Our interim senior pastor (Eric Ottum) is leaving Central after 9.5 months here. We're getting a new senior pastor (Glenn Peterson) next week. How exciting!
We had a staff lunch/potluck today to wish Eric the best. One of our traditions as a staff is to write each other bad poetry as a sign of affection at birthdays, welcomes and farewells.
"Bad" poetry is defined as that written in a few minutes before the event is to take place. It should also be, obviously, bad.
Here's the haiku I wrote for today:
Mortimer in hand
Teaching God's love to the kids
Can you hold my mouth?
He's Pastor Awesome
Nine month passes quickly by
We are glad you came.
Thanks, Pr Eric!!!
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Daily mantra
This morning, my yoga teacher asked us to select one sentence that would serve as our mantra today.
In my head, I said: "Be in the present moment."
Not sure where that came from, but it seems to easy to slip into worry about the past or anxiety about the future.
Just being in the present moment means enjoying what God has given us RIGHT NOW and trusting that there will be enough.
I need to remind myself of this at least 20 times a day.....
BE IN THE PRESENT MOMENT
In my head, I said: "Be in the present moment."
Not sure where that came from, but it seems to easy to slip into worry about the past or anxiety about the future.
Just being in the present moment means enjoying what God has given us RIGHT NOW and trusting that there will be enough.
I need to remind myself of this at least 20 times a day.....
BE IN THE PRESENT MOMENT
Monday, August 20, 2007
Pula from Heaven
One of our Central parishioners (Sami Oeser) is serving in the Peace Corps in Botswana in HIV/AIDS education.
Just received an email from her discussing scarcity of water in Botswana. In the native language Setswana, the word "pula" means "currency" and "rain." It is also a general term for blessings.
This is interesting to me...money and rain are the same word. It's been crazy-raining here in AK the last few days and cramping my hiking style. What if I saw these raindrops as precious as money?
Just received an email from her discussing scarcity of water in Botswana. In the native language Setswana, the word "pula" means "currency" and "rain." It is also a general term for blessings.
This is interesting to me...money and rain are the same word. It's been crazy-raining here in AK the last few days and cramping my hiking style. What if I saw these raindrops as precious as money?
Thursday, August 16, 2007
I Heart My Job
Another pastor asked me recently to tell her the Top 10 most exciting things about my job. I actually enjoyed generating the list.
Any clergy out there reading this, what would be on YOUR list?
• Being with people in grief. Hospital visits. Funerals.
• Weekly text studies. Interactions with colleagues.
• Simplicity of Lutheran sacraments. It’s all about what God has already done!
• Helping people see the Bible as a living, relevant Word.
• The prophets. Enough said.
• Preaching grace, grace, grace.
• Being present in communities, especially lower socio-economic areas.
• Working with young adults. Offering church that meets them where they are.
• Dialogue on hard stuff: life, death, grief, loss, evil in self/world, etc.
• Exploring spirituality as an essential part of human experience.
Any clergy out there reading this, what would be on YOUR list?
• Being with people in grief. Hospital visits. Funerals.
• Weekly text studies. Interactions with colleagues.
• Simplicity of Lutheran sacraments. It’s all about what God has already done!
• Helping people see the Bible as a living, relevant Word.
• The prophets. Enough said.
• Preaching grace, grace, grace.
• Being present in communities, especially lower socio-economic areas.
• Working with young adults. Offering church that meets them where they are.
• Dialogue on hard stuff: life, death, grief, loss, evil in self/world, etc.
• Exploring spirituality as an essential part of human experience.
Fun fact o' the day
From Religion News Weekly...
"More than two-thirds of young adults stopped attending Protestant churches regularly for at least year when whey were between the ages of 18 and 22, a new study by LifeWay Research shows."
"More than two-thirds of young adults stopped attending Protestant churches regularly for at least year when whey were between the ages of 18 and 22, a new study by LifeWay Research shows."
Monday, August 13, 2007
Sermon on conflict and sexuality
I dislike conflict. I dislike preaching on it even more. Still, in light of the recent decisions of the ELCA's churchwide assembly, and the fact that for our congregation we used a text on Aug. 12 about conflict, I couldn't avoid it.
