient and knowledge deprived will continue to grow. Now a person anywhere in the world can innovate and not emigrate. The world chooses its truth, e.g. CNN vs. Al Jezeera on middle East news. Reduced decision times. Growth of the BRIC's (Brazil, Russia, India, China) over G6. Changes in center of balance and consumption.
5. Conflict- asymmetric warfare- terrorism, bio terrorism, info terrorism, conflict within nations, and greater complexity of these issues, e.g. Iraq & Afghanistan as norms in this category.
6. Governance- beyond nation/states, continued growth of world economy and NGO's, interesting comparison of top national GDP's & added Corporation GDP's which fell in top 50, re. Kissinger quote- we "must bridge gap between thinking re. economic model and nation/state model, Kissinger- must find "system of linkages," Peterson- must find "new balance"

You can explore the seven revolutions in more detail and find printable pdf's at http://7revs.csis.org/sevenrevs_content.html

Global Food Crisis Threatens Us All

As I'm eating lunch at my desk (earlier in the week on Wednesday I think) I'm catching up on some e-mail, then taking a break from the computer and looking over a magazine. Strange how seldom I read that stack on the desk like I should! As I thumb through them I notice an article in the Fall 2008 "Service" published by Church World Service.

That article that almost makes me drop my sandwich is "Food Crisis Threatens a Generation."

Strong words!

I immediately check my memory to see if I'd heard anything about this on TV news or read anything in popular newspapers. Hmm, seems like everything has been about Olympics, politics, college football, and the weather.

While I have recently whined about rising gas prices, the worldwide effects have doubled food costs for even basic staples. Of course, the working poor and those who barely survive each day throughout the world are most profoundly impacted. Experts are calling this the worst food crisis in 30 years. Rising food prices could push an addition 100 million people into poverty.

I quite eating with some quotes from UNICEF & the World Food Program:

• a child dies of hunger every five seconds
• one in four children in developing countries is underweight

Learn more about the crisis and about ways to take action at http://www.churchworldservice.org/pdf_files/foodcrisisfactsheet.pdf

HUGE Children's Consignment Sale in Augusta Sept. 19-20

Do you know about our upcoming Children's Consignment Sale? Here are some specifics on the event if you have opportunity to share it. We'd also invite you to be with us that day if you have the opportunity.

The CCS is next weekend, Friday, September 19, 9:00 AM until 7:00 PM, and Saturday, September 20, 8:00 AM until 2:00 PM (half price) at Trinity on the Hill UMC located at 1330 Monte Sano Ave., Augusta. We're next to Augusta State University between Walton Way & Wrightsboro Road. We typically have over 50,000 items for sale, and we usually have around 200 consignors. We now have 292 consignors registered for this year! In addition to name brand clothes for babies through teens we also have cribs, strollers, changing tables, comforter sets, nursery decor, bicycles, books, dvd, computer games, outside riding toys, and maternity clothes. 60% of the proceeds go to the consignor & 40% of the proceeds benefit Trinity on the Hill church missions. Some of the local partners who benefit from this sale include:

· Feeding people- Golden Harvest Food Bank, Masters Table
· Caring for homeless men, women and children- Augusta Rescue Mission, Interfaith Hospitality Network of Augusta, Garden City Rescue Mission
· Building local wheelchair ramps
· Rebuilding homes and lives- FROGS roofing and sheetrock work in homes and with many nonprofit groups including Augusta Urban Ministries,
· Caring for women battling cancer- Lydia Project
· Sewing special pillowcases for hospital patients
· Providing outings for special needs adults- Super Saturday & JOY club
· Supporting campus group at ASU
· Supporting renewal in Harrisburg with after school tutoring and enrichment activities, neighborhood clean up, community girls choir, & more
· Supporting several church teams to hurricane damaged homes in MS & LA
· Supporting the re-roofing of homes in Wrens damaged by spring tornadoes & storms.
· Supporting church youth team to Memphis for reconstruction of homes in declining neighborhood
· Supporting projects with children, the elderly, and the disadvantaged of GA
· Supporting church medical and construction teams to Honduras and Togo.

Thanks for any help you can give in sharing this story, helping us move some name brand items at great prices, and helping so many people with your purchases.

with thanks,Scott

Scott Parrish
Minister of Outreach and Missions
Trinity on the Hill UMC
Augusta, Georgia

Director,
Wesley Foundation
Augusta State University

The Power of Retired Adults

There is a true power in the types of relationships that retirees can forge with children and teenagers which is too often untapped. We see it in our community work time and time again. In our fragmented society children too often don't know grandparents. Far too many children don't have any consistent adult role model in their life. See out what a couple of retirees started in a church and community with many similarities to our own neighborhood.

http://www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=2789393&ct=5856339