Books I ordered.....

"Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers"
Christian Smith

"Thank You Prayer"
Josephine Page

Life Of Jesus For Children (The Light Of The World)"
Katherine Paterson;

"Because Nothing Looks Like God"
Lawrence Kushner

"Joan of Arcadia - The Second Season"
Amber Tamblyn;

"The Holy Twins"
Kathleen Norris


"Journey to the Heart: Centering Prayer for Children"
Frank Jelenek;

"The Little Book of Hindu Deities: From the Goddess of Wealth to the Sacred Cow"
Sanjay Patel;

"Lighting a Lamp: A Diwali Story (Festival Time)"
Jonny Zucker;


"Hideandseek With God: A Collection of Stories for Children"
Mary Ann Moore;


"Meet Jesus: The Life and Lessons of a Beloved Teacher"
Lynn Tuttle Gunney

"After the Beginning"
Carolyn Pogue

"This Is What I Pray Today: Divine Hours Prayers For Children"
Phyllis Tickle; Hardcover

"God's Dream"
Archbishop Desmond Tutu

"Psalms for Young Children"
Marie-helen Delval

"Book, Bath, Table, and Time: Christian Worship As Source and Resource for Youth Ministry (Youth Ministry Alternatives)"
Fred P. Edie

"Seasons Growing Faith Board Book Set"
Donna Scorer

"Daybook for New Voices: A Calendar of Reflections and Prayers By and for Youth"
Maren C. Tirabassi

"Where Does God Live?"
Holly Bea

I just ordered....

a slew of books for our CE library to honor our amazing teachers and volunteers of our Sunday School program.

ahhhhhh, love Amazon.

ahhhhh, love picking out books.

ahhhhh, how fun is that?


p.s. makes the administrivia worth it.

Pentecost morning

Look what is blooming in my backyard.

May the gorgeous beauty of Spirit wisdom and the deep fire of her passion
roar and dance through all of the revgals today..
and in our congregations...
and in our world.

Come, Holy Spirit,Come
amen.

uninSPIRITed

so.
tomorrow.
Pentecost.
tomorrow.
me preach.

about my favorite girl, Holy Spirit.

'cept right now I am not feeling it.

don't have any words for a sermon entitled "unleashed".

is this what that passage means in Romans, "the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how to pray (or preach?) as we ought, but that very Sprit intercedes with sighs too deep for words....

need some interceding...
or some unleashed writing....

HELP.
Amen.

but then again...

What an amazing morning we had,
yesterday,
the women who are on my CE commission.
First of all,
we sat down to an amazing breakfast at THE. DINING. ROOM. TABLE. at one lovely woman's dear home. Don't you love the occasions you can break out all of fun china or whatever it is that you don't use until company comes over, or a holiday happens?
Scandanavian baked pancake, fresh fruit, homemade apple coffee cake, lox, bagels, coffee, tea (in a real tea pot!), laughter, smiles, serious words, communion.
Who gets to go to work and do this?

And then, retiring to the living room, we prayed. We teased. We problem solved. We dreamed. We planned. And were amazingly efficient--done by noon.

What hope.
What grace.
What blessing.
Amen.

here's the thing.

I got up early...
to go over my plans for the CE retreat I am leading, beginning at 9:00.
I have spent the last 45 minutes reading Friday Fives.
Gotta get my mojo together.

Wish I were writing a sermon rather than spending the morning fretting about how to staff our Safe Church Sunday School where each class must have two unrelated teachers, and of course, parents want only two grades together at a time (e.g. 2-3) in spite of the fact that means we need 16 volunteers each Sunday...at least. We can do this. But combining classes more would be so helpful, because 16 people each Sunday is more than ten percent of our average attendance. Plus, there are all those people in the choir. Then our beautiful group of elders who just barely make it to worship. Then those who have 'retired' from teaching after twenty years or so.
Doesn't leave many to peg for volunteers.

But I am not writing a sermon, because I share a pulpit with two other people, and a thriving music music ministry that sponsors several Sundays a year. Which is great. Really it is. For the church. There is really wonderful energy and vibrancy right now.

Sometimes, though, it isn't always great for me. I guess it isn't about me.
It is and it isn't --I know.

It's the end of the program year.

Time to go print those handouts.

Rock-a-Bye Babies and Woddlers Ministry

I got a postcard describing this new curriculum for Sunday nursery by Cokesbury, with the above title.

What the heck is a Woddler? A cross between a weeble and a toddler? I don't think we have those at my church.

Jus' askin'

holy saturday....

so..
holy saturday just sort of feels like saturday.
it's the first saturday in a month that I haven't been busy with church stuff, and I can do family stuff all day.

last night, I was irreverently commenting to my colleague,
"poor Jesus...we laid him in the tomb last Sunday....dragged him back out to be crucified again on Thursday, and then again tonight (Good Friday) we hang him back there on the cross to die again. I bet he looks forward to Saturday when he can finally rest up for the big happening on Easter morning"

which is to say, I suppose,
I am ready for resurrection myself.

and...thank you Jesus, for being so patient with us.

amen.

