New Blog

I'm in the process of moving over to a new blog service. All future postings will be on that site. You can get there by going to http://standrew.squarespace.com/

We'll get the direct link from the church website fixed this week.

Thanks

Pastor Jim Hazelwood

Highlights from Honduras

Well, these photos posted in the opposite order I wanted. The one at the top shows the finishing of the pouring of the cement of the second story floor of the church building, where as the work on wiring the rebar from the beginning of the week is at the bottom.Below Jessica speaks with Honduran girls as they work in the Sewing clinic.


A proud student with her finished bag from the sewing class.
Angie
Our group photo
Emily
Lisa and Shauna
Me and mini-me or is it maxi-me?
Pastor Dave Rinas reads to Angie early in the morning
Randi, Ingrid & Barbara cut wire

I shot a lot of video in Honduras so I hope to make a short movie to show after I get it edited.

Salem Lutheran, Glendale, CA

I know, I know - I owe you some Honduras photos. But, first, a little bit about our visit to Glendale Lutheran in Glendale, CA, basically nice section of Los Angeles. Our friend Kurt Christenson is the Pastor here. A Church about the size of St. Andrew with a K-6 school of about 200 students. Kurt has brought new life to this church through his leadership.

Here is my main take away - Churches need to be in the school business. No, not because of those hysterical right wing arguments about teaching prayer in school, though I'm actually in favor of teaching of religion in High Schools. The reason we should be in the school business is because, we can do it on a small scale. 200 students in a k-6 setting. We can personalize education, make it whole household oriented, be creative, and focus on building the next generation of leaders.

In Honduras, I saw the power of education in young people's lives - then I got back to the states and watched a program about failed schools in Pakistan. Now I'm reading a book about the poorest of the poor in the World, and I'm really scared. Scared that if we don't educate the next generation and make the hard choices that both the left and the right don't want to make - we will be in big trouble.

Running a school is a big responsibility, but then again so is being a Christian.

Honduras pics and words soon.

Honduras

We are in the Humuya Inn in Tegucigalpa, Honduras after a most amazing and wonderful week in Yuscaran. We had no internet in Yuscaran, so I will post something more extensive along with photos and video later this week.

It has been great to be with St. Andrew people.

When you see them next ask the following

So, Gayle how did you like the pick up ride
Joyce would you like to lead a sewing clinic here next sunday
Jessica Gonzalez how is your tan coming
Shauna and Samantha have seen Pastor Jim on the Montserret trail yet
Emily can you translate this for me

New Song Church, Irvine, CA

Quickly now - because we are leaving any minute to catch the plane to Honduras. (I'll post from there if I have access to the internet. If not, we'll fill you in after the 22nd.

This morning we went to New Song church (www.newsong.net) The photos above are from my cell phone camera, so not as good as usual. Fascinating church. 15 different races represented in this church. Worship today was very nice, it had a gentle feel to it. They worship in the round, with the stage/altar in the center. All acoustic set of music. This was the first church that really made a conscious effort to include both men and women in the worship leadership roles. Sermon was three different brief talks by members of New Song testifying as to how God through New Song had changed their lives. It was well done, not too preachy... and quite genuine. One of the talks was from a woman in Bangkok, Thailand, which was connected via Skype and projected onto the center screen. Communion was included as well. The practice of communion is clearly spreading in the church as a whole. Artwork on the walls, plus a monthly gathering of artists.

New Song has three sites in Southern California, plus churches around the world. This is a global church largely because of its international business connections through its members, as well as its truly multi-cultural membership.

They have quite an elaborate website, which is worship looking at www.newsong.net

Be well.

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Crazy Heart

Last night, Lisa and I took a break and went to see the film Crazy Heart. A nice short review in the Christian Century can be found at the link below. Although the film takes you over a rather predictable story line of an aging musician whose life has gotten out of control, aka the VH-1 Stars of the 60's series - it is a great story of flawed people, redemption and even, new life. Yet, it's done in such an honest and genuine manner that you believe it. Jeff Bridges is marvelous as the main character. I highly recommend it.

http://www.christiancentury.org/article.lasso?id=8201

We made it!

