Friday 5: Floods and Droughts

1. Have you experienced living through an extreme weather event- what was it and how did you cope?

I grew up in the upper midwest, positioned nicely right where Lake Effect Snow Belt meets Tornado Alley; so "Extreme Weather Events" were not uncommon. Some coping skills include advance planning-- both short term (canned goods, bottled water, candles, flashlights and batteries) and long term (owning a generator; having a gas stove or grill for cooking when the power goes out; and living in a house with a basement, or knowing where one is you can use).

One such I remember vividly was a blizzard a few years back that knocked the power out in in the area for days to weeks, depending on where one lived. In addition to the above, "coping" included good neighbors-- having and being. We took turns digging out one another' s cars, and the generators (half a dozen or more in our neighborhood, I think) took turns floating between houses (ours was dragged back and forth between three houses on the kids' sled), to run furnaces and sump pumps and prevent flooded basements.

Of course, none of my EWEs measure up to Katrina, and what was/is required of those hardy souls coping with same. They still need good neighbors, friends. What else can we do to help?

2. How important is it that we wake up to issues such as global warming?
I believe it is irresponsible to do anything else.

3. The Christian message needs to include stewardship of the earths resources; agree/disagree?
Wholly agree. 'nough said.

And because it is summer- on a brighter note....

4. What is your favourite season and why?
There are parts of all seasons I love, which is why I'm grateful to live in a place that has them all. However, my favorites are the transitions. Spring, with the new green and the sudden new blooms, like grace notes accenting a piece of music. And Fall, with the riot of colors against a crisp autumn sky, as the leaves change (one of the things I do miss about the midwest).

5. Describe your perfect vacation weather....
Cool mornings and evenings, and warm (but not hot!) sunny days-- the sort where you hike around in shorts and a t-shirt, adding a sweatshirt as needed at the beginning and end of the day. If there's a day in there with a gentle rain as an accent-- for a walk, or curling up with a good book-- that's okay, too.

Collect and trade them with your friends!

My husband collects comic books and graphic novels; and of course, The Boy has long has his fair share of little replica heroes, complete with realistic imitation super-powers of one sort or another. So I'm thinking a couple of philopsophical action figures would fit right in around here.

What do you think? Should I start with this one?

Or perhaps Angry Anselm, with "the power to preserve rectitude of the will for its own sake?"

How about "Bashin'" Bishop Berkeley, with eye closin' action, to make his enemies disappear?

Oh, heck, get the whole set! I can keep them right alongside AKMA's Early Church History trading cards (I have the full set, you know).


(Props to Tobias Haller for this one.)

Resistance is futile.

I had plans for the day, really. Some housecleaning, some laundry, and perhaps a run into Billings to do some shopping for the house.

Then... it arrived. Placed carefully in my mailbox, by our diligent postal carrier. You know what I mean, don't you?

The Book.

Lead me not into temptation... So much for household responsibilities.

It showed up in the mailbox at 10:30 AM. I finished it at 4:00 PM.

(And yes... it was very good!)

Mental dining

A few posts of note around the blogiverse, which have left me chewing on some solid food for thought:

• Tobias Haller is doing some incarnation and ordination theologizing.
• Fr. Jake contemplates confrontation vs. collaboration.
• Diana Butler Bass talks about loving George W. Bush. Really.

And then the Young Fogey provides a light dessert in how the news works.

Friday 5: Looking back, Looking forward

1. Share a moment/ time of real encouragement in your journey of faith.

• The most recent: a neighbor who, though a devout member of another local congregation, determined out of the blue to tithe a recent check to one of my congregations as a thank offering for some recent pastoral conversation and support. The money is welcome, yes-- but the thought that God was able to use me to her benefit is a blessed bit of encouragement indeed.
  

2. Do you have a current vision/dream for your work/family/ministry?

• I would dearly love to see the growth of seeds planted in our churches here: numerically, certainly, but more important to my mind is increasing spiritual commitment and discipleship. With the latter, the former will come.
  

3.Money is no object and so you will.....

• At church: Accomplish some much needed parish repairs, and enable my assistant to serve full-time.
  
• At home: Pay someone else to finish our basement and back yard!
  

4. How do you see your way through the disappointments? What keeps you going?

• Prayer: silent, spoken and sung. Most especially the latter.
  
• Support: husband, family, and a forever friend or two.
  

