Stepping into the Call

When God begins to whisper a call in your life, it is an amazing feeling!  Suddenly you are face to face with the reality that the God of the Universe has chosen you for God's world-changing purpose.  Honestly, that's incredible and overwhelming.  But it's not enough to merely hear the call of God, you have to do something about it!  You have to take the next step!  This weekend you heard Pastor Danny Drummond talk about his call into ministry.  In January, Danny will be attending The West Ohio Conference's Candidacy Summit.  It's an opportunity for Danny to take his next step toward becoming a local licensed pastor in The United Methodist Church.  Although this next step will include spiritual and educational requirements for Danny, it will not change his role or position here at Shiloh.  In other words, he's not going anywhere!  We have the priviledge of being part of helping shape Danny into the pastor God is calling him to be.  But Danny isn't the only one on staff stepping into their call as pastor.  

Pastor Brent Dearnell is shifting, "changing seats" here at Shiloh.  For the last 6 years Brent has served as the Pastor of Youth and Young Adults.  Brent's leadership and passion for ministry has not only changed the lives of many young people, but has really shaped the direction of our church.  Brent is an incredible leader, and wants nothing more than to do God's Kingdom work!  In September 2012, our church participated in a 3-year visioning process that named Adult Discipleship as one of the main areas of growth needed and necessary for Shiloh to fulfill it's mission of 'claiming our community and the city of Cincinnati for Jesus Christ.'  Brent very prophetically asked 'what are we going to do about it?'  That is when Brent and I, along with the SPPRC (Staff Pastor Parish Relations Committee), decided to expand Brent's role as Associate Pastor to include Adult Discipleship.  Brent will serve as the Director of Discipleship, including all persons: children, youth, and adults.  He will be asking the quesiton, "how do we help people become fully submitted followers of Jesus Christ?"  Since Brent's role is shifting and Shiloh is absolutely committed to the sucess of youth ministry, we will be hiring a new Director of Youth Ministries in June.  This person will be committed full time to investing in our youth and helping our youth become fully submitted followers of Jesus Christ!  Brent is stepping into his calling!  It's amazing, church, to see these young men experience the power of God's call on their lives.   

But it's not just Danny and Brent.  It's you, too!  How are you stepping into God's call on your life?  Stepping into a call implies movement.  So what next steps do you need to take?  If you want to talk about next steps, feel free to talk to me, Pastor Danny or Pastor Brent about God's call on your life. 

On Mission with you, 

Pastor Rachel 

Christmas Is Not Your Birthday

Although the mad dash to Christmas has already begun, this year’s Black Friday spend frenzy is going to be crazier than ever.  Many stores are not only following last year’s trend of actually opening the late evening of Thanksgiving, but many are opening for those elusive deals as early as 6pm!  Which means-- as people are gathering with family and friends to eat a meal, they are also calculating how to get their holiday shopping done early.  I can just picture it, Dad’s cutting into the Turkey and we are urging him to hurry because Walmart is almost open!  It is totally wrecking the rest and relaxation of Thanksgiving Day!  Not to mention the thousands of people who are forced to work even earlier or later on Thursday!  ‘Tis the season, right?‘  Actually no!  Advent-those 4 weeks leading up to Christmas Day- and Christmas are seasons in the church purposed to help us prepare for the birth of Jesus!  Jesus, Immanuel, God with us came to this earth and moved into our neighborhood so that we could experience real life transformation throughout the world.  It wasn’t about savings and Santa!  The birth of Jesus was about changing the world!  This Christmas, instead of treating Christmas like it’s your birthday (even if it is), I want to challenge you to focus on others: spend more time with your family and friends, enjoy the benefits of deep relationships, come to church, and give to others.  This year we have a couple ways that you can give to others and be the difference in someone’s life:

The Christmas Shop:  This year we will be partnering with over 20 families on December 7 at the Delhi Campus to give families the opportunity to shop for Christmas.  Not only are we in need of donations for the shop but we also need servants to help serve the day of the event.  We especially need personal shoppers (people to help families shop) and a couple of adults to help with children’s activities.  We will have activities for the children while parents shop.  In addition to shopping, families will enjoy a meal and be invited to attend Saturday Night Worship!  

Imagine No Malaria:  United Methodists world-wide are participating in this campaign to eradicate Malaria.  Over the next three years, Shiloh will be saving lives through something as simple as mosquito netting and medication.  We urge you to give generously to the Imagine No Malaria campaign because each contribution literally saves lives.  We will be taking donations to Imagine No Malaria through Christmas Eve.  So write a check to Shiloh United Methodist Church and write in the memo Imagine No Malaria or go to our website: www.shilohumc.com and click on the WeShare icon to give to the campaign online.   

Christmas is not our birthday!  So let’s not focus on the chaos of overspending, but rather let’s invest our time and our resources on things that really make a difference in our lives and the lives of others.  Be the difference!  

