Stuff I Love to Hear

The sound of K2 dropping books from the bed as she reads by moonlight…or flashlight…or the light of the clock next to her. 

I know someone else who used to do that, too.  Now she is lucky if she finishes a page before her head hits the pillow.

3 Books You Should Read

I’m on a bit of a reading binge this summer.  K2 is doing the summer reading program through our county library and I’ve decided to re-live my childhood and do the same.  I keep a list of what I read on this blog that I’m sure every single one of my five readers have perused.  In case you haven’t, here are three I recently finished that I think everyone of you should read.

Velvet Elvis  Rob Bell of Mars Hill wrote this book a couple of years ago.  Bell has a fondness for all black wardrobes and goofy glasses but has written a compelling book about being a Christian today.  You should read this because it will push you to think about what you really believe and possibly even reconsider all the stuff you learned in Sunday school over the years.  And if you never went to Sunday school it will help you put some words to your faith.  And if you don’t have faith, you might find yourself reconsidering.

Tribal Church: Ministering to the Missing Generation by Carol Howard Merritt , should be read by every pastor, elder, deacon, church leader.  period.  I often find Alban books to be a bit thin when it comes to theological reflection but this is not one of them.  The intent of the book is to challenge churches to think about how they minister to “young adults” but I think it is a challenge of how to minister. period.  Read it.  Now.

Finally, Salvation on the Small Screen?  24 Hours of Christian Television is hilarious.  And thoughtful.  And entertaining.  Nadia Bolz-Weber is the mission developer for House for All Sinners and Saints.  Here was her challenge: to watch 24 hours of TBN – the Trinity Broadcasting Network.  Maybe it is something only pastors do, but there are times Jeff and I will find ourselves actually watching one of the shows on the network and being, well, a bit snarky.  Okay, more than a bit.  Bolz-Weber is snarky, too, but she is also thoughtful and does the hard work of taking her criticisms and turning them back on her own theology and practices.  That is a good practice for all of us.  Even if it does hurt.  Ouch.

What’s Your Image of “Church?”

If it’s Thursday it must be El Campesino. It started well before our arrival and has grown over the last few years.  Now you’ll find 20-40 Pioneer folks gathered in a room set-aside by the owner.  Chips, salsa, and margaritas flow.  Folks who have never touched mexican food in their lives and could probably do without it have joined the crowd.  Relatives and friends often show up.  The conversations flow freely as well.  People that wouldn’t normally talk to each other on a Sunday now break chips together and invest in each other’s lives in ways that I believe, sadly,  would not otherwise happen.  The youngest ones (elementary) grab a table in the corner and often “babysit” some of the bambinos that tag along.  Birthdays are celebrated with a silly hat and a dessert shared by all. 

Tonight as I sat watching and listening I was struck by the beauty of it all.  A couple of high schoolers showed up late and started chatting with one of the older couples next to them.  Down at the other end someone was sharing stories of her experience at the Big Tent.  K2 played server and took orders of the folks around her – folks that are her family now.   

And they will come from North and South, East and West, and sit at the table of God…

What’s your image of “Church?”

 

image from www.missionary-independent.org

Memorial Day and Being a Pastor

I receieved a frantic phone call on Friday:  “The pastor who was suppose to pray on Monday had surgery for throat cancer.  Do you know anyone who could come?”  “Would they mind a woman?”, was my response, trying to be sensitive to expectations (and maybe hoping Jeff would go instead!). 

I am glad I went.  I’m not a fan of war (who is, really?) but it was moving to see these men gather to honor those who had died.  It didn’t take much of an imagination to wonder what they had seen during their lives.  One gentleman was on the front lines of four significant battles (Iwo Jima being one of them).  Another gentleman carried the wreath as he gripped his crutches with his armpits.  One of the other soldiers offered help but no doing.  It was the least he could do, I suppose, for those who had made the “ultimate sacrifice.” 

I wondered if some of my colleagues thought I was giving in too easily by agreeing to pray at such an occasion.  Was I somehow giving creedance to violence and war?  I don’t think so.  It was an honor to give thanks for the lives of so many and I can’t imagine anyone was upset that I prayed for peace. 

May it be so.

Gratitude for the South

I had a wonderful time in Nashville this last week with eleven amazing women.  We studied with Amy-Jill Levine, read the Great Emergence, ate some wonderful meals, laughed until our sides ached, cried with and for one another, prayed, and renewed our souls.  It was pure gift.  It was an honor to be included and I am – and will continue to be – grateful for the invitation. 

I lived in the South for almost 17 years and it didn’t take me long to remember the many things I appreciate about the South. 

• directions that include “go the red light” regardless of what color the signal might be when you get there!
• folks who respond to my “hey” when I pass them on the street!
• a gentile hospitality that is all its own.
• hushpuppies and cheese grits.
• family connections – it is amazing to watch folks find how they are related.  It is truly poetry and there are times I’m a bit jealous!
• Springtime in the Southland – you are right, Emily Saliers, there is nothing like it! (And thanks be to God for Zyrtec!)

I Have Succumbed

As my spouse will tell you, I often mock something and then decide I really could use it.  Email (I thought we could share an account); Palm; GPS; and now twitter.  Although JP does not twitter. 

But I do.  God forgive me.

