The Vine - News Blog

A Word from the Pastor: Language of the church

 
By Ben Disney
 
First, an explanation of the journey: Lent is the 40-day period before Easter when Christians prepare to witness and celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the early church, the 40 days before Easter were devoted to study of the essential elements of Christian teaching so that new converts could make their confessions of faith on the day of their baptism. Later, Lent became a time of contemplation of Jesus’ suffering and the significance of the Christian faith for daily life. Christians throughout the centuries have marked the season with prayer, study, and fasting; or, more recently, by sacrificially “giving something up for Lent” as a way of identifying with Jesus (who fasted in the wilderness for 40 days) and by focusing on the importance of faith. Lent starts on Ash Wednesday and runs to Maundy Thursday, which covers a period of 40 days, not including Sundays.
 
As I write this, I’m acutely aware of how archaic and foreign the language must seem to people in our culture. Look at the words: witness, converts, fasted, confession, Lent, sacrificially, contemplation, Maundy Thursday, and Ash Wednesday. I mean, who still talks like that?
 

I’ll apologize in advance. Remember, I didn’t say it; I’m only repeating it. Years ago in one of my earliest churches, I became friends with an old rancher who raised horses. He was highly knowledgeable and well respected. He was also extremely shy and quiet, preferring for the most part to be alone in a pasture rather than being in a crowd of people. His biggest fear was speaking in public, which explains his genuine fear and anxiety in being asked to speak to a large gathering at a convention of horse breeders. He reluctantly agreed but agonized over the thought of having to deliver a speech. He asked for my prayers and advice, both of which I offered. The following week he returned from the gathering and immediately called to tell me all about the event. I asked how the speech went. He replied, “It was great! They even gave me a standing ovulation.” While I’m not sure that was even a medical possibility, I think I understood his point.
 
The point is words matter. Language is used to convey a particular meaning or a message. The church often struggles with the balancing act of trying to stay relevant in a changing culture while holding fast to the core convictions of its faith. In our quest to speak in the language of the culture we often discard ancient words because we suspect few people really understand their meaning or appreciate their value. Besides, everyone knows if you want to grow a church in this day and age, you better be using words that sell; like self esteem, happiness, empowerment, and success.
 
Every once in a while, the church has to decide what language it will use. Either the church becomes more like the world or the church really believes it has something invaluable to teach and offer the world. Will the rest of the world listen if we keep using ancient, archaic words like confession, repentance, witness, and sacrifice? I don’t know. But I do know the moment we stop using those kinds of particular words, the church will no longer be the church.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Stalking: Know It. Name It. Stop It.

 
Contributed by Jolynn Lowry, RN/FCN
 
Stalking is a crime in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, affecting 3.4 million victims a year. Many victims and criminal justice professionals underestimate its seriousness and impact. In one of five cases, stalkers use weapons to harm or threaten victims, and stalking is one of the significant risk factors for femicide (homicide of women) in abusive relationships.  Victims suffer anxiety, social dysfunction, and severe depression at much higher rates than the general population, and many lose time from work or have to move as a result of their victimization.
 
Stalking is difficult to recognize, investigate, and prosecute. Unlike other crimes, stalking is not a single, easily identifiable crime. Rather, it is a series of acts, a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause that person fear. Stalking may take many forms, such as assaults, threats, vandalism, burglary, or animal abuse. It can also come in the form of unwanted cards, calls, gifts, or visits. One in four victims reports that the stalker uses technology - such as computers, global positioning system devices, or hidden cameras - to track the victim’s daily activities. Stalkers fit no standard psychological profile, and many stalkers follow their victims from one jurisdiction to another, making it difficult for authorities to investigate and prosecute their crimes.
 
Communities that understand stalking, however, can support victims and combat the crime. If more people learn to recognize stalking there is a better chance to protect victims and prevent tragedies.
 
For more information on stalking visit StalkingAwarenessMonth.org and the Department of Justice Office of Violence Against Women.
 
