I have survived! I have entered a new decade and well, don't feel or look any different. Ha!
Because of my loving family, fabulous friends, super staff, and outstanding congregation this birthday has been the best ever! All the cards and gifts have certainly helped to 'soften' the blow of this birthday. (Thanks everyone for the fuss.)
The kindergarten students even made me birthday cards! They are precious. My daughter's card reads, "Happy Birthday Pastor Mommy I love you!" Adorable!!!
Now, I am off to dinner with my husband and daughter!
Friday, May 13, 2011
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Change!
Tomorrow is the day that this ol' body crosses the border into another decade... and leaves behind 39 years. sigh.
I must admit that I have had a tough time processing this birthday and all that it means. Fortunately, I do not have many regrets in my life... and I am blessed to the degree that I have accomplished many of my goals. What's next?- remains the big question looming over me.
At lunch yesterday which the staff surprised me with (along with hiliarious cards)- I confessed that I need new goals for the next forty years! (Also, I informed them that I would NOT post on my birthday an almost naked photo of myself as one of my colleagues did on his big birthday recently.)
All my 40th birthdayness is heightened by the fact that my 'baby' (of 6 and a half years) graduates next week from kindergarten here at Calvary UMC.
I have been a spoiled working mom. Ever since I returned to work from my maternity leave, my little one has driven to work with me every day. We've been able to have lunch together whenever we've wanted. I have helped with her field trips and class parties. If she got sick, I was usually in the building. If my daughter had a need, I know and trust all those who have cared for her and knew she was in great care.
Truly, I have been spoiled! What a gift this congregation and our Learning Academy have given me and our family. We are so blessed!
All that ends next week when she graduates from our Learning Academy prepared for public school and the first grade. (ACK!) To be honest, I cannot decide which is tougher... this birthday or sharing my daughter and allowing her to grow into her next challenge... But both at the same time is cause for reflection.
I must admit that I have had a tough time processing this birthday and all that it means. Fortunately, I do not have many regrets in my life... and I am blessed to the degree that I have accomplished many of my goals. What's next?- remains the big question looming over me.
At lunch yesterday which the staff surprised me with (along with hiliarious cards)- I confessed that I need new goals for the next forty years! (Also, I informed them that I would NOT post on my birthday an almost naked photo of myself as one of my colleagues did on his big birthday recently.)
All my 40th birthdayness is heightened by the fact that my 'baby' (of 6 and a half years) graduates next week from kindergarten here at Calvary UMC.
I have been a spoiled working mom. Ever since I returned to work from my maternity leave, my little one has driven to work with me every day. We've been able to have lunch together whenever we've wanted. I have helped with her field trips and class parties. If she got sick, I was usually in the building. If my daughter had a need, I know and trust all those who have cared for her and knew she was in great care.
Truly, I have been spoiled! What a gift this congregation and our Learning Academy have given me and our family. We are so blessed!
All that ends next week when she graduates from our Learning Academy prepared for public school and the first grade. (ACK!) To be honest, I cannot decide which is tougher... this birthday or sharing my daughter and allowing her to grow into her next challenge... But both at the same time is cause for reflection.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
To My Mom
At twenty something, my mom had me in the middle of the busy month of May in Speedway, Indiana. Yep, they worried about Indy 500 race traffic blocking their path to the hospital. For a variety of unplanned reasons I was the only child my parents had. So because of me my mother is a mom.
I give her credit because she gave me (along with my father) all the essentials a kid needs: food, shelter, health care, love & attention. She also made sure I had music, creativity and joy. She was my Girl Scout leader, Sunday School teacher and Band Booster parent.
My Mom also made sure I had Jesus. And the longer I live the more and more grateful I am that she not only told me about Jesus, taught me to pray, read to me the Bible, sang spiritual songs & hymns to me, and took me to church, but more than that my Mom showed me what an engaging relationship with the Creator of the Universe is like.
Just as she feed me vitamins which I later hid in the houseplants; my mother walked me into the world of conversations with the supernatural and Divine.
With that sort of treasure.. flowers and candy don't seem to 'cut it' as an appreciation gift.
Instead, tonight I shall a little pray of thanks for my Mom... and pray for mothers everywhere that they too will model and invite their children into a relationship of faith.
God bless you Mom. I love you.
And God bless mothers everywhere!
I give her credit because she gave me (along with my father) all the essentials a kid needs: food, shelter, health care, love & attention. She also made sure I had music, creativity and joy. She was my Girl Scout leader, Sunday School teacher and Band Booster parent.
My Mom also made sure I had Jesus. And the longer I live the more and more grateful I am that she not only told me about Jesus, taught me to pray, read to me the Bible, sang spiritual songs & hymns to me, and took me to church, but more than that my Mom showed me what an engaging relationship with the Creator of the Universe is like.
