#notesfromthevicarage

SOME THOUGHT FROM ANNUAL NETWORK CONFERENCE 2025

/ joseph elon lillie / 2 Comments

I have just returned from our fellowship’s Annual Network Conference which was entitle MISSION DEI

Our focus sessions were wonderful here are a few thoughts I came away with.

“Where your treasure is there your heart will be also.”- Jesus

“What you treasure does not follow your heart. Your heart follow what you treasure. Be intentional with what you treasure.” Jim Bradford

“Our doxology must inform our practice not vice versa.” Dr. Kim

“We spend much time focused on what Jesus taught and not enough time noticing how Jesus was with people.” Dr. Kim

“We need to spend less time in behavior modification and more time in heart transformation.” Dr. Kim

“The expulsive power of a new affection.” Thomas Chalmers

The pathway to deliverance is not found in trying to get rid of what is ugly, but it is found in embracing a new beauty that so consumes us that there is no longer room for the old ugliness.

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“You cannot grow spiritually by focusing on your self.” Dr. Kim

“Jesus is the new wine. We are the new wine skins.” Rev. Jonathan Angell

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Seven steps to a new wine skin- Rev. Jonathan Angell

  1. Something has to die for a new wine skin to be made
  2. the flesh has to be removed for a new wine skin to be made
  3. A new wine skin needs to be thoroughly washed with water (the Word of God).
  4. New wine skins need to be cured by fire and smoke.
  5. New wine skins must be turned inside out.
  6. New wine skins needy to be thoroughly sealed with oil (The Holy Spirit is needed).
  7. New wine skins need to be stitched (healed on the inside) before being turned right way around for use.

WHICH OF THESE STAND OUT TO YOU?

The Vicarage Forest Garden 5-22-25

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We are having a wee Nor’Easter today. In spite of it the garden is blooming beautifully.

The Korean lilac is just beginning to release its fragrance, but the main fragrance of the garden is still the lily of the valley.

Each part of the season is connected to its own fragrance. First is the apple blossom and then the lily of the valley, then the lilac, the black locust, and then the rose.

The blueberries and the strawberries are fully flowered

And everything is so green!

TOWN MEETING

/ joseph elon lillie / 3 Comments

Monday night was Winchendon’s Spring town meeting. For those of you not familiar with town meeting…”A New England Town Meeting is an example of direct democracy. It’s a form of local government where residents directly participate in making decisions about their town’s affairs, such as local laws and budgets, without elected representatives. ” Ai Overview

This was the town meeting where the town had to appropriate the money for the town budget which would increase property taxes significantly or not appropriate the funds which would close the library, the senior center and the parks and rec department by June 30th.

It was a long meeting, four hours, and well attended.

In the end after a lot of discussion we passed the budget to a mixed reaction, but it passed. I have set a meeting with the heads of the Senior Center, the Parks and rec. department and the library to see how the church may become a more effective resource for the town.

ORDAINED

/ joseph elon lillie / 4 Comments

I have not had time to post for a few days. It has been a busy weekend.

This week is our fellowship’s annual conference. The conference always starts with our yearly service ordaining new ministers.

Well, I am not what you would call a new minister, but I have never travelled the path to ordination. I have been certified and then licensed, but never ordained. This weekend all that changed.

Here I am with my sister, my kids , my grandkids and my church family. It was a blessed night.