5. How important are your roots?

• For good or ill (and sometimes both simultaneously!), they form the basis for who I am, how I see the world and live my faith. Even with all the quirks, I wouldn't have them any other way.

6. Bonus= what would you like to add ?

• In "looking forward," what occurs to me is the prayer I offer before every Eucharist: Gracious and loving God, I thank you for this day, and for the opportunity to serve you in this place. May all that we say, sing, think and do be in your name and to your glory, for the sake of your son, Jesus. Amen.

Two years ago...

... I was privileged to be present at the birth of a bouncing baby community. Who knew where it would lead, and how it would flourish! This group of women & men, conservative and moderate and liberal, have created cyber homes and neighborhoods, read (and written!) books, shared joys and sorrows both commonplace and extraordinary, and served as testimony to me to the power of faith and the strength inherent in godly, loving relationship. Though I have not yet laid eyes on most of you, I am able to be a stronger and more faithful pastor because of you. Thank you seems a weak expression... but I am grateful for all that we are and have been, together.

Happy Birthday, RevGals-- and thank you all for the gift that you are and have been been in my life!

Lord Waldemart?!

Wizards Union Battles Scourge of Small Muggle Businesses. Watch it here.

(In the interest of full disclosure, one of these is currently being built on the south end of our town; and, for all that we do shop the Billings Box Stores on occasion [sometimes they carry things local stores do not], I am not what you'd call enthused at the prospect.)

As found at God's Politics.

Cleaning House

Spurred by the good example of others in the blogisphere, I finally got around to tidying up my blogroll. Sorted, and reorganized in a tidier fashion. Removed a very few who were no longer active, and added a whole bunch of sites I have been reading regularly through my RSS reader. Most I consider friends, virtually and/or corporeally; some are simply places I visit upon occasion, for education, illumination or simple amusement. All are worth reading, or I wouldn't have them listed.

Please wander through and say hello!

Wildflowers

My near constant companion last week was a book describing Wildflowers of Montana-- a handy little guide, and loads of fun. Well, it was for me, anyway. I'm not certain those around me were so enthused.

My husband patiently endured countless stops while I looked up some new bush or flower as we wandered around.

This one is Orange Hawkweed...

... and this is Foamflower.

Overall, I identified better than two dozen wildflower species...

Mock orange

...and another 7 native shrubs, like this Mock Orange.


I am such a geek.

Camping adventures

After we dropped the boy at camp, we headed north-- and spent our first night along the Flathead River, across from Glacier National Park. Up there, the sky isn't truly dark until after 11:00 PM or so; but with the song of the river flowing right outside, I slept hard-- until something 7:30 in the morning, which is nearly unheard of for me!

From there, we drove west, looking for scenic routes. Midway through what looked on the map to be a standard gravel road, we came across a sign that warned that a portion of our route was "not maintained for public access." Trusting in God and 4 Wheel Drive, we pressed onward, and learned about the adventures of logging roads.

The "road" was in fact a narrow path, frequently with knee-high weeds down the middle testifying to lack of use. The mountain went up on one side, down on the other, and one had best drive carefully because there are no guard rails or turnarounds. The picture here is one of the tidier stretches.

One or two points were a bit unnnerving... but I'd travel it again in a heartbeat.

Crossing the Kootenai

That road eventually led us over south of Troy, nearly into Idaho. We camped there for two nights, so we could see some local sites.

The first place we visited was the Kootenai River. We hiked in one direction up to the Falls there, the base of which is reportedly the lowest point in Montana: some 1820 feet above sea level. Then we hiked something better than a mile or so downriver, to this footbridge. They call it "The Swinging Bridge," because it does. Swing, and sway, and creak...

...and worth every bit of it, because this is the view from the middle.

Ross Creek Cedars

The next day, we went to the Ross Creek Cedar Grove. This is a National Preserve area, and totally protected-- which means even fallen trees are left to nourish the ecosystem. only a footpath weaving through the area is maintained for use.

It was scattered, and untidy... and majestic beauty beyond my ability to describe, with enormous trees sometimes 400-500 years old or more.

And then, the view leaving the grove...

Tourism and pancake art

Toward the end of the week, we ceased our bonding with the great outdoors. We found a decent hotel in Missoula, where we cleaned up (hot showers are among the finest points of modern civilization!) and caught up with the world. Then we headed down to see Rev. Ref+ and the Lovely Wife, and to meet LW's friends from her recent mission trip. After enjoying the Ref's Pancake Extravaganza, he and I played tourist in Virginia City for a few hours while Bruce and LW spent some time in diligent gainful employment and the friends took in the local caverns. Then we all met up for dinner, and an evening's entertainment by the Illustrious Virginia City Players. Classic melodrama followed by vaudeville silliness, and great fun. (Tripp, you so need to get Trish out here for this; she would love it!)

