Betty's Blog



	The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Georgia

Betty Brewer-Calvert
Regional Director of Women's Ministries
Christian Church Disciples of Christ in Georgia

Betty's Bio

Contact me: 478-743-8649 or 800-755-0485 E-mail: betty@gadisciples.org

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Friends

What is a friend? I’ve been reflecting on this in relationship to Facebook, one of the hottest internet “connection” opportunities going right now. When asking to be a “friend” on Facebook (basically a request to view someone’s page), is it a desire to connect or reconnect with people you know, make new friends with whom you may have something in common, just check out what someone has put on his/her information page (a curiosity, primarily), avoid something else you need to be doing, or relieve boredom? I’m not sure the word “friend” accurately describes the internet relationship of reading what someone’s doing at a given moment, finding out about someone’s interests by reading their Facebook page, or perhaps sending messages occasionally. A friend is someone who will show up at your house when you’re in trouble, pray for you when you’re in need, have your best interest at heart, keep your confidences, share laughs and tears, and oh so much more.

I am enjoying the Facebook phenomenon – while trying not to spend a lot of time on it when I really have other things to do! I have been amused at the wide variety of folks asking to be my friend, some whom I barely know. That’s what brought on the musing of the meaning of being a “friend.” What is the motivation of requesting to be a “friend” on Facebook? I’m learning a lot about people, and it MAY lead to some deeper friendships. I’m in contact (albeit loosely) with a much broader age range and geographical range of people than I sometimes am through email, but I’m not sure I’ve deepened friendships yet. I wonder if my children’s generation will have a different definition of “friend” because of this new usage of the term. I hope not, to be honest. I’m also very mindful of what information they might put out there for lots of folks to see and how that information might be used. There are dangers to internet communication. I’m also aware that nothing can take the place of people who are physically present – in my household or in other places in my life. Facebook can be a fun way to be in touch with people but to have true friendships, I need to be in touch personally one-on-one.

Perhaps Facebook can become for me an opportunity to get a glimpse into people’s lives and then lift those persons in prayer as well as the concerns/interests they express on their Facebook pages. Perhaps the information I learn about concerns around the world will spur me to action in some new way. Then, Facebook will become less about curiosity and filling time and more about the deep relationships to which God calls me.

Wishing for you today deep and abiding friendships. Your sister in Christ, Betty

Posted by Betty Brewer-Calvert on Friday, September 12, 2008 at 10:12

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Summer Musings

I haven’t “blogged” in a while. My life has been full! I’m a fan of romantic dramas and comedies and one that I particularly enjoy is “Hope Floats” with Sandra Bullock and Harry Connick, Jr. In one scene, the grandmother (played by the wonderful Gena Rowlands) tells her young granddaughter Bernice, “My cup runneth over.” Later in the movie, the granddaughter echoes with the same words. That exclamation doesn’t come easily; Bernice must go on a journey to get to that place in her thinking. We can choose to feel weighed down by the demands of life (too many people to see, too many places to go, too many things to do; or perhaps, things not going according to our plan) or we can choose to feel blessed by the fullness of life.

A key ingredient to our attitude is taking time for prayer and meditation. Being deliberate about quiet time helps one’s perspective about the other hours in the day. I find it easier to hear God’s voice in the midst of the noisy world when I have listened for God in the quiet. I gain new perspective, hear with fresh ears, and see with fresh eyes. God can be heard amid the busyness; then I am able to exclaim, “My cup runneth over!”

Posted by Betty Brewer-Calvert on Tuesday, July 01, 2008 at 13:27

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Moments of Grace

I am thankful today for all the moments of grace in my life which give hope and joy and meaning. Some points of grace are just little things; others are enormous. Here’s a taste of them:

• I just got an email from my brother-in-law (personally written, in his own words with his own delightful personality) and I laughed ‘til I cried at a point of wit and humor.

