"The safest place for ships is in the harbor. But that's not why ships are built." Anonymous
Edwin Friedman is a man whose ideas I have admired since I first heard him speak to a conference I attended. He suggested at that conference that when a system is "stuck," repeating behaviors and relationships that aren't thriving, it cannot free itself simply by trying harder or thinking itself through the problems. A spirit of adventure and serendipity leading to wholly new perceptions must happen first.
I'm not by nature a risk taker. I like my comfort zone. The foods I eat are the foods I enjoy. I don't volunteer to try new things. The places I most enjoy travelling to are places I've been before. I enjoy exploring for depth rather than for newness. That's part of why I enjoy the study of history so much. I'm one of the "oldsters" on the Vestry (our Church Board). By virtue of that fact (if for no other reason), part of my job is a witness to our history. At the same time, the relative "newbies" bring a fresh perspective and a vibrancy that is essential for our growth. That is a part of their job.
Where is the balance that keeps me from being "stuck" in my comfort zone without losing site of precious and hard-won wisdom? Where both the wisdom of the ages and the fresh breeze of tomorrow remain connected to one another there is space for the the healing reconciliation of the Spirit. God understands where we need to go. I need to open myself to His unexpected messages . . . and smile.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
Listening
"Try to listen so carefully that you might not have to speak." Guidance for Quaker Yearly Meetings
I talk too much. I always think I have something to add. On at least three occasions in the past few weeks, friends have shared with me concerns they were dealing with. I listened and then offered my thoughts and advice. After each conversation I reflected on the conversation. I now realize that in each instance, no advice was requested. I don't know that it was unwelcome, but none was requested.
Was I being intrusive? Was I offering a voice when only an ear was needed? It's hard to say. Perhaps my prayerful silent presence might have allowed my friends to express deeper thoughts of their own percolating within, or to discover and articulate a new insight.
By listening more carefully, I permit space for my heart to hear and for my intuition and imagination to speak to me. I can better hear things not said that may be instructive. If God speaks to me through others, I need to learn to listen better and leave space for His presence.
Thank you God for carefully listening to me. May I have a quiet heart to return the favor.
I talk too much. I always think I have something to add. On at least three occasions in the past few weeks, friends have shared with me concerns they were dealing with. I listened and then offered my thoughts and advice. After each conversation I reflected on the conversation. I now realize that in each instance, no advice was requested. I don't know that it was unwelcome, but none was requested.
Was I being intrusive? Was I offering a voice when only an ear was needed? It's hard to say. Perhaps my prayerful silent presence might have allowed my friends to express deeper thoughts of their own percolating within, or to discover and articulate a new insight.
By listening more carefully, I permit space for my heart to hear and for my intuition and imagination to speak to me. I can better hear things not said that may be instructive. If God speaks to me through others, I need to learn to listen better and leave space for His presence.
Thank you God for carefully listening to me. May I have a quiet heart to return the favor.
Lent is time of training for life, Presiding Bishop says
By Mary Frances Schjonberg
[Episcopal News Service -- San José, Costa Rica] Reflecting on the message to "remember that you are dust and to dust you will return," Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori said during an Ash Wednesday service here that "we are dust given life by the spirit of God."
Jefferts Schori presided and preached during an Ash Wednesday service February 25 at Hogar Escuela Episcopal, a day-care center in the Barrio Cuba section of San José, Costa Rica. During the service, the Presiding Bishop imposed ashes on some of the children who spend the day at the center, as well as school staff and participants in the Conference of the Anglican Churches in the Americas on Mutual Responsibility and Mission. The latter group visited the center at the beginning of a day-long tour of the city.
"We are dust hoping to be worthy of the image of God," the Presiding Bishop said during her sermon, adding that humans are "made of the same dust that comes ultimately from the stars."
Full story and audio link:
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_105428_ENG_HTM.htm
[Episcopal News Service -- San José, Costa Rica] Reflecting on the message to "remember that you are dust and to dust you will return," Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori said during an Ash Wednesday service here that "we are dust given life by the spirit of God."
Jefferts Schori presided and preached during an Ash Wednesday service February 25 at Hogar Escuela Episcopal, a day-care center in the Barrio Cuba section of San José, Costa Rica. During the service, the Presiding Bishop imposed ashes on some of the children who spend the day at the center, as well as school staff and participants in the Conference of the Anglican Churches in the Americas on Mutual Responsibility and Mission. The latter group visited the center at the beginning of a day-long tour of the city.
"We are dust hoping to be worthy of the image of God," the Presiding Bishop said during her sermon, adding that humans are "made of the same dust that comes ultimately from the stars."
Full story and audio link:
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_105428_ENG_HTM.htm
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Ministry
I have heard ministry defined as the active response to God's call. James Fenhagen (in his Invitation to Holiness) suggests that Christians are not called to virtue so much as they we are called to service in and for the world in companionship with each other and the Lord. The Outline of Faith in the Book of Common Prayer states that ministry is the work of all: bishops, priests, deacons and lay people.
For me, as a layman, the challenge has always been to claim what I do as ministry. This is not because I want to be seen carrying a mantle of righteousness. Rather, to see my life's work and my work life as ministry pulls me to deepen my examination of those relationships which arise in each day.
