Team

Team

Know why I like baseball so much?

The hot dogs? Yeah, that’s part of it, but there’s more.

Let me count the ways:

There’s the pure, beautiful geometry of the game. Everything happens at home plate, the point of contact, then radiates outward, into expansion…fair or foul. The bases make a perfect square, set within wedge…a circle.

The moment you first walk into a major league stadium as a child and see the outfield unfold in a shade of green you didn’t know existed…it’s all over. Hooked.

There’s the first clear day of spring (like today), when the hint of warmth on the breeze reminds us of the scorching days that will follow. We unfurl like baby seedlings in the springtime sun at the crack of real wooden bats and pop of new baseballs on old leather.

Every team is a winner, and hope springs eternal. The boys with the tomahawks on their chests have a new bullpen and something to prove. Life is good.

But the thing that I love most of all about baseball is the beautiful interplay of individual effort and team achievement.

Baseball is a team sport. Nobody wins or loses games by themselves.

But baseball is also a deeply personal athletic endeavor.

The moment of confrontation between pitcher and hitter happens on a mighty individualistic plane.

One person throws the ball. One person swings that bat. Only one.

From there, anything can happen. The series of individual defensive and offensive efforts that follow begin to form a collective outcome. In the end, a team wins or loses…together.

It seems to me that life, and ministry, follows a similar track.

Truly great things happen when individuals recognize their gifts, and begin to act. No one swings the bat for anyone else (ok, I know…pinch hitters, right --- not quite a perfect analogy).

Even so, it’s rare that any one of us can even accomplish what’s truly possible without the help of some committed “others.”

I get to watch those “committed others” do the things God has called them to do and gifted them for…all the time. What a blessing that really is.

Last year, a group of individuals had an idea for future ministry at SOTH. They formed a team to do a new thing. Watching their work unfold has been a lot of fun.

Our communication team began to assess all the ways SOTH speaks its message to the world. They found the right resources, formed the right relationships, shared positive ideas and put those thoughts into action.

Today, www.sothumc.net looks a whole lot different. It’s so exciting, and I really hope that you’ll go spend some time there and see what I mean.

Our new logo and website went through multiple generations, possibilities and re-workings. Our church council members gave input and feedback. A new idea began to emerge.

The red and black colors are from our United Methodist denomination, as are the symbols of cross and flame. The design communicates energy and vitality, one of SOTH’s defining characteristics. The “path” metaphor says so much about our church: we don’t judge folks, we invite them. We don’t think we’ve got it all figured out, but we’re convinced that God does. Our path points to the cross, and together we move toward life, grace, redemption and new hope.

Life is good. So is the team.

Today, you’re not just “on deck,” you’re “in the box.” Pick up the bat, and when the moment comes, swing it like you mean it. God will do the rest. Each individual effort makes us part of the team. Together, we’ll do more than we’d ever thought possible.

Grace & Peace, and welcome to Lent ---
that great season of preparation and possibility,
Adam

LIFE AT SOTH: Send your friends to our new site! Let’s See What We Can Do!

Everybody please take a minute and check out our new site, www.sothumc.net! Even better, forward our address on to the folks in your address book, and let’s see how many hits we can generate this week! We’ve got a brand-new fancy-schmancy counter, and we want to use it. We’ll let you know how many folks you sent our way next week!

Many, many thanks are due to all the people who served on the communication team last year, and to the good folks at Details Communications who designed our site and the other new print and electronic tools that you’ve seen and that will be forthcoming. The team was chaired by John Sheffield with awesome creative input from Jeff Seymour and many hours from our new webmaster, Andrea Vantrees. Great job, team!

SOTH Land Update: This past Sunday, the members of SOTH voted nearly unanimously to place 24 acres of property under contract for purchase! Our new location will be just west of our present one, ½ mile west, down Dorsett Shoals Road. This is only the beginning of a process that will play out over many, many more months to come. Please keep SOTH in your prayers and know that we always appreciate any help you have to give. We’ll keep you posted.

Congrats to Kimberly and Scott Samples on the birth of their new baby girl Daegan, born yesterday morning!

Open

Yesterday I seized the opportunity to run home at midday and grab some lunch.

For those of you who do the Atlanta commuter thing, please know that I do appreciate how wonderful a luxury this option really is.