Well, we have arrived in California and we are staying with my mother until this Sunday afternoon, when we catch a plane to meet the Mission Team headed to Honduras. I'll write more about Honduras when we return - and maybe while we are there, provided that internet cafe is still operating. If not, well, I'll post when I get back.

But before we go, Lisa and I plan to attend New Song church on Sunday morning. This is an interesting church with 15 different cultures and races represented in its membership. I'll let you know what its like.

Oh, have you seen the DVD we made? We sent it to the church. Call or email the office to find out which Sunday they will show it. We also made one for the preschoolers.

We miss you all. Peace!

Contact - What if?

This is a bit of a different kind of posting. Just a warning.

What would be the impact on our religious faith if it were determined that there is intelligent life beyond our planet? Some of you might laugh, but we actually discussed this while in seminary for a week or so, and our professor, Ted Peters wrote about he subject.

So, while over-nighting at the Motel 6 ins Socorro, New Mexico, I suggested to Lisa that we drive out to see the VLA - Very large Array. She was happy to indulge her science and science fiction interested husband. (Did you know that about me, I'm a huge Sci-Fi buff. Took a class in both high School and College in Science Fiction literature. Bradbury, Heinlein, Ursula LaGuinn)

Anyway. I wanted to see the VLA, because it's the location of more astronomical discoveries than an other single Astronomy location. The VLA is located at about 7,000 feet on a high plateau in the middle of nowhere New Mexico. It is here that we've learned about the origins of our universe, the nature of Black holes, and many other discoveries. It was also a place I knew my Dad would have wanted to see, and not sure if he ever did, I wanted to make the pilgrimage for him.

It was a long drive but worth it. Today the VLA is undergoing a conversion from Analogue to Digital technology. You can visit their website at the link.

Another reason for going is the science fiction part. One of my favorite movies, Contact, was based at the VLA. I've posted the iconic photo from the film below, where Dr. Arroway, played by Jodie Foster listens to the faint signals of what will become schematic for the construction of a space ship (of sorts) designed to contact aliens. The film is based on a screenplay by Carl Sagan.

So what does a science fiction film have to do with this blog?

Answer, It deals with very interesting questions of science and religion, particularly in relationship to faith, doubt and conviction.

If you haven't seen the film, I recommend it to you. Click here for the trailer. And order it on Netflix or whatever way you get your films.

As one person described the films religion/science tension here: At the end of the film, Arroway is put into a position which she had traditionally viewed with skepticism and contempt: that of believing something with complete certainty, despite being unable to prove it in the face not only of widespread incredulity and skepticism (which she admits that as a scientist she would normally share), but of evidence apparently to the contrary.

Zemeckis (the films Director also of Forest Gump fame) stated that he intended the message of the film to be that science and religion can co-exist rather than being opposing camps, as shown by the coupling of scientist Arroway with the religious Joss, as well as his acceptance that the "journey" indeed took place. This, and scattered references throughout the film posit that science and religion are not nominally incompatible: one interviewer, after asking Arroway whether the construction of The Machine - despite not knowing what will happen when it is activated - is too dangerous, suggests that it is being built on the "faith" that the alien designers, as Arroway puts it, "know what they're doing."

Ecclesia - Houston

Who would have thought that Houston, Texas would be home to a truly progressive church. Located in the arts district of urban Houston, Ecclesia provides a unique ministry. A recording studio, a coffee house, an Art gallery and a church serving about 1,000 people in 4 worship services. You can check out their website here.

Ecclesia is a greek word which means "church".

We attended the evening worship service, after having been in Austin, TX in the morning. So who goes to two different worship services that are located 3 hours away from each other? Pastors on sabbatical - that's who.

Personally, I am really glad we did this. The worship service on Sunday evening was so rich. It was filled with everything from humor to great music to creativity to mystery. The art gallery has portraits from the TV show "Lost." And their lead Pastor has just written a book called "The Gospel according to Lost."

Here are some photos of the site. A simple place. They bought the building from a previous congregation that was going out of business.

Lisa and I made a brief video of several of our visits, and popped it in the mail to be shown in worship during the next week or so. You'll have to come and check it out - as well as my new look. :)

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Church Under the Bridge

On Sunday morning we were in Austin, Texas for the Church under the Bridge. It was freezing, I mean we were freezing. But, then again, all those homeless people were either in shelters or on the street in the below freezing weather. Apparently, the cold weather also affected the attendance, as there were fewer people than usual.

