Ken and Ashley's Wedding

I had the wonderful opportunity to do a wedding this past weekend for a really fun couple. Kenny was active in the youth group at Bethany UMC when I was the associate pastor there and his lovely bride Ashley met him at Virginia Tech. It was a Hokey wedding to the max. Another thing that was cool for me was seeing a few other youth that are now living adult lives and doing quite well. Cheers to Sean, Lisa and Alex too. Thanks to Kenny and Ashley for including Craig and I in their special day.

Blessings, Pastor Lisa

Remembering Adam

I love using GOOGLE and search engines for reconnecting with old friends or those that I have lost touch with, it is a great tool. Sadly yesterday, I found out that a friend had died a few years ago from cancer. Adam was really Craig's friend, he lived down in the "pit" with Craig at Wesley and they both were totally full of themselves and could talk for hours. Adam was the son of Richard Lischer, a theologian and professor at Duke Seminary. Dr. Lischer's book, "Open Secrets" is one of my favorites and my church book club will be discussing it this summer. Adam lived at Wesley Seminary while attending the Washington School of Law and was working as an attorney in Durham, NC. Since Craig and I are heading down to NC next week I was thinking of setting up a get together with him and thought it would be a fun surprise for Craig. Since Craig is horrible at keeping in touch with his pals I started the leg work. Sadly that is when I found his obituary. Really knocked the wind out of my sail and Craig's too. So we keep Adam's family in our prayers and remember him fondly.
In thanksgiving for those that our paths cross if even for a short time and enrich our lives.
In Christ, Lisa

Betty Visits The Methodists

In honor of Annual Conference Beginning this week I present to you Betty Butterfield and her visit to a UM Church. Its good to not take youself too seriously. At least that is my story. Peace, Pastor Lisa

Dear Mr. Lucas - Thanks for the Memories!

May 25th of this year marks the 25th anniversary of the release of "The Empire Strikes Back." I remember it well, heck most of my life Luke, Leia, Han and friends have been fighting the Evil Empire. As kids we role-played Star Wars all the time, kind of a gen x cowboy and indians thing. I wonder today, if the basic theme of good verse evil and the desire to see good win over evil influenced me in my vocation? There is some good theological points in the world of Luke Skywalker. A few examples that come to mind is that the "force" is like the Holy Spirit and at the end of the movie, The Empire Strikes Back, during the celebration of the Rebellion's victory we see the spirit-like figures of Obi-Wan Kenobi, Yoda, and the now redeemed Anakin Skywalker. Dark Vader might of been the devils pawn but in the end his spirit was redeemed.I have also included a gospel like song that focuses on remembering the wonderful little teddy bear-like creatures the Ewoks. Hope you enjoy it, the tune is rather catchy:) Lisa

Star Wars Ewok Gospel

We're Home!

Wow, what an amazing trip! We were blessed to have great flying weather on Saturday, our plane even arrived early at BWI. I will reflect a little more later on the wonderful worship service we had yesterday at church. I wanted to include a few more photos of things from our time at the Stadium. First, I have loaded up a photo of our wall painting - mostly a group effort lead by Stacy, Doris and Jane, (I may of made a few suggestions but they made it happen.) Thanks again, it is nice to know that we left our mark on the Salvation Army Stadium.

Every time Brad meets with a new group he can look over and see his own churches mark upon the wall. Second I have included a photo of the puzzle that George Carter referred to yesterday during his reflection. 1000 pieces and it was finally finished by the eleventh hour! A group project.

I talked to Brad Diver today and told him we were very proud of the work he is doing there and that we are looking forward to next year.

Blessings, Pastor Lisa

The Crew

Greetings loyal readers

Here are two photos of our crew in our special limited edition Lisbon UMC Mission Team T-Shirts. The picture outside has Chuck Leger in it and the one inside has Don Bell in it. That is the only difference. The t-shirts have a quote of John Wesley's on the back. "Do all the good you can to all the people you can in all the places you can. We rocked! It has been fun!

Pastor Lisa

RHETT BUTLER SIGHTING !

WOW - Even the natives here in New Orleans recognized Rhett in our midst!!

Stacy Diver's Special Habitat Home

Day 4 - Mission Complete - AMEN!

Today we completed our job sites. Stacy and Mary spent the day with Brad having some family time and doing inventory for him. Doris, Jane, Craig and I spent the day finishing up a shed at another job site from the rest of the crew. We worked with a lovely young woman in her early twenties named Liz that is an Americorp volunteer. She graduated from college over a year ago and worked for a year in Brooklyn NY as a social worker for a non-profit. The rest of our group continued working on the same house they worked on yesterday. They were delighted when the owners stopped by to see the progress and they got to talk to them. The owners are here in the picture with the majority of our group. They have been waiting almost three years for a new home after they lost theirs during hurricane katrina. They have two children 1 and 4 years old. I think this was the highlight of the day for that crew!

Please keep us in your prayers as we travel back to Maryland tomorrow afternoon!

This has been a wonderful experience for all of us and one that we will readily repeat!

God Bless, Pastor Lisa

Day 3 - these bones are a hurting!

Well today seemed a little long for us. We ended up going to two new job sites. The largest part of the crew worked on framing for a house that was backwards, don't ask me how that happen but it did and it was a long day in the sun taking apart a houses framed walls and doing them the exact oppposite. Some of us worked on building sheds that will withstand any storm possible. We are getting ready to go out to dinner tonight and then out to the beach. Lots of red, sunburned faces in the crew. We done well today. Later, Pastor Lisa