When the **** hits the fan...
We are all going to get dirty.
I don't think that Africans Against Americans, Networking Anglicans for Non Democratic Christianity and All God's Children got a Right to Call ANYTHING a Holy Matrimony if it makes them Happy, realize just how dirty we are all about to get.
That unpolitic statement said, I am going to talk to someone on the Commission on Ministry about throwing my hat in the ring. If this call had not held steady for three years in Alternate Diocese and End of Life Parishes, I would really be ready to ditch the whole religion. Once again, I find myself of the side of, it must be true, because even though people keep mucking it up and it just keeps on, the Gospel that Never Ends.....
Speaking of which...
I can honestly report that the reason older parishioners don't want to support children's ministry is the music. I thought the songs I learned in the 70's were bad, but they have only gotten worse. I think I have just found the real reason I cannot, cannot, cannot go to a church with a praise band-its VBS songs, all year long.
What do people think of our chances of getting Laurie Berkner to write some VBS songs?
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Sunday, July 16, 2006
I'm a Missionary, You're a Missionary....
Mark 6:7-13 Proper 10, Yr B
One of my dirty little secrets is that I like to watch televangelists in the morning before I preach. They are great public speakers, so I get into gear to use inflection, gestures and look alive, but most importantly, they remind me by their bad examples to actually say something meaningful and relevant and true. Ol' Jimmy makes me feel better about the fact that sometimes I make myself cry, although I promise never to break into song or get obsessed with 'the blood.' Someone fairly new to me is Joel Ostrogoth Smiles Big or some such name-he really reminds me that I am not charged with making people feel good, I am charged with giving them substance, and while it often looks ugly, and it usually turns out to be to hard to do 24-7, Christianity is ultimately about finding TRUE JOY in responsibility to others, not in abdicating responsibility and falling into a vacuous daze.
So this sermon is a stream of typing that I did, and then refered to in a sermon that had most of the elements, but wasn't a straight read. I think it is an ok read, but I thought it really came off well with some hollering and hand waving.
In this gospel, Jesus is setting up the guidelines for the mission field.
This is really the breakdown of one statement:
Neither run off stupid into the field, nor advertise that God does not care for his own.
At first glance, it looks like Jesus is sending them out like a bunch of first time hikers in September. We wouldn't dream of climbing Mt. Hood or even wandering in Portland without a jacket, a bottle of water, a map, our cell phone, some layers of clothes.... you get the drift.
We mentally read this Scripture with the one about the birds of the field and the grasses being taken care of by God. And then we quickly think, nope, I am not a missionary.
St. Phillip the Deacon has a photocopy on the front door that says, Re-entering the Mission Field. Mother Boozer reminds everyone who walks through those doors, even people who aren't there for churching that everywhere we go, everywhere we are, is a mission field. And these rules apply.
And they are not advocating jumping off a cliff yelling, praise the lord. They are actually sound rules, not only for traveling outside your neighborhood, but they work to ground our lives, day to day, even if we never leave home. These rules keep us safe, they keep us focused on God, and they keep us in a state where we are by default of our actions, being a witness for Christianity. It is very easy, when we are at the grocery store or the library to let our Christianity slide, just not do or say anything to stand out. I am not advocating that we all start lugging our Bibles around and getting 'Jesus Saves Sinners' tattooed on our foreheads. But we must not forget that our Christianity asks of us to seek reconciliation and justice in the world at all times. Refusing to see the plight of others, even if we cannot fix it right that second, is denying Christ.
But if we realize, like that sign at St. Phillip's, that when we leave here today we are in the mission field, we can see these instructions are as good in the here and now as they were when the Apostles first stepped out on their own.
To start, Jesus says, Don't go alone. This is sound advice. This isn't crazy. And when we are together with other Christians we are always present in our Christianity. I have a parent friend at my children's school who is brave enough to say, “I am a Christian.” in a PTA meeting. And one of the blessings I have in spending time with her is that even in my soccer mom days of driving, I am talking to someone who shares my view of the world. Who is not looking for their own advantage and comfort, but understands and supports my attempts to live authentic Christianity every day.
That support makes the next charge easier. Take charge of the 'unclean spirits.' I don't see a lot of socially outcast people in the course of my day to day life, but I do run into people possessed of 'unclean spirits.' People who are virulent gossips, who need to put someone else down to build themselves us, and I will tell you, I get this possession all the time.... I meet people who have a goal or cause that incites them to tell me whatever it takes for me to agree with them, so I will buy their stuff or sign their petition. It is hard to be strong in the face of people so invested in their own self interest. So it is good to keep friends around who will understand why you aren't jumping on the bandwagon. It is good to have fiends to support you, because being a Christian is hard work. It is worth it, and it is joyful, but it is hard.
But as missionaries in our daily lives, we must do more than hide out with like minded people. We couldn't be missionaries if we weren't out in a mission field. And the best teachers are those who lead by example. Jesus led the Apostles by example, and then, he sent them out to be an example to others. What Jesus was modeling, for the Apostles, and for us, was dependence on God. The next set of instructions go against everything your mother ever told you about taking a trip.
Don't take snacks.
Don't pack a suitcase.
Don't set yourself up for pickpockets.
