Ok, let me be honest. I go through spurts of some pretty intense fascination with celebrities. Yes, I confess it. But I never really could figure out a reason. Well, now, I have a theory. I'm starting to wonder if my visits to PerezHilton.com are directly proportional to my interest in what's going on in my own life. For example, as I look back over recent years, when I would visit Perez daily (or, as my husband will tell you, more than that), I was fairly burnt out with my life--my work at least. Perez was a welcome respite from the monotony.
I occured to me this morning, however, as I looked at the bookmark on my toolbar for that old favorite website, that I can't remember the last time I visited there. And recent visits have been, it must be said, a bit forced. Out of habit rather than interest.
Instead, I've found myself checking out www.mylifeisaverage.com for quick humor about how everyone's life out there in the web world is going. Stuff I can identify with. I'm really happy with where I am right now. I find my work very interesting and challenging...I enjoy it. So perhaps that's just it...I don't really need an escape as much.
So, I just deleted the Perez button on the toolbar. I don't doubt I'll be back, but you know, life changes...and so d the websites that help us navigate life...
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Old Sermons (Or Someone Else's!)
This past weekend, I found myself stepping in at the last minute for my senior pastor, who has been sidelined with pneumonia. Thursday he had decided there just was no way he'd be up to preach, and so he asked me to. A lot of people suggested I just pull an old sermon out of my file.
Now for most pastors, this is a really good idea. Honestly, doing that no doubt aids the quality of a sermon called for at the last minute. My problem is, I just don't preach that way. I can't really imagine totally taking a sermon and using it. That said, I DO rework old themes. In fact, my first sermon at Calvary was based on a sermon I preached during a seminary internship (I thought it had been really awesome till I went back and looked at it and realized I've changed how I preach since then). The thing is, I often find it much harder to rework an old sermon well than to just write a new one. So...that's what I did Saturday. I just picked on of the lectionary texts and did the best I could. It was, at any rate, more interesting for me than to just pull something and memorize it.
Today, looking through the Pew Forum religion news page, I came across this article addressing the plethora of sermon sites out there:
http://www.cleveland.com/nation/index.ssf/2009/07/online_pastoral_inspiration_in.html
And I must say, I agree with the people quoted in the story. Taking someone else's sermon? I mean, liking an illustration and adapting it is one thing (and I'm still paranoid that my history professors from college will hunt me down for not citing, so I keep track of where I get stuff from). But taking an entire sermon? I mean even if that wasn't sketchy, it just seems really poor homiletic practice.
I was taught that a sermon should flow from the identity and personality of the preacher. That's why, for example, I don't worry too much about a sort of flow-of-consciousness sermon on my part. I mean, I want it to have structure and a direction, but that's how I think. It's how I am. I would find it harder to read someone else's sermon than to just wing it, honestly.
Then again, I'm not a manuscript preacher. I suppose this works much better if you are. But still, I mean, I LOVE preaching. It's so cool. You talk, and people listen. Or at least pretend to. And it's a big responsibility. It's definitely one of my favorite parts of ministry. Of course for some pastors, it's not. And perhaps that's why they just take someone's sermon. Still, that's just sketchy...
Off to use the internet for good, not evil (or at least not plagiarism...)
Now for most pastors, this is a really good idea. Honestly, doing that no doubt aids the quality of a sermon called for at the last minute. My problem is, I just don't preach that way. I can't really imagine totally taking a sermon and using it. That said, I DO rework old themes. In fact, my first sermon at Calvary was based on a sermon I preached during a seminary internship (I thought it had been really awesome till I went back and looked at it and realized I've changed how I preach since then). The thing is, I often find it much harder to rework an old sermon well than to just write a new one. So...that's what I did Saturday. I just picked on of the lectionary texts and did the best I could. It was, at any rate, more interesting for me than to just pull something and memorize it.
Today, looking through the Pew Forum religion news page, I came across this article addressing the plethora of sermon sites out there:
http://www.cleveland.com/nation/index.ssf/2009/07/online_pastoral_inspiration_in.html
And I must say, I agree with the people quoted in the story. Taking someone else's sermon? I mean, liking an illustration and adapting it is one thing (and I'm still paranoid that my history professors from college will hunt me down for not citing, so I keep track of where I get stuff from). But taking an entire sermon? I mean even if that wasn't sketchy, it just seems really poor homiletic practice.
I was taught that a sermon should flow from the identity and personality of the preacher. That's why, for example, I don't worry too much about a sort of flow-of-consciousness sermon on my part. I mean, I want it to have structure and a direction, but that's how I think. It's how I am. I would find it harder to read someone else's sermon than to just wing it, honestly.
Then again, I'm not a manuscript preacher. I suppose this works much better if you are. But still, I mean, I LOVE preaching. It's so cool. You talk, and people listen. Or at least pretend to. And it's a big responsibility. It's definitely one of my favorite parts of ministry. Of course for some pastors, it's not. And perhaps that's why they just take someone's sermon. Still, that's just sketchy...
Off to use the internet for good, not evil (or at least not plagiarism...)
