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There is an article in today's (13 May 2008) New York Times by David Brooks entitled "The Neural Buddhists".  The sub-heading reads "The cognitive revolution is not going to undermine faith in God — it’s going to challenge faith in the Bible."

I am not sure that is what it is going to do but it is certainly going to challenge something.

My first thought when someone says that behavior and belief are somehow intertwined with our genes is that we are entering some very fuzzy ethical areas.

unfortunately with the addition of so many new blogs i couldn't do a "fresh rolled" posting. so i leave up to our crowd to help direct some traffic. question..

who are the new bloggers that you have been enjoying reading & who do you think is doing some really good blogging right now?

new: i really liked rachel when she was at gc, i've tried to encourage her to continue blogging
blog excellence: john and will have me thinking and laughing, not too long, not too short.. these guys are putting out some great posts

your submissions?

I’m back in country after two wonderful weeks in Israel. While all of you have been slaving and crying over the future of our church during this last gathering of the General Conference, I’ve been seeing holy places and experiencing God in new ways. It’s been a good couple of weeks, but it is also good to be home.

I want to thank all of you who blogged from General Conference. The General Conference is an amazing and exhausting event and it was a gift to the world that you took the time and energy to share what was happening. Thanks for all you did to help others understand a little better what General Conference is all about.

I also want to say a special word of thanks to my bud Gavin, who held things together while I was gone. For your effort, you get to be the featured blogger.

I apologize to all who submitted their blogs for inclusion and haven’t gotten on. I think that we are up to date, but if you have wanted your blog added and haven’t seen any movement, please drop me another e-mail and let me know.

As of today, The MethoBlog currently aggregates information from 176 blogs throughout the world. We average around 1,000 unique visitors by day, which doesn’t include those who participate via an RSS reader. I thank all of you for participating in this community and hope that you will encourage your friends to join us in talking about life in the Methodist fold.

In Christ,

Jay

What makes a church congregation "healthy"?  How do you measure or quantify that?

Like "Does it Blend?" Methodist style.

Did 81157 pass?  I'm reading blog entries like it did -- It appears it passed in committee.  Did it make it to the floor and did it pass?

Inquiring minds want to know...

Greetings all from the holy city of Jerusalem. While you have been agonizing over life in the UMC, I have been wandering along the Sea of Galilee connecting with God and nature, and generally having a good ole time.

I haven't been following the proceedings closely, but all indications suggest to me that perhaps the most important thing done at the General Conference was the election of a slate of Judicial Council members that slid the Judicial Council back to the center of our political spectrum. This, in my opinion, is where the Judicial Council should be, and I am excited for Susan Henry Crowe in her election as the first female chairperson.

What are your thoughts about the Judicial Council elections and what does this bode for the future?

By the way, I will not be changing things on the site until after I return next week, so don't freak out that we are keeping General Conference stuff on after the event is over.

Peace,

Jay

In the midst of the bidding wars for the Bishop's basketball, I'm afraid another matter is quietly slipping by our attention.  In 2004, the General Conference committed to raise $8 million for the Global AIDS Fund by the 2008 General Conference.  The numbers came from the idea that if every United Methodist in the US were to give $1 we'd have more than enough money.

Sadly, as of the beginning of General Conference, we have only raised a quarter ($2.5 million) of the total promised.  At the same time, just in the last week and a half, General Conference delegations have bid close to $400,000 for the Nothing But Nets Campaign (a campaign that has already raised $20 million since its creation in 2006).

I know there isn't much time left, but I sincerely hope that someone is going to take the time to point this out to the body.  As I watch GC, I hear lots of people talking about taking action, and working to bring the church together.  If we can't follow through on our promises, how will we ever be able to move forward?

The world is watching and it is time for us to fulfill our commitments! 

If you are interested in more information or giving towards the fund, check out their website at: http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/work/health/hivaids/aids-fund/.

* I'm not a delegate, but wrote a short speech about this issue because I'm a United Methodist Geek.  It can be read on my blog: www.dreamthesky.com/blog

we have a request for the standing rules for friday. we wish to make the rule that no person is allowed to make an amendment or ask a question unless they are wearing.. a bow tie.. .this is very methodist. any seconds out there?

Dear All,

Watching General Conference 2008 in community within the medium of Second LIfe has been such a blessing.  We have had jokes and laughter as well as excellent and thoughtful reflections on the actions of General Conference.

Tonight is the final working evening for GC2008; the closing worship service will start tomorrow, May 2 at 3:15 Central time.  Please join us in community tonight at 10:00 pm Eastern Time (9:00 Central, 7:00 Second Life time) to watch the final working hours of GC2008.

Tomorrow, we will gather together at 3:30 Eastern Time tomorrow for a short prayer session before the final Worship Service of GC2008 starts at 4:15 Eastern, 3:15 Central or 1:15 Second Life time.

To enter Second Life, you will need to register at www.Secondlife.com and download the client.  The orientation for Second Life will take anywhere between 15 minutes to 30 minutes -- when you are finished, IM myself (ReverendMommy Rabeni) or Gavin Richardson (Gavin Tellig) for a Teleport invitation to the build.  If you want to find it for yourself, the build is on Xenia Island and is just North of Koinonia Church.

Thanks and I hope to see you there!