Sunday, June 28, 2009

Every Sunday morning I wake with the realisation that I won't be presiding at worship today, except my own. This morning there is the added thought that I am coming down to the wire to my departure for Mull, Iona and points beyond. I have one book sorted to go with me (I'm trying to travel light!), 2 knitting projects (I find knitting meditative - well, most of the time!), and now it really does come down to not how many clothes do I need, but how few will do???? I have two days to answer that question, and I'm continually reminded that we tend to take too much. But then, of course, I think - but 30 days!!!! This is another discipline, and I keep shifting. We'll see if discipline wins out.

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 62:1-65:17

June 27, 2009

Scripture reading for Today: Isaiah 58:9-61:11

June 26, 2009

Today's scripture reading: Isaiah 54:12-58:8

Today's Reading: Isaiah 51:2-54:11

"Home"

While I was in Waterloo, I met a woman who is the minister of a Mennonite congregation in northern Ontario. She told us that their previous minister had been in declining health and she had helped him with his pastoral responsibilities, ensuring that congregation was nurtured when he was unable to do so.

After he left the congregation she was meeting with an area officer of the Mennonite church and they were discussing the responsibilities she had undertaken and her feelings about what she had been doing. From that conversation flowed a process that led to her being ordained as a minister to that congregation. She did online studies (distance education sure has changed in the past 20 years!) to deepen her education and help her prepare for a broader range of responsibilities and expectations that came with ordination , but she was raised up from within her congregation to be in ministry with that congregation. She told us that her license specifies that she is ordained to minister to that congregation and only that congregation.

We have a similar process. It used to be the process that produced Lay Pastoral Ministers (in Training, initially, but when the training was complete, the "in Training" would be removed.) Now we call them designated lay pastoral ministers. Now we call them Designated Lay Ministers and it is unlikely that they will be ministers to the congregations from which they come. They too rise from within the congregation, but more usually, they work with a congregation not their own, and they are unlikely to return to home in a ministerial capacity.

You could even say that that is where commissioned and ordained ministers begin. We are all recommended by our home congregations. Without the blessing and endorsement of our home church we cannot go forward. But unlike those others, one of the requirements, at least to date, is that when we are ordained we go, not back to those who nurtured us, but to wherever the church has need of us. We can have input into that placement, but it is extremely unlikely that we will return to our "home" church. It's this process that has seen our former intern, Cathy, move to Newfoundland as she begins her life as an ordained minister of the United Church of Canada.

But even if we returned "home", our church structure deems that it is no longer our home. Once ordained our membership, our "home congregation" is presbytery. It is there that our membership now rests, not on the Roll of the sponsoring congregation. As I was reflecting on that reality I wondered who would actually choose that to be "home"? Who wants to call home a place where there seems to be dissension and fruitless discussion about issues that really don't impact our everyday life? I'm a bit jaded and jaundiced, but it seems to me that we've lost that sense of home which is so important to us.

They say that "home" and "family" are what today's post moderns are seeking. They want a place where they can turn for support and encouragement, which will challenge them when they go astray and celebrate with them when they succeed. They want something that equips them for today's realities and assures them that there is meaning and purpose, and that they can be in a real relationship with God, not simply a theologically correct one. They want a place that invites them into life, and the fulness of life.

If you're curious about what it is they are seeking, ask yourself, "What are the issues in your church today?" Range through all of the issues, both large and small with which we struggle.

Now, ask yourself, "What are the issues that keep you awake at night?" What is it that prompts brooding, or fretting? (And no, we won't beat you with the stick of 'faith' if you admit that you do have the occasional sleepless night!)

As you reflect on your answers to these two questions, ask yourself how many things were on both lists?

It is the general lack of points of interception that prompts the absent generation to remain absent. The questions that keep us awake at night are the questions that they want to see addressed.

"Moderns" main concern was "is it true?" They embraced an organised theology. Clergy were trained to be 'resident theologians'.

"Post Moderns" main concern is "does it work?" To them, if it doesn't work then it doesn't matter if it's true. If we don't reflect the life and teaching of Jesus in how we deal with life everyday, then they see no place for themselves in our midst.

Challenging questions for us to wrestle with, but an enriched life if we dare to embark upon the challenge. They want to see us as disciples, or apprentices, involved not in changing beliefs, but in changing lives. We have the resources. Do we dare to use them in new ways? Are we ready to become incarnational???? Are we ready to become apprentices? Are we ready to help them find a new family? A new home?

Reading for today: Isaiah 48:1-51:1

Reflections

What would it be like to be so full of gratitude that you felt compelled to give something back? Not because you had to, but because your heart was so full that all you wanted was to give. Gratitude is at the heart of discipleship.

That was the core of what we learned, debated and discussed during the "Creating Disciple Making Communities" course this past week.

We talked about how if we weren't comfortable with the word disciple we could substitute apprentice -- without Donald Trump. Because what Jesus did was to take on a group of apprentices and teach them how to be full fledged disciples in his physical absence.