Springy Saturday

Ahh. It has been a very busy week. Four nights in a row at work, with multiple meetings/potlucks/visits. In spite of being busy, it all was great. I just LOVE what I get to do.

This morning, though I felt like a brick wall had crashed over me. We got up to go to a WW meeting at 8:00. When I got home around 9:00, I crawled back into bed for just a few more minutes. I literally didn't wake up until 2:00 pm, and then I had to make myself get up. I have been really tired lately--it is true fatigue--and I suppose I need to go and get some bloodwork done. I have had episodes of chronic mono in the past, and although I don't think that this is it, I do think getting it checked would be good. Besides being fatigued, I feel good--my heart is light, I am satisfied and grounded emotionally and spiritually, I am exercising regularly, and I even have lost a little weight. I have energy--in spite of the physical fatigue.

The day today is gorgeous. I am waiting for a delivery, and after that happens, I am going to take Fenway for a walk/run through the greenway. She will like it, and I will love the sunshine on my face and body. It is still a tiny bit cool, but the sun makes all the difference. Last night I was talking to one of our 7th graders, and he commented how daylight savings time makes a world of difference. I have to agree. I LOVE these kids in our confirmation group. Again, who else gets to do work like this for a living? I know that some pastors/congregations have touch times, conflict, personalities, difference of opinions, and that is probably true in pockets where I get to serve...
but that has been true anywhere I have served.
In spite of the level of conflict or difference of opinion or vision,
ministry, being with people, loving people, being on a journey with Christ together, ahh...well, it rocks. I love it.

Today, when we were coming back from WW, we (Beloved and me) made a bet about when Target opens. Don't ever question me about Target--I know my Target, trust me. We bet a pair of shoes, if I win, a new running outfit if Beloved won.

Guess who won (and I didn't initiate the bet, Beloved did. So. Sure. of. Rightness.)
HAH! I won. Then Beloved mentioned that of course because there is an economic crisis, I would of course, being thoughtful and frugal, forgo my booty.
Huh. hmmm. Well, maybe for now. But spring is coming, and sandals must be had. Don't you think? ;-)

Again, another random post. But, well, maybe it is spring fever.

Thank you for the Joy in my heart, oh Joyful Holy One.
Amen.

a day off

yay! it's monday....and I am just lounging, drinking coffee, and looking at my List of Things to Do. Just looking, mind you. I have already crossed off cleaning the kitchen. Still have to go out into the yard and pick up another layer of poop that has emerged in the melting snow. Ylech. At least it is sunny out. Must exercise, must hem pants, must get manicure ;-), must read, must walk doggies. Everything else is gravy.

The women's retreat was really, really great. We had around 40 women, and I had organized our time into three sessions, based on three poems by Mary Oliver. St. Mary Oliver, I should say. The first was The Summer Day--you know, the one that ends with "tell me, what will you do with your one wild and precious life"....that phrase became the sharing question in the large group: Tell one thing wild about you, and one thing precious to you or about you. It was fabulous--hilarious, dear, teary, and again, hilarious! I had asked them to each bring a poem or scripture that they treasured, and was going to use this in small groups, but we ran out of time. So, I asked several volunteers to read theirs during our brief worship time before "relaxing" time. It was beautiful.

In the morning, I used Oliver's poem, "Prayer", from her collection Thirst to launch morning devotions around the topic of prayer. For scripture, I had a list of mostly NT verses about prayer, and then I talked about my journey with prayer, with descriptive language for God, The Lord's Prayer, and more. Then, we broke into small groups, and I asked them to share with each other how they engaged in prayer or meditation, when they prayed, if they prayed, etc.
THEY LOVED TALKING ABOUT THIS. Honestly, I thought it was a risky question, because it is so personal, but they appreciated the diversity and integrity of the sharing in their groups.

After a break, we made prayer beads. I gave a little history on prayer beads, and then showed them how to make an Anglican Rosary, or how to adapt it to an Earth Rosary; and also showed them how to make LovingKindness strands, if that is what they wanted. I asked them to choose beads that spoke to them; and to choose a number of beads that was significant. I had purchased a ton of beads--about $100 dollars worth, besides others bringing some to share. I wish you could have seen the sight of 40 women, ranging from 27 years to 94 years old, beading together, on the floor, on chairs, at tables, helping one another, talking, laughing, relaxing, and very intentional about making a meaningful creation. My heart rejoiced. I loved it--every minute.

