Rev. Dawn-Marie's midweek reflection

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“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and mind.”  This is the first and greatest commandment.  The second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  

(Matthew 22:37-39)

Jesus tells us to LOVE OUR NEIGHBOR. LOVE.  A word, a sentiment, that is lacking lately.  In September, we are going to be launching a LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR campaign.  We will begin with a four-week sermon series that will take place on September 13 - October 4th.  This will launch us into a year of focusing on our neighbors and being sure we are intentional in knowing and inviting others to both Bruen Chapel and Cameron United Methodist Churches.  

I hope that this will allow all of us to stay curious about strangers.  To remember that many of them carry stories that we may already be a part of and do not yet know.  Like Wayne Wilbur, let us always be able to make a stranger our friend.  

Throughout this campaign, we will be using a LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR mobilization kit.  In a few weeks, each individual or family that is interested will receive their own Love Your Neighbor (LYN) packet.      We will pray that as we embark on this journey together, we will be able to deepen community, build meaningful relationships, and carry Christ into the world.  

Loving our neighbors is a calling we all have.  Not just the pastor.  Not just the church leadership, but everyone.  That means YOU.  

Friends, we live in a society that needs Jesus.  Everyone wants to simply belong.   We must be kind, forgiving, and offer hope and encouragement to all.  This is the only way we as “the church” will grow.  There is no greater time than NOW to begin loving our neighbor.     Here is a simple task for you to do.    Find out the names of your next-door neighbors.  Simple - just a friendly greeting and an “Excuse me, tell me your name again, please” will suffice.  

I am going to hold you accountable - so find out their names so you can share them with me in the next two weeks.   Until then, happy neighboring!

Rev. Dawn-Marie :)

As I write this reflection this morning, we are preparing for our long drive home tomorrow. It’s always so hard to leave the beach. Seems no matter how long I am here, it is never quite long enough.

The ocean heals, and the sand restores my soul. God is awesome. The mighty crashing of the waves reminds me of the power of our God. The variety and ornateness of the many, many shells tell of his creativeness. To imagine that there is a whole other world in the depths of the ocean is fascinating to me. 

As I mentioned before, I love digging for shells. In my 58 years on earth, I have probably collected 

thousands of shells. I don’t need any more, but every year when I sit on the sand, I naturally dig, explore, and collect. This year I found that the items I chose to collect were for Charlie. I wanted to teach him the difference between smooth & rough and rocks & shells. I found that I wasn’t necessarily looking for perfect shells. Through the years, I have noticed that even the broken ones speak to me. They all have a story to tell.

Just like you. Just like me. I have found that the broken ones are the ones that tell the most powerful stories. The reality is none of us is perfect. We are all flawed. Shells, rocks, and sea glass are all part of a larger story. They have a past. I would love to be able to push a button and hear the stories of the items I find stranded on the beach: where they came from, what they were, how long they lived, or where they traveled from. It’s all a mystery, yet the divine speaks through it all.

I wonder what you think about when you step on the sand, or see the beautiful sunrise or sunset? Do you thank God for his creation? Do you marvel at the awesomeness of his majesty, as I do? Every. Single. Time.

I like to dig with my feet first. Then I make it deeper with my hands. I dig down deep enough that I hit water and the sand on top reveals layers of shells. I dig in a semicircle so that I can move and dig as the sand settles. This reveals the remarkable variety of shells, rocks, coral, and sea glass. I can sit mesmerized for hours as the sun beats down on the water, making it sparkle.

That’s my happy place. My prayer is that you will find YOUR happy place and be able to spend some quality time there. See you on Sunday.

Rev. Dawn-Marie :)

Greetings from Myrtle Beach, SC, where the skies are blue and the sun is hot. Well - the skies haven’t been blue the whole time, but the sun has most definitely been HOT. We have been to the pool several times, to the outlet stores, cruised the strip several evenings, and simply enjoyed being together. My brother was here with us for the weekend, which was nice. He was able to bond with Charlie a bit more since we don’t see him very often at home. Charlie is talking up a storm while learning and experiencing new things every day.

The weekend we arrived at the beach, there was a drowning not far from where we live. A young girl was caught in a riptide, and a man on the beach went to help her. She survived, but he did not. Please take a moment to pray for the family of Derrick Moore, the Georgia man who successfully rescued the young girl. He was the father of four and a much-loved teacher.

Needless to say, we have not been to the beach yet as I am a bit nervous about taking Charlie so close to the water. I do plan to take him there one morning when the beach is wide, and he can run around. One of my favorite things to do is to sit in the sand and dig for shells, so that is still very much on our “To Do” list. You know Charlie - he is a very busy little boy, so you can imagine how alert we are going to have to be!

For now, the pool is fine, and Charlie is loving playing with all of his cars at the house. In fact, everything is a car. “Vrrrooom Vroom or Beep Beep” is all we hear right now. His toast was a car this morning, and his grilled cheese sandwich was a car the other day. The prize in the kids' meal at Sonic was a hot dog shaped Hot Wheels car - so we have been racing hot dogs everywhere. The joy of raising little boys! He is in constant motion and keeping us quite busy.

