Do you remember what it feels like to be the newbie? At one time or another, we have all been the new people in the room, looking around at an established group, wondering how best to break in. Even when people are kind and hospitable, it is still a social and emotional adventure.
Category Archives: Communication
Got Milk?
In 1993, the California Milk Processor Board hired the Goodby Silverstein & Partners advertising agency to solve a problem: In a market flooded with sugary drinks, such as Coke, Mountain Dew, and Kool-Aid, how do you convince people to drink milk?
Into the Unknown
By Bud Fickley, Pastor of Student Ministry There are so many movies out there that have themes that can be related to our faith. As a father of three kids ages five and under, I watch a lot of Disney movies these days. At times, Disney movies drive me a little crazy, but I haveContinue reading “Into the Unknown”
Perseverance
By Maureen Konopka, Director of Music Ministries I like to bring my thoughts on unconventional things when I write my blogs, but today I am reflecting on my amazing daughter. Allison is the sweetest kid, always trying to be helpful, taking charge when someone needs to, and, for the most part, responsible for getting thingsContinue reading “Perseverance”
Being the BRIDGE: A Reflection on Camping
More than 300 camp and retreat leaders met at Epworth by the Sea on St. Simon’s Island, GA, the week of January 23-27. Fun facts: Famed evangelists John and Charles Wesley, who formed the party that came to be named Methodist, engaged in ministry on St. Simon’s Island in 1736-37, and Epworth by the Sea is now a United Methodist Conference Center.
Navigating Change
As I reflect on 2022, Bob Dylan’s famous song comes to mind, “The Times They Are A-Changin’.” Nearly three years have passed since the covid-19 pandemic began. Even as the worst of the disruptions are more than a year behind us, the world has yet to find a “new normal.” Change is happening at a blistering pace, and many of us are struggling to keep up!
Sleep On It
A few weeks ago, I was feeling anxious about a situation and wanted to “fix” it as quickly as I could. Have you ever felt this way about a circumstance in your life? You want it resolved as soon as heavenly possible? 😊 Yes, that was me!
What a World We Live In!
In the middle of October, Joyce and I enjoyed a vacation. We traveled with good friends, another United Methodist pastor and his wife.
On our first day of travel, our friend got an alert that someone had opened a Gmail account using his name and was emailing the members of his church soliciting donations of gift cards for an “emergency need.” Yes, it was a typical scam.
The Power of a Personal Letter
Never underestimate the power of a personal letter.
A little over a year ago, one of my spiritual mentors died. A month after his funeral, I was stunned to receive a personal letter from him. He wrote it several months before his death, with instructions for it to be sent to me upon his passing.
The Humpty-Dumpty Syndrome
I want to give a “shout out” to Julie Willoughby, our Dutilh Preschool director, for her blog two weeks ago. She wrote an excellent piece about the power of words.
Julie dealt with the subject of the power of words from a personal perspective; that is, how we interact with others on a personal level. I want to build on what Julie wrote because I am convinced that as followers of Jesus Christ, this area of our lives is critically important.
Dutilh Church 