[Editor's Note: This article is part of an ongoing series of health and wellness related pieces provided by Arborlawn's Faith Community Nurse Ministry and its Health and Wellness Team.]
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Chloe Webb speaking at WMAA Book Club meeting in March

 
The next meeting of the WMAA Book Club will be on Wednesday, Mar. 7 at 11:30 a.m. in Room 220, Main Building. We will have a special speaker, Arborlawn Chancel Choir member Chloe Webb, who will discuss her book, The Legacy of the Sacred Harp. We hope that all of the WMAA Book Club members will plan to attend.
 

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ArborlawnUMC.org

Merrymakers traveling to Thurber-Mingus March 15

 
Merrymakers (Arborlawn's Seniors Group) is going to the Thurber-Mingus area (a couple of hours west of Fort Worth) on Thursday, Mar. 15 to visit the W. K. Gordon Center for Industrial History of Texas, which is affiliated with Tarleton State University.
 
Departure is at 9:30 a.m. from the church. The museum is largely concerned with the history of the oil business. The group will have lunch afterward at New York Hill Steakhouse. The museum admission is $4 per person, and gasoline for the two church vans is $7 each. Contact Janet Roberson or Glen Rector if you're interested in going.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

WestAid: need for volunteers and funds ongoing

 
WestAid (7940 Camp Bowie West, northwest corner of Camp Bowie West and Cherry Lane) is always looking for volunteers and monetary donations. The agency provides food to the hungry in the west part of Fort Worth.
 
On a recent afternoon, Arborlawn members and friends Bob Plummer and Dale and Jo Southern (pictured) were stocking shelves there. The agency has seen increased traffic in the past few months, and they always need food to hand out.
 

Do you have one morning or afternoon a week that you could help WestAid? The agency’s hours are 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and volunteer shifts are either morning (9:30 a.m. to Noon) or afternoon (Noon to 2:30 p.m.) If you can substitute occasionally, the times are arranged ahead and you work at your convenience. If you or anyone you know can spare two-and-a-half hours per week, please call WestAid at 817-737-9338.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Ash Wednesday Service on February 22 at 7 p.m.

 

Join us this Wednesday, Feb. 22, for our annual Ash Wednesday Service at 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Lent this year is Feb. 22 through Apr. 7.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

"Seek God for the City" in prayer this Lent; booklets, apps now available

 
During the upcoming Lenten and Easter season, the Prayer Ministry is sponsoring a program called "Seek God for the City 2012," a special Lent-oriented, 40-day prayer project. You can pick up a "Seek God for the City" booklet at the Welcome Kiosk this Sunday for a suggested donation of $2. Pray with hope for people of your neighborhood, workplace, and Fort Worth. Handouts are also available for the kids.
 

You might also be interested in the smart phone app for this project. It's available from the iTunes store and from Android Market. The app is great for those times when you're away from your booklet.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Chancel Choir invited to sing at Congregation Ahavath Sholom on February 24

 
Arborlawn's Chancel Choir has been invited, along with the choir from Rising Star Baptist Church, to sing selections from the Jewish High Holiday liturgy on Friday, Feb. 24 at Congregation Ahavath Sholom (4050 S. Hulen Street at Briarhaven Road).
 

The choirs will sing after the congregation's Sabbath service, which begins at 6 p.m. that night. The musical program should start around 7 p.m. After the 20-30 minutes of singing, everyone is welcome to stay for refreshments.
 
Rabbi Gary Perras said, "My congregation and I would be most honored and delighted to have your congregation join us for the evening. We consider ourselves very fortunate to have wonderful neighbors like you, and we look forward to sharing an evening of music and socializing with you."
 
The musical program is especially meaningful because Rabbi Perras' late father, Cantor Hyman Perras, composed the music for the liturgy.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

A Word from the Pastor: Finding hidden treasures

 
By Ben Disney
 
Two recent news stories of note:
 
A Bartlett (TN) man found thousands of dollars inside an old safe he purchased for $122.93 on eBay. The seller didn't have access to the combination and sold it "as is" assuming the locked safe was empty. Upon receipt, the buyer brought the safe to a welder, who cut it open. Inside the safe the buyer found $26,000 in cash. When the seller was informed of the discovery he suggested the buyer share half the money with him. The buyer declined, citing the seller's policy stating: "What you see is what you get, no returns, and no money back."
 
