Industry: Religion

Most of the time I love free books.

I mean, I love books, I love bookstores, I love discount books, I love borrowed books- so why wouldn't I love free books?

Well, when the free books have general titles like:
Guilty Yet?: Christian Martyrs who died for your wretched soul in full and detailed color
or
Consume More: Don't listen to accredited scientist, but ours that are funded by oil companies
or
The Antichrist is revealed: why you should be afraid of anyone who isn't white or your brand of Christian

and especially when they tell me that 300,000 copies are in circulation. Ummm... that's cause you and the oil companies are sending them out for free.

Well, I suppose the best irony is when I pull off the covers and recycle those crazy tomes -
'sides, I have precious little bookshelf space to waste!

You know you live in a small town when...

Community Education at the school holds concurrent classes of yoga and firearm safety.

Holy Grouds: the silence of winter

Winter is such a difficult time for me.

While I am not really silenced, it seems all my creative energies are focused on work, trying to say healthy, and focusing all my creative energies into living.

Spring is coming, and when the weather is better, it seems to lift so much of the weight of living off of my shoulders.

The silence of winter is a holy time and place, but I am ready for the noise of spring.

Holy Grounds: Baking Bread

What is it about a quiet, uneventful week that makes me uneasy?

When there are few meetings and only a couple of visits, I feel the pressure I put on myself growing to do more, to meet more, to visit more, to be more.

I've never been a very good manager of time. In fact I have three different books that hold my ministry together: a bible, a calendar, and a composition book with my weekly 'to-do' notes.

Through these three the job of pastor actually seems to happen. Without them, very little does.

It's frustrating to be so absent minded. My life is so full that I cannot keep thoughts in my head for simple tasks longer than a moment... which is why I type this, waiting for the bread to bake, that I forgot on the counter, that rose longer than it should, hoping, praying for a presentable loaf to gift tomorrow.

Is this extra time stolen? Perhaps, I am sleepy and ready to crawl into my warm bead.
or
Is it a gift? Perhaps, falling asleep to the scent of fresh bread promises delicious dreams, doesn't it...

Holy Grounds: winter flurries

It has been quite a while since I posted- thank you to those who still hold out hope that I may make an appearance in this blogging world!

It has been over a month and the initial joy at the election result has been overshadowed by much loss and grief in this little community.

We have lost pillars of this church in the past few months, and buried yet another a few weeks ago. and since that time, we have formally commended 4 more lives to God- some I knew personally, some strangers to me.

It's always a difficult place for me to be, eulogizing a person I have never met-
writing a sermon to comfort a family that has never stepped foot in the sanctuary-
collecting memories that I've gleaned from the photos on a memory board-

While the heart of the gospel never really changes, I suppose the same can be said for the heart of grief.

To that end, I pray that my words can offer some measure of hope and comfort to those who grieve.

But on the other end...
I just wish they would call some other pastor in town for the funeral...

Holy Grounds: A brave new world

Yes, my candidate won.
Yes, I believe in his ability to unite this country.
Yes, He has an amazing organization already in place to effect change.

Yes, I know others are sad today.
Yes, the concession speech by the other candidate was beautiful, and perhaps more authentic than any I have heard lately from his campaign.
Yes, I know people are worried about a young black man who could change the world.

But the only thing we have to fear is fear itself (from another candidate who people doubted)
And God is still God of all principalities and powers.

And now... WE HAVE GOT SOME WORK TO DO!

Holy Grounds: A season of earth

Yesterday afternoon, we went for a walk. It was a beautiful day, and we were a little too far into the walk when we realized the sun would be setting a whole hour earlier than the day before.

As we walked back to the car, the early evening sun lit up the landscape as it set.

Now, I've often heard people remark on the amazing number of greens in nature and the landscape.

I found myself speechless at the number of browns.

We are in the season of brown. No longer do we have yellows, oranges or reds on our trees. They have been gone for weeks now.

But the browns... the colors of earth that you can almost smell...
The hue of the deer that has been darkening as the winter approaches
Even the water, sky and sun take on this earthy hue, as they too quiet down for winter.

Perhaps we should altar the church season colors to an array of browns to reflect this time of deepening...

Invoking Power

Last night I had the great honor of leading the invocation at a rally in a nearby town. The guest of honor was the great senator from New York, the theme was change, and hope was in the air.

Recognizing that this would anger some folks in my congregation, I assumed they wouldn't be surprised.