Violence and the Cross

Mount of Beatitudes

I’ve never been one to wear a cross.  I have a handful of them in my dresser that have been gifts to me on various occasions.  Partly, it is because I’m not much of a jewelry person.  A greater part of it is what that cross means and how it has been usurped by Christians of another persuasion.  Even though the Resurrection redefines the torturous purpose of the cross, it just seems rather odd to see diamond adorned crosses around someone’s neck.  And I’m not talking about those that simply wear it as jewelry but those that wear it as an act of faith. 

N.T. Wright’s book, Surprised by Hope, and Saved from Sacrifice by Mark Heim speak to the symbolism of the cross and the common understanding of substitionary atonement that is so prevalent.  I can’t wrap my head around the notion that the God of all Creation would intentionally send Christ into the world to redeem us through violence.  The violence inflicted was the act of human beings.  It was the act of sinful people.  It was motivated by fear and politics.  God is not a puppetmaster playing games with us. 

Diana Butler Bass articulates this much better than I ever can, in a blog she wrote for Beliefnet.  Check it out and let me know what you think.

In case you are wondering, I bought a Jerusalem cross on my last day in the Old City.  I wear it as a reminder of my own humaness – my own sinfulness – my own need for God’s redeeming grace.

40 Prayers of Hope and Gratitude

Bruce Reyes-Chow, moderator of the PCUSA and a colleague from past Montreat events is celebrating 40 tomorrow and offered a challenge to his readers to make a list of 40 things for which you are grateful, gives you hope or are in need of God’s healing.  Since it has been a few months since I made my list of 46 items in celebration of my bday, I thought I’d join in the fun. 

Gratitude

1. JP – we marked 20 years a month ago.  His generosity, gentleness, and graciousness are pure gift.  He is the ultimate renaissance man
2. KP – joy, pure joy.  I am ever so thankful for this amazing gift
3. The gift of life.  This week we said goodbye to one of the saints of Pioneer and I was reminded of what a gift our very existance is
4. The challenges and joys of being a pastor.  It is amazing how people allow me/us into their lives.  I need to remember that when I frustrated by the struggles
5. Spring.  Seriously, it couldn’t come soon enough this year
6. Friends who are willing to hear my whining
7. More books to read than I have time
8. 4 days in Montreat with plenty of time to relax, read and reconnect
9. Time with my mom and brother
10. In-n-Out burgers
11. Hard work in the yard
12. Reconnecting with family and our shared history – can you say dart guns?
13. A congregation to serve
14. The care of so many
15. Colleagues
16. Folks who are willing to lead in challenging situations (this would be you Bruce!)
17. Netflix
18. The gourment dinner group – a safe place to be me
19. The arrival of Neil.  Thanks be to God!

Hopeful

1. Listening/watching K2 and her variety of buddies playing together
2. laughter and tears at a memorial service
3. Sunrise
4. Becka’s new call
5. Ashley’s passion for public health
6. Heather’s commitment to the Invisible Children
7. G & J and the Chagrin Valley Job Seekers
8. K2’s prayers
9. sitting at the ocean – (preferably the Pacific)

In need of God’s healing

1. Palestine/Israel – and the living stones that reside in that hallowed land.
2. Families and the tension between generations
3. F. approaching surgery this coming week
4. T, D & C as they grieve
5. G as she grieves the loss of her marriage
6. Those struggling with infertility
7. Faith communities in our area who are closing their doors
8. A young man struggling with his health
9. Widows/widowers who miss their partners
10. The PCUSA
11. God’s good creation
12. those in need of employment

A reminder…

from I Heard God Laughing:  Poems of Hope and Joy by Hafiz

 

I wish I could show you,

When you are lonely or in darkness,

The Astonishing Light

Of your own Being!

This I Believe – Reflections on the Journey

It has been a wonderful Lenten journey and now, on the other side of Resurrection Sunday, I am finding my soul nourished  by the expressions of faith so many in our congregation shared with such beauty and power. 

Long before we became pastors of this church we began a list of dreams we hoped to use someday when we would be in a position where we could implement them.  This I Believe was one of them.  For years, I had helped eighth graders develop an Expression of Faith as a part of their confirmation process.  I intentionally called it an expression rather than statement because I don’t think we necessarily need to use words to “say” what we believe.  Year after year, after the confirmands would present their Expressions of Faith adults would say they could never do such a thing.  Nonsense! 

So this year we did it.  During the season of Lent we explored our faith and invited others to share their expressions.  A physician spoke about how his faith impacts his understanding of healing.  Artists of all abilities shared visual expressions of how they have experienced God at work in their lives.  During the education hour on Sunday mornings we dug into a number of our written confessions that we say on a regular basis.  On Wednesday evenings we looked at our faith and how it can be expressed in film.  Folks shared stories, zipped emails to us, brought in snippets they had discovered in what they had been reading.   

At times, Jeff and I felt a bit lazy because we spent more time listening during worship than speaking!  It was a joy to hear from the priesthood of all believers – and not just for us. 

Last night I was deeply moved by the words of one of our elders who opened our Session meeting by speaking about how his faith has been shaped by serving as an elder.  We’ll be using his reflections as we begin the work of discerning who God is calling to be officers for the class of 2012. 

I keep hearing those words of Parker Palmer that have shaped my ministry:  to teach is to create a space in which obedience to truth is practiced.  I am grateful to be in a place where I can practice that sort of ministry.