Monday Morning Letters

The week to come

2008-10-13T11:16:00.004-05:00

The other exciting thing that happened to me this week is that last night, about 10 minutes after I went outside, I returned inside my house to discover an inch of water covering most of the downstairs. Eeewch. Yuck. Mark shut the water off and we shop-vac'd and mopped and toweled and removed nasty wet things until it was mostly dry. But I had to miss the CE/discipleship team meeting last night. so if anyone wants to chime in on the meeting, that would be great.

Meanwhile, this week will include:

catching up on things
Bob is out today; Pam is out today and tomorrow
preparing for Midweek Manna (King ranch chicken night!)
preparing for Evensong
preparing for Sunday Worship
preparing for Sunday School
following up on all things Spiritual Renewal-related, including the birthday dinner. What did y'all think, if you were there?
writing newsletter articles, which are due Wednesday
fretting and fussing, most likely, about who knows what
attending a field hockey game or two-- go Chargers!-- being the hockey mom that I am
hopefully getting in a teacher conference re. Sam sometime this week, since I missed the ones last week.

Worship sunday will be on the following texts: Exodus 33:12-23 (Moses wanting to know God's name), Matthew 22: 15-22 (the question about paying taxes), or possibly I Thessalonians 1: 1-10. Every now and then I get interested in Paul, and stay tuned, this may be one of those rare occasions. ; )

Just a few snippets on the gospel text, in lieu of pictures this week--

from St. Augustine (whose Metairie, Louisiana Episcopal Kindergarten I attended!):

"For humanity was made to God's image and likeness. . . . Our true and lasting good therefore is to be stamped anew by regeneration. This seems to me the sense which wise interpreters have applied our Lord's words upon looking at Caesar's tribute money: Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. It is as if Jesus had said: God, like Caesar, demands from us the impression of God's own image. Just as we repay Caesar's coinage to Caesar, so return the soul to God, shining and stamped with the light of God's countenance."

Okay, so just the one snippet . . .

Examinations

2008-10-13T11:05:00.002-05:00

It always takes me a little time to get back in the swing of things. I'm thinking maybe instead of following the "lots of little vacations" route I should just take like a big fat vacation once a year and not waste all this acclimation time otherwise. But who knows . . .

Last week I flew to Dallas where I spent a VERY busy week at the lovely American Airlines Training Center reading Ordination Exams. These are the tests taken by prospective Presbyterian Ministers of Word and Sacrament before their ordination can be approved. Sort of like the Clergy Bar or something. Anyway. The tests our group read were in the areas of Polity, Worship and Sacraments, and Bible Exegesis, specifically Old Testament, in this case Zechariah.

I found polity to be pretty dull, though not everyone feels this way. Old Testament was very difficult to grade, partly because so many of the papers we received just weren't very well-written, but I thought it was really interesting too. When I got a good Zechariah paper, exploring the implications of hope for the exiled people of Israel, it was an amazing thing-- much more so than, say getting a good paper on, say, how to respond to a civic engineer who wants the pastor to sign a paper to sell church property to the city. (just say no, to keep it short . . .) Which to me says that no matter how completely awesome the book of order is, has been or will be, the Bible is just better. So there.

It was a VERY interesting week, I met some really kind, caring, and thoughtful people, and even though we worked from like 8:30 in the morning until 10:00 at night, I will look forward to doing it again.

Life returns

2008-09-29T11:51:00.005-05:00

Moïse conduisant le peuple, Arthur Boyd, 1947

It's funny how much a difference a couple days makes, but here I am on the outside of the deep black pit that I'd been falling into for the last two weeks. Being able to return to my home, to be safe and comfortable and well-lit, to know that my kids know where their stuff is and that they have a sense of ownership . . . it's huge. And all this just because the power was out.

But now it's on.

So. Onward.

Last week I did Midweek Manna, Evensong, Sunday liturgy and sermon, and Sunday School, and a very brief Spiritual Renewal meeting. I didn't go to Session because we were moving back in to our house.

This week I'm

doing Midweek Manna and Evensong, then Sunday School and assisting in worship on Sunday.

There are a lot of last minute things to do for the Church Anniversary dinner on Sunday: line up our accompanist for hymns, talk to guest speaker about details, send congregational e-mail reminding everyone of the event, . . .

meeting with pastor Bob to talk about Session Ministry Teams "retreat" which will take place next Monday. I won't be able to attend but will consult on format, content, etc.

hopefully get the old gold minivan fixed. We've got a brake problem and a distracting sort of noise coming from the right under the hood. This is what happens at 180K miles I guess. Even for a Toyota. The van is at the shop right now.

Kid stuff this week= today: Lizzie at 4:00 from school, then karate at 5. tomorrow: L at 4:00 from school, then Sam to karate at 5:30. wed.: L at 4:00, back to SPC for Wednesday night stuff. thurs.: Southminster School out at noon for teacher conferences, L to orthodontist at 2:00, then I think maybe we're done for the day. Also Mark comes home on Thursday. Yay. Friday: ??? that's too far ahead. And it's my day off. Sat: Focus Conference at Northwoods; Lizzie to theater at 1:00. Sun: church in the a.m., then fly to Dallas to get ready to grade ordination exams. I'll be in Dallas through Thurs. of next week.

Oh wow, if nothing unexpected comes up, this will be do-able.

Next week's scriptures include Exodus 20: 1-4, 7-9, 12-20, better known as the Ten Commandments. Also Matthew 21: 33-46, known sometimes as the Parable of the Wicked Tenants. I adore the image of Moses that I posted here. I don't know anything about the artist, but feel free to chime in if you do. This Moses, who I think hasn't received the commandments just yet, has a look of gentle determination and faithfulness about him. I think receiving the commandments will be a great relief to him, so he doesn't have to try to keep all these people in line all by himself. They are God's gentle, determined, faithful way of ordering our lives. A true gift to the people on the journey.