Just as she feed me vitamins which I later hid in the houseplants; my mother walked me into the world of conversations with the supernatural and Divine.
With that sort of treasure.. flowers and candy don't seem to 'cut it' as an appreciation gift.
Instead, tonight I shall a little pray of thanks for my Mom... and pray for mothers everywhere that they too will model and invite their children into a relationship of faith.
God bless you Mom. I love you.
And God bless mothers everywhere!
Friday, May 6, 2011
All in a Day's Work
Earlier today I scanned through my edition of the United Methodist Book Of Discipline. For those unfamiliar with the brown and gold embossed tome, the contents of this book are what make United Methodists United Methodists because our history, theology and polity (how we organize ourselves) are contained in there.
Normally, I don't puruse the Book of Discipline unless I am in need of a sleep aid. But today, I searched for validation and clarify for my ministry as a pastoral leader. Did you know there are whole sections of the Discipline that out line all of the duties of a pastor? This job description goes on for pages... I was exhausted reading what I need to be doing. Visitation, teaching ministry, evangelism, and conference leadership are just some of the expectations. I need more hours in the day!
Rather than bore you with the details of the book, allow me to tell the story of why I searched in the first place. Within the span of two hours yesterday, I received two very different phone calls that certainly portray different aspects of my work as a pastor.
The first call was from a church member who shared the tender story of how her family member became more open to faith in Christ after attending a recent worship service in which I preached. This church member was filled with thanksgiving and joy that her loved one was talking more openly and positively about faith in Jesus as she quoted aspects of my sermon! (Thank you God!) We celebrated together the amazing work of God's Spirit and prayed for the rooting of these seeds of faith.
Moments later my phone again rang with the voice of a church member who shared her pain and frustration of what she feels she has not received in ministry here at Calvary. We attempted to work through those issues. It was not a fun nor easy conversation and stands in huge contrast to the first phone call.
And that huge contrast was what brought me today to inspect, yet again, the Discipline. Not finding anything there either spiritually fulfilling nor satistfying, I pondered scripture. All sorts of words then rushed in like Jesus' teaching to the seventy he sent out on mission and what happened or did not happen as a result of their work.
And questions came to mind, "Why are some satisfied and some not? How is it that ministry is fruitful in one vein and resisted in another? What enables conflict to be resolved and relationships deepened in one example and more conflict and anomisity to happen in others?"
These remain mysteries to me. I guess I shall, as the Psalmist says, wait on the Lord. For it is only God that can heal the broken and mend the hurting. And I remain one of those who is need of healing myself.
Normally, I don't puruse the Book of Discipline unless I am in need of a sleep aid. But today, I searched for validation and clarify for my ministry as a pastoral leader. Did you know there are whole sections of the Discipline that out line all of the duties of a pastor? This job description goes on for pages... I was exhausted reading what I need to be doing. Visitation, teaching ministry, evangelism, and conference leadership are just some of the expectations. I need more hours in the day!
Rather than bore you with the details of the book, allow me to tell the story of why I searched in the first place. Within the span of two hours yesterday, I received two very different phone calls that certainly portray different aspects of my work as a pastor.
The first call was from a church member who shared the tender story of how her family member became more open to faith in Christ after attending a recent worship service in which I preached. This church member was filled with thanksgiving and joy that her loved one was talking more openly and positively about faith in Jesus as she quoted aspects of my sermon! (Thank you God!) We celebrated together the amazing work of God's Spirit and prayed for the rooting of these seeds of faith.
Moments later my phone again rang with the voice of a church member who shared her pain and frustration of what she feels she has not received in ministry here at Calvary. We attempted to work through those issues. It was not a fun nor easy conversation and stands in huge contrast to the first phone call.
And that huge contrast was what brought me today to inspect, yet again, the Discipline. Not finding anything there either spiritually fulfilling nor satistfying, I pondered scripture. All sorts of words then rushed in like Jesus' teaching to the seventy he sent out on mission and what happened or did not happen as a result of their work.
And questions came to mind, "Why are some satisfied and some not? How is it that ministry is fruitful in one vein and resisted in another? What enables conflict to be resolved and relationships deepened in one example and more conflict and anomisity to happen in others?"
These remain mysteries to me. I guess I shall, as the Psalmist says, wait on the Lord. For it is only God that can heal the broken and mend the hurting. And I remain one of those who is need of healing myself.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Made it!
After moments of doubt and high expectations for disaster... we have now arrived safely in May.
Our accomplishment means that either time has marched on without me or... we've successfully finished Holy Week, Confirmation, and DISCIPLE Bible for another year. Whew- put butter on me because I am toast!
