Out the Door

Blogging Break

My friends, I have decided to take a break from blogging for a while.  With my move to a new congregation coming soon and the investment in time that I need to put into establishing my ministry there, I've decided to put blogging on the shelf.  I hope to return to the on-line community sometime in the fall.  Until then, you may see me pop up in a few comment lines, but nothing on a regular basis.

God be with you and bless you all.  Your friendship & thoughts are important to me.

Grace and Peace,
John

The Thrill of the Chaste

Mary Jacobs of UM Reporter conducted an interview with Dawn Eden about her new book, The Thrill of the Chaste: Finding Fulfillment While Keeping Your Clothes On.  What really struck me was what Eden had to say about why culture promotes promiscuity.

And in our consumer culture, making women lonely is what sells. You don't see a married woman with kids blowing her Christmas bonus in the shoe department at Macy's. Advertisers have a vested interest in keeping women single and lonely, because they're the ones that buy impulse purchases.

Eden points out that contrary to what the sexual/feminist revolution tried to pass off as the way to liberation and self-fulfillment, casual sexual encounters have left in their wake broken hearts and broken homes.  And as hard as it is to imagine, broken hearts and homes are good for business.  For where do people turn when they discover that the promises of the sexual/feminist revolution are lies; consumerism.  I'm amazed that I haven't heard anyone say anything like this before.  It's the old adage of detective work, "Follow the money."

Chasity, according to Eden, is the new revolutionary thing to do.  But it will be a hard sell.  It is an accepted "fact" that all normal adults will engage in sexual relationships regardless of their marital status.  Perhaps if enough individuals like Eden come to realize that the "liberated" lifestyle is really a path to loneliness and brokenheartedness this new revolution will take root and set people free.

Arson Suspected in Burlington Church Fire

Local, state, and federal investigators are looking into the cause of a fire that ripped through the First UMC in Burlington, IA early Sunday morning.  The nearby Presbyterian church has also been cordoned off as a crime scene.  The Presbyterian church was broken into and burnt cardboard was found in the sanctuary.  Below is the story of the fire as reported by the Burlington Hawkeye on Sunday morning.

One of Burlington's more historic churches burned early Sunday.   The First United Methodist Church, 421 Washington St., was gutted by a fire of undetermined origin.

When firefighters responded at 2:45 a.m., the structure was fully involved. The church is a block and a half from the city's main fire station. No injuries were reported. By daybreak, the roof to the structure was gone. Its two main spires were simply skeletons that contrasted against the sky.

Congregates gathered in nearby North Hill Park for a 9 a.m. service.  Obviously, we're very saddened and shocked," said longtime church member Thomas Schnirring. "But we'll go on. A church, of course, is more than just a building. It's the people, the community."

The church, built in 1889 of purplish Jasper granite, was a major part of Burlington's distinctive steeplescape. The sanctuary was extensively remodeled in 2000.   "This is the prettiest sanctuary I've served in," said the church's pastor, Dennis Tevis.   "We really have as legacy of faith in this building," Tevis said. "But God is still with us, in whatever circumstances. We can bring forth from this situation new life."

The church traces its history to "Old Zion," the first Protestant church built in Iowa. Erected in 1838 on Third Streets between Washington and Columbia, Old Zion also housed the Iowa Territorial Legislature after a structure erected for that purposed burned.   

The church was founded by William R. Ross. Burlington's first postmaster. Ross also platted the original town and surveying equipment he used to lay out Burlington was stored in a glass case in the Methodist Church. Its condition Sunday was unknown.

The original church was razed and eventually the Grand Opera House was built on the site. The church that burned Sunday was built for $50,000 in 1889 at the corner of Washington and Fifth streets. The superstructure was built of Jasper granite taken from a quarry near Sioux Falls, S.D.

Thirty-one firefighters were on the scene: All off-duty Burlington firefighters were called in, as well another 10 from West Burlington.  (Monday's News Report)

The church member quoted in the above story happens to be my cousin.  My aunt and he have been members of the church for 40+ years.  The congregation is scheduled for a pastoral change this summer.  Dennis Trevis, who presently serves there will be leaving to become a DS.  Charles Downing will be replacing him.  Please remember all the members of Burlington 1st UMC, their present and future pastors in your prayers.