Many of us take time at the end of each year to look back, reflect, think over the good, the bad, the ugly. Today is December 28th and it's that time of the year.
Let's see. 2021. Somehow 2020 runs into 2021, but I will do my best to focus solely on 2021.
Clergy Convocation was online in February. The focus was on Sabbath rest.
My first residency for the Spiritual Direction program was online in April. They did a superb job of connecting us in worship, in sending us to our different groups, and bringing us back together for our sessions.
I continued preaching solely online until Pentecost Sunday, May 23rd, on which we began our both/and services on in person and online worship.
Lots of hiking, bicycling, and walking allowed for outdoor time throughout the year.
Highlights of the year:
*getting to know some of the community folks in St. Elmo through the "Sparkle St. Elmo" clean up day
*putting together a "Stations of the Cross" for St. Elmo UMC and community, using St. Elmo Ave. and the Virginia Greenway as the path
*an anniversary get-away in March
*my brother got married in April
*representing for PFLAG Athens in June at MooFest
*glamping in our friends' backyard in August
*getting to go to Chautauqua Institution over the summer to be chaplain at the Methodist House for a week.
*preaching a series on faith and mental health, loosely based on my friend Steve's book, Hiding in the Pews. I say "loosely" because I picked four themes and Scriptures to go with them, and chose some quotes from the chapters to go along.
*attending a 5 Day Academy in NC in October
*Trunk or Treat and goin all out with the Sponge Bob theme for my car
*attending an in-person residency for the Spiritual Direction program for the first time on the Columbia Theological Seminary campus in November
*offering an Advent study and preaching series from God Broke Through at Christmas
*participating in the St. Elmo Luminaria and Stroll by providing caroling and hot chocolate at St. Elmo UMC
*offering a 'come and go' Longest Night Service for people who wanted/needed time and space for quiet, reflection, and prayer
*Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
*spending lots of quality time with our "kids" when they were in town, cooking dinner together, eating outdoors at restaurants
*being able to see my parents at my home and at theirs
My writing this past year hasn't been as constant as I would like for it to have been. I haven't written any Haikus recently. I need time, energy, and space to write. Most of my writing tends to be encouraging thoughts / posts on my Instagram/Facebook pages that are written during my morning quiet times.
My CEUs (continuing education units) have focused on how to do ministry during an ongoing pandemic, discipleship, enhancing ZOOM skills, Sabbath, doing creative ministry, etc.
There has been much loss in 2021. Loss of life primarily. I have walked with many as they said goodbye to their loved ones. Though that isn't an easy journey, it is a big part of my calling and one that is sacred.
Walking with others, no matter their path, is a part of my calling that is life giving. Listening to others share their journey, asking questions, sharing my journey, allowing the Divine to meet us where we are-- all of it is sacred.
There is probably more that I'm not remembering about 2021. I'm doing this from my memories and that doesn't always cover everything.
Of course there is Cliff (our dog). And Charlie being home for both the summer and now Christmas vacation. Charlie home for the summer was a big part of our family cooking sessions and gatherings.
As 2021 comes to a close and 2022 will begin sooner than later, I wonder what adventures are ahead.
Whatever the adventures may be on the journey, I'm looking forward to sharing life with others and to making the best of whatever comes.
Peace to all as the new year comes,
Rev. Deb
Some photos from 2021:
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