Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Advent

Advent is the season of preparing and waiting for Christmas. Sometimes, lately, I have wondered what has happened to waiting? It seems as if Christmas is speeding rapidly toward me and I am not going to be ready for it!
As soon as I have this thought, I begin to feel guilty because I am too busy and too distracted and too….whatever! This week, I have been trying to catch myself so that I stop and look and smell and hear the symbols of the Advent and Christmas season. It doesn’t matter to me if it is the secular or religious, for me it is about Christmas! It is about sharing with others, doing something for someone, enjoying the laughter in a moment, embracing those whom you love, and delighting in surprises—my own and those of others.
In hearing Jingle Bells or O Hanukkah or Silent Night; or eating a Christmas Cookie, or preparing for an Advent worship service, I can pause for a moment and allow all of the hope, peace, love and joy of the Christmas Season to wash over me and revel in a moment of what Christmas is all about. It is in those moments that I experience all that is cradled into the little bundle of a newborn child. It is in those moments that I understand God’s unconditional love for me and each of us.
Take a moment to have a Christmas Cookie or listen to bells ring or see the lights that you pass in the evening and enjoy the moment as you remember what Christmas is for you!

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Thanksgiving

I am working on the Thanksgiving service for HUCC for this coming Sunday. We are having an Artisans Fair following worship, with various artists from the church selling their artwork and sharing some of the proceeds with our Missions fundraising. This is the second year we have done this and I am very excited because so many people are recognizing things that they do as ART!
My plan is to have our worship space set up with tables around the outer edge, covered in the artwork of our "artisans". We will worship while surrounded by the many gifts that God has given to us.

How can we not be Thankful?

Even in this time of financial stress and decline, job lay-offs, and futures that are completely unknown; I have so much for which to be thankful! I have a wonderful family, I am in good health (reasonably so, at present I still have a lingering cold), I have many, many wonderful friends and colleagues. Life really is good! I am Thankful!

Lately, I have encountered several people who live life from a negative perspective. A part of me wants to just get in their faces and say to them--look at what you have! look at all that is around you! Don't be so negative! In this season of Thanksgiving, I want those around me to recognize how truly blessed we are and for what we have to be thankful.

Last summer, my family had the opportunity to visit Plymouth Plantation. It was in June and it was hot! The "villagers" were in costume and character. Their costumes appeared to be made of wool and, needless to say, there was no air conditioner. I realized, while walking through this village that really was very basic and simple (from a much earlier time) that I take way too much for granted. I have grown accustomed to a life of luxury and comfort and it is easy to forget that not everyone has what I have. I often see what others have that I don't have and fail to recognize how blessed I am.

So, today, I give thanks!

I relish in the many ways I have been blessed, I am thankful for the many gifts that I have, and I want to share my joy for living with all are willing to share with me. I am thankful for the opportunity to pause and remember to give thanks.

Peace!

Friday, November 14, 2008

What I do

I created this blog last week, thinking I would write every day....life, kind of, got in the way! I have been busy, too busy, and now I do not feel very well. This is life! If I don't take care of myself, then I do not have the energy and health to do all that I love to do!
At present, I am working with a variety of things--coaching, pastoring, consulting, programming around race/racism awareness, sewing and altering costumes for dance productions, being a mom and a wife. That gets at most of what I am doing. In the past week, there have been many days of working from too early until too late; leading up to yesterday and today of not feeling very well. I really should take better care of myself!
So, today is the beginning of this phase of taking better care of myself. Each day really is a new phase, and when I am not clear about each day being a new day of starting over, then I may not remember to give new focus to my self care. So, today taking care of myself looks like a warm snuggly blanket and hot cup of tea while sitting in my big green chair.

Let me tell you about some of the things I am doing:
Coaching
I love working with people to live life to the fullest! We work on being who we are and who we are becoming. Everyday, I learn from my coaching clients who are doing amazing work and more fully embracing who they are.
Pastoring
Hillsborough United Church of Christ is a wonderful congregation where individuals are encouraged to be progressive, inclusive, creative, caring and kid-friendly. Those 5 words describe who the congregation is and how we function. We have wonderfully stimulating worship services and conversations. Jay, my husband, and I are the pastors. Experience HUCC at http://www.hucc.org/
Consulting
I work with The Center for Congregational Health, to help congregations live in a more healthy manner. I do this through conflict management and negotiation, strategic planning, leadership development and I work with continuing education in the areas of Church Consultant training and Intentional Interim Training. See more of our work at http://www.healthychurch.org/
Programming for Race and Racism Awareness
I am doing some work with the Justice and Witness Ministries of the UCC at Franklinton Center at Bricks to help individuals and groups with their awareness of race issues and racism. We are planning many wonderful events for 2009--check out our website http://www.franklintoncenter.org/
Sewing and Altering Costumes for Dance Productions
A couple of years ago I offered to help with alterations on costumes for the Walkerdance production of "The Nutcracker". I had been sewing Halloween costumes and dress up clothes for years, so I thought I would enjoy engaging my skill. I love it! I have had a couple of wonderful teachers who have taught and showed me alot. This year, I am coordinating the costuming for Walkerdance!!! This is new and a bit of why I am working too much...but it is FUN! See the costumes (and the dancers) at http://www.walkerdanceballet.com/
Mom and Wife
I have a wonderful family--
Jay, my husband and co-worker, who is wonderfully patient with all of the new things I like to do and he can sew, too;
Abi and Emma, two wonderful daughters, who have gotten me into the fun of costuming, and who remind me to do the things in life that are fun. They are beautiful dancers and very smart and always keep me moving.
Grizz, short for Grizzly, our dog, who is as far from a Grizzly as you can get.

Monday, November 3, 2008

The Day Before Change

This morning, I asked my daughters what they were looking forward to today. After reflecting on this question, I realize I asked because I wasn't sure to or for what I was looking forward. Over the past few days I have had this creeping feeling of dread or dissatisfaction. I am not certain what it is about, but I am coming to the conclusion that it is about the unknown or my fear of upheaval. It is about feeling unsettled. After arriving at my office, I spoke with a friend who said to me, "I am a nervous wreck...I need for this day and the next day to be over." I asked what she meant, somewhat fearful that she had given her notice at her job, she replied, "The election." My friend and I both want the same candidate to win and we are ready for change. Change will happen! Tomorrow is a new day and with it will be new opportunities--opportunities to do things differently, to make different decisions, to follow a different path. Tomorrow, we will elect a new President of the USA and change will happen!

I have read the lectionary texts for this coming Sunday, and I am not overly excited about what I read--sort of that same feeling of dread and dissatisfaction. The texts are often used to reinforce second coming ideas. I want to live for today. I want to expect something wonderful and exciting to happen, today. I want to engage God's presence in this moment!

Maybe the change needs to happen in me. Maybe it is about a change in my thinking and hoping. Maybe this is the day before change in more ways than the presidential election!

I have a feeling today's posting will be a part of my sermon on Sunday...