One more night's sleep away, then we were up at 0-dark-hundred to be home for my regional board meeting Saturday morning.

It was a wonderful week.

Sermon: 6th Sunday after Pentecost

Proper 9, Year C
Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
__________________________

In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

First, a brief refresher: Last week, if you recall, the Gospel lesson from Luke talked about Jesus “setting his face toward Jerusalem.” In Luke’s account, this is the turning point of the story line: the point at which Jesus focused his whole attention on preparing for the end of his time here on earth. From that time forward, everything he said and did happened with that in mind. He was still asking people to follow him, and others were still seeking to follow him, but he was not anything but bluntly realistic about the demands and difficulties they would face in the process.

In light of this, I spoke about turning points in our own lives, times where the direction we choose affects and guides everything that follows.

Now we come to the next step in Luke’s account: the Sending of the Seventy (or perhaps 72-- this number varies in the ancient texts). In his preparation for his death and resurrection, Jesus is now turning the tables on his followers: as he was sent to them, so now he is sending them to others. He is not, in this case, commissioning the Twelve we usually call Apostles. Instead, some six dozen or so additional followers, in pairs, are now given apostolic authority (that’s actually what the word “Apostle” means-- “one who is sent forth” as a messenger or representative). They are given their commission, and another turning point-- a chance to see the results of the choices they’ve been making to follow Jesus, aided by their own efforts.

Now, notice here that our Lord sent them out on their own, but he did not send them unsupported and unprepared. He has been leading them and teaching them by example, some of them for years. Now it’s their turn; but they are sent out in pairs, and they are given specific instructions for the work they are to do.

Let’s look at some of those instructions for a moment, and see what they might tell us about the work to which we are called, as well.

The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.

That certainly applies to our time and place, doesn’t it? In our small churches, even on our best days it can be hard. So much to do in the way of simple care and maintenance, let alone our primary responsibilities of worship, and discipleship, and pastoral care, and outreach... all those things for which we are formed and called as a Christian community. We need all the help we can get! The need is so great, it can seem overwhelming. And yet... listen further:

I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals...

This hardly sounds like the way to get ready for a trip into unfamiliar territory, does it? Think of all the plans and lists we make, and the number of things we think we cannot do without even in our own home, let alone going away. Any self-respecting Boy Scouts, with their conscientious “Be Prepared” approach to life, would cringe in horror at this coaching!

And yet, Jesus does prepare us; we are just reminded here that it is not in the way we do it, or the way human beings expect. He reminds us that it will not be anything that we provide for ourselves, that will bring us success on the journey.

Next, Jesus says:

...greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, `Peace to this house!' And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house.

In other words, we are not to get sidetracked, and we need not depend upon our own individual resources to do the work we are being sent to do. We simply need to get started, and stay focused. Just as these 70 apostles were sent out in pairs, we are brought together as well-- more than 90 households in our small churches in this region-- depending first on God, and then on each other, trusting that any other needs we have along the way will be provided for out of the community as they arise.

Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there, and say to them, `The kingdom of God has come near to you.' But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, `Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.' Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me."

Jesus was well aware that there would be those who welcome his ambassadors, and those who would not; and that their reception would range from one extreme to the other-- from embrace to indifference to outright hostility. He encountered the whole spectrum himself, remember? So he reminds them (and us) how to behave. We are not to repay hostility in kind, nor take it personally; but neither are we to let the reality of hardship prevent us from focusing on our main purpose: living and sharing the Good News we are being sent to proclaim.

As I said last week, I believe we are at a turning point in this region, looking at some significant choices before us. And in this lesson today, I hear a lot of good words for us in our work here. I would remind you of three:

First: Stick together. We are sent here not in pairs, but as congregations and as a regional ministry, to uphold one another in mutual support and common purpose. Hold onto that.

Second: Do not despair of what we are not. If we are truly willing to place our trust in God and in one another, then we will have what we need. We are ready to step out in faith, just as we are in this moment, together.

