I started this post, part 3 of my Strength for the Journey week, WEEKS ago. on May 2nd. I am finally getting around to finishing it. I wanted to share some of what I learned from the speakers, workshops, etc. Part of what is below was previously written. I take up today below the information on the tie-dye ice hats.
As I reflect on the past week at Steiner Bell Lodge with Strength for the Journey, I am full. My heart, mind, and soul became filled through connections, conversations, worship, learning, campfires, hiking, doing crafts, sitting in the rocking chairs looking at the view, blowing bubbles from the deck and watching the wind take them away. I am full of gratitude for the opportunity to serve on the retreat team.
I was a tad apprehensive about going. Not because of the people. I honestly don't know what was there in me to cause that. It could have been the unknown-- a new place, serving on a team and only knowing a few people, not fully knowing what to expect.
But, any ounce of apprehension quickly melted away and was replaced with peace once I got there.
In my 2nd post, I mentioned how accepted I felt. I felt seen, heard, and loved. That's an incredible feeling.
Every time we worshipped, we sang "Draw the Circle Wide". This song is written by Gordon Light and the tune is by Mark Miller. I've written about it three times before, have used it in a celebration of life service, and have heard it in several places. It is a perfect song for Strength for the Journey. It can be found in Worship & Song, #3154
(handout used for celebration of life service)
one of many versions found on YouTube
I have notes from our speakers and worship times to go back over to see what else caught my attention during the week.
The ice tie-dye craft was fun! I enjoy tie-dye and have made a shirt, but I mostly buy from others. To make my own hat was pretty cool. One doesn't quite know how the colors are going to turn out, so it's a "wait and see" experiment.
Here are some photos from that:
Everyone's hat turned out so cool! There is something about doing a project together with others that is not only fun, but uplifting.
We had other activities too-- a card making craft. Small artist cards. You could be as creative as you wanted to be. There were stamps, you could cut out pictures, there were stickers, ETC. These small cards are fun to make and there's a world out there that makes them, trades them, and collects them. I just had fun making one and seeing what everyone else did. Here is mine:
Have I mentioned the campfires yet? If I have, please indulge me. :) We had campfires for three of the nights, as the weather co-operated. Campfire time was a time to relax, sing, share about the day, and hang out with one another. Colored flames added to the fun. The music was great It's a tad difficult for me to put in words how meaningful this time was. I have always enjoyed campfire time-- from camping out with my family to attending and working camps throughout my life. There is something special about this time. Here are a few photos of our campfires:
Here is the altar in our worship space for the week. Things were added along the way, but this is the only photo I took. I really liked the Guatemalan cloths.
I looked up my notes in one of the notebooks, as I cannot find the other one right now. :)
We each got this notebook for the week:
Here are some of the things that stood out to me in the various speaker sessions, worship, etc.
Find the genuine in you and embrace it. This caused me to reflect-- what IS my genuine? I wrote down "play, authenticity, in creation". I imagine there is more to unpack there, but for now I'm just writing down some of the notes.
In the wilderness, look for trail markers-- blazes, maps, cairns, clouds, pillars of fire. 'You never know what events will lead you home.'
Isaiah 43:14-19. God makes a way. God does a new thing. We will find God in liberation, in the place of wilderness. We can not do the wilderness journey on our own.
It's okay to be afraid in the wilderness.
Those are just a few of the notes I took. I am sure I absorbed much more than that.
Here's what was written about wilderness on a handout. I am not sure who wrote it, compiled it, or from whence it came. But, it is a great statement about wilderness:
"Wilderness is a time or place where we encounter what is new, strange, scary, lonely, unknown or mysterious. The wilderness is a wild and beautiful time and place where we can discover the sacred within each person and all creation. The wilderness can inspire us and guide us, assuring us of God's constant presence. As the Spirit guides us through the wilderness, we find what we need to face our fears and the very real challenges that impact our world. The wilderness teaches us the importance of community and the ways we navigate challenges together. The wilderness reveals our strengths, growing edges, and potential as God equips us for the unknown still to come. The wilderness awaits us all, ang God meets us there."