I could never have had these thoughts last week.

power problems vs. sewer problems

2008-09-25T09:57:00.002-05:00

Which is worse?
Apparently the sewer pumping station for our neighborhood is not functioning due to power outages; I assume it hasn't worked for a couple weeks now. Sewage is backing up in the streets and in the ditch that runs next to our house.
I'm tired of this.
I'll be staying at my dad's house until my power returns. Hrrrrumph.

back in the saddle?

2008-09-24T09:53:00.006-05:00

He Qi, "Moses Striking the Rock", 2002.

Well, I'm back in the office anyway, though we still don't have power at our house. For now we're staying with my dad downtown, going to check on our pets at home a couple times a day, and trying to stay sane. I am the first to admit, the storm and its aftermath have really gotten me down. I'm trying to stay hopeful, and I know in my head that this will all be history in a month or so, but meanwhile, the interruption to my ordinarily boring life has been difficult.

Here's what I'm trying to get accomplished this week:

prepare for Midweek Manna tonight
prepare for Evensong tonight
prepare liturgy and sermon for Sunday
prepare Sunday School lesson for Sunday
prepare for Spiritual Renewal meeting Sunday after church
prepare for Session on Sunday

That's about it.

Sunday: Whiney people, Moses, and God: Exodus 17: 1-7.

San Antonio life

2008-09-16T18:30:00.002-05:00

SA is good. Is it cooler in Houston now? It's really nice here now. We're hearing Lizzie's school won't open until next week some time; they go with HISD schedules, so who knows when we'll start again. People keep pointing out to me that there are advisories NOT to go back to Houston. there are road signs on the highway that say "do not travel to houston or beaumont." So . . . we're staying for a few more days. I know Mark wants to be at church Sunday, so the two of us-- or maybe just Mark-- will probably head out Saturday, spend the night Sat. night, then come back here after church on Sunday. That's the latest . . .

post-Ike

2008-09-14T16:57:00.002-05:00

don't know how many of y'all are getting this, but just so you know, Mark and Lizzie and Sam and I, along with Star, Winston and Harvey, are all in San Antonio. My mom's here too. We're staying at my sister's house.

Good turn out for 9:00 service this morning-- sorry we had to leave before 11:15. The streets were actually better when we got home than when we left-- go figure. Thanks to all who came and to those who came back.

My prayers are with each of you, and all in the Houston area, who are without power and/or water. We'll be back as soon as we can. Feel free to comment here with your own updates.

Ike Update

2008-09-11T20:47:00.002-05:00

Hi y'all-- are you sheltering in place like I am? We've moved stuff into the garage from the yard, we've stocked the house with bottled water and batteries, and two out of three cars have gas.

So how about the church, you may ask. We're closed tomorrow-- actually Bob, Pam and I left at noon today. Pam was headed to Quanah with Pat and the horses. Bob's expecting Laurey to arrive at Hobby airport at 8:30 tomorrow morning! Hope that happens.

The school is closed tomorrow too.

We've had help from the deacons in contacting people in the church who we thought might need some storm help. If you know of anyone who is alone, or who may still need help during or after the storm, please leave a comment here and I'll get in touch with them if possible.

We'll have to wait and see what things are like for Sunday, but as of now, services are on. I'll definitely update this blog if we have to change schedule or whatever.

Hurricane and a Sea Crossing

2008-09-08T11:27:00.004-05:00

Hi y'all. Aside from obsessing on Hurricane Ike, here's what's up for me this week:

writing front page and other stuff for newsletter
reporting to Spiritual Renewal Team on our meeting yesterday
checking in with a couple team members who weren't there yesterday.
writing up SRT report for Session
preparing for CE meeting
contacting a guy for my presbytery committee thing
preparing for Evensong, including communion
attending Tuesday night's meeting with Mike Cole
talking to people about Middle school-High school Sunday School and what's been going on there . . .
checking in with Doris Fun.
getting Sam to Karate, Tuesday, after school, before the Mike Cole thing.
getting Sam to the doctor, Wednesday, after school, before Midweek Manna.
preparing for CE meeting on Sunday.
worship planning on Tuesday at 1:30
Grandparents' Day Friday if we're not all evacuated by then.

Sunday we get to cross the Red Sea. You can read about it in Exodus (of course) 14: 19-31. In the New Testament we get to forgive each other. It's in Matthew 18: 21-35.

Marc Chagall, Parting of the Red Sea, 1966.

cone of uncertainty

2008-08-30T17:40:00.002-05:00

I just love that name. We are currently in the "cone of uncertainty" regarding Hurricane Gustav. I honestly believe it will hit east of here and that Houston won't be directly impacted, but there's always that darn cone. I'm praying for everyone in southern Louisiana and Mississippi, as well as those in Beaumont and Port Arthur. Lord, have mercy; Christ, have mercy; Lord, have mercy.

Whassup Southminster?

2008-08-18T11:32:00.004-05:00

Here's what happened last week:

Staff meeting happened on Monday. We're doing these monthly in the summer; we'll start back to weekly in September.
I took off the rest of Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday to spend a few more days with my kids before school starts.
I did come in Tuesday night for Southminster School Orientation. Gave a prayer and a little welcome from the church, told them about blessing of the backpacks.
Sam started school on Thursday. Loves it! Visited with some nice school parents in the fellowship hall coffee afterward.
Prepared liturgy and a sermon
wrote newsletter stuff
updated the spiritual renewal team about our last meeting and decisions we need to make
updated CE about our cancelled meeting on the 10th and what needed to happen before Rally Day
updated our curriculum order
preached Sunday
presented Jody Maas's scholarship and session gift at the reception between services
Bob left thursday night, will be back this coming friday night.
took Star the dog to the vet for her shots-- she's very healthy!
took Harvey the cat to the other vet to see if there's anything else they can do for him. There's really not much, but the vet did say that his breathing isn't as bad as I'd worried it was. Poor kitty. Love you, Harv.

