Words — Glenn Memorial UMC

Sticks and Stones 

may hurt my bones,

but words... 

will never harm me..?

Words — Glenn Memorial UMC: “Sticks and Stones may hurt my bones, but words will never harm me.” I learned this rhyme as a child when my mother was trying to teach me to ignore the hurtful things others might say about me or about my family and friends. But the truth is, words do hurt; and they can cause harm to one’s spirit.

"We see adults craft critically harsh words for those who express different political views, theological understandings, and world views. While no bones may be broken or blood shed, harm is done, hurt is inflicted."

~(Rev. Dr. Alice Rogers: Senior Pastor Glenn Memorial UMC)~

Sometimes words unintentionally offend. What might seem harmless to someone creates great angst for another. The offender does not mean to offend or hurt or cause harm, and may not even be aware that a particular word or phrase is hurtful. But harm is done, relationships become strained and even broken; especially, if the one offended assumes everyone has had the same life experience as themselves and refuses to extend grace to the unintentional offender.

A Letter to Glenn Church from Our Pastor: The ruling by the United States Supreme Court that same-sex marriage is a protected right by the United States Constitution is one for which many throughout our nation and within our congregation celebrated yesterday as the ruling became public.

"The reality for us as United Methodists is that our denominational polity remains the same, which prohibits its clergy from participating in same-sex marriages." 

~(Rev. Dr. Alice Rogers: Senior Pastor Glenn Memorial UMC)~

We are allowed to baptize all people who desire to be baptized into the Christian faith; we are allowed to confirm all people who wish to join the church; we are allowed to serve Holy Communion to all who come to the Lord’s Table; we are allowed to preside over the funerals of anyone; but, it remains a chargeable offense if any United Methodist clergy participates in a same-sex union.

***

Dear Rev. Dr. Alice Rogers,

Thank you Alice for removing from your profile that you graduated Magna Cum Laude from Candler School of Theology.  And the same thanks go to President James Wagner for removing from his profile that his wife was a seasoned professional Christian educator.   

And what's with all these discounted, even free, therapies sessions at CCCG; even grieving sessions for those coping with losses due to drug addictions?   Even your assistance pastor Josh has started a pen pal program ministry with a women's prison after screaming vulgar and belligerent  to the Emory Police about emails I sent him  in response to the two of you backing out of a planned meeting between the three of us?

They say it's hard to do the right thing?  It's not hard to do the right thing; it's just hard knowing what the right thing to do is?  Once you do know, it's hard not doing the right thing?  A good man, as well as a good woman such as yourself Alice, this day and age is not without sin; they admit, then expiate?  

I'm not so sure I like how we seem to be going about expiating for our sins.  If we are all to be sinners, then there should be no difference between a wise man and a fool. Those with a surplus are better able controlling their circumstances.  Those without the surplus are controlled by those with the surplus.  One is not always able exercising good judgement.

 If silence equals consent, then I'm assuming dialogue must equals purgatory..?

Do I get any credit for these changes; or they be just coincidences..?   

Rev. Dr. P. Alice Rogers comes to Glenn Memorial following eleven years on faculty at The Candler School of Theology of Emory University where she served as Associate Professor in the Practice of Practical Theology and Director of the Contextual Education and Teaching Parish Programs. Her commitment to both the church and the academy led her to explore more deeply into the

part contextual education plays in theological formation and enabled her to work closely with students preparing for ministry. 

Her publications include: 

Equipping the Saints: Best Practices in Contextual Theological Education 

(Pilgrim Press, 2010) 

and 

Contextualizing Theological Education 

(Pilgrim Press, 2008).

Prior to her appointment at Candler, Alice served congregations in the North Georgia Conference for seventeen years including East Point First UMC, Comer UMC, Jackson UMC and Aldersgate UMC. Active in the North Georgia Conference, Alice has been elected to the last four Jurisdictional and General Conferences of the United Methodist Church. Alice was reared in Conyers, Georgia where her family attended Conyers First UMC and are still "tenters" at Salem Campmeeting in Newton County, Georgia. Both of these faith communities were critical in Alice's formation for ordained ministry. 

Alice received her Bachelor of Arts from Converse College in 1983, with honors in English and Religion, her Master of Divinity from Duke University in 1986 and her Doctor of Ministry from Emory University in 1998 where she graduated Magna Cum Laude.

Her hobbies include hiking, fly fishing, and cycling.

Throughout his administrative career, Dr. Wagner has worked closely with faculty, students, alumni, and staff to enhance the undergraduate educational experience, grow research, and foster more effective partnership between the academy and local institutions, including government and industry. Out of a firm devotion to the ancient university mission of liberal education -- which he defines as mastering a discipline and developing a thirst for new knowledge -- Dr. Wagner has been able to forge collaborations among a diverse array of schools and programs, ranging from the arts and sciences to the professional schools. He also had gained significant experience in raising funds from private philanthropic sources. All of these notes resonated with the priorities of the institution in 2003.

As one of his first steps, President Wagner set in motion a campus-wide initiative to develop a clear vision statement intended to serve as the polestar for Emory's development over the next decade. Having achieved widespread and deep participation in this effort, he searched for and appointed a new provost and a new senior vice president for development and University relations to complete his leadership team. With those persons in place, the University launched a year-long strategic-planning process to serve as the basis for a comprehensive financial campaign.

Along the way, the president has won high marks for rolling up his sleeves and engaging very deeply with faculty, staff, and students -- occasionally rehearsing with student a capella groups, regularly meeting with faculty leadership and departments on matters of intense controversy -- seeking to involve the community in full and mutually accountable collaboration.

Reviving an Emory tradition, President Wagner has delivered the address at each of the baccalaureate services for graduating College seniors since his arrival at Emory. An elder in the Presbyterian church (in which his wife, Debbie, is a seasoned professional Christian educator), he finds particularly attractive Emory's blend of rigorous intellectual inquiry and ethical engagement.

Currently Dr. Wagner serves on the boards of The Carter Center, the Georgia Research Alliance, SunTrust Banks, and the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. In 2009, he was honored to be appointed by U.S. President Barack Obama to serve as Vice-Chair of the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues.

The Wagners have two grown daughters, Kimberly and Christine. Dr. Wagner's avocational interests include restoring antique cars and astrophotography.

 

As faith is based on doubt, 

I'm only as militant an atheist as one claiming to be a person of 

faith...

Magna Cum Laude.


And as troops of robbers wait for a man, so the company of priests murder in the way by consent: 
for they commit lewdness.


Hosea 6:9

by

Simply Jim:

?Purgatory~g(cat!fish)d~Dialogue?