Home Bloghttp://www.fumc-fulshear.orgWed, 23 May 2012 01:07:43 GMTThu, 08 Sep 2011 21:11:34 GMTWild Fire Reliefhttp://www.fumc-fulshear.org/wild-fire-reliefThu, 08 Sep 2011 05:00:00 GMTAlicia ColtzerThis morning I received an email from our District office with instructions to drop off itemss to the command station at Pattison UMC for those affected by the fire.  Katie Padillia came with me to investigate and we discovered it is a Waller County Command station for relief.  They chose Pattison UMC as a collection point in the southern portion of their county.  We met the county commissioner and other leaders. We asked how we might help.  They needed powerstrips, 50 of them to be exact. Off to Walmart we went. The volunteer waited for us to return, met us in the parking lot, and headed out with the supplies.

The needs are great and they are ever changing.  Right now the command center is asking for 

  • Baby diapers
  • Essential toiletries
  • Dog and cat food
  • Children's coloring books and crayons  
 On Sunday, September 11th  before worship and at 5:00pm, supplies will be loaded here at the church to be delivered to our sister church in Pattison.  I know a trailer full is a crazy idea but you know I like crazy big God ideas.    How will we do this? Invite your friends and neighbors to help!  

Trailer will be ready go on Sunday at 5pm.

In addition to these items, monetary donations may be made to our church office, checks written to FUMC-Fulshear and designated in memo line to the "Wildfire Relief Fund."  Please consider extending your support to those in need.

Oh! Just wait til sunday, I have another crazy good God idea.  But you'll have to wait til Sunday to here it.

Blessings,
Alicia

]]>http://www.fumc-fulshear.org/wild-fire-reliefSitting in the darkhttp://www.fumc-fulshear.org/sitting-in-the-darkThu, 25 Aug 2011 05:00:00 GMTAlicia ColtzerLast night we got a welcomed surprise of rain in our drought suffering area.  Along with the rain came strong winds and lightening.  Out went the lights and it was dark.  I quickly jumped up to find a flash light or lantern, only discover the batteries were dead in most of them.  One small flash light that I keep on my night stand helped me to set out candles.  No problem! For a moment the dark didn't seem too bad. I hoped the lights would come on quickly.  Out the front window I noticed flashing emergency vehicle lights.  Tree branches, broken off in the storm, fell across Main Street blocking the way.  There were policemen and fire personnel as well as city officials in action.  Neighbors from the community driving around to cool off while the power was out in their homes stopped by to watch. It was exciting! After the branches were cleared I stood in the front yard of the parsonage watching the crowd disperse. The emergency vehicles and the bright lights drove off to the next problem and the car lights faded in the distance. With no moon or stars in sight, the downtown area sat dark....except for the small flashlight that I held in my hand. 

How many times do we feel like we are standing in the dark? The storms of life overwhelm us and there appears to be no light for the path ahead. We forget that we hold within us the light of the Almighty, the Prince of Peace, the Light of Hope.  In our scared hands this light might appear small but it is more than enough to light the path; to cast out the darkness and despair.      

I walked into the dimly lit house feeling a little uneasy and wondering when the power might return.  Looking down at my cellphone to check the time I notice several texts from friends offering me shelter from the storm in their fully powered homes.  There it was, the light of Christ shining in the community, casting out the darkness even for me. Thanks be to God! Amen.     

]]>http://www.fumc-fulshear.org/sitting-in-the-darkCharitable readinghttp://www.fumc-fulshear.org/charitable-readingThu, 24 Mar 2011 05:00:00 GMTAlicia ColtzerI attended a meeting this week where we interviewed people on the journey to ordained ministry. This was their last step; their last test if you will.  One of the candidates discussed the idea of charitable reading. In seminary a professor taught him to read an article and look for the best possible way to interpret it, even if he thought the ideas were poorly presented or disagreed with the argument.  

During this season of Lent, we remember Jesus trial; those who accused and sentenced  him for selfish reasons of power and fear.  We remember the soldiers who mocked Jesus. No one gave his life a charitable reading, yet from the cross the one who could accuse us and condemn us prayed to the Father on our behalf, "Forgive them for they have no idea what they are doing."  

Are we so gracious to others or do we automatically assume the worst?  Do we look for their potential or accuse them unfairly because we feel threatened by their success?   

Jesus gave those who accused, condemned and crucified him a charitable reading.  By the grace of God, He continues to read our hearts and find the best in us, praying "Father, forgive them for they have no idea what they are doing."  

Thanks be to God!  Amen.  



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