Sullivan UMC—J. Michael Smith
Today is National Cheese Lovers Day
First of all, repeat after me: “American cheese is not actually cheese.” It is processed—not real cheese. Some of it, such as Kraft Singles, contains less than 50% actual cheese. If I were president, I would issue an executive order that so-called American cheese is only permitted to be served in Waffle House—where it is a necessity for scattered, smashed, covered, topped, and chunked hash browns. In that setting—and only in that setting—I approve.
In any other setting, American cheese is nothing more than cheese food—which any old time farmer knows is just another word for “slop the hogs.”
Give me an adult cheese sandwich—on rye or sourdough bread. Use Cheddar, Colby (my favorite), Swiss, Italian, or Farmer’s Basil. It will go well with a homemade tomato bisque.
The only thing more obnoxious than American cheese is a cheese you have to learn French in order to pronounce. Not to be Pharisaical about it, but at least our American cheese doesn’t stink. A panel of taste testers once compared Vieux Boulogne to an explosive scent of body odor, dung, and decaying fungus. Another French cheese, Epoisses de Bourgogne was allegedly banned from the buses and trains of Paris because its stink disturbed other passengers.
Church Insider Report
I’m getting ready for the first two Commission on Ministries meeting tomorrow. There will be other gatherings of the Commission on Ministries nearly every week for the next month or two. Here is what to expect:
Q. Who should plan to attend at least one?
A. Leaders of all the small groups in the church; previous committee members of Nurture, Witness, or Outreach; those who are in charge of programs with children or youth, those who are involved in ministries with the elderly, those involved in a favorite mission project, those who have an idea or a passion—or something heavy on their heart concerning people in need.
Q. What is the purpose of the Commission on Ministries?
A. To be like a Grand Central Station for all the programs coming and going under the umbrella of our congregation.
Q. What will we be doing at the meetings?
A. Registering the programs, a time for the pastor and others to ask questions, a time for noting how each program relates to all the other programs in the church, a time to secure resources from the church (money, personnel, publicity, building and other property use, etc.)
If you’ve got a project, a tradition or program you want to continue, a group you lead, or an idea you’d like to try—YOU are the ones I want to see.
Tomorrow’s two sessions of the Commission on Ministry: 11 a.m.. and 7 p.m.
I’ll be here tomorrow from 9 to 9, but the schedule is filling up fast. Call or text me directly at 217-898-3148 or email me at jms754@gmail.com
Repertoire 