Who are they and why are we writing about them? Well, glad you asked...
They are 16 youth and 5 adults from Upper dublin Lutheran Church. They are traveling to NEW ORLEANS for the ELCA NATIONAL GATHERING! They will spend time doing service projects. Becoming Peacemakers, Justicemakers, and Disciples while also learning how to pack it up and bring it home.
Want to know more? Want to see photos? Ask Questions? Just send support?
CHECK US OUT AT udlcyouth.blogspot.com, follow us on Twitter @udlcambler, or Facebook (www.facebook.com/udlcambler).
We leave at 4 AM tomorrow morning, so we maybe updating you before most of you have your first cup of coffee!
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Monday, July 2, 2012
Do all the tallest men in the area go to this church?
If you have ever stood in a group of taller men at UDLC after the 9 AM Service, then you may have overheard a man say this, then crack a smile, and laugh.
Bill Miller had a theory that every man taller than him decided to attend UDLC. When prompted, he would say, "Well I used to be taller, but you get old and you shrink." He loved to laugh, and joke, but he had a very serious side that came out when he talked of things he loved. He loved his family, his church, and his Lord.
Bill passed away earlier today and the first thing that actually made me (the mysterious blog author) laugh was the refrain from the song "Soliloquy" from Carousel and I actually see the irony in it when it comes to Bill.
My boy, Bill! He'll be tall
And tough as a tree, will Bill!
Like a tree he'll grow
With his head held high
And his feet planted firm on the ground
And you won't see nobody dare to try
To boss or toss him around!
No pot-bellied, baggy-eyed bully'll toss him around
I don't give a d-mn what he does
As long as he does what he likes!
For a man who had to look up to a number of people physically on Sunday, what Bill didn't know was that many of us look up to him. His tenacity, his love, his humor, and his heart for Jesus are the reasons we loved Bill. Last February, Bill spoke to our youth about his trials and health issues in 2008. In that he spoke of how he went from being a member of a church to being a "Christian" and realized what being a "Christian" was all about.
Bill, you will be missed, but we are grateful for you leaving us with your own words and journey from attending a Christian church to being a "Christian".
Bill Miller had a theory that every man taller than him decided to attend UDLC. When prompted, he would say, "Well I used to be taller, but you get old and you shrink." He loved to laugh, and joke, but he had a very serious side that came out when he talked of things he loved. He loved his family, his church, and his Lord.
Bill passed away earlier today and the first thing that actually made me (the mysterious blog author) laugh was the refrain from the song "Soliloquy" from Carousel and I actually see the irony in it when it comes to Bill.
My boy, Bill! He'll be tall
And tough as a tree, will Bill!
Like a tree he'll grow
With his head held high
And his feet planted firm on the ground
And you won't see nobody dare to try
To boss or toss him around!
No pot-bellied, baggy-eyed bully'll toss him around
I don't give a d-mn what he does
As long as he does what he likes!
For a man who had to look up to a number of people physically on Sunday, what Bill didn't know was that many of us look up to him. His tenacity, his love, his humor, and his heart for Jesus are the reasons we loved Bill. Last February, Bill spoke to our youth about his trials and health issues in 2008. In that he spoke of how he went from being a member of a church to being a "Christian" and realized what being a "Christian" was all about.
Bill, you will be missed, but we are grateful for you leaving us with your own words and journey from attending a Christian church to being a "Christian".
You can also hear his Funeral Service in its entirety here.
Bill Miller's Funeral (with Prelude)
Friday, June 22, 2012
A change is gonnna come....
So when you think about the person sitting typing this, do you wonder "who is the author"? Then you see Sam Cooke Lyrics posted and the reader has to think about who could pull up Sam Cooke.
Summer is here and people will soon be off with vacation, BBQ, weekends with friends, and just taking lazy weekends with family. Now, as the writer of this Blog I am not going to say you're doing anything wrong, but while you are gone SOME PRETTY BIG CHANGES ARE UPON US!
You all know that Donna Huxtable has stepped down as treasurer and another member Linda Rozinski has taken the reins there.
Did you know however that our Office Administrator, Kathleen Dombkoski, is moving to Chicago with her family?
Kathleen has been a huge blessing to UDLC in the time she has been here. She has helped not only get the office organized, plan multiple large projects and create all of the marketing materials, flyers, and postcards for more things than we can list. Kathleen streamlined "This Week" to save paper each week.
Some things that Kathleen did that you may not know, but benefit from all the time:
* Original reworking of UDLC.org
* Help coordinating the visit of the "Tanzania 3"
* Help getting "Constant Contact" emails to congregation
* Making sure the website is constantly updated
* The most recent UDLC.ORG reworking and upgrade in November 2011
* Helping to get Upper Dublin's computers and network update done.
This change is coming and while it is sad for many of us and we will miss Kathleen, Mark, and the girls, we wish them all the best.
So in all the change with Donna Huxtable moving closer to her daughter, Linda Rozinski joining the staff, Pastor Keith joining us, and Kathleen Dombkoski moving on....