The excitement was overwhelming, and one could literally feel the energy coursing through the room. What an amazing experience. God is on the move!

God of Grace,
We gather before you tonight filled with hope.

Hope for your children, hope for your world, hope for your creation.

You have gathered together your people, across boundaries of age and gender; Race and ethnicity; Religion and politics.

In your eyes we are your beloved, called to care for one another and the world that you made.

Restore our broken lives. Send comfort to all who grieve. Bring peace to all who suffer. Grant healing to all who walk in darkness, fear, and despair.

Guide the leaders of our communities, our towns, our state and our nation.
Give them wisdom to serve with joy and fairness, guide their hands and feet in paths of peace and justice.

Guide us, your people to the vision of your kingdom.

Help us to be agents of your good news in this world, for in each other we see you as we feed those who are hungry, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, care for the sick, and listen to those whose voices are unheard.

For you have called us, your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, to a future unknown.

Now, give us faith to go out with good courage, not always knowing where we go, but knowing that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us:
Through Jesus Christ our Lord

Amen

The long awaited Pastoral Rant- Part 2

"Good morning Pastor. Since it is pastor appreciation month, here is a list of things you are doing wrong..."

Sigh.

Pastoral Rant - Part 1 (be advised, there will be more)

My congregation is just fantastic about respecting my day off. They really are.
The only calls I might receive are from my office manager (because no one ever respects her day off!) or the funeral director.

But living in a small town, there are people who either A. don't have a pastor, and call me. or B. don't go to their own pastor, and call me.

Unfortunately, they don't understand the concept of a sabbath. They call me at my home. It's gotten to the point that I don't answer the phone much on this day- yes, I admit it, I screen my calls.

For some people, they apologize for bothering me on my day off, but could I:
"do this thing that could easily have been done tomorrow, that actually could have been taken care of by the office staff, but since the office is closed, I am calling you, because I am thinking about it now."

or

"Hello, I wanted to invite you to my house today to sit with me and have tea" translation: I know you are not my pastor, but mine won't listen to me, so I am assuming you will help me under the guise of me trying to be your friend."

This latter one will translate in to rant part 2, but for now:

Why, why, why?

Thanks, I'm feeling better already!

weddings weddings everywhere...

I just had lunch with a young woman whose wedding I will be officiating at next month. Normally, I admit, I don't like doing weddings. They are a lot of work, mentally, emotionally, and very, very time consuming. As many pastors will say, I'd rather do a funeral any day over a wedding.

But- when I do them outside of the church, for non-members, as is the case with this woman and her fiance, I have to say, I really enjoy officiating at them.

Perhaps it is because I am no longer "in charge" of the wedding ceremony. Of course, I still help them plan it, but I simply show up, run the rehearsal and then the ceremony.

Perhaps it is because I don't know the extended families of the bride and groom. I don't need to know the idiosyncrasies, the histories, the who is not talking to who because of what stuff.

Perhaps it is because most weddings outside are a little less formal, so the illusion of a perfect wedding is lessened, and there are few "bridezillas" or "MOB dictators" (that is, mother-of the-bride)

I am a detailed person, I like things to run smoothly and with grace. But weddings, when millions upon millions of dollars are caught up in the wedding industry, I have a hard time finding the grace necessary for marriage when people are freaking out about floral decorations.

Maybe I should just start my own church policy: "I'll be happy to do your wedding, we can have the vows right after the sermon and before communion at Sunday worship. Otherwise, I'll show up at the nearest state park, and witness your vows under the pine trees."

Think it'll catch on?

Bubble Wrap

OK.
Love, Love, Love, Love this new internet stress reliever.
Love it.
Love it.

Ok, might be a little addicted to it. Just a little.

Holy Grounds: The dog days of summer

I recently learned that the "dog days of summer" refer to the placement of a constellation in the summer sky. The star, Sirius in Canus Major is the brightest star in the night sky in July and Early August. (Also learned a little about Harry Potter and the aptly named Sirius Black!)

It's always fascinating how a term can be taken over by other definitions and meanings. As I write, my big dog is cashed out near the couch, trying to find some relief from the hot weather. She defines, for me the dog days of summer, as I reflect on a glorious weekend with friends, outdoor activities, and celebrations.

As I often lounge around like my dog in these fleeting days of summer, I'm hoping to get out to the night sky, find Sirius and welcome these gloriously hot days of summer, these dog days, before they all to quickly disappear.

How's your dog days treating you?

And now for something completely different...