I could probably write more about my time with Strength for the Journey, but I think I will stop now. There is so much within me for which I am grateful for this opportunity to attend. To all the "campers", thank you for sharing your time for the week. There were many meaningful conversations. To all the staff, thank you for all the work done in preparation and during the week. Everyone pitched in and did their part to make this happen. I look forward to being with and working with all of you again.
In closing, here are some pictures from my time in the wilderness, on the trail we hiked on Thursday. It was at the Greenbrier entrance of the Smoky Mountains. The trail took us by a creek and up to a cabin. There was a cemetery along the way, lots of cool nature things, such as rocks and more.
On Sunday, January 8, 2023, I participated in worship at Burks UMC. Though I have preached twice at Fairview UMC during my leave of absence, this was my first time to serve in any capacity at Burks UMC. Burks UMC is my "sending" church, the church that voted for me to pursue candidacy and supported me through the process. It is now my charge conference church while on family leave of absence. We attend there primarily.
The Associate Pastor, Rev. Leslie Daniels, had asked me if I would help with the liturgy that day because the Senior pastor, Rev. Tony Collins would be out. I said yes since we were going to be in town that day. I helped with the call to worship, the affirmation of faith, the prayer before the tithes and offerings, and with holding a bowl for those who wanted to remember their baptism.
It was a special experience for me.
I haven't served at Burks UMC since I left as a lay person. It was meaningful for me to look around, to see faces known and unknown, and remember that this church had supported me on my journey to become a pastor.
The dear people at Burks UMC presented me with a hymnal to celebrate my ordination. People had written in the front and back, and on hymn pages. It has always been encouraging and heart warming to open up the hymnal to sing a hymn, and read what someone had written.
On January 8th, being at Burks UMC, opening up that hymnal and seeing words of encouragement was even more encouraging.
The hymns we sang that Sunday were: "Lift High the Cross" #159. There I saw the words "In all we do, " before the title of the hymn and the names Dave & Debbie Bruggink. The next hymn was "Amazing Grace" #378. Carol Harris signed it with a heart, along with Ron & Pam Elsea. I couldn't help but notice the writing on the left hand page as I sang "Amazing Grace". There were two notes on "It Is Well with My Soul". Yes, I thought to myself, it IS well with my soul.
During the time of remembering our baptism, the musicians played and sang "Holy Water". I don't remember hearing this song before, yet as I looked up the lyrics, it does seem familiar. As I stood there holding a bowl of water for people, it was a holy moment.
Here are the lyrics to the song:
God, I'm on my knees again God, I'm begging please again I need you Oh, I need you
Walking down these desert roads Water for my thirsty soul I need you Oh, I need you
Your forgiveness Is like sweet, sweet honey on my lips Like the sound of a symphony to my ears Like Holy water on my skin
Dead man walking, slave to sin I wanna know about being born again I need you Oh, God, I need you
So, take me to the riverside Take me under, baptize I need you Oh, God I need you
Your forgiveness Is like sweet, sweet honey on my lips Like the sound of a symphony to my ears Like holy water on my skin (On my skin)
I don't wanna abuse your grace God, I need it every day It's the only thing that ever really makes me wanna change
I don't wanna abuse your grace God, I need it every day It's the only thing that ever really makes me wanna change
I don't wanna abuse your grace God, I need it every day It's the only thing that ever really makes me wanna change
I don't wanna abuse your grace God, I need it every day It's the only thing that ever really makes me wanna change
Your forgiveness Is like sweet, sweet honey on my lips (yes, it is) Like the sound of a symphony to my ears It's like holy water
Your forgiveness Is like sweet, sweet honey on my lips Like the sound of a symphony on my ears It's like holy water on my skin It's like holy water on my skin It's like holy water
Here is a video of the song sung by "We the Kingdom"
I am grateful for the opportunity to serve in the church that sent me into ministry. It's not the only church responsible for my becoming a pastor, but it had much to do with it.
