stillwater on miller lane

Fall is finally here!!

2010-09-10T12:18:00.001-07:00

Wow, it has been a busy summer, we started with ordination and flew through the carnival, free weddings, parades and now finally we slow down.

Well, at Miller Lane slow down is relative. I hope that you will join us for small groups, or classes. There are a number of them to choose from. Remember we are one church in three locations, so if it has a ML next to it, the class location or group is held at Miller Lane, FP is Frederick Pike, and Y is the Kleptz YMCA.
www.stillwaterumc.org

I am teaching a Money: the good the bad and the ugly course on Thursday nights, we welcome you to come and look at how our money is spent.

I am also doing a young couple's group in my home on Sunday nights. Come and join us to talk about how God is active in your marriage and family at this stage of life.

Can't wait to see you Sunday 9 or 10:30.

marie

Weddings

2010-07-07T16:46:00.000-07:00

Free weddings... Aug. 7th we will be holding free weddings for the community. The church has the image of being greedy and selfish, we hare hoping to counter that idea by offering the community free weddings. 6 couples will tie the knot on day, having met with the pastor twice and participating in a group rehersal. What a great way to be love on God's people... helpling them commit to each other.

Marie's ordination

2010-06-22T19:07:00.000-07:00

Well, we made it... My ordination finally happened June 11th in the Pen-Del conference. We had 17 people from Ohio who made the trek to MD to watch the event. It was a great time had by all. Thanks for all your help and guidance throughout the last 5 years. It has been a great time.

God's grace and Blessings,

Marie

Eggstravaganza

2010-03-30T18:39:00.000-07:00

What a great day we had on Saturday March 27th, 350+ people, 12 trains, 6 games, 5 face painters, over 4000 eggs, 400 hotdogs, 50 servants and 1 rabbit.

Fun and bridging the community and the church... bonus

2010-03-30T18:38:00.001-07:00

Trunk or Treat

2009-11-03T12:11:00.000-08:00

What a fun time we had at Trunk or Treat... over 100 children came through our parking lot, lots of trunks were decorated, children ate smores, drank hot chocolate and played games. The Kingdom of God was expanded through this fun evening.

Check out the pictures...

Upcoming event at Miller Lane

2009-10-11T18:26:00.001-07:00

This coming Sunday, October 18th, we will be giving out the Third grade bibles to all our new third graders! We have several kids who are to receive bibles, and some kids who have been missing for a few weeks that we would love to have come and participate in this joyous event with us! We also are starting a new bible curriculum so that the children can learn what and how to use their bibles, and start to use this wonderful tool God has provided us as they seek to grow in relationship with him. Exciting things are going to happen, come and be a part of our growth at Miller Lane!

Giving God our best

2009-10-11T18:15:00.000-07:00

That was the theme of our Sunday school lesson today, I have had the privilege of working with the 4th thru 6th graders at Miller Lane for the past two weeks. We have explored what being created in God's image means to us, and how God sees each one of us as worthy and valuable, even though the world tells us much differently some of the time. So how do we continually give God our best in this world of brokeness and sin?? The kids had some great insight as to how they could seek God's will in the midst of living in this world, how do we give our best at school, at home, in church, with the people we see everyday? What an amazing group of kids we have involved at Club 456, and how awesome a privilege it is for me to see them exploring their bibles, working together as a team, learning how to use Gods word as a resource to turn to, and how prayer fits into their everyday lives. Again, I am amazed at how easy it is for them to express the specifics of their faith, without hesitation, without fear of ridicule, and with such hope and expectation that I long to be so free again in my life. God continues to work through the children at Miller Lane, I wonder where and for whom they will be blessings during the coming week!
Thanks God for the freedom to love you like the children do!
Heather N.

Spirit of God

2009-09-05T05:09:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking lately of where the Spirit of God is moving at Stillwater on Miller Lane. With so many things happening and starting this fall, I think it is important to remember our mission. It is out of this mission that I clearly see the Spirit of God moving and shaping us.

Our mission is to provide introduce people to Jesus, help them grow in a relationship with him and support, train and encourage them as they go out because of a transformation within to share the message of hope and grace to all.

I see God working as we reach out to the community across the street adopting Morrison school... God has already planted the seeds, we just have to be obedient and water and nourish them.

See you Sunday!!
Blessings, Marie

Amazing Sunday School!!