I preached a sermon on Aug. 12 about conflict. I also talked about homosexuality from the pulpit, the "third rail" of ministry at Central. I did not take any sides, because it's not about sides. It's about learning to live together despite our inevitable differences. It's about not running from conflict but entering into it in thoughtful ways.
For those in church on Sunday, thanks for listening. I'd love to hear your feedback, even if, or maybe especially, if you didn't agree.
For those who missed chuch on Sunday, I'll post a copy of my sermon online as soon as I can figure out how.... :)
I preached a sermon on Aug. 12 about conflict. I also talked about homosexuality from the pulpit, the "third rail" of ministry at Central. I did not take any sides, because it's not about sides. It's about learning to live together despite our inevitable differences. It's about not running from conflict but entering into it in thoughtful ways.
For those in church on Sunday, thanks for listening. I'd love to hear your feedback, even if, or maybe especially, if you didn't agree.
For those who missed chuch on Sunday, I'll post a copy of my sermon online as soon as I can figure out how.... :)
Lutherans talk homosexuality
Lutherans made the national news this weekend. Here's why you should care.
The ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) met in a churchwide assembly this past week in Chicago. There were 1068 voting members, including a mix of lay and clergy voters.
Among other things, they discussed issues around Lutheran pastors who are gay/lesbian and in relationships.
The assembly voted 538 to 432 to "encourage the ELCA's synods, bishops and presiding bishop to "refrain from or demonstrate restraint in disciplining" people and congregations who call qualified leaders on the professional rosters of the ELCA "who are in a mutual, chaste and faithful, committed, same-gender relationship." “
Background, Jargon explained, Theological implications, Congregational implcations and Wider implications to follow.
Background: ELCA gay/lesbian pastors are required to be celibate. Those who chose to be in relationships are subject to removal from the roster. However, some congregations and bishops have elected not to discipline such pastors.
Jargon explained: The assembly this weekend encouraged congregations and bishops to refrain from discipline. Let gay/lesbian pastors in relationships continue to serve.
Theological implications: None, really. No theological statements were made. The assembly did not assert that homosexuality was wrong nor did it give its blessing. It only asked for permission to "bend" the rules while the ELCA and its members keep studying this issue.
Congregational implications: If your pastor is not gay/lesbian, this doesn't change a thing. If your congregation doesn't want to call a gay/lebian pastor, you don't have to. If your congregation has a gay/lesbian pastor, you may get to keep him/her.
Wider implcations: The ELCA is a diverse body with myriad viewpoints. While I recognize the debates around homosexuality have been very divisive, they also teach us how to disagree and stay in relationship. We are ALWAYS going to have disagreements. As a denomination, we're learning how to take tough issues head on. We're learning we can state our thoughts and feelings and still love someone with the opposite point of view.
I HOPE we learn that while this is an important conversation, there are things that are EVEN more important. Our common grounding in God's love and how we share that love...that's the real news story.
The ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) met in a churchwide assembly this past week in Chicago. There were 1068 voting members, including a mix of lay and clergy voters.
Among other things, they discussed issues around Lutheran pastors who are gay/lesbian and in relationships.
The assembly voted 538 to 432 to "encourage the ELCA's synods, bishops and presiding bishop to "refrain from or demonstrate restraint in disciplining" people and congregations who call qualified leaders on the professional rosters of the ELCA "who are in a mutual, chaste and faithful, committed, same-gender relationship." “
Background, Jargon explained, Theological implications, Congregational implcations and Wider implications to follow.
Background: ELCA gay/lesbian pastors are required to be celibate. Those who chose to be in relationships are subject to removal from the roster. However, some congregations and bishops have elected not to discipline such pastors.
Jargon explained: The assembly this weekend encouraged congregations and bishops to refrain from discipline. Let gay/lesbian pastors in relationships continue to serve.
Theological implications: None, really. No theological statements were made. The assembly did not assert that homosexuality was wrong nor did it give its blessing. It only asked for permission to "bend" the rules while the ELCA and its members keep studying this issue.
Congregational implications: If your pastor is not gay/lesbian, this doesn't change a thing. If your congregation doesn't want to call a gay/lebian pastor, you don't have to. If your congregation has a gay/lesbian pastor, you may get to keep him/her.
