Thoughts I've Been Pondering

So if you've been reading this blog, you know that this time last year I was knee-deep in a research project - focusing on young adults and faith. That project was an incredible time for me, and while the paper was turned in - the subject and inquiry has not left me. In fact, I think I have begun to dig a bit deeper.

For me (and for others) I think the question is - how does the church reach out to the young adults in and outside of our community, and better yet, how do we help to foster active growth and living disipleship of our young adults (and all the community)?

Does this mean a 'rejection' of customs and patterns of the past? Completely? Partially?

Does this mean (and this is a question amongst me and some colleagues right now) a ministry/community that grows out of an already established congregation, or something completely new?

Okay, so the questions could continue on...as there are no straight answers (how's that for a post-modern thought?)

I need to run out to a text-study....but I will continue this thread and I invite you to offer your thoughts.

Peace!

Assignment Day

Well today was Assignment day for the folks who are seeking to go on the rostered ministries of the ELCA. Over the past two days the regional coordinators and folks from the seminaries have been discussing the candidates and the needs of the regions/synods. This time last year I learned that I was assigned to Region 8 and then a few days later I learned that I was going to come to the Metropolitan Washington DC Synod.

I just learned that one of my close friends Kate is coming to Region 8. Now I am praying that she gets assigned to the Metro DC Synod. That would be so great. Fun times! Happy times!

Keep ya posted. Congrats to all the seniors who were assigned.

A 17 Year Record Has Ended

Well, its been 17 years since I began driving and I have never had a car accident. Until this morning that is. I was driving to a Text Study with some colleagues and just putzing along on the regular morning traffic. We were stop and go, and well we were going. But the car in front of me stopped quickly in response to the car in front of her stopping quickly. I didn't see her brake lights come on - maybe it was the sun which was shining ever so brightly - I am not sure. But I tagged her. We weren't going but 8-10 miles so thankfully it was not bad. My car's front license plate is bent and there is a small white scuff mark to the left of that, and her car has two perfectly placed circular dings where the bolts from the license plate hit her car.

Insurance is handling it and all are okay. Police came out and said it was a non-reportable accident and made sure we exchanged information, which we did. The officer said, I could give you a ticket (to me) but I won't. Your driving record is great and it is just so minor.

So...new learnings every which way...I thank God that both I and the other driver are okay and that my insurance will handle it from here.

So watch what you say...

So today I did a great open-mouth-insert-foot moment. So imagine we sitting in front of the altar with about 5 kids during the service - its Children's Time. These kids are the ones who always come up - and there are two quite vocal ones, and the rest listen most of the time.

So I asked them what they knew about Lent. Some talked about the colors changing and the paraments changing. I asked if they knews anything else and someone said, "Yeah, we buried the alleluias last week, so we don't say them anymore." I chuckled and said "You're right, we buried the a-words so we don't say the a-word anymore."

That was it! The pastor just said, "We don't say the a-word anymore!" Aha, my mind went racing and thought, if there is someone here who wasn't here with us last week or is a visitor they may be thinking - What? This church used the A word? So I worked to recover quickly and looked out to the congregation and said, "You know, the a-word --- A-L-L-E-L-U-I-A!"

Folks laughed and later we had some good conversation about it in the hallway and narthex later. But wow, for a split second I was freaking out - Pastor Kim just spoke about using the a-word with the kids during children's time in the worship space. Augh!

So lesson learned...what what you say and be ready for a quick recovery!