2020 Been thinkin’

I've been reading about the history of computers and trying to determine when we got our first. My son says it was when they were in elementary school. He learned a fair amount of DOS to do things and play the simple games we had at the time. Our first windows computer was 1986, the Christmas we spent at Attitash, NH skiing. But we rmemeber havine the big actual floppy disks and typing in at the command prompt. Anyway, Ive had this blog awhile too. Maybe its time to revive some input.

The Retired Life For Me

Just found the following post that didn’t post... I need to be looking at Advent II now, for a preaching Sunday at the Washington City COB. I will likely preach occasionally at Bethel UCC in 2019. I haven’t wanted to preach there since they moved into the building with ACOB. But that time will come and I will scoot out as soon as I’m done. I am happy to lead worship without the responsibility of being a lead pastor. As many of my colleagues would tell you, there is a major difference in the ‘weight’ of being a pastor that has been lifted from my shoulders. Now I am responsible for child care for my granddaughter weekdays. And I’m loving it! Just found a calendar from my daughter’s first year that has all her milestones in it, ear infections, and notes. What fun to compare. From October, 2018 My retired life has me (us- wi h hubby, thankfully) spending long lovely days caring for our grandchild while parents are at work. It will either wear us out or keep us young. I’m hoping for the later. A few preaching invites come my way. I’m not anxious to preach but enjoy the not too often opportunity. So, this morning, looking ahead I reviewed the texts for October 7. Whew, it’s the kind of week I used to look at and consider taking the week off! The congregation where I will supply preach doesn’t demand lectionary adherence so I have an out that way. What do you do when you read the texts and groan? Preach on divorce? Tackle the creation story from Genesis 2? Explain the high and lofty language of Hebrews opener with its theology? Commiserate with Job as God lturns over” control to the devil

In Need of Pentecost

I posted this on Facebook, but it is one of which I need reminding.
“The joy of Pentecost is that it gives us a vision and hope for a community made possible through the work of the Spirit. This miracle involves being open to the shocking and surprising ways of the Spirit, which empowers us to reach across differences in order to experience radical and insurgent communions.”

https://www.christiancentury.org/article/critical-essay/we-need-pentecost

I am as partisan as anyone and it is hard to be accepting of those with whom I RADICALLY disagree on almost everything. AND yet, that is where the Spirit does its work, in me!

Nancy

Sundays in retirement

I’m missing church. AND I’m giving into fear.
I’m still on crutches and I fell early on due to water on the floor. So when it’s raining or snowing, I don’t go out unless I have a doctor’s appointment that I can’t reschedule. So I missed church because I’m afraid of water while on one leg.

The good news, after tomorrow, I get to start putting weight on my leg while locked VERY straight in my leg brace and still using crutches. But it’s something! Means I can do more than grind the coffee in the kitchen. At least a little more. And my withered right leg should show some muscle improvement, also slowly. I’m sure it will be sore too.

So on Sunday, what do I do, I usually turn to the Christian Century magazine. But today I went to a few web sites for churches, christian communities, and speakers I know of. My favorite is
Brian Zahand
https://brianzahnd.com/2014/04/dying-sins-work/
His explanation and critique of ‘atonement theories’ is simple and eloquent. It’s a favorite study topic of mine. When I first began at Arlington COB, I challenged people not to say, “Christ died for my sins.” Unless they could explain it, or cite the atonement theory they were using. The sad part is it silenced people all together. But hopefully made them start thinking about what they were saying. Brian does a great job and he is also a super follow on Twitter.

On the other hand, I visited Bruxy Cavy’s site at “The Meeting House” and found his teaching not to my liking.

www.themeetinghouse.com/teaching/teaching-faq/

 I have heard Bruxy speak in person and really enjoy his powerful yet humble voice. I’ve asked him questions about his organizational plan for the Meeting House and admire the discipleship plan they use, placing higher priority on the small group weekly meeting in homes over the weekly attendance at worship (including satellite sites that project his sermon and worship.) 

In my mind, there is room for alternative ways to God. I have just found the Jesus way to be the ‘best’ from my perspective. Therefore, I encourage others to try it. While I recognize and enjoy the focus on peace and justice that many paths share. 

