Sharon's Blog

William C. “Bill” Nichols

chiggins@cm.disciples.org — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 02:04:14 GMT

Here is the prayer I offered at the memorial service for Bill Nichols.

Opening Prayer

Memorial Service for

C. William “Bill” Nichols

April 25, 2012

Sharon E. Watkins

O God,

You are our refuge and our strength, a very present help in trouble.

We give you thanks that we can come together this morning – family, friends, church family, in the shelter of your healing love to express grief and to face emptiness, and to know that you love us.

Dear God, we confess it is difficult to mark the end of a lifetime. But it is also right that we celebrate the gift of life as it has come in a particular person. In so doing, we offer our gratitude to you, O God of Creation -- for all that you have given.

We give you thanks that we can gather as your children, to comfort and support one another in a time of loss -- and to share words of hope to lighten our sadness, to take away the sting of death.

And so we gather this morning to express our grief, but also to give praise to you, to witness to our faith as we celebrate a life.

We are especially grateful today to remember with love and appreciation the life of C. William Nichols and to give thanks for him.

We do give thanks, dear God, for Bill.

For one who dedicated his life to you by dedicating his life to your church. Who could evoke visions of your love through his weaving of stories, recounted by heart, not missing a word, painting vibrant word pictures that brought reassuring images startlingly clear – like the unexpected shimmering of angel portraits long since thought to be whitewashed away.

We give thanks for Bill’s quiet wisdom, gently offered to family and friends and parishioners.

And for that iconic public moment when he helped a wounded, frightened church get off a slow, dorky riding lawn mower, going in circles, and get onto a Harley to hit the road to mission with confidence and hope.

We give you thanks that he was a writer, that his words remain and that his witness remains through a family and church who knew him and love him still.

For one who was a rock to his grandchildren, great grandchildren and children and loving life partner to Claudine.

Who continued to teach the faith by example to all those around him even as he journeyed ever closer to the boundary between this life and the next, we give you thanks and praise.

We remember Jesus’ words of promise:

“Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one; I died and behold I am alive forevermore. . .I am the resurrection and the life; those who believe in me, though they die, yet shall they live. . .”

Thank you, dear God, for your promises; for the knowledge that we are all in your hands and you desire to let none of us go -- ever.

Help us to put our trust in you. Show us that what we do not understand we can leave to mystery and to your keeping in the profound confidence that nothing – neither life nor death nor anything else in all creation can separate us from your love through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN

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William C. Howland

chiggins@cm.disciples.org — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 01:59:13 GMT

We’ve lost some leaders recently. Here is my reflection a few weeks ago at the memorial service for Dr. William C. "Bill” Howland.

William C. Howland

A Reflection by Sharon E. Watkins

April 7, 2012

It is an honor to be here today to share in this time of remembrance with family and friends of William Charles Howland, Jr., and to celebrate and give thanks for the life of this gifted child of God. I bring greetings on behalf of a grateful Church, with whom you shared your husband and father for so many years.

As I think about Bill Howland, the phrase that keeps popping into my head is “larger than life.” I don’t know if people talk that way outside of novels, but to me, Bill Howland was just that – larger than life!

When he entered a room – no – Bill didn’t just “enter” a room. When he swept into a room – you knew it. And not in an “oh, look at me” kind of a way.

Not at all.

No, he possessed such a joyful energy, such a love of life, such a love of the people around him, that his presence quite simply filled the room.

Big gestures, big smile, big bear hugs – and creative, positive, moving-toward-a-goal energy and intention.

No wonder he was tapped to serve alongside Ken Teegarden and Howard Dentler in the Office of the General Minister and President – three great leaders.

Bill was the consummate relationship builder in a Church that depends 100% on relationships. A task force to visit all the Disciples colleges? A challenge in a region? A celebration in a congregation? Bill went on behalf of us all. He was an astute and engaging preacher who reflected deeply on the intersection of scripture with the important matters of the day – and also made it poignant and applicable. He was always welcomed with open arms.

During those days in Indianapolis, he enjoyed his ministry – had a lot of fun with that task force – probably the ring leader of some really good times! – But he was gone a lot from family. And (some say) seemed ready to get back to congregational ministry when the call came, to get back to those deeper relationships beyond the ceremonial, beyond putting out fires.

So he returned to congregational ministry – to the surprise of some. Not just any congregation, of course, but to the congregation known as the national cathedral of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) National City Christian Church – in those days rather gloomy (at least, according to one teen ager who didn’t want to make the move.) But he worked his magic there: renovation of sanctuary, construction of buildings, fine organ with its Howland Tuba stop, columbarium, and the invitations to the wider church to join making National City a truly national church.

He knew how to mark an occasion! Whether it was a congregation’s 100^th anniversary while he was Deputy GMP, or as National City pastor, taking off his shoes and walking down the aisle at the dedication of the renovated sanctuary, doing the whole service in stocking feet. (“Standing on holy ground” he said!) Or, while serving as chair of the board of trustees at Phillips Theological Seminary, doing something so simple as sending a pink Azalea plant to the home of a new Director of Financial Aid and Community Life on her first day of work (that random young director being me so many years ago, and as you see, I never forgot it) Bill Howland knew how to mark an occasion.

And to make others feel special. He could stand in pulpit and remember the name of every person out there and say something about them. He remembered you.

It was just another sign that within that big presence and big embrace was a big heart for inclusion. From his early days preaching racial justice and nearly being burned out by the KKK, to building a multi-cultural and inclusive congregation at National City, reaching out to the neighborhood around the church and encouraging us all in the wider Church to do the same. He led in opening the congregation to gay and lesbian persons – at some risk to the church and his time there. Together Bill and Ann stood up for their belief in a loving God who loves all people. They maintained that belief and demonstrated it in their actions.

