May 2010 - Wisconsin Conference United Methodist Church

The Newsletter of theWisconsin Chapter of Christian Educators FellowshipMAY 2010Wick: a woven cord that drawsfuel up into the flameREGISTRATION NOW INPROGRESS!!!!!!“Holy Spirit, Wild andFree”NEXT CHAPTERWORKSHOPTHURSDAY, MAY 139:00 AMNational CEF ConferenceOctober 22-25, 2010Galt HouseLouisville, KYFor More Information:www.cefumc.orgWHAT IS CEF?A diverse group of individualsbrought together by the common goal ofhelping all people in our congregationsgrow in their personal spiritual journeys asfaithful disciples of Christ.RALLY DAY/FALL START-UPIDEA SHAREAll members of the group are invited tobring information on how they celebrate theopening of a new Sunday School year each fall.Bring 15 copies of any hand-outs you wouldlike to share, and plan to speak for 5-6minutes on how your church "rallies" itsmembers back to church after the summer.Wisconsin Conference Offices750 Windsor StreetSUN PRAIRIE1-888-240-7328For more information about WI CEF contactLynn Barbeau, Membership Chair at (608) 742-2107. National CEF info is available athttp://cefumc.orgThe Wisconsin Chapter of ChristianEducators strives to meet the needs of itsmembership by…. Spiritually nurturing one another Helping members network forsupport and ideas Keeping members up-to-date on thelatest information in our fieldsStrengthening the role of Christianeducation in our churches3 Praise be to the God and Father of ourLord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he hasgiven us new birth into a living hopethrough the resurrection of Jesus Christ.1 Peter 1:2JUNE 7, 2010SUMMER RETREAT

CONCERNS lives lost in coal mines and oil rig disasters For those suffering in the Midwest floods For God’s creation in the oil-threatenedGulf of Mexico For a 7th grader and family dealing withdifficult issues staff personality conflicts , and the hopethat in local churches the clergy and laitycan work together Unemployment For successful chemo treatmentsJOYS Confirmation & Easter services summer planning family travels large groups going to Jr. High CONVO a successful children's church program building a team to work with Sr. High youth Children returning from college and travelabroad, and children accepted to college A new Bible study first grandbaby is on the way Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit kidney transplant recovery going well birthdays celebrated with family mission trip singing in concerts learningPeg Randall Gardner“I hate you!” he screams, slamming the door for effect. Behind the shivering timber the wailingcontinues as he despairs at the ineptness of his parents, tossing the spoils of his pampered life for effect. Theissue at hand and the child who is screaming vary from homework, to curfews, to personal hygiene and beyond,but the outcome is consistent. And the scenario has been played out as long as there have been parents andchildren on this earth. Young people can challenge even the strongest of fortitudes. “Children today are tyrants.They contradict their parents, gobble their food, and tyrannize their teachers,” noted Socrates circa 440 BC.440 BC!Even God is not immune.(Jeremiah 15:18) But why, why this chronic pain, this ever worsening wound and no healing in sight?You're nothing, God, but a mirage, a lovely oasis in the distance—and then nothing.And the bewildered parent answers, (Job 15:12-13) Why has your heart carried you away, and why doyour eyes flash, so that you vent your rage against God and pour out such words from your mouth?I wonder if He ever considered soap.The choice to parent children is a momentous one, sometimes undertaken with more or less thoughtthan appropriate. However, it isn’t a decision that gets a do-over, as actress Jean Kerr noted “Now the thingabout having a baby - and I can't be the first person to have noticed this - is that thereafter you have it.” Have itindeed, for better or for worse, and with all the scary incumbent responsibilities.Thus despite the observation by Ogden Nash in 1933 that….“Children aren't happy with nothing toignore, and that's what parents were created for”...parents are the first and foremost teachers, even when ourchildren would rather not hear it. It’s up to us to get the word out – direct from most-ignored parent in theuniverse (Deuteronomy 11:13,18-20) So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today—to lovethe Lord your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul…Place these words on yourhearts. Get them deep inside you. Tie them on your hands and foreheads as a reminder. Teach them to yourchildren. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them fromthe time you get up in the morning until you fall into bed at night. Inscribe them on the doorposts and gatesof your cities so that you'll live a long time, and your children with you, on the soil that God promised to giveyour ancestors for as long as there is a sky over the Earth.God knows how difficult it is to parent, and also how rewarding it can be. He’s been there, done that,since the world began, and hopefully can bask in at least a bit of filial adoration as we celebrate parenthood thismonth and next. And so I hope, can you, knowing that you’re giving (or gave or will give) it your best shot, andcan reap the rewards like Walter Scott, “How pleasant it is for a father [mother] to sit at his [her] child's board.It is like an aged man reclining under the shadow of an oak which he has planted.” Those little acornsscreaming from behind the bedroom door will someday be mighty oaks, who hopefully will remember to call onMother’s/Father’s Day. Or not. To be a parent is gift enough, and that gift came from God.