Take a stick (support) to help you over the rough spots in the road.
One pair of good shoes, and no cheating on the suitcase.
Oh, come on. What if I have allergies. What if it starts to rain? This is Oregon... I need to take money, what if my car breaks down? Well, that is answered right there-you are walking. You are modeling environmentally conscious living. And only one pair of shoes, well, I don't know about you, but I firmly believe in the right shoes for the right activity. If I am martyred, it will be because I stopped to take off my walking shoes and put on my running shoes on the way out of Antioch.
Seriously, there are buckets of good advice here. First, don't forget that you have a companion. And money is ultimately just an enticement for someone to get you to part with it. And, if they don't believe you are broke, well, you have a stick to beat them off with. And have you ever had to lug your suitcases from one end of the airport to the other? Exactly, and that was in air-conditioning with a smooth walkway.
Good advice if you don't want to be robbed, but what do you do when you get hungry, or tired or your shoe breaks? It may be possible to be in the mission field at home, with a good job, and not need any of these things when you are out shopping or at the library. But at some point, even if you don't think you are going to the beach to convert the cotton candy eaters, you are going to be in the mission field in Seaside, OR. So when your car breaks down, and your wallet washed out to sea, and then you lost your shoe trying to retrieve you wallet, what are you doing to do then?
Well, you are going to remember Mark 6:10, of course. It actually says, “He said to tehn, Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place.” But what it says in English is - If someone is kind enough to offer hospitality, take it. Don't look to advantage.
When you are standing next to your broken down car, wet, in one shoe. Don't ask your Good Samaritan if he is a mechanic or a shoe salesman. God is going to send the right person for the right job. But that person may not be there to help you, you may be there to help them. You may not be the one in need. It might look like you need help. But you might be the help of someone else. You might be the example; of grace under fire. Of faith in God's good outcomes. And you may never know it.
Which is why we not only have a rule about taking hospitality, but one about jerks who drive by with rude comments. We are not allowed to curse their mothers, and we are not allowed to yell, “I'll pray for you.” which has to be the most obnoxious and least effective comeback of all time.
If someone doesn't offer hospitality, let them know by their own standards that they are breaking their own rules. I know it sounds like you ought to yell about their mothers, but really, you shouldn't. The Scriptures say, shake the dust off your feet because for Jews, that was how you let someone know, in their terms, that they had not been gracious. This is not a case of exchanging obscene gestures, but a pointed, specific, grounded response to inhospitality.
And it isn't to insult the person who insulted you. It is to draw the attention of bystanders, to leave them with some food for thought about their own response to the needs of others. One of the most interesting phenomenon of group behavior is the need for permission. A group of people will stand around and stare at a car accident until someone takes the initiative. Once that happens, people will start tripping over themselves to call 911 or to rip up their shirt for bandages. But it always takes that first person, that missionary, to step up and show the lack of action before action can occur.
So even this seemingly rude, unloving advice, is actually quite sound. All of the rules of missionary work, like all the rule of the Scriptures, is counter-intuitive at first glance. Don't take what you need. Take what help comes your way. Don't let naysayers get away with their rudeness.
When we first read this gospel, we all knew that we weren't missionaries, but that it is important for people who are missionaries to follow this advice, for it is the will of God, or sound practice among strangers, or a means of testimony. But what we may not have know, what we may not have realized is that when we sat down this morning, we were missionaries already. And in our gathering today, we are following rule number one, don't go it alone.
All the rest, they are hard, they are counter-intuitive, and they are scary and they go against all the advice of all the mothers I know, myself included. But all of those rules to not over-plan are grounded in our community, in our not being alone.
Everywhere we go, everywhere we are, is a mission field.
One of my dirty little secrets is that I like to watch televangelists in the morning before I preach. They are great public speakers, so I get into gear to use inflection, gestures and look alive, but most importantly, they remind me by their bad examples to actually say something meaningful and relevant and true. Ol' Jimmy makes me feel better about the fact that sometimes I make myself cry, although I promise never to break into song or get obsessed with 'the blood.' Someone fairly new to me is Joel Ostrogoth Smiles Big or some such name-he really reminds me that I am not charged with making people feel good, I am charged with giving them substance, and while it often looks ugly, and it usually turns out to be to hard to do 24-7, Christianity is ultimately about finding TRUE JOY in responsibility to others, not in abdicating responsibility and falling into a vacuous daze.
So this sermon is a stream of typing that I did, and then refered to in a sermon that had most of the elements, but wasn't a straight read. I think it is an ok read, but I thought it really came off well with some hollering and hand waving.
In this gospel, Jesus is setting up the guidelines for the mission field.
This is really the breakdown of one statement:
Neither run off stupid into the field, nor advertise that God does not care for his own.
At first glance, it looks like Jesus is sending them out like a bunch of first time hikers in September. We wouldn't dream of climbing Mt. Hood or even wandering in Portland without a jacket, a bottle of water, a map, our cell phone, some layers of clothes.... you get the drift.
We mentally read this Scripture with the one about the birds of the field and the grasses being taken care of by God. And then we quickly think, nope, I am not a missionary.
