A reflection on paths, spurred by quotes and memories

 This quote that I wrote 8 years ago showed up in my memories a few days back:

"When faced with an overgrown path between yourself and a destination, look closely for the hidden worn path of travelers gone before and follow their steps. If no such step or opening exists, it may be time to forge the path for others. ~d" [July 25, 2014]

I wrote these words based on what I saw on the property of Christ the King Retreat Center in Buffalo, MN that year. The overgrown path had captured my attention. These words continue to ring true for me. I have followed the path of many who have led the way and I have forged paths at times.

As I reflect on this quote and some of the paths I have forged, I recognize that Bamboo Encounter is one such path that I have both followed others and forged. I followed leaders and learned from them and then forged a path that was given to me in my setting.

I am grateful for all those in the Wild Church Network that taught me and continue to teach me about Wild Churches. I am grateful for the Holy Spirit that put the idea within me and allowed it to become a reality. I have written about how Bamboo Encounter a couple of times:

Bamboo Encounter-- a nudge is becoming a reality (February 7, 2019)

Bamboo Encounter's first outdoor service-- May 25 (May 25, 2019)

There are a few more blog posts about Bamboo Encounter, but mostly you can learn about it from the link above that takes you to its Facebook page.

This week Bamboo Encounter was the "feature" wild church and that was cool.  Here is that post.  Wild Church Network FB page.

Another recent memory reminds me that many people who have walked the path have been there for me and now I walk that path with and for others.

A sign that says "Charlie's Garden" at the Cenacle in Houston, TX captured my attention. 

Here is what I wrote about that sign just this week on July 27:

"This sign. This memory. Forever a marker in my journey of Creator God's grace, compassion, and love. Unexpected, sent-me-to-my-knees attention getter, reminding me that I can breathe in and out, that I can trust the One who created Charlie." #grateful

From the memory that came up in 2020 on the same day, I had written: "Charlie's Garden. A sign at the Cenacle Center in Houston, Texas in 2016. It made my heart smile. I haven't often received literal signs of assurance, but that one summer when I needed it the most, it was there. During a retreat on compassion. Oh how that sign sent me to my knees that moment, yet how Creator God spoke words of hope, peace, comfort, and encouragement through it. Grateful for the love and guidance of the One who knows me best, the One who created me, the One who created Charlie."

I've written a blog post about that sign and names. You can find it here: Thoughts about names.

We are all in community, connected, working together, as Ram Dass says, 'to walk each other home.'

I am grateful for those who have gone before me and for those who accompany me along the many adventures.

The adventurous journey continues!

Rev. Deb

Bamboo Encounter-- February 22nd

This past Saturday was Bamboo Encounter day, the 4th Saturday of the month.  Five of us gathered in the bamboo for our time of silence, Scripture, sharing, and Holy Communion.  It was a beautiful clear day and the being in the space of the bamboo did not disappoint.  My spirit was refreshed from the time of worship in community in that space.


I am grateful to Joel, who led the January service so that I could attend the Resurrection weekend with the youth.  What I regret is not being there to have heard what he had to share.  I look forward to him leading another time when I can be in attendance.

Here are some pictures from yesterday's time in the bamboo, along with the worship service.

Take a moment to read over the Scriptures and the poem by Wendell Berry and reflect on them.  Picture yourself in the midst of the bamboo from the pictures.  Though it's not the same as being there because you don't feel the breeze nor can you hear the bamboo clacking against each other, you can picture the cathedral ceiling cover above you.

Bamboo Encounter is part of the Wild Church Network.  We meet at Reflection Riding, on land that is native to the Cherokee and is part of the Lookout Creek watershed.

Opening Prayer:

Lord, the air smells good today,

straight from the mysteries

within the inner courts of God.

A grace like new clothes thrown across the garden.

free medicine for everybody.

The trees in their prayer, the birds in praise,

the first blue violets kneeling.

Whatever came from Being is caught up in being,

drunkenly forgetting the way back.

RUMI

Scripture and readings:

Psalm 96:12

“Let all of the trees of the forest sing for joy.” (NIV)

“Let the trees of the forest rustle with praise.” (NLT—New Living Translation)

Isaiah 55:12

“For you shall go out in joy and be led back in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.”

"Woods" by Wendell Berry

“I part the out thrusting branches

and come in beneath

the blessed and the blessing trees.

Though I am silent

There is singing around me.

Though I am dark

there is vision around me.