So what do you think? Do you have time to click on those links and do some quick reading? Neither is long. I’d love to hear your opinion. Not that I expect I have any readers after months of not posting. Perhaps I can get back to preparing something on weekly texts, but I think it will be mid-June before I have enough time to do so. Sad but true. Or maybe I just need to prioritize better. 

Meanwhile, I will soon upload a picture of the joy of my days lately. (After google pictures finished backing up my images for the last 10 years!)

Nancy

Sabbaticals

While I have much to tell about my ski sabbatical that will update my current status Re:knee, this article should be read by all, clergy and lay. So bookmark if is you can for a cup of coffee and some consideration about the way we drive ourselves to work.

https://www.faithandleadership.com/robert-saler-why-dont-i-get-vacation-too-how-talk-about-clergy-sabbaticals

I found it in an Alban newsletter which I also highly recommend.

Until later, (after physical therapy...)

N

Absent without Leave - changing in 2018

Blog friends, I have been absent half of a year and most of the months previous. I hope to change that in 2018. I am retiring! Without a 'pulpit' I hope to share my thoughts on texts and life back here soon.

Lots to do in the last 2 weeks so it is unlikely that I will post prior. BUT, I am also a new grandmother so be prepared for a few baby photos now and then. I'll try not to overwhelm the net waves...

Speaking of net, I wonder if I will be able to afford the eventual layers of pricing that will come with the end to net neutrality.?.  We shall see.

Until 2018.

Nancy

Ready for vacation.

Tomorrow is my last preaching day before vacation. I've been sick all week with a cold and it has really knocked me down. Therefore, I am very ready for vacation. The hard part is trying to maintain focus for one more day. AND thinking about what I should have in place before I go.

Dreamin' of beach days, sleeping in (without being sick), quiet mornings, golf in 'way too hot temps', walks with hubby, reading, and more beach. Is this what retirement is like? Hmmmm

I just don't understand how the weeks AFTER Easter have been so busy. Maybe there is just no difference, except busy and busier! Every once in a while I get a "slow" (relatively speaking) week. I have learned to grab those, not feel guilty, and take a little time. Sure enough they are followed by funerals, crisis and lots of extra work.

I will finish my work for tomorrow. Look at what needs finishing for the next 2 weeks. Then concentrate on what to pack, what to take, what movies to put on my iPad. Ah the good life.

Until later...
Nancy

Church Bullies

Do you have a church bully? (Or more than one?)
Is there such a thing?

You know, a person with good intention, at least we assume so, who always gets their way? Have you looked into the minutes to see if this special "position" rotates among a couple people? Or perhaps just one has seniority..

Or is it that we church people are so sensitive, for our jobs? for people's feelings? to eliminate all confrontation - that we ALLOW the bully to be created?
Bow to their every request.! (It avoids future confrontation)
Anticipate their needs above everyone else's. (Eliminates the late night phone calls, messages on the church machine, or sometimes emails.)
    (I remember a story of one who not only sent Monday morning emails, they sent it to the whole church email list!)

I'm assuming we all have some version of them. I just wonder how much we contribute to their development by our responses. Where and when do you drawn the line? Do you see a bully in development and stop the process? How do you do it?

It seems to be that as much as we promote healthy relationships, this is one that slips by - to our detriment and the congregation's.

What do you think?

Working late in Lent

It seems to be a weekly and sometimes daily theme, this working late in Lent.
I hear it again, again and again from clergy friends and then,
I echo it, as if
were were in a race to see who could be, or not be
the busiest bee that Lent could see.

It's silly really.
We who tell others to take time,
slow down,
prayer matters.
Yet find so little time for it ourselves.

"I forgot to pray," said a pastor yesterday.
(and none of us were surprised.)

This working late in Lent theme,
turns out not to be in the Lectionary - in any season.

from @StudioPelican

I love this video and plan to use it on Sunday...along with some Mary Poppins.

Welcome to Studio Pelican. pic.twitter.com/Ff9HvcRNlG

— Studio Pelican (@StudioPelican) March 3, 2017

Study Day in Lent, "A Jolly Holiday..with Mary"

I know that I can easily get lost while looking for resources for Sunday. Today I've sent the emails I needed to and found the resource and then some. But now it's time for plain old reading. So glad to have this time set aside. I was assisted in this routine, by a former spiritual director. When she asked about my week which had contained a funeral, she asked where I find time for the meetings and preparation. With a study day, there's always a few hours for meeting, visiting, or doing what is necessary but wasn't planned.