St. Phillip the Deacon has a photocopy on the front door that says, Re-entering the Mission Field. Mother Boozer reminds everyone who walks through those doors, even people who aren't there for churching that everywhere we go, everywhere we are, is a mission field. And these rules apply.
And they are not advocating jumping off a cliff yelling, praise the lord. They are actually sound rules, not only for traveling outside your neighborhood, but they work to ground our lives, day to day, even if we never leave home. These rules keep us safe, they keep us focused on God, and they keep us in a state where we are by default of our actions, being a witness for Christianity. It is very easy, when we are at the grocery store or the library to let our Christianity slide, just not do or say anything to stand out. I am not advocating that we all start lugging our Bibles around and getting 'Jesus Saves Sinners' tattooed on our foreheads. But we must not forget that our Christianity asks of us to seek reconciliation and justice in the world at all times. Refusing to see the plight of others, even if we cannot fix it right that second, is denying Christ.
But if we realize, like that sign at St. Phillip's, that when we leave here today we are in the mission field, we can see these instructions are as good in the here and now as they were when the Apostles first stepped out on their own.
To start, Jesus says, Don't go alone. This is sound advice. This isn't crazy. And when we are together with other Christians we are always present in our Christianity. I have a parent friend at my children's school who is brave enough to say, “I am a Christian.” in a PTA meeting. And one of the blessings I have in spending time with her is that even in my soccer mom days of driving, I am talking to someone who shares my view of the world. Who is not looking for their own advantage and comfort, but understands and supports my attempts to live authentic Christianity every day.
That support makes the next charge easier. Take charge of the 'unclean spirits.' I don't see a lot of socially outcast people in the course of my day to day life, but I do run into people possessed of 'unclean spirits.' People who are virulent gossips, who need to put someone else down to build themselves us, and I will tell you, I get this possession all the time.... I meet people who have a goal or cause that incites them to tell me whatever it takes for me to agree with them, so I will buy their stuff or sign their petition. It is hard to be strong in the face of people so invested in their own self interest. So it is good to keep friends around who will understand why you aren't jumping on the bandwagon. It is good to have fiends to support you, because being a Christian is hard work. It is worth it, and it is joyful, but it is hard.
But as missionaries in our daily lives, we must do more than hide out with like minded people. We couldn't be missionaries if we weren't out in a mission field. And the best teachers are those who lead by example. Jesus led the Apostles by example, and then, he sent them out to be an example to others. What Jesus was modeling, for the Apostles, and for us, was dependence on God. The next set of instructions go against everything your mother ever told you about taking a trip.
Don't take snacks.
Don't pack a suitcase.
Don't set yourself up for pickpockets.
Take a stick (support) to help you over the rough spots in the road.
One pair of good shoes, and no cheating on the suitcase.
Oh, come on. What if I have allergies. What if it starts to rain? This is Oregon... I need to take money, what if my car breaks down? Well, that is answered right there-you are walking. You are modeling environmentally conscious living. And only one pair of shoes, well, I don't know about you, but I firmly believe in the right shoes for the right activity. If I am martyred, it will be because I stopped to take off my walking shoes and put on my running shoes on the way out of Antioch.
Seriously, there are buckets of good advice here. First, don't forget that you have a companion. And money is ultimately just an enticement for someone to get you to part with it. And, if they don't believe you are broke, well, you have a stick to beat them off with. And have you ever had to lug your suitcases from one end of the airport to the other? Exactly, and that was in air-conditioning with a smooth walkway.
Good advice if you don't want to be robbed, but what do you do when you get hungry, or tired or your shoe breaks? It may be possible to be in the mission field at home, with a good job, and not need any of these things when you are out shopping or at the library. But at some point, even if you don't think you are going to the beach to convert the cotton candy eaters, you are going to be in the mission field in Seaside, OR. So when your car breaks down, and your wallet washed out to sea, and then you lost your shoe trying to retrieve you wallet, what are you doing to do then?
Well, you are going to remember Mark 6:10, of course. It actually says, “He said to tehn, Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place.” But what it says in English is - If someone is kind enough to offer hospitality, take it. Don't look to advantage.
When you are standing next to your broken down car, wet, in one shoe. Don't ask your Good Samaritan if he is a mechanic or a shoe salesman. God is going to send the right person for the right job. But that person may not be there to help you, you may be there to help them. You may not be the one in need. It might look like you need help. But you might be the help of someone else. You might be the example; of grace under fire. Of faith in God's good outcomes. And you may never know it.
Which is why we not only have a rule about taking hospitality, but one about jerks who drive by with rude comments. We are not allowed to curse their mothers, and we are not allowed to yell, “I'll pray for you.” which has to be the most obnoxious and least effective comeback of all time.
If someone doesn't offer hospitality, let them know by their own standards that they are breaking their own rules. I know it sounds like you ought to yell about their mothers, but really, you shouldn't. The Scriptures say, shake the dust off your feet because for Jews, that was how you let someone know, in their terms, that they had not been gracious. This is not a case of exchanging obscene gestures, but a pointed, specific, grounded response to inhospitality.
And it isn't to insult the person who insulted you. It is to draw the attention of bystanders, to leave them with some food for thought about their own response to the needs of others. One of the most interesting phenomenon of group behavior is the need for permission. A group of people will stand around and stare at a car accident until someone takes the initiative. Once that happens, people will start tripping over themselves to call 911 or to rip up their shirt for bandages. But it always takes that first person, that missionary, to step up and show the lack of action before action can occur.