So this week:

scrambling with last-minute details for rally day. lots to put together.
preparing for Session on Sunday-- I'm hoping to give a brief presentation on working in teams and what that might look like.
preparing for Presbytery meeting on Saturday.
helping with chapel resources for the younger elementary kids.
distributing curriculum
preparing sunday school lesson-- I get to teach K-1 this year with Doris!
preparing liturgy for blessing of the backpacks
Sunday's scriptures include the story of Jesus with his disciples, when Jesus gives Simon the name Peter, after Peter calls Jesus the Messiah. Hmmmm. Who are you? Maybe that's the homeletical question. Meanwhile, there's the storyteller's dream of a scripture in Exodus-- the part when the Israelites are made slaves, Pharaoah tries to kill all the boy babies, and Moses is rescued from the bullrushes. There's some story to chew on. Here's a picture:

By He Qi at www.heqiarts.com

Fall is in the air

2008-08-18T11:24:00.003-05:00

At least summer is leaving, and I'm sooooo sad. I think I'm the only person in this great texas city who completely loves the summer, but I do. I love it when the pool water heats up to 84 degrees all on its own, and you can jump in without even feeling it first and know that it's going to be perfectly warm. I love it when it stays light until 9:30 at night. I love slower days at work, kids going this way and that, spontaneous vacations to even hotter texas cities than mine, and most of all, the beach. Have I mentioned how much I like the beach?
But now the rain has come. The pool water is down to 80. It's overcast with occasional quick storms that make you have to get out of the pool because there's thunder. You can't necessarily eat outside in the evening anymore because of said rain. On top of the rain, school is starting. Sweet little boy gets his official Southminster uniform on every morning and rides to work with Mommy, which is awesome, but he's so grown up! He unpacks his spiderman backpack and signs his name on the sign in sheet and then runs off to play. Princesslizzard has a few more days, but meanwhile we have to do her locker set-up, her back-to-school physical, and organize her newly painted room. Her school starts Thursday. 7th grade. Wowza.
All to say, life moves on. I will be waiting patiently until next summer, which needs to be longer than this summer. I didn't get nearly enough drinking-iced-tea-and-reading-in-the-pool time.

Edouard approaches

2008-08-04T11:31:00.005-05:00

Today we're watching out for Tropical Storm Edouard, which is headed this way-- I hear different reports on how much damage will occur; the truth is, we have to just wait and see how much it strengthens and where exactly it hits. Meanwhile, I'll keep my cell phone charged and car gassed up.

My sister and her kids and my Lizzie are leaving today from Oxford, Ohio, which is apparently the most perfect town in the world, where they've been on a school-related vacation this week. Tonight they'll stop in Birmingham, AL, then tomorrow a short trip down to New Orleans to spend the night. Hopefully they'll be here on Wednesday, weather-permitting. I miss my Lizzie.

So back to the report. Here's what happened last week:

Communicated plans for the Spiritual Renewal meeting on Thursday. We should have a nice turnout.
Visited the hospital once.
Worked more on some Sunday School stuff.
Prepared for Session.
Spent the night Thursday at the church for Family Promise. Here's what happened: we got here at 8:30. Richard Early introduced us to the one family that was still up and around. After he left, they went to bed too. So Mark, Sam and I hung out in and around our hosts' room for awhile. I locked the outside doors around 9:45. Then we went to sleep. When we got up at 7:30 the next morning, the guests had already gotten up and left. Wow, that was easy! I didn't even have to make them coffee or anything! That was it.
Liturgized at both services on Sunday.
Attended Session Sunday night. Yes, it's true what you've heard-- we were done BEFORE 9:00!!!!!

This week's ministry will include:

Committee on Ministry meeting tomorrow, if we're not stormed out.
Spiritual Renewal Team meeting Thursday at 7:30.
Finding those last few SS teachers.
Getting background check forms to all SS teachers.
finding resources for contemporary liturgy.
Southminster School used uniform sale is tomorrow-- great opportunity to meet school parents and also snag Sam some cheap used uniforms for his first year here.
avoid getting blown away by the storm.
prepare for CE meeting this Sunday.
Lizzie, my sister and her kids should arrive Wednesday. Yay!

Sunday's scriptures include the wonderful story of Jesus walking on the water and Peter giving it his best shot. I wondered homiletically once whether the problem really was that Peter shouldn't have left the boat in the first place. What a showoff.

Here are some creative reflections:

Henry Ossawa Tanner, "Christ Walking on the Water".

James B. Janknegt, "Jesus Walking On Water"

And August is here

2008-07-29T11:05:00.004-05:00

Here's what's going on this week:

Bob is returning Thursday from taking his daughter back to SC
I'm still organizing our Spiritual Renewal group. No budget, but we'll present what we want to do and see if Session can help us.
Still working on Sunday School teachers for our children. Considering taking on one class myself . . .
sleeping over here Thursday night for Family Promise, with Mark and Sam.
preparing for Sunday's Session meeting, which includes some interesting motions. More later on that.
Doing some pastoral visitations.
Sunday's scriptures include Matthew 14: 13-21, which is the story of the feeding of the 5000. And comes right after all that kingdom stuff. Coincidence? Hmmmm. . . so here are some artistic reflections on the passage. First, a poem from Thom Shuman.

enough

there was more than enough
grief
for Jesus,
hearing the news
that beloved John
had lost his head
to Herod;
there was more than enough
people
when all those folks,
men, women, children
(the press reported
more than 5000)
crowded after him;
there was more than enough
hunger
following each person,
gnawing away at
their hopes and dreams;
there was more than enough
doubt
feeding the fears
of his disciples,
whining for Jesus
to send everyone packing;
but what they did have
was more than enough
for Jesus -
taking,
blessing,
breaking,
transforming
their paltry panic
into manna's joy.
when we look into
our picnic basket of scarcity,
murmuring,
'not enough money,
not enough people,
not enough time,
not enough energy,
notenoughnotenoughnotenough'
remind us, Overflowing Grace,
that it is all Jesus
needs.