On mission with you, 

Pastor Rachel   

We Can Do It

In 1993, while in Washington DC, I purchased a t-shirt that really became my mantra for life, "We Can Do It!"  It was a replica of a World War II propaganda poster encouraging women who were part of the ever-growing workforce to support the war. This J. Howard Miller original reminds me of the strength and determination of many of the women in my life.   Many of those women of strength have been women in the church and particularly United Methodist Women.    For 150 years, the United Methodist Women have been “fostering spiritual growth, developing leaders and advocating for justice.”  In other words, these women are serious about mission!  They have dedicated themselves to fighting for the causes of women, children, and orphans throughout the world!  Every UMW event is focused on raising funds for mission!  In October, with our Rummage Sale, $2340 was raised for mission.  And just last week 56 vendors gathered for the annual Christmas Boutique.  In December, the UMW will have their annual Christmas Dinner, Thursday, December 5, at The Meadows.    ALL of the women in the church are invited to be a part of this year's Christmas Dinner.   Our United Methodist Women are hard at work dedicating themselves to the cause of Jesus Christ!  If you are interested in becoming a part of the United Methodist Women, please contact UMW President Janet Klem at 251-5015.   The UMW is a legacy of Christ-centered strength!  

We Can Do It, 

Pastor Rachel  

Why School Changed My Life

Dear Educators, Teachers, Administrators, School Staff, and Coaches:

Maybe I didn’t walk your halls, perhaps you never taught me to read, maybe you didn’t have to pick up the mess I left in the cafeteria, or even discipline me when I got rowdy riding the school bus, but someone just like you did. I spent my educational years being encouraged, mentored, and taught by the best. Some teachers, others administrator, still others school staff and coaches. These men and women invested in me, and I recognize just how their words of encouragement changed my life. Miss Hilbert ignited in me a love for writing, Mrs. Maxson a love for teaching, Mr. Woodward a passion for History, Mrs. Morris the belief that I could achieve anything, Mrs. Cunningham a desire for creativity, Mr. Saxton a dream for my future, and many many more. I grew up in place once described to me as “a thin slice of life.” Opportunities didn’t necessarily abound, and yet from a very early age I understood that education mattered. Why? Because it mattered to you! You planted within my heart a desire to learn. With your passion and dedication to the art of learning, you ignited within me a flame that has never died. Although it’s been years since I’ve walked through the halls of a primary or secondary school, I never stopped learning. Learning was the one way, the one avenue I had to experience transformation in my life. God’s dream for my life could be fulfilled because of the doors that were opened to me through a love for learning. That love for learning was planted by you, or at least in me by people like you. I imagine that you have kids in your classrooms, kids roaming your halls, kids sitting in your cafeteria with dreams for their lives, and you hold within your hand the key to their future. You can unlock within them a love for learning. But we have to do our part. This week, those living within the Oak Hills School District will be voting on a levy. As a parent of an Oak Hills student I can’t help but think about how important you are in her life, and how important you will be in the lives of her brothers. I think about how education has changed since I started school over 25 years ago-the pressure, the testing, the expectations, the requirements. Things are different and yet even though education has changed, your influence over the lives of young people hasn’t. You can change lives. I am praying for you this week, and I am encouraging my church family to pray for you as well. We are praying that as people vote they too think about the future of our community and the dreams of our children. I know it’s a lot of pressure being an educator-holding within your hands the future of a new generation, but I suspect you are up for the challenge. I thank you for your passion, I thank you for your patience, and I thank you for changing the lives of student’s just like me.

 Praying for you,



 Rev. Rachel Billups

Making Commitments

This week in preparation for the wedding of Grace McBrayer and Kevin Kaufman I’ve been thinking a lot about commitments.  Decision are easy--simple yes,simple no-- but commitments are the kind of decisions that can leave you full of joy or sick to your stomach.  Commitments bind us, obligate us, and challenge us to look beyond ourselves to the person or thing we have made our commitment.  There is a degree of selflessness woven into our understanding of commitment that requires us to get over ourselves and focus on the other.  

Certainly this is true of marriage, but it is also true of our commitment to Jesus Christ.  When we commit our lives to Jesus we are saying “I do;” we become the ‘bride‘ of Christ!  Now we are bond to Jesus and that commitment changes everything.  Last weekend we asked each one of you to consider committing to Jesus Christ through both financial and service commitments to Shiloh.  I’ve been praying for each one of you that you would not do more or less than what God is calling you to do.  I want to thank each and everyone of you who have already made your commitments.  But I also what to give you another opportunity to commit to Jesus and the church-membership.  

