Driving, traveling, shopping and cooking all preceed the gatherings anticipated for this coming Thursday. Family members may be in Los Angles or around the corner. Wherever they are people remark to me that is not so important how long it takes to get there or what is on the menu. What is important is that the family is together.
The Thanksgiving celebration may extend over more than one day. For example, two Thanksgiving on two different days so that the married adult children can make the rounds of both sets of parents. Or, one celebration with family and another with friends. We want to be with those we love.
Our desire to be with those we love and who love us is at the heart of Thanksgiving. I invite you each day this week in prayer to offer thanks for those who love you. Reflect on the people who let you know that you are important, cherished. Reflect on the people who love you in several different dimensions of love: friendship, companionship, beloved, child, parent, soul mate, sibling. Recall that you did not ask for this love but that is flows to you naturally and freely. Experience this love as a way to connecting to God's love for us, a love that we do not ask for but one that flows to us naturally and freely.
May our thankfullness and our Thanksgiving Celebrations be overflowing.
Reflecting on the every day, practical dimensions of faith. Practices to shape our lives each day as followers of Christ. Stories to share our practical experiences of wisdom, faith, hope, and love.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Father Carol
There is a bubbling conversation in the Diocese of Maryland. Unless otherwise requested by the clergyperson, the bishop will call men priests Father and women priests Mother. Since I am not called to be the head of a monastic order of women, since I am not called to be celibate but instead called to be and have lived for the last 24 years as married woman, I have asked the bishop not to call me Mother. I consider the call to monastic life and the call to celebacy as particular vocations within the church and for certain individuals. Mother expresses this monastic and celibate call.
I am called to preach, teach, and celebrate the sacraments in the life of a congregation and on behalf of the church. I am called to be a steward of property and administration, a care taker of souls, an guide for the spiritual lives of people of St John's, and light by which these same people celebrate the ministries to which they have been called. Traditionally, the church has called members of the church called to the minstry to which I am called, Father. And, in the last thirty years it has been recognized that God calls both men and women to this particular life in the church.
Now, consider King Peggy. Morning Edition on NPR shared her story on November 11, 2010. Briefly, she was named as King of her village in Ghana after the King, her uncle, died. The village never had a woman king before nor did Peggy every anticipate being King. But, she has accepted her new 'destiny' and now works to make the lives of her people better.
So, King Peggy's story leads me to ask, why not Father Carol? Is it necessary to divide women and men clergy by name since the function of a parish priest has always been called Father? Why is the gender distinction needed when those names, Father and Mother, speak to very different ministries?
I am trying Father Carol 'on' in this post but also on my new Twitter page. We'll see how it unfolds.
I am called to preach, teach, and celebrate the sacraments in the life of a congregation and on behalf of the church. I am called to be a steward of property and administration, a care taker of souls, an guide for the spiritual lives of people of St John's, and light by which these same people celebrate the ministries to which they have been called. Traditionally, the church has called members of the church called to the minstry to which I am called, Father. And, in the last thirty years it has been recognized that God calls both men and women to this particular life in the church.
Now, consider King Peggy. Morning Edition on NPR shared her story on November 11, 2010. Briefly, she was named as King of her village in Ghana after the King, her uncle, died. The village never had a woman king before nor did Peggy every anticipate being King. But, she has accepted her new 'destiny' and now works to make the lives of her people better.
So, King Peggy's story leads me to ask, why not Father Carol? Is it necessary to divide women and men clergy by name since the function of a parish priest has always been called Father? Why is the gender distinction needed when those names, Father and Mother, speak to very different ministries?
I am trying Father Carol 'on' in this post but also on my new Twitter page. We'll see how it unfolds.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Conversation
Last Saturday I experienced a personal triumph: I set up an iGoogle Page. Now, most people I am sure can do it in the 30 seconds described on the iGoogle home page. It took me an hour, but, it still was a triumph because the buttons, toggles, choices, and pictures to set up the page that were far from intuitive for me are now more familiar. I was determined to improve my skill with electronic media rather than give up in frustration.
A significiant part of the conversation about faith, belief, theology, ethics, the church in the public square, and personal devotion is moving to the electronic media. In the past week The Congregational Resource Guide, one of the most comprehensive sites for spirituality, leadership, and the life of congregations, launched a newly designed website with articles that change daily. The turn around time for our reflections, conversations with ourselves and others, posts in blogs is more likely one day than one week. It is a challenge but I am one of several contributors to these posts.