So even this seemingly rude, unloving advice, is actually quite sound. All of the rules of missionary work, like all the rule of the Scriptures, is counter-intuitive at first glance. Don't take what you need. Take what help comes your way. Don't let naysayers get away with their rudeness.
When we first read this gospel, we all knew that we weren't missionaries, but that it is important for people who are missionaries to follow this advice, for it is the will of God, or sound practice among strangers, or a means of testimony. But what we may not have know, what we may not have realized is that when we sat down this morning, we were missionaries already. And in our gathering today, we are following rule number one, don't go it alone.
All the rest, they are hard, they are counter-intuitive, and they are scary and they go against all the advice of all the mothers I know, myself included. But all of those rules to not over-plan are grounded in our community, in our not being alone.
Everywhere we go, everywhere we are, is a mission field.
Friday, July 14, 2006
Some Archiving
I apologize for some of the randomly outdated information that I will be posting over the next few days.
I am often busier doing than I am typing, but I am getting ready to upgrade my computer, and some things are probably going to get lost forever if I don't.
I am often busier doing than I am typing, but I am getting ready to upgrade my computer, and some things are probably going to get lost forever if I don't.
Anti-genocide in Darfur Rally 4/30
This was a wonderfully sucessful and meaningful event. This was a flyer from early on, and many more organizations added on at a later dae. Lots of people have covered this in more detail, and several people are working towards a followup event. But, alas, I am not. If you want more information, go google it.
JOIN US!
Portland's Save Darfur Rally
Sunday, April 30 - 1:30 PM
Pioneer Courthouse Square
Instead of mourning a genocide, what if we could STOP one? ... And what will history say about us if we don't?
We can stop the genocide in Darfur - but we must act now.
Participate in Portland's Save Darfur Rally, which will be held in conjunction with the major rally being held the same day in Washington, DC under the auspices of Million Voices for Darfur.
Portland's Save Darfur Rally is currently supported by the following organizations:
American Jewish Committee
Bilal Mosque Association
Coalition Against Hate Crimes
Community Relations Committee of the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland
Congregation Beth Israel
Congregation Kol Ami (Vancouver)
Congregation Neveh Shalom
Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon
Greater Vancouver Interfaith Association
Inter-Religious Action Network of Washington County
P'nai Or
Portland Chapter of Hadassah
South Metro Jewish Community
Shalom Chapter Hadassah
Uniting to Understand Racism
St David's Episcopal Church
Eracism Commission of Diocese of Oregon
Sudanese Christian Fellowship
JOIN US!
Portland's Save Darfur Rally
Sunday, April 30 - 1:30 PM
Pioneer Courthouse Square
Instead of mourning a genocide, what if we could STOP one? ... And what will history say about us if we don't?
We can stop the genocide in Darfur - but we must act now.
Participate in Portland's Save Darfur Rally, which will be held in conjunction with the major rally being held the same day in Washington, DC under the auspices of Million Voices for Darfur.
Portland's Save Darfur Rally is currently supported by the following organizations:
American Jewish Committee
Bilal Mosque Association
Coalition Against Hate Crimes
Community Relations Committee of the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland
Congregation Beth Israel
Congregation Kol Ami (Vancouver)
Congregation Neveh Shalom
Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon
Greater Vancouver Interfaith Association
Inter-Religious Action Network of Washington County
P'nai Or
Portland Chapter of Hadassah
South Metro Jewish Community
Shalom Chapter Hadassah
Uniting to Understand Racism
St David's Episcopal Church
Eracism Commission of Diocese of Oregon
Sudanese Christian Fellowship
Guidelines for Christian Good Practice
from Saint Benedict's Rule
translation by Patrick Barry, OSB
abbreviated by Heather Lee(so they fit on one page in a frame in my office)
Love God with all your heart, soul and strength. Then, love your neighbor as yourself.
Embrace self-discipline. Follow the example of Christ. (i.e. support the poor, clothe the naked, visit the sick and bury the dead and console the suffering)
Do not indulge your negative passions. (i.e. anger, deceit, false peace and falsehoods)
Never repay harm with harm. Love your enemies.
Avoid all pride and self-importance.
Acknowledge the good in yourself as a gift from God. Take responsibility for the evil you do. These two things will keep you centered on God.
Never forget that you will die. Do not waste time, and know that your time will be accounted for.
Avoid evil and degenerate speech. Avoid the temptation to make jokes at the expense of others.
Read the sacred texts daily. Confess to God daily. Right any wrongs you have committed.
Do be obedient to those in authority over you. If they do not do as they ought, remember: do as they say, not as they do.
Become holy, do not simply seek the reputation. Seek reconciliation and peace before the sun goes down. Never despair the mercy of God.
Follow the guidelines every day.
Grow where you are planted.
translation by Patrick Barry, OSB
abbreviated by Heather Lee(so they fit on one page in a frame in my office)
Love God with all your heart, soul and strength. Then, love your neighbor as yourself.