Today was our third meeting in the bamboo. We are a new outdoor worship service, in that regard. However, the Bamboo Encounter has been out on Facebook since January 2019, sharing uplifting quotes, verses, and photos to let people know it is here in the Chattanooga, TN area. Bamboo Encounter is also listed on the Wild Church Network website. That is how three of the 15 people found us yesterday and came to join us today inside the bamboo for worship.
I am still (happily) surprised that folks join me to worship Creator God in the bamboo each month. I never know who or how many are coming to join me and Riley. Though I did eventbrite tickets for the first month, I haven't done it again, simply for time reasons. I will try to get back to that though. It's not about who comes out to the bamboo. I know it's not about me and I say so, every time. It's about the Holy Spirit creating a space for us. I said "yes" and opened up the opportunity for others. Others are saying yes too. When others do say "yes" it is such a humbling and meaningful experience in the bamboo as we gather together to worship Creator God, to listen, and to share.
Today was a great experience, just as the other two months have been. There wasn't much of a breeze inside the bamboo today, so hand fans might have been nice (note to the leader) :). We did have lots of shade cover from the bamboo.
There were 15 total today in the bamboo, counting myself. I sign in, just like everyone else since I keep track of how many attend, in case I need to pay extra. Five of the 15 were first-timers today. That is pretty neat.
After we arrive and settle in from signing in and getting name tags, we spend a little time going over what is coming and then begin in silence. Today we could "check-in" on Facebook since I added the address. Yes, I asked folks to check in on social media. (Thanks to those who were able to do so!)
Today's opening prayer was similar to those I've used in the past, just modified slightly:
Creator God, as we come into the bamboo today, meet us
where we are. We ask that you quiet our
hearts, our minds, our souls, helping us to set aside all distractions and
concerns. As we become silent in this
space, speak to us in the quiet rustling of the leaves or in the singing of the
bamboo. May we be open to your presence
in this space through the silence, the spoken word, your creation, and one
another. Amen. (DD-7/25/19)
Today's Scripture readings were from Isaiah 61:11 and Psalm 19:1:
Isaiah 61:11 (NAB)—(New American Bible)—“As the earth brings
forth its plants, and a garden makes its growth spring up, So will the Lord GOD
make justice and praise spring up before all the nations.”
Psalm
19:1 (CEB)-- Heaven is declaring God’s glory; the sky is proclaiming his handiwork.
Then I shared a quote/reading from Leonardo Boff, a Brazilian theologian, that I had found in Earth Gospel, a great resource for outdoor churches or folks who love creation. (I've read a book on sacraments by Boff in the past and enjoyed his work. I recently picked up a creation book by him, but haven't read it yet.)
“Above all, we should see the creation
as the expression of God’s joy, as the dance of God’s love, as the mirror of
both God and all created things. In this
sense every creature is a messenger of God, and God’s representative as well as
sacrament. Everyone is worthy and is to
be accepted and listened to as such.” (173)
After these readings, we had a time of silence. After the time of silence, we had a time of sharing. During the sharing time, about a handful of people shared what the readings had spoken to them, or what they had heard in the silence, or why they had come. This time of sharing is a big part of our time together. It isn't mandatory. It is by invitation. Yet, it is this time of openness and sharing that we learn from one another. Next to the silence and sharing communion together, it's one of my favorite parts.
Today's communion Scripture came from 1 Corinthians 10:16-17:
1
Corinthians 10:16-17 Common English Bible (CEB)
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.
After communion we sang "Alleluia" by Jerry Sinclair (1972). I like to keep the singing portions simple in the bamboo, mainly because I'm leading and we're singing acapella.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia,
alleluia, alleluia,alleluia, alleluia.
