The latest quilt that had been pieced by the Quilting Group graced the bulletin board in the library for a couple of weeks. The cute little dog faces, each different, have universal appeal. Which is why this quilt, once it has been finished, will be raffled off to provide funds to Lutheran World Relief.
Mt. Carmel has a dedicated group of quilters who turn out quality hand stitched items to meet different needs. As a group they help the church celebrate marriages, new babies, and well as appreciation for a job well done or a life well lived. This group of mostly women also serve as a encouragement to each other.
The group, which meets weekly on Tuesday from 10-2, talk as they work and welcome anyone, whether you are handy with a needle or not. The conversation is free-ranging and up-lifting. It is perfectly alright to just show up with a sandwich. If you want to check and make sure that the group is meeting, you can call Barbara Hemphill.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Friday, March 18, 2011
MORE AND MORE STORIES
Mt. Carmel is known for the use of the Celebrate insert, which provides four scriptures for each service. During Lent we have decided to focus on the Gospel reading. We journey with Christ as he gathers his disciples close, moves to Jerusalem, and ultimately his death. For those of you who are missing the other scriptures, try picking up a "Christ in Our Home" devotional from the bookcase in front of the doors to the sanctuary.
This devotional has much to recommend it. It follows the lectionary. It is an easy read. And, it is well-written. Kelly, my husband, and I try to carve out time at the beginning of each day to read the recommended passage and the page long devotion. Sometimes our son Tim joins us.
Some passages are spot on and hit us where were live. Others challenge us to move out of our comfort zone. This week we read about Abram and Sarai. I thought the story about Abram agreeing to move to a new land did not apply to me, because we live in Portland, in the house next to where Kelly grew up. However, Kelly pointed out that Abram was 75 when he agreed to follow God from his home, without knowing what was in store for him. Hmmm. That is something to think about.
This devotional has much to recommend it. It follows the lectionary. It is an easy read. And, it is well-written. Kelly, my husband, and I try to carve out time at the beginning of each day to read the recommended passage and the page long devotion. Sometimes our son Tim joins us.
Some passages are spot on and hit us where were live. Others challenge us to move out of our comfort zone. This week we read about Abram and Sarai. I thought the story about Abram agreeing to move to a new land did not apply to me, because we live in Portland, in the house next to where Kelly grew up. However, Kelly pointed out that Abram was 75 when he agreed to follow God from his home, without knowing what was in store for him. Hmmm. That is something to think about.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Brand Names
Our son Tim is a brand shopper. He never just buys soup, he buys Campbells soup. It doesn't matter if the local store brand is cheaper, he always heads for the brand name. If he hasn't seen it on TV it must not be good.
I thought Tim would change his mind once he started paying for his own groceries. But that is not the case. He has changed a little, but not to the extent that I thought he would. He is willing to buy an off brand flour or sugar, but he will not eat off brand candy. Tim says that with brand name goods, he knows what to expect. He knows that the texture, taste, color, will always be the same. It takes clever branding to get him to change his choices. But if he is convinced that something else will better meet his needs, he will change.
We have been challenged to "brand" Mt. Carmel, so people will know what to expect when they come to worship with us. And, even more than that, so they will be able to choose us from all the other church brands out there because we can better meet their needs. Although we don't like to think about it, churches are in competition with one another . In the past, when church membership was passed down in families from generation to generation, all that mattered was location. If your family was Lutheran, you went to the closest Lutheran church. Now, not so much.
To brand Mt. Carmel, we need to identify those attributes that make Mt. Carmel special. While what makes Mt. Carmel special to one person may differ from what makes Mt. Carmel special to you, there are attributes that we can agree on. Please take time to post your choices. We will create a list of the top 20 and you will be given an opportunity to vote on your favorite.
I thought Tim would change his mind once he started paying for his own groceries. But that is not the case. He has changed a little, but not to the extent that I thought he would. He is willing to buy an off brand flour or sugar, but he will not eat off brand candy. Tim says that with brand name goods, he knows what to expect. He knows that the texture, taste, color, will always be the same. It takes clever branding to get him to change his choices. But if he is convinced that something else will better meet his needs, he will change.
We have been challenged to "brand" Mt. Carmel, so people will know what to expect when they come to worship with us. And, even more than that, so they will be able to choose us from all the other church brands out there because we can better meet their needs. Although we don't like to think about it, churches are in competition with one another . In the past, when church membership was passed down in families from generation to generation, all that mattered was location. If your family was Lutheran, you went to the closest Lutheran church. Now, not so much.
To brand Mt. Carmel, we need to identify those attributes that make Mt. Carmel special. While what makes Mt. Carmel special to one person may differ from what makes Mt. Carmel special to you, there are attributes that we can agree on. Please take time to post your choices. We will create a list of the top 20 and you will be given an opportunity to vote on your favorite.
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