And a picture to look at:

Back from San Antonio

2008-07-29T10:47:00.003-05:00

Hi y'all. Here I am. Vacation is over. Bleh. Here's what we did in old SA:

went tubing in San Marcos, which was weird because we were joined by like 3 busloads of college cheerleaders. But still fun.

went to Schlitterbahn. Great place-- amazing, really. But I have to say, I like the Galveston version better. Any other opinions about this? I think it's that the New Braunfels park was sort of pieced together, added on to over time, as space became available sort of thing, and the Galveston one was planned and built all at once so it's easier to negotiate. The New Braunfels park does have the unbelievably cool feature of using actual Comal River water in several of the attractions. That's one up. But other than that, I really enjoy the Galveston park.

went to El Mercado. Bought a Mexican wrestling mask. It's a gift for Sam and Lizzie's karate teacher, who also took care of our house for us while we were gone. Didn't eat at Mi Tierra or Margarita's though-- we sort of didn't go down around a meal time, and plus my stomach was giving me fits all week.

North Park Mall. Eh. It was raining from Hurricane Dolly.

Did go out to eat at Mamacita's on I-10, a big Mexican restaurant built by an Iranian immigrant. Had a bowl of tortilla soup, a taco al carbon and a beef flauta. Pretty yummy. Queasy stomach tolerated them pretty well. Kids liked it because you can watch them make the tortilllas, and they have a game room.

Came home and worked on our yard, which was a jungle when we bought the house a year ago. We're slowly getting it manageable. We planted one really nice bed with foxtail ferns, echinacea, knockout roses, and a chenille plant named Mr. Fuzzy. Here's a picture of one of his cousins:
And then I preached on Sunday.

What to write for the newsletter

2008-07-16T11:31:00.005-05:00

Any ideas? I'm taking requests for a front page newsletter article that was due yesterday (sorry Kim!!!). I've already got a bunch of stuff in about the upcoming Fall programs, now I just need something wise to say on the front page. Please leave ideas in the comments. This could be like "stump the pastor" or something. Give me a challenge . . .
Meanwhile, last week I

was sick. Upper respiratory. Eesh. Sam and I are passing this virus back and forth. So I was actually out most of the week.
Mark led the WOW workshop on Spiritual Gifts, putting his own spin on materials that I had prepared beforehand. Thank you Mark!
I did preach on Sunday. On the sower going out to sow and sow.
and had a CE meeting Sunday night. Good, creative, dedicated group of people on that committee.

This week:

Staff meeting was Monday. We have two new staff people in this building-- Scott and Angela-- who have taken Jack's old job plus some of Chris Gould's old job. And there are two new school staff people-- a Preschool director and an Elementary principal. Gabrielle brought chocolates from Germany.
Like I said, I've been trying to write up everything CE/discipleship-related for the newsletter and other publicity this week. This has been a good exercise for me and has helped me get things pretty organized.
Also made a flier for the school to distribute for a new event this year-- the Blessing of the Backpacks! On Rally Day, during both worship services, we will recognize everyone who's going back to school, have them come forward, and pray a special prayer for joy and growth and learning this year. So bring your backpacks or school supplies and get off to a good start this year.
Worked on the steering group for Spiritual Renewal.
Attended worship planning meeting with Bob, Janet and Mary D.
Brought Harvey the cat to the feline specialist this morning. He's 15 years old and not in good health. Prayers for Harv, please! He's been such a patient, sweet kitty.
Getting liturgy together for July 27, when I'll preach again, since Pastor Bob is taking PK-C back to SC.
Getting ready to leave for San Antonio, where we'll be on vacation next week.

Our scripture for this Sunday is Psalm 139. I was looking for a recording of Hymn 248, You Are Before Me, Lord, by Ian Pitt-Watson, which I think is just a beautiful setting of this psalm, but I can't find one available online. So if you feel like it, get out that hymnal and sing along.

You are before me, Lord, You are behind, And over me You have spread out your hand; such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too high to grasp, too great to understand.

Then from Your Spirit, where, Lord, shall I go; And from Your presence, where, Lord, shall I fly? If I ascend to heaven You are there, And still are with me if in hell I lie.

If I should take my flight into the dawn, I f I should dwell on ocean's farthest shore, Your mighty hand will rest upon me still, And your right hand will guard me evermore.

If I should say, "Let darkness cover me, And I shall hide within the veil of night," Surely the darkness is not dark to You: The night is as the day, the darkness light.

Search me, O God, search me and know my heart; Try me, O God, my mind and spirit try; Keep me from any path that gives you pain, And lead me in the everlasting way.

Preachin' It

2008-07-07T14:29:00.004-05:00

Last week I:

Moved my office. New extension is Jack's old extension, 224.

Prepared & preached at Peace Presbyterian of Pearland. Perfectly pleasant.

Worked on putting together Spiritual Gifts workshop for WOW for this week.

Had a meeting or two and a phone call or two in there . . .

Celebrated the 4th of July by doing very little.

Welcomed my sister, who's in town for a few days.

Missed Lizzie. One more week at Cho-Yeh.

Witnessed my little guy getting more and more comfortable in the water, learning to put his face under and to float with floaties. Yay!

Missed y'all on Sunday.

This week:

Preparing to preach here on Sunday.

Preparing for CE meeting on Sunday.

Preparing children's sermon for 11:15 service on Sunday.

Attending Presbytery of New Covenant committee meeting on tuesday.

Leading WOW spiritual gifts workshop on Wednesday.

Getting those task groups organized.

