Getting My Geekness On!

Who knew that all the hours I spent in college watching Star Trek: The Next Generation, hosting Trek viewing parties with my roommate, and decorating our dorm room via Star Trek Christmas ornaments that would randomly say, "Shuttle craft to Enterprise, Spock here!"- would hit the big pay off in local church ministry?!

Yep, all those Star Trek novels I read, all the Star Trek movies I have watched, and the thousands of hours I have spent viewing all six of the Star Wars movies- now culminate in a fantastic opportunity for me to reveal my geekness with the good people of Calvary UMC.

(By the way- I have attended at least one Star Trek convention, but refrained from wearing a uniform uh...err... costume.)

"Hello Calvary, my name is Michelle and I am a geek."

I have been a science fiction geek since I wandered into the wrong section of my grade school library in Dubuque, Iowa. And I have never looked back. Space, exploration, strange new worlds, tough leadership situations, and goofy characters are what makes sci fi interesting and exciting to me. Or it could just be the special effects.

Whatever it is, my passion or obsession will be revealed in less than five days when I host my first ever Star Wars/Star Trek Bible Study here at church. I hope you'll come. I am nervous. I am thrilled. I am humbled. And I am eager.

As I pour over books, the Bible, movies, and television episodes, I find myself asking a deep question, "Why on earth did it take me this long to finally host such a perfect combination of my two great loves: Christian theology and science fiction?!"

See you Tuesday! "Resistance is futile."

Spring Lust

When you pour and ponder over slick color pages of a Burpee's Seed Catalog as if it is pornographic material- you know you're ready for Spring!

"I am ready" (written in the voice of Spongebob Squarepants) for spring.

We've had enough of our share of snow, ice, school delays, school closings, bitter cold, and wind chills, etc. My mittens are worn out, my boots need to be replaced, and my long underwear has tears from all the use and abuse.

As I slowly turn the sacred pages of my seed catalogs, draw maps of our future veggie garden, and dream of my strawberry patch and blueberry bushes... I know I'll over spend my gardening budget the moment the lawn and garden centers re-open for Spring. Already I am considering not just veggies and berries, but herbs this year!

Yes, herbs. Catnip for the dog, mint for my tea, and oregano for the spaghetti sauce. These are just a few of the herbs I am considering growing this next season.

Sigh. Just wish March 21 would get here sooner... but I can still lust for warm weather.

Jesus Sighting

Our fourteen confirmands were challenged yesterday morning to 'look for Jesus' as we went to another United Methodist church and worked with a feeding ministry. They fed 240 hungry, cold people.

The student's comments on the ride home were fascinating...

• saw Jesus in us because like we were helping other people.
• saw Jesus in the people there because they asked me how I was doing.
• saw Jesus in the volunteers who organize the ministry because they are there all the time and doing a lot of work!
• saw Jesus in a female guest who ate her meal and then networked, encouraged and helped another guest find overnight lodging, help etc.

I've lost count of the number of years I have taken students to this ministry. It is at least now over a decade... seen lots of changes in the ministry, it's organization, and the folks who come to eat.

There was a subdued mood over the group. Could be the severe cold weather. Could be the fact the Colts were not this deep into the Playoffs again this year. Could be the economy. Could just be the day. It took a little more warmth to get the guests to smile back a greeting of hello etc.

Yet, there were some great smiles!

Especially on our adult leaders who encouraged and witnessed an excellent set of young people. Not one complained. Not one acted inappropriately. Not one failed to work hard. Not one missed Jesus.

Well, there was one student. We will call him, Mr. Personality. He kept looking for a drawing, photograph, or artistic rendering of Jesus throughout the day and was quite frustrated that he didn't find one. That is until he heard the other students' responses to the question. Then, he became confused. His confusion will help him grow... and maybe before we get to Confirmation Sunday he will see Jesus more clearly.

Double Calendar Debate

Last fall my search for the perfect calendar to keep track of work related things, kid's activities and family events was complete with a trip to the local store. I value a calendar that gives the the entire week at a glance and leaves a whole column for Saturday and one for Sunday (because my weekends are as full as my weekdays.) Contentment came upon me and I was ready for the new year.

Then, it was all ruined on Christmas Day when my mother-on-law (whom I love dearly) gave me a leather bound, scripture laden 2011 calendar. Yikes! I couldn't take either back. Muddling through the situation nearly ruined my cold vacation in Florida.

Then a moment of creative Spirit burst forth. I would use both. But in different ways and for different purposes.

My secular week-at-a-glance calendar would serve as I intended....but my new leather bound, scripture reference on each page, and suggested reading plan on each day calendar would be my Prayer Journal. I haven't done this form of journaling in decades. So it is time to resume the spiritual discipline.