Though I am heavy

there is flight around me.”          

     ~Wendell Berry

Communion Passage:

Matthew 26: 26-28 (MSG)

^26-28 During the meal, Jesus took and blessed the bread, broke it, and gave it to his disciples:

Take, eat.          
This is my body.

Taking the cup and thanking God, he gave it to them:

Drink this, all of you.
This is my blood,
God’s new covenant poured out for many people
    for the forgiveness of sins.

Song: 

Day by Day (Godspell)

Day by day
Oh Dear Lord
Three things I pray
To see thee more clearly
Love thee more dearly
Follow thee more nearly
Day by day

Blessing:  

(from Earth Gospel: A Guide to Prayer for God’s Creation by Sam Hamilton-Poore, p. 101)

                                                                                                                   

May Christ open your eyes

that you may see the light of creation.

May Christ open your ears

that you may hear the song of the earth.

May Christ open your heart

that you may give and receive love.

~SHP

Pictures by me:

Pictures by Joel Tippens:

May the bamboo bring you as much peace as it does me,

Rev. Deb

Resources: 

Spirit of Trees (a blog full of resources and writings on trees)

For the Beauty of the Earth, a Lenten Devotional, by Leah Schade

Earth Prayers

Reviewing 2019

Pentecost 2019, me and the retired guy :)

New Year's Eve is a time that allows us to think back over the past year and look forward to the new one.  As I reflect back on 2019, there were lots of celebrations and transitions, new beginnings and adventures.

In the beginning of 2019 I launched the FB page for Bamboo Encounter, preparing for the first service to be held in May.  Bamboo Encounter meets the 4th Saturday of every month and has been a great addition to 2019.

I went to Blue Ridge in February for a girls weekend, though for me it was a one-nighter.  I did my first hike since my hip replacement the previous June and that was a big accomplishment for me.

For Ash Wednesday, I participated with a colleague in doing Ashes to Go / Cenizas para el camino at a local market in Spanish.  That was neat to be able to do.

In March, Riley and I went on our first cruise and celebrated 15 years together.  The cruise was with a childhood friend and her husband, who were celebrating 30 years.  The cruise and the trips were a fun adventure.  We visited Hell in Grand Cayman, a highlight for this pastor. :)

In May, our son Charlie graduated from high school, having earned the John Philip Sousa award in band.  Graduation was a special time marked with family.

During the summer we went to Sinsinawa, Wisconsin for a Wild Church Network retreat/conference.  It was the first of its kind.  It was wonderful for me to meet others connected to the Wild Church Network and to catch up with 2 folks I knew from FUMSDRL/HOF (Fellowship of United Methodist Spiritual Directors and Retreat Leaders/Hearts on Fire).

At Annual Conference in June, I was officially appointed to my 2nd appointment, St. Elmo UMC, which I began officially on July 7th, having done a soft start a little earlier to get my feet wet.

I participated in the Honeybee Metric Ride again this past year as a honeybee at a rest stop.  It was my 3rd year to be a honeybee.  I enjoy getting to cheer on the riders.

I went to the Wild Goose Festival for the first time during the summer and gave out hugs as part of the Mama Bear Den and Free Mom Hugs.  I attended some sessions and met lots of great people.  I got fairy hair from "Spark the Fairy" booth on the last day, July 14 and I still have a few pieces of fairy hair left over.  That has been a super conversation starter as folks wonder what the blue things are in my hair. :)

I attended ELMC 2019, a Hispanic training offered by the Episcopal Church at Sewanee in August.  It was a great CEU opportunity, as well as getting to meet like-minded folks who were part of the program.  A highlight was visited El Refugio at Stewart Detention center.  I chose El Refugio as my birthday fund raiser and was able to raise over $500 for them, thanks to friends and church folks.

Charlie began his freshman year at Watkins College in August, right before I headed to Sewanee.  With Charlie at college, we were now empty-nesters, though we still had Cliff.

Charlie had a super first semester at school and I made it through my first semester with him away. :)  A highlight was the Friday we took Cliff to Nashville to visit Charlie and we went to a great dog park.

2019 brought other transitions for me.  I had thought that transitioning from 3 churches and 3 communities to 1 church and 1 community would allow me to slow down a little.  I was wrong.  I haven't slowed down.  I've been pretty busy.  But it has been a good busy.  I'm still getting to know people and the community in which I serve.  I have a long way to go, but having listening sessions early on in the appointment helped. 