Was this supposed to be a vacation? Oh yeah - well, at least I am away from my normal routine.

Jesus tells us to rest in Him. Sometimes that is easier said than done. One thing is for sure: I don’t go a day without thanking him for my blessings. I pray to him for strength when I feel weak, comfort when I feel sad, and quiet rest when I feel overwhelmed. Rest- that is what I am trying to do here in Myrtle Beach. I am getting some rest - as I float in the pool with my eyes closed and imagine I am far, far away. I rested when I read a few chapters in my book on the way here as Sarah-Grace drove. (Let me tell you - having another driver in the family is wonderful!) I rest (in a different kind of way) when I watch Charlie so filled with joy at each new adventure.

In Matthew 11:28, Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Rest - that is what vacation is for…so let me go and do just that… 

Rev. Dawn-Marie :)

I have finally moved into Cameron’s parsonage. YAY! Despite having a ton of boxes and things to do, it feels like HOME. We will be unpacking and rearranging for a while. Oh joy!

It is a lovely home and will be a beautiful place to raise my grandchild. We have already had a neighbor knock on the door and bring us some homegrown tomatoes from her garden. She was the first to welcome us to the neighborhood. She hasn’t been the last - the neighborhood is filled with young parents and lots of children…and lots of dogs. So we have met many neighbors just being outside.

This morning, as we were heading to Walmart, Charlie was kicking his ball out in the yard and said, “Hi!” to a man and his daughter. He introduced himself and his daughter, who is “5 going on 6”. They were going on a bear hunt with a map in hand and a metal lunch box. I love it.

This makes me think about relationships. People want to belong. They long to be a part of something that makes them feel acknowledged and valued. I want to feel that way. Don’t you?

Here’s the thing. Do you know your neighbors? I mean really know them. Do you know something exciting about them? Where they grew up? How long they have lived in their house? Where did they come from? I ask that because I am afraid that being neighborly has become more of an imposition than a standard.

When I grew up in the Virginia Hills community (not far from Cameron UMC), I knew my neighbors, and more than that, they knew my parents. I remember the grown-ups would gather together to talk on summer evenings at the end of the street or in front of someone’s driveway. All the neighbors' kids grew up together - we had the best neighborhood for kickball, kick the can, freeze tag, tv tag, bike riding, sled riding, and simply rolling down the grassy hills in the summer. We would enjoy cool pops on hot summer evenings and meet at the top of the hill for sledding. We walked to the bus stop together in the mornings and back home in the afternoon. We were friends, and we were neighbors.

Neighbors are wonderful - if we take the time to get to know them. People need to be known. People need to be loved. People need to be valued. People need Jesus.

Our challenge for the next several weeks is to GO. Go out and get to know your neighbors. Start with a friendly, “Hi!” Maybe leave them a special treat - some cookies or a sweet little note is a great start. If your neighbors have kids - maybe take a trip to the Dollar Tree and get bubbles or chalk or a little toy.

If you already know them by name, invite them over - or have a chat by the driveway just be in relationship with them. This is how we grow. Every relationship adds a bit of something to our lives (some unfortunately subtract from our lives - LET’S NOT focus on them)

We grow a church by LOVING our neighbors. We love our neighbors because that is what we are called to do. Jesus LOVES you. Jesus LOVES your neighbor. Does your neighbor know that? You don’t have to tell them if that is too hard - you LOVE them - and that is enough for now.

Rev. Dawn-Marie :)

Last night, as I was driving home, I caught a glimpse of the beautiful sunset in the rearview mirror. It was simply breathtaking. It was one of those perfectly round glowing balls of orange. It seemed as if the sky was on fire. Sarah-Grace commented that it was a South Carolina sunset, meaning it reminded her of being at the beach. I can only imagine what it looked like over the ocean.

I love a gorgeous sunset. I marvel at God’s handiwork - how there are never two sunsets the same. As we turned the corner to head west, the sunset was directly in front of us. I don’t know what happened in that exact moment, but my soul was warmed and a peace flooded over me.

God is awesome. God’s sunsets are like paintings that light the sky. They bring joy; they bring hope. They close down another day, yet if you take the time to notice the nature around us, you will note that God is there. God’s presence is so close.

I needed that sunset, as I prepare for the moving van to come yet again. Anxiety and worry have been my ever-present friend lately. The furniture is ready. Boxes are packed. I will still have lots to do even after the stuff is in the parsonage. I will still need to go back to the old house to clean. At this very moment, I am riddled with “To Do” stuff, yet I am excited for the next step.

My prayer today is that this move will be a smooth, easy, stress-free transition to our new home. I greatly appreciate your prayers during this time. 

Rev. Dawn-Marie :)

Moving! Again! I am tired of living with and around boxes.  Boxes that have not been unpacked yet.  Boxes that have yet to be put together.  Half-unpacked boxes.  Boxes of all sizes: small, medium, and large.  Boxes that are labeled FRAGILE, LIVING ROOM, KITCHEN, and so on.  Boxes packed with items surrounded with bubble wrap and packing paper.  Boxes that things were thrown into haphazardly and boxes with treasures neatly packed away.  Boxes are filling my home.  Boxes are stressing me out!  