Those reading the latest every day will likely experience a breadth and depth of the church that was the previously was only present in professional church and clergy conversations. Expanding this conversation will strengthen all believers and strengthen the church.
I am glad that a significant part of the conversation also remains right where it should be: in our prayers to God, in face to face conversations after worship, and with those with whom we take the adventure of faith.
A significiant part of the conversation about faith, belief, theology, ethics, the church in the public square, and personal devotion is moving to the electronic media. In the past week The Congregational Resource Guide, one of the most comprehensive sites for spirituality, leadership, and the life of congregations, launched a newly designed website with articles that change daily. The turn around time for our reflections, conversations with ourselves and others, posts in blogs is more likely one day than one week. It is a challenge but I am one of several contributors to these posts.
Those reading the latest every day will likely experience a breadth and depth of the church that was the previously was only present in professional church and clergy conversations. Expanding this conversation will strengthen all believers and strengthen the church.
I am glad that a significant part of the conversation also remains right where it should be: in our prayers to God, in face to face conversations after worship, and with those with whom we take the adventure of faith.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Halloween Lights
The decorations have sprouted across the neighborhoods in my community. Some are ghoulish and greusome, like the open coffin sporting flowers. Some are oversized fear, like the giant spider on the front door where the seasonal wreath should be. Some are lights, shades of orange and amber mimicing Christmas lights.
Halloween is now a "Holiday." It is an annual fall festival that excites people to decorate, party, and, play. The once child like fantasy of Halloween to dress up and imagine yourself bigger, stronger, more magical and larger than all the adults you know has now recaptured its morbid roots. The ancient festival of All Hallows Eve was the ward off the destructive spirits captured by the growing darkness and colder nights.
As children, and increasingly adults, 'celebrate' Halloween the feast of the next day returns to its own significance. The feast of All Saints is when Christians remember those whose lives show us a life in Christ that is bigger, stronger, more mysterious, and more inspiring than we can find any place else. All Saints Day is the day I buy my Advent candles. Perhaps it is also the day I should begin to decorate with lights that are shades of indigo and purple for the season of Advent.
If we decorate with Halloween lights a month before October 31 and we begin to decorate with Christmas lights a month before December 25, then All Saints Day could initiate our anticipation of the more Christ like life to which we are called to prepare in Advent.
Halloween is now a "Holiday." It is an annual fall festival that excites people to decorate, party, and, play. The once child like fantasy of Halloween to dress up and imagine yourself bigger, stronger, more magical and larger than all the adults you know has now recaptured its morbid roots. The ancient festival of All Hallows Eve was the ward off the destructive spirits captured by the growing darkness and colder nights.
As children, and increasingly adults, 'celebrate' Halloween the feast of the next day returns to its own significance. The feast of All Saints is when Christians remember those whose lives show us a life in Christ that is bigger, stronger, more mysterious, and more inspiring than we can find any place else. All Saints Day is the day I buy my Advent candles. Perhaps it is also the day I should begin to decorate with lights that are shades of indigo and purple for the season of Advent.
If we decorate with Halloween lights a month before October 31 and we begin to decorate with Christmas lights a month before December 25, then All Saints Day could initiate our anticipation of the more Christ like life to which we are called to prepare in Advent.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Embarrassed
Everyone has 'my most embarrassing moment' stories to tell. There is nothing worse that being embarrassed in front of someone that you care about or want to impress.
The story of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector found in Luke 18 describes how the Pharisee avoids embarrasement and the Tax Collector brings embarrassment as his offering before God. The Pharisee has done everything right and made the correct morning sacrifice. For this he is rightlyfully grateful. The Tax Collector has done everything wrong and made no morning sacrifice. His offering at the temple that morning admits he is embarrassed before God. Assuming his motives are genuine, he leaves worship a changed person. The story also assumes not much changes for the Pharisee.
Naturally we tend to cover up that which stirs up shame and embarrassment in us. When we cover it up, we also hold onto the experience. The guidance of scripture is to place before God all that holds us back.
At this time of year, many congregations ask members to commit finances for the coming year. Many of us are embarrassed about money and embarrassed when the church talks about money. Perhaps this year we can place at the altar that which embarrasses us about money and leave worship changed.