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Camp
So this is the third morning here at camp. Jennie, Anne and I have ventured this far with the ladies of INspire Camp at Manidokan, and today is the biggest journey of all: Maryland Heights. And not just the normal way. The long way. The way that is described on the sign as "Strenuous but rewarding." I've always thought that's a perfect way to describe life. Strenuous but rewarding.
At least two of our ladies promised they'd do the rain dance last night. They were hoping we wouldn't be able to hike it. Sadly...for them...the skies are clear and forecasts are on the side of a hike this morning.
Meanwhile, I, and I think Jennie and Anne, are looking forward to this morning's hike. Out only concern is how the ladies will manage. No one wants to listen to hours of complaining. But you know what, we've got a good group this year. It's small (6 girls) and 4 of them are returners from last year (which I find quite hopeful...especially since they say they are certainly coming back next year). Many years we could not do this hike. But this year, I think we can. I hope it is meaningful and memorable for all the right reasons.
My husband has been a rare sight this week...I've seen less of him than I would on a normal week! I think that almost makes it harder. It's not like we're far away from each other. It's just that I've been with the campers. When Chris hasn't been dealing with immediate needs, he's been pondering and struggling with the best ways to share his ideas with his supervisor, who in turn has to make a case with conference officials about why camp needs their help this year and how he has some very tangible changes that will really turn things around so camp will be financially more stable in the future.
Chris walked into a really rough financial situation two years ago, and for all he's done to cut costs while also improving programming, this economy has created a perfect storm. He chose meaningful changes, but those often take time. And so much of this is about building relationships, and that takes time, and is so much more difficult when it's just him. I could go on and on, but I wish I could help. I want to make a case to those making decisions about the importance of this ministry and the need for these changes. I hate not being able to control everything! :-)
Chris does such a good job, and it's hard for me to see things don't always turn out how he wants. There are so many factors he can't control, and though that's life, and the case for all of us, it's seldom fun.
I pray, though, that he will have an opportunity to share his energy, passion and ideas about all this with the people who make the decisions, and that they will also be invested in the vision he has for Manidokan!
As for me, my investment today in Manidokan is spending the morning and early afternoon with a group of ladies who may whine a bit, but I hope will learn a little bit more today of how sometimes hard work, does in fact pay huge dividends.
At least two of our ladies promised they'd do the rain dance last night. They were hoping we wouldn't be able to hike it. Sadly...for them...the skies are clear and forecasts are on the side of a hike this morning.
Meanwhile, I, and I think Jennie and Anne, are looking forward to this morning's hike. Out only concern is how the ladies will manage. No one wants to listen to hours of complaining. But you know what, we've got a good group this year. It's small (6 girls) and 4 of them are returners from last year (which I find quite hopeful...especially since they say they are certainly coming back next year). Many years we could not do this hike. But this year, I think we can. I hope it is meaningful and memorable for all the right reasons.
My husband has been a rare sight this week...I've seen less of him than I would on a normal week! I think that almost makes it harder. It's not like we're far away from each other. It's just that I've been with the campers. When Chris hasn't been dealing with immediate needs, he's been pondering and struggling with the best ways to share his ideas with his supervisor, who in turn has to make a case with conference officials about why camp needs their help this year and how he has some very tangible changes that will really turn things around so camp will be financially more stable in the future.
Chris walked into a really rough financial situation two years ago, and for all he's done to cut costs while also improving programming, this economy has created a perfect storm. He chose meaningful changes, but those often take time. And so much of this is about building relationships, and that takes time, and is so much more difficult when it's just him. I could go on and on, but I wish I could help. I want to make a case to those making decisions about the importance of this ministry and the need for these changes. I hate not being able to control everything! :-)
Chris does such a good job, and it's hard for me to see things don't always turn out how he wants. There are so many factors he can't control, and though that's life, and the case for all of us, it's seldom fun.
I pray, though, that he will have an opportunity to share his energy, passion and ideas about all this with the people who make the decisions, and that they will also be invested in the vision he has for Manidokan!
As for me, my investment today in Manidokan is spending the morning and early afternoon with a group of ladies who may whine a bit, but I hope will learn a little bit more today of how sometimes hard work, does in fact pay huge dividends.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Calvary Commons and Other Updates
First off, many thanks to all the Calvary folks who have already sent pictures for my "Frederick Photo Challenge." I've gotten some great pics already, and yes, I have been able to guess many of them. Others, well, I'm working on it...! :-)
If you haven't gotten your picture in yet, you've got till the end of July! You can send/bring it to the church office or e-mail it to me.
Second, just wanted to let you know I'll be "out of the office" next week, July 19-24 as I'm volunteering for my week of summer camp. Also, August 2-8 I will be in Pittsburgh at the Stephen Ministries leaders training. Both of these weeks I'll have my cell phone and e-mail though, so you can still get in touch with me.