Embrace self-discipline. Follow the example of Christ. (i.e. support the poor, clothe the naked, visit the sick and bury the dead and console the suffering)
Do not indulge your negative passions. (i.e. anger, deceit, false peace and falsehoods)
Never repay harm with harm. Love your enemies.
Avoid all pride and self-importance.
Acknowledge the good in yourself as a gift from God. Take responsibility for the evil you do. These two things will keep you centered on God.
Never forget that you will die. Do not waste time, and know that your time will be accounted for.
Avoid evil and degenerate speech. Avoid the temptation to make jokes at the expense of others.
Read the sacred texts daily. Confess to God daily. Right any wrongs you have committed.
Do be obedient to those in authority over you. If they do not do as they ought, remember: do as they say, not as they do.
Become holy, do not simply seek the reputation. Seek reconciliation and peace before the sun goes down. Never despair the mercy of God.
Follow the guidelines every day.
Grow where you are planted.
Mission Statement
(if I got to be in charge of writing mission statements for churches, they would look more like this. And read a lot less like 'maximize shareholder value.')
“Teacher,” asked an expert in the Law of Moses, “what must I do to have eternal life?”
“What is written?”
“The Scriptures say, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart, souls, strength, and mind.' They also say, 'Love your neighbors as much as you love yourself.”
“You have given the right answer,” said Jesus, “If you do this, you will have eternal life.”
“Who are my neighbors?”
Jesus replied:
As a man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, robbers attacked him and grabbed everything he had. They beat him up and ran off, leaving him half dead.
A priest happened to be going down the same road. But when he say the man, he walked by on the other side.
Later, a temple helper came to the same place. But when he saw the man who had been beaten up, he also went by on the other side.
Then, a man from Samaria came traveling along that road. When he say the man, he felt sorry for him and when over to him. He treated his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he took the man to an inn to be further cared for, prepaid the bill and vouched for any extra cost that might be incurred.
Jesus asked, “Which one of these three people was a real neighbor to the man who was beaten up by robbers?”
“The one who showed pity,” replied the expert.
“Go and do the same.”
The Parable of the Good Samaritan. Luke 10:25-37
(paraphrased from the Contemporary English Version)
“Teacher,” asked an expert in the Law of Moses, “what must I do to have eternal life?”
“What is written?”
“The Scriptures say, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart, souls, strength, and mind.' They also say, 'Love your neighbors as much as you love yourself.”
“You have given the right answer,” said Jesus, “If you do this, you will have eternal life.”
“Who are my neighbors?”
Jesus replied:
As a man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, robbers attacked him and grabbed everything he had. They beat him up and ran off, leaving him half dead.
A priest happened to be going down the same road. But when he say the man, he walked by on the other side.
Later, a temple helper came to the same place. But when he saw the man who had been beaten up, he also went by on the other side.
Then, a man from Samaria came traveling along that road. When he say the man, he felt sorry for him and when over to him. He treated his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he took the man to an inn to be further cared for, prepaid the bill and vouched for any extra cost that might be incurred.
Jesus asked, “Which one of these three people was a real neighbor to the man who was beaten up by robbers?”
“The one who showed pity,” replied the expert.
“Go and do the same.”
The Parable of the Good Samaritan. Luke 10:25-37
(paraphrased from the Contemporary English Version)
Sample Letters for Lay Licensing
or, my actual letters as the case may be.
Lay Eucharistic Minister and Lay Reader
In accordance with the Licensed Lay Ministries Manual, I am applying for a license to perform both Lay Eucharistic Ministry and Lay Reader Ministry at St. David of Wales Episcopal Church, Portland, OR.
I have trained for these ministries under Father John Nesbitt, the rector at St. David’s for the last year and a half. Soon after becoming a member of the parish church, I answered a call for an acolyte to assist Father John with the Holy Eucharist. Because of my great joy in the act of bringing the congregation together in the act of worship, Father John expanded my studies and offered me more responsibilities as a Lay Reader. I have led a Wednesday Evening Prayer service for 10 months. Included in my training for Lay Reading is a course of study through the Metro East Convocation for the ministry of Lay Preaching.
I have become comfortable and confident of my abilities to perform this ministry with the decorum and spirit necessary to serve the Lord in such an honored position. I feel a great passion for the performance of Eucharist and am uplifted in my ability to enhance the entire congregation’s experience of communion in Christ.
Lay Preaching Letter of Request
In accordance with the Licensed Lay Ministries Manual, I am applying for a Lay Preaching license to preach at St. David of Wales Episcopal Church, Portland, OR.
I have attended the Metro-East School of Ministry's Lay Preaching School. I graduated this spring and have further trained for this ministry under Father John Nesbitt, the rector at St. David’s in the following months by preaching one or two sermons a month. I am an active member of the ministry team at St. David's. I serve as an Eucharistic Minister and Lay Reader; leading Morning Prayer services on occasional Sunday's when Fr. Nesbitt is out of town.
I have become comfortable and confident of my abilities to perform this ministry with the decorum and spirit necessary to serve the Lord in such an honored position. I believe that my own efforts as a lay member of the church, willing to expose my own struggle with the Scriptures, enhances that effort in the other members of the congregation.