2009-08-23T12:22:00.000-07:00

Today I had the joy of teaching the children at Miller Lane, grades 1-3. We started a new format for Sunday School, and the day started off a little hectic for me, trying to make sure everything was ready, getting into the 9 am service, which was AMAZING, seeing our intern, Allyssa, say goodbye, which was hard, and feeling God calm me and prepare me for the rest of the day. As the children began to be dropped off by families for Sunday School, it got louder and louder... as tends to happen with kids at this age!! The amazing thing for me today, these kids get it!! They really really can embrace the lesson being taught, and they can apply that lesson and the bible verse to their own lives. We did a really cool Faith 5 toward the end of class today, one of the children said the high point of her day was being able to come to church today, and the low point was that her friend was not able to come with her today. That little girl was able to apply the verse from the lesson, John 15:12: "This is my command: Love each other as I have loved you," and she said the way she could show love to her friend by telling her how much fun she had in Sunday School and inviting her to come with her next week!! Wow!! Another child in that class stated that their high point was being able to go to "early service" with her Mom, and the low point was the Miss. Allyssa was leaving today, and we wouldn't be able to see her next week. One way that she thought of to show love to Miss. Allyssa was to pray for her, send her a card, and just learn from her example, these kids are getting it, it was a truly powerful class today! I am always amazed at what God does in the most mundane of everyday tasks, but to see these kids living out their own faith and how they can impact others in their community was really a wonderful blessing for me! WE had so much fun today, we had a party to welcome Jesus into our new classroom, and into our lives, the kids decorated and made a welcome sign for Jesus, and we talked about how we would show our love for Jesus if he happened to walk through our classroom door!! Then we talked about different ways we can show others our love for them and for Jesus, and the class had great responses like, taking care of someone when they are sick, praying for those in need, being a true friend even when it is hard for us, one child even said he would help his sister clean her room up!! Just hearing these children talk about the people in their lives who love them and all the different ways we can show our love for each other was really awesome, it is amazing to hear them speak of their love for others and their love for Jesus Christ with such abandon and passion, no hang ups like adults often have. At the very end of class we all got in a circle for prayer, and the requests we had were all unselfish, focusing on others needs, and how just having the presence of God in a space makes things a little bit better no matter what the problem is. These kids are exposed to health problems within their families, friends that don't always treat them like friends, death of a loved one or friend, money issues, and making new friends at new schools, and even in the midst of all that they see and hear every day, these children are so joyful about God and His amazing love for them. They sang songs and danced and shared ideas on how to show others about the love of the Lord through everyday things, a hug, a card, sitting with someone new at the lunch table, inviting a friend to join them next Sunday!! That's totally AWESOME! Thank you God for the children, please keep them safe and may they feel your love every day this week!! Amen!
Heather N.

Camp Wesley

2009-08-04T10:21:00.000-07:00

Boy is camp fun.... We are having a great time at camp this week. Some of us have gone canoeing, hiking, played field sports, played gym sports, made cool stuff in arts and crafts, had Bible study and time alone with God.

We work really hard to NOT waste food. We are trying to only take as much as we will eat. We can always go back for seconds, but we try and eat what we have taken. It was a bit hard for the little kids at first, but it got better as the week has progressed. The weather is great, the wind is blowing and the sun comes out occasionally. (at least today that is.) The kids swam in the lake yesterday, today we are going to go down the slip and slide. What fun we will have!!

It is a full day from 7:15- 10:30 each day we are having as much fun as 50+ people should be having. Continue to pray for us.

Love,

Marie & the gang

Stillwater on Parade

2009-07-27T04:04:00.000-07:00

The kids had a blast riding in the trains at the air show parade!

Miss Mary Kay scouting out the parade route.

Everyone posed at the end of the parade for a parting shot.

Getting ready to pray before the parade started.

The muscle behind the train!

Can't wait for the parade to start!!

Carnival

2009-07-10T14:02:00.000-07:00

The dreams of one child is coming true.... It is just about 12 hours away. Please come, join our fun, see God in action.

HOT HOT HOT

2009-06-27T17:13:00.000-07:00

Wow is it ever hot!!! It is definitely hotter than the back of a box truck in Haiti.... I am so filled with joy and happiness to be home after what seems like forever. I have missed my church family and the day to day stuff at the church. I have not missed the weather. After I returned from a required time of Holy Conferencing in both West Ohio Annual Conference as well as my home conference, we left to go on vacation in the hills of Tenn. It was beautiful and cool. We stayed in a wonderful cabin where we awoke each morning to the birds and the bubbling sounds of the creek. We return to 180 degree temperatures... what is with that....

Please know that I have had all of Stillwater in prayer and specifically those in our body that have struggled lately with health issues as well as those who have lost loved ones this season.

Please call the office if you need anything. It is a privilege to be your pastor and your friend... my family thanks all of you for the time away. Thanks for picking up the slack...

Blessings,

Marie

2009-06-06T05:57:00.000-07:00

Summer is actually here!! I can't believe it... I guess I will really have to carry all my winter sweaters and sweatshirts out to the shed now.

Stillwater on Miller Lane is being purposeful in our reaching out into the community. We are offering lemonade, hotdogs and popcorn to the children who play baseball, we are picking up trash along MillerLane, we are participating in the Air Show parade and in August we will be inviting children from Murlin Heights and Morrison School to come and join us for a back to school bash.