Finally, I wanted to pass along some news of a cool study I'm leading this year starting in September called Calvary Commons. I'm especially advertising it to young adults, but it's not just a young adult study, so all are invited! I just figured the novelty of it might be particularly appealing to young adults. But I hope lots of people from lots of ages, backgrounds and perspectives will come, because that's what makes the discussions really interesting! Here's the info:
We’ll be using lots of different sorts of materials and topics. The group will meet off site, like at a coffee shop (ideas?) and will be a discussion-based group. Ideas for material for this year include Adam Hamilton’s Confronting the Controversies, the novel Blue Like Jazz and my husband’s idea—a series on the enduring themes from favorite children’s book (he’s a fan of The Little Engine that Could). We’ll work through stuff at whatever pace the group finds most fitting, and we’ll most of all look at how these readings and themes apply to our lives. I’m planning to start with the Christians controversies book, and draw out the topics over a couple discussions, formatting our discussions so even if someone hasn’t had a chance to read that chapter, they’d be able to follow and share in the discussion.
Calvary Commons is currently scheduled for Wednesdays at 7 p.m., mostly because there will be other studies at church that evening in case anyone needed childcare.
If you haven't gotten your picture in yet, you've got till the end of July! You can send/bring it to the church office or e-mail it to me.
Second, just wanted to let you know I'll be "out of the office" next week, July 19-24 as I'm volunteering for my week of summer camp. Also, August 2-8 I will be in Pittsburgh at the Stephen Ministries leaders training. Both of these weeks I'll have my cell phone and e-mail though, so you can still get in touch with me.
Finally, I wanted to pass along some news of a cool study I'm leading this year starting in September called Calvary Commons. I'm especially advertising it to young adults, but it's not just a young adult study, so all are invited! I just figured the novelty of it might be particularly appealing to young adults. But I hope lots of people from lots of ages, backgrounds and perspectives will come, because that's what makes the discussions really interesting! Here's the info:
We’ll be using lots of different sorts of materials and topics. The group will meet off site, like at a coffee shop (ideas?) and will be a discussion-based group. Ideas for material for this year include Adam Hamilton’s Confronting the Controversies, the novel Blue Like Jazz and my husband’s idea—a series on the enduring themes from favorite children’s book (he’s a fan of The Little Engine that Could). We’ll work through stuff at whatever pace the group finds most fitting, and we’ll most of all look at how these readings and themes apply to our lives. I’m planning to start with the Christians controversies book, and draw out the topics over a couple discussions, formatting our discussions so even if someone hasn’t had a chance to read that chapter, they’d be able to follow and share in the discussion.
Calvary Commons is currently scheduled for Wednesdays at 7 p.m., mostly because there will be other studies at church that evening in case anyone needed childcare.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Psalm 29
In seminary, one of my professors (Bishop Carder, I think) mentioned how cool he thought it was when he'd heard of someone who read a new psalm for year year of their life. I think for that person it was a way of memorizing the psalms, and in general the repetition of scripture can be a really great discipline. I have to admit that I don't keep a daily practice of reading my "annual" psalm along those lines, but from time to time I do take a peek. Now that I'm onto year 29, here is the new psalm:
1 Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name;
worship the Lord in holy splendor.
3 The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
the God of glory thunders, the Lord, over mighty waters.
4 The voice of the Lord is powerful;
the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.
5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars;
the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf,
and Sirion like a young wild ox.
7 The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire.
8 The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness;
the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
9 The voice of the Lord causes the oaks to whirl,
and strips the forest bare;
and in his temple all say, "Glory!"
10 The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;
the Lord sits enthroned as king forever.
11 May the Lord give strength to his people!
May the Lord bless his people with peace!
This is a good (but challenging) word for me today. I spent the latter part of yesterday, my birthday, wallowing in wanting more attention. More about me. After all, I told myself, it's my birthday I know that birthday or not, though, that sort of attitude is pretty much the core definition of SIN. Focus on oneself.
I have to admit there's still part of me that feels a bit whiny in a 5-year-old sort of way. But I hope God will take that from me. And I hope like this psalm, this year will be about God and what God is doing, and God's power, and not so much about me.
Development experts tell us that babies literally think the world revolves around them. It makes sense. They cry and there is someone their to meet their need, even desire. The early church fathers described sin as an inward focus. So I think that another way we could think of it is that we're all born thinking the world revolves around us...some of us just never grow out of that. Faithful discipleship is about growing up. Getting over oneself, and learning to serve God and neighbor. That's never as easy as it sounds, but it is who we are made to be. Birthday or not.
1 Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name;
worship the Lord in holy splendor.
3 The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
the God of glory thunders, the Lord, over mighty waters.
4 The voice of the Lord is powerful;
the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.
5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars;
the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf,
and Sirion like a young wild ox.
7 The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire.
8 The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness;
the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
9 The voice of the Lord causes the oaks to whirl,
and strips the forest bare;
and in his temple all say, "Glory!"
10 The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;
the Lord sits enthroned as king forever.
11 May the Lord give strength to his people!
May the Lord bless his people with peace!