Lay Eucharistic Minister and Lay Reader
In accordance with the Licensed Lay Ministries Manual, I am applying for a license to perform both Lay Eucharistic Ministry and Lay Reader Ministry at St. David of Wales Episcopal Church, Portland, OR.
I have trained for these ministries under Father John Nesbitt, the rector at St. David’s for the last year and a half. Soon after becoming a member of the parish church, I answered a call for an acolyte to assist Father John with the Holy Eucharist. Because of my great joy in the act of bringing the congregation together in the act of worship, Father John expanded my studies and offered me more responsibilities as a Lay Reader. I have led a Wednesday Evening Prayer service for 10 months. Included in my training for Lay Reading is a course of study through the Metro East Convocation for the ministry of Lay Preaching.
I have become comfortable and confident of my abilities to perform this ministry with the decorum and spirit necessary to serve the Lord in such an honored position. I feel a great passion for the performance of Eucharist and am uplifted in my ability to enhance the entire congregation’s experience of communion in Christ.
Lay Preaching Letter of Request
In accordance with the Licensed Lay Ministries Manual, I am applying for a Lay Preaching license to preach at St. David of Wales Episcopal Church, Portland, OR.
I have attended the Metro-East School of Ministry's Lay Preaching School. I graduated this spring and have further trained for this ministry under Father John Nesbitt, the rector at St. David’s in the following months by preaching one or two sermons a month. I am an active member of the ministry team at St. David's. I serve as an Eucharistic Minister and Lay Reader; leading Morning Prayer services on occasional Sunday's when Fr. Nesbitt is out of town.
I have become comfortable and confident of my abilities to perform this ministry with the decorum and spirit necessary to serve the Lord in such an honored position. I believe that my own efforts as a lay member of the church, willing to expose my own struggle with the Scriptures, enhances that effort in the other members of the congregation.
Ground Rules for Dialogue in the Kingdom
Our afternoon congregation, called Sudanese Christian Fellowsip, is extremely ecumenical and diverse in every way you can imagine. This is what is printed on the back of the service booklets.
Adapted From Seeing the Face of God in Each Other
Antiracism Committee of the Executive Council, 2003
In this space we are creating a sanctuary that embraces its occupants as God's children- welcomes everyone, respecting their history and enabling their freedom by acknowledging our interdependence. Fully aware that we fall short of the glory of God we offer these statements as a guide to limit the harm we do each other.
Our primary commitment is to learn and achieve understanding from leaders, each other, the materials and from our work.
We acknowledge that racism, sexism, ageism, ableism, classism, heterosexism and other forms of oppression exist.
We acknowledge that one of the consequences of oppression is the systematic misinformation we have been taught about all groups of people.
We will be held accountable for repeating misinformation after we have heard and learned otherwise.
We assume that people will strive to do the best they can to participate in the dialogue process and to try to behave in non-oppressive ways.
We will actively pursue opportunities to learn about all groups of people yet not enter or invade other's privacy when unwanted.
We will not demean, devalue, or trivialize any other person for their experiences or perspectives.
We have an obligation to challenge the myths and stereotypes about our own groups and other groups.
We agree to respect confidentiality when it is requested.
Adapted From Seeing the Face of God in Each Other
Antiracism Committee of the Executive Council, 2003
In this space we are creating a sanctuary that embraces its occupants as God's children- welcomes everyone, respecting their history and enabling their freedom by acknowledging our interdependence. Fully aware that we fall short of the glory of God we offer these statements as a guide to limit the harm we do each other.
Our primary commitment is to learn and achieve understanding from leaders, each other, the materials and from our work.
We acknowledge that racism, sexism, ageism, ableism, classism, heterosexism and other forms of oppression exist.
We acknowledge that one of the consequences of oppression is the systematic misinformation we have been taught about all groups of people.
We will be held accountable for repeating misinformation after we have heard and learned otherwise.
We assume that people will strive to do the best they can to participate in the dialogue process and to try to behave in non-oppressive ways.
We will actively pursue opportunities to learn about all groups of people yet not enter or invade other's privacy when unwanted.
We will not demean, devalue, or trivialize any other person for their experiences or perspectives.
We have an obligation to challenge the myths and stereotypes about our own groups and other groups.
We agree to respect confidentiality when it is requested.
Visioning Worship @ St. David's
This is some work I did in conjunction with others, and is the result of a lot of conversations with people in a wide variety of capacities, chuch members, episcopalians around the diocese, neighbors and even other demoninations.
I envision St David's morning congregation as a resource of traditions. The episcopal church is rich in traditions and one of it's strengths is that it is willing and able to periodically evaluate those traditions, revise them to meet particular needs, and most especially to pass the meaning and relevance of those traditions on to future generations.
Visions of our liturgy:
We envision reinstating the 8am service, this is a time dear to the heart of many of our members and in my own experience and excellent way for people who work in the church education or liturgical aspects of other services to have the important experience of worshiping in the pews. I think it is very important for everyone, and especially clergy to be allowed to engage in the private and enfolding experience of worship in the same way as the laity. The 8am service is also, in the tradition of the episcopal church, the last bastion of an older practice of the liturgy; this is I believe primarily due to a quirk of later life that enables us to rise earlier combined with that very essence that makes traditions endure, that they provide comfort in their changelessness.