We closed with a blessing from the Iona Community that we said together. I found it in Earth Gospel too, page 81:
Bless to us, O God,
the moon that is above us,
the earth that is beneath us,
the friends who are around us,
your image deep within us,
Amen.
To those who were able to make it to the bamboo today, thank you for joining me to worship Creator God today. For those who couldn't make it today, I hope to see you next time. For those who haven't made it yet, we meet every 4th Saturday at 11:30 a.m. in the bamboo patch on the hill at Reflection Riding. Check out the event pages on the Bamboo Encounter Facebook page for more information (as well as the posts there and brochure).
Enjoy these additional pictures from today's Bamboo Encounter.
This past Sunday was my first Sunday back in the pulpit after my hip replacement surgery on June 25th. It was a blessing to be back in worship! I took two Sundays off for healing and I continue to take time off from the office, meetings, and visitation. I was at one church only this past week, Flintstone UMC. I was able to navigate the area around the pulpit because there are few stairs. I sat up there and had my walker nearby. I preached from the pulpit. I did not go down from that area at all nor did I walk around. Being able to worship in community was truly a blessing on Sunday.
The sermon, "Counting God's Blessings" was based on Ephesians 1:3-14.
The opening hymn was "Blessings" by Laura Story. It was new to most people, so we sat and listened. Though not new to me, it was good to sit and absorb, singing along some, and allowing the words to soak in.
Here is the sermon from Sunday, recognizing that there were some things likely added and/or left out in the moment.
At the end of this post I will add some links for further information on some things I mention in the sermon.
3 Bless the God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ! He has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual
blessing that comes from heaven.4 God chose us in Christ to be holy and
blameless in God’s presence before the creation of the world.5 God destined us to be his adopted
children through Jesus Christ because of his love. This was according to his
goodwill and plan6 and to honor his glorious grace that he
has given to us freely through the Son whom he loves.7 We have been ransomed through his Son’s
blood, and we have forgiveness for our failures based on his overflowing grace,8 which he poured over us with wisdom and
understanding.9 God revealed his hidden designto us, which is according to his goodwill
and the plan that he intended to accomplish through his Son.10 This is what God planned for the climax
of all times: to bring all things together in Christ, the things in heaven
along with the things on earth.11 We have also received an inheritance in
Christ. We were destined by the plan of God, who accomplishes everything
according to his design.12 We are called to be an honor to God’s
glory because we were the first to hope in Christ.13 You too heard the word of truth in
Christ, which is the good news of your salvation. You were sealed with the
promised Holy Spirit because you believed in Christ.14 The Holy Spirit is the down payment on
our inheritance, which is applied toward our redemption as God’s own people,
resulting in the honor of God’s glory.
In
the first verse of this passage we hear “bless”, “blessed”, and “blessing”. That’s three times in one verse that we hear
a version of the word. Then, throughout
the rest of the passage, the ways we are blessed, the blessings are outlined
for us. Among those blessings are:
adopted children, redemption/ransomed, forgiveness, inheritance, sealed with
the Holy Spirit. Do you count these
things as blessings in your life? If so,
great! These truly are blessings that we
don’t want to ignore or forget. We want
to remember who and whose we are, especially when we come together to worship
as a community. If today these blessings
are touching you for the first time, allow them to fall upon you like a gentle
rain. Re-read the passage and be
thankful for the blessings mentioned in it.
This
passage focuses on God’s actions to and for us, as a gift. It allows us to celebrate who and whose we are,
God’s children. As we recognize that we
are God’s redeemed, adopted, and forgiven children, there is much to celebrate,
is there not?!?! And if we are
celebrating who and whose we are, then there is a joy within us, flowing, as we
return worship and praise to God, our Creator.
Though
this passage in itself contains enough blessings, if I were to ask you to take
a moment and count the blessings you’ve experienced this past week, what comes
to mind? [Take a moment of silence.]