Third: Do not be sidetracked. No, it is not easy. There are roadblocks and stumbles and misunderstandings that can get in the way. Goodness, we know the way of the cross that Jesus walked, and what a history of struggle and persecution the church has had-- and indeed, what we have experienced in our own past. Why should we expect anything else? However, we can try not to be distracted or dissuaded, but instead to focus on our main purpose: living as Christian disciples, and sharing God’s grace with others whose lives we touch. As author Steven Covey once said, “The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.”

• Stick together.
• Trust in God.
• Focus.

In this way, we can truly proclaim that the kingdom of God has come near-- in Jesus’ name.

We're off!

Tomorrow morning, bright and early, we are headed out. We will be dropping The Boy and his buddy at church camp, where they will spend a week hanging out with other middle schoolers from around the state. They had a ball last year-- no doubt doing wonders for their counselors' prayer lives in the process.

Then, rather than returning home, Bruce and I are taking some vacation time. The rest of the week, as a matter of fact! Our plan? Meandering. We've lived here a year now, and have not seen nearly enough of this beautiful place we now call home. So we are packing up the tent and sleeping bags, hiking boots and other necessities, and heading out. . . thataway.

Oh, we do have a few rough ideas of where to go; I've bought a few books, and various local folks have been eager to recommend the places they love. And we will in all likelihood end up at a B&B or hotel somewhere along the line, as there is a limit to how long I am willing to go without a hot shower. But the only real reservation we have at the moment is over at the home of the Rev. Ref and his Lovely Wife, where we hope to land for a night toward the end of the week.

Now, those who know me best will perhaps find this a bit unusual. I am not what you'd call well-known for random spontaneity. Relax-- this adventure is not altogether out of character. We do have some plans, and I have copious maps and contact info for the area we'll be exploring. There are Lists aplenty, my friends! But what we will do, on which day... will be in the hands of God and the weather and our mood.

See you in a week!

Hasty Friday Five

Today, what are you:

1. Wearing
At the moment? An oversized t-shirt (Purdue Boilermakers, Rose Bowl 2001) and gym shorts (in other words, summer pj's). It's a day off for me, so my "dressed for the day" clothes won't be too different: the minimum required for public modesty, as it's predicted to be a sweltering 104°F today (40°C for the rest of the world, which sounds cooler, but isn't!).

2. Reading
Harry Potter! In preparation for upcoming release of the seventh book and fifth movie, I've been rereading the series.

3. Eating
Breakfast: a bowl of cereal flakes with a handful of frozen blueberries thrown in, followed by a glass of passionfruit tea.

4. Doing
Listening to Yellowstone Public Radio and making lists: getting ready for our wandering vacation next week! Laundry, visit to eye doctor and hair salon, packing, shopping...

5. Pondering
How easily radio interviewers toss around inflammatory vocabulary. Do we really hear what we're saying when we toss words like "atrocity," "radical extremist" and "jihad" into the conversation?

Update

As seen at EpiScope:

July 3, 2007

To: Clergy, Members of Diocesan Council and Standing Committee
From: The Rt. Rev. Geralyn Wolf
Re: The Rev. Dr. Ann Holmes Redding

As many of you know, The Rev. Dr. Ann Holmes Redding is an Episcopal priest who has recently professed her faith in Islam. Dr. Redding is canonically resident in the Diocese of Rhode Island, though she has not served here for over twenty years.

After meeting with her I issued a Pastoral Direction giving her the opportunity to reflect on the doctrines of the Christian faith, her vocation as a priest, and what I see as the conflicts inherent in professing both Christianity and Islam. During the next year she is not to exercise any of the responsibilities and privileges of an Episcopal priest or deacon. Other aspects of the Pastoral Direction will remain private.

I am sending this e-mail to you because the continued web-site coverage suggests that I be as clear as possible with those exercising leadership in our diocese.

Happy Independence Day!

One of the right things about the experiment that is American Democracy is that I can post to this blog without fear of retribution.

Many forms of Government have been tried, and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time. -Sir Winston Churchill

The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions that I wish it to be always kept alive. -Thomas Jefferson

They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin

For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another. For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." -Galatians 5:13-14

...if we looked to the sky last night, and celebrated first the community of good friends, and a family of brothers and sisters in Christ, instead of a national holiday, or freedom at a cost we cannot bear, we might have seen fireworks, and in that community a way to follow. -Trevor Bechtel

Almighty God, who hast given us this good land for our heritage: We humbly beseech thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of thy favor and glad to do thy will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in thy Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to thy law, we may show forth thy praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. -Book of Common Prayer