We envision keeping our 2pm service. I see this service becoming, over time, a gathering that embraces much more closely the traditions and expressions of worship that the emigrees who make up this congregation have in their hearts. This will require raising up the natural leadership in this community to positions of ascribed power, and sharing with them the means and information to recreate those forms of worship they may have only experienced as audience members. Examples of this would be more music or dance from the countries of origin and more of the service in the languages of origin of the members. At this time, we have members from more than just Sudan as well as member from more than just the Sudanese Episcopal Church. All of our experiences enrich our liturgy and our experience of the Holy. At this time, in order to create cohesion of our group and worship we are using a service that is perhaps too reliant of the words of the ECUSA Book of Common Prayer and therefore too reliant on words that more accurately reflect a North American perspective. With time and attention given to eliciting peoples memories, we will be able to honor the traditions of our members and create a worship experience much richer and much different than we have now.
I envision this space allowing leaders to be developed that can then take practical and spiritual knowledge as well as positive ties to the world church home to their respective countries
We envision adding another worship service to our Sunday worship schedule. A service at 11am. There is a real need to provide a safe sanctuary for people who have been ill-used in the world and in the church but have not turned from God. Many people have heard the message of Christ and cannot reconcile it to what they see in the media or have experienced in church. I envision a worship service that is primarily a teaching service with a great deal of visible lay leadership. There is a fear of priests, there is a fear of charismatic individuals and there is a fear of group oppression for not following the normative behavior of the majority. This safe space, I envision, will hold everyone to a higher standard of personal responsibility to respect others.
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Love your neighbor as yourself.
Judge not, lest ye be judged.
Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. or the 70*7 verse from Matthew.
These three verses I need to look up the scripture reference for.
These three verses we are all taught over and over again. It is a sad state of affairs that many churches do not practice this simple and radical idea with conscious intent. I propose that it is time, not only to practice what we preach, but to envision and implement the practice of conscientious tolerance.
Within the framework of this worship ideal, I envision people having personal mentoring relationships with other survivors like themselves who have come further in their relationship with God, with their own forgiveness. I envision bringing up the laity into positions of authority, such as LEM's, Lay Preachers, and Lay Readers. I do not necessarily envision a Eucharist at every meeting of this group, and when we do celebrate the Eucharist, I see having several different priests that perform the service. This allows the laity to experience a variety of priests in the authoritative position, and creates opportunities for cross contamination of congregations.
I envision St David's morning congregation as a resource of traditions. The episcopal church is rich in traditions and one of it's strengths is that it is willing and able to periodically evaluate those traditions, revise them to meet particular needs, and most especially to pass the meaning and relevance of those traditions on to future generations.
Visions of our liturgy:
We envision reinstating the 8am service, this is a time dear to the heart of many of our members and in my own experience and excellent way for people who work in the church education or liturgical aspects of other services to have the important experience of worshiping in the pews. I think it is very important for everyone, and especially clergy to be allowed to engage in the private and enfolding experience of worship in the same way as the laity. The 8am service is also, in the tradition of the episcopal church, the last bastion of an older practice of the liturgy; this is I believe primarily due to a quirk of later life that enables us to rise earlier combined with that very essence that makes traditions endure, that they provide comfort in their changelessness.
We envision keeping our 2pm service. I see this service becoming, over time, a gathering that embraces much more closely the traditions and expressions of worship that the emigrees who make up this congregation have in their hearts. This will require raising up the natural leadership in this community to positions of ascribed power, and sharing with them the means and information to recreate those forms of worship they may have only experienced as audience members. Examples of this would be more music or dance from the countries of origin and more of the service in the languages of origin of the members. At this time, we have members from more than just Sudan as well as member from more than just the Sudanese Episcopal Church. All of our experiences enrich our liturgy and our experience of the Holy. At this time, in order to create cohesion of our group and worship we are using a service that is perhaps too reliant of the words of the ECUSA Book of Common Prayer and therefore too reliant on words that more accurately reflect a North American perspective. With time and attention given to eliciting peoples memories, we will be able to honor the traditions of our members and create a worship experience much richer and much different than we have now.
I envision this space allowing leaders to be developed that can then take practical and spiritual knowledge as well as positive ties to the world church home to their respective countries
We envision adding another worship service to our Sunday worship schedule. A service at 11am. There is a real need to provide a safe sanctuary for people who have been ill-used in the world and in the church but have not turned from God. Many people have heard the message of Christ and cannot reconcile it to what they see in the media or have experienced in church. I envision a worship service that is primarily a teaching service with a great deal of visible lay leadership. There is a fear of priests, there is a fear of charismatic individuals and there is a fear of group oppression for not following the normative behavior of the majority. This safe space, I envision, will hold everyone to a higher standard of personal responsibility to respect others.
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Love your neighbor as yourself.
Judge not, lest ye be judged.
Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. or the 70*7 verse from Matthew.
These three verses I need to look up the scripture reference for.
These three verses we are all taught over and over again. It is a sad state of affairs that many churches do not practice this simple and radical idea with conscious intent. I propose that it is time, not only to practice what we preach, but to envision and implement the practice of conscientious tolerance.