AND the study is needed. So back to the work. I've schedule the video I found for use on Sunday to publish on Sunday morning. But here's another I plan to use, thanks to the idea from Nurya Love Parish in Christian Century. (Be warned, the music will stick in your head for days...)

so much for keeping up to date on blogging. Perhaps this is something to do when I have less on my plate?

I had a good run with 90s songs for sermon titles. So I've decided to give the boomers a shot at this and have suggested we use 60-70's songs. (late 50's for the older boomers) But so far, no suggestions. I will wait a bit and see if they get with the program.

Meanwhile, here's a pic from our recent (this week) little trip to 7-Springs.

Not too far above where I caught an edge and went down on Wednesday when the snow got soft at the bottom of the runs. A great and varied 3 days of skiing. A few hours of powder on Monday night, some powder then frozen on Tuesday, then frozen rain and rain, "Spring-skiing" on Wednesday. All this on January 9-11!

update: 90s songs for sermon titles

9/11/16.   “Losing My Religion” R.E.M. (1991)  

9/18/16 "Nice Guys Finish Last" (1997) Green Day

9/25/16 "Heart- shaped box". Nirvana

10/2/16 "Don't look back in anger, Oasis

10/9/16 "Save yourself" - Stabbing Westward" (1998)

10/16/16 “How Do You Talk To An Angel” The Heights (1992)

10/23/16. Better Man Pearl Jam (1994)

10/30/16 "Take Me To Your Leader" Incubus 1996

11/6/06 "One Fine Day" Mariah Carey Boys ll Men 

11/13/16 “Paradigm Shift” Liquid Tension Experiment (1998)

11/20/16 “If you could only see” Tonic 1996

11/27/16 “Semi-charmed kind of life” - 3rd Eye Blind

12/4/16 “Long December” Counting Crows 1996
12/11/16 "Welcome To Paradise" Green Day 1994
12/18/16 "Holiday" Get Up Kids 1999
12/25/16 at AFUMC
1/1/17 "Feats Don't Fail Me Now" Little Feat

Advent I - Semi-Charmed Life (Third Eye Blind)

As I indicated last week, I'm posting my Advent sermons in this series on Creation referencing Diana Butler Bass' book, Grounded.

“Advent of Creation - Grounded” 

Advent 1 - Semi-Charmed Life (Third Eye Blind, 90's songs for sermon titles)

(note, We at ACOB, tend to have some discussion and answers to questions in the message. Some are more rhetorical than others. I've noted questions in color to indicate answers were welcome.)

Immanuel, God is with us. 

These words are the centerpiece of what we proclaim at Advent. (7:14 and 8:8) 

If God is with us, —these 2,000 years after the birth of Jesus— we should spend time reminding each other of the places we ‘see’ and ‘hear’ and experience God…as being WITH us.

I have noted that here, in this congregation — as is true in many others,— the places most named when we speak of experiences of the Divine are intimately tied to creation. 

Congregation: (Name a few of them now:)

This year our Advent celebration - will also be tied to Creation!

…it’s more appropriate than you might think.

our Christmas traditions are tied to greenery and candles, evergreen trees and scenes of snow. Yet it was the bright sun of CREATION that lit the underside of remaining leaves on fire as it crested over the horizon on this 1st Sunday of Advent.

This summer just past, the ‘BookWorms’ (our church reading group) read Diana Butler Bass’s Grounded. If you didn’t read it with us, but want to, this month would be a good time.

In her book, Diana Bass makes some observations, (many of which we are already aware.) 

Observations about church and unchurched people in the 21st century. And 

observations about people who classify themselves as ‘spiritual but not religious’. 

(you’ve heard that phrase before..)

ASK: What would you ask someone who self-classifies as ‘spiritual but not religious’?

Bass’s observations do not bemoan the loss of these people from our congregations, 

nor does she offer suggestions to get them back — IF they were ever ‘churched’ in the first place.

Her conclusions are more practical. 

She observes a ‘shifting conception of God” in the last decade from UP THERE to …well closer. 

