Change

Reformation Sunday - interesting that it hits mid autumn, the season of change.

Change has been on my mind so much

how to change dynamics of place, of relationships.

so often I say ' the only one who likes change is a baby with a dirty diaper"

What did it mean for those early Reformers to change everything? Giving up everything that was safe and expected for God, isn't that what we are all called to do as Christians?

'to everything change change change, there is a season , change change change

and a time for every purpose under heaven'

September mornings

FALL! Where did summer go? Did we have summer? Already mornings are filled with ,where is my bookbag, what's for snack, brush your hair, look at the backup on the Blvd! By the time I get home from the school drop off it has been a very busy morning indeed.
The church year starts in earnest this Sunday, of course before 10 a.m I have to make a bulletin board with information about the Confirmation class, figure out what to buy for the celebration BBQ, Make sure all the arrangements have been made for the games and prizes for contest winners, get both confirmation class assignments ready, get most precious daughter ready for her TKD belt test,go to anniversary dinner for parishioner and oh yeah finish the worship service....
I wonder if other women clergy find themselves moving through life at a breakneck speed?

Sickness

Very tough couple of days, although I tried very much to keep going , seems finally my body had other ideas, fever and a host of other things. Interesting how sometimes no matter how hard we try to push ourselves ultimately the wondrous thing about our bodies is that our will doesn't have the final say.
Sometimes what we need is sleep , or rest at the very least.
Its tough for Pastor's to grant themselves rest , we don't do downtime very well.
There is always something more to do, someone who ,( we think) needs us , or will criticize us , or ___________you fill in the blank!
So a day of Gatorade and Water , some cinnamon toast and sleep have done the trick . "Slow down you move to fast " so went the song.. yes indeed the prescription of many people i know.

The Cycle of Abuse - Information here for all

The Cycle of Abuse

Summer Sundays

Summer is a rather unusal time at church, generally there are no kids with the exception of Hannah, no choir, LOTS of people away on vacation. Its a more informal time, a time to really be family, brothers and sisters in Christ.
I often think we are closest to the real meaning of church as the freinds and families gather at the entrance to the sanctuary, I hear the laughter , and see the hugs and words of concern and comfort. Yes that looks much more like the church that Jesus had in mind. Caring , laughing , crying with one another just because we share the faith.

One Month

To sit with family members as they hold vigil at the hospital is a profound experience. I have been witness to great love and a few times great denial.
There are times that I wish I didn't observe so much , because there are times when I know that the patient/loved one is leaving before the family accepts it and so silence on my part is called for until they understand.

I always leave thinking I have got to live my life better, be more physically fit, spend more time with the ones who are important to me , etc etc and yet life goes on as always , and I go on as always .

Maybe its the acceptance of the life you have and truly living 'in' it, not trying to live some other version of your life.

Blessings

summer vacation

Vacation is over and its back to work, already thinking about the fall and new sunday school curriculm and rally sunday. Doesn't seem like summer has even started!
Family Reunion is soon , 200 plus relatives in one place , now THAT will be interesting!
I'm anxiously awaiting my grades from the summer intensives that I took at Drew , deja vu all over again!

I hope all our plans for the Living Your Faith Camp do come to pass! Classis didn't give us the funds we asked for , only a portion I sure hope its enough, need to bath this with LOTS of prayer!

I've been reading One Month to Live, and wondering if we could use this as our congregational bible study for the fall, not sure , the web site for journaling etc is not as user friendly as I hoped. I will continue to search!
Blessings
PD