We talked about how the traditional approach could be called the "vampire" church -- you know -- "we need new blood".

We laughed, we cried, and we squirmed as we discussed our pattern of being attractional churches, expecting others to come through our doors so that we might minister to them, rather than being incarnational churches, living our faith out in the world in such a way that people want what we have. (A wonderful illustration of "incarnational being" is in the movie "When Harry Met Sally" in the restaurant scene. Remember???? That's where Sally says she often fakes "it", and Harry denies that any woman could convincingly fake "it", so Sally goes ahead and gives an amazing demonstration, right there in the restaurant, attracting a fair amount of attention. When she is finished, an older woman at another table who has watched it all, says to her server: "I want what she has." That's being incarnational! Oh, and if you need to ask what "it" is, leave me a message!)

There is so much that I would like to share and so much that I am still processing. It was stimulating and it was challenging, daring us to dream new and bigger dreams, daring us to venture into a scary world beyond bricks and mortar, that acknowledges that something has to die in order for something new to grow. And so much of it challenges the way we've always done things, daring us to live our faith and in faith, rather than subscribing to a host of 'correct' beliefs.

No doubt you'll be hearing more as I ponder. But I wanted to pull some of our resources out to start you thinking.

Following Jesus

Two thousand years ago Jesus turned the world upside down by ignoring politics and institutional leverage and gathering twelve losers around himself. He prepared these men to infiltrate their culture with a life giving message, a transformed lifestyle, and a burning desire to serve God with every ounce of capacity they possessed -- or die in the process. It was an improbably strategy but it worked. The passion of Jesus' disciples was contagious. Without buildings, budgets, programs, curricula or mass media, they built the foundations for what has become the world's most prolific faith group. Can you think of any reason why the modern church cannot have as much or greater impact as that small band of early believers?

From Growing True Disciples by George Barna, Waterbook Press, Colorado Springs, 2001 Page 12

Something to think about!

Today's scripture: Isaiah 40:15-42:14

Update!

We've been kept pretty much on the hop here. No time for blogging - but lots of thoughts overflowing -- I just need time to sort them into some semblance of order - I'll be sharing them shortly.

This morning, shortly before 6, I realised that I could hear drumming and chanting. I wondered if it were a figment of my imagination, but standing at the window, I could hear it more distinctly, though wherever the drummer was, they were out of my line of vision. It was a delightful welcome to the day. There's a group from Kairos also meeting on campus (saw the signs directing them to the Conference Centre), so perhaps this was part of their programme. Whatever the reason, I enjoyed it.

I wanted to update the photos, but yesterday morning my camera batteries were dead, and this morning it was raining (a leftover from yesterday afternoon). But it cleared by lunchtime, though there are still dark clouds around. So here are some photo updates:
That's just outside the dining room/cafeteria. (Did I mention that this is the Mennonite church college????? You do know about Mennonites and cooking, don't you? The meals have been wonderful!)


Conrad Grebel Univerity College viewed from the path that leads to the university campus.

Across Laurel Creek to campus.


The classroom during lunch break -- proof that some of us were actually in the Great Hall for the sessions (or at least could find out way during lunch break!)

Class is about to resume so I'll post later. And probably not before tomorrow, or perhaps even not till Saturday I'll try to share more of the content of the course and/or some of the thoughts it has inspired. It seems to me that this could be an effective way of communicating when I'm not available in person, to keep us up to date and on track with what could possibly influence our future.

Waterloo!

Waterloo, Waterloo, where will you meet your Waterloo????

We're in Waterloo, bunked down in the residence at Conrad Grebel University College, the Mennonite church college affiliated with the University of Waterloo. Our course begins at 9 this morning, so we came yesterday and got settled in -- couldn't face a long early morning drive followed by class from 9 to 5. Took a picture from our window -- please bear with me since the screen and the sun were playing games this morning. I'll try again later, but in the meantime ....That's the university library in the distance. When I was a student here (back in the dark ages!) the rumour was that the library was sinking by inches each year because the architect hadn't included the weight of the books in his calculations. It's still here, and still above ground some 30+ years later, so I guess they were wrong!

Guess where we'll be eating lunch? Those tables are right outside the cafeteria at Conrad Grebel (or Grebel, at they seem to call it -- we used to call it Connie G). The cafeteria is directly below the residence rooms -- handy location!

The building in the background is St. Paul's, the United Church affiliated college and my former home away from home.

And now, it's time to get ready for breakfast!

