January 9 (Friday) Pastor’s Post
Sullivan UMC—J. Michael Smith
Today is National Cassoulet Day
Oh come-on! Why can’t we just call it National Casserole Day? I never did like French when I took it in high school, and I’ve been trying to avoid French words ever since.
But it turns out that “cassoulet” is not a casserole. It’s more like a stew that is baked in a clay pot.
Julia Child (I have her “Art of Mastering French Cooking” on my bookshelf) says that people have horrible arguments over what ingredients to put in a cassoulet. Well…that’s sounding more American! My two grandmothers argued over whether to make gravy with flour or corn starch. The folks in one of my churches got into a dispute over what ingredients should be included in cooked green beans.
I’ve never heard an argument over what to put in a cassoulet–which is disappointing since I think it would be fun to listen in on (and fun to make fun of it later.) Someday–when if you wake up and find yourself in a bad mood–come on down to the church and I’ll find you someone else who is in a bad mood, and the two of you can argue over what to put in a cassoulet–while I rustle up a crowd to watch.
Evidently a cassoulet can include things like white beans, goose, pork skin, etc. Since it’s a French dish, I looked online to see what kind of animals might be abundant in France. Sadly, the internet only came up with dogs, cats, and hedgehogs. I’m thinking this dish may not evolve into a First Church potluck favorite.
Anyway, let me know if you want to serve on the argument organizing committee. The show should start out in English–but if it the contestants turns ornery–I’ll be asking everyone to switch to French–a good way to bring it all to an entertaining conclusion.
Coming Up This Week:
Sunday: Worship services at 9:30 and 11 a.m. in the Friendship Hall and Sanctuary. Scripture for both services is Matthew 3: 13-18. Music at 9:30 includes Mighty to Save, Honor and Praise, and Graves to Gardens. Music at 11 includes an organ prelude (Love Was When); the hymn Holy, Holy, Holy; an offertory song by Chip Hagen, Down From His Glory; Awesome God as the postlude, and songs I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry and You Are Mine.
Monday: Wings, 6:30 p.m. (The group will be doing some planning for what book to work on next and organizing for some service projects for the new year.) Also Monday: AA at 7.
Tuesday: Walking With Jesus (Men) at 9 a.m.; Women’s Life Group at 9 a.m.; Dinner Together at 5:30 (check with Ray Burrus for where); Church Council at 6 p.m.
Wednesday: Praise Team practice at 5 p.m.; Membership Class at 6 p.m.; AA at 7;
Thursday: Mary’s Food Bags for schools (check with Mary White for time)
Check with Jeff White for time of the Praise Team practice.
Each of my Friday posts to you will include the complete schedule of everything going on at the church. It won’t hurt for everyone to check with Esther to be sure her calendar has you included. I need to know ALL that is going on so I can improve communication for the WHOLE congregation. All of us together are building trust.
MY DAYS TO BE ON SITE NEXT WEEK:
- SUNDAY 8-12:30
- TUESDAY 9-9,
- WEDNESDAY 12:30 PM-5 P.M.,
- THURSDAY 9-5
THE REST OF THE TIME I CAN BE REACHED BY EMAIL, PHONE OR TEXT
217-898-3148 and jms754@gmail.com
I will be continuing to meet people next week—so check with me to schedule a time from one of those days listed above.
Our Church Council (replaces the Administrative Council of the past) will meet this Tuesday. If anyone has any business to be approved, please let either Bill Workman or me know by no later than Sunday. That advanced notice in necessary for assuring that all Church Council meetings will be open, transparent, and efficiently run. (no more than one hour) Agendas will be set ahead of time so that everyone knows what to expect when they show up—and there will be time for everyone to prepare for any decisions that need to be made. This month’s Council meeting will mostly be an orientation I have prepared about how a Church Council functions according to our denomination’s Book of Discipline. Anyone from the church is welcome to attend. I will also give an outline introducing how we will organize for the various ministries of the church.
Repertoire 