Sorry!

Well it has been a long time since I have posted, I admit that and own it.  I had really wanted to post afer Monday night football two weeks ago about how I was wacko for flacco but then we lost and I was sad. Then I thought I could do the same thing this past weekend but thus I was once again sad.  So here I am still sad and yet still hopeful that something will change, that we will fall in love all over again with our ravens and cheer then on to victory.  yeah I know I need to find something else to spend my time doing rather than thinking too much on this football.  However, tis the season to be a football fan.  With a blog name of "football and pharisees"  what do you expect????

More Photos from my Week at Pendle Hill

I Will Survive - Man, those preachers sure know how to have fun on a Saturday night don't they?

Kipp has lost that loving feeling! Karaoke - FPP Style !
God forgive me for embarrassing myself as well as my family!
This is our worship area altar. Every item on the altar table is from a member of our group. Kind of cool isn't it?

First Parrish Project 2 - Summer 2008

I just had a wonderful week with my "young" clergy group. We spent about a week at Pendle Hill Quaker Retreat center outside of Philly. Only 15 of our 19 members were able to make it this year and we really missed Herb, Wes, Todd and Joshua. Well, actually the other four guys really missed them since they had to deal with all of us clergywomen:) We spent much time reconnecting, playing, worshiping together, praying together, and learning about leadership during transitions in congregations. We discussed how to lead our communities during times of transitions (this is the CEU part). It always amazes me just how well we know each other and how we seem to rediscover ourselves when we are together. Truly the Holy Spirit is a part of our relationships and I know how blessed I am to be in a vocation that offers me such a gathering of spirits that feeds my soul and fills my hope-meter for the body of Christ.

We are blessed and may we be a blessing to those we are in ministry with in our congregations.

Be God's, Lisa

Now I am off to Maine for some R & R!

My 1st COMBINE DERBY!

Eddie Harrison's "Army Farmer" and his crew getting ready for the derby match!
I just liked this pink elephant, takes guts to enter a pink combine!
Eddie's brother Jeff's Tin Man combine - very entertaining bunch!
The match that Eddie Harrison won! He got 2nd overall out of 11 combines and got 1st place for design and style in the combine parade - congratulations to the Harrison family!!

Last Saturday night I cheered on Eddie Harrison and his combine in the 1st combine derby at the Carroll County Fair! Hoo-rah! It was actually a very exciting and entertaining evening. Officially the Howard County Fair begins tomorrow with the Miss Howard County Farm Queen contest and the parade.

This is what August is all about in my book. It is too hot for golf and doing much else outside. However, I see the Howard County Fair as being similar to a reunion, I go to check out the 4-H animals, check out the crafts and art in the exhibit buildings, but really I go to see folks and catch up on their lives.

Being pastor at Lisbon UMC has given me a new appreciation for this time of year and I treasure it. Hope to see you at the fair, and maybe next year Howard County will have a combine derby and Lisbon UMC will have an entry! That would be cool. - Lisa

The newest Bishop in the Northeast Jurisdiction !

OK, I did start on this post two weeks ago and am just getting back to it, sorry about that! I was very blessed to attend the consecration service of a clergywoman friend of mine. It was both sacred and fun at the same time. Bishop Peggy Johnson has done amazing work in our conference. She has brought to the forefront the needs of those who are usually forgotten and dismissed. It is refreshing to see her recognized for her gifts and talents for ministry and my prayers go out to her and her new conference. God be with her church during this time of transition as well as her husband Michael's church.

This is how you tell that you have taken on more, than you can actually handle!!

A few weeks ago, I attended a conference on emotional and spiritual care in a disaster. This video was shared with a discussion about taking on more than we can handle. I think it shows quite well and humorously what can happen when we weigh ourselves down with more and we end up with our feet dangling under us completely useless. It gives us something to think about don't you think? Don't be a Lone Ranger!! - Pastor Lisa

RELAY UPDATE

Wow, I guess I should work a little on my own faith, faith in my congregation and faith in the community. Honestly, I didn't think we would make it to the goal I had set of $4000.00 for this year. I thought about changing it but decided that would make me a wimp. Even if we did not make the goal, I needed to see the experience as a challenge and not about celebrating achieving a goal, rather about raising money to help find a cure. I personally have never battled cancer, hope I never have too, don't really have anyone in my family that has dealt with it but have had friends and church members that have inspired and motivated me. All this rambling is just say thanks to all of you that supported the "Jesus Freaks and Old Fools" team this year. Our team raised $5252.40 that was $1252.40 more than I had hoped. Thanks for refueling my faith once again. The Western Howard Relay raised over $91,000, not bad since this is only the second year of the event. I pray that this year, is the year, that advancements are made that help to find a cure for those dealing with this disease. Prayers for healing and strength and prayers for those that struggle with the loss of their loved ones. May you feel God's presence, Lisa