Friday Five: Celebrations

From 3dogmom@ Revgalblogpals: It’s the time of year when celebrations abound: graduations (the end of that season), weddings, anniversaries, family reunions, and more. I’ve just officiated the blessing of my sister-in-law’s recent marriage, an event that incorporated a variety of celebrations within the celebration. Fun stuff, all around!

The season notwithstanding, causes to celebrate can be found in our daily/weekly/monthly lives, too. For today’s FF, share with us five things you are celebrating these days!

Celebrating is a hard thing for me to do in general. I guess its that idea of letting "the world" know what you value and putting it a risk publicly. You know, the whole counting the chickens before they hatch kind of mindset. I'm trying to get over that by keeping a daily log of gratitude, but making it public still causes some anxiety.

Here goes!

1) My wonderful husband who keeps me from wallowing too much!

2) My parents, who love me and my family with a fierceness that I aspire towards

3. My precious son, who loves to play with his sisters, even if that means being "pretty princess wy-wy"

4) The family worship space at our GA this year! It was amazing! My three loved it, and it enhanced our worship experience.

5) My middle child, who just turned 8. She is pure Joy and excitement all of the time!

Bonus* My eldest child (on the left) who is making 11 look so grown up! I celebrate her amazing ability to make people feel listened to and appreciated for who they are!

Friday Five: Go to the head of the class

Today's Friday five is from Deb

It’s Back-to-School time! Are you that “A+ Student for life” or the King/Queen of Detention? RevGals want to know! We are all still learning (or re-learning) some kind of lessons!

Tell us about your learning edges in:

1. Reading: what’s in your “to-be-read” stack? Fiction? Church leadership? Commentaries?

I am currently reading the following:
Non-fiction
Searching for Sunday by Racheal Held Evans
A faith of our own by Jonathen Merritt
For the Love by Jen Hatmaker

Fiction
Out of the deep I cry by Julia Spencer-Fleming
Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea
Like a Fox by Rev. Judy Mitchell Rich

2. Writing: are you blogging? Journaling? Developing a new book proposal? Or just crafting sermons? Any excerpt you’d care to share? (We won’t grade your penmanship!)

I just finished a series of lessons for Advent/Christmas/Epiphany for my Denomination (Cumberland Presbyterian) 

I'm ALWAYS writing sermons, but I'm feeling a pull to write a book. Not sure how to go about it with a full time church, husband, and three littles aged 10,7,&4.

3. ‘Rithmetic: Family budget? Church budget? National debt? What are you discovering about yourself and your church/family when it comes to handling money?

I stink at managing money! I am overly generous and have often had to struggle to meet obligations.

4. Music: favorite new hymn or worship band?

No new favs in these categories. Not a big fan of worship bands and not really in a call where anything younger than fifty years is ever played or sung.

5. Detention: uh huh… If you were supposed to report for detention today, what would be the note on the slip?

Eating WAY off plan while the hubs is out of town caring for his very sick Dad. He is usually our cook and keeps us on track, but the four of us are not starving without him. We may be lacking in some of the food groups, but most defiantly not starving.

BONUS: Recess!

RevGals just want to have fun! What’s your favorite way to unwind?

I love to knit or crochet to unwind. However with the littles I wind up settling for reading.

Friday Five: blessed rest

Today's Friday Five is by 3dogmom

St. Mary’s Center, Sewanee, TN (photo by Anne Fraley)

I know that a number of our sisters in RevGal land are in need of rest, and would greatly benefit from some time away on retreat, or simply to escape the demands of the usual landscape. For today’s FF, let’s spend a little time considering the subject. Imagine getting away…………

1. Tell us about a place (retreat center or other getaway spot) that offers especially good hospitality. What makes it so for you? My favorite places for hospitality have been cruises! I love getting on a ship and sailing away knowing that everything will be taken care of and I don't even have to make my own bed.
2. Is there a ritual of renewal that you seek, or that you find especially helpful, while on retreat? (naps, reading, knitting, staring out toward a different landscape…) I love to knit or crochet and always bring a project along, but don't always actually work on said project! I love to read and the opportunity rarely presents itself in big enough time chucks in my real life, so I am slightly hermit like when I can get away. 
3. Retreats/getaways often have a way of washing over us with its own gifts, no matter what we may seek from it. Tell us about a time that such a gift made a lasting impression. I recently helped lead a women's retreat for my denomination in Bowling Green, KY. We led the women through many prayer and mission stations throughout the two day experience. But for me the best moment came at the closing worship service. We were offering a renewal of baptism at the end of service. While this was going on a woman came and tapped me on the shoulder and told me that a young girl (10) who had been with us at the retreat wanted to be baptized and wanted me to do the baptism. I have known this girl for years, she is a friend of the family. She does not regularly attend a church and has tenuous connections at best to Christian community. I agreed to do so. I asked her the questions of baptism and then turned to the women present. These women were from all over the USA and I told them that they were her community. Her spiritual raising was in their hands. They covenanted to pray for her, to reach out to her, to check in on her. They promised to be her community even though many miles separate them from her. Hearing those pledges did my heart good!
4. Imagine that a gift bag was waiting for you on your bed when you checked in for your time of sabbath. What would you like to find in it? An eye mask to make everything dark for rest. A new book full of laughter and tears. A pair of fuzzy socks. An assortment of tea bags.
5. Besides a dessert buffet featuring chocolate, what is something you would love to see a retreat/getaway offer that is typically not part of such an experience? Daily massages and easy companionship