The shift is also From a God who is mediated by pastors and priests, or at least thru the church itself—

—to a conception of God that is “unmediated and local.” 

“One that animates the natural world and human activity in profoundly intimate ways.

The God we worship today is the “heartbeat at the center of things”.

This may not seem surprising to you. Yet it is far different than the structures of Christianity as they have traditionally been practiced.

The intimate connection to the Divine was once only experienced by the mystics YET now seems to be the dominate way large numbers of people experience the Holy.

How does Diana Bass know all this? The answer is in the words we use. 

“People who self-identify as #SPnotR or those who are unaffiliated with a denomination, use a vocabulary of theological intimacy…as do many of us in more traditional faiths.”

Again, this is not necessarily a bad thing. Certainly we don’t consider ourselves to be the gatekeepers of God, do we? 

The prophet Isaiah that we just heard from, spoke of a reality where God’s word, found in the TorAH’s instruction, “is not only for Israel, but for ALL the nations.” 

Many nations will go and say,

“Come, let’s go up to the LORD’s mountain,

to the house of Jacob’s God 

so that he may teach us his ways

and we may walk in God’s paths.”

“God’s word and law are NOT the exclusive right of any particular people, but are ‘spoken’ for all who Stream towards the mountain of God.”

Perhaps what Isaiah foretold so long ago, is coming about NOW, in our time!

.  .  .

Bass says, “People are leading their own theological revolution and finding that the Spirit is much more WITH the world than we had previously been taught.”

ASK: What were you taught or what was implied about WHERE God is?

Bass also made the point that for generations past, people’s questions were about God’s intention towards them, or their people. (For instance, what does God intend for Israel?)

But since a time in the 20th century, (really after WWI and II), people began to ask, WHERE IS GOD? 

Where was God when the holocaust happened?

Where was God when Hitler was elected by the German people?

etc.

it’s a different question

Back then, People understood God to be in control of a more “vertical faith” or “elevator religion” where God is up, we are somewhere in the middle and Hell is down.

That is not the way most of us experience God today. (Even tho we still sing about God this way in our most beloved hymns and sometimes we talk about God in heaven and EVIL in hell.)

In the past, “God was omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient; 

All powerful, in All places, and All knowing. 

The God Bass now calls, “Grounded”, “is a God in relationship with space and time as the love that connects and creates all things, known in and with the world.”

(For me, these are words I’ve been waiting to hear since I first read, Gene Robinson’s book, Honest to God - written in the 60’s. A book I discovered as I wrestled with a call to ministry, 

to follow a God whom I no longer thought of as “up there,”— —

But until I could place God, in some small way of my own understanding — I couldn’t imagine following ANYWHERE.)

In spite of these modern revelations—- In advent —of all seasons, we often revert to an ancient understanding of God in order to listen again to our favorite Bible stories. 

 do we need to?

title

***ASK: Do we need to have a magical, ‘semi-charmed’ life in order to believe the Biblical stories of Christmas? ***

Is Advent about putting REALITY aside so we can enter the stable?

Or

Do we merely need to open our eyes to see ALL life as ‘charmed’ and infused with the holy?

The stories all thru the Bible tell us of a “God who comes close [to humanity] who is compelled by a burning desire to make heaven on earth (up comes down) and occupy human hearts.”

In Abrahamic, Buddhism, Hinduism and Native faiths, there is a rich tradition of the HOLY coming near to touch humanity with all that is DIVINE.

From the promise to Abram and Sara to the burning bush and Moses, thru the reign of King David, to prophets like Isaiah, thru exile and return, —-again and again, 

God comes near, calls out, reaches thru, 

blinds and unblinds people to the point where they can see the Holy right before OUR EYES.

In a way, this revolution about God is a “RE-enchantment of the world” as we locate God everywhere and in everyday life.

In Advent, we again celebrate God ‘showing up’ here among us.   

ASK: isn’t it just when we most need the Lord of Hosts to be with us?

 OR

ASK: Where do you most need God to be right now?

This —is— Immanuel, God with us - 

 “God in stars and sunrise, 

God as the face of a neighbor, 

God in acts of justice, 

God as the wonder of love. 