I used to post my sermons weekly in my first appointment, but I haven't had as much writing space, though I do post the audio weekly.  I haven't had much time for writing, period.  It takes time and energy and much of my time for writing has been sermon writing. 

Getting outdoors and into creation gives me life.  We learned of a new labyrinth that is part of the Lookout Mountain Conservancy.  That was a neat find.

Being at St. Elmo UMC these past 6 months has been life-giving.  A few of the activities that have been meaningful to me are: getting to participate in a Blessing of the Animals, giving out hugs at the Pride Festival, hosting a UMCNext conversation space at church, serving a Thanksgiving meal and giving out clothes, participating in the Cantata as the narrator, and experiencing my first Christmas Eve Candlelight service.

In the fall I applied to a spiritual direction program and was accepted.  That begins in the fall of 2020. 

As I reflect, I know I am leaving some things out (there were LOTS of things that happened this past year, like getting to visit my cousins Frank and Jonathan in Blue Ridge one day in the Spring, meeting Steve Austin and his family in Birmingham and then them coming here to Chattanooga, ETC.) 

Riley's first full year of retirement went by quickly.  Who knew that life outside of work would be so busy?!?!

I am grateful for all the connections and support, near and far, that have been part of my 2019.  From church folks, family, friends, book club, colleagues, fellow Mama Bears, etc.  THANK YOU for being part of my 2019.

I look forward to new adventures in 2020 in life and ministry.  I know there are more changes and transitions ahead.  I don't know what all the adventures or changes will be, but I hope to continue to "roll with it" as I've learned on Sunday mornings. 

My summer word was "wild" because of Wild Church Network and Wild Goose.  Things have been wild in some ways, but a very good wild.

I haven't picked a word for 2020 nor do I have any set goals yet. 

My plan is to live in the present, to walk with folks, to live, love, and lead like Jesus.

Peace on the adventures of 2020,

Debra

Bamboo Encounter-- December 28th

Today was the 8th meeting and the final meeting of 2019 of Bamboo Encounter, an outdoor worship service that is part of the Wild Church Network.  We had 11 people in the bamboo today, 3 of those were from out of town (2 from CA and 1 from KY-- all 3 with local ties).  Some of the regular folks were out of town and/or unable to attend.  For a Saturday during the holidays, it was a good-sized group of folks to hang out with in the bamboo.  The weather was warm for December.  No rain, though there were some clouds.  The sun did come out at some point.  There was a breeze today, so we were able to listen to the leaves blow and hear the bamboo clack a little.

The sharing time is always encouraging as different people share what's on their hearts and minds, reflecting on the readings or sharing what came to mind during the silence.  That always adds to our time.

Every Saturday, a quote is shared on the Bamboo Encounter FaceBook page.  Today's quote was by Katrina Mayer: "Time spent amongst trees is never wasted time."

That is how I feel about the time in the bamboo each month.  It is never wasted time for me as I enter into the bamboo.  I come out of my time in the bamboo more relaxed and more at peace than I went in.  Always.  I know that part of it is the physiological aspect of being covered by the trees.  Another part is the making time to slow down, to breathe, to be silent, to listen.

Below is the service for today, along with an additional reading from Ram Dass that came up during our sharing time after the silent reflection time.

Opening prayer (unison):

Let there be

respect for the earth

peace for its people

love in our lives

delight in the good

forgiveness for past wrongs

and from now on a new start.

(“The Millennium Resolution”, Churches Together in England, Earth Gospel, page 123)

Readings:

Psalm 104:3-4

“You ride on the wings of the wind, You make the winds your messengers.”

Quote by Thomas Merton:

“Let me seek, then, the gift of silence, and poverty, and solitude, where everything I touch is turned into prayer: where the sky is my prayer, the birds are my prayer, the wind in the trees is my prayer, for God is in all.”

Reading:  Mary Oliver “When I Am Among the Trees” [Thirst, page 4)

                          

When I am among the trees,

especially the willows and the honey locust,

equally the beech, the oaks and the pines,

they give off such hints of gladness.

I would almost say that they save me, and daily.

I am so distant from the hope of myself,

in which I have goodness, and discernment,

and never hurry through the world

     but walk slowly, and bow often.

Around me the trees stir in their leaves

and call out, “Stay awhile.”

The light flows from their branches.

                                           

And they call again, “It’s simple,” they say,

“and you too have come

into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled

with light, and to shine.”

