E-Vangel Newsletter
January 3, 2013
Pastorgraphs: “A Decade of Pastorgraphs”
This week’s
E-Vangel is a bit late, but it is a milestone. Today’s issue marks the
beginning of The E-Vangel Newsletter’s 10th year. I would
never have guessed a decade ago that I would still be writing Pastorgraphs. As
a matter of fact, if you knew me in high school, writing would have been the
LAST thing you would have imagined me doing professionally or as a hobby.
In the latter part
of 2003, I began sending random emails to promote certain events at Christ
Church. The first week of January 2004 I made a vow to formalize the
e-newsletter, giving it the name E-Vangel to honor the Evangelical United Brethren tradition of Christ Church, and to send it every week – usually on
Monday morning (whether I felt like it or not).
But the most
important principle is it should be more than a way to promote the Friday night
potluck supper, or mid-week prayer service. I have tried to express something
from my heart – sometimes spiritual, sometimes from life in general. In other
words, I have tried to say something each week that I felt needed to be said,
whether anyone read it or not, and with the courage of my convictions.
The E-Vangel is the
way I begin my week, often at 4:00 AM. Many Mondays, I do not know what I am
going to write about until my fingers hit the keyboard. I continue to be
surprised that what emerges sometimes makes sense (but not always). I am amazed
at the half dozen or so responses each week from friends around the USA and
world. Some say they forward it to their friends. That is very humbling.
Almost 500
Pastorgraphs between 2004-2013 form my personal and spiritual journal of the
past decade. (I kept copies of each one.) Like John Wesley, journaling by way
of my Pastorgraphs has been a way for me to record and look back, seeing how
God has guided and comforted us through days of joy and sadness.
I have been
encouraged to compile the best of these into a devotional book, and may do that
someday. But for now, the Integrity book has my attention. Anita reminds me I
need to complete one project before starting a new one. Throughout this year, I
may reprint some of the better Pastorgraphs, at least those that sparked the
most comments or interest with updates or comments that the elapsed years have
provided me.
So I want to say
sincerely, THANK YOU for allowing me to “spam” you each week and letting me get
free from whatever is heavy on my heart.
PERSONAL NOTES:
Please hold Pastor Elena Sokolova and her family in
your prayers. Her father died in Mid-December. She serves Svetlaya Methodist Church in Far East Russia, ten time zones from
where her mother lives!
Also, I ask for
your prayers for my sister, Marietta, who will be having surgery Monday in
Mississippi.
It was an honor to
speak at Trinity UMC of San Diego last
Sunday while Pastor Tim Ellington and
family enjoyed some holiday time. I enjoyed being in the pulpit again. Trinity
is a vibrant, growing, loving fellowship in North Park.
Finally, I had
planned to begin a four week book study (Monday nights, 7:00-7:45) starting
next week. Due to several circumstances, I am postponing the start of the study
and will share more information later this month.
Thank you again for
your prayers, encouragement and support.
May God bless us
all in 2013 with love, joy, peace and well-being!
Pastor
Bill
From the
Quote Garden:
“Another
year is dawning, dear Father, let it be
In working or in waiting, another year with Thee.
Another year of progress, another year of praise,
Another year of proving Thy presence all the days.”
In working or in waiting, another year with Thee.
Another year of progress, another year of praise,
Another year of proving Thy presence all the days.”
~ Frances R. Havergal, Hymn, “Another Year
is Dawning”, 1874 (public domain) ~
Christ United Methodist Ministry
Center
“Christ
in the Heart of San Diego”
3295
Meade Avenue - San Diego, CA 92116 - (619) 284-9205
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