The changes we experience “reveal not a dreadful, distant God, but that intimate presence of mystery that abides with the world, 

a spirit of compassion that breathes hope and healing”, into places big and small. 

The 20th century horror of the Holocaust and the 21st century horrors of Sandy Hook, Virginia Tech, Orlando and Charleston, South Carolina, and 

the injustice coming to light in our legal system that punishes people of color more than those seen as ‘white’ — 

—ALL these tragedies are not places bereft of God. Nor are they scenes of horror that a Heavenly puppet-master caused. 

But in each one, God can be found - 

among the victims and the rescue workers. 

In the small and large acts of compassion shown by human for human. 

Where is God? 

in unselfish acts of heroism or unrecognized stands for justice. 

THESE are the “places where faith is being re-birthed “from the Ground UP!”

It’s not just the unchurched who have discovered the intimate ‘God with us’. —We have known this God all along.

we celebrate God With Us.

God is with us as We keep moving toward the hope we have in God’s future  by the choices we make today.. 

our personal, relational, political, and communal choices …made as we walk in God’s holy light.”

I WELCOME a theological revolution that GROUNDS us in the holy one. 

God, the ‘ground of all being’.

whose coming was promised and fulfilled in Jesus

whose presence is with us still.

Immanuel. 

Come let us adore him, now and always as we celebrate the Joy that comes into THIS World! 

A Waiting, MORE Waiting? and where is HOPE?

I haven't posted. It seemed that my posts and rants have been more appropriate for Twitter than the fullness of a blog.
So I think I will post my Advent Sermons here.
Based on some work with Diana Butler Bass's Grounded.

Creation and Advent
The Advent of Creation - yep, it's appropriate right?

Since I HATE the saying, "God is in control." and I refuse to believe that all the hate and racism and ugliness that has been reported lately (but has always been out there) is in anyway part of God's desires for humanity.

So a walk into creation as we prepare to hear again the stories of Christ's birth seems so very delightful..although you can guess it won't be all sweetness and light. After all, we know John the Baptist will show up someplace!  After all, it's ADVENT.

Jesus 4 President

Jesus For President: I was just wondering about how popular Jesus would be in the climate of today's elections. Here are a few quick thoughts I've had. I welcome your comments - which may get edited since spam does accumulate..

• Humility - while some of our scriptures indicate more openly that he is the Son of God, others have him referring to himself as the Son of Man. or “Human One”. Even instructing his disciples (when they figure out his references) to keep quiet and not tell anyone. I think ‘Son of God’ might get him more votes.

• Commander in Chief - would be a problem. He never tried to ‘take anyone’s swords away’. He did stop his disciples from using them at the time of his arrest so it is doubtful that he would have sent troops to war. So he’d lose the hawk vote, and also lose the ‘strong defense’ vote.

• War on Poverty - I do think he'd resurrect LBJ’s war on poverty and commit significant resources to eliminating poverty and hunger. Like “Bread for the World” says, we have the resources to end hunger RIGHT NOW, all we have to do is allocate them better. Jesus would do that.  (If congress didn’t stop him.)

• Security - I do think Jesus would be for strong encryption. He spoke in parables that we are STILL trying to understand, so I think he would have very strong encryption to all communications. But he might freely share the encrypted messages and let the world try to understand. This would certainly take care of leaks and hacking…

• Appearance - We don’t know about how he would dress in today’s world. Certainly the sandals and robe would be an interesting look over pants. Being an middle-easterner, he might be used to head-covering, although the images created in the last century show long flowing hair. His middle-eastern origin and distinctly Jewish features might divide the vote along ethnic lines. (Of course his birth certificate would prevent his running. But this is all hypothetical anyway.)

• Demeanor - We also don’t know if he smiled enough, or too much, or had straight white teeth. And we all know how important are these finite details of presidential demeanor.

• Life - Although he is pro-life, his definition of how to stand up for life is a bit different that we are used to hearing in 2016. And he seemed willing to let people act in private according to their conscience- he didn’t pick up the first or last stone… I’m not sure the “religious right’ would vote for him at all.

• Pardon - Certainly his proclivity for forgiveness would turn off the ‘law and order’ vote.

• Immigration - He liked to freely move between regions and lifted up the immigrants and social outcasts of his day, so we have to think open borders would be part of his platform.