Drop off/pick up Sam each day at Sea Star Swim Camp.

Pick up Lizzie on Saturday.

Attend Presbytery event on Saturday: this is an all-church Barbecue Cookoff at the Heights Church at 5:00. Mark is the host, so provided Lizzie is recovered enough, we'll join the gang for this event.

The scriptures this sunday include the Parable of the Sower, Matthew 13: 1-9, 18-23, which is what I preached on at Pearland this past Sunday. Does he look like this to you?

That's Van Gogh, of course. 1888. The Sower, with the outskirts of Arles in the background. Who's that other guy in the background? Come Sunday and find out.

2008-07-04T17:44:00.002-05:00

RevGal's Friday Five:

1. Barbeque's or picnics ( or are they essentially the same thing?)

Um. . . no, they're not the same thing, but cookouts are different from either one, and that's what we do on the 4th. Hot dogs, watermelon, usually ice cream, iced tea, etc. Oh, and this year mom's making devilled eggs. yummy.

2. The park/ the lake/ the beach or staying at home simply being?

Staying home lazing by the pool this year, but other years it's definitely been beach time.

3. Fireworks- love 'em or hate 'em?

I like to watch fireworks, but i'm not big on shooting them off myself. My sister and my husband love shooting them off. What I really DON'T like is driving to wherever the show is going to be, fighting the crowds, and then-- the worst part-- fighting the crowds driving home. So generally I can do without them.

4. Parades- have you ever taken part- share a memory...

We used to always have a bike parade in my subdivision growing up. This was the best-- we'd weave streamers in the spokes of our bikes, tie ribbons and balloons on the handlebars, and ride on down to the elementary school where the parade started. There were prizes, which always went to the kids whose parents transformed their kids' bikes into perfect replicas of revolution-era carriages or something. after the parade, which ended at the pool/clubhouse, there was a big pool party with swim races and the inevitable greased-watermelon contest. Food was sold from the snack bar, including Frito Pie served directly in the frito bag. And raw jello. For extra energy, because God knows kids all need extra energy in the summer time.

5. Time for a musical interlude- if you could sum up holidays in a piece of music what would it be?

When I was growing up, Woody Guthrie's "This Land is Your Land" was considered patriotic. Can that still count?

Back in the saddle

2008-06-30T10:46:00.003-05:00

Hello friends! It's so good to virtually see all of you! I've been on vacation/sick leave for awhile now. Here's the scoop on what I've done the last few weeks:

June 9-15: My annual 1 week beach vacation. It was glorious. Of course, it was really windy and weird the first few days, and the beach was completely perfect on the day we had to leave, but still. I just really like that beach. Toward the end of the week Lizzie met up with the church's Middle School Youth Group (SPCMCMSYG) for a weekend work retreat. They cleaned up the beach and relaxed together down at Crystal Beach. They also worshipped at 1st Pres Galveston that Sunday.

Monday and Tuesday, June 16-17, I was in the office. Wrote a sermon, met with Janet for Worship Planning, talked to a bunch of people. Wednesday thru Friday, June 18-20, Mark and I went on our Anniversary trip to the Hill Country. All of you should go there. Wimberley is awesome. Really pretty and relaxing. It reminds me of Central Mexico, except most people speak English, which is helpful for me. But great little shops and galleries, decent food-- breakfast at the Blair House was spectacular-- just really pretty hills and scenery. My hair went all un-puffy on me, the humidity was so low. Anyway, got back Friday night and preached on Sunday. Session was Sunday night. Only 2 1/2 hours this time! woohoo!

Last week, of course, was Walking With Jesus VBS, directed by the fabulous Jenny Harper, who fought through wrist breaks, viruses, and lots of barfing family members to get this show together. Unfortunately, Sam was sick with a virus for the middle three days of the week, so I had to bring Lizzie to church and then go home and care for Sam. But the children gave it RAVE reviews. Kids LOVED coming everyday. I really liked how relaxed it felt-- there is truly no need to scream, shout, blare rock music, or over-glitter things in order to engage children in learning about Jesus. Thanks to all who helped-- I hope next year I'll be able to be there more.

My favorite Auntie was visiting us last week. I just love that Aunt Liz. She was a special education teacher forever, and then went back to school to be a counselor. Now she's the school counselor at a school of Kindergarten and 1st graders.
The CE committee has purchased two portable screens and a laptop cart for use in CE (and of course other church-related) activities. Since the walls in the classrooms are no longer white, it works lots better to have screens available. Thanks worlds to Elder Bauer for running all over the city to find these items.

Yesterday I didn't have any official worship responsibilities, but it was good to see everyone, and I thought that the presentation by the Pastor Nominating Committee was well done. I'm really excited for the future of Southminster and for what a new pastor might bring. The committee's work has been beautifully done so far and I have complete faith in the group that they will continue to conduct our search prayerfully and carefully.
Also yesterday I took Lizzie to Cho-Yeh and Mark hosted a party of Karate students at our house. (Long story.)

So what's coming up?

Lizzie is at Cho-Yeh and Sam is doing a couple weeks of Sea Star Swim Camp down the street. So far so good on the kid front.
Meeting with Rick Bramer today.
I'm preaching at Peace Presbyterian Church of Pearland this Sunday. Jim Gill, their pastor, called me awhile back and asked if I could take July 4 weekend for him since he has a big family reunion. I'll be preaching here the week after that.
This week (hopefully) we'll be switching offices here at the church. New Scott and Angela will be in my office (will the phone still say "Steve Thorney" when you check voice mail? I just got "Jody Harrington" off my computer registration thingy . . .) and I'll be taking Jack's former office. We like to create opportunities to load and move boxes around here.
Today we're taking Jack out to lunch to celebrate his last day with us.
I'm trying to put together three task groups: Spiritual Renewal, Rally Day, and Midweek Manna. Today or tomorrow I'm going to consult with my consulting consultants to consult on who should be on those groups. Actually we pretty much know who's on Rally Day, I just need to confirm with them and set a meeting time.
Friday the office is closed. Thursday and Monday Pam is out.
Next week I lead WOW on Spiritual Gifts, so I'll be getting that material together this week.
Probably this week sometime I need to go the doctor with my mom. Get some medical issues straightened out.