We had a nice chat with a man (pictured with Lisa). He was originally from Honduras, which was a nice connection.

Each week a different church takes a Sunday to host the worship service, make a Lunch or serve coffee and hand out anything from sleeping bags to hygiene kits.

On a sad note, we learned that the main Pastor who had served as a Street Preacher for years, died suddenly about one month ago in a car accident.

This is clearly a wonderful ministry to a small portion of the 6,000 homeless in Austin, Texas. It requires a tremendous amount of organization and volunteer commitment. Once again it's great to see what is happening across the country in the name of Christ.

Lament for Haiti

This video takes a while to load. Give it a minute to load, then hit play.

Saw this in worship today and wanted to share it with all of you.

Healing Place Church - Baton Rouge

We's passin' through Leesiana, or as they say in Rhode Island Louisianner.

Driving down I-10, we saw this Methodist Disaster response truck towing a trailer. The guys in the front seat looked like Roger Stedman and Kenny Piquette. Made us think. Hmmmmmmmmm. Not a bad idea.

Why is it that we seem to hit some of these churches with Dream Center's on days with pouring rain?

Healing Place Church, Baton Rouge, Louisiana is a huge church, I mean HUGE. They are building a brand new sanctuary that is nearly complete. Looks like the Ryan Center at URI, you can see the photo above. Well, in the south there are lots of Big churches, but what makes this place unique is that they have built there entire ministry around Service. Service to their community, to their neighbors, to people of various ethnic backgrounds. This is also a Multi-site church, with a Spanish language site, two other locations and a Dream Center based in the very economically depressed town of Donaldsville, LA which is surrounded by Oil refineries, and as a piece of history, served as a temporary Capital of the confederacy in 1861, before it was moved to Montgomery.

We drove by the Donaldsville site. It's very basic, an old brick building. But it serves as a resource center for the community. Again, like the Seacoast church in South Carolina, Free medical services, and dental services to those without insurance, Pro Bono legal help, counseling, job training, homework resources for children.

I'm really surprised at what I'm finding on this trip. A lot of churches are going multi-site and all out on service ministry. And the service ministry is serious stuff. This is not just handing people something, these churches are going deep in to people's lives. They are getting inside families with serious problems. This is impressive, and inspiring.


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Alabama - A History Tour

After we left Atlanta, Lisa and I headed toward Alabama. Heavy rains forced us to find a hotel sooner than expected, so we spent the afternoon watching the NFL playoff games. A heartbreak for my wife the Minnesotan.

Alabama afforded us the opportunity to dive deep into the History of the Civil Rights movement. We downloaded the audiobook of Taylor Branch's Parting the Waters and Pillar of Fire. It's a History of America in the King years 1955-1963 and 1963-65. As we drove into Birmingham, Selma and Montgomery, visiting the churches and locations of some of the key events of the Civil Rights movement - we had an audio tour of the history thanks to Branch's excellent, and Pulitzer Prize winning books.

What struck me so in revisiting this material, is the role of the Christian church in the movement to secure voting rights for Black people in the south. Churches both Black and White were deeply involved in this controversial struggle to secure basic rights for all American citizens. It may be hard for us to recall, but the period of 1898 (after the Supreme Court's Plessy vs Ferguson decision, in which they said that separate but equal was ok, this allowed segregation to expand in the south) until the Voting rights act of 1965 - Black people were not allowed to vote.

Charles Morton, in the photo above, was a young man in the early 1960's. We met him in Selma, where he should us the jars of cotton balls and jelly beans that were used as a voter registration test for Black people. When you went in to register to vote, if you were Black, the clerk asked you to tell him how many jelly beans were in the jar or how many cotton balls. You had to guess right, just looking at the jar. Of course, no one ever guessed right, so you failed. Mr. Morton spent some time with Lisa and I telling of his own participation in the March from Selma to Montgomery.