There were times when I thought I couldn't last for long
But now I think I'm able to carry on
It's been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change gone come, oh yes it will
THE NEXT CHANGE?
OUR VERY OWN THERESA TINO IS TAKING OVER AS OFFICE ADMINISTRATION
You all know that Donna Huxtable has stepped down as treasurer and another member Linda Rozinski has taken the reins there.
Did you know however that our Office Administrator, Kathleen Dombkoski, is moving to Chicago with her family?
Kathleen has been a huge blessing to UDLC in the time she has been here. She has helped not only get the office organized, plan multiple large projects and create all of the marketing materials, flyers, and postcards for more things than we can list. Kathleen streamlined "This Week" to save paper each week.
Some things that Kathleen did that you may not know, but benefit from all the time:
* Original reworking of UDLC.org
* Help coordinating the visit of the "Tanzania 3"
* Help getting "Constant Contact" emails to congregation
* Making sure the website is constantly updated
* The most recent UDLC.ORG reworking and upgrade in November 2011
* Helping to get Upper Dublin's computers and network update done.
This change is coming and while it is sad for many of us and we will miss Kathleen, Mark, and the girls, we wish them all the best.
So in all the change with Donna Huxtable moving closer to her daughter, Linda Rozinski joining the staff, Pastor Keith joining us, and Kathleen Dombkoski moving on....
As Sam Cooke sings:
There were times when I thought I couldn't last for long
But now I think I'm able to carry on
It's been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change gone come, oh yes it will
THE NEXT CHANGE?
OUR VERY OWN THERESA TINO IS TAKING OVER AS OFFICE ADMINISTRATION
As Lutherans, there is a stereotype that we don’t like change, but funny thing is UDLC seems to take on “Change” and embrace it.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
It's a bird! It's a plane! Wait - who is it?
We have been through a pretty easy and quick transitional process (OK relative to others, I can tell you it was quick) and we still are awaiting our new pastor and family in August. However there has been one thing constant at UDLC and one beacon of light holding us together...
Pastor Dyan Lawlor, UDLC's own Superwoman. Sure she will tell you how all of the committees and lay leaders worked harder, but she has been our rock and our go-to for a congregation and she has done it with laughs and smiles, and with all the mounting stress she has been our shepherd.
She has always worn many hats, but right now she wears even more....
 |
| Observer |
Dyan works in many places in the church and community and is willing to sit back when she knows people know more than she does and listen to what others may have as far as solutions.
Now, she may have insights or ideas on projects, issues, or upcoming events, she knows others have the skills and time to make these things even better.
 |
| Pastor and Preacher |
Sunday Mornings, Women's Bible Study, Confirmation, Lent, Wedding, Baptisms, Funerals, Pre-School Chapel, etc...
Sure her title is PASTOR and the name brings certain expectations, but her dedication to doing her best no matter how many meetings, events, personal conflicts, or other things come up are apparent in all she does. She is a teacher, elder, mentor, and learner when she needs to fill those areas.
 |
| Fixer |
 |
| Moral Support |
 |
| Friend |
 |
| YOGI!!!! |
I know, you all are saying. Well this is a nice thing to do and a great way to pat her on the back, but there is also an important reason for this. Dyan is approaching summer which, in the church year, people will say is the SLOW TIME. Yet it is is not so SLOOOOOOWWWW this year.
We have lots of work to do, lots of projects, lots of small tasks to fill, and if you have the time maybe you can take a hat from her collection for a while and if you do, maybe she will teach you a yoga position or 2!
For those of you who may have not seen the video made for Dyan's 25th Anniversary of ordination here is the link...It gives you an insight to Dyan!
Sunday, April 22, 2012
There is a time for everything...
Ecclesiastes 3:1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
There are times in life when we hear these words and they comfort us in bad times and others when we remember them in times of celebration. They also are words that are viewed only at these times and in those times in between we miss the importance of Ecclesiastes 3:1 - 8.
There is a time for everything and you all probably know how the Byrds version goes:
I would ask you how does yours go? What do you see in the song you would write? What are your highs and lows?
In the life of a church some of the biggest highs are celebrations, but they can be the biggest challenges also. In September 2011, one of our Pastors retired from ministry after 40 amazing years of service. At UDLC, we celebrated his 17 years at UDLC, but more importantly we celebrated the 40 years of his and his wife's service in ministry. Yes, we were excited for his future and what retirement would mean, but we hurt because we would be without them.
We were lead through a interim process and through all of it our pastor Dyan was a point of light and walked us through it all. She was helped by council and by our call committee and lay leaders of the congregation. While there was stress, we always found reasons to celebrate the small things.
This Sunday we will meet a candidate and their family who the call committee has voted on, the council voted to approve a congregational vote, and now the congregation will vote on if this is the right fit for UDLC.
This is a time for event this. Should we vote yes, then it is to celebrate our newest family. If not, it means we will look for where the spirit is leading us toward and what is the best candidate for UDLC.
Stay tuned to learn more, but you should also know that out of respect for all those involved, we will probably not be posting the response and information here for a while, but know that in all of this there is a time for this.