Oh, I think that's about it. How 'bout those Abraham stories the last few weeks? Just terrifying, don't you think? But God was there after all. This is probably against copyright laws, but I'm posting a prayer by Walter Brueggemann from his book Prayers for a Privileged People, Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2008, p. 181-182. This is for graduates, vacationers, and new-starters: "On Leaving Bondage . . . Yet Again"

Now we depart, as our ancient ancestors always departed.

We leave, some of us encouraged, some of us unscathed, some of us energized, all of us weary.

We leave, to depart to a better place . . .

Home . . . where we will be welcomed with varying measures of eagerness, resentment, responsiveness, or anxiety.

We pray for good departures, in the way our ancestors left Egypt,

that we may leave the grind of productivity, and the hunger of craven ambition,

that we may leave for a place of wondrous promise, visited en route by bread from heaven and water from rocks.

We pray for big departures, like those of our ancient parents,

that we may leave where we have been and how we have been and who we have been.

To follow your better lead for us, you who gives new place, new mode, new self.

We pray, each of us, to travel in mercy, that we be on our way rejoicing, arriving in wonder, love, and praise.

that ubiquitous summer meme

2008-06-05T12:31:00.002-05:00

Well, why not give it a whirl . . .

1.) What first tells you that Summer is here?
80 degree nights, like Zorra; watermelon, sweet corn and fresh cherries in the produce section

2.) Name five of your favorite distinctively Summer habits or customs.
Okay, hmmm.. 1. sleeping later-- no kids to get to school by 7:30.
2. evening swims and eating by the pool.
3. pedicures. this has just recently become a custom, actually.
4. lots of cousin time. we heart our cousins.
5. gotta have it-- at least a week at the beach.
3.) What is your favorite smell of Summer?
No contest-- beach air.
4.) What is your favorite taste of Summer?
warm tomatoes right from the garden. This might go in the smell question too.
5.) Favorite Summer memory?
Beach time. We used to go, every summer when I was growing up, to Bolivar Peninsula, for at least two weeks, rent a really junky beach house with a couple of other families, and just do nothing. We cooked big meals together, the kids took adventurous hikes down the beach making up stories and finding treasures. We had funerals for dead fish. We built sand communes (it was the 70's). We swam in the murkey water, avoiding crabs and jellyfish. We walked to the bait shop for popsicles. It was easy, safe, and fun.
6.) Extreme heat or extreme cold? Which would you choose and why?
Heat. I've done South Dakota, and I wasn't very good at it. It scared me.
7.) What books do you plan to read for the season?
Just started "Born on a Blue Day", about an autistic savant; then I've got "Holy Moly", a Texas fundamentalist preacher mystery adventure book (I think). After that, I'm not sure. Just finished "Take This Bread" by Sara Miles. Crazy good stuff.
8.) How does the Summer affect your faith? Is it a hindrance or an ally? I wrote in the newsletter about Sabbath, and that's sort of how I see summer here. We all need to get somewhere out of our routines for awhile, and I see summer as a time to do this. So it's an ally.

Tag, you're it, if you're a member of Southminster who hasn't done this on their blog yet! Let me know you played.

Sudden Departure

2008-06-05T11:11:00.002-05:00

So, here's what happened if you weren't there: Sunday morning I was scheduled to be "lay assistant" at both services and to serve communion with pastor Bob. Right before I should have been standing up to pray after the offering at first service, Nancy J., our intrepid officer-of-the-day, came in and told me my mom was on the phone. Okay, so it turned out that she had had a moderate car accident and was pretty banged up. I grabbed the kiddos and left. Mark left his church at about the same time, having quickly arranged for someone in his congregation to read his sermon. He got to the emergency room first, told me my mom was okay, and took the kids back to his church. Yes, it's true, Lizzie actually had to sit through two worship services last Sunday. Sorry about that Lizzie. Anyway, mom and I got home around 1 something that afternoon. She was actually feeling well enough (and was bored enough with the ER) that after they told her she was okay but before they got her papers together (this takes forEVer apparently) she got up and started walking out, still in her hospital robe. That's my mama.

So she's been recovering for a few days now, dealing with interactions between pain meds and other meds she already takes, and trying to deal with the State Farm people to get her car fixed. Meanwhile my sister came into town yesterday afternoon-- yay, Annie!-- so I should actually get a full day of work in today.

All I can say is, fortunately summer has begun at Southminster, so things have slowed down a lot. Next week I take off for the beach for a week, then I'm back, then Mark and I get to take a 2-night anniversary trip here. Wooo! Fancy Schmancy! Juneteenth (one of my favorite words)is our 15th anniversary, and honestly we've hardly ever even gone out to eat for our anniversary before, so we're doing this one right. Usually one of us has been on a mission trip, or we've had a presbytery meeting, or something else church-related has kept us apart. Not this year.

I'm sure some of you have heard we had another marathon Session meeting on May 25. Wowee. Don't know what else to say.

Lizzie and Sam are at Gramma Lee and Grampa Bob camp this week. They live right by Hermann Park, so Sam is going to zoo camp everyday, and Lizzie is having Tennis camp at Rice, and in the afternoons and evenings they play with the grandparents, cook out hot dogs, swim, etc. All in all a great time. Lizzie has been going to camp with her grandparents every year since she was about Sam's age. Usually they go to Museum of Natural Science Camp, which she will do in a few weeks, but Sam's not quite old enough yet. Museum Camp has become a cherished tradition for us and for my niece and nephew. Nephew is just too old for it this year; Lizzie will be too old next year, but Sam will be old enough to start there next year. And Niece will still be just right.

