I haven't blogged in awhile because I've been extremely busy lately.  June 18th was moving day for United Methodist pastors in the South Carolina Conference, and as such was my first day as pastor of New Zion United Methodist Church in Smyrna, SC and Shady Grove United Methodist Church in Sharon, SC.  It wasn't really a moving day for me, at least as far as my residence is concerned, since neither church on the charge has a parsonage.  Vicki and the kids are happy to stay in our present house for a while longer.

New Zion meets every Sunday at 9:00 am, while Shady Grove only meets for worship the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month.  This will take a little getting used to, since I have to plan my sermons accordingly ... I can't start an idea one Sunday and continue it to the next, unless I condense the message into one for the people at Shady Grove.

My first Sunday in the pulpit was June 22nd.  Our family vacation was a bi-annual reunion with Vicki's maternal family at Ocean Isle Beach, NC, and so Vicki and the kids left Saturday the 21st.  I preached at both churches on Sunday and drove down Sunday afternoon.  The first service went pretty well.  Although it's difficult to tell since most people will give you the obligatory "enjoyed your sermon" whether they really did, or not.

I also returned a little early from vacation, coming back on Friday so I could visit a member of New Zion in the hospital.  I also liked coming back a little early so I would be exhausted for the service on Sunday.  The 29th was a Sunday I preached only at New Zion, so I had a chance to sit in on the adult bible study immediately following the service.  This was the first time that Vicki, Zakk, and Rachel came to worship at New Zion, so it was very special.  Our pianist was visiting family this weekend, so we had another member graciously step in and play when we had difficulty getting our background tracks piped in through the sound system.

I feel very much at home at both churches.  It's almost weird how comfortable I feel, as though I've been their pastor for some time.  At the same time there is much for me to learn, from everyone's names, to the traditions of the congregation and the overall rythm of activity in the church's life.

I've begun a website for New Zion, but it needs lots of work.  I copied the basic work I had done for Good Samaritan UMC and went from there.  I'm hoping that once my contract at Microsoft is over I can earn some extra money helping other churches and ministries with their website and other technology.