The Season After Pentecost which begins after Trinity Sunday (today) is sometimes referred to as "ordinary time." It is "ordinary" because the weeks that follow are not associated with a specific liturgical season such as Lent or Epiphany. There are no over-arching themes for these weeks of the Church's year which makes them "ordinary." The liturgical color for the Season After Pentecost is green - and because this season coincides with Spring and Summer in our hemisphere, it has often been connected to growth in the Christian cycle. It is also a long season, lasting until Advent begins again.
Lessons each Sunday focus our attention on our relationship with God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and one another, and on the Church and its mission. As the season often coincides with our vacations, it is also a season where we can reflect on the gift of time God gives to each human life.
Time is something we pretend we are in control of in the post-industrial West. We think about "managing our time," "making good use of our time" and "not wasting time." We are busy people, families and communities. But as much as we feel we are in control of time, time still remains God's, not ours.
Jeremy Taylor, an early anglican divine wrote:
"There is too little time to purchase great wealth, to satisfy the pride of a vain-glorious fool, to trample upon all the enemies of our just or unjust interests; but for the obtaining of virtue, for the purchase of sobriety and modesty, for the acts of religion, God gave us time sufficient."
- Jeremy Taylor The Rule and Exercises of Holy Living (1650)
"Ordinary time" is the perfect time for us to reflect both on how we use time and how we can simply be in time. We are so busy most of the year pretending we control time that we forget that we have allowed time to control us. The slower pace of the summer months gives us times of refreshment - times to "be" rather than "do." I love to just sit on the beach and watch the waves roll in and out in their timeless fashion. As the days lengthen, I find myself more drawn to watching the sunrise or the sunset, to simply sitting still and breathing. I don't have to look for God the way I do when I am flying from task to task, but sitting still and letting the ancient rythyms of the creation envelop me, God finds me. I am easily in touch with the incarnate Jesus who fills my soul without my searching for him. All I have to do is stop managing time and, instead, be in time.
So - I invite you to join me in ordinary time, doing ordinary things and finding the rythym of the holy so close that all we need to do to find it is breathe.
Faithfully,
Elizabeth
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Hooray! it's Pentecost
When we think of the major Christian festivals, Christmas and Easter are at the top of the list. We tend to forget about Pentecost which is one of the three most important celebrations of the Christian Church - we wouldn't be a Church without it!
We celebrate Pentecost on Sunday, May 11th this year (the date always changes because it is fifty days after Easter)On Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descends upon the disciples, giving them the power to preach, teach, heal, serve and love in Jesus' name. The Holy Spirit's presence within us and among us is how we are empowered to do the same.
The Holy Spirit can be hard to explain to young children. It is a more an intangible "thing" than a concrete object. The Holy Spirit is like the wind - we can't see wind, we can only see the leaves it blows. The Holy Spirit is like the wind. We can't see it, but we can see what it does. When we see someon caring for another person, cleaning up litter in the park or sharing a kind word, that is when we see the Holy Spirit in action.
"Spirit Bubbles" are a Pentecost tradition in my house. On the Day of Pentecost, when we celebrate the power of the Holy Spirit among us, my children and I head outside after Church with our bubbles and we blow them. As the bubbles rise on the wind, we offer up our prayers for each other and those we are worried about. We shout out our thanksgivings and laugh together. And then we finish with this prayer:
I am an Alleluia!
I am a Wonder!
The gifts of your Spirit, O God, make me so!
With these gifts, I can live your life, Jesus.
I can be fully alive!
Amen!
So this Pentecost, I invite you to share in our tradition. Head outside with your bubbles and shout your praise to God together! And be sure to wear red to Church on Sunday! Red is the color of the tongues of fire that came upon the disciples as the Holy Spirit descended on them and it is a color of passion in the Church. So wear your red to Church and we will be a living, breathing representation of the Spirit!
Happy Pentecost!
Faithfully,
Elizabeth
We celebrate Pentecost on Sunday, May 11th this year (the date always changes because it is fifty days after Easter)On Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descends upon the disciples, giving them the power to preach, teach, heal, serve and love in Jesus' name. The Holy Spirit's presence within us and among us is how we are empowered to do the same.
