Thursday, July 27, 2006

Some encouragement today

Today I had a long awaited meeting with Rocky from the UMC camping office. He talked about the UM camping frequently using "vendors" in their camp program. I was encouraged by that because then maybe Thirsty can get hired by UMC to do some mission trips. He said between 3 and 6 the first year. That's pretty dang cool. He gave me some other ideas about buying a van since that is really one of the largest parts of the cost. He certainly wants to use us this winter. Sounds like a good idea!

Tuesday, July 11, 2006

Guess who else is going..

I just found out yesterday afternoon that there is another group going to Mississippi the same week we are going- another group from MN- from the Conference. L. Zable is the contact person for it, so it's definately a VIM trip. I have mixed feelings about it. On the right level, I think it's fantastic. The more the better. Put Katrina in her place. Show the love of Christ to as many as possible. And on a selfish level, I think, "HEY! That's our (my) thunder you're stealing!" Now that I type that out, it seems a lot more silly. I don't think we need to change anything about our plans. Just keep going. They are flying down and the cost will be approx. $400 per person. How did they do THAT? I am impressed.

I wonder if Rocky Wilson knows about the other trip. They offered to put our trip in the fall camp brochure. - But he never said anything about this other trip when we talked. I think this says something about the importance of getting the word out that we are going.

Peace

Monday, July 10, 2006

The first interest meeting

Yesterday (Sunday), I promo'd BB2 at Mt. Bethel. Friendly group. I was invited to their potluck on the 17th. I don't have to work tha night. I should probably go.

Then we had an interest meeting. Jim P. and Corrine M. were the only ones there. So we talked about different things that had to be done. Corrine is going to try to promo us at St. Pauls. Jim is going to look into getting us onto the local cable TV station. Crazy Crazy! I have never done anything like that, so I don't know what to expect there. Looks like Jim is going to come this time. I am mighty happy about that. So my predictions and guesses and what I've heard about the last team going:

Rod- Yes
Bruce- Still a toss up
Linda- Probably
Fred and Polly- I highly doubt it
Jerry and Margaret- No idea. I hope they can come
Corrine- Yes
Erin- I'm guessing she will come
Barbara- I'm guessing she will come
Troll and Kristen- Up in the air. I think it depends on how responsible they are going to be
Howard- Yes
Deb- Yes
Darlene- Yes
Jim P.- Yes
Barb L.- I'm guessing she will not come
Wray- I'm guessing she will not come.
Trevor- I'm guessing he will not come, but will help us in Memphis again.

I need to be in contact with St. Croix Valley UMC. I think they want to come. I still have to promo at St. P, and Faith- and a couple services at Mt. B.- And at St. Croix V.- I also meet with Rocky Wilson next week. I have to come up with a place.

It is exciting to be at it again.

Saturday, July 08, 2006

July Something- at the coffee shop

I'm at the coffee shop thinking about other ways to help River Bend become more appealing to people. I come up with "program ideas" but in the long run, there's got to be something to hang on to these people with. So somebody comes to a cool event, what's to get them to come back to one of the churches. It makes me think that the whole "River Bend" thing needs to get something radical involved in it. I agree with John Mc. That it requires going back to basics. People come to church to get Jesus- or social- So what if they get a Bible study of mixed groups. - People from each church represented in each group. Train the leaders to do something good and start a cell group and then let it grow and divide. - Is this still a working model that is working in churches or has it been abandoned? I don't know.

I don't know what else to say about it.

Other ideas:

A music event- worship bands and choirs perform. (fundraiser for the mission trip?)
Cell Groups
??

I guess I don't have that many ideas.

Sunday, July 02, 2006

Thirsty Missions


So I've been wanting to start an organization that plans short term mission trips for adults. After some thought and prayer, I got the name, Thirsty Missions. My friend Kim wondered if I wasn't going to let the participants have any water. But really, it's from Matthew where Jesus says, "when I was thristy, you gave me something to drink." And basically, I guess I'm nervous about the whole thing. I mean, what if it's not the right name? I also thought of Phish Missions today. (PHISH stands for Proclaim, Honor, Involve, Strengthen, and Help- but I am stealing that from a youth ministry I was involved with several years ago.- BUT I helped create that purpose statement then, too- so it's already partially mine. Maybe.)

In the mean time, we are planning to go back to Biloxi this fall. How cool is that? The United Methodist camping director for MN offered to let us promo it in the fall camp brochure- but River Bend requested that we keep it to just us for now. - I have mixed feelings about this.

I have interest meetings coming up on Sunday the 9th, and Tuesday the 11th, and Thursday the 13th- Isn't it funny I have to work those nights? I wonder how I'm going to do that.

I feel funny about recruiting for this next mission trip in the summer. NOBODY is in church. But the ones that were there sang "Here I Am, Lord", so maybe I can take that as a sign.

This is my first Blog entry. I think it doesn't really say anything.