One
of the books I’m working through currently is Embracing Soul Care: Making Space for What Matters Most by Stephen
Smith. This week, I read a chapter on “Beloved
Others”. The author wrote: “Each of us
is beloved of God. Helping others claim
and realize their own belovedness is a privilege and sacred responsibility.”
(59) This is why we need community. In community, among many of the things we do
for one another, is that we remind each other who and whose we are. We point one another back to the Creator,
back to the teachings of Jesus, and remind each other that we are beloved
children of God.
This
past week we went to see the documentary of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood after one
of my PT sessions. I had heard so much
about it through social media that I wanted to go see it.
Who
grew up on Mr. Rogers? Who has seen the
documentary?
Except
for being slightly uncomfortable because of my hip, it was a very moving and
powerful time.
I
had not realized growing up all that I was learning while watching the
show. I didn’t realize how radical Fred
Rogers was in showing love, God’s love, to all people. I also didn’t realize that I was learning at
a young age about the benefits of silence as a spiritual practice and God’s
blessing. In the documentary, it talked
about how Mr. Rogers incorporated silence into his shows. One scene showed him
stacking cups. He looked up and smiled
once, but kept stacking the cups.
Another example was when he got an egg timer out to show folks just how
long a minute actually was. He considered silence a gift.
I
want to be like Fred Rogers. There are
so many of God’s blessings that I see in him and what he stood for. Primarily, I want to help people know that
God loves them, just the way they are. I
want people to know that they are loved by God.
His biblical message was love neighbor and love others. He had a way of helping others know they were
beloved, from the cellist, to the mailman, to the young man in the wheelchair,
to all the children in the audiences, to the graduating classes, Fred Rogers’
message was the same (though he might edit the words to fit the person or the
situation): “It’s you I like”
It’s you I like,
It’s not the things you wear,
It’s not the way you do your hair
But it’s you I like
The way you are right now,
The way down deep inside you
Not the things that hide you,
Not your toys
They’re just beside you.
But
it’s you I like
Every part of you.
Your skin, your eyes, your feelings
Whether old or new.
I hope that you’ll remember
Even when you’re feeling blue
That it’s you I like,
It’s you yourself
It’s you.
It’s you I like.
------------------------
In
the book I’m reading that I mentioned earlier, the author states, “When we are
told that we are the beloved, we learn to recognize the voice of love that
speaks into our hearts. It tells us who we are apart from what we have done or
accomplished. This is joy to our hearts
because we all long to know our true selves apart from the many masks we wear
throughout our lives.” (60)
Now
THAT’S a blessing! To recognize God’s voice, the voice of love that speaks into
our hearts, that tells us who we are, apart from what we have done or
accomplished. God did that for Jesus in
Mark 1:11 (ESV)—“Anda voice came from
heaven, “You are my beloved Son;with you I am well pleased.”
Just
as God did that for the son, God does that for us and we can do it for one
another. We can remind one another of God’s love.
Think
for a moment. Who in your life has
helped you remember God’s blessings, God’s love? Who comes to mind? [Allow a
few seconds of silence.]
When
we focus on God’s blessings, it doesn’t mean that the difficult times, days, or
situations disappear. We still must go
through them. What changes is our frame of mind, our responses, our very being,
our focus. As these things change, we
change. As we change, we grow. As we
grow, we impact the lives of others around us.
Do
we celebrate the joy of living as God’s children? Today’s passage reminds us that we are
adopted as God’s children, that we have an inheritance. What joy! What a blessing!
Once
we realize that we truly are beloved, adopted children of God, blessed with an
inheritance in Christ, what do we do with that truth?
If
we follow the example of Mr. Rogers, we share it with every person with whom we
come in contact, no matter who, no matter where, no matter what, no matter
when. We want them to know that THEY
MATTER.
YOU
MATTER. Do you believe that?
Look
around you this morning. This gift of
mattering to God doesn’t start and stop with us individually. We are connected to one another in community.