Communion passage: Matthew 26: 26-28 (MSG)

^26-28 During the meal, Jesus took and blessed the bread, broke it, and gave it to his disciples:

Take, eat.          
This is my body.

Taking the cup and thanking God, he gave it to them:

Drink this, all of you.
This is my blood,
God’s new covenant poured out for many people
    for the forgiveness of sins.

Ram Dass quote (shared here because it came up during the sharing time after the silent reflection and someone looked it up to share with us):

“When you go out into the woods, and you look at trees, you see all these different trees. And some of them are bent, and some of them are straight, and some of them are evergreens, and some of them are whatever. And you look at the tree and you allow it. You see why it is the way it is. You sort of understand that it didn’t get enough light, and so it turned that way. And you don’t get all emotional about it. You just allow it. You appreciate the tree.

The minute you get near humans, you lose all that. And you are constantly saying ‘You are too this, or I’m too this.’ That judgment mind comes in. And so I practice turning people into trees. Which means appreciating them just the way they are.”

Song:                                  Joy to the World (on this 4^th day of Christmas)

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!

Let earth receive her King; let every heart prepare him room,

and heaven and nature sing,

and heaven and nature sing,

and heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.

Blessing: from Earth Gospel: A Guide to Prayer for God’s Creation by Sam Hamilton-Poore, p. 92)

                                                                                                                     Based on Hosea 14:7

May you rest beneath God’s shade,

flourish like a garden,

blossom like a vine;

and your soul become as fragrant

as the finest wine.

Additional pictures taken by me and by Joel Tippens (his have credit).

May you enjoy the pictures of the bamboo and the readings from our time outdoors.

Join us on the 4th Saturday of the month, starting in January!

Debra

Photo by Joel Tippens

Photo by Joel Tippens

Photo by Joel Tippens

Bamboo Encounter--November 23rd

Today was the 7th meeting of Bamboo Encounter, a Wild Church Network church, and the 2nd meeting in rainy weather.  We had to use our windshield wipers while driving in, yet surprisingly, the rain began to ease off near the time of the worship.  However, in case of another band of rain, we met in the pavilion above the bamboo.  The screened in windows allowed outdoor access to hear the sounds of falling rain, to feel the breezes, as well as to see the views of the surrounding trees and the nearby bamboo.

When it was time for the reflection time, it has stopped enough to get outside and walk during our silent reflection.  I chose to do that, enjoying the light misting that was still present.

After the service was done, the sun started to break through the clouds.  Oh, well.  One cannot control the weather.  There was beauty in the rain, the wet leaves, etc.  Before we headed out, I did go into the bamboo to see it and to experience it.  I also took a moment to remember my baptism and to remember that I am a beloved child of God, using the pooled water in the hole of the rock.

There were three of us again today for the service.  Here is the order of worship that we followed:

Today's readings:

Opening Prayer (read in unison):

Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;

            the world and those who live in it.

Let the floods clap their hands;

          let the hills sing together for joy.

(Earth Gospel, page 93)

Scripture and additional readings (read by volunteers):

Psalm 36:8-9

“They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them to drink from your river of delights.  For with you is the fountain of life, and in your light we see light.”

Isaiah 58:11

“God will guide you continually, and satisfy your needs in parched places, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail.”

Reading:  Herman Melville

 “Say you are in the country; in some land of lakes.  Take almost any path you please, and ten to one it carries you down in a dale, and leaves you there by a pool in a stream.  There is magic in it…. Yes, as everyone knows, meditation and water are wedded forever.”

          

Quote by Philip Britts: “Faith is like water at the roots.”

The sharing time after the reflection time was insightful, as always.  We spent some time talking about the Philip Britts' quote on faith.  We talked about watering the roots and how plants become accustomed to being watered daily, at a top level if the roots aren't allowed to grow deeply.  The roots will grow down as far as the water goes.  How deep does the water go?!?!  Oh, how I enjoy the sharing time and the opportunity for minds to engage in deep conversation as faith unfolds.  Sitting back and watching the Holy Spirit work is a privilege.

After sharing time, we moved into Holy Communion.  Today we used the same passages as we've used prior, but read from The Message translation.  After reading the Scriptures and blessing the elements, we served each other the holy meal of bread and fruit of the vine.

John 6:33,35 (MSG)

³³ The Bread of God came down out of heaven and is giving life to the world.

