Returning to the Blog

I make no apologies.  It has been over two months since I last posted anything here, for which I was called out at a recent meeting.  I'll offer two points of explanation for my absence before giving you link to something I've been thinking about recently.

Why I've not been blogging:

1. I'm not sure if this is a good reason or not, but I primarily stopped blogging because I have been feeling like it didn't make any difference, that it didn't matter whether or not I blogged at all.  I began this blog as a means for communicating with the people I am appointed to serve: sermons, ponderings, other things I've written, and/or reflections of the life of faith based on what's happening in the news, in the world, and/or across the UM connection.  As a medium of communication, I didn't feel like this blog was contextually appropriate - that is, I don't think anyone's reading it, which I suspected because there are few comments.  That I was called out on not blogging means that at least someone is.  So, I think I may try to reengage in this practice (and perhaps find other ways to direct people to the blog). 
2. The primary thing I had been posting was sermon manuscripts.  I am continually trying to grow as a preacher and for the last two months, I've been preaching primarily from notes or outlines, which don't convey much when posted to the blog.  So, I didn't post anything.  

With that explanation done, here's one thing I've been thinking about lately: immigration.  Last Thursday as I was returning from renewal leave, I stopped in Lincoln for Unity Rally for the Good Life organized by Nebraska Appleseed.  This rally was held to oppose Legislative Bill #48, which is an immigration-related bill similar to that passed last year in Arizona.  Instead, rally participants advocate immigration law reforms that honor the humanity of us all, treat one another with justice, and help to foster a sense of unity as people of the United States of America.  Bishop Ann Sherer-Simpson prepared remarks which were read in her absence (she's in Africa), which you can read here.