We're into the fourth week of Spirituality:unTapped at Short's Brewery on Thursday evenings at 7:00 pm. I couldn't be happier with the results. It's become an open forum for people to explore their faith, ask questions about the world around us, and meet with other people who are still learning about their faith. You can check out the website at:
http://bellaireuntapped.blogspot.com/
Let me know what you think!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Well worth the wait
It's been a while since I've posted, so here's an interesting video to make up for it. Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7_dZTrjw9I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7_dZTrjw9I
Monday, December 15, 2008
Don’t Let Christmas Pass You By
The hardest transition I’ve had these past six months with baby number 2 has been the scheduling. I feel I count all time in terms of how it relates to my children’s sleep habits. How long has Denali been down for a nap? How long do we have until Bryce wakes up again to eat? Why are they waking up SO EARLY this morning?! Literally, our whole week seems punctuated by the sleep patterns of two little ones. I find myself scheduling things based on whether or not they are sleeping, about to sleep, or about to wake up…and my wife and I walk around in a haze.
That’s the best comparison I can offer about Advent and the Christmas season. I find myself planning my life around how many days we are from Christmas, what we will do on Christmas, and what happens immediately following Christmas. The season feels extremely rushed and moving at such a rapid pace toward something that we just don’t have time to slow down and live in the moment. I inwardly laugh each time I hear someone make the same cliché statement: “Can you believe it’s (insert date) already? Why, the time is just flying! Christmas is only (insert number) days away!”
I think it is a cultural and societal tragedy that we do not seem to live in the moment. We are always moving to the next date, the next activity, the next game, the next holiday, the next job, the next everything. Rarely do we sit in the moment and really appreciate what is happening around us at that very time. We spend so much time each year gearing up for Christmas without really stopping to appreciate what the season means while it is happening. It’s like the couple who plan their wedding for months and months, only to see the day go by so quickly as they forget to really experience what is going on around them during the blessed day.
Please take the time this Christmas or Christmas Eve to stop and join with a community to remember what we are building up toward this time of year. Worship with your friends and family together and in the moment. Church in the Hills is again offering a late night service at 11:00 pm on Christmas Eve that we’d love for you to attend. In any event, we hope you go somewhere this time of year to stop, give thanks, and be united with the community around you in faith, hope, and love. Live in the moment and experience Christmas anew.
That’s the best comparison I can offer about Advent and the Christmas season. I find myself planning my life around how many days we are from Christmas, what we will do on Christmas, and what happens immediately following Christmas. The season feels extremely rushed and moving at such a rapid pace toward something that we just don’t have time to slow down and live in the moment. I inwardly laugh each time I hear someone make the same cliché statement: “Can you believe it’s (insert date) already? Why, the time is just flying! Christmas is only (insert number) days away!”I think it is a cultural and societal tragedy that we do not seem to live in the moment. We are always moving to the next date, the next activity, the next game, the next holiday, the next job, the next everything. Rarely do we sit in the moment and really appreciate what is happening around us at that very time. We spend so much time each year gearing up for Christmas without really stopping to appreciate what the season means while it is happening. It’s like the couple who plan their wedding for months and months, only to see the day go by so quickly as they forget to really experience what is going on around them during the blessed day.
Please take the time this Christmas or Christmas Eve to stop and join with a community to remember what we are building up toward this time of year. Worship with your friends and family together and in the moment. Church in the Hills is again offering a late night service at 11:00 pm on Christmas Eve that we’d love for you to attend. In any event, we hope you go somewhere this time of year to stop, give thanks, and be united with the community around you in faith, hope, and love. Live in the moment and experience Christmas anew.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Snow, snow, and more snow
We're buried up here on the hill and I absolutely love it.
It's such a wonderful feeling to experience the change in the seasons and the newness a fresh coat (or fresh two feet) of powdery snow brings to a place.
This morning in the sermon preview bible study group, we discussed the significance of names in scripture and how we seem to have lost this concept in our society. Don't get me wrong, we certainly take time in selecting names for our children and pets, but we don't seem to name them with the meaning of the name in mind as much as how the name sounds, who else has/had the name, and if the child will get made fun of in school for having it.
I love the name of our congregation: Church in the Hills. It's not the same as First Church of this or that and it doesn't just remember St. Andrew or any other Christian hero. The name says something about this place and who we are.
We are God's people, worshipping and fellowshipping together, in the hills of Antrim County. We are a community located in a particular place for a particular reason. There is an excitement in recognizing who we are and claiming it through our name.
What does your name mean? Why are you named what you are named?
It's such a wonderful feeling to experience the change in the seasons and the newness a fresh coat (or fresh two feet) of powdery snow brings to a place.
This morning in the sermon preview bible study group, we discussed the significance of names in scripture and how we seem to have lost this concept in our society. Don't get me wrong, we certainly take time in selecting names for our children and pets, but we don't seem to name them with the meaning of the name in mind as much as how the name sounds, who else has/had the name, and if the child will get made fun of in school for having it.
I love the name of our congregation: Church in the Hills. It's not the same as First Church of this or that and it doesn't just remember St. Andrew or any other Christian hero. The name says something about this place and who we are.