I pulled into our neighborhood, headed down the street, and pulled into the driveway.

I stopped the car, just as I’ve done hundreds of times, hit the garage-door opener on my visor, and got out.

As I stood there in my driveway, what I saw just made me laugh out loud.

My garage was beautiful. Pristine, in fact. Immaculate. Graceful. Invitational to the act of parking.

It had gotten that way the day before. That’s when I used most of my day off to clean and organize it.

Then, I forgot it happened.

I should mention that a pretty major rain storm was moving through Douglasville as I stood in the driveway beside my vehicle. Literally, the heavens were opened and insight descended from heaven. Really, it was just raining on my head.

And I stood there, laughing.

All that work and energy from the day before…it was done with one purpose in mind. I was determined to do the unthinkable. The holy grail of suburban subdivision life…park in the garage. Yes, park…in…the…garage.

I had put up extra shelves. I’d thrown away tons of stuff. I’d finally put Christmas completely to rest until next year. I’d run the blower and experienced the joy of seeing dust and debris find its way out of our garage to settle into the greater world at large. I was one with the storage universe and created quite a little Garden of Eden.

Then, the next day, I parked in the driveway.

Did I mention it was raining? Habit can be so strong.

Sometimes, we park in the driveway when we don’t have to.

Have you ever had a Sunday church experience that just really hit home, touched your heart, lit a fire and opened the heavens?

I have, and I’ve seen others experience the same.

Then we park in the driveway come Monday morning. What was so real, so strongly desired and yearned for just a short time before so easily gives way to our concept of “life as usual.”

“I can’t park in my garage,” we tell ourselves, “because it’s full of stuff.”

Maybe. Maybe not.

But what we believe about it matters most.

Here’s what I mean: the grace of God is the most powerful thing in the universe. God loves us. He forgives us and stands completely ready to give us abundant life.

I’m not making that up, I have it on good authority

John 10 (The Message):

Jesus told this simple story, but they had no idea what he was talking about. So he tried again. "I'll be explicit, then. I am the Gate for the sheep. All those others are up to no good—sheep stealers, every one of them. But the sheep didn't listen to them. I am the Gate. Anyone who goes through me will be cared for—will freely go in and out, and find pasture. A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.

There have probably been moments when you’ve known that truth completely, and it’s resonated deeply in your heart.

Then, because you’re human just like me, you’ve proudly driven your car right up to the garage door and put it in park.

The habit of smallness can be hard to break.

Break it. Dare to believe.

Open that door, and drive right in. God is ready.

Grace and Peace --- and Happy Valentine’s Day!
Adam

LIFE AT SOTH:

Church Conference to approve land purchase, this Sunday 10 AM.

Thanks to everyone who participated in our conversation about buying property last Sunday. This Sunday, there will be one worship service only, at 10 AM, so that as many of us as possible can be present together at one time. Our Church Council has recommended the purchase of property close to our existing location and we will again present that this week in a “Church Conference” for up or down vote of the congregation. This is an exciting time in the life of our church, and our vision of the future is beginning to come more and more clear. Be sure to come out and be part of this great day.

Gang activity informational session last night at SOTH: Thanks to Mike Mulcare, our District 3 County Commissioner, and to all the county officials who were on hand last night at SOTH to provide information on gang activity in Douglas County. We were proud to serve as the venue for this important meeting, and it was awesome to see 425 concerned citizens come together (cramming every square inch of our property) to deal proactively with a problem that threatens us. We heard great words from law enforcement, elected officials and Juvenile Court Judge Walker. All of them emphasized the important role that churches and other communities of faith can play in providing direction and stability for our children and youth. Thanks to everyone who participated.

Servant Evangelism Update: Thanks to Tim Potate, Lamar Gilstrap and the many, many volunteers who organized our servant evangelism event this week. Thanks also to Chick-Fil-A and Jolty’s, who provided great coupons for our valentine bags that were distributed at the Target shopping center and at Wellstar hospital. A group of about a dozen SOTH’ers gathered and extended the grace of God to those who were out and about doing their shopping. Response was wonderful and great time was had by all. Look for details of our next even in March, which promises to be one of our best yet!

Talk

I stood in the little hole-in-the-wall savoring the aromas that wafted their way through the damp air of Athens, Georgia in June.