An elderly Illinois man accidentally donated a suit stuffed with $13,000 in bills to Goodwill. The 80 year old, from Moline, decided to keep his life savings in his closet rather than in a bank because he thought the money would be safer there. But his plan backfired when he absentmindedly donated the cash-stuffed suit. It's believed the suit may have been sold already.
 
It's hard to imagine selling a locked safe you assumed was empty only to find out later it was full of money; or discovering that you just gave away an old suit lined with $13,000. How could you not know what you had in your possession, especially when it's so valuable? If you really knew what you had, wouldn't you be more careful about protecting and keeping it? The answer, of course, is yes. No one in his or her right mind would ever throw away a fortune or toss away a treasure if he or she really understood the value of what it meant; which is precisely the point.
 

The truth is we see it all the time: smart people doing dumb things. The truth is we do it all the time. Every last one of us has been given this incredible treasure, and the reality is sometimes we don't know it, appreciate it, or even believe it. Not knowing what we really have, we end up stupidly giving, trading, selling, or throwing it all away. When it's all gone, we suddenly wake up and realize, perhaps for the first time, what we've truly lost.
 
Maybe it's a good time to take an inventory of what you have. Chances are you have some hidden treasure that you've probably overlooked or forgotten about. Go through the list. If you're still not sure whether or not something on your list is all that valuable or important, ask yourself where it came from and who gave it to you. Once you figure that out, it's easier to put a price tag on it.
 
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
2 Corinthians 4:7
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Arborlawn Students: mission trip fundraiser February 26

 
Please help support Arborlawn Students as they raise funds for upcoming Summer Mission Trips. They are holding one of their fundraising luncheons on Sunday, Feb. 26, and they would love for you to eat and fellowship together. This one is a favorite: Mexican Casserole!
 
The event will be in the Gathering Area outside the old Sanctuary at Noon on Feb. 26, after the 11 a.m. and 11:11 a.m. services are over. To-go plates will be available that day in the kitchen and in Room 170 in the Lower Commons.
 
The Arborlawn Students Summer Mission Trips do a tremendous amount of good, both for the people the students encounter and for the student missionaries. We appreciate your help with these fundraisers.
 
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ArborlawnStudents.com

UMW Circles meeting this Tuesday, February 21

 
The following UMW Circles meet this Tuesday, Feb. 21, at 10 a.m. (hostesses listed in parentheses): Chris Hena Circle, Room 220 (Jean Dodson); Jerri Savuto Circle, Room 222 (Marilyn Helvey); Muriel Henderson Circle, Room 231 (Nancy Jacobs); Ruth Circle, Room 225 (Cindy Jacobs); Martha Circle, Room 224 (Betty Hairston and Janice Cates).
 
Sarah Circle (Melissa Austin-Weeks) is taking the Tour of Sanctuary Symbols at 10 a.m. followed by a luncheon hosted by Holley Williams and Hollie Smith.
 
Lydia Circle meets on Feb. 21 at 6:30 p.m. in Room 231 (Jenny Rogers and Marty Benton). Bring items for the Food Pantry.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Brazos Brass Quintet playing here Sunday, February 26

 
Brazos Brass Quintet performs at Arborlawn on Sunday, Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. The night is co-sponsored by the ensemble and Concerts at Arborlawn.
 

The Brazos Brass Quintet is a newly founded musical group dedicated to bringing quality performances of great brass music to Dallas/Fort Worth.
   
The BBQ is comprised of Oscar Garcia-Montoya and Jeremy Garnett, Trumpets; David Cooper, Horn; Kyle Mullins, Trombone; and Clay Garrett, Tuba.
 
No tickets are required, but an offering will be received at the door.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Bring your meds to the FCN seminar on February 23; discuss them with pharmacists

 
Angela Hodges, Pharm.D., will present "Getting off Medications the Healthy Way: Pharmacist Brown Bag‚" this Thursday, Feb. 23, at 7 p.m. in Room 231, Main Building. The "brown bag" component is an invitation for attendees to actually bring in their medications so Hodges and other pharmacists can confer with participants one-on-one about them. The event is free and open to all who are interested - not only in their own medications but also in those of loved ones.
    