Now, each day I write down who I am praying for (and why). Or I write down situations, people, events. Who knows... maybe your name is in my journal right now! :)

Because prayers of thanksgiving and praise are often overlooked or easily forgotten... each day I write one or two of those down as well. I am pleased and excited about my little 'project'... but more than that I am eager for the pasting of time and accumulation of entries so that I can go back... and trace the footprints of God at work in and around me. Maybe my faith will grow.

So, how is your calendar growing your faith?

Delivering Casseroles

I think there needs to be a new function added to the multi-tasked and multi-faceted job descriptions for pastor. That is 'casserole delivery person'.

I've had more fun this past year or so since we began our Casserole Club ministry delivering casseroles to families with new babies, families recovering from illness or surgery, families who are not able to make it to worship because of their aches/pains, hearing loss or older age. What a joy to give someone else the 'night off' from cooking and preparation when you hand them a meal made with love!

Reactions vary a bit, but most folks are pleased, surprised, and you can sense they feel special. (Which is the point, after all) Kudos to all our club participants for putting love into the meals!

Keep it up and I shall keep on delivering casseroles around Brownsburg. The exercises forces me into neighborhoods and homes I would not normally visit. The experience helps me pray for our larger community and witness who lives where and near whom. So, as I deliver these meals I am praying for the families who receive them and all their neighbors in-between!

Steelers Fan in Colts Country

This is a great time to be a Steelers football fan while in Colts country... I still have a team to cheer for in this next week of playoffs!

Me- the husband and the offspring are all wearing our Steelers jerseys today!

Go Steelers!

(Sorry, Colts fans. Next year will be your year! Maybe...)

Confirmation Panic!

Why? O why, do I always have a confirmation class begin with some sort of adrenaline panic regarding either students signing up or recruiting mentors?

Every year I try my best to begin the recruitment process early so that I know what number of students to expect therefore I know what number of adult mentors to recruit. Send out letters. Confirm birth dates of potential students and work with families on grade level issues etc. I spend most of my Advent looking ahead into January's confirmation class. But to no avail.

Here it is the Friday before the fun begins and I am scrambling again. Geez- you'd think after 15 years of doing this sort of thing I'd reach my learning curve?!?!

Looking for one more male mentor. He cannot just be breathing. Gotta be somebody the Spirit has provided who needs to get to know a pre-adolescent as much as the pre-adolescent needs another adult in his life. But where are you? And who are you?

Maybe my yearly panic is the Spirit's way of reminding me this whole process needs to be bathed in prayer... so here goes...

Holy Spirit, thank you for this new and fresh opportunity to work with young adults in their faith walk. I am honored and privileged for this chance to impact lives and leave a legacy of our Christian faith. Bring the students to class who need to be there. Some may not want to be there. But bring who you have in mind.

Precious Spirit, bring forward the set of adult mentors that are needed for this particular crop of young people. You know my need for one more adult. Bring the right man forward for the job. He may not even know it yet. I pray that your Spirit moves through Andrew and I as we assign mentor matches. Connect the students with the adult that You have in mind for them.

Bless Andrew and I with your love, patience, tenderness, humor and grace as we seek to teach these students about our beliefs, history and faith heritage. May Andrew and I walk the talk as much as we talk the talk. Help us to love each and every student/mentor. May all those who are a part of this year's class recognize YOUR great love. Make us small instruments in comparison to the symphony of your powerful love and grace.

Come, Spirit, come and guide us in all things but especially this journey of faith we do together. All praise to you- Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer, as you live and reign forever and ever as One God. Amen.

No magical mentor appeared, but I am less panic'd!

New Year Stuff

Our time spent away from home on vacation after the Christmas holy day was wonderfully email, blog and Facebook free! So, I am behind in all my electronic and paper correspondence.

Behind in house cleaning, grocery shopping, laundry and other stuff too... but my new year goals are in process, Confirmation class is ready to begin, and the new year is here ready or not!

But I did get two amazing (completely difference) books read on vacation. My hubby teased me about my content choices... yes, one is about mysticism in the Orthodox portion of Christianity (a little known area of expertise for me) and the other is about building schools in Pakistan among the varieties of Islam. Weird combo, I know, but excellent fodder for profound thought at the beach! (Ha ha! I used to bring trashy novels to the beach, but alas no more!)

The Mountain of Silence:A Search for Orthodox Spirituality by Kyriacos Markides

Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace....One School at a Time by David Relin and Greg Mortenson

I highly recommend both readings... but not for the faint at heart! :)

Now, time to get back to those new year's goals, especially since the boss will be handing out goal sheets in staff meeting this morning.