“Fried” flavors of all kinds mingled with down-home treasures: turnip greens, black-eyed peas, cornbread, peach cobbler, mashed potatoes, green beans, macaroni-and-cheese (of course declared a vegetable in the South).

It was my first time in the one-room establishment, though it certainly has not been my last. Since it was my first, I didn’t know what the regulars already knew and anticipated with some zeal…a rather odd initiation was about to take place.

As my turn came to advance to the counter for placement of my order, I prepared myself to say with all soul-food credibility, “friend chicken, cornbread, double-greens.”

I never got the chance. Before I could speak, the mountain of a man standing behind the counter looked at me with an expression that I read as a curious mixture of boredom and hostility.

He opened his mouth and bellowed: COE-MYOON-UH-KAY-SHUN!!!!!

No one had ever yelled, “communication” toward my general person before, so I didn’t really have a good construct to apply as I feebly grasped for an appropriate response.

A regular behind me took pity on my plight. “Tell him what you want,” he said.

“Uh…fried chicken, cornbread, black-eyed peas (I thought the extra credibility was needed at this point), double greens and sweet tea.”

His response?

“AUTOMATIC!”

…And with that, I perceived that I had been dismissed.

Surely enough, my food came up “automatic,” as it appeared in a window adjoining the counter. I paid, and jockeyed against 30 other patrons for one of about 24 seats in the house.

As I ate the truly incredible food (crispy on the outside, moist on the inside) and talked with friends about the history of the place (which I already knew a little something about), the Communication/Automatic dialogue began to come more clear (sort of).

You see, those two words are Weaver D’s trademarks.

Weaver D’s has become an institution in Athens. Famous diners sustained by his deeply southern cooking have included the B-52’s, R.E.M., and Widespread Panic.

Being a true aficionado of both R.E.M. and friend chicken, Weaver D’s and Adam Roberts was a match made in heaven.

The deal was sealed for me when I saw Weaver’s motto on the sign out front.

“Automatic for the People.”

“You’ve gotta be kidding me,” I thought.

You R.E.M. fans out there know this was the catchphrase the band took for one of its greatest and most famous albums. Affixed to the wall inside Weaver’s still humble facility was a huge picture of the restaurateur and his mother, taken at the Grammy’s, the night that “Automatic for the People” won Album of the Year.

How cool is that? Pretty stinking cool.

It was hilarious to watch the line of people approach the counter, each welcomed with the loud request for “COE-MYOON-UH-KAY-SHUN!!!”

Well…he does make a pretty valid point, you know. All good things, even fried chicken at Weaver D’s, do have to begin with communication.

That's what my all day meeting on Tuesday was all about.

You see, once a year, a series of meetings takes place around the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church. They’re called the “Clergy Days Apart.” Pools of about 200 clergy at a time meet together for the day. Our Bishop is there, as are many District Superintendents and other leaders of our Conference.

Always, there is an inspirational speaker, and the aim of the day is continued spiritual and professional growth. 200 people who do COE-MYOON-UH-KAY-SHUN for a living, and this year, we were invited to think about that very topic.

“Today,” our guest leader began, “we will engage in some counter-cultural activity.”

I was intrigued.

“We’re going to speak to each other from our hearts, but even more importantly…we’re going to really listen to each other.”

I know. There is inherently a “groan” factor for most people in this kind of thing, yours truly included. It’s all a little touchy-feely, isn’t it?

That’s exactly why it’s counter-cultural. It's hard work that most folks don't want to do.

The issues for the day were fascinating. We were to “communicate” with each other about the things we pastors usually leave for discussion only amongst our closest friends.

“What has your experience of this Annual Conference been?”

“What do you think of our appointive process?”

“What could be done to increase trust among the clergy of our conference?”

“What will you do to open lines of communication with your colleagues and build trust this year?”

If you don’t know what those questions mean, let me give you a lesson in Methodese (that’s the native language of United Methodists) 101.

Imagine that all of the accountants --- that is to say the licensed, accredited CPA’s from Augusta, westward to Lagrange, and north to Tennessee lived in the same, big professional pond.

What I mean is, imagine that those CPA’s are employed in a closed system. There are 1000 CPA’s and 1000 CPA positions. There is really no leaving that system, and entry from outsiders is somewhat suspect.

