The Pace of Change

As I write this, sitting in the office at church (well, converted Sunday School space used as our office) the sun is shining, and through the window I can see a blooming pink-flowered tree. What it stuck in my mind, though, is how much rain we've had lately...the very same thing that brings life also threatens it.

For example, Sunday, as my fiance Chris and I drove to church from his house for confirmation and youth group, right in front of us, on the 340 bridge over Catoctin Creek, a black Mustang hydroplaned...into the side of the bridge. We stopped, and the 17-year-old guy was okay, but there it was...a split second, and everything stopped...and I was struck by how one thing could've changed it all...for better or worse. If the kid hadn't been wearing a seat belt.... If we'd been closer behind him and not able to avoid his car... If he'd been going a bit slower (though even at that, he wasn't speeding)... We all know it...life can change in the blink of an eye.

At the same time, some things change at the pace of a snail...or worse! This week, delegates from United Methodist churches around the world will gather in Texas for General Conference. GC is held every 4 years (on leap years, in fact) and is where policies and practices for the denomination are set.

All of this is well-suited as well to the beginning of my sermon series this next Sunday on denominations. All sorts of groups, some claiming to be the "true" Christians, some other Christians are sure are not Christian, and the rest of us in the middle...have been in the news. From the Mormon-fringe sect in Texas who of late have once again made the news...this time as the government took over 400 of the children of the polygamous sect into state custody. Pope Benedict visited the US this week for his first trip as Pontiff.

All of this, and it is difficult to understand what separates, unites, and defines Christians. This week will be an intro to the series...talking about why all these things even matter. What do you think? What have been your experiences with different denominations?

for all that life can change in the blink of an eye, even getting some of these denominations to just TALK together can seem an endless process...but recent steps towards Christian unity have been exciting...but change at times can be very...s...l...o...w...

:-) Sarah