One of the best ways that we as a community can connect is to do things together. The activities and outreach things are fun, we laugh and have a great time. Put the dates on your calendar to join us....

Blessings,

Marie

Haiti the last day

2009-05-24T19:09:00.000-07:00

Words can't express the feelings that I am feeling tonight. I sit in a comfortable and clean hotel when just a few miles down the street there are 100 children living in an orphange. It is a wonderful orphange that feeds the children healthy nutritious meals. It is the place the people send thier sick children because Chris and the others know how to care for them. Yet, in the midst of that we saw conditions that were appalling. I saw several special needs kids who were in need of services, yet in a country like Haiti this is probably not going to happen.
I was doing really well until I walked down to the toddler room that was in the downstairs of the house. There is a sliding glass door that goes outside. All the toddlers 2-6 are kept down there. They play with each other, eat at picnic tables and bath outside. Some of the children showed me thier beds, they were all neatly made. All of this sounds great, that was until I walked out back and the children started to climb me. Literally they were climbing my legs. At one point I was holding 2 children with another one crying at my feet. They were preschoolers seeking attention, affection, and love. Many of them have adoptive parents who are waiting the 2-3 year wait to bring them to the US. It broke my heart. I am not a person who cries, yet I could not help but cry and wonder why. Why was I so fortunate to be born to parents who could afford me... why did God allow this kind of action to take place. The tears rolled down my cheeks and a little boy who had put his fingerprints all over my glasses touched the tears and smiled a smile that could only be straight from God.
As Karen and I have pondered where God was today I think that God was in disguise. God was in the faces of the adoptive parents as they waited to hear where they were in the process, God was in the little smiles and laughs that i heard dispite the smells, urine and other liquids.
I continue to wonder what God desires for Stillwater to do about this situation... What is our response to this kind of poverty and abandonment. Most of the children at HIS home are children whose parents can't afford to care for them and so they have to give them up. That is an extreme love to give up your child to parents in another country for the good of a child. What is it that we are to do? Do you have any suggestions? Please feel free to comment. I would love to hear other opinions.
Blessings and Grace

Haiti Friday

2009-05-22T16:53:00.000-07:00

My heart has broken today.... In the states we see people who beg on the street and we are unsure if they are really in need. Here in Haiti they are always in need. There are children who live on the street who have to wipe down cars to make enough money to get by. I could not believe the amount of poverty and hopelessness. We walked through the streets today, the people stared at us... some of the children followed us when we left. they wanted money or food. I so wish we could have taken our food and given it to him. I now have a new perspective on food portions. I throw so much away and so many have so little.

My prayer tonight is for all the people without food have food. I don't know how but that is my prayer.

blessings, Marie

2009-05-21T16:49:00.001-07:00

2009-05-21T16:41:00.001-07:00

Pictures from day 1-3 in Haiti. Sorry for any blurry ones
Marie

Haiti day 3

2009-05-21T15:35:00.000-07:00

So, I really left sunny Ohio and traveled for more than 12 hours to get to a place where it rains and it is cool. Yes God has a strange sense of humor. Karen and I went to the Baptist mission on the Mountain today. It was a 45 minute drive on the way up and 1 hour on the way home. We rode by so many poor people today... people digging through the trash looking for something, I can't imagine what they were looking for... but they were digging. We saw some men selling gravel in bags that they had carried on thier heads. The smells were okay today, I think because of the rain. I got caught in a rain downpour, it was so neat to see God's grace fall to the earth. As we rode home in the van, the small rocks that were drive ways were swept into the road.

I have found it more difficult today to see God working among the people. However it is easy to see God in the children. It is pretty cool to watch the children from the orphange who are visiting with thier adoptive parents. They are still very much in community, taking care of each other. Two sisters chatter in French/ Creole back and forth. It is pretty neat.

The Baptist mission was interesting, there was one couple who traveled to Haiti and stayed to build the baptist mission. It was one family who made a difference in this mountain community. I have posted some pictures of the mountain. They have learned how to farm on the side of the mountain.

I continue to pray for you all, please pray for us.

Blessings and Peace

Marie

Haiti day 2

2009-05-20T18:16:00.000-07:00

me in the box truck and me with the little girl who was car sick.

I am not sure that I can adequately describe the things that I have seen today. We can start with the smells. There is a mulitude of smells that surrounds the city of Port au Prince. The food cooking, the charcol fires, the engine exhust, the burning trash, the garbage, the sewage, the standing water, the soapy water that people took baths and then dumped.

The poverty is almost overwhelming... or at least I think it is poverty. People live in houses that are partially built with cement blocks, tin roofs, sometimes huts made with banana leaves and palm branches. The children in the towns were sometimes in just a shirt, or with no clothes. I seem to have a knack on spoting the naked people. The people take bathes in the streams that further down the stream are filled with garbage and people washing clothes.