This is a good (but challenging) word for me today. I spent the latter part of yesterday, my birthday, wallowing in wanting more attention. More about me. After all, I told myself, it's my birthday I know that birthday or not, though, that sort of attitude is pretty much the core definition of SIN. Focus on oneself.
I have to admit there's still part of me that feels a bit whiny in a 5-year-old sort of way. But I hope God will take that from me. And I hope like this psalm, this year will be about God and what God is doing, and God's power, and not so much about me.
Development experts tell us that babies literally think the world revolves around them. It makes sense. They cry and there is someone their to meet their need, even desire. The early church fathers described sin as an inward focus. So I think that another way we could think of it is that we're all born thinking the world revolves around us...some of us just never grow out of that. Faithful discipleship is about growing up. Getting over oneself, and learning to serve God and neighbor. That's never as easy as it sounds, but it is who we are made to be. Birthday or not.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Catholic bishops promote a compassionate view of suicide -Times Online
Checking out the latest religion news on www.pewforum.org, I came across this article. I must say that I find I rather often find myself defending the Roman Catholic Church (really, Protestants, we need to stop freaking out about silly things)...but many issues that bother people are indeed quite serious. Still today I think many people's uncertainty about mental illness has archaic roots in some idea that it's a sin, that suicide is an unforgivable sin, etc. I know this is still the case because I still run into families planning a funeral for someone who has committed suicide that are so grateful a pastor is willing to do the funeral. I've known this is the RCC's position for a while, but perhaps it doesn't hurt to share.
Catholic bishops promote a compassionate view of suicide -Times Online
Shared via AddThis
For some other resources, check out:
http://gbgm-umc.org/DISC/mentillb.stm
http://www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=5066287&content_id={0E911B8C-E939-4F2E-B8B6-C6644ABC71FB}¬oc=1
http://archives.umc.org/theme.asp?ptid=1&mid=2413&tid=43&rec=&search=
In interesting blog (I haven't read all of this, but it looks ok, but if there's something crazy it in, sorry!): http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/the-christian-and-mental-illness
Catholic bishops promote a compassionate view of suicide -Times Online
Shared via AddThis
For some other resources, check out:
http://gbgm-umc.org/DISC/mentillb.stm
http://www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=5066287&content_id={0E911B8C-E939-4F2E-B8B6-C6644ABC71FB}¬oc=1
http://archives.umc.org/theme.asp?ptid=1&mid=2413&tid=43&rec=&search=
In interesting blog (I haven't read all of this, but it looks ok, but if there's something crazy it in, sorry!): http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/the-christian-and-mental-illness
Birthday Reflections
I suppose it's quite customary to reflect on the past year for one's birthday. But boy, I've been reflecting for, well, months! It's really quite incredible to think of how much my life has changed in the past year. I no longer anticipate "quiet" years though (if I ever did). There's always something--and I don't at all mean that in a bad way. It's exciting, knowing that there just so much coming that we cannot imagine. Scary, yes. But also exciting.
This is my last year in my twenties. I guess that's pretty momentous. But God willing, I'll also have my last year in the thirties, forties, etc.
Life is not so much, I think, about marking milestones as it is living with joyful expectancy. Milestones are important, don't get me wrong. But I hope I am never so consumed with one day, one year, that I fail to give thanks not just for what God has done, but for what I know God WILL do.
This is my last year in my twenties. I guess that's pretty momentous. But God willing, I'll also have my last year in the thirties, forties, etc.
Life is not so much, I think, about marking milestones as it is living with joyful expectancy. Milestones are important, don't get me wrong. But I hope I am never so consumed with one day, one year, that I fail to give thanks not just for what God has done, but for what I know God WILL do.
Friday, July 10, 2009
July 10, 2009
Here is the devotional quote from the Upper Room this morning:
ALL CHANGE INVOLVES leaving behind something known in order to move toward the new and unknown. It means releasing the way things were in order to embrace the way things are and the way things will be. … Understanding our past is important, but our lives are meant to be lived in the present and into the future.
- Leigh Harrison
Birthed in Prayer: Pregnancy as a Spiritual Journey
As I sit here finishing the first whole week at my new appointment here at Calvary, I am definitely aware of this. And beyond that, just thinking of all the changes in my life in the past year! Getting married. Setting up home together. Getting a new appointment. Change is not only about leaving behind, it's also a lot of work!
My sermon this Sunday takes as its Scripture Luke 9:57-62 where Jesus has three interactions with would-be disciples. The tension in the story is whether they can leave behind the old, even family, and move forward totally committed as Jesus' disciple.
Christians as individuals but also as a community (and in each local church) face the same challenge. We hold onto the past out of fear, and our fear cripples our growth. And that which does not grow dies.
This is a constant question I ask of myself and those around me in ministry (whether directly or indirectly)...are our lives, actions and decisions motivated by faithfully following Jesus, or anxiously holding on to the past? Sadly, often we find ourselves holding into the past, and in doing so, we are not able to embrace all that God is doing and calling us to.
May today be a day of some letting go and moving forward for all of us.
ALL CHANGE INVOLVES leaving behind something known in order to move toward the new and unknown. It means releasing the way things were in order to embrace the way things are and the way things will be. … Understanding our past is important, but our lives are meant to be lived in the present and into the future.
