I subscribe to a newsletter from the School for Contemplative Living. The Director William Thiele wrote an amazing article. I wanted to share with you all because I thought it was very pertinent for us at this time of our church. His article was entitled “The Power of Presence.” He had this quote from Winnie the Pooh: “Today was a Difficult Day,” said Pooh. There was a pause. “Do you want to talk about it?” asked Piglet. “No,” said Pooh after a bit. “No, I don’t think I do.” “That’s okay,” said Piglet, and he came and sat beside his
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While we are excited to welcome Rev. H.N. Gibson beginning in July, I wanted to also take this space to acknowledge the collective grief that can accompany losing a beloved pastor. Being on staff here and at the co-op (Woodlawn Community Table), Emily’s reappointment has left me with many complex feelings: grief, anger, happiness, curiosity, relief- just to name a few. Holding all of these conflicting emotions at once is hard for me; we aren’t taught to be happy and sad at the same time after all. During this time of transition, I have made more of a practice to
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I am so thankful to God that I have been able to serve Woodlawn UMC for the past twelve years.  I have grown as a pastor and as one of God’s beloveds during my time at this church.  Thank you for the wonderful brunch and for including Matthew and the girls in the celebration.  We appreciate the gifts and gift card and all the notes and words you have poured out.  We appreciate all that you are! ​I am also thankful for a few weeks off before I begin my appointment at Pleasant Grove UMC.  This will give me time to travel and see
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There are some biblical scholars that say that the gospel stories of the loaves and fishes multiplied, was a miracle of generosity rather than a miracle of food creation or production. That when the people in the crowds saw the little boy with five loaves and two fish share his food, that they remembered they had a little with them too, they decided to quit hiding the sandwich they brought, they realized they could share and still have enough to eat. And everyone would have enough to eat. Our vision statement begins, “We gather at God’s table with our neighbors
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What We’re Hoping as an RMN Church As most of you know, Woodlawn was the first church in Alabama to affiliate with Reconciling Ministries Network. ( If you want more info on RMN, you can go to rmnetwork.org.)  I recently met with our RMN organizer, Helen Ryde.  Helen has worshipped with us before, most recently last spring.  Helen shared what RMN is focused on right now and as an RMN church, these are things for you to know and respond to. *General Conference will be held April 23– May 3, 2024 in Charlotte, NC.  This conference was delayed because of
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Worship this summer (June, July and August) will look a bit different, and I’d like to share with you what to expect.  Each Sunday we’ll begin with soft music from the piano or a guitar as we ready ourselves.  Continue to greet friends and catch up, but I also hope you’ll take a couple of minutes to center yourself and breathe deep.  We’ll use the same morning prayer each week in our opening, which we also used in Lent. The first hymn will be a hymn of praise, and the hymn after the sermon will be one of reflection.  The
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Transitions, whether welcome or not, often have our hearts and heads going in different directions.  We’re moving from past to future, our emotions can be contradicting or exaggerated and trying to muddle through can have us unsettled.  In the Church Office we’re going through a couple of transitions right now.  Jan Conway, who has been our Administrative Assistant for 10 years (plus stints as the organist and the choir accompanist) is retiring this month.  Jan has been my right hand during this time.  She has run the church office in a very welcoming and efficient way. One of the things
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There are times in life when our souls feel full, and other times they feel dry.  When they are full, we can often roll with the punches and manage time in the valleys easier.  When our soul is dry, we may have less capacity to make it through the hard times, or listen for guidance from the Holy Spirit.  I’ve realized in the past couple of years that I need regular soul-tending to stay close to the Divine Life that is God.  There are many ways this can be done.  One thing I do is try to start my mornings
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Last Sunday I began a 9-week series on The Beatitudes, which are found in Matthew 5: 1-12.  Nine weeks is a long time to spend on twelve verses, but the more I read, study and pay attention to what’s revealed to me, I’ve come to understand the Beatitudes as a foundation to understanding how God loves us.  Beatitudes are blessings.  The Greek word used in Matthew is makarios, which is translated “utmost joy.”   Of course, blessings bring on happiness – they are the riches of life.  If God is blessing you, then you are favored with God’s riches.  But from
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The Rev. Henry Gibson has been appointed, by Bishop Wallace-Padgett, to plant a new ministry in the Roebuck area. With the appointment, Henry will relate to 4 East Birmingham churches: Center Point, East Lake, Huffman and Woodlawn.  Some of you will remember Henry when they came to preach a few years ago.  Henry has been the pastor of Eulaton and Clay UMCs and most recently the associate pastor at Highlands UMC. We are crafting what it means for Henry to “relate” to 4 churches  – but most of it will be  engaging in ministry to the east side of Birmingham. 
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