And then there's VBS! I can't wait! Jenny Harper (are you there Jenny?) is an amazing asset to Southminster. Even if she did used to be Baptist. ; ) Least she knows that Bible. So thanks Jenny, for coordinating this.

Even with summer schedule, we still have a number of small groups meeting. Let me know if you want a list.

This week's scriptures have to do with leaving our comfort zones to follow Jesus. Genesis 12: 1-8, in which God calls Abram out, is the perfect scripture for Senior Recognition sunday, which this also is. Matthew 9: 9-13 and 18-26 has about four stories in it. I think we may just deal with the beginning part of it, when Jesus calls Matthew from his tax collecting booth. And Matthew just stands up and follows. It's that easy, right?

"The one who calls the worlds into being now makes a second call . . . addressed to aged Abraham and baren Sarah. The purpose. . . is to fashion an alternative community in creation gone awry, to embody in human history the power of blessing."
--Walter Brueggemann

Lilies

2008-05-20T10:52:00.003-05:00

What I've done lately:

see last post for most of last week
Got a new kitten.
ushered at youth sunday worship. This is the first time I've ushered in like 25 years. Cool. Thanks to the youth ministry for the awesome Youth Sunday t-shirt! Fish 153 was especially great. I know we have a few folks who don't get anything out of youth sunday, but it's an important experience not only for the youth themselves but for the whole church, to experience a different way of worshipping God together. I personally enjoyed it tremendously.
Participated in the chartering worship service for Biyaya Community Church. Biyaya is the Filipino church that uses our building. They're not a new church development anymore, they're an actual congregation! It was really exciting to be a part of the festivities. Their praise band rocks. Like, they need to go up against Fish 153 in the Battle of the Southminster-based praise bands.
Stayed the rest of the day at church because of the scheduled CE meeting that night. Low attendance at the meeting, but hey, we got done in like twenty minutes instead of the usual hour-and-twenty minutes.
Found my calendar! It was under the seat in my car. Yay!

This week I am doing these things:

getting teacher appreciation together for Sunday.
taking my mom to the eye doctor this afternoon.
not going to my Presbytery subcommittee meeting since I'm taking mom to the eye doctor.
leading Midweek Manna Wednesday night. This is the last one of the season.
Saturday night is Presbyterian Night at the Astros game! I'm going with the Heights Church group.
Preparing for Session, which meets on Sunday.

Sunday's service will focus a bit on Memorial Day, which is Monday. The scriptures include Matthew 6:24-34, which includes lots of memorable verses: "No one can serve two masters . . . you cannot serve God and wealth." "Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink . . ." "Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these." "So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today."

May 15

2008-05-15T09:59:00.007-05:00

Here's what's been going on here:

Sunday we had a very busy, very full couple of services with Session exam between. I preached on pentecost. Being filled with Spirit. giving back. vision for this place.
confirmation happened-- congrats to our three awesome young people. I love you all! and thanks again to our three awesome mentors who walked step-by-step with our confirmands, modelling all the while what being a Christian is really about. and thanks to Grace Notes for playing the Borning Cry song, cheesy as it is. Still, it was a reaffirmation of baptism, and I associate the song with baptisms at SPC. So.
Ordination/Installation happened. So glad to have new officers coming on board-- the training and exam time with you all has been really interesting to me, and I look forward to working with you all as the years progress.
Pizza and birthday presents with my family Sunday night (I'm 41!). Which one should I choose?

Kitten 1

Kitten 2-- the runt; not as lap-oriented

Kitten 3: Lizzie's favorite

We're thinking he'll be named Winston. Winston Churchill Downs, to be exact. What do you think?

took monday off to celebrate my birthday.
Tuesday, I came in here after dropping Lizzie off at 7:45. Then the fun started. Long story short, Sam drank a tiny bit of bleachy water that was in his sippy cup (we were trying to soak the mold off), we pretty much freaked out and spent the morning at the emergency room, and he's fine. Very fine. More than fine. Running us crazy fine.
Tuesday night was Lizzie's groundbreaking performance as a lost boy in Peter Pan at Hits Theatre in the Heights. She was the best lost boy ever, if I do say so myself. She's on for another performance tonight at 7:30.
Wednesday I tried real hard to have a normal day at the office. I didn't feel well and didn't get anything done. Went home for awhile in the afternoon. Came back last night for the second meeting of the ORFUG (that's the "Officer Retreat Follow Up Group", if you didn't know). Had an awesome meeting! Working on Committee restructuring and Spiritual Renewal, which we feel is necessary before we can have a clear sense of our vision. Feel 100% better today.
Secretary Pam is on vacation for a few days-- have fun Pam! She'll be back mid-next-week.
Today I'm writing newsletter articles, answering some big emails, stuff like that.
This Sunday is YOUTH SUNDAY! I love youth sunday. I love seeing youth who are committed enough to their faith that they will stand up in front of God and everyone and talk about it. AND Fish 153 will be playing. Go Youth!

This is a mural by David J. Hetland. Can we have one of these? Budget Committee? This would be spiritually renewing for me. : )

for pentecost

2008-05-08T12:23:00.002-05:00

Thom Shuman, a Presbyterian pastor in Ohio, is one of my favorite writers and sources of inspiration. Here's his poem for Pentecost this year:

the party

(having burnt
a finger
testing the iron)
God begins -
phump, phump, phump -
smoothing out
the wrinkles
on the heirloom
tablecloth
woven
by Hagar and Sarai;

(grabbing
Gabe and Mike
to help)
Jesus fits
the extra boards
into the kitchen table,
then starts
moving the place cards
around
so folks
have to sit
next to those
they cannot
stand;

Spirit
is putting
the liturgical dancers
through their paces
stagewhispering
'flames! flames!
flicker like flames!'
(though not telling
any one
of the last-minute surprise
she will pull);

in an upper room
we wait . . .
turning the invitation
over and over
in our hearts . . .

