Another place to play
Posted on March 9, 2010
I’ve created another blog, this one on tumblr.
I’m enjoying it because it feels like it gives me permission just to make a lot of links, ask a lot of questions, and not worry about whether a post feels “finished.”
It’s just a place to play.
If you want to see it, go here.
» Filed Under Ministry | Leave a Comment
Lenten Writing Challenge #21: Crossing Bridges
Posted on March 9, 2010
I’m starting to take steps to go from a place of “I wish there was some way to do what I want to do” to “I’m going to make something happen.” It’s a scary process. It involves trying to articulate dreams that I’ve kept pretty close to the vest. The conversation started with this question:
Do you ever get a shiver down your spine that means “Yes! Yes!” or “God is here?”
Because I’ve been getting that feeling and it scares me a little. I have this haunting, unformed idea that there is a way to do the things I most love, to minister in ways that use my strengths and passions, and to still be able to pay the bills. I don’t know how to do it, but whenever I think “the world needs that and it’s what I want to do” I get that shiver.
Sometimes I call it the truth shiver. I’ve had it at the most inconvenient moments. Times when it’s a truth I really don’t want to hear. But I had it at the moment I knew I was called to be a minister, at the moment I knew I was going to be a parent, and most of the very best times in my life. It’s a shiver that says to me, “You don’t have to know how. You only have to know this is true.”
Be not afraid.
» Filed Under Ministry | Leave a Comment
Lenten Writing Challenge #14-16: Symmetry, Sacred Space, March Forth
Posted on March 5, 2010
silence
beautiful
opening to life
here in this space
which is holy, holy, holy
learning to be unafraid
knowing the message
that I need to hear
again and again
“be not afraid”
go forth and
fear not
fear not
go forth and
“be not afraid”
again and again
I need to hear that
knowing the message,
learning to be unafraid
which is holy, holy, holy
here in this space
opening to life
beautiful
silence
» Filed Under Art, Lenten Writing Challenge, Poetry, Prayer | Leave a Comment
Is Unitarian Universalism Ready for Revolution?
Posted on March 2, 2010
Social Media Revolution
I don’t think we’re ready. I think our churches are convinced that social media is just a passing fad.
What are the implications for churches, religious practice, spiritual development, blogging…if this is revolution?
What do ministers need to learn? How can our congregations become content providers?
Will we change or will we become irrelevant?
By the way, I found this video because it was posted on the Starr King School for the Ministry Facebook page.
» Filed Under Blogging, Ministry, Religious Education, Theology, Unitarian Universalism, excellence in ministry | 9 Comments
Lenten Writing Challenge #13: Being Crabby
Posted on March 1, 2010
A well-timed topic for me. The challenge for today is to write about being “crabby.”
I’ve been feeling crabby the past couple of days. I’m not sure what’s at the root of it. I know I am worried. (Mostly about money, since I’m working half time and so far, no job for my sweetie.) I’m not good at being worried or stressed. (Is anybody?) I get crabby, mostly because I’m trying to hide the fact that I’m worried and not let the worry spread to others. Instead, I just carry around the stress silently and then it “leaks” out in the way I treat people–most often the people I’m closest to.
Back when I was the chaplain of the Mountain Desert District Leadership School, we used to say “leadership leaks.” That’s how I am too, whatever I’m feeling leaks out into the rest of my life, no matter how good I think I am at hiding it. In a system, if the leader is anxious–no matter how well s/he is hiding it–there will be anxiety in the system. If the leader is low energy, the system is likely to be low energy too. If the leader is confident and energetic, the system will probably be too.
One thing that helps is if the leader communicates their feelings clearly and takes responsibility for them. ”I’m feeling tired and sad today and I just wanted to let you know” is a statement that helps the whole group become conscious of the emotions in the room. So, yeah…I’m sad and worried and crabby today. I’m wishing for easy solutions and knowing that none exist. (Anybody got a winning lottery ticket to share?) I’m trying to come to terms with the fact that General Assembly just isn’t a realistic possibility this year. I’ve added up all the expenses, and had a hard time sleeping last night because I was fretting about it. So I’m tired too.
It’s not pretty, but it’s real. And even though my instinct is always to hide these kinds of feelings, I really do want this blog to be about being real, open, and honest. Even if I’m honestly crabby.
» Filed Under Blogging, Lenten Writing Challenge, Personal | Leave a Comment
Lenten Writing Challenge #11: Haiku
Posted on February 27, 2010
Okay, so I’ve missed a few days of the writing challenge. I’m a bit overwhelmed and just couldn’t find a way to make writing happen. Something is sort of sad and tender in me and those are the days I feel self-protective and know I need to be careful in what I share. But today’s challenge is haiku and that seems a doable form. (Besides, I love haiku.) So here goes:
—
wolf moon shining down
seems to be stopped just short by
deep deep deep darkness
—
bloom bright against dead
pines along an empty street
both sorrow and hope
—
the world shakes again
is she angry? insecure?
anthropomorphized?
» Filed Under Ministry | Leave a Comment