The Holy Spirit can be hard to explain to young children. It is a more an intangible "thing" than a concrete object. The Holy Spirit is like the wind - we can't see wind, we can only see the leaves it blows. The Holy Spirit is like the wind. We can't see it, but we can see what it does. When we see someon caring for another person, cleaning up litter in the park or sharing a kind word, that is when we see the Holy Spirit in action.
"Spirit Bubbles" are a Pentecost tradition in my house. On the Day of Pentecost, when we celebrate the power of the Holy Spirit among us, my children and I head outside after Church with our bubbles and we blow them. As the bubbles rise on the wind, we offer up our prayers for each other and those we are worried about. We shout out our thanksgivings and laugh together. And then we finish with this prayer:
I am an Alleluia!
I am a Wonder!
The gifts of your Spirit, O God, make me so!
With these gifts, I can live your life, Jesus.
I can be fully alive!
Amen!
So this Pentecost, I invite you to share in our tradition. Head outside with your bubbles and shout your praise to God together! And be sure to wear red to Church on Sunday! Red is the color of the tongues of fire that came upon the disciples as the Holy Spirit descended on them and it is a color of passion in the Church. So wear your red to Church and we will be a living, breathing representation of the Spirit!
Happy Pentecost!
Faithfully,
Elizabeth
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Little Known, But Not Lesser
The Easter Season is full of what the Church traditionally has called "mystagogy" - explorations of the mystery of the Church. We talk about a great many things during the Easter Season - the experiences the disciples had meeting the risen Jesus, what life is like for Peter and Paul as they begin create the foundations of what becomes the Church, etc. We talk about Baptism and what it means to be born again in Jesus through water. But we tend to skip right over Ascension.
Ascension Day falls on the 40th day after Easter and the actual day was last Thursday. But today is "Ascension Sunday" on the United Methodist calendar. On Ascension, we celebrate Jesus taking his place "at the right hand of the Father." Jesus in his risen, but still human form, ascends to Heaven to be with God. This reminds us that we, too, will rise to be with God one day.
One Jesus has ascended, a new era begins for the people of God. Ten days later, as Jesus promised, he sends his Spirit to the disciples on Pentecost (next Sunday, May 23rd), and the Church as we know it, is born. Pentecost is a major Christian feast day, as important as Christmas and Easter. At Pentecost, we are empowered to go and live out our baptismal ministry to "go and make disciples of all the nations. (Matthew 20:18).
All of the feast days of the Christian liturgical year remind us of God's plan of salvation for us. Celebrating them as they come around on the liturgical calendar helps us remember our place in God's Story. Celebrating them together as a congregation and as families helps us to understand the very important work God has given human beings in transforming and re-creating the world to be as God intended it!
Faithfully,
Elizabeth
Ascension Day falls on the 40th day after Easter and the actual day was last Thursday. But today is "Ascension Sunday" on the United Methodist calendar. On Ascension, we celebrate Jesus taking his place "at the right hand of the Father." Jesus in his risen, but still human form, ascends to Heaven to be with God. This reminds us that we, too, will rise to be with God one day.
One Jesus has ascended, a new era begins for the people of God. Ten days later, as Jesus promised, he sends his Spirit to the disciples on Pentecost (next Sunday, May 23rd), and the Church as we know it, is born. Pentecost is a major Christian feast day, as important as Christmas and Easter. At Pentecost, we are empowered to go and live out our baptismal ministry to "go and make disciples of all the nations. (Matthew 20:18).
All of the feast days of the Christian liturgical year remind us of God's plan of salvation for us. Celebrating them as they come around on the liturgical calendar helps us remember our place in God's Story. Celebrating them together as a congregation and as families helps us to understand the very important work God has given human beings in transforming and re-creating the world to be as God intended it!
Faithfully,
Elizabeth
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Meditations on Motherhood: Mother's Day 2010
You may have heard me say it - my children have been the best teachers of faith I have ever had. As I think back on all the things I have learned about God from being a mother, I see how being Alex and Joshua's mother has changed the way I understand God, shaped the way I live out my faith and kept me continually focused on what really matters. Here are some of the things I have discovered on my journey as a Christian mother:
Life is washable: To quote the Hymnal, this “saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance" (UMH, 892): a little soap and water can cure a whole host of things, and what it can't doesn't really matter. Green footprints on the carpet (Alex put food coloring in the dog's water one St. Patrick's Day morning, spilled the water, stepped in it and THEN came to tell me he had made a mess!) DO come out with a bit of elbow grease. Sin is a bit harder, but baptismal water is REALLY effective. The major learning here was to relax and enjoy the gift God gave me in my children, not worry about the furnishings or the mistakes.
