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A Monday Smattering

Posted on October 31, 2011 by Adam J. Copeland

  • Google+, I have no use for you. Though you offer a few benefits over Facebook, the downside — that nobody really uses Google+ — far outweighs the slick interface and social circles.
  • Begrudgingly, I am becoming a NFL fan — or a Minnesota Vikings fan, to be precise. Growing up in Tallahassee, the home of the Florida State Seminoles, I had no need for pro football. Few of my friends even had a favorite team. So it’s only appropriate that my Viking fandom has slowly begun as Christian Ponder, a FSU alum, starts as Minnesota’s quarterback.
  • Speaking of Minnesota, the fact that Carhartt is now hip cracks me up. Farmers don’t need a fancy “Work in Progress” brand name to know it’s quality product.
  • On another regional note, I recently bought a snowblower. Did I say, “sometimes I miss Florida”?
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Friday free-for-all

Posted on September 23, 2011 by Adam J. Copeland

So much is swirling around my already taxed mind these days I can’t seem to pop out a traditional post, so here’s some bullets from the swirl:

  • The three state sanctioned executions this week greatly trouble me. Opposition to the death penalty is an issue deeply tied to my Christian faith, so much so that I admit my inability to understand those of differing perspectives. Lord have mercy.
  • I join the chorus of those surprised that none of the GOP presidential candidates expressed concern over the boos from the crowd at last night’s debate after a gay solider serving in Iraq. I won’t even begin to imagine the uproar if a Democratic candidate had advocated against a policy supported by top military officials and failed to give thanks for a soldier’s service to our country.
  • I enjoyed attending my first (ELCA) synod ministry conference at Fair Hills Resort recently. The three days for pastors in the region to meet, study, have sabbath, and learn from one another was a welcome respite from other tough tasks of ministry. I wonder if more Presbyterians might adopt a similar model of regional gatherings for pastoral support, encouragement, and rest.
  • Marci Glass, a pastor friend in Boise, Idaho recently posted on her decision not to sign any more traditional marriage certificates until she might also do so for same-sex couples. I deeply respect her position. I’ve never been a fan of pastors signing state documents in the first place.
  • I laugh every time Facebook changes and folks freak out, mainly because it so perfectly illustrates the struggle of many church leaders to bring about change in the church. That said, I do have one minor complaint regarding the recent changes: when working in a page I administer, I can no longer send a message to a group I’ve made out of personal friends. One can access groups Facebook automatically creates (such as friends from Fargo, ND) but not the Project F-M group I’ve lovingly groomed over the past six months. Oh well.
  • I enjoyed speaking recently at a presbytery event, leading workshops on the church and technology and giving the keynote, “The Ten Commandments 2.0″ FYI, I’m always up for speaking invites — especially on fun topics :)

image by Henk L

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Monday Mind Dump

Posted on December 13, 2010 by Adam J. Copeland

  • North Point Community Church in Atlanta’s iBand is pretty, well, disturbingly fantastic.Check out Carol of the Bells and Feliz Navidad. Crazy music, all done on iPads and iPhones.  (no word yet on iPeace or iJustice)
  • So the Metrodome in Minneapolis collapsed yesterday under the weight of 17 inches of snow.  The Vikings’ Sunday game was postponed and moved to Detroit, but I say Fargo would have been even better.  The Fargodome sits 25,000 and it surely could have been at capacity.  Also would have been a smart move by the owners to emphasize the importance of the franchise to the entire region.
  • I’m increasingly disgusted at the inability of the Senate to pass a law banning the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell law in the military.  While McCain’s ever-changing position is maddening, what’s even more annoying is that Sen. Lieberman promises the votes are their to repeal it if it gets sufficient floor time.
  • While I’m on politics, I would so love to see the DREAM Act passed.
  • You know you go to Starbucks a lot when you get a Starbucks handwritten Christmas card from an employee with coupons for free drinks.
  • One more use for my HTC Droid Incredible phone: recording the Confirmation students introducing a scripture lesson before reading it, then playing the recording during worship in place of reading the scripture lesson.
  • I’m pretty certain that, in heaven, everyone will be wearing SmartWool socks.

image by Alfred Borchard

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