Shannon's Corner

  SHANNON’S CORNER This month I have had the sweet pleasure and joy of celebrating Rylie in her milestone of graduating from high school.  A dear friend shared with me a number of years ago about a special gift she gives to her grandchildren when they graduate from high school.  I loved the idea, and it gave me a lovely way even though I was many, many years behind to sojourn with my niece, Rylie in sharing with her my life, stories, and the things God has been teaching me throughout her childhood and teen years.  I’m sure it is not quite the gift a senior graduating from high school would want to receive from her aunt nor am I sure if she will be able to read my handwriting.  But it has been enjoyable, rewarding, and at times sad and teary to go back through my years of journals and to remember, reflect, and share with Rylie some significant milestones in my life…personally, professionally, ministry, and spiritually. Three different settings...

  SHANNON’S CORNER “Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere.” – Chinese Proverb This month has been a month of learning.  It wasn’t something I planned on doing.  But God carved out this time for me and orchestrated it all even down to some recurring themes that have overlapped through the various avenues of learning.  Learning is in my top five strengths according to the StrengthsFinder assessment.  I want to share with you some of the treasures I have received. Bethann had shared with me a certification course on  Mental Health Coaching  through the Association of American Christian Counselors (AACC) as they were offering lay people in the church to take this course for free.  People are hurting.  People are searching.  Many times, they are seeking help from a church, pastor, or priest.  What the church can offer to the broken mental health care system is hope – Jesus is...

  SHANNON’S CORNER Jesus is risen.  He is risen indeed! Lent and Easter season is a favorite time of year for me since childhood.  I had two churches, the Dayton UM and the Rimersburg UM that helped form my need in preparing my heart, mind, and body to receive what Jesus did for me and continues to do for me.  The celebration of Holy Week, services each night leading up to Resurrection Sunday.  The lent youth breakfasts that helped to think through the preparation leading up to Holy Week and on through to Resurrection Sunday.  This Lent, I enjoyed reading the book of Ezekiel – with the theme,  ‘Come to Life’  by  She Reads Truth . Transition painting of a TCK A family finished sixteen years of serving in SE Asia to come back to serve the Lord here in the USA.  I had the privilege of serving and ministering to their two children, nine and twelve years old.  We talked about the sadness they feel in l...