Yet boxes are a very joyful thing for a 1 1/2-year-old.  Boxes are magical for Charlie.  They can serve as a tunnel for him to crawl through, a ramp for the cars to descend, a place to hide and jump up and say PEEK A BOO, or even a canvas to draw on.  Boxes for a child are often so much better than the items that are in them.  

When we get on the other side of the move, it will be like Christmas for Charlie.  He will be able to play with boxes to his heart's content.  They will be everywhere.  Perhaps we will save them and build a fort.  Or open them wide for the biggest art easel ever!  

Boxes are mentioned in the Bible, though they are usually translated as “chests,” “jars,” or “bags”  in modern texts. They refer to specialized containers made of wood, stone, or clay used to hold money, oil, or sacred items.

The most notable references to boxes in the Bible include:

• The Ark of the Covenant: Arguably, the most famous box in the Bible. It was a wooden chest overlaid with gold that held the Ten Commandments.
• The Alabaster Box (or Jar): Mentioned in the New Testament (Matthew 26:7), this was a delicate stone jar used to hold expensive perfume.
• The Temple Money Chest: In 2 Kings 12:9, the priest Jehoiada placed a wooden chest with a hole in the lid by the altar to collect donations for repairing the temple.
• Judas’ Money Box: In the Gospels, Judas Iscariot carried the "money box" or bag which held the funds for Jesus and his disciples (John 12:6).
• Bone Boxes (Ossuaries): In ancient Israel, families used small limestone boxes to hold the bones of their loved ones after the flesh had decayed.

All these boxes in the Bible had something of value in them.  Something worth keeping. Thinking about the many boxes sitting around our house - I wonder how many of these boxes really have something of great value in them.  I am not saying that my stuff is not important or even that my items are not valuable to me.  But they are, after all, filled with stuff.  Material stuff.  Moving reminds me that I have too much stuff.  

I do not store my treasures here on earth, but in heaven.  Yet, my bags are packed, and I have a ton of stuff.  So, the reality is I have accumulated much - but my heart belongs to Jesus. My heart is focused on Jesus - day and night. Yet looking at the boxes gives me an urge to purge. Simplicity is at the heart of Christianity, I think.  

Following Jesus is all about LOVE.   Pure and simple.  It doesn’t take much - just our hearts to commit and to follow Him.  That’s why it’s so incredible.   What you see is what you get.  Jesus loved, therefore we love.  

What you see is what you get.  Don’t allow boxes to cloud your vision.  Don’t allow boxes to prevent you from seeing what you are really investing in.  Love doesn’t come in a box.  Jesus doesn’t come in a box.  

When we move into the parsonage, as we empty the many boxes, we will feel the joy of Jesus as we unpack.  He won’t be coming out of one of our boxes, but he will be there just the same.

Rev. Dawn-Marie :)

“Land of the free because of the brave; home of the saved because of grace."

"Freedom isn't free, but salvation is."

“Two and a half centuries of independence, one cross of dependence."

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord." (Psalm 33:12)

"This Fourth, remember the One who set us free."

If you have driven by Cameron UMC this week, you may have noticed the many flags that outline their entire parking lot and church property. The flags are a beautiful reminder that we live in a country that protects our freedoms. We are reminded every year at this time that we are no longer under British rule.

The USA has been independent since 1776. That’s 250 years of freedom! The Declaration of Independence states that, “All people have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” While all that is important, our main goal, as Christians, is to remember that our true freedom comes from Jesus Christ. It is, after all, Jesus that takes away our past wrongs and future trespasses. It is Jesus that brings us into the heavenly realm, so that we, as sinners, may be adopted into God’s chosen family.

It is hard to be in the world and not of the world. Even Jesus understood the need to support government and to “render to Caesar what is Caesar’s and God what is God’s”. As a pastor, I think it is ok to celebrate our worldly freedom, so long as we don’t worship the flag or the nation in which we live. We must only worship God.

Living in the Nation’s capital makes it difficult, if not impossible, not to celebrate our Nation’s freedom. In fact, I have many fond memories of celebrating the fourth of July growing up: dressing up and meeting friends to watching the fireworks at Lee District Park, going with my siblings to the fireworks stand and choosing “the big box” of fireworks, my Dad lighting the “fountains” with his lighter in the middle of our cul de sac and then running back to sit on the curb to watch with us, lighting my first sparkler all by myself, sharing sparklers with siblings and neighbors. I recall that we always had a big bucket of water nearby because, as my Dad would say, “Safety first,” and of course I remember taking the time to talk about those who fought for our freedom. One of my favorite memories and highlights of every year was lighting those big fat black dots and watching as the “snakes” would appear as if from the ground. (Do they still have those?) Hotdogs and hamburgers on the grill, corn on the cob, baked beans, chips, potato salad, watermelon, picnics and potlucks with friends - all of these were July 4th festivities. But I also remember putting the American flag up in our yard, standing and saluting the flag at Fourth of July parades, going to the National Mall for the REAL fireworks. (And the overcrowded metro!)