The last couple days have been a profound reminder of the witness of the Christian faith when we embrace the teachings of Jesus. I've been reading some of Martin Luther King's sermons, including "Loving your Enemies." King reminds us that it does not say, "Like your Enemies", which is sentimental, but Agape (the Greek word for Love) your enemies, which is understanding, redemptive goodwill for all people - even those whom you don't think deserve it. Hmmmm, that's powerful, whether you are facing a sheriff with a night stick in Alabama in 1965 or a bully in your 7th grade classroom.

In the Photos above, the statue of King outside of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, AL, which was the center of organizing. Birmingham was the site of those brutal images of firehoses and dogs used against protesters. The red brick church of Dexter Ave Baptist church which was King's first church in Montgomery, AL. Mr Morton holding the jars, and a tribute to Civil Rights at the Southern Poverty Law Center designed by the same sculpture who designed the Vietnam Memorial in Washington DC.

elevenofive

So what do you do if your a historic church with a long history of traditional worship, fine intellectual preaching in an upscale neighborhood, but you've got young families moving in to your neighborhood?

This morning we worshipped at elevenOfive (i.e. 11:05 a.m.) This is the contemporary worship service that Peachtree Presbyterian Church started. They moved the service to a location across the street from the historic church. What we experienced was a contemporary worship with a great sermon delivered by a gifted young Pastor. They had a wonderful announcement with a brief video of their Global Mission trips. This church has taken people to Palestine, Malawi and Pakistan in recent years.

What I'm taking away from this trip so far is the diverse ways that the Christian church is manifesting itself, especially through multiple locations, multiple worship services and a commitment to both local and global mission.

The Church of the Cross

We spent the last 3 days with Dick and Ann Tullie. This was a chance to eat some great food, do some laundry and talk about the Tullies passion - Global mission. We also visited the church where they attend. The Church of the Cross, their website is here.

What's unique about this church is that it's a multisite church, that started from a historical location church. What I mean by this is that the original church building dates back hundreds of years. After maximizing their site with three worship services, and practically no parking lot, the church bought land along a major roadway in the direction of expanding neighborhoods. The new site actually is a church elementary school and middle school, that the church started. They plan to add a High school in the next year or two. A Sunday morning worship is now held in the school's gymnasium. Thus the church is one congregation in two locations.

This is a 1500 member church with a lot of ministries. The Tullie's are trying to help the congregation see the value of Global Mission, and have lead a few mission trips to Belize.


Two photos of the two sites, the historic church and the new second location

Photos of Seacoast

As promised here are photos from our visit to Seacoast church. Not a magnificent looking faciltiy, but that is the point, it's al about the mission.

Next Stop - Seacoast Church

Since there are only so may Sunday’s we can’t visit every church on the weekend, so while on our way south to visit Dick & Anne Tullie (former members who moved to SC) we stopped in on one of the sites of Seacoast Church. And wow, were we inspired.

Seacoast church started in 1980’s and blossomed into a large congregation. They made the decision in the early 2000 to go to a multisite model. They now have sites all over the Charleston, South Carolina area, and beyond. Lisa and I stopped in at the North Charleston church on a Thursday afternoon. We learned that this site is the center of a high level of mission outreach called the Dream Center.

They host a food pantry but also a huge array of services including a medical clinic that serves people who do not have Health insurance. In 2009, they served approximately 5,000 people saving the tax payers an estimated $10 million. In addition, they offer Pro Bono legal services, after school tutoring for children, and many other programs. The church is located at an old Church of God building that Seacoast leases from that congregation which moved on. Every Sunday they have 3 worship services in the morning, and one evening Spanish language service. It’s a congregation where homeless men worship next to professional women.

Lisa and I were so inspired by this church that we almost got in the car and turned around to come back to St. Andrew to start work. Check out more about the Dream Center and the North Charleston, SC places at their website here.

What we are starting to see in these congregations is a pattern. First, it is increasingly normal for churches to have multiple sites. Sometimes it’s a main campus at an old downtown church, that added a worship site in the suburbs. Sometimes it’s a church that wanted to help plant a new congregation, but instead went to the one church may locations model. The advantages are manly in the ability to reach a new population center in a new geographic location.

Second, is that the idea of an intense effort to make an impact in a local community through mission and social services is becoming very attractive to churches. Churches are rediscovering Jesus call to embody a servant life. What we did this past fall on the Be the Church Sunday, these churches are making a major, if not the only, thrust of their ministry.

