"What are you doing....?"

I don't know about you, but the ice and snow kept us from going to church on Christmas Eve. The weather was awful and churches were closing by the dozen. We stayed in and watched a couple of old movies. Then, we ended up postponing our Christms Day activites until Saturday, when the kids could get here from across the river. A young friend from Kearney, Onikah Glenn-Whitford, shoveled out of her driveway Christmas morning, made it to the city, but ended up staying with us until Sunday morning.
The Kincaids are troopers, so we were able to make the most of an unusual situation and, believe me, everything came out just fine. But darn it, I missed church. I missed the prayers, the carols, getting dressed up and greeting everyone. I even missed the soloist singing "O Holy Night" (and that's my least favorite carol). I missed the lights, the communion, and the stillness of the drive to and from. It's such a special time.
I'm thinking, folks, that we don't really appreciate something until you can't have it. Until it can't be had. We should all be thankful for the special places where we worship. Come Hell or Holy Water, we are going to church on Sunday, somewhere. I can hardly wait.

"Oh, the weather outside is frightful...."

My daughter in D.C., has twenty or so inches of snow to deal with this week. My son in New Jersey, has around eleven. We have none. For that, I am very thankful. My girlfriend in Iowa, is bracing for yet another round of winter weather. She says when they have snow in November, it's Spring until they see the ground not covered in white.
Just another example of Global Warming, Al.
Sure hope you are all ready for Christmas. I am, I think. Of course, no one ever gets "everything" done, but I am satisfied that this year I have done my best. Our two youngest children and their spouses will join us for opening presents and brunch on Christmas Day. Our new granddaughter will be here, also. The out-of town presents were mailed last week and the Christmas Cards have been sent. The food for the feast has been purchased.
Scott and I visited Central UMC, last Sunday, and it was a really nice service, and people were friendly. We think we will go there on Christmas Eve, after we view the luminari in Coleman Highlands along Southwest Traffic Way.
Merry Christmas everyone, and blessings on your New Year. God bless us, everyone.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.....

Well, we've had our first measurable snowfall here in the city, and now we are all chillin' in the deep freeze. Christmas is still a couple of weeks away, but we received a wonderful early present in the form of a new granddaughter, Linnea Brighton Kincaid. She is just six pounds of perfectness and we are so happy for her parents, Ryan and Jennifer.
Music is such a part of our holidays, that even without a Church home, the Kincaids are going to "keep on singin". We went to see Ryan's play performed on Saturday night. The KC SYMPHONY presented "How the Symphony Saved Christmas" three times this past weekend to sold out crowds. We were mighty proud. Then Scott and the KC Chorale had a concert on Sunday afternoon and will sing again tonight. Lot's of Holiday Song for all.
I have 2 favorite Christmas Songs. "Christmas Rose" and "Santa Claus is Commin' to Town". To say that they are very different is an understatement. The first is a harmonious little tune with lovely words imaging Christ as a rose. And, in the second, well I just love the lyrics "ALL God's Children." I'll wager you have favorite songs for the holidays, too.
Keep on Singin', no matter what. God is listening.

Brood of Vipers

Scott and I visited First UMC in North Kansas City yesterday. We are familiar with that church and the folk that worship there. Scott was the Cub Master there for more years that I care to count and our 3 boys all participated in Troop and Pack 9 activities. It was comforting to see long time friends Audrey Phelps (the original), Katherine Smith, Pam Wark, Phyllis, Ione, and others. Pastor Kate McClain's message was one of the most unique sermons we've heard in quite a while. She focused on Zechariah, undoubtedly one of the lesser known figures in the Christmas Story. To paraphrase her message, why don't our Christmas Cards say, "Wake up you so called Christians and look what God has sent you? God has sent his only son to save you from your sins!" She's right. Merry Christmas (when was the last time you used the word merry from January to November?) doesn't really cut it.

The times they are a Changin'....fast

For the first time in 12 years, the Kincaids are not preparing for a Church Christmas Cantata. Scott resigned from his choir director job at Kearney FUMC on Sunday night, following a meeting with our Pastor and the head of the PPR. By Tuesday morning the news was published in the Church Newsletter and now by today, Wednesday, every trace of our mission in Kearney has been deleted from the FUMC Web Page.
Now, I hope I am not sounding bitter, because I'm not. We had a great run in Kearney. I am proud of the work Scott did Kearney, both as Music Director and as a Sunday School teacher. Most people did appreciate him and he has received dozens of complimentary emails regarding his service. But,I have been in church work long enough to know that there isn't a soul out there that can't be replaced. And, apparently very quickly.
Yesterday, I went up to retrieve our things from the Choir Room. As I struggled to load the stuff in the car (there was a 40 pound hand carved music stand to lift)the staff in the office who saw me, didn't offer to help. It was kind of, so don't let the door hit your backside going out, girlfriend!
Readers, if you know of a place where a couple of harding working, Kansas City United Methodists can pray, teach and sing, let me know. We're in the market for a new church.