Annual Conference--Day 3

What a day!

Im getting burn-out so the update is smaller.

Yesterday was a day summerged in legislation. There were some butting heads here and there, but most things went well...until we had a gentleman repeatedly fight about homosexuality. It is a decision for the Methodist Conference that we welcome homosexuals but do not ordain those in practicing relationships and will not marry homosexuals because it is not a man and woman. Though this is not my personal view at all to agree with the church, i see us moving in a good way.

This gentlemen though wanted (repeatedly) to place a news release telling the state that we disagree with the Iowa Government and thier recent ruling. This is ridiculous to me! Why do we need to repeatedly put out our view on this topic? We have our views and let it be at that. Im not going to get into our church view vs. mine, but i wonder what we're doing as a Denomination when our motto is "Open Hearts, Open Mind, Open Doors, The United Methodist Church." How is this consistent with what he wants to publicize?

Alec

* Picture of the gathering from my seat

Location : 525 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309,

Annual Conference 2010 -- Day 2

I guess technically im in the morning of Day 3, but since i was so tired i saved this for this morning.

Yesterday consisted of a lot of time sitting. The morning was consumed fully by an ordination service that lasted about 2.5 hours. Its interesting to see these new men and women commisioned or ordained into ministry, but its also shocking to me to see how old many of them are, we need more young clergy!....but maybe im biased.

After the service came a lunch break and then we returned to work. The afternoon was dedicated to starting, but not getting far, in our legislative work. We then celebrated those clergy and spouses that passed away in the past year. After that short service it was dinner time which was spent eating pizza and having good conversation.

The evening was more legislation and turned into the first issue of the weekend. The vote was on Environmental Justice and the creation of a new committee on the preservation of our earth because God calls us to care for our earth. There were then many people bringing in Global Warming debates, and political arguments that were not founded in Gods word. We talked all day yesterday about the foundational structure the scripture holds, but some at the conference must have missed the message. Its pretty sad that a conference calling us to hospitality reverts to using attacks and innappropriate speeches to bring each other down. Where is the call to follow Jesus the Christ in our conferencing yesterday??

I spent the night at Matthews house. Beautiful house and it was good to see a close friend. We didnt do much, I called Courtney and went to bed. Cant wait to see her in a week, even if its only for a bit.

To God Alone Be the Glory,

Alec

Location : 9229 Lakewood Cir, Norwalk, IA 50211,

Annual Conference 2010--Day 1

Day 1 is done! Today was pretty calm after i got there. It was quite a trip to make it to Annual Conference with my shakey morning consisting of a missed alarm, a police officer, and a missed turn. I somehow slept thru my alarm and therefore was running late all morning. I then got going and being my normal self looked down at my phone which caused me to swerve and get pulled over. I kept going, made it to Des Moines but missed a turn and spent a half hr finding the parking. Ugh!

Conference started with some great time of worship. A well led worship band guided us through the time together. Following worship was a lunch break in which the 5 of us from Tipton UMC took an hour to decide and then had to hurry back to the conference.

The afternoon was business time, mostly dealing with money. This is always a tricky subject for the church and today was not a change to that. We discussed the impact the stock market has had and how some people are going to be having to pay more for benefits or salaries or buildings....but no talk, no talk of the ministry budget. As my pastor pointed out to me, we spend a lot of our time talking business, but how do we see that our business is the ministry of our Christ Jesus?

How can a faith group, a denominatiion, be loyal to its mission and the greater Christian mission while still being able to operate in our money centered world today???

Also, tonight has been great. Spent from about 5 on with Kindra just chillin around Altoona. Goin to see Matthew tomorrow but stayin here tonight. Im so blessed to have such great friends.

God Is Good

All The Time!

Amen!

Location : 1316 5th Ave SW, Altoona, IA 50009,

Day 5---Recap

Well we've started day 6 but i realized that I didn't blog about our amazimg day yesterday.

The beginning of the day started with tributes, announcing section leaders for/next year (Which I am one again,) and then loading buses for Tulsa. We got to Tulsa early and checked into our hotel which is B-E-A-UTIFUL. Reid and I shared a room with each of us having a double bed.

We then rehearsed in the beautiful hall we were singing in. Choir did a nice job of being professional, way proud! Then came dinner which was okay, lasagna (3rd time.) Got into my first bit of drama but its typical considering who its from.

The concert was great. We did a short set because we shared the stage with Simon Estes and Denyce Graves, what an honor.

After the concert the people that paid for everything treated us to an amazing reception at a Mexican Bar. So fun to see the choir enjoy the night.

We're now on Day 6 and have a free day. Tie shopping here I come. :-)

* Picture of Kate and I en el autobus.

Alec



Location : North Campbell No. 1, MO,

Day 4---Kansas City

We made it through day 4. As you may have seen on the earlier posts during today we've had an odd day. We made some extra stops but had lots of fun. Really bonded with Courtney Westling, Alison Nicoll, and Scott Ehlinger.

After our odd trip we made it to Atonement Lutheran Church in KC. What a beautiful church! It brought back fond memories of singing there with Festeburg a year prior. We then rehearsed for way too long, ate some lasagna (2nd time), and then preped for the concert. Andrew gave an emotional prayer that started an emotional concert.

We sang beautifully tonight and this concert brought us closer together. We all sang tonight for Paul Cunard, Andrew, and his family.

As for the personal junk, I still have a lot on my mind, too much. That is why I keep busy at Wartburg, to avoid that personal junk. ;-) But honestly I just need to let things leave my mind and focus on the remainder of tour. Time to focus on having fun and working with the choir!