Bill Howland, larger than life. A great fund-raiser, lover of music, rooting for the underdog in any game (unless the Long-Horns were playing!) and yet at home with Washington dignitaries or neighborhood kids, leader and friend. Bill was a faithful servant who believed in a God of love, a God of abundant possibility. And that’s the way he lived. And that’s the way he served. And the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) gives thanks for him.

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Trayvon

chiggins@cm.disciples.org — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 15:48:00 GMT

As a mother of a young man who played football, my heart breaks every time I see the picture of Trayvon Martin in his football uniform. I have a dozen such pictures still on my fridge and in photograph albums, pictures taken as I watched my little boy grow into a man. When I think that Trayvon’s mother will not have that same joy, I am overwhelmed with sadness. She, especially, and all those who love Trayvon are in my prayers. In my prayers as well are the Zimmermans, the police and the entire community of Sanford, Florida.

Tags: Trayvon Martin,race,racism,guns,pro-reconciliation/anti-racism,Reconciliation Ministry,wholeness

Let’s Move!

chiggins@cm.disciples.org — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 17:05:00 GMT

A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to participate in the second anniversary celebration of First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” initiative. It took place in Florida and began with a gathering of “Let’s Move: Faith and Community” at Northland Church: a Church Distributed. Joel Hunter (a Christian Theological Seminary graduate) is pastor there. I was asked to give brief remarks and an opening prayer. Here is what I said:

Tags: "Let's Move",Michelle Obama,faith,community,remarks,obesity,school,health

Rev. Dr. Billye Pinkston Bridges

chiggins@cm.disciples.org — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 11:34:00 GMT

Rev. Dr. Billye Pinkston Bridges

Light of the World Christian Church; February 25, 2012

The Rev. Dr. Billye Pinkston Bridges came to see me in my office one day.

I already knew by that time that she was a gentle, sweet, kind servant of the Lord. She’d already greeted me countless times with her magnificent smile, her quiet high five, her warm hug. In so many quick moments of passing each other – in the lobby, in the elevator, in the hall – she had surrounded me with the enveloping compassion of her spirit.

Tags: Billye Bridges,remembrance

A New Year's Message

chiggins@cm.disciples.org — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:39:00 GMT

General Minister and President Sharon E. Watkins talks about her hopes for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in 2012. The video presentation is based on her letter to the church.

Download as: Windows Media | QuickTime

Tags: video,new year,hope

Lord, Teach Us To Pray

chiggins@cm.disciples.org — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 14:02:00 GMT

The planning process for the 2013 General Assembly is ramping up, which got me thinking . . . Our Disciples mission is to be and to share the good news of Jesus Christ. We’re a pragmatic, active people who partner easily with others to make life better for our neighbors. As a movement for wholeness, we extend God’s welcome to all at the Lord’s Table. We’re people who like to “do” as we extend welcome and seek wholeness.

Tags: prayer,pray,General Assembly,Luke

A Prayer for the New Year

chiggins@cm.disciples.org — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 18:30:00 GMT

O God of infinite creativity . . .

At the beginning of this New Year – winter for so many – the rich brown earth is even now preparing to burst forth with a spring of possibilities and new life.

Though the human eye cannot see it, you continue to bless the earth with new beginnings.

We praise you!

Bless us with new beginnings, we pray.

Where we have lost sight of your Reign breaking in – even now at hand –
Renew our vision.

Where we have faltered in reaching out to our neighbor in love, missing the moment to extend a hand of wholeness,
Renew our courage.

Where we have allowed cynicism to dry our bones and sinews,
Renew our hope.

At this beginning of a New Year, dear God, our arms are still warm from cradling the Babe of Bethlehem.

Help us to keep that memory strong.

Strengthen our arms to welcome your many children into communities of love.

Prepare our hearts to burst forth with a spring of possibilities and new life.

Stir us to be and share your love with the same vulnerability, the same humble expectation that brought you into the world in person.

Help us, your church, your disciples, to be harbingers of your reign of justice and of peace fully emerged.

O God of infinite creativity, at the beginning of this New Year, we know that you are about to do a new thing. Help us to perceive it. And to join in.

In the name of Jesus, your greatest new beginning, we pray.
AMEN

Tags: prayer,new year,renewal,hope,courage,vision

A Word of Hope from a Partner

chiggins@cm.disciples.org — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:12:00 GMT

Through the Division of Overseas Ministries/Global Ministries, we Disciples partner with churches and church leaders around the world. One of those partners is Bishop Munib A. Younan, of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land. He lives in Jerusalem and currently serves as President of the Lutheran World Federation.

Tags: Bishop Munib A. Younan,Division of Overseas Ministries/Global Ministries,Lutheran World Federation,hope,Christmas,birth

As veterans come home – now it’s our turn

chiggins@cm.disciples.org — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 14:28:00 GMT

US military involvement in Iraq has quietly come to an end, but the impact of this engagement will continue long in the lives of many. We are especially mindful of US military personnel who have served and those who are just returning home and their families. May we commit ourselves to their care.

Our Church has been present with our service personnel in combat, on military bases, and in hospitals through our military chaplains. These Disciples ministers volunteer to go unarmed even into the heat of combat, to offer ministry in the most extreme and dangerous circumstances imaginable. I pray for these servants who are among the most courageous and compassionate men and women on the face of the earth.

Tags: US,military,Iraq,moral injury,war,Advent