Pastor Brian's Blog

What will you take out of the box this Christmas? Starting Sun., Dec. 1, a new 4-week series on Christmas called "Outside the Box" will begin. Each week we will explore a different theme that will help you take Christmas out of the box this year. Open Up "Expectations" (Dec. 1) Open Up "Acceptance" (Dec. 8) Open Up "Family" (Dec. 15) Open Up "Yourself" (Dec. 22)  Take Christmas out of the box this year. You may even find yourself in the story!  

On Sun., Nov. 17, a series of tornadoes tore through central Illinois.  Hard hit was my hometown of Washington.   The winds of this EF-4 tornado blew at 190 mph.  In Washington alone, n early 1,100 buildings were damaged, about 120 people were injured.  At least o ne person was killed.   My parents are safe and their home was not damaged, but the neighborhood directly south of my home church (Crossroads United Methodist Church) was flattened, as the police video below shows.   I have seen devastation from other storms, but seeing such destruction in a community I know and love moved me to tears.      My first impulse was to go and do something.  My home church is one of the sites offering food and shelter to neighbors displaced by the storm.  I sent words of prayer and support to the pastor of my home church, and then contacted our district superintendent and the Northern Illinois Conference disaster coordinator to see how ...

On Fri., Nov. 15, along with other United Methodist clergy friends and colleagues, I met with Filipino Bishop Cerrie Francisco and his wife Restetita, who happened to be in the U.S. for a meeting of the United Methodist Council of Bishops when Typhoon Haiyan ripped across their country last week.    Bp. Francisco is the leader of the Davao Area in the south, which was the hardest hit region and includes many islands and remote areas.  Some 800,000 people have been displaced.  Six United Methodist churches in his area were damaged by the storm.    I asked the bishop to describe the people of the Davao Area.  He said that many are very poor and that fishing and farming (rice and corn) are the chief means of self-support.  The typhoon has destroyed homes and food supplies.  My colleague Rev. Rolland Hayag told how his wife's parents lost their home to the storm.  They are safe and now living with...

A Service of Installation will be held  on Sunday, November 10 at 3:00 p.m. in recognition of my appointment as the 47th pastor appointed to Trinity United Methodist Church in Wilmette, Illinois.   Trinity Church has been a vital part of the Wilmette community and beyond since 1874.   To celebrate the church's enduring faith and mission, the service will feature: Music from the Chancel Choir and the Lightshine Children’s Choir Message from the Rev. Philip Blackwell, a former pastor of Trinity Church, now serving the First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple. Presentation of symbols of the pastoral office Charge to Rev. Smith and the congregation from the Rev. Dr. Zaki L. Zaki, superintendent of the Chicago Northwestern District. Words of welcome from religious leaders in Wilmette Offering for mission (divided among Senegal Mission Initiative, “A Just Harvest” of Rogers Park, “Adopt an Apartment” for Detroit, and Imagine No Malaria) Clergy c...

Sincere Prayer is the theme of a new series at Trinity Church for the last three weeks of November.  More than telling God what we want or need, prayer is a matter of being real with God, of finding God alongside us in times of struggle, and of acknowledging God's goodness with a thankful heart. Bring someone to worship with you, and help them to connect more deeply with God as we explore these thmes of prayer. Nov. 10 Confession Moments of Truth (Psalm 32; Genesis 3:8-14) Nov. 17 Lament On the Other Side of Despair (Psalm 13; Daniel 4:28-37) Nov. 24 Thanksgiving Good to Give Thanks (Psalm 92; 1 Thessalonians 5)