Pastor's Page - Rev. Mark Demers

I’ve not read this book by Matthew Barnett, but the title caught my attention. Is it true that there is “One Great Thing” we are created to do? Without belittling the power or attraction of a great Cause, I don’t want to pin the full meaning of my life on “one thing” I am created to do.

The problem with the “cause” is that it can become addictive, can’t it? We get hooked on the spiritual and emotional ‘high’ we get after we’ve done some major good deed. What about the tedious and repetitive work that is so much a part of our experience – is that unimportant?

Some Places to Connect ...

On Line Bible Study - Every week (almost!) I send out a Bible Study via email to those who wish to receive it. You can get on the email list to receive the study by sending an email to mdemers@fumcburlington.org and asking to be included in the on Line Bible Study. The study is currently making its way through the Gospel of Luke. If you have questions or comments about the study, you can email me and I will respond. The study is also posted on one of my blogs - available at http://mademers.blogspot.com/.

Blog - Follow me online at http://markdemers.wordpress.com/ -

Facebook ... I am on facebook at Mark A Demers. I check it and post regularly. I also post notices here with the link to my blog which I writes on a variety of subjects.
Let me know if you would like to be my 'friend'.

Twitter - You can also connect with me on Twitter at "burlmark".
There are spiritual stages in our lives, even as there are physical and psychological stages. A young faith may require a “Cause” to devote one’s self fully to. When Jesus called the disciples to “Follow me,” it must have been exciting – maybe even exhilarating – to think of dropping everything and following this carpenter’s son from Nazareth. As they went with Jesus, however, they still had to deal with the facts of their existence – food and water, a place to put their heads at night, the payment of taxes, etc. And after Jesus ascended they were left with all sorts of mundane things to take care of – who would be the spokesperson for this new movement? How would they organize themselves?

Perhaps it is in the midst of the more seemingly trivial details that St. Paul is inspired to pen these words: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters… (Colossians 3:23) The work of God is sometimes found in the midst of great struggles for justice and peace; just as often the work of God is hidden in the midst of the struggles with family relationships, with issues of truth-telling and forgiveness. It’s great to be excited about some project related to our faith. It is just as important to be faithful when living out what it means to be a son, daughter, spouse, parent, co-worker, etc.

May we rise to the occasion when the Cause is great and demands great things from us! May we be just as faithful when the work is tedious, small, uncelebrated. We are created for both.

Blessings to you!

Rev. Mark Demers
Welcome, Rachel! Rachel Stampul began her ministry at First United Methodist Church on July 1. Rachel’s area of ministry is with Youth and Young Adults. A graduate of Drew Theological Seminary, Rachel provides us with a working link to another local congregation – Ascension Lutheran Church. Our two congregations have come together to provide a full-time staff position for ministry to / with youth and young adults in the Burlington area. You can follow Rachel on facebook (Rachel Fraumann Stampul). We look forward to her leadership as part of our ministry team at First United Methodist Church!
The parsonage at 25 Buell Street has been home for 14 to 18 AmeriCorps volunteers working at sites around Vermont. They arrived mid-July and will be with us until the 26th of August. A recent New York Times article tells of the extensive work of cleanup following disasters like tornados, floods, earthquakes and hurricanes. The flooding experienced around our state has left a formidable mess. We are fortunate to have two teams from AmeriCorps helping us to dig out. One of the workers spoke of the satisfaction he is deriving from this particular project. “We are working side-by-side with home-owners,” he said. It’s the people contact that brings an added dimension of meaning to the work. The clean-up is a long haul project. We are grateful to Katie, Ambrosia and their teams for working with us as Vermont digs out!

Here’s an interesting video from Shane Hipps on Technology and the Church. It would be better if we got to see the advertisements he shows, but it’s still worth the watch!

Remember… First UMC Burlington on Facebook ... Find us at First UMC Burlington - the status is updated regularly. I am currently managing the page. Let me know if you have information to share - I'm happy to review it and post it if it is relevant. And, if you have not "friended" me on facebook, I'd love to hear from you - you will find me at Mark A Demers.