Daddy's got a New Crackberry

This past week I had a cellphone upgrade due and I got a new blackberry. I have had fun trying to figure out how to work it. Pictured above is the Athlete goofing off over his dinner at a local Gaffney pizza place. I also have taken pictures of my feet, a wall, and the back of my hand trying to figure this thing out.

Ringtones are also lots of fun. Trying to find the perfect ringtone for those people in your address book has been a challenge. Ringtones these days are recordings from TV shows, movies, music and popular culture. Finding my incoming call ringtone was a hoot. I found lots that I would have liked to have while I was in college---but wouldn't dare want ringing while I was in a church meeting or with the district superintendent (by the way, his unique ringtone on my phone will be "Hail to the Chief"). I settled on "Soul Man" by the Blues Brothers as my general call ring tone. I haven't picked out LPCoolJ's yet (I want his input), but I have the "NFL on Fox" for the Athlete and the " James Bond" theme for the Cadet Airman. For my cousin, Danny, I chose "As Good As I Once Was" by Toby Keith... which I could have also used for myself.

Now for Mamma Deacon, I had lots of choices. I thought about the "Imperial March" from Star Wars or "Happy Wife, Happy Life." I went instead with the first song that I remember after we started dating--- "She Drives Me Crazy" by the Fine Young Cannibals... good (better) choice, don't you think?

I am still working through my address book--- what is your ring tone?

Of Silverware, Hospitality, and the Mancave

We are now at home in Gaffney. We got here about noon on Wednesday. It has been like Christmas, opening boxes and discovering what is in them. We finally found the silverware. Hopefully, flimsy plastic spoons will not serve as serving spoons ever again. I was able to go to the office and unpack the boxes there. But home is the first priority.

We have been overwhelmed with friendly people. The church gave us an old-fashioned pounding (stocked our food pantry) and they have given us a meal each night we have been here. I think it says something when people offer such hospitality to the newcomers in their midst.

The boys and I set up the Mancave last night. They have a place for their X-box and drumset and I have a place for my quiet time. Needless to say, I won't be having my quiet time when Halo 3 is blaring and the drums are beating. There is space, however, for all of us to feel at home.

Now it is time to work (again) on my first sermon...

Almost There

I told my family that the best Father's Day present this year would be to have 99% of the packing done by the end of Saturday. We will be close. It looks like we will have most of the boxes headed to the basement/mancave in Gaffney. It will probably look like a Costco storage room.

The Buford Street Parsonage Committee has been gracious and cooperative with helping us get acclimated. The parsonage is getting new paint and a room of new carpeting. They even went along with The Athlete's request for his room to be painted Georgia Bulldog Red. Perhaps it is a good thing Cadet Airman is away at JROTC Leadership camp; he might have wanted his room complete with camouflage paint and mosquito netting. Mamma Deacon didn't ask me what color I wanted for the basement/mancave (where all the boy's x-box equipment and daddy's desk are going). It probably wouldn't matter anyway... U-Haul box Brown is such a delightful color.

PS- It is amazing how many google hits my blog got with the words "triple bunk bed."

Connection and Continuity

This past Sunday, I led worship at India Hook as the pastor for the last time. It was a very special worship service: we had a baptism, we celebrated Holy Communion, and we had a closing litany to lead us to forgive, affirm, and release both pastor and people. We celebrated five years of ministry together with Sunday dinner and plenty of hugs.

As part of the final service, I wore an elder’s stole that was not bought for me, and I doubt I will ever wear it again. Remember that the stole worn by pastors in worship symbolizes our authority and our service as they are given to us at our ordination. The stole I wore not only symbolized the authority given to me to preach and offer the sacraments, but it also symbolized the continuity and connection of the clergy who serve the churches of this annual conference. I wore the stole of India Hook’s next pastor, the Reverend Steve Gaither. At the conclusion of Sunday’s service, I removed Steve’s stole from my shoulders and placed it on the Lord’s Table. On June 22^nd, Steve will place that stole on his shoulders. We as clergy are connected not only by the covenant we share, but by the people we serve.

The line of pastors at India Hook continues forward as it has for over 150 years. Steve will lovingly and passionately live out his call as he serves India Hook as I have had the honor of serving that church for the past five years. The continuity of the itinerant system is one of the strengths of the United Methodist Church. Long periods of time do not pass for a church to be without clergy leadership. Bill Heustess left India Hook on the morning of June 11, 2003 and I moved into the parsonage that afternoon. I was here for the unexpected death of a parishioner less than a week after Bill left and I arrived. On June 18, 2008, Steve Gaither follows me as the new pastor here, while I follow Scott Wachter as the new pastor at Buford Street in Gaffney.

That is if I can finish packing…