*Picture of Atonement Lutheran Church in KC

Alec

Location : Center, MO,

Day 4---Target Run Picture #2

Oh hey Carlson!

Location : St Joseph, MO 64503,

Day 4---Target Run

So while some certain people went to Olive Garden some of us went to Target to try on hats. :-)

Location : St Joseph, MO,

Day 4---En Route

We had an incident and needed to stop and wait for a dress and found the Nutcracker!

Location : 4582-4610 Nebraska 2, Dunbar, NE 68346,

Day 3---Lincoln, NE

What a great day today. (Choir Joke)

We woke up this morning bright and early to get to the church to sing at thier 845 traditional service. This is the service i earlier elluded to that was taking place at the same time as their contemporary service, it saddened me. As Kate summed up it was 2 churches under one roof. :-(

After worship we loaded up for Lincoln. It was a nice bus ride that i napped on, ate lunch and spent some great time talking with Kenton. We arrived at the church and set up. It was a beautiful space that was set up for centemporary worship but fit us well. It was a tough place to sing in but overall the choir did well. Its about that time tho when people start having problems with each other.

Reid and I met our hosts after the concert and they are amazing. This has been undoubtably one of the better homestays ive had. We had amazing conversation and I have a beautiful room all to myself again.

I can't lie though I've been fighting something today. Its a compilation of lots of stuff going on in my head that is driving me insane. I don't know.

* Picture of the Basement Reid and I are staying at.

"When I Want to Sing Give Me Jesus"

Alec

Location : 8912 Sandhills Ct, Lincoln, NE 68526,

Day 2---Sioux Falls, SD

Whew! What a draining but great day 2. Our day started with tributes galore followed by some quality football in the church parking lot. (Game Off, Game On) Then came the bus ride that was quite plesently entertaining thanks to Mean Girls. Haha! Then lunch, more tributes and then the church.

We arrived to a panicked Dr. Nelson who had found the contemporary worship space instead of the traditional sanctuary (yes they seperate them) we fixed the issue then rehearsed, ate, and chilled. For our preconcert time Kate sang her amazing version of TicToc for Dr. Nelson and cracked the choir up, then Murray gave a moving devo. Then we sang one of our best concerts thus far.

We met up with homestays, this time we're with Sid. Nice guy, nice hous, and i have my own room, what more can I ask for?

Just about bed time, but one of the things that got to me today was the issue of conetemporary vs. traditional worship. Why would anyone not only split services but split spaces, something has gone wrong. Not only this church, but the corporate church has wronged in sperating music styles. Its all music and its all for God. (More to come....Bed time!)

Alec

*Picture of piano at my homestay!

Location : 2401-2499 E 52nd St, Sioux Falls, SD 57103,

Day 2---En Route

So we get a bit tired on tour! Ahaha!

Location : Address not available

Recap of Day 1---Mason City

Good Morning Sun.

Well day one is done. Yesterday we took off for our week-long miidwest tour this year. It is amazing to me that this is my third tour with this choir.

We loaded up the music, programs, cds, luggage, and people and headed for our first stop, Mason City. The church was amazing, though the accoustics were bad the church was beautiful. We rehearsed and then started the tedious but great job of tributes, followed by diinner and prayer, then game time. The Mason City High School Choir opened the concert beautifully and then we came on and did our thing.

After the concert was a reception and then met with host parents, our host mom was the youth director at the church. And then her husband was hilarious! His first comment was that he was hoping for 4 girls not guys but his wife said no, haha! I had my own room, the one with the stuffed bears!

Well, time for breakfast and then on to South Dakota!

Alec

Location : 13 Charlestown Square, Mason City, IA 50401,

Day 1---Mason City

So It's Been A While.. ha

I started this blog a couple of weeks ago and since then I haven't touched it. I am now at home and needing something to do, so here's what's up with me.

The opera I was in ended last night. Finally! After an intense 5 or 6 weeks of 2 to 3 hour rehearsals daily I am free. It's bittersweet though, which is weird to think. It's over, but ALL of that work is now done with. And those hours are gone. I need to work on using my time for me and for what I love.

This is a conversation I have had to have with myself and with other people recently. I get busy, but why? Is it for me or for other reasons. I have let myself do things for other people because I want to avoid conflict, I want to please other people. I am going to change this, this is my time and I'm going to enjoy everything I do!

So... More time spent planning worship, leading worship, singing or playing in worship and thinking about worship. More time thinking about what I'm going to do with my life and how God has called me in this world.

May the glory of the Lord continue forever! The Lord takes pleasure in all he has made! The earth trembles at his glance; the mountains smoke at his touch. I will sing to the Lord as long as I live. I will praise my God to my last breath! May all my thoughts be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord. Let all that I am praise the Lord. Praise the Lord! - Psalm 104:31-34, 35b

So...

I talked to a friend before break about my desire to start a blog. I don't know why, but it seemed like something that would be good for me. A chance to express somethings I don't always talk about, and also to show and develop a creative side. I thank that friend for this great idea.

I have titled this blog "Examine" because that's what I hope to do. In a class we do a daily examine where we look at life's highs and lows, where we see God, and a spiritual conversation. Though this won't always be like that, it's a good start.

So...As I become creative, read my thoughts, read the scripture I use, and look at the pictures that I take (another side of that darn creative thing.)

ps... The picture's from my camera, but artwork by Alxndr Jones