We just took a financial hit that was entirely unexpected. A problem with our sewage system caused the two pumps for our two buildings to burn out—dumping the sewage outside the kitchen door.
   We are replacing them to the tune of $16,000. Our property is below the level of the city sewage line in the street so we must have pumps to move the waste uphill. The good news is we are getting better pumps. Also, it is unlikely to happen again. The bad news is the bill.
   We are not in trouble financially.
   We even have a substantial rainy-day fund stuck back. But we do not want to touch it.
   This is not a rainy day.
   But we do want to put a moratorium on any extra spending right now. (At the same time we will not scrimp on what we do need for choir, our children, and worship.)
   So, on Mother’s Day I paid for the flowers—something the church usually does. And I will pay the $700.00 cost to go to Waco (hotel, gas and food) for the three-day Annual Conference in early June. The church usually pays this, but I am paying my way this year.
   I will be doing all that I can to (1) make sure we have the money we need for the usual operations of our church, and (2) work to avoid extra spending.
   Let me remind you: We are not in trouble.
   We are doing fine—and we want to keep it that way. Your love and faithfulness will help us move on in the Lord’s work—and keep the sewage out of our back yard.
   Can I get a witness here?
   Amen!

White, Red, then Green

   Our white paraments will be put away after this Sunday, May 21, the last Sunday in the Easter Season.
   Mary will be preaching–Part 2 of her really wonderful sermon which she began last week.
   The next Sunday, May 28, we go red for Pente cost—the “Birthday of the Church.” It’s a big day. So, help make it a big. Be sure you are present to celebrate.
   And after Pentecost, we go green for what is called “Ordinary Time.” It lasts all the way to Advent—four weeks before Christmas.

Last Week

   You may have noticed I was not present last Sunday. My sister had a bad reaction to an antibiotic and we spent much of Saturday night in emergency.
   So glad Mary was scheduled to preach!
   I watched online. (What a good job Jason and whoever was helping “up in the booth” do with our livestream!)
   I counted five in our choir last Sunday–a mere quartet.
   Such lovely sound from so few! (We usually have two or three more.) The choir will sing one more time—this Sunday—before summer break.
   Which means Blake and Shannon will have to figure out something big for Pentecost Sunday.
   Of course, everything they do is big.

Teaching Returns

   In July, we resume classes on Sunday mornings at 10:00 and on Thursday evenings at 6:00 p.m. We will have some guest teachers from outside the church. My sister and I will both do a series of lessons. I’m sure Mary will teach a series.
   We will have a lively summer.

Annual Conference

   On Sunday, June 4, after church, I will head for Annual Conference in Waco. (I haven’t checked with Mary to see if her work schedule will allow her to attend.) Our bishop says we have now lost 118 churches out of 254—about 47%. That’s churches, not people. Annual Conference, made up of pastors and lay delegates from all Central Texas Conference churches, will be smaller this year. But we are heading for a more inclusive—and less sinful church.
   Let us witness to the world in this fateful hour: Excluding people for their sexual orientation is sin.
   I look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

   We opened worship with the old hymn, Revive Us Again—and the day felt a bit like a revival.
   We received three new members: Jim and Annette Wells and Jim Bailey. We already counted them as church family, but we made it official.
   We had 100 in attendance—just 10 short of what we had on Easter. Some of our guests from my 10:00 a.m. Meet ‘N’ Talk time with some of the readers of Friday’s Word stayed for worship.
   And the Meet ‘N’ Talk was a joy. We didn’t have enough time—45 minutes—but we knew that to start with. We had a great discussion.
   Thanks to Brian McCosky, our guests took home a hard copy of every article we have ever put in the Star Telegram—150 or so. It was a huge task for Brian. (One guest already had a big collection of them. She brought them with her to the Meet.)
   Brian also provided the hotdogs and brats (cooked outside—during the Saturday storm!) for our feast after worship—down at the old gazebo. We had not eaten down there for over 25 years.
   A great day for it—except for a bit of wind.
   Mark Callahan had to hold up the sun tent with one hand and eat with the other for a while—and on his first day at our church! (It was Kathy’s third visit.)
   But all was fine.
   The building did not fall.
   Some of our guests stayed to eat with us.

   Listen!—a lot of people worked hard for us to have that meal. I know they did because I sat and watched them! My sister and I continued to sit and talk with the Rev. Bob Weathers and wife Mary while the tents came down. (We were not useful but we were happy.)
   A big thanks to all who made our meal possible.
   And thanks to the singing duo, Blake ‘N’ Shannon, for the glorious rendition of The Prayer. It brought the house down and raised some people to their feet. We are blessed to have such music. Blake filled in for organist Kristi. I loved the arrangements he played of Jesus Loves Me and What a Friend. How Lovely.
   Kristi and Steven will be back this Sunday. (Don’t tell anyone, but I think they went to Las Vegas!)
   I think our choir is singing this Sunday.
   Enjoy it while it lasts. The choir has only two more performances before summer break.

   This is it. That “Meet ‘N’ Talk event at my church is this Sunday. May 7 at 10:00 a.m. We’ll have 50 minutes. This is for folks who might enjoy sitting down with me for a short time to talk about faith.
   Where did you start? Where are you now?
   Has your faith changed over the years, and, if so, why?
   I’ll also let folks say whether they go to church. If so, why? If not, why?
   And you can ask me any question you want to.
   We’ll just talk. All who come will get a copy of my book, God, Grace, and Gooseberry.
   And I will give you a copy of the last chapter of Discovering God, my not-yet-published book.
   That last chapter gives an account of the most powerful religious event of my life. A miracle, I guess.
   You may find it hard to believe. But if what I say happened did happen, I think we must accept the whole of the Gospel story.
   We won’t talk about that experience because you won’t read it until you get back home.
   Here’s the exciting part: We’ll have donuts.
   And for those who stay for worship, there will be a church dinner afterwards.
   By the way, this is not an effort to get new members. It is just what I say it is—a chance to meet some of the folks who read Friday’s Word.
   If this is a meaningful event, we may do it again in the fall.
   Drop me an e-mail if you plan to come. I want to have your packet ready for you. And enough donuts!
   That’s this Sunday. May 7—10:00 a.m.
   And I’ll tell you now, I’m older than my picture.

   Tucker is gone!
   Long live democracy!
   And kindness.
   And decency.
   And above all—truth.
   What’s this got to do with the Gospel?
   The Gospel is all about kindness and decency and truth.
   Tucker has preached “replacement theory” in over 400 of his shows—the idea that there is a plan to replace our “heritage” population of white people with foreign folk.
   Fear sells–especially to older people who are afraid of human diversity.
   I grew up in Kemp, Texas. We had two Jews and a few Hispanics. There were black people, but great effort was made to keep them “in their place.”
   Separate.
   That was the world of the 1950s and it is still the world Tucker longs for.
   I’m tired of it.
   I’m tired of racism.
   I’m tired of homophobia.
   I’m tired of Christians thinking they can be mean to the neighbor and claim to live for Jesus Christ.
   And I’m ashamed.
   I am deeply ashamed of every Methodist who left the UMC, thinking they are doing something for God by rejecting that teenager who is gay or trans.
   And I’m saddened.
   Very saddened by all of you good folk out there who know better, yet you are doing nothing to take a stand.
   You are leaving the church to the misguided and the ignorant.
   Do something.
   Find a church where the truth is proclaimed—and get involved in it. Stand for Christ and against evil.

(I look forward to that Meet ‘N’ talk on May 7—10:00 a.m. Drop me an e-mail if you are coming.)