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• Lodi GrapeSox's successes on field are overshadowed by the controversies off it

• The price of public safety

• Man in serious condition after being struck in Lodi crosswalk

• Local candidates file for key races

• Race for Delta seat suddenly crowded

• Regional Roundup

• Group sells lemonade to protest budget cuts

• Groundwater charge repeal to remain on ballot

November 21st, 2009

• Logbook

• Holiday drive spreads cheer to U.S. troops

• Galt High students want board to approve open-campus policy

• Poisoning victims remain hospitalized

• Expert: Half a mushroom cap can be deadly

• Tokay grad files claim over Lodi's Grape Bowl

• Lodi Middle School holds annual Turkey Trot

• Regional Roundup

• No motive or suspect in shooting

• Sacramento cop arrested for alleged kidnapping

November 20th, 2009

• Acampo woman killed

• Salvation Army Kettle Kickoff

• Advocacy groups sue East Bay Municipal Utility District over Pardee expansion

• Regional Roundup

• Galt plans to help residents with energy-efficient projects

• Stable southeast of Lodi approved

• One year after a heart attack, Lodi's Judy Mims thanks rescuers

• National Guard troops return home in time for the holidays

• Real estate market gets on more solid ground

November 19th, 2009

• Operation: Christmas

• Logbook

• Suspect arrested after hiding in fridge

• Chase ends in crash

• Galt Joint Union High School Distric hires new superintendent

• Sales tax hike yields dividends: 5 new officers join Galt Police

• Lodi Unified School District board votes to cancel summer school for 2010

• Water surges in Mokelumne River yield more salmon

• Lodi City Council will consider redevelopment next June

• Lodi City Council plans to cap number of taco trucks at 22

• Corrections

November 18th, 2009

• Regional Roundup

• Paranormal group conducts second investigation of building

• Congress allocates money for local water projects

• Sarah Palin's book hits the shelves: Locals react

• Lodi man finds wife's ashes during police display of stolen property

• Galt City Council rejects study on rent stabilization

November 17th, 2009

• Paying tribute to a Lodian

• Lodi Budget and Finance Committee to look into ways to save money on employee benefits

• Regional Roundup

• Decision on summer school expected at tonight's Lodi Unified School District meeting

• Clements gets free water rescue boat

• Redevelopment to be discussed by Lodi City Council again

• Court reinstates death penalty for killer of Lodi grad

• Clarification

November 16th, 2009

• Correction

• Public Meetings

• City Council 'triple-dog dared' to ditch cars, use Lodi buses

• Sierra Adventure store to close after four years in Downtown Lodi

• Lodi's First Sip event showcases area wineries' latest vintages

• Three members of Lodi-area family fall ill after eating poisonous mushrooms they reportedly found at Lodi Lake

• Regional Roundup

November 14th, 2009

• Galt school district narrows superintendent search to one

• Regional Roundup

• Despite budget cuts, some Lodi Unified School District salaries continue to rise

• Watchful neighbor in Lodi helped bust suspected burglars

• New Galt city manager juggles job, family

• Despite an increase in homeless students, school districts look to bolster enrollment, raise revenue

• A first look at 2009 vintages at Lodi's First Sip wine-tasting event

The following stories have received the most reader comments during the last 7 days.

• The country's mess is our fault (169)
• Obama is not a moderate (130)
• Sarah Palin's book hits the shelves: Locals react (73)
• Lodi City Council plans to cap number of taco trucks at 22 (50)
• Public health care is a Christian option (38)
• The haves should help the have-nots (30)
• Tokay in, traveling to unbeaten No. 3 Grant for football playoffs (25)
• Government-run health care is a bad idea (20)
• Young woman fatally shot at Acampo home (17)
• Sierra Adventure store to close after four years in Downtown Lodi (16)

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'Being a pastor was not an option; it was a call'

Jack Dawson shares thoughts about faith

Jack Dawson, 59, has been senior pastor at Lodi's United Congregational Christian Church the past four years. Some 65 to 70 people worship each week.

Dawson came to Lodi after being pastor in Pleasant Hill, Mo., Olathe, Kan., and St. Louis. He grew up in the Chicago suburb of Wheaton, Ill. He lives in Lodi with is wife, Pamela. They have four children, Katie, Jeremy, Tom and Heather; and three grandchildren.

Dawson responded to a questionnaire from News-Sentinel Religion Editor Ross Farrow.

Q: Describe one of your strongest childhood memories.

A: My parents were a very welcoming couple. During my "growing up" years, there were several people who needed a place to live, and my parents opened their home to them.

The most memorable was a college student named Vo Van Quit. He was Vietnamese, and brought to my life a better understanding of the beauty in the diversity of God's creation.

Q: What prompted you to become a pastor?

A: I was born into the church. My parents were very active in church. It was my second family. I attended church camp every summer. I was involved in the youth program. Church was the place of my greatest joy. Being a pastor was not an option; it was a call. It was the place I had to be!

Q: What is one of your most prized possessions?

A: A wooden ship's wheel my wife, Pamela, had made for me one Christmas.

Q: What is one of the most difficult decisions you have had to make?

A: I guess it would be moving my family from the comfort of the life they knew in Kansas City to accept the call to this congregation. Both Katie and Tom were in high school, which is a difficult time to move.

Q: When have you questioned your faith?

A: Maybe the question should be when haven't I questioned my faith. There is a story in scripture about the disciples being out in a boat, and Jesus comes to them walking on the water. Peter says: "If that's really you, Jesus, call me to you." Jesus says, "Come."

So Peter steps out and begins walking to Jesus but becomes afraid and begins to sink. Jesus grabs him, helps him into the boat and says: "Why did you lose faith?"

I think that's the challenge of ministry. Jesus calls us to step out onto the water, and like Peter, often find the challenges daunting and begin to sink. Thank God, Jesus reaches out and lifts me up.

Q: For what do you most often ask for forgiveness?

A: Lack of faith!

Q: If you weren't a pastor, what do you think you would be doing?

A: When I was a high schooler and had decided to go into ministry, I had a pastor I respected tell me if you can do something else, don't go into ministry. So I tried the "else," and ministry has always pulled me back. So I guess I think I'd be retired.

Q: What is your proudest achievement?

A: Ask me that when I'm really old.

Q: What is your favorite scripture passage, and why?

A: Matthew 25:31-46. This is the passage that says: "For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.

"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?'

"And the king will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.'"

It is this passage of scripture that must guide the church. This is the call and challenge of ministry. As the church, it must be our mission.

Q: Do you have any other hobbies, sports, diversions?

A: I enjoy golf and snow skiing. However, neither has received much attention since arriving in California. I also enjoy the beauty of this area. Watching football is a great diversion for me.

Q: Aside from the Bible and other religious materials, what are your favorite books?

A: Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings."

Q: What is your favorite TV show and movie?

A: "House" and "The Lord of the Rings."

Q: Which celebrity would you most like to meet? Why?

A: George Clooney. Commitment to humanitarian causes.

Q: If you were on a desert island, what three CDs would you take along and why?

A: James Taylor, the Eagles and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, because I'm an old hippie!

Q: Anything you would like to add?

A: As a pastor, I am glad to be part of a church that offers an extravagant welcome to all, that believes no matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here.