My family life, my public service, my teaching, my daily chores, and so much more . . . all clearly are opportunities to do good and to serve others. But giving up to God the how and why runs counter to my "guy" instincts to take names, solve problems and make things happen . . . and only later to consider God's place in it all.
I thank God for His challenge to me to see my life in terms that places the Lord's at its center . . . to see it as ministry.
For me, as a layman, the challenge has always been to claim what I do as ministry. This is not because I want to be seen carrying a mantle of righteousness. Rather, to see my life's work and my work life as ministry pulls me to deepen my examination of those relationships which arise in each day.
My family life, my public service, my teaching, my daily chores, and so much more . . . all clearly are opportunities to do good and to serve others. But giving up to God the how and why runs counter to my "guy" instincts to take names, solve problems and make things happen . . . and only later to consider God's place in it all.
I thank God for His challenge to me to see my life in terms that places the Lord's at its center . . . to see it as ministry.
Online community set up to mark season of prayer, reflection and action
[Church of England] "What are you doing?" asks the Church of England this Lent as it connects with people through the social networking site Twitter and a new Facebook application designed to get people to share their top tips for helping each other. The initiatives are designed to mobilize a viral movement marking Lent with simple acts of generosity and thoughtfulness in the real world.
Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81808_105390_ENG_HTM.htm
Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81808_105390_ENG_HTM.htm
'I am Episcopalian' -- new 'microsite'
[Episcopal News Service] A communications initiative to tell the Episcopal Church's story was launched on Ash Wednesday at www.episcopalchurch.org where visitors will find a new interactive feature called "I Am Episcopalian."
The so-called "microsite" contains short videos of people "sharing their deep, personal connections to the big, wide, vibrant church that we are," said Anne Rudig, who joined the Episcopal Church Center in New York as communications director on January 5.
Not only will the videos illustrate the diversity of Episcopalians -- "all ages, all walks of life, all ethnicities," said Rudig -- but the site also will let users upload their own videos.
Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_105388_ENG_HTM.htm
The so-called "microsite" contains short videos of people "sharing their deep, personal connections to the big, wide, vibrant church that we are," said Anne Rudig, who joined the Episcopal Church Center in New York as communications director on January 5.
Not only will the videos illustrate the diversity of Episcopalians -- "all ages, all walks of life, all ethnicities," said Rudig -- but the site also will let users upload their own videos.
Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_105388_ENG_HTM.htm
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Ash Wednesday
"Find a place in your heart and speak there with the Lord." Theophan the Recluse.
Listening with my heart is difficult business. I have never had visions or heard voices in ways that I read and hear about others in their communication with God. No flashy trumpets and light. No burning bushes or physical miracles. No quaking or tongues.
So I wrestle with the question of what God would have me do. Where shall I be to speak with God and know with quiet calm that it is He that is responding or commanding?
I identify with the recluse, wanting to re-energize myself in quiet, personal, separate reflection. But when I see and hear God with confidence, it is in the persons and voices and faces of those I meet each day. So, for me, if I listen with my heart, it is there that I must be. As a friend put it to me last weekend, I am working "against type." It is a discipline I must engage in each day and in each encounter—to make myself be open to the possibilities and messages God is putting before me.
God be praised for his patient presence before me in the persons He puts in my way each new day. Thanks too, for the understanding that leads me to that place in my heart that allows me to speak with the Lord.
Listening with my heart is difficult business. I have never had visions or heard voices in ways that I read and hear about others in their communication with God. No flashy trumpets and light. No burning bushes or physical miracles. No quaking or tongues.
So I wrestle with the question of what God would have me do. Where shall I be to speak with God and know with quiet calm that it is He that is responding or commanding?
I identify with the recluse, wanting to re-energize myself in quiet, personal, separate reflection. But when I see and hear God with confidence, it is in the persons and voices and faces of those I meet each day. So, for me, if I listen with my heart, it is there that I must be. As a friend put it to me last weekend, I am working "against type." It is a discipline I must engage in each day and in each encounter—to make myself be open to the possibilities and messages God is putting before me.
God be praised for his patient presence before me in the persons He puts in my way each new day. Thanks too, for the understanding that leads me to that place in my heart that allows me to speak with the Lord.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Lenten Introduction
I have thought about how I might communicate more closely and regularly with you all. Some of you will recall that a few years ago, I undertook a daily discipline during Lent and communicated daily with you by email. I am undertaking a similar effort this year, but with newer technology — blogging.
My Lenten efforts this year will concentrate on good reading, deep prayer, a consciousness of the soul — not on artificial penances, good as they may be for me. The purpose of my work this Lent will be to freshen the basics of life, to fill my empty self with meaning.
I invite you all to join me, as the Spirit may move you, so that this could be a communal discipline.
My Lenten efforts this year will concentrate on good reading, deep prayer, a consciousness of the soul — not on artificial penances, good as they may be for me. The purpose of my work this Lent will be to freshen the basics of life, to fill my empty self with meaning.
I invite you all to join me, as the Spirit may move you, so that this could be a communal discipline.
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