- Leigh Harrison
Birthed in Prayer: Pregnancy as a Spiritual Journey
As I sit here finishing the first whole week at my new appointment here at Calvary, I am definitely aware of this. And beyond that, just thinking of all the changes in my life in the past year! Getting married. Setting up home together. Getting a new appointment. Change is not only about leaving behind, it's also a lot of work!
My sermon this Sunday takes as its Scripture Luke 9:57-62 where Jesus has three interactions with would-be disciples. The tension in the story is whether they can leave behind the old, even family, and move forward totally committed as Jesus' disciple.
Christians as individuals but also as a community (and in each local church) face the same challenge. We hold onto the past out of fear, and our fear cripples our growth. And that which does not grow dies.
This is a constant question I ask of myself and those around me in ministry (whether directly or indirectly)...are our lives, actions and decisions motivated by faithfully following Jesus, or anxiously holding on to the past? Sadly, often we find ourselves holding into the past, and in doing so, we are not able to embrace all that God is doing and calling us to.
May today be a day of some letting go and moving forward for all of us.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
July 9, 2009
So take a look at this pretty cool prayer that was the devotional reading this morning on www.upperroom.org/daily:
GOD, no offense,
but most of us are like Paul,
never having met you face-to-face.
Instead, we have hints, followed by guesses,
from when someone became Christ to us —
when we least deserved and expected it.
You have an incredible collection of disguises.
Amen.
- W. Paul Jones
An Eclectic Almanac for the Faithful
How true this is! I'm always aware that Jesus speaks in the Gospels about the kingdom of God in simile and metaphor (parables), using "like" and "as". Such incredible things cannot be understood by us directly. But how often I forget that our experience of Jesus, and how much more the Godhead, is in metaphor and disguise now. That wasn't the case for the disciples. Perhaps that is our challenge. We not only have to find examples for what God's kingdom is and is to be, but also for Jesus himself. Maybe that's part of where that craze of "WWJD" came from.
But indeed like the prayer says, I have experienced Jesus so often in the lives and love of others. I think that's part of the reason why Christians are called to live in community. To say we worship a God who loves us but to be without loving relationships is to miss something not just about our neighbor but also about God.
I also have to admit I like the line in the prayer, "God, no offense, but..." If you rewrote most of the Psalms into modern language, I suspect they'd start that way! Of course they'd end with something like, "But of course, God loves me..."
Off to look for God's disguises today.
GOD, no offense,
but most of us are like Paul,
never having met you face-to-face.
Instead, we have hints, followed by guesses,
from when someone became Christ to us —
when we least deserved and expected it.
You have an incredible collection of disguises.
Amen.
- W. Paul Jones
An Eclectic Almanac for the Faithful
How true this is! I'm always aware that Jesus speaks in the Gospels about the kingdom of God in simile and metaphor (parables), using "like" and "as". Such incredible things cannot be understood by us directly. But how often I forget that our experience of Jesus, and how much more the Godhead, is in metaphor and disguise now. That wasn't the case for the disciples. Perhaps that is our challenge. We not only have to find examples for what God's kingdom is and is to be, but also for Jesus himself. Maybe that's part of where that craze of "WWJD" came from.
But indeed like the prayer says, I have experienced Jesus so often in the lives and love of others. I think that's part of the reason why Christians are called to live in community. To say we worship a God who loves us but to be without loving relationships is to miss something not just about our neighbor but also about God.
I also have to admit I like the line in the prayer, "God, no offense, but..." If you rewrote most of the Psalms into modern language, I suspect they'd start that way! Of course they'd end with something like, "But of course, God loves me..."
Off to look for God's disguises today.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Music
So I've been thinking a lot this week about the power and place of music in our lives. No, this isn't only about Michael Jackson's death (though you really can't watch TV without being reminded of the importance of music in the lives of so many people). It's also because my sermon this Sunday takes as its inspiration (loosely) a Civil War song entitled, The Vacant Chair.
Music tells a lot about a place and time. And the music that is dearest to us speaks about something very essential to who we are.
For example, I chose as one of the hymns for this Sunday a song from The Faith We Sing called The Summons. The words of this mean a lot to me personally about my call--both to ministry and discipleship. It also has an important place in the modern UM church.
Goodness knows I know the power of hymns for people...that's why people get so excited or upset when you do or don't play their favorite hymns. Christmas and Easter especially!
But we all have lots of other songs that still speak to us powerfully, or which mark a particular period in our lives. This whole line of thought got me nostalgic, so I thought I'd flip through my iTunes and remember a few of my favs...