(c) 2008 Thom M. Shuman

Another Week, Another . . .

2008-04-21T11:06:00.002-05:00

fill in your own title.

Here's what went on last week:

the school had its book fair all week. Anyone know how they did? It was nicely decorated, and I found one book for Sam. School lurkers? Let us know!
Got all my stuff in for the Signal, which wasn't as much as last month because Pastor Bob's doing the front page this time.
Planned meeting of confirmands for this past Sunday. It went well-- everyone is finishing up their programs, getting their presentations ready, having some last minute discussions. I'm excited to see their "faith statement presentations". Confirmation will take place in the early service on May 11. My birthday. Mother's Day. And, oh yeah, Pentecost.
Planned Ready-Set-Worship class for younger elementary students. This took place during both worship services, was well-attended and seemed well-received. We did have some communication issues with who was invited to participate (1st, 2nd, and possibly 3rd graders); I hope the kindergarteners who didn't get to come weren't too upset. I promise we'll do it again next year for them. Yesterday's class was about baptism. Next week will be the Lord's Supper.
Attended called Presbytery meeting at Grace Presbyterian to hear and act on the report from the Heritage Administrative Commission. The meeting was well-planned and turned out to be done in a fair and even spirit, even if the subject matter was the kind that tends to get turned into political warfare. Turns out the majority of members of Heritage have already left the church, along with the staff and the clergy, who have renounced jurisdiction of the denomination. That means they're formally not Presbyterian anymore, so there's really not a whole lot we can do with or for them. It was anticipated as well that someone might ask Presbytery to sell the property that Heritage had, but that request never came, and we voted overwhelmingly to support the minority of Heritage Presbyterian members who remain loyal to the denomination, and to allow them to rebuild their church in their same location. This will require some effort and support on the part of the rest of the churches in the Presbytery, but, at least as of that meeting, the churches are willing to give that support.
Led Midweek Manna. Salmon cakes. Jewish story about bread.
Helped lead officer training Wednesday night.
Attended my first meeting as a member of the Commissioned Lay Pastor committee of Presbytery. We are working to redevelop the program through which elders can become commissioned to act as "lay pastors" of congregations, or of specific ministries within congregations. It's a pretty elaborate program and is definitely going to be some work, but it is an interesting committee.
Did Children's Sermons at both services.
Led Ready Set Worship, Confirmation Meeting, Ready Set Worship again, and the second session of officer training. Home last night by 5:30.
My Uncle Billy Ardell had back surgery last wednesday; has had a few setbacks but seems to be doing amazingly well. Thank you for your continuing prayers.
Did anyone see Pastor Bob and his wife and cat in the paper last Thursday? Awwwww . . .
Mark finished building us a new fence! It looks so nice, the dogs have more room to play (we're working on that escape problem . . .), and it even smells good. I'm inspired to landscape. Any ideas about how to remove all the old fencing from our front yard? Other than actually renting a truck and loading it up and taking it to the dump? Someone suggested the city of Houston might pick it up for us as part of heavy trash removal. Think I'll call. Don't want to load it onto a truck myself. Neighbors are beginning to resent us.
Sam played soccer. Did any of your children just not like soccer? How can you not like soccer? Not going as fabulously as we had hoped. "The Grasshoppers" have a really cool bright green uniform, and sometimes good snacks, but that's not enough of an attraction yet.
Got that haircut, finally.
Lizzie and Mom went to San Antonio again, this time for my sister Annie and my niece Shelby's birthdays, both of which were Saturday. Big time had by all. Lizzie is going to travel with Aunt Annie and cousin Nick this summer to Ohio for Nick's National Latin Contest. They really have a good time together, which is sooooo nice!

This week:

Leaving in an hour or so to take ChaCha to the vet. Last heartworm test, plus getting her itchiness checked out.
planning Ready Set Worship lesson for this week. Lord's Supper.
Worship planning on Tuesday.
Officer training Tuesday night.
Plan then lead Midweek Manna on Wednesday.
Plan and help lead Session retreat all day Saturday.
Sunday: Ready Set Worship, deacon brunch, Ready Set Worship; break until 4:30: youth dinner theater, called session meeting to examine new officers.
Scriptures for this week include this one from John 14: 15-21:

"If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides in you, and he will be in you.

"I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. In a little while the world will not see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them."

That's a lot to think about. We often read this passage at funerals, but there's more there than just comforting the grieving. There's more to it than what happens after we die. It's also-- maybe even more so-- about how we live.

Here's a responsive reading from a book called Trumpet in Zion: Worship Resources, Year C, by Rev. Linda H. Hollies (Cleveland: Pilgrim Press, 2003).

L: Love is an action word!

P: May we love one another in both word and deed.

L: Love cannot be silent.

P: Love created the world as a birthday gift for human inhabitants.

L: Love spoke to the rest of the world, but stooped down and hand-crafted the living creatures with tenderness, affection, and gentleness.

P: We are each individually fashioned in the image of Love and gifted with intellect and a soul.

L: Love came to visit with the creatures of clay every day. Personal contact with dirt was essential to Love.

P: Love knew that rebellion and sin would interrupt this awesome intimacy between the human and the Divine. But Love had already provided a way of escape from everlasting death.

L: Love put on human flesh, stepped on a down escalator, and eased into our community.

P: Love role modeled for us the way those who have the image of God in them behave!

L: Love marched to Calvary with dignity and died our death.

P: Love was lifted from the stench of death and now has an appointed place at the right hand of God, interceding for us to keep rising and moving on in love. We can do it, for we have the same Love poured into our heart by the Holy Spirit. Love continues to lift. We callout a shout for the Love that never fails.