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Greetings: 

This is my last post. 

Thank you for reading! 

May you have ever blessing,

Kent 

Labor Day

No more than ever, it is important to remember that our Church stands with those that insist on the power of collective bargain.

https://www.umcjustice.org/who-we-are/social-principles-and-resolutions/rights-of-workers-4135

Leah Claney

I worked in my High School cafeteria my sophomore year. My boss was Leah Claney. She also happened to be one of the matriarchs of my Church. She had a very specific way to do things. When you didn't do them her way, she would tell you!

I was in charge of scooping the french fries into the little paper shelves and then weighing them (they have to be within an ounce or two of the specified weight) and then placing them in a tray for serving.

When I began, my process was sloppy and slow. The pressure was on to serve as many students as possible with the hottest fries. Time was of the essence.   

I can still hear Leah today (some 36 years later!) sternly asking, "why handle it twice?" She was right! I don't think I truly appreciated Leah's wisdom then, but I sure do now. There are ways I can become more efficient with my time and the way I manage certain processes...why add unneeded steps? 

Thanks Leah for this valuable lifelong lesson. 

Sex Drugs and Rock n Roll

I am currently leading 2 different Fruit of the Spirit Bible Studies on base. The particular fruit we are studying for 6 weeks is "self-control." Recently it struck me how much time we spend on "earthy" things when talking about the fruit of the SPIRIT! We have covered such topics as: sexuality, drugs (including alcohol) and obesity. 

All that to say, it is a good reminder that Jesus came to bring us new life now, in our current bodies. And that makes all the difference. 

All Wave

I have made a commitment to wave at everyone while I am running at the 181st. I started this with our Security Forces. They are some of the most underappreciated Airmen in the whole force. They serve in the most dangerous places in all weather condition just so I have a safe place in which to do my job. 

If anyone deserves my acknowledgment of them with a simple wave, it is our Defenders. Since I run everyday the same pattern on base I usually cross paths with them a few different times. But that does not matter, everyone gets a wave every time.

What is totally cool is that some of the Defenders as the drive by flash their red and blue lights at me. I assume they are "waving" back in their own way.

Or maybe I am running so fast that they are telling me to slow down!?!?!?!?!?!?

Ahead of COVID

One thing I committed to do as COVID hit was to my physical health. I decided to focus on what I can control instead of being anxious with what I can't. My physical health is one of the biggest things I have the most control over. 

Practically speaking, I decided to run more. I have not always loved this decision while I am running, but I am really glad for this decision after I have run for the day. In July, I ran the most I had ever run in one month...until now! Tomorrow I will surpass my July total.

Onward and upward with the things I can control!  

Extension Ministry

One thing was was discussed in my Military Chaplaincy DMin was the fact that, for the most part, ministry in the "extension" setting (i.e. beyond the local church) is thriving right now. Even growing. 

I believe this to be true. People have a hunger to make meaning of the world around them and their place in it. As more and more choose to not look to the church for that meaning making, they are looking for places like their work setting.

I can attest to the fact that in my work setting there are many non-church going persons that seek my counsel. I am proud to represent the church beyond the church building as people continue to long for meaning making help outside of a traditional church setting. I wonder what the next 25 years will hold for the local church and extension ministry settings as this shift continues to happen.