Two hours later... We made it to the beach with the rain drops falling every so often.... the beach was filled with peebles and rocks. It was fun to look for the beach glass and shells. The children all loved the beach... It was wonderful to watch Wood in the water. Karen as always has an eye for detail, she found numerous conch shells. I walked right by several and Karen came behind me and found them.

As the afternoon ended we loaded up, all 27 of us in a 14 person van. I volunteered to hold a little girl who is known to get sick in the car. I am not sure how happy Karen was when I said I would hold her. At one point I thought she was going to hurl, and Karen kind of gently moved forward so no splashing would occur. But, no incidents... she was wonderful even without vomit.

I got a chance to talk to Chris, the orphange director about us coming for a mission trip. She wa happy to have us come and rock babies, play with toddlers and read to elementary children. I think Karen and I will go to visit the United Methodist hospital and mission. I think that I will have pictures to post so stay tuned.

I continue to see God working even in the midst of extreme poverty. It is something to be the minority.

thanks for the prayers... we feel them.

Blessings and Peace

Haiti

2009-05-19T18:48:00.000-07:00

Well, we finally made it... I can't believe the humidity here. I thought my hair was kinky in Delaware.... I look like bozo the clown. Pictures coming soon. Karen now has a new point of reference when the hot flashes come... she can now compare them to the climate in haiti. it sure is hot!!

No seriously... We made it from the airport after looking for our luggage for over an hour to the orphanage where we picked up several children... Wood being one of them. Oh i almost forgot... we traveled in style... in the back of a box truck. The Haitian people thought we were crazy, only white fingers sticking out in the windows of the truck. We bounced and bounced and bounced, better than any rollarcoaster. Watch out Cedar point Hal's driving and the Port au Prince roads will give you a run for your money. Karen and I decided that we could now understand what hotter than Haiti means... we add to it hotter than the back of a box truck in haiti.

We saw lots of people, mostly men, the people sold things on the street, everything from bananas to toothpaste. We all decided that simply having the garbage truck come on Thursday was such a blessing... we saw lots of trash on the side of the road. At one point there was a river with rocks jutting out... the trash was stuck on the rocks all up and down the riverside.

At one point we ran out of gas as the sun was going down on a hill. We were so relieved to have the doors open that we hardly noticed. We traveled about 45 minutes from the orphanage to the hotel. We are happy to have airconditioning and tv. We did have domino's pizza for dinner. Tomorrow we head to the beach... what fun. They said it would a couple hours... Karen and I are praying that is not in the back of the truck.

In all seriousness, please pray for Wood, Jody's adoptice son. We are praying that his paperwork has been completed and is ready for the attorney. We are save and doing well.

Blessings

Marie and Karen

Haiti or bust!!

2009-05-19T07:25:00.000-07:00

Greetings from not so sunny Miami,

Well, I thought we were getting to Haiti on Monday, but apparently we needed a lesson in patience and flexibility. We missed our connecting flight in Tampa so we were held back to from Haiti. We got a hotel room and crashed for the night. It was a 12 hour ordeal, yet we still laughed and saw God's grace around is.

Some of the things I saw yesterday:

A man with the longest dreedlocks that I have ever seen. They were down to his ankles. Rudy Rasimus talks about how his goatee is a filter to keep judgemental people out. I wondered if this was the guy's filter. He seemed like a nice guy. I guess you can't judge a book by it's cover.

The woman who helped us initally at the United ticket counter was having a rough day. She was short and did not break a smile the entire hour that we stood next to her. She did however go and ask the questions to see why we were still waiting to be helped.

I saw a little girl who was shy at first and then opened up to Karen and I. She now talks to us nonstop. A girl after my own heart.

I am praying for all of you. I know that transformation happens when we least expect it... look for those changing moments at each intersection today.

Blessings and Peace... we are off to Haiti (or so we think)

Marie

Dancing...

2009-05-09T19:38:00.000-07:00

Wow today has been quite a fun day... the sun was shining, the wind blowing... what more fun could I have had than to watch a bunch of little girls dancing thier hearts out. It was so much fun tonight watching one of our own dancing center stage at Northmont H.S. She was a beautiful sailor, saluting her heart out. What a gift it was to watch her.

Hope your mother's day is great and rewarding. Tell the women in your lives how important they are to you.