The story of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector found in Luke 18 describes how the Pharisee avoids embarrasement and the Tax Collector brings embarrassment as his offering before God. The Pharisee has done everything right and made the correct morning sacrifice. For this he is rightlyfully grateful. The Tax Collector has done everything wrong and made no morning sacrifice. His offering at the temple that morning admits he is embarrassed before God. Assuming his motives are genuine, he leaves worship a changed person. The story also assumes not much changes for the Pharisee.
Naturally we tend to cover up that which stirs up shame and embarrassment in us. When we cover it up, we also hold onto the experience. The guidance of scripture is to place before God all that holds us back.
At this time of year, many congregations ask members to commit finances for the coming year. Many of us are embarrassed about money and embarrassed when the church talks about money. Perhaps this year we can place at the altar that which embarrasses us about money and leave worship changed.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Community
Many years ago, a devote and articulate Jesuit priest once shared with me that he didn't find God in worship, or ritual, or, knowledge. He found God in the relationships around him. At first, this was a suprise since this man was in charge of worship, ritual, and teaching for a hosptial chaplaincy. And as a Jesuit, his order was well known for their commitment to the development of a life of the intellect searching for God.
Yet, he searched beyond those places into the broken vessels of human interactions that comprise our friendships, our family, our colleagues, and the people God places in our paths. These broken vessels are known as community, that web of relationships that are never perfect but nevertheless shine with the love of God. Our lives at times will know the intensity and comfort of close relationships. At times we wonder if those times of close friendship will ever come again as our children age and the circle of our adult friends change. We wonder if we will make new friendships when we move, enter a long term care community, or, must now live without a spouse.
In the broken, imperfect web of relationships we do find God. St. Augustine said, "Our hearts are restless until we find our rest in Thee." Our restless hearts can find a place of comfort in God in community with one another.
Yet, he searched beyond those places into the broken vessels of human interactions that comprise our friendships, our family, our colleagues, and the people God places in our paths. These broken vessels are known as community, that web of relationships that are never perfect but nevertheless shine with the love of God. Our lives at times will know the intensity and comfort of close relationships. At times we wonder if those times of close friendship will ever come again as our children age and the circle of our adult friends change. We wonder if we will make new friendships when we move, enter a long term care community, or, must now live without a spouse.
In the broken, imperfect web of relationships we do find God. St. Augustine said, "Our hearts are restless until we find our rest in Thee." Our restless hearts can find a place of comfort in God in community with one another.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Legacy
Our desire to worship God and to connect spiritually with others is related with our desire to leave a legacy. That legacy need not be a monument, those some confuse legacy with permance. That legacy need not be an accumulation of weath, those some confuse legacy with the ability to control future decisions. Our legacy is our values, that which we hold most important, most formative, most inspiring, and most of what be desire to share with others. A monument, a gift to heirs, a donation to an alma mater can express our values, but, our legacy does not need a physical form to be passed on. What our legacy needs is our hearts.
Monday I attended the 25th reunion of my seminary class. Worshiping in the classic chapel, much about the campus, the people, and the courses taught at the school have changed. What has not changed is the lively intellect of faculty seeking to awaken in students that the love of God can be expressed through the mind. What has not changed is the commitment of community to worship. Unchanged is commitment that the spreading of the gospel comes from pastor well prepared to preach and teach from the pulpit, from the pastor who is also an author, from the director of development who calls upon his Divinity studies in his relationships with donors, and from the physican who studied both medicine and divinity and founded a not for profit health care practice that serves beyond the confines of the current health care system.
What does your heart desire to pass on to others this week?
Monday I attended the 25th reunion of my seminary class. Worshiping in the classic chapel, much about the campus, the people, and the courses taught at the school have changed. What has not changed is the lively intellect of faculty seeking to awaken in students that the love of God can be expressed through the mind. What has not changed is the commitment of community to worship. Unchanged is commitment that the spreading of the gospel comes from pastor well prepared to preach and teach from the pulpit, from the pastor who is also an author, from the director of development who calls upon his Divinity studies in his relationships with donors, and from the physican who studied both medicine and divinity and founded a not for profit health care practice that serves beyond the confines of the current health care system.
What does your heart desire to pass on to others this week?
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