³⁵  Jesus said, “I am the Bread of Life. The person who aligns with me hungers no more and thirsts no more, ever.

1 Corinthians 10:16-17 (MSG)

When we drink the cup of blessing, aren’t we taking into ourselves the blood, the very life, of Christ? And isn’t it the same with the loaf of bread we break and eat? Don’t we take into ourselves the body, the very life, of Christ? Because there is one loaf, our many-ness becomes one-ness—Christ doesn’t become fragmented in us. Rather, we become unified in him. We don’t reduce Christ to what we are; he raises us to what he is.

Today's song was "Father, I Adore You":

Father, I adore You
Lay my life before You
How I love You.

[Jesus, Spirit]

At closing we shared this prayer in unison:

 (from Earth Gospel: A Guide to Prayer for God’s Creation by Sam Hamilton-Poore, p. 98)

                                                                                            Based on Song of Solomon 8:6-7

May Christ set you as a seal upon his heart,

as a seal upon his arm;

for his love is as strong as death,

his passion as fierce as the grace.

Many waters cannot quench his love,

neither can floods drown it.

Nature was abundant today.  On the drive in, there were wild turkey and deer.  Both sets decided to cross the road in front of us.  On the way out, by the nature center, there was a turtle going against the flow of traffic.  The coloring matched the coloring of the fall leaves and the turtle seemed a little skittish and camera shy.  

I look forward to going into the bamboo each month.  Though today's service was in the pavilion, it was still as serene and peaceful, listening to the sounds of nature/creation and seeing them too.  I enjoy putting together the prayers and Scriptures each month and gathering with whoever is able to make it to worship in the space.

As the quote by Stephen Chase goes, "Nature is spiritual practice."

Peace, 

Debra Dickerson

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Additional photos from today: 

 

Bamboo Encounter-- October 26th

Today was our first cooler weather Bamboo Encounter and our first wet Bamboo Encounter.  Even though it was wet and sprinkling, we were still able to meet inside the bamboo.  It never rained so hard that we needed to move into the pavilion at the top of the bamboo.  However, that was a viable option.

There was something peaceful about being in the bamboo in the rain.  The freshness of the air, its crispness and its smell were delightful.

Though we were small in number gathered to worship Creator God today, the Holy Spirit was present among us.

I had planned in advance to hand out the readings to willing participants, so we all shared in today's readings.  Since we were a small group, we served each other communion. 

Sometimes I question what God is doing in and through my life, nudging me to go out on a limb and do wild adventurous things.  Yet, each and every time that I follow through, I am encouraged and see fruit.

Today was the 6th Bamboo Encounter for the year, meaning that we are 1/2 way in to a full year of services.  Wow.  The resources that I read encourage me, as do the monthly video calls with Wild Church Network (though I was too busy to join in this past month.)

I wonder what the cooler month of November will be like in the bamboo!?!?

Until then, below you will find the readings and prayers from today, as well as the pictures I took.  Maybe you can picture yourself in the bamboo, do the readings on your own, and experience a little bit of what it is like to worship outdoors in the bamboo.

Peace on your journey,

Debra


Service:

Opening Prayer:

Into your strength, this day,

let me come again—

my heart undivided, my hope undimmed.

Set free my soul, unbind my love,

that I may serve you

serving earth.

(Earth Gospel, page 90)

Readings:

Deuteronomy 32:1-2

“Listen, O heavens, and I will speak; hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.  Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants.”

Isaiah 12:3-4 (NRSV)

“With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.  And you will say in that day: Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known his deeds among the nations; proclaim that his name is exalted.”

Reading:  Mother Teresa of Calcutta

 “We need to find God and God cannot be found in noise and restlessness.  God is the friend of silence.  See how nature—trees and flowers and grass—grow in silence.  See the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence.  The more we receive in silent prayers, the more we can give in our active life.”

Communion:

John 6:33,35 and 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 Common English Bible (CEB)

³³ The bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

³⁵ Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

¹⁶ Isn’t the cup of blessing that we bless a sharing in the blood of Christ? Isn’t the loaf of bread that we break a sharing in the body of Christ? ¹⁷ Since there is one loaf of bread, we who are many are one body, because we all share the one loaf of bread.

Blessing:

May the God who dances in creation,

who embraces us with human love,

who shakes our lives like thunder,

bless us and drive us out with power,

to fill the world with her justice, Amen. —Nancy Morley

 (Earth Gospel, 50)