So many years of fun, food, gratefulness and freedom.

I am grateful for the men and women through the years who believed in the importance of democracy and freedom. I am thankful for all those who served our country faithfully - those who returned from war as well as those who did not. Our freedom is not free - as the first quote I shared above states, “We are the land of the free because of the brave.” May we never forget that our freedom came with a price, just as our spiritual freedom came with a price. Jesus died for all. Jesus chose to take on all of our sins so that we may live eternally. Jesus took up our cause so that we did not have to.

As we celebrate our great country, the United States of America, and its 250 years of freedom - may we always remember that whether it is for love of country or for love of God - freedom cannot happen without sacrifice.

Rev. Dawn-Marie :)

Next Wednesday, Sarah-Grace, Charlie, and I will be heading to the 245th session of the Virginia Annual Conference.  Annual Conference is the regional governing body for over 700 United Methodist congregations in the Commonwealth of Virginia.  When we all get together, there are over 3,000 of us in one room doing business and/or praising God in worship.  It is an exhilarating experience.  

So what happens at an annual conference?  

A United Methodist Church (UMC) Annual Conference is a regional, multi-day sacred gathering where clergy and lay members unite. It functions as the church's primary governing body, featuring worship, spiritual renewal, business sessions, and the official commissioning and ordination of new pastors.

The event is split between an equal number of clergy and lay members. Key activities include:

• Church Governance & Business: Members vote on conference budgets, apportionments, and resolutions, and make policy decisions affecting conference-supported ministries.
• Clergy Sessions: Clergy meet separately to vote on ordinations, review licensed statuses, and handle matters regarding retirements or changes in ministerial membership.
• Laity Sessions: Lay members meet separately for fellowship, training, and leadership development.
• Worship & Ordination Services: Includes daily worship, memorial services for clergy who have passed, and the Service of Commissioning and Ordination for new deacons and elders.
• Reports & Celebrations: Reviews of the past year’s progress, highlighting mission work, and formally recognizing new or closing local churches.

The officiating bishop will be Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson of the Virginia Annual Conference.

This year’s theme: The historical movement of Methodism and the Holy Spirit in the church.

For more information, including agendas and livestream links, visit the VAUMC Annual Conference Hub.

Annual Conference is one of my favorite things to do as a clergy member because it’s like a huge family reunion.  I get to see lay leaders from churches I have served in the past, former youth who are now adults whom I baptized and/or taught, fellow clergy whom I served alongside in a variety of different districts, and retired clergy whom I have worked with and love dearly. I also LOVE worshipping with 3,000 plus people and singing praises to God together. 

I can’t believe it is June!   June means SUMMER and relaxing days at the POOL.   June is also Father’s Day and my Mom’s birthday.  As a United Methodist, June also means Annual Conference - our yearly business meeting.  

I grew up spending my summers at the pool.   Swim team practice was first thing in the morning (no lazy summer days for me!), and then back home for breakfast, a short break, and then 9 times out of ten - we were back at the pool for the majority of the day.  The pool was my second home during the hot summer days.  My swim team friends became like family.  The pool was a part of me, and like many others over the years, I was a part of the pool.  

I am writing this after going to the pool for the first time this season.  Sarah-Grace, Nik, and I took Charlie to the Virginia Hill Swim Club.  The very same pool I belonged to when I was growing up. Even though much had changed, it was the same pool; it was in the same neighborhood, and the same feeling swept across me as I checked in at the gatehouse.  

Charlie loves water, and he didn’t let me down  - he loved the pool.  His eyes got huge and a smile came across his face as he stepped into the baby pool with his little yellow duck floating beside him.  He was a happy boy for sure.  (And it was cold!!)

After some dinner, we took him to the big pool.  I wasn’t sure he would like it since the water was so cold. In fact, I was halfway hoping he would back out - because if he went in, that meant I was going to have to get in.   (Sarah-Grace had just gotten off work and decided before we left she wasn’t going to swim!).  I placed Charlie in the water on the first step to see what he would do; he gleefully splashed around and looked back at me to join him.  So I took a deep breath and went in.   To my surprise, he pulled me down to the next step and then another.  By now I was past my waist, and there was only one more step to make to the bottom of the pool - so I braced myself and went in - pulling him with me.  Brrrr.    But he didn’t seem to mind the cold - although his lips were blue and he was shivering - he would not get out.  

He kicked and smiled.  Splashed and giggled.  He swam on his back and then on his tummy - sputtering every once in a while when water got in his mouth.   But he had no fear.  Charlie was perfectly content in that cold water.   He played with the other kids, jumped to me from the side of the pool, and was oblivious to the fact that his little body was shivering with cold.   Silly boy!  

Is there something that you love to do so much that despite what is happening around you, it is extremely hard for you to stop?   What do you have a passion for?   Over the past several weeks, we have talked a lot about our calling as disciples of Jesus Christ.  We talked about EVANGELISM on Sunday.  