• I was blessed by the life of a tiny little hamster named Georgia who just passed away on Sunday and who would look up at me, the “mama” of all the creatures in our house, as if to say “Oh, there you are, you benevolent giant. I love these carrots!”

• After a wonderful opportunity to visit churches around the region several Sundays in a row, I was back for Palm Sunday in my home congregation. So many people said, “We’ve missed you. Welcome home.” I am grateful for their support as I travel!

• I am moved by a story in the local paper of Chinese immigrants who captured a fugitive and are splitting the reward between an elderly friend and the orphaned child of the fugitive, keeping none for themselves.

• I got the chance this week to sing “Here Comes Peter Cottontail,” an Easter favorite, on the phone to my aunt who has Alzheimer’s. It made me smile to remember her beautiful singing voice and the love with which she taught her kindergartners in years gone by.

• The spring has sprung and I’m reconnecting with neighbors who’ve been “hibernating.” The change of seasons is a treat.

• A special young friend invited us to visit her school for arts night, at which she is performing. She had a limited number of invitations, but she invited us. That’s a grace note!

• I celebrate the journey to the cross and all the opportunities to travel with Jesus this week. I am reminded that God has extended an extreme, radical, grace which we are called to extend to others in word and deed. May it be so.

Blessings for your Holy Week. May you have many moments of grace.

Betty C. Brewer-Calvert

Posted by Betty Brewer-Calvert on Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at 10:36

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Reporting from the Blitz Build

[I wrote these reflections about the women’s blitz build on Wednesday, January 23; but I’m just posting them a couple of days later. I’m at my annual Church Women’s Staff Fellowship meeting (in Houston this year) and will write again soon.]

I’m sitting in the fellowship hall/sanctuary of Northwood Christian Church in Beaumont, Texas. It’s the third day of our Disciples Women Habitat Blitz Build, and it’s raining. We’re hoping the front will move on out and that the site will dry up enough to allow us back out for the afternoon. Women have scattered out – some to the mall, some to the hotel where a portion of the group is staying, some upstairs to the youth lounge where the other half of us are camping (including me), some around a table playing a lively card game, some reading books, some talking quietly in groups, and some on their computers. We’ve pared down the layers we donned this morning as we hoped to go out and work. We were ready – despite the rain; but decision-makers said “Not yet. We must be safe.” It makes sense, but it’s disappointing nonetheless.

There are nearly 50 women here – representing 18 of the 33 regions in the US and Canada – pretty awesome for this first-time event. Some are calling for an annual event. Many of us are on our first mission trip, and I can testify that it is an empowering and yet humbling experience. To look at that concrete slab on Monday morning and to meet the woman and her two young daughters who will be the owners of the house, I felt an awesome responsibility to do my absolute best. I knew nothing about building houses and was – and am – truly humbled by the opportunity. I am in awe that someone would trust me to build her house, that our team leaders would give their time and energy to teach me, that Disciples churches in Beaumont, Port Arthur, and Nacogdoches would generously transport, feed and house me, and that the other women on the build would count on ME to help frame, lift and attach walls, climb a ladder and nail in the headers, and shoot a nail gun to attach sheeting to very narrow studs. I told someone yesterday, “I don’t know if I’m building my muscles or destroying them.” Undoubtedly, I’m discovering muscles I didn’t know I had! I’m also discovering a whole new vocabulary, as you can tell.

We will not finish this house this week, but there are more women’s groups lined up to continue the work we have begun. A local newspaper article and television news footage earlier in the week have brought phone calls to the local Habitat affiliate from women in this area saying “I saw the report on the women build. Can I get involved?” It does not matter that we will not get to finish the house ourselves. Seeds are being planted – seeds of encouragement, seeds of hope, and seeds of joy. Thank you for your monetary support, for your well wishes, and your many prayers. You’ve been with me on this journey!

Posted by Betty Brewer-Calvert on Friday, January 25, 2008 at 22:30

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