Dr. Hodges serves on the Health and Wellness Team, which is a component of the Faith Community Nurse Ministry.
 

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ArborlawnUMC.org

MOMS Group on Feb. 21: "Finish Your Project Night"

 
Join MOMS Group (Mothers Offering Mutual Support) for our next meeting this Tuesday, Feb. 21, from 6-8 p.m. in Room 224, where we'll have a casual "Finish Your Project Night." Bring whatever it is you are trying to finish up: baby book, bills, thank you notes, photo albums, coupon organization, etc., and chat with other moms while you work!
 

Please feel free to bring friends from outside Arborlawn who are looking for support and friendship from fellow mothers. You are also invited to bring a snack to share for a light snack supper if you are able.
 
Childcare is provided during each gathering, but you need to contact Nell Cantwell (or 817-731-0701) to make a reservation.

We look forward to seeing you!
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Mentor a child through Kids Hope USA; make a profound difference

 
You can join those Arborlawn members who have already stepped forward to become mentors in the Kids Hope USA program.
 

Training will begin soon. Contact Laurie Ryan or Shirley Watkins (or stop by and see them this Sunday at the Welcome Kiosk) about this incredible effort and how you can make a genuine difference in the life of a local at-risk child.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Singles Group going to BJ's on February 21

 
Arborlawn's Singles Group is going to BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse off Hulen Street in the east parking lot of Hulen Mall on Tuesday, Feb. 21. Meet us there at 6:30 p.m. for dinner, fun, and fellowship with other Arborlawn singles.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

We're updating the Guide Book & Directory: advertising opportunities and information updates

 
We are in the process of updating the Arborlawn Guide Book & Directory. The book is provided at no cost to Arborlawn or its members, including the mailing to each family. This year, once again, it is being subsidized by local business advertisers.
 
Also, in regard to this directory project, does the Arborlawn church database have correct data for your family membership record? (i.e. address, phone numbers, email addresses, etc.) You have a chance now to update your record before the directory is published.
   
To advertise in the directory or update your information, please contact Sherry Roth (or 817-731-0701).
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Joe's Run scheduled for March 24; benefits Samaritan House

  
Lace on your running (or walking!) shoes and get ready to help Samaritan House on Saturday, March 24. Joe's Run 2012 happens that morning at Magnolia Green Park.
 

For the first time, the 2012 Joe’s Run will not only feature a 5K and 10K but also a Family Fun Walk. That way, everyone can participate in this exciting and worthwhile event. Joe’s Run also features fun activities for the entire family, including food, music, and interactive games.
 
Many Sunday School classes at Arborlawn participate in the supper club program at Samaritan House. Joe's Run is another way for us to reach out to the organization. Read more and register today.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

UCC events coming this spring

 
Make plans to attend two important upcoming benefits for United Community Centers.
   
The 8th Annual Louise and Frank Carvey Golf Tournament is coming up on Monday, Mar. 26. Contact David Underwood (or 817-927-5556) for more details. You can also download the tournament registration and sponsorship brochure.
 

Then, on Thursday, Apr. 19, make plans to attend the Annual Dinner for UCC at Meadowbrook UMC from 6-8 p.m. Tickets are $15, and the meal will be provided by Riscky's Barbecue. Volunteers will be recognized. Watch for more details.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Open Door Class forming Team Arborlawn for MS Walk on Mar. 31

 
Arborlawn's Open Door Sunday School class invites all Arborlawn members and friends to become part of an all-Arborlawn team in 2012 Walk MS: Fort Worth on Saturday, Mar. 31 at Trinity Park. The walk raises awareness and research money to help scientists and doctors combat Multiple Sclerosis.
 

Multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable disease of the central nervous system that affects 400,000 Americans and 2.5 million people worldwide. MS stops people from moving, but we’re taking steps (literally) to help stop MS.
 
Be a part of Team Arborlawn in this year's Walk MS! Help us drive breakthrough research and vital programs provided by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The Society funds more MS research than any other private organization and offers much-needed programs and services to everyone affected by this disease.
 
 
 
Register as part of Team Arborlawn today. For more details, contact David or Jacqui Brownfield.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org