When it comes to television, I watch the news, ESPN, the Weather Channel, the History Channel, and only a few other programs.  "The West Wing," "Commander in Chief" and "24" are the only programs I watch on a regular basis.  Today, I learned, much to my regret, "The West Wing" will end on
May 17, 2006.  By that time, baseball will be back on television and I probably won't miss "The West Wing" much until next fall.

However, this month, I'll be watching the Super Bowl, including northwest Ohio's own Ben Roethlisberger.  Now I'm a Browns' fan so I have mixed emotions cheering on the Pittsburgh Steelers.  The game is on February 5, which is also our Women's Sunday at St. John United Church of Christ.  Yes, we'll have plenty of time for church school, worship, an afternoon nap and then The Game.  It's become a national holiday of sorts.  Some watch for the game.  Some gather to just be with family or friends.  Nearly everyone watches for the creative   commercials.

Also, this month, I'll be watching the Olympics.  I admit it, I'm an Olympic junkie.  Each time the Olympics are held they put on a few more hours of broadcast time, and I watch every minute I possibly can.  Each Olympics we learn new names of athletes or reacquaint ourselves with the names of past Olympian greats.  Yes, that is a signed picture in my office of a gold medalist of the 1968 Olympics, figure skater Peggy Flemming.  This year we'll watch the likes of US skier Bode Miller and gold medalist speed skater Apolo Anton Ohno and his teammate Chad Hedrick.  Angela Ruggiero will return for her third Olympics on the women's US hockey team.  Be watching for snowboarder's free spirit Hannah Teter and moguls'   champion Jeremy Bloom.  "New heights" are expected from Emily Cook in aerials.  Some think it's Sasha Cohen's turn to win the gold in women's figure skating, but I wouldn't count out the "old woman" Michelle Kwan or some other unknown, like Sarah Hughes in the last Olympics.

While I enjoy television and sports, there is also a spiritual side to this stuff.  The Apostle Paul wrote, "Not that I have already obtained this or have reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own." (Philippians 3:12)  There are new heights to be achieved at St. John United Church of Christ both as a congregation and with individuals.  We are people called to love God and God's creation.  We are to not only worship on Sunday morning but to do justice and show mercy the whole week.  Like the Olympics, we welcome all people, from wherever they are coming in life's journey.  And, like the Olympians, we not only meet in a single place, but then we disperse to our various stations in life, continuing on with service.

On these cold winter days, enjoy with me the gathering of family and friends, the sports spectaculars, the times of entertainment, and the times of worship.  May we be reaching for new goals as individuals and as a congregation at St. John United Church of Christ.

Your partner in ministry,
Bill

Your partner in ministry,
The Rev. Dr. William R. Nirote