Jim Ellison
Director of Strategic Partnerships
Recent entries:
October 25, 2011
I attended the funeral of Marion Zwicker. She was 80 years old. She
and her husband, Otte, and their 55-year-old son, Kurt are special
people. At one time, they were my parishioners and model church members
in terms of attitude, service, and support. You could also say they were
change agents, people who made things happen.
With four others, they started up an educational center for
developmentally disabled adults. Years later, the founded a jobs center
for the same population. They did what needed to be done to make sure
their son, Kurt, had the service he needed to have a full life as a
disabled adult.
Kurt was perhaps the most valuable member of our parish...
Read More »
August 17, 2010
Dancing. The whole world seems crazy about dancing. All over the place people are talking about “Dancing with the Stars” or “So You Think You Can Dance”. It makes me quite uncomfortable.
I was never much for dancing. As an adolescent, I remember the feelings of betrayal, when my closest friends, those who at one time hung with me at the side of the room at the school dances and would run out of the room when there would be a “lady’s choice” announced, reached the point when they gave up their spot on the wall and started dancing!
Some of those feelings changed on Pentecost Day this past May.
Read More »
May 06, 2010
At the end of April, I witnessed Cornell West live in a presentation
in Princeton, New Jersey along with my VEV colleague Wayne Meisel and
hundreds others. As you might imagine, it was brilliant intellectually
as well having a feeling that was a bit like being in the Black church.
For one hour, West inspired those gathered with insights and
observations about society, the church and service in the world.
Read More »
April 06, 2010
There are times when I really miss being a parish pastor, like this week. When I was a parish pastor, especially during Holy Week, being a bit busier, folks ask, “how do you do it”? Honestly, not to minimize the work of those still doing those things this week, it really wasn’t so bad.
However, I really don’t miss Maundy Thursday that much. I was always a bit uncomfortable. When liturgical renewal came upon the church, suddenly those of us who were non-Anabaptists went about trying to wash feet. It was not a pretty sight. As a properly trained and educated liturgical leader, I tried my best to capture that spirit. But it never really seemed to work. To recruit potential “washees” I would use all my influence, leaning on some youth, other dedicated leaders of the parish, a few who were just “good sports”, and good friends and family members. And when they came forward that night for the washing, an amazing thing would happen.
Read More »