One of the questions I asked in my sermon was, “Do you lose sleep over thinking about the lost?”    Think about that - really think about that?   Shouldn’t we all love Jesus so much that we do not want to quit sharing his word until all have heard the good news?  Shouldn’t we all have hearts that break for the lost, the last, and the least?  

Think about that.  If we all loved Jesus as much as Charlie loved being in the pool today, what would that look like?   Charlie was shivering because he was so cold - yet he didn’t want to get out of the pool because he loved swimming in the water.   Oh - what if we looked at evangelism that way - that we were not willing to stop until everyone knew the good news of Jesus.   Sure, we might be tired, and frustrated, maybe other people were trying to get us to quit - but we wouldn’t give up…we weren’t willing to stop because we had a job to do.   And here is the thing - we are not alone.  Like Charlie taking one step at a time - he knew I was right there with him.  

He understood that I wasn’t going to let him get in deeper water until I went in first.  

And friends, we may not be literally going into deeper water, but I guarantee you the Holy Spirit goes with us each step of the way.  And the good news is that God is already there  - just waiting for us to do our part.

So - let’s take the plunge and allow God to move and work in and around us.  

Rev. Dawn-Marie

Rain, Rain, go away. Come back another day.    That’s exactly what I was thinking as I drove to my brother’s house for Memorial Day weekend.  The wet weekend wasn’t exactly what we had planned for a beautiful weekend on the lake.   But the truth is, we need the rain to replenish the earth.  We need the rain to ease drought conditions before the hot, dry summer begins.  

Rain is essential!  Not often what we ask for, but we need it nonetheless.  Instead of enjoying the lake and being able to fish and swim, we stayed inside - watching movies and playing games.   My brother is a fantastic cook, so we ate well - probably too well.

I hated to miss Pentecost Sunday with you.  Thanks to all who read and participated in the service I put together ahead of time.   I hope you felt the Holy Spirit at work.  I hope you feel his presence every day and not just on Sunday.

We are going to learn how to trust the Holy Spirit and live into God’s will for our lives. This week during worship we are going to hear Matthew 28: 16-20.  This text is what has come to be known as the Great Commission.  This is our task.  It is our mission for today and for the future.  As United Methodists, our mission is to make disciples for the transformation of the world.  This is exactly what Jesus is calling his disciples to do in Matthew 28.

I invite you to spend a moment before Sunday to read and reflect on the text of Matthew 28:16-20.  Ask yourself these two questions:  How am I, personally, making disciples?  How are we, as a church, making disciples?  

Then, think about what more we can do to make disciples to transform the world. There is no better time than now to transform our world.  To let God’s grace (love), kindness, and compassion rule over hate.  To allow forgiveness to reign over holding grudges and/or being hurt.   To share what we have instead of hoarding.  To be a witness to the beautiful gift we have been given through Jesus rather than keep him to ourselves.  

Friends, we have a job to do.  And this job is not for the faint of heart.  It is a job for bold and courageous disciples.   A job for prayer warriors.   A job for kindness spreaders and mercy & justice deliverers.  

It is a job for you and me - for us.   So friends, get ready to do God’s work and be ready to feel the Holy Spirit at work.

Rev, Dawn-Marie

This Sunday we will celebrate Pentecost!    Also known as the birthday of the church, Pentecost is the day that the Holy Spirit was given to the believers.   You may remember that before Jesus ascended to his Father, he promised the believers that he would not leave them alone - that he would send them the holy spirit.   

In fact, Jesus was quite specific; he told them not to go anywhere or do anything until they received it.   We read in Acts 2 that they were all assembled in one place, and suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.  Then we read the details of this scene.  It tells us that they saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.  And all of them were filled with the Holy Spirit.

Pentecost is a high and holy day!  The Holy Spirit is what gives us our power from on high.  Yet, even as extraordinary as this is, this power is alive in each of us.  It’s a burning within, so to speak.   John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church, described his personal conversion as his heart was strangely warmed.   It is this spirit that is alive in each of us.  

We read the biblical account of Jesus’ baptism, and we wonder why he needed to be baptized.  We understand that John the Baptist baptized with water (for the forgiveness of sins), but that one who would come after him would baptize with the Spirit.  It is Jesus who comes and grants us the gift of the Holy Spirit.  

In the United Methodist tradition, the definition of a sacrament is “An outward and visible sign or an inward and spiritual grace”. So through baptism, that outward and visible sign is the water that is used, and the inward and spiritual grace is the Holy Spirit.  

Come, Holy Spirit, Come.  This should be our prayer every day.  I believe the Spirit is alive and active all around us, but too often we are too busy to notice.  We must open our eyes to the workings of God and his spirit in order to see the breaking in of God’s kingdom on earth.  

You and I are called to be transformative agents - to change the world around us.  It sounds difficult, but it isn’t… not really.  All we have to be is the disciples that Jesus has called us to be.   The Holy Spirit is a part of who we are when we say, “YES!” to Jesus.  

I hope that you are willing to become a light bearer, a kindness embracer, and a grace bestower.  These are the tasks that I believe we are called to be.  These are the tasks that the Holy Spirit guides us in and strengthens us for.  