Yet, there are some people who don’t understand that they matter. They don’t quite get it.
How
can you and I share the hope and joy of God’s blessings so that others know
that they too are richly blessed, adopted, graced, and have an inheritance of
love in Jesus Christ?
Imagine
God working in and through each of us to share the love and light of Jesus
Christ with each and every person, including those we’ve given up on or see as
hopeless or unworthy.
What
would it look like to live out 1 John 4:19 which reminds us that, “We love
because [God] first loved us.”?
What
would the ripple effect of God’s blessings be in our congregation, in our
community, in our schools, in our work places, in our families?
May
God show us the way.
Amen.
Here are some video clips that are also seen in the documentary.
The first one is Jeff in his wheelchair and "It's You I Like".
This next video is an entire episode, "Mr. Rogers talks about Love". If you go to 25.56 you see the portion they showed in the documentary when the police officer Mr. Clemmons came by.
This is actually the 2nd time Mr. Clemmons joined Fred in the kiddie pool, the first time being 24 years earlier, at a time when there were folks against mixed swimming. This was a radical move on Mr. Rogers' part. He often showed radical love.
If you haven't seen the documentary that's out yet, I recommend it. Here is a trailer for the documentary.
This book, Eyes of the Heart, just arrived about a week or so ago. I took it with me last weekend to the Women of Joy conference so I could begin to read it. It's not a book you read through quickly. It is one to read slowly and to engage in the practices it offers.
It is about photography as a Christian contemplative practice and seeing with the eyes of your heart.
I haven't read far. I've only gotten to page 16. I'll share some of my notes.
The book by Christine Valters Painter came out in 2013. Somehow I am just now finding it.
In the introduction, Christine shares: "Photography has always been a way for me to see more deeply, but my awareness of how this was an experience of prayer and often an encounter with the sacred emerged over time." (1) I could have written that sentence, though I wouldn't have written it as eloquently. I would have said something to the effect that 'Photography has always been a way for me to see things differently, but only in the past decade have I come to realize that it draws me closer to the Creator and allows me to slow my life down.' That may be how I might express it, if I were to do so, right now, in the moment.
Christine continues: "I began to see photography as a way to slow down and gaze deeply, noticing things I missed in my rushed life." (1-2) "It became a tool for deeper vision, supporting and enlivening contemplative seeing." (2)
"Photography as a spiritual practice combines the active art of image-receiving with the contemplative nature and open-heartedness of prayer. It cultivates what I call sacred seeing or seeing with the "eyes of the heart" (Ephesians 1:18)." (3)
"Photography as a spiritual practice can help us to cultivate an awakened vision so we begin to really see." (5)
"Photography is an ideal prayer practice for those who desire more active forms of contemplation or want to integrate creative expression into their spiritual path." (5)
"Photography can ber an act of silent worship." (6)
These are my notes from the introduction. As I mentioned, I have read into chapter 1, up to page 16. The concept of "visio divina" is mentioned, sacred seeing. Whereas "lectio divina" is sacred reading, "visio divina" is sacred seeing.
In the past, I have set some of my pictures to music as a way to allow visio divina and contemplation. I did this one time in particular for a women's bible study I was leading for Mustard Tree Ministries.
One thing that has "popped" out to me over the years as I have slowed down has been hearts. They have shown up in clouds, in trees, in flowers, in rocks, in gum, in all kinds of things. Others have noticed them too and have sent them my way.
Just the other day, an apple slice on my salad at Panera Bread was in the shape of a heart. It caught my attention.
But it isn't just hearts that catch my attention. It can be trees, standing tall, side by side and supporting one another. It can be entangled roots, pine cones, bamboo, sunrises, sunsets, ocean waves, flowers, bugs, etc. It can be literally anything, if I have eyes to see.
As I read this book and put into practice what I learn, it is my hope that my prayer life will grow.