-"The Call" by Anointed...a fav. when I first heard my call to ministry and pursued candidacy
-"I Have a Dream" by Bebe Winans: downloaded when I was taking a preaching class at Duke as an example of the musical tones of African American preaching
-"I Tried" by Bone Thugs N Harmony: What can I say? I was a fan of Crossroads...this takes me back to high school
-"So Much for Pretending" by Bryan White: my theme song for pretty much every crush I sad in college
-"One Day Closer to You" by Carolyn Dawn Johnson: the song that kept me going after all those crushes
-"Baby Got Book" by Dan Smith: still one of the funniest songs ever. Dan Randall showed some of us this video one evening in seminary. I've even had a group of camp kids play this in the weekly talent show :-)
-This is an album: "This is Who I Am" by Heather Headley: this is pretty much half of what I listened to my entire second year at Duke. No particular reason really. Just good music.
-"Where Are You Christmas" by Faith Hill: came out about the time my parents split up
-"Can't Give Up Now" by Mary Mary: since college, this has been one of those songs that really encourages me
-another album: "Home for Christmas" by NSync. The Semester I was in Greece, as December was coming, this was the only Christmas album I could find by a group I recognized. I listened to it a lot. And for reasons I have never been able to explain, it is my one tried and true cure to writer's block. Weird, I know.
-"I Knew I Loved You" by Savage Garden. I don't remember why, but we listened to a lot of Savage Garden when we were in Greece.
So that's some for now...what about you? What songs mark moments in your life?
Music tells a lot about a place and time. And the music that is dearest to us speaks about something very essential to who we are.
For example, I chose as one of the hymns for this Sunday a song from The Faith We Sing called The Summons. The words of this mean a lot to me personally about my call--both to ministry and discipleship. It also has an important place in the modern UM church.
Goodness knows I know the power of hymns for people...that's why people get so excited or upset when you do or don't play their favorite hymns. Christmas and Easter especially!
But we all have lots of other songs that still speak to us powerfully, or which mark a particular period in our lives. This whole line of thought got me nostalgic, so I thought I'd flip through my iTunes and remember a few of my favs...
-"The Call" by Anointed...a fav. when I first heard my call to ministry and pursued candidacy
-"I Have a Dream" by Bebe Winans: downloaded when I was taking a preaching class at Duke as an example of the musical tones of African American preaching
-"I Tried" by Bone Thugs N Harmony: What can I say? I was a fan of Crossroads...this takes me back to high school
-"So Much for Pretending" by Bryan White: my theme song for pretty much every crush I sad in college
-"One Day Closer to You" by Carolyn Dawn Johnson: the song that kept me going after all those crushes
-"Baby Got Book" by Dan Smith: still one of the funniest songs ever. Dan Randall showed some of us this video one evening in seminary. I've even had a group of camp kids play this in the weekly talent show :-)
-This is an album: "This is Who I Am" by Heather Headley: this is pretty much half of what I listened to my entire second year at Duke. No particular reason really. Just good music.
-"Where Are You Christmas" by Faith Hill: came out about the time my parents split up
-"Can't Give Up Now" by Mary Mary: since college, this has been one of those songs that really encourages me
-another album: "Home for Christmas" by NSync. The Semester I was in Greece, as December was coming, this was the only Christmas album I could find by a group I recognized. I listened to it a lot. And for reasons I have never been able to explain, it is my one tried and true cure to writer's block. Weird, I know.
-"I Knew I Loved You" by Savage Garden. I don't remember why, but we listened to a lot of Savage Garden when we were in Greece.
So that's some for now...what about you? What songs mark moments in your life?
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
First Sunday and Religulous
So this past Sunday was my first at Calvary. My mom was over, having been with us in DC for the fourth, and asked me that morning if I was nervous. I said of course I was! I think that any pastor who isn't nervous their first Sunday at a new church probably doesn't take it seriously enough.
But God is good, the people at Calvary are wonderful, and I had a really great time. We had our two services, 8:30 and 11:00 a.m., and it was nice to be able to be part of the service but not have to preach since I was still getting the hang of things. I'll preach this Sunday, so in addition to continuing getting settled in, that's my main task this week. You know, it's a big deal, your first sermon!
I got to meet many people, and hopefully made a good start on remembering names. There are definitely a lot of names to remember! But with some hard work and focus, hopefully it won't take too long. I think one of the tricks to learning names is to never pretend to know a name you don't. Because once you've done that, it gets harder and harder to admit you don't know their name.
I got to visit with the Specials class, a great ministry to adults with developmental disabilities. Sunday School is after the first service, and since Chris had to leave to get back to camp, I brought them in one of our wedding pics to show them him too. What a great group of people and volunteers!
Continuing tradition (Calvary's tradition!) the air conditioning wasn't working for the early service. It apparently was an easy fix and was working by the second service, but it brought back memories for everyone of Ken's first service, when the electricity was out! I just told people it must have been the Holy Spirit heating up the place! :-)
Among the many people I got to meet and talk to, I got to catch up with a number of people even more in depth at a cookout Ken and Sandy had at their house for staff and some church leaders Sunday afternoon. It was great to have a casual setting to catch up with folks! I'm looking forward to working with all these great Calvary folks!