The world needs Jesus.  The world needs us to be the LIGHT in a dark world and a bearer of HOPE.

The Holy Spirit lives within us and guides us to do God’s work.  The Holy Spirit is very much a part of who we are as the church.  The Holy Spirit needs to be let out so that the world can be put on fire for Jesus.   The Holy Spirit should never be kept in a box - for that is when we rob it of its purpose.  

So friends, let the Spirit go.   Allow the Holy Spirit to live within you, to breathe life in you, and to ignite the world with the fervor of God.  May it be so.

Rev, Dawn-Marie

Everyone feels anxious or afraid sometimes, but God says he will be with us and reminds us that we can trust him to give us courage and strength.  

Here are a few reminders about WHAT GOD ‘S WORD SAYS TO YOU (Taken from Jodie Berndt’s book, Praying the Scriptures for Your Children)

• When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.  (Psalm 56:3)
• Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. (Philippians 4:6)
• Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.  (Joshua 1:9)
• The Spirit God gave us does not make us timid but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.  (2 Timothy 1:7)

Here’s a prayer you can say if you need it:

Almighty God,   I am anxious and afraid about _________________.  Help me to put my trust in you and to pray instead of worrying.  Thank you for your promise to be with me wherever I go.  Help me to be strong and courageous and to rely on the Holy Spirit to give me power, love, and self-discipline.  Amen.

Friends, even as a pastor, life gets overwhelming, and anxiety can hit an all-time high.  Our hope is in Jesus.  He is the hope of glory, the hope of our future.  And to be honest, Jesus is exactly how I make it through these hard days and times.  Jesus is my only hope for the future.  

My prayer is that when life gets crazy and you feel that you are at the end of your rope, you, too, can hold on to Jesus and trust in him.  May we all be bold and courageous in our witness, so that others may know who we are.  And in the process, may we be instruments of change and transformation.  

- Rev. Dawn-Marie

Being hospitable is so critical for a church.  Last week, I shared two suggestions from ReThink Church that will help us to become more hospitable as a church.   This week, I share three more tips for us to consider as we move forward in making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

MAKING DISCIPLES  is what it is all about.  That is our call and our task.   So with that in mind, let us consider some more practical tips for being hospitable.  

(The following are excerpts from Rethink Church by Phil Maynard.)

3.    It’s all about them: This comes from a conversation I had with someone who moved a year ago, and their family church shopped for a season, trying to discern the right congregation for them. She said that during some of their visits, when people did speak to them – and they often didn’t – “we felt like fresh meat in a lion’s den.” She said people descended upon them wanting her to teach Sunday School and her husband to be on this or that committee. “We weren’t looking for a job, we were looking for a church family.” She went on to say that at one church, a man started telling her all about their financial struggles and did everything but give her a pledge card. “I think people forget that visitors aren’t visiting because they want to fill some position or bail the church out financially.” “It’s all about them” means that first-time visitors should never be treated as the answer to the congregation’s needs. Rather, we need to explore with them how the congregation can address their needs. So, instead of trying to get our guests to help our church, tell them something you love about the church, get to know them a bit, ask what they are looking for in a church home, and explore with them how the congregation can assist them on their journey.

4.    Help them make connections: This has two parts. As you begin to get to know a guest and learn what they are looking for in a congregation, help them make connections with others who are like them, and who can assist them in finding whatever they are searching for. If they have youth, introduce them to another family with youth or to the youth pastor. If they are retired from Michigan, introduce them to someone else who is retired from Michigan. If they are interested in missions, connect them with people who are involved in missions in your congregation. You get the point. The second part of “Help them make connections” involves receiving hand-offs well when people get introduced to you. Help them feel welcome and make the connections for which they are looking. In other words, don’t just say, “Oh, hi,” and then turn back to your friends and ignore them like they are an interruption. Instead, be intentional about receiving them and helping them make the connections for which they are searching.

5.    Remember their names and use them: It’s such a simple thing, but so powerful. I joined Gold’s Gym recently, and there are two staff members who remember my name and greet me using it every time I go. I find myself looking for them when I go to work out. Just that simple thing – which I’m sure they are trained to do – makes me feel more like I belong when I walk in the door. People are people, whether they are new at the gym or new at the church.

I challenge you to know these tidbits about becoming a more hospitable church and put them into practice.  A visitor decides within the first three minutes of entering a church whether or not they will return. THREE  MINUTES!  That is not long at all.  We must be welcoming and hospitable at the outset.  We must connect and be relational.  

Let’s be willing to take a risk and get out of our comfort zones so that we can truly possess radical hospitality.  

One of the many ways to help a church grow is to be hospitable. But how do we actually do this?  I want to share some simple suggestions that are key to making a congregation more hospitable. This week, I share the following two practices:  

1.    The 3-minute rule, suggested by the ReThink Church material, encourages people to spend the three minutes just before and just after the worship service, greeting those they do not know.  Too often, people visit with those they know at church and believe that they have a friendly congregation. Yet when visitors come, their experience too often is that, other than ushers and greeters, no one speaks to them.                              

