On the Road with Dan
Many customs, traditions, rituals, and usual habits have stopped or at the least, taken on a very different look this spring and summer. Though much has changed, there is one custom that is particularly fit for a time of isolation — the summertime book list.
August Happenings at Camp
The Tied Together fundraising campaign kicked off July 1 with great success! We are over half way to our goal of selling 500 t-shirts by August 31! For each gift of up to $25, we will create a 4x4 inch "tie-dyed t-shirt" complete with the camp logo and your name....
Sustained through the Long-Haul
July 23rd is at the height of what is called, the Dog-Days of Summer. It is in the middle of the long stretch of summertime heat which keeps going on and on. We wonder if it will ever end and if we will survive it.
Sometimes There Are No Words
Churches in the North District have been busy ‘being the Church’ outside the walls for several months. Feeding the hungry, checking on others, shopping for those who can’t, and cleaning out our spaces to donate
to charities who support our communities.
Camp & Retreat Ministries: Summer Events
Although we are not currently able to hold summer camps and retreats, your Camp & Retreat Ministries staff has been busy planning activities to make your summer fun! July 1 kicks off our Tied Together fundraising campaign. For each gift of up to $25, we will...
Walking in the Waters of our Baptism
The murder of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and the hate crime causing George Floyd’s horrific death have brought our nation and our church to a tipping place. The Appointive Cabinet denounces the sin of systemic racism and commits to taking action to end a culture of white privilege in our society and in our church.
Bishop Bob’s Invitation to the Desert Southwest Conference
Bishop Bob has issued an invitation to the Desert Southwest Conference to commit to eradicate racism and to join him in making a social media statement to that effect on Wednesday, June 17. We wanted to be sure that you are aware of this information. Bishop asked each...
Season of transition
In the United Methodist way, this is a season of transition. Many churches are offering a farewell to their pastors as they celebrate a ministry together. It is a time to express thanks for their shared ministry and bless the pastor into their next appointment or season of retirement.
Special places and special people need you
So, this summer I have returned to my ministry roots, and am again working at a United Methodist Camp. In 1994 I began at Potosi Pines Camp outside Las Vegas as Site Director. It was a ministry I was only slightly familiar with but felt a strong call to do. Over the years at Potosi, and in Alabama, and in Oregon and in Michigan and now in North Carolina, I have been privileged to watch how God has changed hearts and transformed lives through the experience of Camp.
Missed the pre-conference briefing-two more scheduled
If you missed the May 26th pre-conference briefing in preparation for the 2020 Desert Southwest Annual Conference, don’t worry, two more are scheduled.
On the Road with Dan May 2020
In this season of isolation, when I am now “off-roading,” I have been enjoying the spring flowers which bring fresh life into the landscape of my backyard. They represent hope and rebirth. I find it good for the soul to dig in the earth (OK chisel) and nurture forth life in the garden.
How might this season of unrest soften me?
I don’t know about you, but I am not sure I ever used the word ‘mitigate’ in a sentence before March of this year. I used other words with similar meanings, but ‘mitigate’ seems to be in every sentence these days.
Mitigating the effects of Covid 19, mitigating the emotional effects of not being able to be in community, mitigating the financial impact of not having corporate worship, or work, or summer camp. I’ve used it so much that I figured I needed to look it up and see if I am using it correctly.
Open Table – Helping a young adult learn to drive
Open Table ministry has been building relationships and supporting those in need for 15 years. It’s messy but oh so rewarding. Our young adults have expressed how much their table members have provided support, community, and social resources which have made a significant impact on their lives.
Water for the Reservation – AC 2020 Mission Project
Imagine. For just a moment, walk with me, through more than 27,000* square miles in Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. 27,000 square miles of many homes without running water or other infrastructure that many of us simply live with daily as part of our “normal”. A place...
Wednesday Devotional at Noon – Rev. Dan Morley
The past two Wednesdays the Desert Southwest Conference presented inspirational devotions to bring an uplifting spiritual pause during the middle of the week. This ‘Earth Day,’ North District Superintendent Rev. Dan Morley will present the devotion and bring attention to ‘Earth Day.’
“SOMETHING BRAND NEW” That Won’t Make You Sick!
“On March 2 I flew from Las Vegas to Phoenix. High winds had buffeted Las Vegas all weekend. They transformed that hour-long flight into a bone-jarring pothole marathon! Nearly all my off-road adventures have been far smoother! As we landed in Phoenix, I wondered: Was that rough ride a preview of the year we’d just begun?”
DSC Emergency Response Team Supply Donation
The Desert Southwest Conference Emergency Response Team donated Protection Equipment from the Disaster Response trailer. Thirty N-95 masks and 175 TyVek suits were delivered to the Northern Navajo Medical Center in Shiprock, NM.
Jesus held to the vision of the Kin-dom
On the road called Via Dolorosa, the way of suffering, Jesus journeyed over the challenging mountain of Golgotha and through the dark valley of death. He experienced isolation from his community (“I do not know him” Luke 22:57), and even with God (“why have you forsaken me?” Matthew 27:46). Even so, on this road of isolation, Jesus held to the vision of the Kin-dom — a hope, a promise, and a grace for all.
Some days ARE very hard
Some days ARE very hard. Recently the hard days seem to come closer together, not allowing for us to recover or process their meaning. It’s times like this when our loving connectedness is important.
Potosi Virtual Event and Camp Information
We have officially postponed the North District Women’s retreat to September 11-12 at Potosi Pines Camp, but we are excited to host a ‘Virtual Easter Eggstravaganza!”