Wider implcations: The ELCA is a diverse body with myriad viewpoints. While I recognize the debates around homosexuality have been very divisive, they also teach us how to disagree and stay in relationship. We are ALWAYS going to have disagreements. As a denomination, we're learning how to take tough issues head on. We're learning we can state our thoughts and feelings and still love someone with the opposite point of view.
I HOPE we learn that while this is an important conversation, there are things that are EVEN more important. Our common grounding in God's love and how we share that love...that's the real news story.
What young adults think about church
A few 20-something women associated with Central meet regularly for Bible Study. I recently asked them what they like/dislike about church. See if you agree with them :) Let me know what you'd add!
What I don’t like about church…
Don’t mix politics and religion: “Tell me principles and let me decide.”
Hell-fire and brimstone: “I want to come to God out of love, not fear.”
They expect you to know Bible stuff, please explain!
Perception of church-goers as “blindly” believing anything
Peer pressure
Brainwashing
No focus on service or mission
Forced touching: holding hands, shaking hands, hugs
Encouraging people to live a “bubble” instead of real life
What I like about church…
Singing together
Realistic and practical applications
Uplifting
Keeps me accountable
Caring community
Good sermons that education: history, propose theories, motivate
Religious and biblical history and background
Intergenerational
Feeling safe
What I don’t like about church…
Don’t mix politics and religion: “Tell me principles and let me decide.”
Hell-fire and brimstone: “I want to come to God out of love, not fear.”
They expect you to know Bible stuff, please explain!
Perception of church-goers as “blindly” believing anything
Peer pressure
Brainwashing
No focus on service or mission
Forced touching: holding hands, shaking hands, hugs
Encouraging people to live a “bubble” instead of real life
What I like about church…
Singing together
Realistic and practical applications
Uplifting
Keeps me accountable
Caring community
Good sermons that education: history, propose theories, motivate
Religious and biblical history and background
Intergenerational
Feeling safe
Blackle
I'm just old enough, I think, to be mostly useless when it comes to technology. Perhaps I'm not learning fast enough?
Anyway, when my sister Lorna was here, I learned all about Facebook, DSL and how I need to learn to buy some kind of cord for my camera to get the photos off of it. I still haven't mastered this yet. Scary, isn't it?
But one of the best things she taught me was about the Web site called Blackle. Since Google is an all-white screen, it costs in KW energy. So the designers started a Google site with a black screen. It't the exact same search engine, just saves energy.
No, I am not working for Google :)
Check it out at www.blackle.com
They'll even tell you how much energy is saved...
Anyway, when my sister Lorna was here, I learned all about Facebook, DSL and how I need to learn to buy some kind of cord for my camera to get the photos off of it. I still haven't mastered this yet. Scary, isn't it?
But one of the best things she taught me was about the Web site called Blackle. Since Google is an all-white screen, it costs in KW energy. So the designers started a Google site with a black screen. It't the exact same search engine, just saves energy.
No, I am not working for Google :)
Check it out at www.blackle.com
They'll even tell you how much energy is saved...
Saturday, August 11, 2007
About families
I just put my sister on an airplane. Lorna stayed with me for 5 weeks here in Alaska. She's 20 and will be a junior at Wartburg College in Iowa. Alaska is the farthest she's traveled from home, the longest time away from my parents.
I miss her already.
It's interesting, I think, that while I rest in the bittersweetness of time well spent and saying goodbye, I'm getting ready to preach a challenging sermon tomorrow about division within families.
Jesus says that his word will divide, and cause families to react against each other. Must the word of God always affect our most cherished relationships this way?
I miss her already.
It's interesting, I think, that while I rest in the bittersweetness of time well spent and saying goodbye, I'm getting ready to preach a challenging sermon tomorrow about division within families.
Jesus says that his word will divide, and cause families to react against each other. Must the word of God always affect our most cherished relationships this way?
Friday, August 10, 2007
Success
I'm working on getting better at random blogging....
Overheard today during a church meeting:
"Success has 1000 fathers."
What do you think that means?
Overheard today during a church meeting:
"Success has 1000 fathers."
What do you think that means?
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