Blessings,

Marie

2009-05-06T02:52:00.000-07:00

This week we learned about the prophet, Jonah, he has always been one of my favorites! Why??? Jonah is just like me, he has the same unwilling spirit that I have when God calls me to do something that I just don't think I should have to do! Maybe the work God wants me to do is painful, maybe it is thru a period of suffering that I can be drawn closer to the one who can make me whole, but I don't always see what God sees, and I run from the pain and the change, because, honestly, change can be very scary! That's why I love Jonah, he runs from God, he runs as far and fast as he can in the opposite direction, sounds like something I have done! I can relate to Jonah, I understand his frustration at God, why would God send me to Nineveh, those people are not good enough for God, why not just get rid of them, the world would be a much better place. Jonah refuses to do what God knows must be done, and he runs. Somehow, God always seems to get our attention though, and in Jonah's case, he simply cannot ignore God any longer, and finally he agrees to go to Nineveh. But even after he is there, and he has preached God's message and told the people they must change their ways, he refuses to offer any forgivness, even though God has forgiven Jonah for running from him. How often do I do that, how often do I quickly accept forgiveness from others, yet refuse to offer even the smallest hint of forgiveness to those who ask for it? Like Jonah, I often refuse to see God's grace at work in myself, and in others, and I miss the whole point! Jonah is so angry that God has chosen to forgive the people of Nineveh, he wants God to punish them, they deserve to be punished because those people have hurt Jonah, and he wants revenge. He is blinded by his own anger, and cannot see that God's saving love is not just for him, but for every person in creation, even for those who have hurt us in the past. What do we do when those who have hurt us repent and change? To often we stay angry, which really only hurts us, we carry our anger and bitterness throughout our lives, and refuse to do the hard work of forgiveness.
I have had to do the hard work of forgiveness in my life, with someone who hurt me deeply and often. For a long time I punished that person for their choices and actions, but really I was punishing myself and those closest to me, because in my refusal to forgive I became a person I would not recognize today, someone full of anger and spite, I didn't have room for God's grace and I had no idea how to extend that to someone else. But through a long and hard process of growth in my relationship with God, with people around me to hold me accountable, I was able to learn true forgiveness, and it has changed my life! I have joy and peace in my life, love and laughter have made their way into my heart again when I didn't think that was ever possible again. Through God's grace and his constant and tireless walk with me, my life has been transformed into something I could never have imagined two years ago, and only God could do that!! Through Jesus we have salvation in action, where do you need to see through God's eyes in your life today??
Heather

Green day at Stillwater on MillerLane

2009-05-02T16:21:00.000-07:00

We planted, we weeded, we pulled, we pushed, we threw, we shoveled, we racked, we mowed, we stopped and ate chocolate. The green team at Stillwater on Miller Lane had fun as we transformed the courtyard and the church yards into beautiful beds. The children now have a great place to play.

Check it out!!

Blessings, Marie

just some thoughts

2009-04-29T12:57:00.000-07:00

I was reading a book and had to write down some thoughts that I had about something the author said. Tell me what you think.

The author is describing the Holy Spirit, the third part of God.

"The Spirit is not a bully, but a Lover; and while the love pursues passionately, it will not intrude where it is not wanted; after all, if it did, it would cease to be love."

How interesting... it is like planting a garden, you have to let the seed grow on it's own. No matter how much you want the plant to grow, it has to do it by it's self. The help comes when the seed is open for water, fertilizer and food. This author is also talking about how the Spirit is like the wind, wild and crazy, unpredictable to some degree; yet a person can feel it. I am not sure i agree with this idea. Do we always have to feel the Holy Spirit? Can we live by faith that it is there? Just some thoughts, let me know what you think. Marie

2009-04-15T13:34:00.001-07:00

2009-04-15T13:30:00.001-07:00

Spring at Stillwater on Miller Lane

2009-04-15T12:37:00.000-07:00

Wow wasn’t the Empty Tomb the bomb… It was great to have so many new faces in the crowd, but also plenty of returning people. The dramatic pulling of the clothes was surprising, the band was great, the egg shakers were fun.

All was fun and exciting. The pictures are from the Eggstravaganza and membership Sunday. Enjoy!! It was a day that God was working like crazy.

Membership & Baptism

2009-03-10T07:45:00.000-07:00

Wow... can you believe it, we had a great time with new folks who joined the church....

Check out the pictures... In the words of a preschooler...

"She was getting a shower" blessings for Sandee and her baptism

Grand Opening

2009-02-21T18:27:00.000-08:00

Wow is all I can say... We had a great time during our grand opening... The children danced thier way into the worship area with streamers while the band played Celebration by Cool in the Gang. It was fabulous. The worship space was packed. Lots of people brought new people with them to church. A great time was had by all. I will get some pictures up on the website as soon as I can find my camera, you know how I lose everything. (I am like pigpen, everywhere I go I leave stuff behind.)

I am looking forward to Duane's preaching... even if I just get to pray for you guys from the Frederick Pike campus.

Remember that the Day of Caring is a pancake breakfast to raise money for the homeless and poor right here in the Miami Valley. Come out and eat your heart out.

Blessings and Peace...

