The Great Cherokee Pancake Day Race

February 17, 2009

Dear St. Paul’s Family,

What a difference twenty months has made for this Florida-born, suburban-bred, Iowa newbie transplant.  

Since coming to town, I have attended two pork feeds, offered the invocation at a rodeo, performed a wedding in a refurbished barn, and ridden a combine.  I’ve learned that the people of Iowa are just as solid, salt-of-the-earth, and honest as they are rumored to be, and have even taken a liking to this crisp, clean, winter air.  (Unless my nerve endings are too frozen to know any better.)

But after all of this, nothing – and I mean nothing – could possibly have prepared me for my first pancake race.  Next Tuesday, February 24, a crowd of women dressed in skirts, aprons, and head-kerchiefs will race 415 yards in possible freezing temperature, while carrying a cast-iron skillet and a pancake.  In a Shrove Tuesday tradition harkening back to Olney, England, Cherokee will join communities large and small around the world in its first annual Great Cherokee Pancake Day Race.  And standing at the finish line,  greeting these heroines in house dresses, will be yours truly, ready to award the winner with the traditional “Kiss of Peace” accompanied by the words, “The peace of the Lord be always with you.”

If they offered a class in seminary to train me for this, I should have taken it.

There are many reasons why I am looking forward to the big race.  First, anticipation for the event has generated major buzz throughout the town.  The newspaper, radio, and Channel 4 news are all committed to covering it, and pockets of people all over town are talking about the biggest thing to land in Cherokee since Pilot Rock.  This has all produced some very positive exposure for the church, which is always a good thing.

Second, this is a worthwhile fundraiser.  After the Shrove Tuesday service and awards ceremony, we will gather for a pancake supper down in the Fellowship Hall, where folks can leave a free-will donation.  All of the proceeds will go to support the food pantries at both Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and Mid-Sioux Opportunities, Inc.  The idea that other people’s food pantries will be replenished on a day usually set aside for cleaning out your own is deliciously ironic.   

Third, it is great to see churches cooperating together with an ecumenical spirit.  Clergy from the Presbyterian, Lutheran, Catholic, and Evangelical Free churches will all be present to help officiate some part of the race.  But let the record show that only this minister will have the privilege of delivering the kiss to the winner.  (Which, incidentally, is the only reason my wife will be competing.  Not because she is desperate for a kiss from me, but to make sure I don’t kiss anyone else!)

But here is the biggest reason I am most excited and most proud of the event coming up.  From its genesis to its implementation, this event emerged from the vision of a handful of lay people in the Sunday morning adult class.  Months ago, they dreamed up the idea and worked to make it a reality, securing approval from the city council and local police chief, and coordinating details large and small to make it happen.  My job has been quite simple:  Clear the way to make sure they had what they needed, and do everything I could to promote it.  (Except wear the poofy chef’s hat in church.  I do have my limits.)

This idea came from the grass roots, just the way it should be.

I want you to know that in this congregation, good, spirit-driven ideas for ministry can come from anyone at anytime.  God does not grant exclusive ability of dreaming up new ideas to only ordained clergy.  Lay people just like you have the ability to receive a divine spark of creativity and initiate a brand new program or ministry in the church.

It may be that the next bold initiative of this church may be residing in your spirit, tucked in and among your deepest passions and your most latent abilities.  If you have such an idea, know that this is a permission-giving church, where we will remove as many barriers as possible to help you shepherd your vision to fruition.  

The parameters are simple.  It just needs to follow our mission.  It needs to put God’s Love into Action in one or more of the following ways:  1)  Transform a person’s life, 2)  Improve the community around us, or 3)  Change the world.  Beyond that, there is wide latitude for you to use your passion and the creativity of the Holy Spirit to watch God work in and through this church.

I am very grateful for the passion and energy that several in this church have put into making next week’s event possible.  And I am even more grateful to be serving a church where great ideas can come from anyone at any time.

Maybe yours is next.

Grace and Peace,

Magrey   

The Rev. Magrey R. deVega
St. Paul's United Methodist Church
531 W. Main St.
Cherokee, IA  51012
Ph:  712-225-3955
http://www.cherokeespumc.org





PANCAKE RACE REGISTRATION
Today is the last day to turn in your registration form for the big race.  Forms are available at the church office, in the Wellness Center, City Hall, or the radio station.  Or, you can find them on our website at cherokeespumc.org.

ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE
We mark the start of the season of Lent with a service of word and the imposition of ashes on Wednesday, February 25 at 7:00pm.  Join us for this meaningful worship service.  

WORSHIP THIS SUNDAY
We conclude our sermon series “Life’s Three Big Questions” with the final of our five value statements.  Come hear about how we are part of the larger body of Christ around the world with a sermon titled “Who are We?  A Part of the Global Church.”  We will celebrate all that St. Paul’s did to put God’s love into action in mission and service in 2008, and give you a chance to take part in the One Great Hour of Sharing special offering.