All 1000 positions are placed by a group of 12 Super-CPA’s with final authority resting in the hands of one Super-Super-CPA (and, I need to be nice, because that Super-Super CPA, if he existed, just hypothetically, I mean --- maybe reads this blog).

Those 1000 positions range dramatically in terms of community context, “standard of living,” and pay-level. Oh yeah, and all 1000 people know what the other 999 get paid.

How would that work out?

There could be issues of trust, to say the least. There could be some politics…some attempts to manipulate the system. There could be some bitterness when folks don’t get what they want, or what they think they deserve. There could be some hurt.

Welcome to the clergy life of the North Georgia (and every other) United Methodist Conference.

Now don’t get me wrong…I’m not so cynical as to think that my clergy colleagues only care about what they get paid, where they live and what prestige their churches can generate. Without a doubt, some care more than others. Some do attempt to manipulate the system. All of us are vulnerable to those temptations when we believe that our lives, and our families’ lives are on the line.

We really do trust those making the decisions to do so prayerfully, earnestly and honestly. We believe that they do, and we even go so far as to say that God ultimately gets us all where we need to be. But we don't talk about it. It's uncomfortable to acknowledge the tension, the mistrust, the difficulty.

That’s why communication is counter-cultural.

That’s why getting invited to really, really communicate ---- about hard, uncomfortable things, just sort of takes one aback.

It’s like getting yelled at by a large man who stands behind the counter, bored yet aggressive.

COE-MYOON-UH-KAY-SHUN!!!!

We need to talk. And listen. Nobody does that nowadays. We’re the church…we could be the first.

By the end of that day, a day when I’d rather have been busy doing the things I “needed” to do, I’d met 6 colleagues I didn’t previously know…and now I do. Not only that, I know their stories, and as was said at the seminar, “you can’t be afraid of someone if you know their story.”

Ephesians 4:29 says, “Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up,building up faith as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear.”

Let’s talk in a way that builds up. There is need, and we’ve got the time. Giving grace is what Life at SOTH is all about.

Grace & Peace Everybody ---
Adam

LIFE AT SOTH:

Land Acquisition Update: We’ll talk about the property that we’re proposing for purchase, this Sunday morning between worship services: 10:15 AM in the worship space. Our Church Conference vote is planned for next Sunday, February 18th, with one worship service only --- 10:00 AM.

“Bib” Overall Sunday at SOTH: This Sunday is also “bib” Sunday in honor of our own overall-wearing icon, Wendell Felch. It’s Wendell’s birthday, so wear ‘em if you’ve got ‘em in honor of Wendell! Yep, Wendell even gave Adam his very first pair of “Liberty’s,” and he’ll be wearing ‘em in fine style.

2006 New Members: Well, we’ve just passed the end of January, the time of year when all United Methodist Churches have to submit their “year end” reports. We wanted to share with you the impressive list of those who have joined the SOTH family this year, 59 altogether!

Baptisms:
02/26: Kasey Brelsford
02/26: Leah Brelsford
03/05: Cierra Fountain
03/05: Brina Davis
03/19: Shane Meador
03/19: Tammy Meador
03/19: Erin Meador
03/19: Luke Meador
04/23: Faith Wyche
05/14: Tyler Rahn
05/14: Sam Rahn
05/14: James Rahn
06/18: Kenneth James Price (KJ)
06/18: Jorden Ethan Murphy
06/18: Tristen Ryann Murphy
09/10: Kurt Meador
11/19: Jenny Archer
11/19: Aaron Vantrees
11/19: Bobby Cook
11/19: Jessica Murfree
12/10: Malachi Lightcap

New Members (By Transfer)
01/08 – Kevin Wall
01/08 – Denise Wall
01/08 – David Vaughn
01/08 – Dianne Vaughn
03/19 - David Pearson
03/19 - Ashley Bedosky
03/19 – Mike Bedosky
07/23 – Rocky Barnes
07/23 - Susan Barnes
08/06 – Virgil (Ike) Eisenmann
08/06 – Liz Eisenmann
08/20 – Patricia Perry
08/20 – Amanda Bunday
08/20 – Phyllis Bunday
08/20 – Maria Davis
08/20 – Sharon Hudson
08/27 – Joshua Taylor
08/27 – Jennifer Taylor
09/24 - Karen Suttles Hubbard
09/24 - Mike Hubbard
11/19 – Joel Kilthau
11/19 – Lisa Kilthau
12/24 – Chuck Leake
12/24 – Joy Leake
12/24 – Randy Leake
12/24 – Ryan Leake (Midway UMC)