So the “3-minute rule” reminds people to be intentional about greeting and getting to know someone they don’t know during these two times.

2.    The 10-foot rule, also suggested by ReThink Church material, encourages persons to greet anyone they don’t know within 10 feet of them. No one wants the entire congregation converging on them when they visit. Instead, those who are physically the closest to worship guests take responsibility for introducing themselves and engaging them in friendly conversation.

I remember being a first-time visitor at a church where no one spoke to me.  Sarah-Grace and I had gone to the First Presbyterian Church, not far from our beach house in Myrtle Beach, SC.  We chose that particular church because they were really growing and had already begun building a new, larger place nearby.  I wanted to know what they were doing right, so we headed there one Sunday morning.

The first thing we noticed was that their signage was terrible.  We were going to the early service to check out their contemporary worship, but once we got into the building, we had no idea where to find the service.  We walked all around the education wing and found no one; however, we could hear people down a hall.  So we walked that way - and at last found the service.   We walked in, past several groups of folks, not one of them stopping to greet us.  As we approached the threshold of the room where service was being held, two greeters were there - neither of whom spoke to us.  We even had to ask for a bulletin.

Once in the room, we noticed people milling around the back, getting snacks and coffee, so we made our way that way.   There were about a dozen people back there.  Did anyone stop to speak or say Hello? NO!  As a pastor, I thought, “How can these people be growing?”

We sat down in a pew towards the middle - still no one spoke.   But, just as the service was beginning, we realized we must have been in someone’s chairs.   They kind of hemmed and hawed in the aisle, then sat directly behind us.  We did not feel welcome at all.  

Truth be told, this was a terrible experience.  After church, I introduced myself as a pastor and told them that I was there for the first time and that they were not welcoming at all.  The associate pastor made some excuse about them not being on their game due to the fact that they were preparing to move to a new building.  I thought, “All the better to be more intentional on being welcoming.” We left, disappointed and frustrated.  As we left, we tried to make our way through the church without getting lost.  Not realizing it, we came up the side hall and entered the sanctuary where they were preparing for the 11:00 am service.  

One of the ushers greeted us and handed us a bulletin.  I politely thanked them for speaking to us and for giving us a bulletin.  I went on to tell them we had already attended the early service, where no one spoke to us. He made an attempt to apologize, but we promptly went straight out the main doors to our car.  

I share this experience because, unfortunately, many churches think they are being warm and welcoming to visitors, but they aren’t. My hope is that Bruen Chapel and Cameron UMC are actually warm and welcoming places to others.

I encourage you to study these two suggestions and make them a part of who you are and how you act toward others on Sunday mornings.  I would hate for anyone to ever leave Bruen Chapel or Cameron and feel like Sarah-Grace and I did after visiting First Presbyterian in Myrtle Beach.  

Be welcoming and genuine.  Be willing to go the extra mile to greet someone in the name of Christ.  

Stay tuned for more suggestions in the next few weeks.

Why do we think PRAYER is so complicated?  Why is it that PRAYING makes us so uneasy and nervous?   

Like public speaking, praying is one of those things that creates high anxiety and stress.   But it shouldn’t.  

I remember when I first started in the ministry, I did not like to pray out loud.  I wrote my prayers out ahead of time and usually worked on them until I felt satisfied.  Then, on the first day of my first appointment as a Lead Pastor, I was so busy getting ready for worship and setting things up that I completely forgot to write out my prayer.  I realized it about a minute before Prayer time.  I took a deep breath and thought, “I can do this one time.  I can do it!” Thinking this would be a one-and-done deal, I closed my eyes and prayed. As luck would have it, I was busy and distracted after the 8:30 service. When the 11:00 service began, I quickly realized… Yep, you guessed it - I didn’t write a prayer for the second service either.  Prayer time came, I took a deep breath, asked the Holy Spirit to give me the words, and simply prayed from my heart.  

I have not written a prayer since then.  The Holy Spirit has taught me that if I trust in Him, the words will come.  After all, prayer is simply a conversation with God.  Why get so uptight about the words we use?   God knows us better than we know ourselves.  It is important that you know that God doesn’t expect you to use fancy words or pray in a certain way.  God wants your heart.  God wants you to trust him enough to let your thoughts be pure and uninhibited.  

I know that praying out loud is not something people like to do.  I know this from experience - I see it in Bible Study, Sunday School, or even committee meetings when I ask if anyone wants to open us in prayer, and immediately everyone looks down, avoiding my eyes.   OK, that was pretty obvious.   Like anything else we do, one must practice - not just to get better, but to feel at ease.  And the great thing to remember is that if you mess up - it’s totally ok - because you are in church - where forgiveness is free.   In fact, there are no mistakes in praying.   There just aren’t.  There is no set way, or length, or words you must say “to pass” at prayer.  

I invite you to trust the Holy Spirit during this season of your spiritual journey and simply speak from your heart.  Let your words be pure as they freely flow from your mouth.  Don’t overthink - just speak.  It’s also ok to pause and leave some silence in your prayer.  No need to rush in - give all your thoughts to God and then rush out.  Stay still and present, God might just have something really cool to say. 