Yesterday was my day off...I must admit it felt weird taking a day off so soon after starting, but one of the things I've learned already in ministry is that time off rarely presents itself, and if you don't take regular time off, it catches up with you. Usually at the worst times. So it was nice to have some down time, and Chris even took some of the evening off. We got some ice cream (there really isn't much better than the Key Lime Pie ice cream at Bruester's) and we picked up the DVD of Religulous at Blockbusters.
That documentary is Bill Maher's look at religion. He's a self-professed atheist (well, maybe agnostic, etc...basically he likes doubt and distrusts certainty). I found the film really interesting He makes a lot of interesting points...some I agreed with, others I didn't personally, but which certainly speak to the views of many people whose experience with religion, not to mention Christianity, has been less about God and more about people's weaknesses and self-centeredness.
One aspect of Christianity that really gets me fired up is the whole prosperity Gospel stuff, so I must admit I was pretty pleased when he kind of tore into one pastor whose lizard-skin shoes seemed hardly to testify to the servanthood and emphasis on the poor that Jesus proclaimed.
After the movie, Chris and I both agreed it would be a great basis for a study, but you'd definitely have to not have people who are easily offended in the study. That's, honestly, how Maher got the movie together--too many people are so dang confident about their beliefs until you start questioning them, then they get defensive and downright nasty. But you know what? We shouldn't be bothered by questions. Or angered by people who don't agree with us. After all, sometimes they ask good questions we've never thought of before! And I suspect that for many Christians, Religulous asks a lot of new questions!
But God is good, the people at Calvary are wonderful, and I had a really great time. We had our two services, 8:30 and 11:00 a.m., and it was nice to be able to be part of the service but not have to preach since I was still getting the hang of things. I'll preach this Sunday, so in addition to continuing getting settled in, that's my main task this week. You know, it's a big deal, your first sermon!
I got to meet many people, and hopefully made a good start on remembering names. There are definitely a lot of names to remember! But with some hard work and focus, hopefully it won't take too long. I think one of the tricks to learning names is to never pretend to know a name you don't. Because once you've done that, it gets harder and harder to admit you don't know their name.
I got to visit with the Specials class, a great ministry to adults with developmental disabilities. Sunday School is after the first service, and since Chris had to leave to get back to camp, I brought them in one of our wedding pics to show them him too. What a great group of people and volunteers!
Continuing tradition (Calvary's tradition!) the air conditioning wasn't working for the early service. It apparently was an easy fix and was working by the second service, but it brought back memories for everyone of Ken's first service, when the electricity was out! I just told people it must have been the Holy Spirit heating up the place! :-)
Among the many people I got to meet and talk to, I got to catch up with a number of people even more in depth at a cookout Ken and Sandy had at their house for staff and some church leaders Sunday afternoon. It was great to have a casual setting to catch up with folks! I'm looking forward to working with all these great Calvary folks!
Yesterday was my day off...I must admit it felt weird taking a day off so soon after starting, but one of the things I've learned already in ministry is that time off rarely presents itself, and if you don't take regular time off, it catches up with you. Usually at the worst times. So it was nice to have some down time, and Chris even took some of the evening off. We got some ice cream (there really isn't much better than the Key Lime Pie ice cream at Bruester's) and we picked up the DVD of Religulous at Blockbusters.
That documentary is Bill Maher's look at religion. He's a self-professed atheist (well, maybe agnostic, etc...basically he likes doubt and distrusts certainty). I found the film really interesting He makes a lot of interesting points...some I agreed with, others I didn't personally, but which certainly speak to the views of many people whose experience with religion, not to mention Christianity, has been less about God and more about people's weaknesses and self-centeredness.
One aspect of Christianity that really gets me fired up is the whole prosperity Gospel stuff, so I must admit I was pretty pleased when he kind of tore into one pastor whose lizard-skin shoes seemed hardly to testify to the servanthood and emphasis on the poor that Jesus proclaimed.
After the movie, Chris and I both agreed it would be a great basis for a study, but you'd definitely have to not have people who are easily offended in the study. That's, honestly, how Maher got the movie together--too many people are so dang confident about their beliefs until you start questioning them, then they get defensive and downright nasty. But you know what? We shouldn't be bothered by questions. Or angered by people who don't agree with us. After all, sometimes they ask good questions we've never thought of before! And I suspect that for many Christians, Religulous asks a lot of new questions!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Day 1
So here it is...the day my time at Calvary UMC begins!
Chris and I set out about 7 am this morning, to grab some breakfast, drop the car off for an oil change, then head into downtown Frederick, with out SUV loaded with books and "office decor". We got to Calvary a little after 8 am an spent the morning moving furniture--including dismantling the huge old metal desk that was in the associate's office, replacing it with a small wooden table that's just perfect for my laptop. Basically, the office went from a large desk, a computer desk, two 2-drawer file cabinets, 4 bookcases, 2 chairs and a desk chair (and it's a nice size office but not that big...to 2 bookcases, a desk chair, 2 file cabinets, 2 chairs and a small wooden table. All I need now is a little rug, and I've got an office and a cozy little seating area.
