Comments for Faith Seeking Understanding http://stnicksmt.org/blog An internal discussion of information, ideas, issues, books, movies, or anything else of interest to members of St. Nicholas' Episcopal church in Midland, Texas. At this time, the blog is for St. Nicholas' members and friends, and is moderated by Fr. Jim. Feel free to Comment on any post. For more information on Posting and using the blog, click the page "About this Blog" to your right. Tue, 28 Dec 2010 21:37:48 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Comment on About This Blog by NAN SOMMER http://stnicksmt.org/blog/about-this-blog/comment-page-1/#comment-1131 NAN SOMMER Tue, 28 Dec 2010 21:37:48 +0000 http://stnicksmt.org/blog/?page_id=48#comment-1131 Hi, there! I really enjoy receiving this message every week. St. Nick's is gracious to send it to me. I have been meaning to "blog" but never seem to have the time. NOW I don't have the brain cells left to follow the above suggestions. All I can remember is to change the given password when I get it! Ha ha.j Love to you all!! Nan Sommer Hi, there! I really enjoy receiving this message every week. St. Nick’s is gracious to send it to me. I have been meaning to “blog” but never seem to have the time. NOW I don’t have the brain cells left to follow the above suggestions. All I can remember is to change the given password when I get it! Ha ha.j

Love to you all!!

Nan Sommer

]]> Comment on Service Times Note by Edna B. Hibbitts http://stnicksmt.org/blog/2010/07/25/service-times-note/comment-page-1/#comment-1094 Edna B. Hibbitts Tue, 14 Dec 2010 12:49:29 +0000 http://stnicksmt.org/blog/?p=103#comment-1094 So far, so good with 9:30. We seem to be more comfortable and still get out at a reasonable time. So far, so good with 9:30. We seem to be more comfortable and still get out at a reasonable time.

]]> Comment on Ministry at Midland College by Edna B. Hibbitts http://stnicksmt.org/blog/2010/07/19/ministry-at-midland-college/comment-page-1/#comment-1093 Edna B. Hibbitts Tue, 14 Dec 2010 12:39:39 +0000 http://stnicksmt.org/blog/?p=86#comment-1093 Where are we with this? Where are we with this?

]]> Comment on What About Television? by Georgia Corwin http://stnicksmt.org/blog/2010/08/09/what-about-television/comment-page-1/#comment-1064 Georgia Corwin Mon, 22 Nov 2010 19:16:01 +0000 http://stnicksmt.org/blog/?p=108#comment-1064 We don t watch television that isn't prerecorded so we "skip" the commercials. We don t watch television that isn’t prerecorded so we “skip” the commercials.

]]> Comment on Let Our Light Shine by Edna B. Hibbitts http://stnicksmt.org/blog/2010/07/19/let-our-light-shine/comment-page-1/#comment-1030 Edna B. Hibbitts Mon, 11 Oct 2010 18:24:51 +0000 http://stnicksmt.org/blog/?p=89#comment-1030 The "Civility, Community and Compassion" event can help indicate the attitude that is valued in our parish. This is something we can all embrace and learn from. St. Nicholas' is about challenging ourselves to self examination and spiritual growth. Whatever change and growth we represent starts with each individual. Edna The “Civility, Community and Compassion” event can help indicate the attitude that is valued in our parish. This is something we can all embrace and learn from. St. Nicholas’ is about challenging ourselves to self examination and spiritual growth. Whatever change and growth we represent starts with each individual. Edna

]]> Comment on Let Our Light Shine by Edna B. Hibbitts http://stnicksmt.org/blog/2010/07/19/let-our-light-shine/comment-page-1/#comment-1029 Edna B. Hibbitts Mon, 11 Oct 2010 18:18:38 +0000 http://stnicksmt.org/blog/?p=89#comment-1029 I am all for the sign! I also think that part of letting our light shine is our attitude toward others. We may need to be consciously aware of every guest who comes to church. It is so easy to visit with friends, instead. We are open and basically friendly.The nursery still needs upgrading. Some music or activity in it so that nurturing, not just baby sitting goes on. This not a criticism of past efforts, but a reminder that young couples really do pay critical attention to appearance and program. several times we have had a suggestion to invite a few non-parishioners to visit and then tell us what was positive or not so positive. Small groups are good. Ours have sort of grown organically, rather than being "cooked up". Lets look at all of our classes and see if the mix covers everyone's interests. Maybe a different kind of Bible study that someone has particularly liked from somewhere else? A Sunday evening Bible study at homes was very popular here awhile back. The group was very eclectic. If it grows out of an interest, like the movie group, it might be fun. Edna I am all for the sign! I also think that part of letting our light shine is our attitude toward others. We may need to be consciously aware of every guest who comes to church. It is so easy to visit with friends, instead. We are open and basically friendly.The nursery still needs upgrading. Some music or activity in it so that nurturing, not just baby sitting goes on. This not a criticism of past efforts, but a reminder that young couples really do pay critical attention to appearance and program. several times we have had a suggestion to invite a few non-parishioners to visit and then tell us what was positive or not so positive. Small groups are good. Ours have sort of grown organically, rather than being “cooked up”. Lets look at all of our classes and see if the mix covers everyone’s interests. Maybe a different kind of Bible study that someone has particularly liked from somewhere else? A Sunday evening Bible study at homes was very popular here awhile back. The group was very eclectic. If it grows out of an interest, like the movie group, it might be fun.
Edna

