Phew!

Finally planned!
A few days in Arizona at the retreat center. Swimming, reading, chillin'.
THEN, more days in CA visiting friends. I got the time off approved, the accomodations requested......just need to book a flight (will wait til next tues or wed for optimal savings) and rental car...and we're all set! Just don't let my bank account know what I'm up to.

I've got to figure out a thank you gift for my friends in CA who are putting up with me for 4 nights, they rock.

R&R?

UGH! I give up. Will someone plan my vacation for me? Make it far away, pretty and restful....and cheap and not horribly boring to do by myself. Then just let me know where I'm going and what I'm doing.

Thanks.

Down time...

A few weeks back I'd finally decided that my vacation/retreat/weekoff would be....Holden Village.....but not long ago I discovered that due to a wildfire....they'd evacuated all but some basic staff. I don't think the village is in danger....but they won't be welcoming guests til...well they don't know....I just read that it might be til the snow falls.

So....I need to rethink my travel plans again. I might go back to the idea of going to Spirit in the Desert for 4 days or so, then on to L.A. and maybe Berkley to visit friends.

I just bought The Message! With a lovely Borders coupon. It's shiney and holographicy. :)

My head is full...

I suppose I've been having an interesting week, spiritually, churchy, and discernment type stuff. Our new pastor started Sunday, unfortunately I couldn't be there for it, but I hear it went well. I did meet with him the day before to go over the service/worship space. It's exciting. It's a little strange to have a pastor that is a little younger than me....but it's an okay kind of weird :) I'm glad that the congregation will not respect him any less for his age, they're good like that.

Since I couldn't attend church on Sunday I thought I might make a trip out to *townwithmuchshopping* and hit a music store or two...and while I was there...visit *supercoolchickpastorwhoivemetafewtimes*'s church for their Saturday evening service. I only hit one store....and basically went to the service. It really was a swell service. I really like SCCP's (supercoolchickpastor)style and presence. Truth be told I think I wanted to go visit because I must be seeking a mentor...particularly female. When I first met her it was exciting to meet a female pastor with a fun personality like hers....I could relate to it...and it helped me to see myself as a pastor. We talked, and I mentioned my candidacy which she was excited about (of course). She wanted to help me arrange my sem visit....and she said that we really should meet for lunch to discuss that more..and just chat about all this stuff. That excited me...I realized that at this point that is something that I really need. I think that's started me also in to think about 'pastor identity' i don't know that that concept made much sense to me before...but it's starting to.

I've still not had any in depth coversation with RP (retired pastor) about my entering the ministry. I've felt like I should...but I didn't really know what to discuss....or more importantly ask. But that's okay.

Then at work the next day, I had a conversation with *familyfriendfromoldchurch* who i've known for over 20 years...she and her family started at my old church when i was a kid. I've always liked them. I had a conversation with her a while back, and she seemed excited when I said that I'd gone to the ELCA...and she was looking to go somewhere else. I had kept inviting her to our church....I realized at one point that I needed to stop extending the invitation and back off.

So the other day I just asked about an upcoming trip. I ended up telling her about my plans to visit Holden Village and that launched into a church discussion. It was a really good discussion....I almost felt like it was a spiritual direction session....with me being the SD. It sounded like one, she was frustrated with the heavy law theology and exclusiveness of the church we came from.....and two, she was frustrated with the church format from the 50's of.....church being a social club ...and heavy participation not optional.....she is looking to feel spiritually connected....she's looking for a personal shalom....

So I was encouraging her to explore. To visit many churches. I reccomended one book (Christianity for the Rest of Us)...perhaps another(suggestions?). She perked up when I mentioned a pastor i knew taking a spiritual direction class...and she was curious about spiritual direction....so I'm going to connect her with the episcopal diocese...because they have a resource for that (just looked it up! good to know).

So here I feel as though I am already acting in a very pastoral role in specific situations. I really felt like our conversation was helping her and I hope that it did, and will continue to.

I had a very deep conversation with one of my best friends about her life. It was very emotional, philosophical and existential. I pray that my presence is of some help to her.

So that's all swirling around in my mind this Monday. Maybe I'll manage to get more work done in the office on Tuesday.

Another Step

I know that Trish was eager to find out.
We had our council meeting tonight and I officially announced my candidacy intentions, to a warm reception. A few "i knew it!"s....all positive stuff..even some discussion on financial support (as in they want to provide some), which is just a vote of support since I know that our finances are a little shakey.

Yup, so....we just need to finish the initial paper work and I'll be officially in the process (finally, right?).

Hitting The Bottles....

Oh my, my. Perhaps I've been living in a bubble....but I've not heard of the St. Luke Bottle Band which the Churchwide will be treated to this week.

Check out that link....and all the videos! I must move to IL so I can join the band!

Better than YouTube

So this week is the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Chicago. I've been following it, particularly the presiding bishop's re-election (go Bishop Mark!) When I remember and my work permits, I've been running the streaming video and mostly listening to it (I do have SOME work to do after all).

I hope someone puts together a highlight/blooper reel. Today I was working on something on one screen (i have two! ooo!)...and glanced over at the other where the video was running. Suddenly Bishop Mark ducked behind the podium (wah?)...dive bombed by a bird....which he preferred to refer to as 'doves of peace' and then in great comic timing he took a beat....and then dusted off Lowell Almen's head as if it had bird poop on it.

Oh, let me tell you....that lightened the afternoon in our dark, damp office for me. I hope it is a requirement that ALL bishops have a sense of humor. Our synod bishop does as well.

Oh....and I hope we can look up Lowell Almen giving instructions to the assembly on how to walk around the city without getting mugged...I can't recall enough to really give you the full effect....but his monotone/deadpan way of speaking (not knocking, that guy is cool!) just made it hillarious!

Hey look....

I've decided that I've been blogging long enough....so...for your viewing pleasure, my icon is now changed to an artistically obscured image of moi.

Enjoy.

Mayonnaise is Funny

Well, I think today's service went quite well.
Thankfully the humidity and temperature dropped off quick overnight....so, wearing an alb in our non air conditioned sanctuary was not as uncomfortable as it could've been!

I think the sermon came out okay, I didn't really have a lot of time to work on it...but I got a lot of compliments from all sorts of parishoners. I just have to say,... people find mayonnaise to be funny...remember that for your next sermon.

I got a couple of comments from one or two people who I don't talk to as regularly to the effect of "oh, i think you missed your calling"...I nearly (and well probably just should have) said "i'm still young!". Especially since my candidacy will finally come up at our council meeting this week...and it's kinda the worst kept secret in the church among the overly active laypeople....especially since it's NOT a secret. I suppose I just like being coy with people....heh.

Well there you have it, a positive experience all around. I had to work Saturday night...so I'm a wee bit tired....my Sunday afternoon nap was interrupted by the phone ringing...booo :)