Thanks to Chris, in addition to moving all the furniture (which I would NEVER have been able to do myself anyway) we got all the books and stuff unpacked, which has been really nice--to not have to start working with boxes piled. I know they say a pastor shouldn't spend all their time at first setting up their office, but I just don't work well in chaos. By mid-morning we were done, and I met with Ken, showed Chris around the church, and Chris and I got lunch then he picked up the car from the shop and headed back.
I spent my afternoon calling some church leaders (over two dozen!), trying to figure out my printer (got it figured out!), going over some intro info, and just generally trying to settle in. Tonight the youth are gathering for a service night, so I figured I'd pop in to say hello, then will head home and be back in tomorrow morning.
LOL...as I'm typing this, the phone rang. I have no idea if my phone rings with all calls or just ones to me, so I had this moment of panic thinking "Wait. Where am I? How should I answer?!" But don't worry...I got it figured out!
Already I've also been juggling some ministry needs, and I know as I settle in, more will pop up. It's nice, honestly though, to finally be able to "plan ahead" again...I'm a planner by nature, which made the past couple of month particularly difficult as I couldn't really do much for Jefferson. Now at Calvary, I've already got schedules through the end of the year, and I'm looking at sermons for the coming months.
Chris and I are just so excited to be at Calvary. It's much easier know that Jefferson/Doubs is in good hands. Still, it's strange to remind myself that now I'm HERE. Calvary is now "our church" not "their church." But I'll get the hang of it. Heck, I thought getting used to a new last name was a hard adjustment, but now, not even a year into married life, it's so natural.
My only disappointment today was that I missed the donkeys at our house. Really! While Chris was down here at Calvary, he called camp to check in and other than hearing that things were going well, he was told they had a story to tell him about donkeys at our house, and that they meant literally. I had to wait till later in the afternoon to find out that apparently this morning Natalie had been past our house and saw donkeys. No one believed her at first when she came over to camp to tell them. Seems one of our neighbor's donkeys had indeed gotten out and had wandered to our house. I can only imagine how much out dogs must have been freaking out! At any rate, the donkeys were restored to their rightful owner. I hear there are pictures! I'll try to post them if I can get a hold of them!
That's all for now...perhaps I'll work on my sermon...or start combing the pages of the photo directory...
Chris and I set out about 7 am this morning, to grab some breakfast, drop the car off for an oil change, then head into downtown Frederick, with out SUV loaded with books and "office decor". We got to Calvary a little after 8 am an spent the morning moving furniture--including dismantling the huge old metal desk that was in the associate's office, replacing it with a small wooden table that's just perfect for my laptop. Basically, the office went from a large desk, a computer desk, two 2-drawer file cabinets, 4 bookcases, 2 chairs and a desk chair (and it's a nice size office but not that big...to 2 bookcases, a desk chair, 2 file cabinets, 2 chairs and a small wooden table. All I need now is a little rug, and I've got an office and a cozy little seating area.
Thanks to Chris, in addition to moving all the furniture (which I would NEVER have been able to do myself anyway) we got all the books and stuff unpacked, which has been really nice--to not have to start working with boxes piled. I know they say a pastor shouldn't spend all their time at first setting up their office, but I just don't work well in chaos. By mid-morning we were done, and I met with Ken, showed Chris around the church, and Chris and I got lunch then he picked up the car from the shop and headed back.
I spent my afternoon calling some church leaders (over two dozen!), trying to figure out my printer (got it figured out!), going over some intro info, and just generally trying to settle in. Tonight the youth are gathering for a service night, so I figured I'd pop in to say hello, then will head home and be back in tomorrow morning.
LOL...as I'm typing this, the phone rang. I have no idea if my phone rings with all calls or just ones to me, so I had this moment of panic thinking "Wait. Where am I? How should I answer?!" But don't worry...I got it figured out!
Already I've also been juggling some ministry needs, and I know as I settle in, more will pop up. It's nice, honestly though, to finally be able to "plan ahead" again...I'm a planner by nature, which made the past couple of month particularly difficult as I couldn't really do much for Jefferson. Now at Calvary, I've already got schedules through the end of the year, and I'm looking at sermons for the coming months.
Chris and I are just so excited to be at Calvary. It's much easier know that Jefferson/Doubs is in good hands. Still, it's strange to remind myself that now I'm HERE. Calvary is now "our church" not "their church." But I'll get the hang of it. Heck, I thought getting used to a new last name was a hard adjustment, but now, not even a year into married life, it's so natural.
My only disappointment today was that I missed the donkeys at our house. Really! While Chris was down here at Calvary, he called camp to check in and other than hearing that things were going well, he was told they had a story to tell him about donkeys at our house, and that they meant literally. I had to wait till later in the afternoon to find out that apparently this morning Natalie had been past our house and saw donkeys. No one believed her at first when she came over to camp to tell them. Seems one of our neighbor's donkeys had indeed gotten out and had wandered to our house. I can only imagine how much out dogs must have been freaking out! At any rate, the donkeys were restored to their rightful owner. I hear there are pictures! I'll try to post them if I can get a hold of them!
That's all for now...perhaps I'll work on my sermon...or start combing the pages of the photo directory...
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