]]> Comment on Let Our Light Shine by Fr. Jim http://stnicksmt.org/blog/2010/07/19/let-our-light-shine/comment-page-1/#comment-878 Fr. Jim Mon, 13 Sep 2010 21:14:55 +0000 http://stnicksmt.org/blog/?p=89#comment-878 Kathy points to a real dilemma. How to have things that bring people together on an intimate level while at the same time being mindful of the pace of life and availability of time that are such powerful realities in our lives. Do we want one more program on 'intimacy'? I know how much we ask of our active members, and there may be ways to deepen what we have, rather then trying to have one more thing. Kathy points to a real dilemma. How to have things that bring people together on an intimate level while at the same time being mindful of the pace of life and availability of time that are such powerful realities in our lives. Do we want one more program on ‘intimacy’? I know how much we ask of our active members, and there may be ways to deepen what we have, rather then trying to have one more thing.

]]> Comment on Let Our Light Shine by Debra Ann Borgen http://stnicksmt.org/blog/2010/07/19/let-our-light-shine/comment-page-1/#comment-877 Debra Ann Borgen Mon, 13 Sep 2010 18:58:17 +0000 http://stnicksmt.org/blog/?p=89#comment-877 Kathy is very correct. Individuals come to and stay where they have connection, community, friendship and intimacy. It is often more emotional then intellectual; this is why some of your charismatic churches are so successful. But before the emotionally good stuff can happen, we first must get them in the door. There are many unchurched in Midland we can reach out to especially those who have felt excluded due to doctrinal, political-philosophical and lifestyle choices. Remember Christ ministered to those typically considered unworthy of respect within the community. As we reach out to those in need, they will become our future congregants!! My vote is for the ever changing sign. We block out those things that don't change. Yes for the PITHY statements and let us reach out towards the unworthy and provide them fellowship and honor. Kathy is very correct. Individuals come to and stay where they have connection, community, friendship and intimacy. It is often more emotional then intellectual; this is why some of your charismatic churches are so successful. But before the emotionally good stuff can happen, we first must get them in the door.

There are many unchurched in Midland we can reach out to especially those who have felt excluded due to doctrinal, political-philosophical and lifestyle choices. Remember Christ ministered to those typically considered unworthy of respect within the community. As we reach out to those in need, they will become our future congregants!!

My vote is for the ever changing sign. We block out those things that don’t change. Yes for the PITHY statements and let us reach out towards the unworthy and provide them fellowship and honor.

]]> Comment on Both Service Times to Change on September 12 by Laura Brown http://stnicksmt.org/blog/2010/08/28/both-service-times-to-change-on-september-12/comment-page-1/#comment-724 Laura Brown Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:42:12 +0000 http://stnicksmt.org/blog/?p=113#comment-724 Great compromise. Even greater article in the MRT, Jim. Laura Great compromise. Even greater article in the MRT, Jim.
Laura

]]> Comment on Let Our Light Shine by Kathy White http://stnicksmt.org/blog/2010/07/19/let-our-light-shine/comment-page-1/#comment-716 Kathy White Sun, 29 Aug 2010 19:23:47 +0000 http://stnicksmt.org/blog/?p=89#comment-716 JUST CURIOUS: For all that attended the consecration of the new HT rector, did anyone hear the idea of how to grow a successful Church? The rector from South Dakota presented the 4 criteria found to be crucial that came out of the Methodist survey. The only one I can remember is the #1(first) one..small group formation and how necessary it is to get to know each other (intimacy) rather than the quick Hi, how are you surface chat which I suppose, its better than a sharp stick in the eye, mind you. I see EFM does that for folks. Choir,Kitchen angels, handbells and my qigong class, as well do the same. I am beginning to feel that through my DOK involvement. What were the other 3 points? Is there anyone not feeling apart of our Church or doesn't have a small group to get to know people at a deeper , more satisfying level? Also, point was made that there is nothing like sitting in a large worship service and then feeling so alone because we need God with skin on Him to feel apart of and not lonely/isolated? And one more thought, are people of our church spreading themselves"too thin" amongst our programs and becoming tired, depleted and the such? Are their too many programs and not enough people? Are the programs not really hitting the mark and could be let go? I suppose this what the vestry covers? Maybe I need to learn more by sitting in a Vestry mtg. JUST CURIOUS: For all that attended the consecration of the new HT rector, did anyone hear the idea of how to grow a successful Church?
The rector from South Dakota presented the 4 criteria found to be crucial that came out of the Methodist survey. The only one I can remember is the #1(first) one..small group formation and how necessary it is to get to know each other (intimacy) rather than the quick Hi, how are you surface chat which I suppose, its better than a sharp stick in the eye, mind you.
I see EFM does that for folks. Choir,Kitchen angels, handbells and my qigong class, as well do the same.
I am beginning to feel that through my DOK involvement.
What were the other 3 points?
Is there anyone not feeling apart of our Church or doesn’t have a small group to get to know people at a deeper , more satisfying level?
Also, point was made that there is nothing like sitting in a large worship service and then feeling so alone because we need God with skin on Him to feel apart of and not lonely/isolated?
And one more thought, are people of our church spreading themselves”too thin” amongst our programs and becoming tired, depleted and the such? Are their too many programs and not enough people? Are the programs not really hitting the mark and could be let go?
I suppose this what the vestry covers? Maybe I need to learn more by sitting in a Vestry mtg.

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