I’ll post some photos later. Right now Dick and Ann Tullie are making a big southern breakfast and talking about the Alligator in their back yard – I don’t want to miss this!


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Stop Two - National City Church, Washington, DC

One church many locations.

Lisa and I worshipped at the Ebeneezer's Coffee Shop this Saturday evening. They have two Saturday evening worship services in the basement of Ebeneezers. This is one of four different sites in the Washington DC area for National City Church (www.theatrechurch.com) The other worship services are on Sunday at different movie theatre's in the DC area.

We wanted to go to Ebeneezers's because the idea idea of worship in a coffee shop was appealing. They first started worshipping at the Amtrak station here in DC, Union Station. What a great idea. bringing church to where the people are, rather than expecting people to come to the church. They lost the lease this fall, but in the meantime they had built Ebeneezers.

The worship service was at 4:30, and the style was similar to our 9:45 worship except no Holy Communion.

Take aways from National City Church

- Bring the worship service to where the people are, rather than expecting them to come to you.
- Multiple locations is the best way to maximize resources

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First Stop on the tour, Baltimore, MD

No we are not here to join in the Baltimore Raven's football fanaticism, although as Lisa and I were driving in to downtown Baltimore, we did notice many of the buildings lit up in purple.

Our first stop was a visit to Christ Lutheran Church, where my long time friend and colleague, Duke Fries serves as an Associate Pastor. I knew Duke from our time near each other in Brooklyn. He now serves as a Pastor on the staff of this large and multi=staffed church that is situated just off the Inner Harbor of the the recently revitalized downtown Baltimore. Duke is an amazing person. At the age of 68 he has developed a thriving Young Adult ministry of 40-60 late 20 and early 30 somethings, who are now actively integrated into the life of this many thousand member church. We were there for the evening Wednesday worship, which they hold year round at 7:15 p.m. It's a traditional evening candlelight worship service, preceded by dinner. Once a month the Young Adult group meets at a nearby restaurant for informal conversation, drinks and Duke's magic. His magic is his amazing ability to praise people, connect them with one another. Example: "Jim, let me introduce you to Megan. Megan is an amazingly talented Pharmacist, who is working with an NGO in the area. She's so gifted. And this is Jorge, he's so wonderful. He works with Special needs children. I've seen him do such great things with kids." and on and on.... But it's all genuine.

We stayed with Duke and Ann, and after a wonderful Breakfast, where Duke meets the newly elected City Council president. (If you know of Baltimore's recent troubles with its now former Mayor, you know about the reason for a new President.) We were on the road to DC, where we are now staying with Ben for a few days while he prepares for a competition for the BW law Review.

Takeaways from Christ Lutheran Church, Baltimore:

a) the importance of engaging people on a very personal basis and affirming their gifts.
b) connecting with the local community including elected leaders

The Sabbatical begins

As most readers of this blog know, Pastor Lisa and I are on sabbatical now through Friday, March 26. As promised I'll update this blog from time to time - I'll try for a once a week posting.

Our sabbatical started with a 10 day camping trip in the Virgin Island's National park. We spent most of our our time sleeping, in our tent, on the beach and while snorkeling. Yes, you can sleep while you snorkel - just don't forget to breathe. While there we visited Peggy Bennet and Wally Henshaw, members who live during the Winter on nearby Water Island. The purpose of this trip was complete relaxation, under the idea that we needed to rest up before getting serious about our sabbatical.

nest week, we head out for our road trip. We'll be driving south and heading west. Our plan is to visit numerous churches and various ministries along the way. We are looking for churches that are doing interesting and creative work. I'm in the process of lining up the final list, but we are currently looking at a visit in South Carolina to a multisite church, an Atlanta based church focused entirely on the 20 something age group, a church outside of New Orleans that has a 100% focus on service to the community, a Houston texas church known for creative liturgy, a San Antonio, Texas church that worships under an Interstate Bridge Span with Homeless people, a San Diego based church that has one location cut 6 different off-site places where the sermon is broadcast. A few more are lining up, but that's the plan.

Then we'll join people in Honduras for a week of mission and building in Yuscaran, before returning to California to celebrate my mother's 75th birthday, including relatives and friends flying over from Germany.

So that is the plan. We'll keep you posted.

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