No PAC funding - 

But we know Jesus could never be elected. Even without all the above lost votes, his constant barrage against those with money and great wealth would eliminate any donations from business, wealthy, PACS and the like. Without such funding, how would he secure any but his own vote.

And whether or not Jesus would vote??? Well that’s another essay.

Update on 90s songs for sermon titles

9/11/16.   “Losing My Religion” R.E.M. (1991)  - Luke 15:1-10

9/18/16 "Nice Guys Finish Last" (1997) Green Day - Luke 16:1-13

9/25/16 "Heart- shaped box". Nirvana - 1 Timothy 6:6-19

10/2/16 "Don't look back in anger, Oasis - Luke 17:5-19 & 2 Timothy 1:1-10

10/9/16 "Save yourself" - Stabbing Westward" (1998) - Luke 17:11-19

10/16/16 “How Do You Talk To An Angel” The Heights (1992) - Genesis 32:22-31, Lk 18:1-8

10/23/16 "Better Man" Pearl Jame (1994) -  Luke 18:9-14, Sirach 35:12-17 

10/30/16 TBD

It's fun and there are so many to choose from. The challenging part is figuring out where I'm going in enough time to pick the title. I had to google this last one but once I watch the video I remembered it. Here's one of the videos. 

#keepthepastorentertained

New Week, New Idea

I came up with the inspiration last week of naming my sermon "Losing My Religion" after R.E.M.'s 1991 hit. Then I wondered, "What if I named all my fall sermons from 90's song titles?" Just going through my iTunes I found loads of options and created a potential list. But if you have a favorite, send me the title.
Meanwhile, maybe I can create a sidebar for the list. Next week's could be

"Nice Guys Finish Last" - Green Day 1997

By the way, I linked to the official music videos but haven't watch them lately or yet. So I can't vouch for the content. :-)

Off to lectionary group to see how this idea flies!

Spiritual Time Off - a gift for fall

I just wrote someone that time off is sometimes the best spiritual gift!. September is such a busy time for families and workers. Everyone seems to feel the "Back to school/work/session". I wonder if we feel it more in Washington DC?

This week actually feels a little better than last week, but there's still so much to do, just not as much running around. Since there is so much sitting, reading and typing to go along with planning and fall events, I am trying to keep up a daily workout that became more part of my life in July when I was on vacation. It feels good. But it sure is hot, so I'm going to an AC gym thanks to Arlington's 55+ "Gold" plan and their senior/community centers.

Funny how much of the work I'm doing will include recommending people take time for spiritual outings, spiritual classes, etc. So this Friday we cancelled a Young Adult meal and discussion. Perhaps the time will be the best spiritual gift of all.

Sermon Writing

After a month of wonderful community worship where I preached once and shared leadership for worship one service, I'm now back to study and writing a message. How quickly one gets out of the habit. Fortunately, our lectionary group kept meeting during this month. Each Monday we reviewed the scriptures and shared observations, insights, and ideas for preaching. What an awesome group for which I am very grateful.

Meanwhile, it has been a 'catch-up' month for visits and admin. I should no longer be surprised that then end of August through September is some of my busiest time. Planning for fall. Even though the days of "Rally Day" kick-offs at church are long gone. (I am old enough to remember them.) There is still an increase in programs to plan, even for a small church. We have the re-start of Intergenerational Sunday School once per month called "Big Sunday". Regular classes on Sunday resume and since we are small, it is a challenge to create some function form of Christian education that appeals and works for most people, while maintaining enough of the 'old school' classes to satisfy those who prefer the familiar ways. And our twice a month podcast Dunker Punks Podcast  continues. So life is full.

I'm trying to maintain an increased level of physical workouts that I managed for a good bit of the summer. That too is a challenge. Yoga at church on Wednesdays (5:45 pm) helps because Wednesdays are always full to overflowing days.

I keep getting notices on my Apple Watch from a project app that I have 67 "To Dos" awaiting me. Guess I haven't cleared those in a while! (Like maybe all summer?) I'm afraid to look.

I do enjoy planning worship, a lot! It may be my favorite thing of all. So now, that I've completed most of my reading, if I can create a message that challenges and brings us closer to God.  No small task.