New Members (By Confession of Faith)
01/15 – Monica Ellis-Witt
01/15 – Tony Ellis-Witt
01/15 - Devin Ellis
01/15 – Cameron Witt
02/26 – Brian Brelsford
02/26 – Ginger Brelsford
03/19 – Tammy Meador
03/19 - Shane Meador
03/05 – Cierra Fountain
03/05 - Brina Davis
04/16 – Lynn Cook
04/16 – Wendell Felch
05/14 – Tyler Rahn
05/23 - Faith Wyche
06/18 – Angela Price
06/18 – Kenneth James Price
08/20 – Harry Shore
08/20 – Angie Shore
08/20 – Samantha Smith
08/20 – Sara Loehne
10/08 – Brandy Murphy
11/19 – Jennifer Archer (Confirmation)
11/19 – Bobby Cooke (Confirmation)
11/19 – Briana Fountain (Confimation)
11/19 – Derrick Fountain, Jr. (Confimation)
11/19 – Katelyn Price Gibson (Confirmation)
11/19 – Joshua Henry Kilthau (Confimration)
11/19 – Erin Lena Meador (Confirmation)
11/19 – Jessica Rachel Murfree (Confimation)
11/19 – Audrey Leigh Reid (Confirmation)
11/19 – Kelsie Ann Seymour (Confimation)
11/19 – Aaron Jamal Vantrees (Confirmation)

Preparatory Members
Trey Bedosky
Steven Bedosky
Madeline Wall
Sam Wall
Kasey Brelsford
Leah Brelsford
Luke Meador
Jorden Murphy
Tristen Murphy
Martha Jo Barnes
Sam Rahn
James Rahn
Tyler Shore
Brandon Shore
Chelsea Shore
Angel Shore
Jessica Suttles
Jake Suttles

New members for January, 2007 include Anna Garner, Joyce Pierson and Alex, Angie and Grey Walker.

Thanks be to God for his great work in our community in the last 12 months!

Prayer Concern for Honduras Outreach, Inc:
Many of you know that I have traveled multiple times in mission to Honduras with a wonderful organization, HOI, Inc. My heart, along with thousands throughout North Georgia and Honduras, has been broken this week by the news of the loss of three missionaries in an accident while working in a remote village.

In addition, my wonderful friend Lucas, who was here in Douglasville and visiting briefly in our home over Christmas, was injured badly as well. Lucas has suffered severe leg injuries and is currently hospitalized in Tegucigalpa. Our prayers are with all who have been involved, for the people of San Esteban and Olancho province Honduras and for all the leadership and volunteers of HOI.

These have been dark days for those of us who know and love that ministry and those it serves. May God’s presence be known in that ministry, now even more than ever. Thanks to all of you for supporting HOI with your prayers, and for lifting prayers for Lucas.

Grace & Peace,
Adam

Rain

We woke up this morning to rain.

We had hoped for something more.

Don’t get me wrong. I can savor the awesome, early morning sound of rain on the rooftop as well as any tender-hearted singer/songwriter type out there.

But we were hoping for something more. Something white and fluffy. Something sticking to the ground, willing to stay with us for a few hours of exquisite, government-sanctioned downtime.

We were looking for a snow day. It didn’t happen.

Instead, we got rain, by the buckets full. Cold rain, 34 degree rain. A few measley degrees colder, and we’d be celebrating like the folks in Blairsville this morning.

Blairsville!!!!!!!!!

The worst part came at about a quarter till seven, when we had to wake our sleeping first grader. “Did it snow?” he asked, still warm and groggy from his long winter’s nap.

“No. It just rained. There’s gonna be school.”

With a tear in his eye, he got up and dutifully got ready to take on the day.

Disappointment can be a bitter pill. Especially when you turn on the local news and see the scornful radar displayed in shades of white, pink and green.

Douglasville? All green, baby. Rain.

