Dear Bearcreekians,

I invite you to pray and fast with me. This invitation is an answer to prayer. God told me to stop talking and to listen. So that is what I am going to do. In worship this Sunday I will invite you to join me.

Why am I doing this? I previously told you about the Four Efforts we are making at Bear Creek. We want to be better at worship, at Children’s Ministries, at the “E” word (evangelism) and at getting the word out of God’s love lived at Bear Creek (marketing). Four teams have been assembled to lead us.

But there is a new twist. Instead of our usual Type A Bearcreekian behavior of problem solving and action plans, we are first seeking God’s guidance. It is the habit of many good folks to give a nod to God in prayer and then do what they think. I have asked the Four Teams not to take big actions or set big directions yet. I have asked to them to study their area and to pray for guidance. The next few months are to be listening time, or a Time of Discernment. I was praying about how I might best assist them in their discernment and God said to stop talking so much. God said to pray and fast for the people of Bear Creek that we might discern His way for them.

So this Sunday I am beginning the spiritual discipline of prayer for Bear Creek’s discernment, and fasting to join with God’s mercies and sacrifices in Jesus that I might be open to the Holy Spirit. I will daily pray for the Four Teams, for their discernment and my faithful service to them and to you.

And I will fast. I will eat Tuesday supper, skip Wednesday breakfast and lunch, and then eat again Wednesday evening at the Midweek@Bearcreek supper. I do this to be in solidarity with Jesus as he makes sacrifices for us, and I do it to be in solidarity with those who are hungry in body and soul so that I am taking action to be open to the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

I am inviting you to join me. This is not a program from any committee or publishing house. I don’t know the results and I don’t know how long it will take. I just know that if we discern the resources and will of God among us for the Four Efforts, then as a God-centered community we would be best served by a Time of Discernment.

The folks with whom I have consulted to make sure my hearing is not impaired have advised me that you will have lots of questions, especially around fasting. I have made a little booklet to guide us and that will be on the welcome table. And I welcome you to ask me whatever you will.

Remember this is not a program we have adopted at Bear Creek. It is simply my invitation to join me in a Time of Discernment.

Shalom,
Dave O

Dear Bearcreekians,

This remarkable new technology (which I love to resist–Brad Beeman called me a troglodyte last week) makes it possible for me to share a remarkable video. Jeanne (a one-time parishioner and a long-time friend) thanked me for the inspiration of a recent sermon by sending me something that she thought would inspire me. It did inspire me. In fact, it gave me goose bumps.

Bill Moyers is speaking with Mark Johnson about his DVD “Playing for Change: Peace through Music.” I know many of you love music. Here is a testimony to its power throughout the world. Take 15 minutes to listen to a remarkable story and to hear some remarkable music.

www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/10242008/watch2.html

Shalom,
Dave O

Dear Bearcreekians,

I am writing this Tuesday afternoon because I am out of town from now until Saturday afternoon.

I know, I know - I was just out of town for almost two weeks. That was vacation and a trip to Greece. It was wonderful. Go to Sara Lamberts facebook site if you want to see some remarkable (and a few embarrassing) pictures.

This week is also wonderful. I have been asked and privileged for the last four years to be on a team of three teacher/facilitator/ mentors for new pastors in the Pacific Northwest Conference. We just graduated our first class (the class of 2005) and this week we welcome the class of 2008. It is a great class of 23 with the likes of Brad Beeman and Karen Davidson. For three years (five three-day retreats and one mission immersion) we will take a journey into ministry exploring Conference staff and resources, leadership, spiritual self care, the nature of being a missional church, and just care for each other.

This may be a ministry you didn’t know you were doing. By supporting me with time and prayers, you are playing a major role in the future and quality of PNW clergy. Who knows, someday you may get one from our class as your pastor. I pray that is a good thing.

Shalom,
Dave O