Sometimes we pray for an answers or help. When people feel lost or wonder where the answer is, it is probably because we don't realize that God has provided the answer we are just not slowing down and looking.
Now listen to this song again and listen to the words. Think about what time it is in your life.
I would ask you how does yours go? What do you see in the song you would write? What are your highs and lows?
In the life of a church some of the biggest highs are celebrations, but they can be the biggest challenges also. In September 2011, one of our Pastors retired from ministry after 40 amazing years of service. At UDLC, we celebrated his 17 years at UDLC, but more importantly we celebrated the 40 years of his and his wife's service in ministry. Yes, we were excited for his future and what retirement would mean, but we hurt because we would be without them.
We were lead through a interim process and through all of it our pastor Dyan was a point of light and walked us through it all. She was helped by council and by our call committee and lay leaders of the congregation. While there was stress, we always found reasons to celebrate the small things.
This Sunday we will meet a candidate and their family who the call committee has voted on, the council voted to approve a congregational vote, and now the congregation will vote on if this is the right fit for UDLC.
This is a time for event this. Should we vote yes, then it is to celebrate our newest family. If not, it means we will look for where the spirit is leading us toward and what is the best candidate for UDLC.
Stay tuned to learn more, but you should also know that out of respect for all those involved, we will probably not be posting the response and information here for a while, but know that in all of this there is a time for this.
Sometimes we pray for an answers or help. When people feel lost or wonder where the answer is, it is probably because we don't realize that God has provided the answer we are just not slowing down and looking.
Now listen to this song again and listen to the words. Think about what time it is in your life.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Something for you while you wait...
Lent is a time of waiting in the year of the church. It is a time of prayer, penance, repentance, and self-denial in some circles of the Christian faith. Yet Lent can be a very important and exciting time for looking at yourself and your walk on your own discipleship journey.
At UDLC, we have been viewing sections from "Oh God!" with George Burns.
We all spend our lives a lot like Jerry Landers in "Oh, God!" with God asking us to share that God exists to all the world, to not limit God to a box we believe God needs to fit in perfectly.
So many times in our lives we work to do what we feel needs to be done and live a life we believe we deserve and letting faith fit in where we are often told it should, Church, inner circles with friends, and occasionally on TV and Sports. Yet we many times find ourselves searching for our faith and God at times when we don't know what or who else to ask. We cry out asking God to come be present with us.
This winter our confirmation class spent our 5 week term in class hearing from for members of Upper Dublin Lutheran Church's family sharing the stories of times in life when they found God around them and how they discovered that may have been exactly what they needed.
We all travel this same journey of discovery and we all fall short. We try to take shortcuts or ignore the trail markers provided by others and grow angry when we find ourselves lost or in a strange place where we did not expect to find ourselves.
As we prepare to enter HOLY WEEK and the Easter Vigil, may we all shake off the society and social ties that bind us up and find our way to be willing to be ever growing in our own journey and to help others we encounter and ask for help from those ahead of us.
At UDLC, we have been viewing sections from "Oh God!" with George Burns.
We all spend our lives a lot like Jerry Landers in "Oh, God!" with God asking us to share that God exists to all the world, to not limit God to a box we believe God needs to fit in perfectly.
So many times in our lives we work to do what we feel needs to be done and live a life we believe we deserve and letting faith fit in where we are often told it should, Church, inner circles with friends, and occasionally on TV and Sports. Yet we many times find ourselves searching for our faith and God at times when we don't know what or who else to ask. We cry out asking God to come be present with us.
This winter our confirmation class spent our 5 week term in class hearing from for members of Upper Dublin Lutheran Church's family sharing the stories of times in life when they found God around them and how they discovered that may have been exactly what they needed.
We all travel this same journey of discovery and we all fall short. We try to take shortcuts or ignore the trail markers provided by others and grow angry when we find ourselves lost or in a strange place where we did not expect to find ourselves.
As we prepare to enter HOLY WEEK and the Easter Vigil, may we all shake off the society and social ties that bind us up and find our way to be willing to be ever growing in our own journey and to help others we encounter and ask for help from those ahead of us.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Set a goal and see what happens....
On March 10th - 11th, 28 youth and adults got together for two main goals:
1. Get 50 participants to raise $5,000.
2. Begin to educate our community in more detail about famine in the East Horn of Africa and locally.
Well, we didn't get to 50 participants, but we did get to 28 and we didn't hit our $5,000 goal. WE HIT $10,000.
We worked with our friends at Chosen 300 to serve our fellow community members in Philadelphia.
I would give you more details and provide all sorts of facts, but our youth did a great job of recapping for us:
Check out some of the photos from UDLC's 30 Hour Famine.
1. Get 50 participants to raise $5,000.
2. Begin to educate our community in more detail about famine in the East Horn of Africa and locally.
Well, we didn't get to 50 participants, but we did get to 28 and we didn't hit our $5,000 goal. WE HIT $10,000.
We worked with our friends at Chosen 300 to serve our fellow community members in Philadelphia.
I would give you more details and provide all sorts of facts, but our youth did a great job of recapping for us:
Check out some of the photos from UDLC's 30 Hour Famine.
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