Within the framework of this worship ideal, I envision people having personal mentoring relationships with other survivors like themselves who have come further in their relationship with God, with their own forgiveness. I envision bringing up the laity into positions of authority, such as LEM's, Lay Preachers, and Lay Readers. I do not necessarily envision a Eucharist at every meeting of this group, and when we do celebrate the Eucharist, I see having several different priests that perform the service. This allows the laity to experience a variety of priests in the authoritative position, and creates opportunities for cross contamination of congregations.
More Visioning
Some thoughts kicking around.
We are trying to figure out what to do with our church building. I got annoyed with what someone said because they do not understand how painful these negotiations are, and they are negotiations. Churches do not have bottomless funding any more than any other institution, especially not for profits. What churches do have are huge capital resources that are difficult to maintain but are vital to the general economy. We are cognizant of it, and we need to be aware that the secular world takes us for granted, and that we take ourselves for granted. I don't think any church member feels that more than one who is in a church that can't afford it's building.
Because church isn't about buildings. It's about people. For a certain sized gathering, it is necessary to have a dedicated space. Also, all people like to have dedicated space for sacred activities. How many people have personal altars in their home, no matter their spiritual preference?
Like I said, we are trying to figure out what to do with the space. There are about a dozen of us, and we would all rather be doing something to complement our faith. I have not yet found any spiritual satisfaction in changing flourescent lights. Maybe I am missing the point, but I would really rather be leading people in personalized spiritual discussions and housing the homeless and feeding the hungry and engaging the secular world with regard to it's self centered behavior. Practically, I am the only person still young enough to climb a ladder. The real measure of ministry is how graciously one can mop up a toilet overflow. And I have done that too.
We can't just up and close the doors as much as I sometimes want to. We provide worship space for African refugees. They need space too. And a rotating homeless shelter. And three Anonymous groups. And a Norwegian Dance troupe. And two preschools. And the Ukelele Association of Portland. And the League of Women Voters. And the list goes on. None of these groups have the resources to purchase property and build individual places. None of them generate enough income to pay for dedicated retail. Few of them even need dedicated real estate. They have a lot to share, and so do we.
We are trying to figure out what to do with the building, because even with all these groups paying and donating what they can, even with tithe from the members of the church, even with dipping into bequests of previous generations of St David members, we cannot afford to pay our priest, and we cannot afford to to the large capitol maintaining or improving that needs to be done on the property. At some point, the leaks in the roof are going to lead to to a whole new roof. Then what do any of us do?
We want to do the things that make us Christians. Sometimes that is providing a place for someone who has nowhere to go. But in the end, no matter how liturgical the practice, Christianity does not require a building. Preschools, and Anonymous meetings, and Ukelele Association meetings do.
I can envision a building that houses these sorts of groups. I can see it compatible with Christianity. Plenty of churches if they can find the space meet in community centers. The trick is to turn the church into a community center.
We are trying to figure out what to do with our church building. I got annoyed with what someone said because they do not understand how painful these negotiations are, and they are negotiations. Churches do not have bottomless funding any more than any other institution, especially not for profits. What churches do have are huge capital resources that are difficult to maintain but are vital to the general economy. We are cognizant of it, and we need to be aware that the secular world takes us for granted, and that we take ourselves for granted. I don't think any church member feels that more than one who is in a church that can't afford it's building.
Because church isn't about buildings. It's about people. For a certain sized gathering, it is necessary to have a dedicated space. Also, all people like to have dedicated space for sacred activities. How many people have personal altars in their home, no matter their spiritual preference?
Like I said, we are trying to figure out what to do with the space. There are about a dozen of us, and we would all rather be doing something to complement our faith. I have not yet found any spiritual satisfaction in changing flourescent lights. Maybe I am missing the point, but I would really rather be leading people in personalized spiritual discussions and housing the homeless and feeding the hungry and engaging the secular world with regard to it's self centered behavior. Practically, I am the only person still young enough to climb a ladder. The real measure of ministry is how graciously one can mop up a toilet overflow. And I have done that too.
We can't just up and close the doors as much as I sometimes want to. We provide worship space for African refugees. They need space too. And a rotating homeless shelter. And three Anonymous groups. And a Norwegian Dance troupe. And two preschools. And the Ukelele Association of Portland. And the League of Women Voters. And the list goes on. None of these groups have the resources to purchase property and build individual places. None of them generate enough income to pay for dedicated retail. Few of them even need dedicated real estate. They have a lot to share, and so do we.
We are trying to figure out what to do with the building, because even with all these groups paying and donating what they can, even with tithe from the members of the church, even with dipping into bequests of previous generations of St David members, we cannot afford to pay our priest, and we cannot afford to to the large capitol maintaining or improving that needs to be done on the property. At some point, the leaks in the roof are going to lead to to a whole new roof. Then what do any of us do?
We want to do the things that make us Christians. Sometimes that is providing a place for someone who has nowhere to go. But in the end, no matter how liturgical the practice, Christianity does not require a building. Preschools, and Anonymous meetings, and Ukelele Association meetings do.
I can envision a building that houses these sorts of groups. I can see it compatible with Christianity. Plenty of churches if they can find the space meet in community centers. The trick is to turn the church into a community center.
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