http://www.firstunitedmethodistmadison.org/musings/ "Musing" is a short reflection written by a First Church staff member. These brief articles usually contain ideas about subjects which are of a specific personal nature to the author.  Feel free to post your response or ask a question. Wed, 27 Feb 2013 21:44:02 GMT en-us Copyright 2013 First United Methodist Church Madison http://www.firstunitedmethodistmadison.org/musings/through-the-generations/ http://www.firstunitedmethodistmadison.org/musings/through-the-generations/ Wed, 27 Feb 2013 21:43:56 GMT When I was offered the opportunity to become Coordinator of Homebound Ministries I was both pleased to be considered for the chance  to participate in this area of ministry, while at the same time seriously questioning my ... http://www.firstunitedmethodistmadison.org/musings/choir-rehearsals/ http://www.firstunitedmethodistmadison.org/musings/choir-rehearsals/ Sat, 01 Sep 2012 16:48:22 GMT   //   Each and every year, as the first music rehearsals of the fall approach, I worry. I worry that no one will show up and I won’t have a choir to rehearse. I worry that we will not have great music to offer for the ... http://www.firstunitedmethodistmadison.org/musings/a-soft-sell/ http://www.firstunitedmethodistmadison.org/musings/a-soft-sell/ Thu, 09 Aug 2012 19:25:14 GMT   //   First Church sponsored Lunch Time Live today. Lunch Time Live is an opportunity to enjoy a live band’s music while eating lunch on the Capitol square. It was a great event. Hundreds of people were there enjoying ... http://www.firstunitedmethodistmadison.org/musings/joining-the-journey/ http://www.firstunitedmethodistmadison.org/musings/joining-the-journey/ Wed, 11 Jul 2012 21:03:38 GMT   //   I am writing on my first official day of sharing ministry with you at First Church. In reality, I have been thinking about this day and this beginning for many months; since the day Sam Royoppa, our District Superintendent ... http://www.firstunitedmethodistmadison.org/musings/tapestry/ http://www.firstunitedmethodistmadison.org/musings/tapestry/ Thu, 14 Jun 2012 16:03:08 GMT   //   As I prepare myself for the transition in leadership here at FUMC, I find myself thinking a lot about what this church means to me. Certainly the pastoral leadership is a key component of this worshipping community. But the ... http://www.firstunitedmethodistmadison.org/musings/twelve-years/ http://www.firstunitedmethodistmadison.org/musings/twelve-years/ Thu, 10 May 2012 20:14:30 GMT // Twelve years ago I received a phone call from my District Superintendent. It was totally unexpected. We were told that the bishop and cabinet would be appointing us to Madison: First United Methodist Church. My first reaction was ... http://www.firstunitedmethodistmadison.org/musings/sometimes-it-takes-a-fresh-pair-of-eyes/ http://www.firstunitedmethodistmadison.org/musings/sometimes-it-takes-a-fresh-pair-of-eyes/ Thu, 12 Apr 2012 16:36:39 GMT // I love watching our nine-month old, Selah, explore her surroundings. In the midst of her bumbling from one object to the next, she greets each new item with fascination. Living near Olbrich gardens, we treasure the frequent walks we ... http://www.firstunitedmethodistmadison.org/musings/shapers-of-an-arc/ http://www.firstunitedmethodistmadison.org/musings/shapers-of-an-arc/ Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:21:15 GMT // Standing in the lengthening shadows of a winter afternoon in Washington, D.C., instead of falling prey to the chilly temperature, I was captured by the beauty of the new Martin Luther King, Jr., memorial. As the tallest monument to an ... http://www.firstunitedmethodistmadison.org/musings/our-drops-of-water/ http://www.firstunitedmethodistmadison.org/musings/our-drops-of-water/ Thu, 12 Jan 2012 20:29:07 GMT // Thinking back over this past year brings up memories of all the wonderful folks at First Church who have helped with our many Outreach activities. Without your help these programs could not have succeeded. Finding adequate words to ... http://www.firstunitedmethodistmadison.org/musings/god-is-present/ http://www.firstunitedmethodistmadison.org/musings/god-is-present/ Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:44:06 GMT // It will be different this Christmas. My father-in-law will be spending Christmas in a nursing home unable to fully communicate and limited to bed and chair, but we have reason for hope – little signs of improvement; little ... http://www.firstunitedmethodistmadison.org/musings/one-chance/ http://www.firstunitedmethodistmadison.org/musings/one-chance/ Thu, 17 Nov 2011 18:28:48 GMT // On the last New Member Sunday, the Information Desk volunteer came to me saying a person who had attended worship was asking about the availability of a Bible. I ran up to my office and retrieved one off my bookshelf. The person ... http://www.firstunitedmethodistmadison.org/musings/hallelujah-chorus/ http://www.firstunitedmethodistmadison.org/musings/hallelujah-chorus/ Thu, 03 Nov 2011 15:26:55 GMT // I’m currently rehearsing Handel’s Messiah for an upcoming performance with the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra. As many times as I have rehearsed this work, I’m still in awe of the magic and power of the music and the ... http://www.firstunitedmethodistmadison.org/musings/death-can-hold-the-promise-of-new-life/ http://www.firstunitedmethodistmadison.org/musings/death-can-hold-the-promise-of-new-life/ Thu, 20 Oct 2011 16:55:13 GMT // Last week I had the privilege of visiting the 9/11 Memorial site in New York City. It is stunningly beautiful in its grace and simplicity. It consists of two pools of cascading waterfalls, bordered by granite walls on which are carved ... http://www.firstunitedmethodistmadison.org/musings/being-present-with-one-another/ http://www.firstunitedmethodistmadison.org/musings/being-present-with-one-another/ Thu, 06 Oct 2011 17:58:07 GMT Our little girl, Selah, just turned three months old. It seems like every day she hits a new milestone, holding her head up a moment longer, babbling a new syllable, outgrowing another onesie. Like many new parents, we find ourselves thrilled by ... http://www.firstunitedmethodistmadison.org/musings/who-was-jesus-anyway/ http://www.firstunitedmethodistmadison.org/musings/who-was-jesus-anyway/ Thu, 22 Sep 2011 06:42:32 GMT “Who was Jesus, anyway?” When I was a child my answers to that question shaped a character who might best be described as a superhero: a wondrous birth, a childhood so perfect there was barely anything to write about, miraculous ... http://www.firstunitedmethodistmadison.org/musings/a-poster-depicting-jesus/ http://www.firstunitedmethodistmadison.org/musings/a-poster-depicting-jesus/ Thu, 08 Sep 2011 20:28:40 GMT A friend of mine in college had a poster on her wall that I have loved ever since I first saw it. This was during the early 70’s when everyone (who was cool) had posters taped to their walls. The figure in the beautiful pen and ink drawing ... http://www.firstunitedmethodistmadison.org/musings/jesus-and-family/ http://www.firstunitedmethodistmadison.org/musings/jesus-and-family/ Mon, 22 Aug 2011 06:05:32 GMT The note to myself read:  "'MUSING' DEADLINE COMING. REMEMBER FALL THEME - Who Was Jesus Anyway?" But every time I thought of that, I also thought of the summer emphasis on church families. Since I couldn't choose, I decided to ... http://www.firstunitedmethodistmadison.org/musings/how-do-we-begin-to-say-thank-you/ http://www.firstunitedmethodistmadison.org/musings/how-do-we-begin-to-say-thank-you/ Fri, 19 Aug 2011 03:00:19 GMT It was on December 12, 2010 that our house burned down. This is thesecond time we have been able to write about this experience in the Chimes. In the first article we began by asking “How does one begin to pray?” Now, eight months ... http://www.firstunitedmethodistmadison.org/musings/my-spiritual-resume/ http://www.firstunitedmethodistmadison.org/musings/my-spiritual-resume/ Thu, 28 Jul 2011 20:23:42 GMT Once again, I’ve responded to a personal calling. Soon I will journey toa seminar to deepen my spiritual life and connect with a growing globalinterfaith “blessing team” that focuses on how we can be more spiritually ...