After lunch, we had a closing communion service. We used the poem "Thirst" to talk about what we thirsted for in our lives and for the world. That became our prayer. After the feast, we blessed the prayer beads, by passing them around the circle, one by one. The creativity was stunning. Truly.

Those 24 hours were full of the glory and grace of the Divine.
I am so grateful to have been a part of it.

Amen.

so...

I have been doing all of this training in discipleship/stewardship and becoming a church coach.I love it. It is interesting, engaging, and makes me think creatively.

Now, I am not what you would call an old fashioned evangelist, or even someone who will say, let's pray about this for God's answer. My embrace of prayer and of Christianity would be what some label progressive or liberal.

However, I do firmly believe that if the Church, and congregations feel the need to grow, feel the need to be revitalized, then the center of those endeavors is an active, communal, personal, intentional prayer life. Pray and listen. Be still...and know.

I don't know how to talk about prayerin New England churchspeak without scaring people. I mean, we pray for each other on Sundays, but the only people praying out loud--except for my youth and children, are the pastoral staff. We have a prayer circle, but it is virtual. They don't meet in real time--or have an intentional plan for what to pray for except for what is on the list from Sundays--which again, is really, really, important. I guess what I am really asking about is how does one encourage adults who aren't used to praying out loud in a circle of community members, to pray together? Am working on this........

Tuesday, today.

So,
the second half of the program year is off to a start!
everyone is back in the office...
and we are sorting dates and making sure we have pretty much every minute planned until June.
seriously, that is almost 100% true. every Sunday is planned between here and there, with just a few preaching slots to fill in...programs planned, etc.
do you all do that out there? just curious.
I am not complaining about it, though, it is just different. most congregations or insitutions I have been a part of haven't had most of the year mapped out by the August before. it's not a bad thing. not entirely all good, though, if there isn't wiggle room for the Spirit to move. I think we have enough space, though.

well, I have a few things to update before my meeting at 10:00.
just wanted to ramble for a few moments to prime the pump of my mind...

huh.

you know when you have a Sunday where you do pretty much everything right,
but it all felt flat?
yep.
that could sum up today for me.
the liminal space felt like a huge chasm.
yes, it was a low attendance Sunday, so some of the community energy wasn't there.
the best part was coffee hour, getting to chat with some people I don't usually get to connect with.
oh well.
this happens.
and in spite of me, it was still worship,
and God was with indeed with us. I know this, because God shows up, even when we don't feel God.
Amen.

silent night.

this weekend was very full...christmas caroling on Saturday afternoon,then on to Sunday. Packed with the beginning of a new church school term, getting new teachers settled, worship, with advent candles, reception of new members, communion, then an adult forum afterwards,after that a youth holiday show at another nursing home, then back to church for a community crafts and carols event.
whew!
a lot of EXTROVERT energy pouring out from me. so today, I am a little left over, but in a full way.

what struck me, amidst many other things that were meaningful, was the singing of silent night in all of these venues.
first, in a small dark living room, with a housebound elder and her adult daughter who lives in a group home with other developmentally disabled adults...her daughter brought the aides and her friends from her home...and we sang a gajillion christmas carols...and when we got to silent night, it was so moving to witness the young family that was with the group of carolers....a couple with 4 children, 7years to 3 months...singing with wide eyes and rosy cheeks with this room of elders and other adults. Baby girl was sleeping, indeed, in heavenly peace...
and then,
at the next nursing home, with gangly teenagers, all self conscious and proud, singing with a large room of elders all in wheelchairs, and in various stages of chronic illness or aging...stumbling through three verses of silent night....where elders had tears in their eyes, and the teens, not really having a clue what an impact their presence was in that room...such a deep expression of what advent hope is...
and then, later in the day, singing silent night again, with 30 children and parents sitting in folding chairs, all trying to match the high key of the piano accompaniment, sweet high little voices, warbling in earnest...
ahh,
this is what glories streaming from heaven afar means.
gloriest stream, and heaven sings,
alleluia.
alleluia.
alleluia.

in a quiet foggy morning....

I am first to the church today. It is 9:00--I have been here since 8:30. I like to get here just to be in the space where in less than hour will be filled with the energy, sorrows, laughter, lives, personalities, rushing racing of the congregation gathering for worship. The quiet is my anchor...my cord running to my balance and godplace inside of me. Grounding here for a few minutes...is a grace I can offer to myself.

Breathing in, I breath in the singing of the birds...
Breathing out, I release any tension to misty fog...
Breathing in, I breathe in the cool breeze gently caressing my cheek....
Breathing out, I open up my heart
to welcome more fully with Your grace, Your peace, Your love
to those who come to meet You today.
Amen.

the steadfast love...

...of the Lord never ceases...
God's mercies are new everyday...
they are new every morning,
new every morning...

I wake up singing this in my head almost every Sunday. It is very comforting.

