Chairs 17 July 2024 Chairs. Some chairs don’t enjoy the best reputations. Time-out Chairs. Although my parents spanked me when called for growing up, the time-out chair was their go-to disciplinary method. There was nothing worse than sitting on the dining room chair knowing my friends were playing outside. I shudder to think how much time little Fritz spent …
Disruption Word from Wiese 10 July 2024 What is church? Is church a building? Sunday morning liturgy? A large group of small groups of all kinds? Justice efforts ranging from local feeding initiatives to worldwide refugee support? A source of hurt or healing, depending on the story? Jesus’ message, meal or more? This Sunday, we bless our COS high schoolers …
Giving Up on Freedom 3 July 2024 Georgia had it right! Out of all British colonies, Georgia was the only one forbidding slavery at its beginning. But then . . If you’ve visited Savannah, you’ve heard the story. James Oglethorpe of England’s Parliament lamented at the plight of those stagnating in debtors’ prison. So, in February of 1733 Oglethorpe himself led 114 colonists …
A Splendid Torch Word from Wiese 27 June 2024 A few weeks ago, an ELCA pastoral colleague retired. Pastor Peter Marty (son of esteemed church historian Martin Marty) has been a wonderful gift to the church, not only pastoring congregations, but serving as editor of a key national theological journal, The Christian Century. Actually, our own COS Larry Peterson served …
Dad Duty Word from Wiese 19 June 2024 A “duty”? Understandably, fatherhood (let alone motherhood!) sounds like hard duty sometimes. For years, relationships can include frustration, befuddlement, and weariness. Little sleep and a lot of worry in stretches (acknowledging that dad duty might be considered minor-league compared to what moms face). But research continues to prove that dads consider …
St. Simon’s Island Word from Wiese 12 June 2024 Riddle: What do St. Simon’s Island, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the USS Constitution have in common? The answer is rooted in one of Georgia’s premier vacations spots, St. Simon’s Island. Apparently, oak timbers from St. Simon’s Island north side were used to build the USS Constitution in 1794. The wood was …
Beware of Thieves Word from Wiese 05 June 2024 You might be getting ripped off. And the thief might be you. How? In Sunday’s sermon, Interim Pastor Carla reminded us of how God created the world: worked hard for six days and then took a chill-pill. God took the whole seventh day to enjoy the creation. Maybe God took a …
234 MPH Word from Wiese 29 May 2024 234 miles per hour. Did Scott McLaughlin take Dramamine before he sped his very yellow Chevy Indy car to set a record four-lap average speed of 234.22 mph at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway? O my gosh! If the Christ Our Shepherd traditional sanctuary is roughly 50 yards wide (half a football field), …
Who Cares? Word from Wiese 22 May 2024 Who cares? Turns out, a lot of you. On Sunday morning at COS, I was moved with how much caring was unfolding in so many directions. When I first walked into church, golden glitter caught me eyes. Shining curtain streamers festooned the Conference Room entrance, awaiting the surprise celebration of John and …
Mysterious Lights Word from Wiese 15 May 2024 Were you one of the lucky ones who gazed in amazement Friday night at the northern lights? I wasn’t. Apparently, neither LuAnne nor I read or listened to the right media which encouraged folks to look up in the skies Friday night for this astounding natural phenomenon, spectacular up north let alone …