God's love really is THAT big: I grew up with the notion of God as a stern and judgmental father. In that euphoria that followed the birth of each of my children - as I was overwhelmed with unconditional love for these small and amazing beings - I realized that if I loved my children than much, how much more did God love both them and me?
The small stuff MATTERS: Not things like taking out the trash, but ants and butterflies and blueberries ripening on the vine. Both of my boys are explorers who marvel at things I take for granted everyday. My boys have taught me that the sacred is revealed in the business of birds building a nest and leaves changing from bud to full blown (did you know that the new leaves of Japanese maple trees feel like raccoon's paws? I didn't, but Alex thought they did!). Joshua's class is watching worms become butterflies and he announced, eyes full of wonder as he got off the bus yesterday, "Mama, we saw a MIRACLE today!" How much of God's goodness and creativity I would have missed had I not had these guides to point them out along the way.
Forgiveness is more than possible: As I think about the ups and downs of family life, I know both how important and how possible forgiveness is. I am often overwhelmed with gratitude for two boys who can forgive the flaws of a menopausal, most of the time tired and often- times cranky mother. They not only forgive me, they love me anyway and because of it all. They have been wonderful role models to me in how to live a life of forgiveness. I find it easier to forgive because they so generously and regularly forgive me.
These are just a few of the things to which my children have opened my eyes.I'll bet you have stories like mine where because of something your children did or said, you suddenly saw faith with new eyes and recognized God's presence in a new way. Would you share those stories with us?
Life is washable: To quote the Hymnal, this “saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance" (UMH, 892): a little soap and water can cure a whole host of things, and what it can't doesn't really matter. Green footprints on the carpet (Alex put food coloring in the dog's water one St. Patrick's Day morning, spilled the water, stepped in it and THEN came to tell me he had made a mess!) DO come out with a bit of elbow grease. Sin is a bit harder, but baptismal water is REALLY effective. The major learning here was to relax and enjoy the gift God gave me in my children, not worry about the furnishings or the mistakes.
God's love really is THAT big: I grew up with the notion of God as a stern and judgmental father. In that euphoria that followed the birth of each of my children - as I was overwhelmed with unconditional love for these small and amazing beings - I realized that if I loved my children than much, how much more did God love both them and me?
The small stuff MATTERS: Not things like taking out the trash, but ants and butterflies and blueberries ripening on the vine. Both of my boys are explorers who marvel at things I take for granted everyday. My boys have taught me that the sacred is revealed in the business of birds building a nest and leaves changing from bud to full blown (did you know that the new leaves of Japanese maple trees feel like raccoon's paws? I didn't, but Alex thought they did!). Joshua's class is watching worms become butterflies and he announced, eyes full of wonder as he got off the bus yesterday, "Mama, we saw a MIRACLE today!" How much of God's goodness and creativity I would have missed had I not had these guides to point them out along the way.
Forgiveness is more than possible: As I think about the ups and downs of family life, I know both how important and how possible forgiveness is. I am often overwhelmed with gratitude for two boys who can forgive the flaws of a menopausal, most of the time tired and often- times cranky mother. They not only forgive me, they love me anyway and because of it all. They have been wonderful role models to me in how to live a life of forgiveness. I find it easier to forgive because they so generously and regularly forgive me.
These are just a few of the things to which my children have opened my eyes.I'll bet you have stories like mine where because of something your children did or said, you suddenly saw faith with new eyes and recognized God's presence in a new way. Would you share those stories with us?
Sunday, May 2, 2010
On the Road to Damascus
Writing about Church School for our newsletter, I am always one week ahead in the lesson plan. A week from today, our children will be hearing and exploring the story of Saul's conversion on the road to Damascus (Acts 9: 1-22). In a blinding moment, Saul hears the voice of Jesus and not only does the focus of Saul's life work change- Saul's core identity as a human being and follower of God changes. His new identity is attested to by his name change - we know him as the apostle, Paul.
