Claimed, gathered and sent

Here are some thoughts on this Sunday's gospel. This was sent to the people of St. Timothy Lutheran Church. Gospel: John 14:1-14 [Jesus said to the disciples:]  1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me.  2 In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?  3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also.  4 And you know the way to the place where I am going.”  5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?”  6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.  7 If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”   8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.”  9 Jesu...

          This is the historic front porch of the Lutheran House at the Chautauqua Institution. Lutherans have been a part of the Institution for 125 years and in that current building for 90 years. There's something interesting about every home, apartment house or inn at Chautauqua. Each and every one of them has a porch. While I was chaplain there last week, I was encouraged to occasionally just sit on the porch. Inevitably people would walk by on their way to a lecture or some other event. Conversation would ensue, even if it was just an exchange of greetings. We don't see as many homes with front porches anymore. More often we see back porches or decks where we can escape into our own little worlds. I have been doing some reading about this phenomena and its impact on community and sharing the gospel with our neighbors. In a conversation with Jake Jacobson, an assistant to the bishop of the Northwest PA Synod, I first heard the term, "porchin.'"...

  I love the movie Driving Miss Daisy . The main characters are a feisty older lady who is no longer able to drive and a man her son hired to be her chauffeur. It is a movie full of lessons about racism and classism and love and respect. On July 5, 2011, I had ankle surgery on my right foot and was therefore unable to drive. I kept thinking and hoping that perhaps the next week, after the next visit to the doctor, I would be cleared to drive. That however, was not the case. This did not happen until this past Thursday. And today was the first time I have driven since the surgery.  Now for most families this would present an inconvenience, but the other family members would pick up the driving responsibilities. However, my husband is blind and unable to drive. I am the driver in our family. Things that we previously took for granted, like quick runs to the store, doctor's appointments, going to church all became things for which we had to coordinate times and people'...

It's been a while since I've posted anything. I'm back to classes and reading and writing papers. Frankly, after being on internship, it is a challenge to fully engage myself in these tasks. On top of that I have physical therapy twice a week. I now just use one crutch, but the transition to walking without crutches is going slowly. A couple of weeks ago I tried to transition too quickly and suffered the consequences. I was sure that by now, if not sooner, I'd be driving. But I still can't drive. And then I thought for sure by Nov. when I go to meet with the Candidacy Committee in New England for approval, that I'd be able to drive there. But alas...that is not the case. So, thank you to my husband for thinking about taking the train from Harrisburg to New London, CT. Now that the logistics for getting to and from the train station are worked out, I think this will be a neat adventure. This will also give me an opportunity to reconnect with a former pastor ...

  Why Community? Years ago when I was working with new members in the community, there was always one session in which I asked each of them individually, and in turn, why they went to prayer. The answers were always full of the piety that comes with newness and the theology that comes from books. "Because," someone would say, "prayer is what leads us to perfection. That's why I go to prayer." I'd shake my head: "No," I'd say. "That's not why we go to prayer." They'd think a while, then someone else would try. "We go to prayer to immerse ourselves in God." I'd shake my head: "No," I'd say. "We are always immersed in God but that's not why we go to prayer." ...

On Thursday my hot pink cast was removed! I was so excited about that. The best thing is that I could take a shower without fear of getting the cast wet or falling and putting weight on the cast, which was a huge no-no. I am now wearing a special boot when I walk and am using a traditional type walker. Gone are the days of my scooter-like walker with wheels. So, I've been out and about. Friday I did quite a bit of walking. Now, what you need to understand is that I can only put very little weight on my foot at this time. This means that my arms and hands are bearing the weight as I step onto my right foot. Consequently, when I woke up Sat. morning, I hurt from so much walking. Now it wasn't my foot that hurt, but the heels of my hands! I walked so much my hands hurt. I took it pretty easy yesterday and was raring to go to church today and did just fine. I am healing well and looking forward to the time when I'll be able to drive. That won't be for at least anoth...

It has been a very difficult and emotional week for us as a family. Ray's retired Seeing Eye dog, Abby, was put to sleep on Monday. All the animals in our family knew it was time, including Abby. She was just done--tired of the pain of arthritis and her body not working like it used to. All of us miss her very much. Amity has been looking especially melancholy, while Pokey, the cat continues to look around for his buddy. The doctors and staff at Emmitsburg Veterinary Hospital   were so wonderfully compassionate. The vet was crying with us as Abby was put to sleep. They care so deeply at that place. Even when we saw the folks at the main desk on our way out, they were crying with us. In the midst of all of this, the community at LTSG carried us with their love and thoughtfulness. From classmates that are still here to those already on internship, from the Dean to the President to Pr. Vickie Brown, who put together and conducted a burial service for Abby, the community of God...

For those of you who aren't aware, RevGalsBlogPals is a tremendous site. Not only are there resources, help with sermons, etc., but it fosters a community of faith and fellowship for those in ministry, seminary, or considering ministry. Today is their third anniversary and one of the gals, Singing Owl wrote this for the celebration: Three years ago today, RevGals was on it's way The preachin' gals and then their pals Made history that day! The blogs are fun to do, The preachers party too, And Friday Five and all that jive, Give us a place to play! We gripe and pray and blog, And sometimes go whole hog With cyber parties, real ones too, There's always something new! So Happy Birthday, Gals, And Happy Birthday, Pals, Three years today--HIp hip hurray, It is a party day! That about says it all. Thanks for putting my feelings into words, Singing Owl. Give them a visit. Picture from flickr.