Here at Shiloh we don’t require membership.  You certainly can fully participate in the life of Shiloh without being a member, but membership gives you the opportunity to make a commitment to Jesus and God’s vision for Shiloh.  Throughout the month of November we will have a couple of opportunities for you to take membership classes.  On Sunday November 10 at 12:30-3:30 at Shiloh@ Price Hill and Sunday November 17 at 12:30-3:30pm at Delhi  we will be hosting intensive membership classes.  You can attend either session no matter what location you call your church home.  Remember we are one church two locations.  If you are in need of child care please contact Sandy in the church office at 513-451-3600 #101.  Lunch will be provided.    We encourage everyone who is interested in membership to take a membership class, even if you decide not to become a member.  

‘Tis the season for commitments and I am praying for each and everyone of you as you fulfill your commitments to Jesus and to one another.  

On Mission with you, 

Pastor Rachel      

Who Me?

This week I spent some time speaking truth into my children.  Sometimes as a parent I forget the power of my words and their influence in my kids lives.  As I was talking to Christopher aka Topher I began speaking into his ear the vision I believe God has for his life.  “Topher,” I said, “you are going to be a man of God.  Jesus has claimed you as his own.  God has incredible plans for you to change this world for Jesus Christ.”  I continued with my words of encouragement, but what surprised me was Topher’s reaction.  Embarrassed by my praise, Topher turned to me replied, “Who Me?”  “Mom, are you talking about me?”  

There are moments in our lives where we doubt ourselves, moments when we doubt what others say about us, and even moments when we doubt God’s claim on our lives.  We are beloved children of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!  But sometimes when we hear words of encouragement; when we hear words of praise, we like Topher ask the question “Who Me?”  Who am I?  What does God want with me?  I can’t help but think that is how those first disciples felt as Jesus called them to “Come follow me.”  I can imagine them saying to themselves, “Who Me?”  Yes You!  But not just those first disciples-you!  God is calling you!  God has filled you with an incredible passion and purpose and God wants to see you live it out!  

This week we are focusing on our passions and purpose.  We are going to make commitments to God-both financial commitments and servant commitments.  You don’t have to know exactly what you want to do, but just know the area of ministry you would like to serve in and designate that on your commitment card.  You can also make a financial contribution (pledge) on those cards as well and then bring them to worship with you on Saturday Night and Sunday Morning.  

You are a man of God-you are a woman of God!  God has an incredible purpose for you life!  That purpose is to radically transform this community, city, nation, and world for Jesus Christ!  I can’t wait to see how God uses you and Topher to change the world!  

On mission with you, 

Pastor Rachel 

The Power of One

With every person I encounter through the week, every person who comes to worship on the weekend, every child that races by me in the hallway-I am reminded of the power of one.  One person matters.  One person matters to God.  One person matters to us.  Why?  Jesus believed in the power of one.  In Luke 15, Jesus tells three stories about lost things: sheep, coins, and brothers.  In the story about the sheep, Jesus gave the religious people a hypothetical situation, “Suppose one of you had a hundred sheep and lost one. Wouldn’t you leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until you found it? When found, you can be sure you would put it across your shoulders, rejoicing, and when you got home call in your friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Celebrate with me! I’ve found my lost sheep!’ Count on it—there’s more joy in heaven over one sinner’s rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue” (Luke 15: 4-7, The Message).  One person matters!  During last week’s Kingdom Investor Meeting, we reclaimed the power of one, realizing that each one of us is called to reach one for Jesus Christ!  We are claiming our Community and the City of Cincinnati for Jesus.  For those of you who missed the Kingdom Investors Meeting, here are some of the highlights:

 

• Price Hill- We are one church two locations!  The Church is growing in Price Hill with over 50 people worshipping on Sunday Mornings and 40 plus at Midweek.  We recently hosted a Harvest Festival and plan on having Trunk-or-Treat on October 30 at 6pm!  Pastor Dorian shared the need for servants in Children’s Ministry and Hospitality.  
• Parking Lot- The Trustees have been working hard to see the Parking Lot project completed before years end.  Destruction started this morning and construction should begin soon.  We are still in need of about $25,000 to complete the project. 
• Care & Connection- I shared our concern for people who have been here a while as well as those new to the church being cared for and staying connected.  Not only do we have plans for a team of people to help in the continued care of our congregation, but also for a follow up system of people coming into the church.
• Communication- Communication is always a work in progress.  We have worked to improve areas of communication and continue to adjust as we hear need throughout the congregation. One major area of focus is the website!   
• Family Ministry- Pastor Brent shared the incredibly exciting movement happening in children’s, student, and college ministry.  

These are just a few of the highlights from our Kingdom Investor’s Meeting!  You may ask, why do we do these kinds of things?  We do them for the one that God is calling us to reach, to serve, and to love.  Next weekend, October 26/27, we will be collecting commitment cards.  This is the time of the year that we make both financial and service commitments to Shiloh so that we can reach the one with God’s love.  I want to challenge you to pray this week, asking God where you are called to serve in this church, community, city, nation, and world.  One life changed for Jesus Christ has the power to change the world!

On mission with you

Pastor Rachel