We are God's people, worshipping and fellowshipping together, in the hills of Antrim County. We are a community located in a particular place for a particular reason. There is an excitement in recognizing who we are and claiming it through our name.
What does your name mean? Why are you named what you are named?
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Sermons now available!
Great news! You can check out video versions of the sermons from Church in the Hills at http://cith.neptune.com
The link is also on the right hand side of the page. Check them out, share them, comment on them, love 'em, hate 'em, be challenged by them, or challenge the pastor who delivered them.
Enjoy!
Pastor Andrew Pomerville
The link is also on the right hand side of the page. Check them out, share them, comment on them, love 'em, hate 'em, be challenged by them, or challenge the pastor who delivered them.
Enjoy!
Pastor Andrew Pomerville
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Organize my organization
I'll fully admit that structural organization is not my strongpoint. It's not that I can't organize things or keep my self on task. No, my problem has to do with organizing an existing, established, yet ineffiecient system.
I still love being Presbyterian...and I truly appreciate our elder-style of rule as found in the local level within the session...but I'm not so sure how to most effectively order the session.
My problem stems from a lack of experience and institutional memory. The current committee structure at Church in the Hills exists to meet the directives of the session. Our committees and their respective members are dedicated, loving individuals from the congregation who do some incredible work. However, I know the system is not working as smoothly or effectively as it could. The problem is that I don't have an alternative.
If you have worked in a committee structure that worked well (particularly within a church), what were the characteristics? Does anyone have any helpful hints or suggestions for maintaining or reforming our current committee structure? Our major issues are related to letting things slip through the cracks that are not specifically spelled out in the committee's job description, redundancy and inefficiency in our decision making abilities, and a general feeling of uncertainty about what each committee is charged to do.
I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Thanks,
Pastor Andrew Pomerville
Monday, September 29, 2008
Revisioning our revisions
(Taken from the October Newsletter)
In conjunction with our fall presbytery meeting, a leadership conference was offered for the commissioners of the Mackinac Presbytery. The event included a keynote speaker who focused on the state of many churches and how to maintain a healthy mission and focus. In general, he indicated that churches are typically in one of three places: (1) on the way up with lots of hope and plans, (2) stable, status quo – after your vision has been mostly accomplished and you are enjoying the fruits of your labor, (3) on the decline – when the vision is no longer working and you are scrambling to identify why you are experiencing difficulty within the congregation.
As he presented, many churches nodded in agreement whenever he spoke about a particular time in a church’s life. Some are in the dreaming stage, while others are struggling through a period of decline. I found myself proudly thinking our congregation was in the second phase of stability…until he warned us against living in this period. He cautioned churches to fear this stagnation and make sure we are constantly examining our mission in the community, not just when things are in need of a change, but at all times. The church is a mission, not an institution. We are constantly being sent, not settling in one place with one vision.
As stated at our September congregational meeting, we have experienced a wonderful year and a half of major growth spiritually and physically, with a variety of new ministries, events, and enthusiasm in all areas of congregational life. It would be very easy for us to relax at this point and take pride in what has been accomplished through the Holy Spirit at Church in the Hills. However, the Church is never called to relax in our call to serve, love one another, and share the gospel. We can be proud of the work accomplished in this place, but we must always see that as further inspiration to continue our mission with even more fervor. We need to keep asking ourselves – what else can we do?
Seek opportunities for this congregation to be an expression of God’s love in our community. Dream big and let your visions be constantly adapting to the needs of God’s children everywhere.
Peace and grace to you and yours,
Pastor Andrew
In conjunction with our fall presbytery meeting, a leadership conference was offered for the commissioners of the Mackinac Presbytery. The event included a keynote speaker who focused on the state of many churches and how to maintain a healthy mission and focus. In general, he indicated that churches are typically in one of three places: (1) on the way up with lots of hope and plans, (2) stable, status quo – after your vision has been mostly accomplished and you are enjoying the fruits of your labor, (3) on the decline – when the vision is no longer working and you are scrambling to identify why you are experiencing difficulty within the congregation.
As he presented, many churches nodded in agreement whenever he spoke about a particular time in a church’s life. Some are in the dreaming stage, while others are struggling through a period of decline. I found myself proudly thinking our congregation was in the second phase of stability…until he warned us against living in this period. He cautioned churches to fear this stagnation and make sure we are constantly examining our mission in the community, not just when things are in need of a change, but at all times. The church is a mission, not an institution. We are constantly being sent, not settling in one place with one vision.
As stated at our September congregational meeting, we have experienced a wonderful year and a half of major growth spiritually and physically, with a variety of new ministries, events, and enthusiasm in all areas of congregational life. It would be very easy for us to relax at this point and take pride in what has been accomplished through the Holy Spirit at Church in the Hills. However, the Church is never called to relax in our call to serve, love one another, and share the gospel. We can be proud of the work accomplished in this place, but we must always see that as further inspiration to continue our mission with even more fervor. We need to keep asking ourselves – what else can we do?
Seek opportunities for this congregation to be an expression of God’s love in our community. Dream big and let your visions be constantly adapting to the needs of God’s children everywhere.
Peace and grace to you and yours,
Pastor Andrew
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