Marie

fun so far in 2009

2009-02-09T19:28:00.001-08:00

The roof!!

2009-02-09T17:01:00.001-08:00

When teams work together you it is hard to believe what can happen. I am so excited to see the roof going up on the church, or in this picture's case coming down. Thanks to Jake and his crew of about 30 people the west side of the building has the shingles off and will be ready for shingles Tuesday or Wed. How awesome is that!!

See you all at the Grandopening on Sunday at 10:30am

Blessimgs,

Marie

Resources

2009-02-07T19:23:00.000-08:00

The body of Christ has all that is needed to fulfill the mission of God. Here are some of the resources that we have and that we need. If you have a need or a resource please share through either a post or an email to marie.smith@stillwaterumc.org

Things we have
· Basket ball skills
· A house
· Tools
· Gift of Gab
· Good with kids
· Gardening
· Sewing
· Singing
· Financial advisor
· Intercessory prayer
· Empathy & compassion
· Love for animals
· Knowledge of medical and veterinary medicine
· Organization
· Meals for care team
· Exercise and fitness
· Time
· Willingness to serve
· Big picture thinker
· Networking abilities
· New job opportunities
· Technical expertise
· Games and clothing
· Computer knowledge
· Arts and Crafts
· House by river
· Visit people who are lonely
· Hospice volunteer
· Secretarial skills
· Plates and dishes
· Hospitality
· Washer/ dyer
· Silverware, microwave
· Mentoring
· Tutoring/ teaching

Things we need
· Organization skills
· People to attend a small group for couples
· Bed
· New shoes
· Furniture for living room
· 12-18 mos. child for adult child to adopt.
· Adult teacher
· Social skills
· Patience
· Bible knowledge
· Connections with other moms with children in school
· Workout buddy for once a week
· Financial planning
· Home health care for sick parent
· Help (I think they need prayer)
· Help with thinking before they act.

Snow, Snow

2009-01-31T10:06:00.000-08:00

Snow, snow, snow...

It is really pretty isn't it? I live the snow because it reminds me of the second chance that God gives us each day. God's grace is like the snow it falls and covers us. My family has had a good time in the snow this week. Luke and I went sledding but forgot the pictures. What did you guys all do with the snow?

Blessings, Marie

The change

2009-01-20T19:43:00.001-08:00

Change.... change is hard, change is exciting, change is inevitable even...

As we live into the political change that President Obama leads us in; we need to remember that our hope and faith is not soley in one man; but infact in God our creator, Jesus our redeemer and the Holy Spirit our sustainer.

As we change in the next 100 (or so) days, the transformation will be so contagious that others will want to come alongside us. Be ready to share your story of change; remember that we change the world one to one to one to one.

Blessings,

Marie

(The picture is from msn.com)

MLK link

2009-01-17T19:05:00.000-08:00

Here is a link to the March on Washington's and a great article

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.htm

2009-01-17T15:20:00.000-08:00

I was thinking the other day about how God has moved among us…

Just think we are just 12 weeks old and yet we have a good solid Sunday School class for children, we are starting a youth class this week, we serve breakfast to 40 people each week, we are worshiping God in an amazing way…

Change is happening in and through you… let me share some of the stories that people have shared with me…

“I was struggling… I had not really connected at a church, I had been wondering until I walked into Stillwater on Miller Lane… I felt like I was home, it was like the Holy Spirit took a hold of me and told me that I had found my spot.”

“My husband comes on his own, I have pushed him for years but he is now coming on his own… I don’t push it.”

“I have been part of many churches, but I have a church home.”

“My children feel like they own the church”

On this celebration of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. we celebrate all that he did for us, the way that he inspired us…

I hope that you will take time this week to look for ways that you too can make a difference… Maybe it is to connect with a long lost friend, maybe it is to walk in a march celebrating on Monday, maybe it is to work in a soup kitchen or a food pantry.

I found this quote that I find to be so inspiring…

As King said, desegregation will only produce "a society where men are physically desegregated and spiritually segregated, where elbows are together and hearts apart. It gives us social togetherness and spiritual apartness.”

Our quest is to connect both social and spiritual integration…

Can we do it? What are you suggestions to how…

Advent Season is upon us!!

2008-11-25T14:23:00.001-08:00

The Christmas trees are going up in the stores, the wrapping paper is calling our names, waiting to be taken home and used on our gifts for loved ones. It is the most wonderful time of the year... but not because of the trees, the lights, the gifts, the christmas cards, the parties or shopping trips. No, it is the most wonderful time of the year because Jesus came into a world that needed hope and peace... It is the time of year when we remember that Jesus came into a broken world then and now. I pray that you will make Stillwater on Miller Lane part of your Christmas Season celebrations. We have lots of things for you to connect into.