I have often wondered what it would be like to have the kind of dramatic faith experience that happened on the road to Damascus. No doubt, it would be frightening, but there would be a certainty about it too. You would KNOW that Jesus had spoken and you would KNOW the life you to which you were called.
My own life of faith is nowhere near as exciting as Paul's. I have been a believing Christian ever since I can remember. As I look back on the almost fifty years of my own faith journey, I can point to moments in retrospect where I heard Jesus - moments of certainty when I experienced call and vocation, and moments when I knew I could no longer be the person I had been before. Put all together, these moments have shaped my life as a believer and a disciple of Jesus.
Does your life of faith look like mine? Or have you had a "road to Damascus" experience? How does the way in which you meet Jesus shape the way you talk about and share with your children what Jesus means to you? How do you hope to pass on the faith to your children?
These are big questions -ones that for most parents are somewhat baffling. Often times the moments of confidence we have in our relationship with Jesus ebb and flow. Some days it is easier to be a believer than others. We wonder if we truly know Jesus enough to share Jesus with our children. We live in a culture that encourages us to let our kids make up their minds for themselves and that prizes individuality. We don't want to "tell" or "force" our children into what to believe - and a lot of times, we don't feel we know the content of faith well enough to pass it on. We want to honor the vows we made at our children's baptisms, but some days we just aren't sure how we are supposed to best do that.
Christian parenting is often a trial and error experience. But it it is not a journey we are asked to make alone. There is a community of faith that walks with us and we are often each other's best resources. I am beginning to plan for next year's Cornerstones program and I would very much like to offer programs next year that will support Christian parenting. It would help me plan if I knew what type of programming would be the most helpful: Is there specific information I can provide? Would having a space to talk to one another about our struggles to parent as Christians in the culture help? Would you like some tips and tools to share faith at home? Are there some suggestions you have?
Please be in touch with me about how I can support you in your parenting. You can leave a comment on my blog, drop me an email, catch me at Church or give me a call. The "good news" of Christian parenting is that we are NEVER in it alone. Jesus walks with us, the community of faith upholds us and the Holy Spirit gives us insight and wisdom when we share our experiences together.
Faithfully,
Elizabeth
I have often wondered what it would be like to have the kind of dramatic faith experience that happened on the road to Damascus. No doubt, it would be frightening, but there would be a certainty about it too. You would KNOW that Jesus had spoken and you would KNOW the life you to which you were called.
My own life of faith is nowhere near as exciting as Paul's. I have been a believing Christian ever since I can remember. As I look back on the almost fifty years of my own faith journey, I can point to moments in retrospect where I heard Jesus - moments of certainty when I experienced call and vocation, and moments when I knew I could no longer be the person I had been before. Put all together, these moments have shaped my life as a believer and a disciple of Jesus.
Does your life of faith look like mine? Or have you had a "road to Damascus" experience? How does the way in which you meet Jesus shape the way you talk about and share with your children what Jesus means to you? How do you hope to pass on the faith to your children?
These are big questions -ones that for most parents are somewhat baffling. Often times the moments of confidence we have in our relationship with Jesus ebb and flow. Some days it is easier to be a believer than others. We wonder if we truly know Jesus enough to share Jesus with our children. We live in a culture that encourages us to let our kids make up their minds for themselves and that prizes individuality. We don't want to "tell" or "force" our children into what to believe - and a lot of times, we don't feel we know the content of faith well enough to pass it on. We want to honor the vows we made at our children's baptisms, but some days we just aren't sure how we are supposed to best do that.
Christian parenting is often a trial and error experience. But it it is not a journey we are asked to make alone. There is a community of faith that walks with us and we are often each other's best resources. I am beginning to plan for next year's Cornerstones program and I would very much like to offer programs next year that will support Christian parenting. It would help me plan if I knew what type of programming would be the most helpful: Is there specific information I can provide? Would having a space to talk to one another about our struggles to parent as Christians in the culture help? Would you like some tips and tools to share faith at home? Are there some suggestions you have?
Please be in touch with me about how I can support you in your parenting. You can leave a comment on my blog, drop me an email, catch me at Church or give me a call. The "good news" of Christian parenting is that we are NEVER in it alone. Jesus walks with us, the community of faith upholds us and the Holy Spirit gives us insight and wisdom when we share our experiences together.
Faithfully,
Elizabeth
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