Today's reading: Isaiah 26:5-29:1

The View from a Tractor

I took a break from reading "The Shack" to visit and have lunch with friends. It truly is a blessing to be able to have the time to relax into a visit, and before I left I was invited to tour the farm -- from the tractor's second seat. I've never been on a tractor before in my life, let alone ridden in one. It was an experience! I said that sabbatical time is an opportunity to do things I've never done before, and this was certainly one of those! It is an interesting adventure and the vantage point is certainly different, especially when driving along the side of a hill! I confess that I held on for dear life when we left the road, drove down into the ditch and up into the field. And then again when we moved up the side of a hill toward a pond. Actually, I never truly let go! Oh and George thinks it's important that I mention that the tractor is green and yellow -- which farmer types will identify readily as a particular make. Initials JD. My only regret - and a belated one at that, was that I didn't take my camera with me so I have no photo of this momentous ride!

I'm glad I went. I was happy to see all that there was to see and to absorb some of the information that was shared with me -- even though I didn't (couldn't!) retain it all. Sorry, George! It also gave me a better perspective on at least one of the work experiences of many of our farmers. I'm told that the driver's seat is much more comfortable than the jump seat -- I certainly hope so, and since George wasn't holding on, I believe it -- and also that you become more comfortable with the whole experience of up and down, and knowing what you can safely do when riding/driving one of these monsters. It certainly expanded my horizons -- in every sense of the word. Thanks, George!

After my visit I returned to reading and finished my encounter with The Shack. As I said previously, I do recommend it. As C.S. Lewis did before him, Wm. Paul Young shares his understanding (or, "literally" that of his friend Mack) of God, the nature of God, the Trinity, and our relationship with God, all in an easily readable book.

Today's reading: Isaiah 6:6-9:5

June 9, 2009 -- Happy Birthday!

One of the great gifts of this sabbatical is that it has enabled me to celebrate birthdays with two friends with whom such things are not normally possible. One birthday is June 9 and the other, a significant 65th! is on Sunday, June 14th. So it was doubly special that we could get together for conversation, catching up, and dinner together.

Earlier in the day I read from a book I'd brought along -- not one listed at the side, but another one which was loaned to me by yet another friend, which had languished on my night table till now. It's a popular book, and I had the feeling that I was among the last to read it. It is "The Shack" by Wm. Paul Young.

You may or may not agree completely with his theology (I don't) but even if you don't I do believe that you will find truth and meaning within its covers and encourage you to visit your library and borrow a copy. Or do as I did and borrow a copy from a friend. I'll bet that you'll discover that many of them already have a copy.

Reading for today was: Isaiah 3:8-6:5

Monday, June 8, 2009

My first day of the official sabbatical time. I started my morning with reading from the prophets. The daily readings are designed to take me through all the writings of the prophets during the three months of my sabbatical time. No one made any suggestions about what I should choose to read, and when I checked out the poetry suggestion and discovered we began with Job, I chose to stay with my original choice of the Prophets.

This morning's reading was taken from Isaiah, and for someone who has just begun this time with a joyful heart, it was a dour enough beginning. I read from Chapter 1 verse 1 to Chapter 3 verse 7 -- enough expressions of God's disappointment to give me pause. but I'm looking forward to the glorious promises that lie ahead -- both in the scriptures and in my sabbatical plans!

Sunday, June 7, 2009

It finally arrived! My last service before sabbatical, the lighting of the sabbatical candles, and, with the closing of the worship service, the beginning of my actual sabbatical.

We lit two candles during the service, one to stay behind with the congregation of Lincoln Road United Church:

And I would solicit any and all prayers during this sabbatical time, not only on Sundays.

The other candle we lit will travel with me:

And I will do the same for you! Not only on Sundays but when I look at the candle with me, it will remind me of those at home, and inspire my prayers.

Map Link

Since I fought such a valiant battle with Weebly, I'm curious now to see if I can post this ink here. This should take you to a map of the journey from Glasgow to Iona.

You know, that was so easy it's almost scary. It makes me wonder why Weebly is so highly recommended. Obviously other folks have different requirements. But I could have saved myself the photos of maps .... oh well, live and learn!

Last service this morning, and then the true sabbatical adventure begins!

Equipment Update!

I heard from The Community of Iona last week, with travel information, and a list of things we need to bring, so I've been off shopping. I now have "wet weather gear" aka 'a rain suit' aka waterproof over-trousers and accompanying jacket, hiking shoes that provide good ankle support (required if you want to do the 7(!) mile pilgrimage [a good friend said there was a reason 'grim' was in the middle of the word!] and I think I will want to do whatever is offered.)

I've started walking in the hiking shoes to get both of us broken in. It's a challenge to prepare for the pilgrimage on an island that has rocks and rugged terrain when you live in an area that is flatter than the Prairies. But at least I'll be used to walking longer distances than from my car to the church.

My BritRail Flexi-Pass has arrived, making it just that little bit more real. My friend in England and I have been lining up where we will connect when I leave Lindisfarne and head to West Sussex.

This is my final week at the church before the official beginning of my sabbatical time. The adventure is at hand -- and it still doesn't seem quite real. But the details are being looked after one by one. And after our worship service on Sunday -- it begins!