Dec. 3, 10 & 17...Christmas Bible Study
Conference Room at Miller Lane 7-9pm
Led by Marie, come and see how to make room for the Christ Child

Dec. 14….Advent Family Night
We are taking a night to celebrate with each other the Christmas season. Come with a covered dish and your family. We will eat dinner and then rotate to different tables to make crafts and play games. Mark your calendar.
Café At Miller Lane 6-8pm

Dec. 20 @ 1pm… Christmas Cookie exchange
We will make about 8 dozen cookies to share with 6 other people. We are asking that people bring two dozen cookies extra. We are sharing 1 dozen that afternoon and the second dozen for both Christmas Eve and Blue Christmas.
Sign up in the sign up sheets

Dec. 21….Blue Christmas
Christmas is not always a joy filled holiday for everyone. If you struggle with Christmas join us for this time to reflect and share with God our pain and hurt.
Stillwater on Miller Lane Worship Area… 7pm

Dec. 24...Christmas Eve
5pm Family “Hands on” worship service
11pm Candle light service

Hope to see you then.

Blessings

WOW

2008-11-03T19:50:00.001-08:00

Can you believe it we finally made it!! Nov. 2nd arrived and we survived!! God was present and people connected. Thank you for all of the people who helped make Sunday happen.

A few of the ways that people connected with us...

A woman and her grandson came because we stopped and talked to her during a parade that we walked 4 miles in....

People saw our signs, recyled and all....

We knocked on doors and handed out popcorn....

People said they were not sure about a female pastor, but it was good.... (the boots helped)

The music was good.

The worship was different but good.

Breakfast was good....

People were very friendly.....

My children really liked Sunday school. They made cool bread.

Sunday was so amazing. We get to do it all again next week!! Yeah

Please keep a few dates in mind in the next month or two.

1.Nov 21 we are collecting items for service people that are away from their families either in Iraq or Afganistan. On that evening we will be putting the packages together so that they can be shipped. We would love you to join us.

2. Dec. 1-7th World Vision Aids Experience comes to Stillwater on Frederick Pike. I would like us as a new church to go and serve for a few hours together in the experience. They need about 350 servants. I will pick a few dates and times to accommodate various schedules.

3. Dec. 7th 4-5pm Munchies with Marie, come and meet my family and I for munchies and questions. I hope to connect with all of you before Dec. but if I have not gotten to see you face to face or if you have additional questions please come.

4. Dec. 14th Advent family night. Come and share a favorite recipe and enjoy a fun time with your family. We will have crafts and things for families to do together. This is a great event to invite a friend.

5. Dec. 21st Blue Christmas. We understand that Christmas is not always Merry for everyone. Christmas can be difficult for anyone who has lost a loved one, going through a divorce or separation, dealing with an illness, etc. The Blue Christmas worship service will name these things and look for Jesus' presence in spite of them. Times will be listed in the bulletin.

Blessings,

marie

Calendar of events

2008-09-30T19:17:00.000-07:00

Mark your calendars for the following:

We are only 5 weeks out until launch date. I was wondering if you could send me the list of the people on your target list and what is their status. For example, Fred W is on my list, I have invited him to a just them event, that he attended and a worship service he promises to attend. I would like to add them to my prayer list and the prayer lists of others.

It is essential that we invite others to our church. Remember that we are inviting others so that they can find the peace, love, community or comfort that each of you have found.

A few things to note:

If you are on the green team, we are having a planting day this Saturday Oct. 4th at 9:00am. We don't think it should take more than 2 hours. We need you to come out and help Kurt (from Fred. pike) seed and plant.

Saturday afternoon the children's ministry people are painting the Sunday school rooms. If you are available to help even for an hour or two they would be so appreciative. They are starting at 1pm.

We are doing a building day soon. Please keep tuned for updates.

Oct. 4th @ 10:00am Miller Lane field- Dog Days of Fall. Bring your dog and your friend to come and hang out with other dogs. Pet land will be there to have give aways. There will also be an trainer. Contact Barbara for more information.

Oct. 5th Northridge parade 12:00n- Come and join the fun. We will be walking and handing out candy and invitations for our worship service and also for our Family Fun night on Beggar's night. We invite you to come and join our fun as we join the polar express.

Oct. 11th Bonfire at Ruth's house. Come and enjoy a smore and a great camp fire.

Oct. 12th Worship Celebration @ 7 pm the last preview service before we launch. Invite all those that you have been praying for!!

Oct. 14th Share your favorite recipe. See who can make the cheapest meal.

Oct. 30th Beggar's night- Family Fun night at Miller Lane. Decorate your trunk and hand out candy to the community. We will have a hay ride, bon fire, popcorn and a clown.