I really do like this guy, all satire aside.

He ventured forth to bring light to the world

They'll let anyone in that church

I think many of us bloggers dream of the day when our ramblings could be collected into a small but endearing story book about the life and times of what ever it is we do when we are not blogging.

As a pastor, I have found that I often find material for that book. It is a helpful exercise, really, because it often allows one to rise above the actual incident as we think: "that's a good one for the book I will someday write."

Here is a recent gem:

It was said to me by a woman who rarely comes to worship because her husband requires around the clock care. When she asked a family friend to look after him while she attended Sunday service, she asked if he went often any more. He looked at her with distain and said, "They'll let anyone in that church."

To which she replied, Yes, even you are welcome!

Don't you just love it?

Can you just imagine the evangelism that could be done with that phrase? I couldn't be prouder to serve a congregation that will let anyone and everyone in!

Friday Five: Summer Reading

Yes, Yes, it has been a while since the last Friday 5, but nothing like summer to start again! (That, and waiting for my Sunday supply accompanist to call so I can practice the hymns with her... sigh. I am so type A it is ridiculous!)

This week, then, a Summer Reading Friday Five.
1) Do you think of summer as a particularly good season for reading? Why or why not?
Well, summer is as good as any season for reading! I don't seem to have much more or less time to read, but often I do find winter a better reading season... less ability to sit on the porch until 10pm drinking a beverage.

2) Have you ever fallen asleep reading on the beach?
Not that I am aware of. I rarely fall asleep reading anywhere. I've been known to stay up until 3:30 am finishing a book.

3) Can you recall a favorite childhood book read in the summertime?
Any and all things Madeline L'Engle.

4) Do you have a favorite genre for light or relaxing reading?
Fantasy. I just devour these books. Literally. I can finish a lovely little book in 3 hours and feel perfectly restored!

5) What is the next book on your reading list?
The Year of Living Biblically, by A.J. Jacobs- what promises to be a hilarious account of a lapsed Jew reclaiming the literal aspects of his and Christian faith. I'm excited.


What are your favorite summer reads: past and present?

In the silence

The past couple of weeks have been full of details, running, preaching, presiding, meeting, lamenting, aching, enjoying, celebrating, dancing, eating, drinking, loving and talking.

It has been a month of many, many things.

But today is a day of quietness... and my default is to fill it with activities. You know, the activities I am accused of not doing enough of... Visits, programming, devotions, meditations...

Living in the silence. Being. Enough.

How can we come to the understanding that this too, is holy and worthwhile? What a culture we could be if we could be. enough. silent

Holy Grounds: City Coffee Shops

Farmer's markets in the median.
Chamber music echoing from the stone and glass
Vienna beef hot dog stands
Sidewalk cafe's
Sidewalks
Bakeries
Asian take out
Concrete
Bus fumes

People of all styles,
walks
destinations
hopes
backgrounds
dreams

Sometimes it is good to be back in the city

Holy Grounds: a rainy spring day

Like the Psalmists, it is a healthy thing indeed to cry out--

A beautiful cup of coffee this morning, with no less than 12 species of birds at our feeders.

I'm not sure when I became a binocular holding, quick referencing the bird book, shushing people in the living room person, but I am entirely enamored with Evening Grosbeaks!

It's a bird that kind of reminds me of a superhero.
And if I ever get to choose a mascot, it will be the fighting grosbeaks!

I just wanted a beer...

Sometimes life in rural areas can get a bit trying.
In northern rural areas, where the mud season seems to continue for months- because of alternating snow and rain, the tensions only seem to escalate.

It has been a silent blog for a while, perhaps because I was trying to hold onto the initial goal of the blog, which is welcoming this experience of small town living as a gift, always holding unexpected blessings and holy grounds.

Lately, I've only wanted to complain. ("I hate that feeling," she complains...)

So perhaps sharing some honesty about these backwoods, that they are not always the dreamy, wilderness escape, with quaint people or soul opening encounters could be helpful.

When I lived in the city, and I have live in some large metropolitan areas, I often looked at the rural life as idyllic in its simplicity. Sometimes, yes, this is the case.

But like any place there are complex webs that thrive beneath the surface, and sometimes they are knotted and treacherous. Perhaps an old family feud, a bitterness about life or work so hard it literally kills people.

And sometimes the simplicity is just that: simple. So when all I want after a busy day is a cool draft, quality beer, and the search has me driving 100 miles round trip, I wonder: can this be holy ground?