It’s tough to see the hateful truth played out in your living room in living color. God is snowing on the people just to your north when you’re a Southerner so close to the holy grail of a “snow day.”

If you’re from Minnesota, there’s no way you can understand the concept of disappointment in not getting ice or snow. You have to be from the land of “I need to get to the grocery store NOW to get milk, eggs and bread,” to understand.

And so, I suspect this blog greets many of you in wet, cold and less-than-festive moods this morning.

Maybe this will help.

This is one of my favorite time of year for TV, even though I hate to admit it.

It’s American Idol audition time, and it’s compelling TV because the drama of disappointment is perfectly played out for the audience.

If you’re not among the 40 million Americans who watch the yearly, amateur singing competition, then you’ve missed some quite wondrous moments of entertainment.

With each initial audition, we witness the birth of hope and possibility, and its growth into full-blown joy or deepest despair.

Phrases like, “I’m going to Hollywood!!!” or “Dawg, singing --- not your thing” are well-known to Idol fans.

Without fail, each episode showcases moments of disappointment. Potential contestants will have hoped for something more than they found in the judges’ reactions. The tone-deaf, ignorant of their missing skill sets, will learn the harsh news --- they absolutely cannot sing.

“I don’t mean to be rude, but…” Simon Cowell will say, and you always know something amazingly rude is about to come next.

When asked about his penchant for crushing the untalented with his brutal honesty, and whether he ever feels bad for telling the truth, Simon said, “"No, what I am doing is kind by telling people who are useless 'Do something that you're good at'. So I would only feel guilt if I misled somebody who was terrible."

That’s how disappointment works, you know.

Sometimes, life takes a Simon-esque turn. “Look,” life says, “you thought something else was going to happen. It’s not. Find another way.”

Obviously, some disappointments are harder to take than others. A lost snow day can be forgotten by lunch. A lost job, a broken relationship, a crashed dream…these take more time and work for healing to happen.

But it can happen. Disappointment means a new direction, and that new direction can be better than any we’d ever imagined.

“Dawg…” sometimes singing’s just not your thing. Something else is.

Psalm 31 reminds us:
Blessed be the Lord, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was beset as a city under siege. I had said in my alarm, ‘I am driven farcut off from your sight.’ But you heard my supplications when I cried out to you for help."

Sometimes we wish for snow…and God sends it to Blairsville. You know what I mean.

Life moves, and turns, and the road rolls out before us, or maybe even drops, for just a moment, from beneath us. Don’t give up.

He hears you.

Grace & Peace,

Adam

LIFE AT SOTH:
Great things are in the works at SOTH! This Sunday we’ll begin to see some of the great work come to fruition that our Communications team has worked on since the Spring of 2006! We’ll be revealing our new “On the Path of Life…Together” logo, and also unveiling some new graphics in Sunday worship and a brand new, full-color worship guide.

In coming days, a complete overhaul of our website, sothumc.net will be ready as well. All of these great tools help communicate the spirit, life and faith of our congregation to the world around us, and invites them to come take part in the great things happening at our church!

LAND ACQUISITION UPDATE: Our land acquisition process has changed and developed since our last congregational meeting in November. We will have another town-hall information session during Sunday School, in our worship space: Next Sunday, February 11th, at 10:15 a.m. Don’t miss this important time of information and discussion before our scheduled charge conference.

Our D.S. Jacqui Rose-Tucker will be on hand the morning of February 18th as the congregation votes on the proposed land purchase. One worship service only that morning, 10 AM.

SOTH This Sunday: Our new worship schedule continues to do well! Come out for worship at 9 a.m. or 11 a.m. for part 4 of our New Year’s series based on Rick Warren’s 2006 book, God’s Answers to Life’s Difficult Questions. This week: How Can I Have Confidence in Crisis? At 10:15, we’ll continue our new adult SS class in the worship space with the Gospel of John, chapters 4 and 5.

Servant Evangelism Update: Tim Potate and Lamar Gilstrap will be leading a servant evangelism event at Arbor Place Mall on Valentine’s Day, February 14th. Join them and other SOTH members as they engage in simple acts of kindness to illustrate the grace and love of God in our community.

Book Study: A new book study, Facing Your Giants will begin meeting at the home of Tim and Ellie Potate, Monday night, February 19th at 6:30 PM.