Nov. 2nd Opening Worship!!! 10:30am

Blessings, Marie

Top 5 things learned through the poweroutage

2008-09-24T06:15:00.001-07:00

5. Quiet is good....
4. It doesn't really matter if the floor is green and the carpet is red, God still shows up!!!
3. The building feels full very quickly.
2. Parking, Parking, Parking
1. It will be incredible when we launch worship with 200 people!!

The whirlwind called Texas

2008-09-01T09:20:00.000-07:00

Wow, I can't believe that the week is over, our Church Planting Boot camp was just that, boot camp. We listened, learned, prayed and listened some more. We were so fortunate to realize all the things we were doing right, we were on track with timelines, leadership, teams, small groups and ministry area like Children's, hospitality and building stuff.

We also realized that we have not been invitational. We have not thought about our friends and neighbors being our target areas. So in order to be more invitational we are hosting a number of "Just Them" events. Things like, dog days of fall, movie night, shopping @ the outlets, etc.

These are events that we want you to invite your friends and neighbors that will introduce them to our community. We are so excited with this turn of events.

Well, our next Preview service will focus on Seeing God in others. So the God goggles will be out and we will look at our neighbors from a different perspective.

If you would like to join Todd and I selling hot dogs for Northridge Band boosters, let me know.

Blessings, Marie

Vacation Bible School

2008-07-29T06:20:00.000-07:00

Wow, it is finally here!! Vacation Bible School- Power Lab is in full swing. (Pictures to come) We have had 5 new families from the neighborhood come and join us. Yesterday we learned about thankfulness and how out of ten people that Jesus healed only one came back to say thanks. We are having a great time singing and praising God with the children. It is so fun to watch them open up and have a good time. I wonder if this is the feeling that God gets when God sees us finally "get" it.

I will blog some more tomorrow with pictures of children and crew.

Blessings, Marie

Marie preaching

2008-06-29T10:43:00.000-07:00

Here's Marie preaching over at the YMCA campus this morning!

Green Day (no not the band)

2008-06-28T18:45:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it, we got at least one of the evergreen bushes from infront of the church on Saturday morning. It required myself and 4 men to sit in the truck to make the little bush come out. It was very cool. About the time we got started with the bushes it began to rain. We could not let the rain stop us, people where there to help so that is exactly what they did. We cleaned out the closet in the nursery (it was a huge mess, you could not even walk in there) Duane was able to throw a bunch of stuff I had no idea what to do with out!! Yeah!! We also got another room completely painted. The stencils are slowly coming off the wall, or being painted over.

I have been back in town for about 1.5 weeks. In that time it feels like I have gotten alot started, yet not very much. I have been able to be in touch with about 1/2 the launch team. I have scheduled appointments with those that i have not been able to see yet. (If that is you please contact me so that we can talk.) I have also contacted several outside people in the last week. I hope that within two weeks that I will make the majority of my new contacts with those who do not call Stillwater home.

Okay, I am tired and my computer is dying. I do have to preach tommorrow. I am nervous because I am going without a whole manuscript, only notes. We shall see.

Blessings and hope that the pictures will be up soon.

What is happening

2008-06-19T18:27:00.000-07:00

Whew... I can't believe it, I am finally able to commit all of my time to Stillwater on Miller Lane. I feel like it has taken forever to begin the process. As I was at my annual conference (a meeting of other United Methodists who are both pastors and people who participate in the lives of churches) this past week, I realized how blessed I am for this out of the box kind of thinking that we are doing. I am sad that I will not be able to put my feet in the ocean, but I do have the opportunity to reach out and share the love of Christ to a whole bunch of new people here in Ohio.

I did have the opportunity while I was home to visit my friend Doris who is a young woman I have guardian of in DE. She turned 44 in May, we had a surprise birthday party for her while I was home. It was great. She laughed and had a great time. She really likes men. One of her favorite men came to her party and threw her kisses all evening. Doris' staff told me that she and this gentleman had been on a date; they watched a movie in her room. She is such an important part of my life, yet so few people know about her here in Ohio.

Church updates...

On June 28th from 8am- 12 noon we will be having a Green day, not the band, a day to start the sprucing up process at Miller Lane. Bring your shovels and watering cans. We will have fun pulling up weeds and bushes.

saturday at miller lane

2008-05-31T13:44:00.000-07:00

it's so great to have activity on this campus again!!

2008-05-22T05:58:00.000-07:00

Well... I can't believe I did it.... I with Jenny's help started a Blog. This blog will be my journey along with a group of amazing and gifted people who are trying to live out the purpose and call that God has given us. We will be starting a church on the corner of Miller Lane and Stop 8 road in Dayton, OH. Sometimes our world is filled with scary and lonely places. Some of us have been hurt, wounded and feel like we are broken. God can heal our brokenness and together with the healing powers of Jesus Christ, we can be a stained glass window full of broken pieces put together with Christ's grace. I invite you to join me, and the whole gang as we grow in grace.

Shalom--

Marie