Today, I pray for your mercy and guidance to lead me through this morning. I am feeling vulnerable...please help that vulnerable place be open to the blessings you share...
and
be present to your people today...
in worship, prayer, presence and song.
amen.

What if...

I heard about a church today that orders its liturgy around "A Time for..."

I love it.

What would it be like to have a liturgy that hung on:

A time for welcome
A time for peace
A time for friendship
A time for letting go, making amends
A time for reflection
A time for sorrow
A time for celebration
A time for risk
A time for belonging
A time for wondering
A time for gratitude
A time for blessing

Hmm. Maybe a little long, but I like framing worship in a way that is accessible and participatory...and different.

I also would love to engage our adults in a faith formation series that included a writing of a statement of faith just like we ask confirmation students to do.

What else. Hmmm. The idea of boards and commissions becoming spiritual communities....there is a book about that, I think. I don't know it.

I just wanted to remember these thoughts.
On to supper, and then meeting.

Peace to you!

Stones on the Road

So, a week ago, I led our church women's retreat. It began with registration around
4:00 (read wine and cheese hour between the lines, because I missed that but will make note of that next year) Dinner at 6:30, and then a group gathering that night, followed by more wine and cheese into the wee hours of the night. We had 40 women at this lovely retreat center in our city, which made it possible for some women to attend only Friday evening; and others only Saturday. I completely overplanned, but it was o.k. It was the best retreat ever...because it
EMERGED and EVOLVED in the way it needed to.
I provided a gentle structure,
and women were able to move around it in the way they needed.

So, Friday evening, we built cairns in small groups, marking where God's presence had been with us lately, like the Israelites....and the parting of the river as Joshua led them into the promised land, where they built a cairn/altar of twelve stones from the river bed they passed through to Gilgal.
After sharing, we brought the cairns back to the altar space in the middle of the room, and had a meditation...silent, and then lit candles for prayers, and sang the Tallis Canon in round. It was very lovely.

Saturday morning, I plans to continue this theme, but since we had 40 women, three generations of fabulous ladies, someone said, can we just sit in one large group, and share about ourselves--our names, a little something of who we are, and how we ended up in this church? Even though a 40 person sharing time sounded like a nightmare to me, we went with it. What magic! What blessing! That Holy Spirit sure does work wonders, huh?

We continued with the stone theme thru the afternoon...and pack-up and left. Our church isn't that big,so to have 40 women was to have about 1/3 of the church present.

It was wonderful...and I just want this post to be my stone of remembrance and gratitude for that time, so I can return to it (especially in the lean, wilderness times of ministry).

So, I set my stone here as remembrance.
Amen.

word wrangler

Sometimes, writing sermons feels like I am on a wild ride on a bucking bronco. I never know what is going to happen....I am holding on to my hat, swinging my lasso of study, preparation, and the horse is the wild Holy Spirit taking me for a ride as I try to wrangle something that is at least articulate. The process is unbridled, breathtaking, and frustrating. I often get thrown off, and have to dust off my chaps and get back on. My sermon for tomorrow? I am inbetween rides right now, but I will have to jump back on that bucking bronco Sophia at least one or two more times tonight! (my butt is sore!)

gettin' ready for sunday

so...have a children's time to write, an invocation, a children's worship to plan, for tomorrow. not much, but enough. I have a godly play story to memorize for the children's worship...and it will be fine.

I was struck last week, in collegial meeting, when one person said, I did the associate pastor thing for a few years and hated it, so I started looking to be a solo in a congregation...and am so happy doing this.

whoah. I realize how little credit I give myself sometimes. I always think I need to learn one more thing to be truly prepared to be the solo leader of a flock, but I have to stop and say--wait! I have literally twenty years of experience as a church professional, and seven of those are in sacramental ministry. shoot! I mean dang! What else am I waiting for?

Don't get me wrong. I really, really, really love the work I get to do with children. I loved teaching bible/religion for eight years before seminary, and I loved the four years of youth ministry I did before that. I loved my three years of seminary, focusing on worship and arts and ministry and children's spirituality. my seven years of ministry in three...well, now on my fourth, but two were simultaneous (lest you think I am a short timer) and I really love this work in my new congregation, but I totally know what my colleague meant, too. I think I have been very deliberate in listening to where I have been called...and each place, congregation/campus, chaplaincy, new church start, and now established traditional NE church has been the right place for me. I don't think anyone could be more fortunate than me in the amazing places of ministry I have landed. I have to be honest, though, the part I miss...and have missed in all of them is more involvement in worship, aka preaching, planning the whole of a service. It is funny, ironic, even, the most involved in worship was in my first congregation. In any case, that doesn't mean that can't happen where I am now...I will just need to find my place in all of it.

huh. who knew I was thinking about that this morning? when I sat down to the computer, I was really thinking about the RED SOX and how they pulled it out last night!