My next goals are to lose 5 pounds before my birthday in 10 days... think I can do it?! I am not striving for Todd's amazing 50th birthday challenge (nor will I share such revealing photos on my blog... my husband would have a FIT!), but I do have a cute dress that I really want to not just 'fit into', but look stunning in... (that is my goal for this ahem... 40th birthday).
What I have not decided is if this will be 'fabulous forties' or 'fancy forties' or 'fiscal forties'. With my cute new dress staring at me every time I enter my walk-in closet... maybe this will be my "foxy forties". ha ha!
I'll let you know how it goes...
;)
Our accomplishment means that either time has marched on without me or... we've successfully finished Holy Week, Confirmation, and DISCIPLE Bible for another year. Whew- put butter on me because I am toast!
My next goals are to lose 5 pounds before my birthday in 10 days... think I can do it?! I am not striving for Todd's amazing 50th birthday challenge (nor will I share such revealing photos on my blog... my husband would have a FIT!), but I do have a cute dress that I really want to not just 'fit into', but look stunning in... (that is my goal for this ahem... 40th birthday).
What I have not decided is if this will be 'fabulous forties' or 'fancy forties' or 'fiscal forties'. With my cute new dress staring at me every time I enter my walk-in closet... maybe this will be my "foxy forties". ha ha!
I'll let you know how it goes...
;)
Saturday, April 30, 2011
1 Day Until Confirmation and Hours Before Creek Baptisms
Tired. Must move...fingers.
All is now complete... we just need good weather for this evening (and warm dry towels)!
All is done in the details...now we just need the Holy Spirit to show up... been asking and requesting the Divine Presence all week to arrive on time!
And then at 12:05pm on Sunday afternoon this shepherdess/pastor will go home and nap. sigh.
All is now complete... we just need good weather for this evening (and warm dry towels)!
All is done in the details...now we just need the Holy Spirit to show up... been asking and requesting the Divine Presence all week to arrive on time!
And then at 12:05pm on Sunday afternoon this shepherdess/pastor will go home and nap. sigh.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
3 Days Until Confirmation Sunday
Our creek is swollen three times it's normal size and the water current is about 10 miles per hour. Don't ask how cold the water temperature is because I just thawed my fingers enough to write this blog.
Egads - this will be a memorable baptism experience on Saturday!
In fact this entire confirmation program has been memorable in ways we've not yet seen in recent past. What stands out in my mind this year have been the deeper questions we've pondered... a student deciding not to be baptized and confirmed because she realizes she is not quite ready 'to go public with her faith'. She did not want to do an empty ritual. (wow- gotta admire her honesty and integrity)
Student from another congregation in our area who after completing all the necessary aspects of the program will be baptized within their home church, yet feeling torn because of the camaraderie and community we've experienced together. His eyes lit up like Christmas tree lights when we told him, 'he'd always have a home here'.
Student who desires to dig deeper in her faith and show her commitment to Christ in a different and yet separate way from how her parent's have guided her. She wants to show God that she is the one now choosing her faith... so we will re-affirm her baptism in the creek.
Not only have the students inspired and stretched my theological imagination (in other words they'd made me earn my keep this year), but I am equally impressed by the caring commitment our mentors make with our students. Wow- we have some amazing mentors because the stories and reports our confirmands tells us... influence, impact, advice, wisdom, love, care... these mentors have POURED into their students.... it is such a blessing!
Labor of love- that is what this is. A labor of love to make disciples and not church members.
No wonder the creek is swollen because my heart is overflowing with pride, joy and love as well.
Egads - this will be a memorable baptism experience on Saturday!
In fact this entire confirmation program has been memorable in ways we've not yet seen in recent past. What stands out in my mind this year have been the deeper questions we've pondered... a student deciding not to be baptized and confirmed because she realizes she is not quite ready 'to go public with her faith'. She did not want to do an empty ritual. (wow- gotta admire her honesty and integrity)
Student from another congregation in our area who after completing all the necessary aspects of the program will be baptized within their home church, yet feeling torn because of the camaraderie and community we've experienced together. His eyes lit up like Christmas tree lights when we told him, 'he'd always have a home here'.
Student who desires to dig deeper in her faith and show her commitment to Christ in a different and yet separate way from how her parent's have guided her. She wants to show God that she is the one now choosing her faith... so we will re-affirm her baptism in the creek.
Not only have the students inspired and stretched my theological imagination (in other words they'd made me earn my keep this year), but I am equally impressed by the caring commitment our mentors make with our students. Wow- we have some amazing mentors because the stories and reports our confirmands tells us... influence, impact, advice, wisdom, love, care... these mentors have POURED into their students.... it is such a blessing!
Labor of love- that is what this is. A labor of love to make disciples and not church members.
No wonder the creek is swollen because my heart is overflowing with pride, joy and love as well.
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