Today, I decided to continue my way through the ministerium. I attended the church closest to home.
When I arrived, everyone there recognized me as Pastor Jackie. It was a typical small church where mail is delivered to board members by placing it in their pews.
Today was blanket Sunday, over the 20 years they have participated in this endeavor, over 200 blankets have been collected and delivered to local hospitals and shelters.
The congregation was also on their way to providing a llama to missions (we are warm, we need to remember others). They were also gearing up to gather shoe boxes (not for Operation Christmas Child, but another organization). Cake and pie ingredients were also solicited for Thanksgiving boxes. A very mission minded congregation.
The scripture was the persistent widow in Luke. The message began with the persistence of Rocky in his quest to become a boxing champion. We then learned of the relative lack of power of a widow, a woman, in the time of Jesus' parable. We then moved to the civil rights movement and the bus boycott and the counter sit ins. Overall, it was a very safe sermon. No current events were mentioned. No hot button topics were used as illustrations.
Other than one granddaughter who appeared to be a frequent visitor, I seemed to be the youngest person in attendance.
Sunday, October 20, 2019
Monday, October 14, 2019
Fall Fest
In May, I saw an ad for vendors for the fall fest at the local ski resort. I thought this could be a fun activity and a way to earn some income while I wasn't pastoring. So I signed up and spent the summer knitting hats. With almost 200 hats in stock, I arrived on Saturday and set up my booth.
I sold one hat!
Should I return for day two? I did, but completely changed the "cozy boutique" set up to a more craft show line of tables along the aisle. I got more conversation and more interest the second day, but not a single sale!
The second day was of course a Sunday. The fest ran from 10:00-5:00. I missed worship!
I tried to feel God in the people and the beauty of the setting, but mostly I was cold!
I will need to continue to contemplate the meaning of this failed endeavor, the lack of formal worship, and my feelings as I sat for two days an island in a sea of humanity.
I sold one hat!
Should I return for day two? I did, but completely changed the "cozy boutique" set up to a more craft show line of tables along the aisle. I got more conversation and more interest the second day, but not a single sale!
The second day was of course a Sunday. The fest ran from 10:00-5:00. I missed worship!
I tried to feel God in the people and the beauty of the setting, but mostly I was cold!
I will need to continue to contemplate the meaning of this failed endeavor, the lack of formal worship, and my feelings as I sat for two days an island in a sea of humanity.
Pulpit Supply
This Sunday was my first as pulpit supply. Honestly, I had preached/taught at the Sunday evening service at the church I worked at as an administrative assistant back before I became a licensed local pastor, but this would be my first as pulpit supply ever. I knew a lot of the congregation through ministerial events over the past three years and from the community, but this would be the first time I would craft a sermon from the lectionary for this congregation of another denomination.
The main texts were from Lamentations 1 and 3, with similar laments from Psalms and Paul. In that way it was an easy sermon to craft. I was able to include my own laments over this past year, hopefully, bringing to mind the laments of this congregation who had spent several years in turmoil both over their decision to split with their mother denomination and to the first pastor they called in this new theology and the eventual departure of that pastor and the fact that they are now without a pastor and the future is uncertain.
I arrived early and went over the bulletin with the elders. The lead elder introduced me to the first few people who entered, but soon realized that I may not know everyone's name we had all met previously.
I was surprised that a couple from my previous congregation arrived to hear me preach. The person I expected to see did not show. The couple and I caught up with each other and our activities over the summer. Then it was time to start worship.
Worship went very well. The sermon was well received. I was given many positive affirmations as we settled into fellowship time.
I was asked to return again in November. I missed having communion and my mother's birthday is the second weekend, so in November, I will be preaching the third week.
The main texts were from Lamentations 1 and 3, with similar laments from Psalms and Paul. In that way it was an easy sermon to craft. I was able to include my own laments over this past year, hopefully, bringing to mind the laments of this congregation who had spent several years in turmoil both over their decision to split with their mother denomination and to the first pastor they called in this new theology and the eventual departure of that pastor and the fact that they are now without a pastor and the future is uncertain.
I arrived early and went over the bulletin with the elders. The lead elder introduced me to the first few people who entered, but soon realized that I may not know everyone's name we had all met previously.
I was surprised that a couple from my previous congregation arrived to hear me preach. The person I expected to see did not show. The couple and I caught up with each other and our activities over the summer. Then it was time to start worship.
Worship went very well. The sermon was well received. I was given many positive affirmations as we settled into fellowship time.
I was asked to return again in November. I missed having communion and my mother's birthday is the second weekend, so in November, I will be preaching the third week.
Tuesday, October 1, 2019
Comforted
After three weeks of being beaten up by a theology I do not agree with, but keeping a promise to a colleague to check out two local churches, I needed a break. Though I had intended to attend a different church each Sunday, I felt the need to return to an earlier congregation where I knew I would feel love...God's love and love from the people.
I discovered there would be a guest speaker and thought it sounded interesting. I confirmed the time of worship. Yes, it had changed since last month.
I arrived and sat in my normal seat and talked to the three ladies behind me as I had arrived a few extra minutes early. Worship started and I settled in.
The message began with a conversation around the speaker's recent trip to Washington, DC, to attend budget hearings. She spoke of the three areas of concern that her group addressed. Revolving around climate and immigration (and how these two items are connected). She discussed how these "political views" were very much in keeping with a Christian life. It was about this point that I settled in, closed my eyes to focus, and fell asleep! Yes, I'm not sure I actually hit the deep sleep that would be noticed by those around me, but there, in the loving arms of my Father in Heaven, I let go of all the stress that had accumulated over the last few Sundays. I knew that I was loved and all was well in the world in that moment.
I woke/became aware once more as the speaker wrapped up her message feeling fully refreshed.
After worship, there was a potluck. I moved to the fellowship area, fixed a plate, and sat at table. There I was joined by several members and commenced to join the conversation. Eventually, I was invited to return and invited to join the Wednesday crafting group as they worked on craft items for next year's fair. I plan to join them when I am available!
Interspersed throughout these conversations, I was ministered to by the pastor. He checked in on my sabbath time, my teaching experiences now that I had worked a few days, my son and his current situations both his athletics and his plans for next year, and life in general.
Next week, I will be doing pulpit supply.
I discovered there would be a guest speaker and thought it sounded interesting. I confirmed the time of worship. Yes, it had changed since last month.
I arrived and sat in my normal seat and talked to the three ladies behind me as I had arrived a few extra minutes early. Worship started and I settled in.
The message began with a conversation around the speaker's recent trip to Washington, DC, to attend budget hearings. She spoke of the three areas of concern that her group addressed. Revolving around climate and immigration (and how these two items are connected). She discussed how these "political views" were very much in keeping with a Christian life. It was about this point that I settled in, closed my eyes to focus, and fell asleep! Yes, I'm not sure I actually hit the deep sleep that would be noticed by those around me, but there, in the loving arms of my Father in Heaven, I let go of all the stress that had accumulated over the last few Sundays. I knew that I was loved and all was well in the world in that moment.
I woke/became aware once more as the speaker wrapped up her message feeling fully refreshed.
After worship, there was a potluck. I moved to the fellowship area, fixed a plate, and sat at table. There I was joined by several members and commenced to join the conversation. Eventually, I was invited to return and invited to join the Wednesday crafting group as they worked on craft items for next year's fair. I plan to join them when I am available!
Interspersed throughout these conversations, I was ministered to by the pastor. He checked in on my sabbath time, my teaching experiences now that I had worked a few days, my son and his current situations both his athletics and his plans for next year, and life in general.
Next week, I will be doing pulpit supply.
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