Yesterday I took my 14 year old son down to Camp Galilee--to a week of UMC camp with high schoolers--he will be in ninth grade. He was the only one there I think with a mohawk, a few pink locks of hair amongst almost natural other color, and probably the only one who had listened with his mother to punk (some old school--some techno--some a little emo) on the way down to Eldorado Springs. Caleb likes for me to hear things he thinks I will like and then just BEAMS when he is right--we listened to my favorite, Bad Religion, and Process of Belief--Greg Gaffin's lyrics are proof for me of prevenient grace---God has already shown up in a lot of his words even though Bad Religion has made an art form of dissing organized religion. I wanted to show Bad Religion videos and discuss them with younger adults on the perifery at Broadway and never got around to it. Caleb also shared a group called Postal Service and the always popular with moms "Backstreet Boys." It makes me feel a little weird that there is no way that I know of to explain how much I want the church to engage culture--this part of the culture I think. There is lots more to say about this. And...I have been in cabinet all day. Do I feel schizzee or what?
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
Thursday, July 14, 2005
A few snapshots of the day
--The pleasure of giving bags of Ghiardelli Chocolate to our two wonderful office staff persons for "putting-the-heck-up" with three newbie d.s.s for the last three weeks
--reading through the two "guys" (the 2 male dss with whom I share an office) autobiographical statements and really believing it's okay that we are all a little different, and that I may be the whimsical one, but that doesn't mean I don't take this very, very seriously.
--a good, good lunch with Dr. Knight, a good, good friend
--actually accomplishing (well, addressing) all the tasks on my list for the day. Ministry may be in the interruptions as they say, but when there are those who are counting on you to do what you said you would do, it's good not to have too many interruptions sometimes...
--going to the Northland Borders with Cana, who was MIGHTY snippy, but enjoyed it anyway. I bought two Chet Baker CDs and Eugene Peterson's newest book, Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places.
--and, today, again, no ministers quit.
It was a good day.
--reading through the two "guys" (the 2 male dss with whom I share an office) autobiographical statements and really believing it's okay that we are all a little different, and that I may be the whimsical one, but that doesn't mean I don't take this very, very seriously.
--a good, good lunch with Dr. Knight, a good, good friend
--actually accomplishing (well, addressing) all the tasks on my list for the day. Ministry may be in the interruptions as they say, but when there are those who are counting on you to do what you said you would do, it's good not to have too many interruptions sometimes...
--going to the Northland Borders with Cana, who was MIGHTY snippy, but enjoyed it anyway. I bought two Chet Baker CDs and Eugene Peterson's newest book, Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places.
--and, today, again, no ministers quit.
It was a good day.
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
Praise Jesus I'm back at it!
Today I began again on my serious emerging journey---as the modernist I am, I set reading goals, activity goals, etc for the next month around all this. I continue to read this book, which is the one I recommend to folks new to the conversation. Today, I read an entry that was about the elephant in the living room that main liners don't like to talk about---the very small percentage of young adults who are choosing the ordained ministry---lots of second careerers, not too many young pups. Tomorrow I get to go visit one of, if not THE youngest of the student local pastors in my district, Michael Dunlap. I am feeling a real call to work with, mentor, encourage, help out, correct, etc these younger clergy.
Monday, July 04, 2005
Advice from Robert and Lovett
I have been messing around with my D.Min degree for TOO long..not making much progress at all on the program this past year, while reading voraciously in emergent literature and writing and doing a spot of teaching about it as well, as well as leading my-used-to-be congregation at Broadway along the emergent way. And now to d.s.-hood with what everyone says is a busier life. So at Annual Conference, a month ago (gee what a month it's been) I asked Robert Martin, who is the director of the Doctor of Ministry Program at St. Paul to "just tell me what to do." And he did, bless his directive heart. On Satruday night, June 4, 2005, as we sat eating at the Bread Basket Cafe in Columbia Missouri, Robert said to me (I may be paraphrasing): "Okay Susan,,,this is what you are going to do..." and then he said that I was going to focus on the emergent conversation and United Methodism as my project, and to write... a substantive work. So...then a week ago today, I sat with Lovett Weems at lunch at the Mexican place across from the seminary ... I was seeking his advice on Robert's suggestion, and the first thing I remember Lovett saying as we sat with chips and salsa before us, was, "follow your passion." I am passionate about many things...from my kids to the Cardinals to crocheting to the ministry possibilities of every church in my district. What Robert's advice was, was to focus that ministry passion for the next three or so years around this emergent thing, and to share the passion somehow. What Lovett's advice was, I think, was to make a contribution to those my age and particularly in my denomination, who need to know more about this.. Robert said to me something I am trying to keep in mind...that I will regret not doing this five to seven years from now if I don't. The voice of God perhaps? Methinks it may be so.
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