In regard to prayer…it is important to pray for our family and friends as well as those that lead in our lives - whether in work, school, or in the world.  Cameron and Bruen Chapel have a prayer list that is in our Mid-Week every week.  I encourage you to push that PRAYER LIST button (below) and pray for those on the list.  You can pray a little each day of the week, or you can pray for the entire list every day.  You want to lift up their names in the morning and then again at night, leaving silence between each one.  God knows the details - we are just encouraged to pray for them and lift them up to the Lord.  

Beginning this week, you will also have an opportunity to have a weekly prayer partner.  There will be an insert in the bulletin for you to place your name and anything you may need specific prayer about, as well as a way to contact you.   If you are interested in having a prayer partner, you will fill it out, place it in the offering plate, and then, after worship, you will pick another paper with a name of someone to pray for.   This person is your prayer partner for the week.   You can pray and not let them know, but I encourage you to give them a call or send a note to let them know they were prayed for.   It’s always nice to hear that someone is thinking about you!

Remember, prayer is simply communication between you and God.  Speak and Listen.  Anyone and everyone can do it! I trust that you will become a master pray-er this year.

Can you believe Easter Sunday 2026 is already behind us, and we are halfway through April?  It doesn’t seem possible.   And yet - here we are.  Mid-April with summer weather in the 90’s.   Spring has always been an exciting season.   New birth is evident everywhere.  In the budding of the trees, there is a plethora of pollen and the burst of color in gardens and parks.

One of the new things that is happening at Cameron is the Milkshake Ministry.    This is an outreach to the youth of our community.    I wonder what these youth are looking for.  I have a passion for youth, so I don’t want to just guess.  Which is why, at this very moment, I am sitting at McDonald's across from Edison High School.  Today is observation day.  I have planted myself at a table, simply to observe.  

I have already found out that the back door to this McDonald’s was locked because “the kids go in and spend too much time in the bathrooms.”   I get that, but perhaps there is a better way to discourage that?  Hmm - looks like some of these teens already have a bad rap.   Like I said, I am sitting here ready to observe.  

School is over, so I imagine they will be coming in, and the noise level will be going up.   A few young ladies have come in, and they are sitting at tables glued to their phones.  That phone is something that is priceless to them.   All of them are gripping them like they are gold.  Oh -here they come.  A group of about 12 just came in and sat down - schools out - whew - they are chilling - but phones are in everyone’s hands.  I would love to know what they are all looking at.  Perhaps in a few weeks, I can ask.   Another group of young boys is hanging out at the Kiosk.  

Heads down, phones in hands.    

They do seem to have some social skills as they have come in nodded heads, shaken hands and at least acknowledged one another.    It is filled now.   That didn’t take long.   And yet - as big as day, there is a sign on the far wall that says, “No loitering Please: no more than 30 minutes.”   Hmmm, we will see how that goes.  

If we could get even half of these youth to want to engage - we might just see God at work.  

A girl with a skateboard.   A group of lacrosse players.  Backpacks being slung to the ground; this is the scene I am encountering.  It’s a joyful yet eclectic crowd.    Talk of the lacrosse game.  

Have to say, just looking at these young people makes me feel old.  However, I am not so old that I don’t remember what high school felt like.   Ok, so maybe I am old - I just tried to strike up a conversation with a young man beside me.  I asked him what was so interesting on his phone.  But HA - he had ear pods in and totally did not even hear me.   Oie!   Guess it is a good thing today is just an observation day.  

I am pleased to observe that they are actually talking to one another and have put the phones down.   Yay for them!  Well…not all of them - some are sitting together but focusing on the phone.    A few just left on the Fairfax Connector bus - I guess that takes them home.   A group of girls just came in with Big Gulps from 7-Eleven - they came to hang out with some friends that were already here.   It’s quite the scene.  A bit intimidating if I do say so myself, but God is at work.   Please pray for God to open hearts so that we are able to engage in conversation with the youth in this area.  

Until next week. . .

Oh, what beautiful Easter services we had on Sunday!   Despite the rain, the JOY exuded from everyone’s hearts as they sang those old familiar Easter hymns.  There is just something about being together on Easter Sunday and knowing the HOPE of glory.  We are an Easter people - let us never forget that.  

We live in uncertain times, and if you are like me, you may have asked, “Are we at the end of time?”  I have been asked that quite a lot lately.   I just keep to my faith and my belief that no matter when Christ chooses to come again - I will be ready.   It’s the HOPE in Christ that keeps me going on days that are filled with strife and doubt.   As believers in Christ ,we have the wonderful gift of knowing that we are loved, that we are forgiven (if we ask), and that no matter what this world brings, what really matters is what lies beyond this life.  

Let’s keep the joy of Sunday in our hearts and in our lives.  May we come again to church this week, knowing that we are a resurrected people because DEATH DID NOT WIN!   DEATH COULD NOT KEEP JESUS IN THE GRAVE - and that wasn’t just for one Sunday - that was and is forever and ever.  

Jesus is alive!  He has risen!  He has risen indeed!  Alleluia!