Bonus: You’ve been granted a weekend off, and the means of getting away is provided. Where would you like to go? To my parents home, because Adulting is hard!

Friday Five:Taking Stock

Today's Friday Five comes from 3dogmom:

We’re midway through summer (for us northern gals and pals), a good time to pause for a moment to take a breath before the force of autumn’s gravity takes hold too fiercely, and pulls us into its grasp of programming and schedules and commitments. This might be the last chance we have to pause and check in with our inner divine compass, the soul, and reflect on our inner life.  Here are a few questions to consider as we do so.

What is one thing bringing you joy today?

The fact that school starts back on Monday. I know its early and it is robbing the kids of a whole month of summer, but this clergymama is in need of time away from the three littles!

What is a disappointment you are experiencing today?

I really want to attend a bridal shower out of town tomorrow for our church nursery worker/nanny. However, my husband has to work and cannot watch the littlest little and the biggest little has an eye appointment. It's not a huge disappointment, but I really wish I could be there for her!

When you think about the past six months, when did your soul feel most awake?

In April I went to a conference near Kansas City, Missouri with 20 people from my denomination. I talked, I laughed, I listened, I WORSHIPED, I rested. It was a very busy conference, but it was a blessing!

When did you experience a sorrow or regret?

Sorrow is a word that follows me around almost all of the time. I am struggling with depression, right now more than I have in quite a while. I feel like it is clinging to me, dripping from me and I'm just not sure where to put it or how to lift it.

For what is your soul most longing?

Rest.

Bonus: is there a word or image that succinctly summarizes how you find your soul today? Please share it with us.

Friday Five: Hither and Yon

Today's Friday Five is brought to us by 3dogmom
"After traveling through 13 states to arrive at 6 distinct destinations over the last five weeks, I am road-weary, and ready to be home for a good, long stretch. Weariness notwithstanding, they were all good trips that included wonderful scenery, with introductions and reconnections with people and places. Ahhh. The sojourning inspires today’s Friday Five."

Share with us:

1) a favorite city, and what makes it so.

Lubbock, TX is my home town and favorite city. My parents just moved back there for a year at least so hopefully we will make it there for the post-Christmas get together this year. I'm not sure why I like it so much, after all I grew up thinking Lubbock was 5 hours from anything good! It is a town that is large enough to have what you need and small enough to not need massive roads. I graduated from Texas Tech University and have a fondness for the university that I've passed on to my kids. It might not be the best place to vacation, but I would LOVE to live there!!

2) a favorite getaway spot, far from the maddening crowd (far being a relative term).

I thoroughly enjoy Orange Beach, Alabama  as a place to go and get away from the maddening crowd. We have vacationed here three times and it is by far the families favorite place to go. My favorite spot is on a blue chair, under an umbrella with a good book.

3) a great local eatery that you stumbled upon while passing through from one place to another.

There is this little town in west Texas called Andrews. There is not a lot there, but growing up when we drove through we always stopped at Buddy's for the steak-fingers. They were amazing!!!

4) a landscape that inspires or nourishes you.

There is something so inspiring to me about the desert. The way that life clings on determined to survive even in the most difficult of situations, the beauty that comes from unexpected places, the hope of blooming plants where you expect total barrenness.

5) a place you long to visit.

So many places! Here are just a few to start!

I've always been fascinated by Australia and would LOVE to visit

Alaska easily makes the top of my list for places to go.

Of course I want to go to the UK, who doesn't?

The Cumberland Presbyterian Church has two thriving presbyteries in Colombia South America. This summer our General Assembly is meeting in Colombia for it's annual meeting. I wish I could go! But I look forward to seeing things through social media and webcams!

Friday Five: Graduation edition

Today's Friday Five comes from Marybethbutler Who shared some precious pics of her nephew who is graduating this week in my home turf of West Texas!!

"This weekend I am in a West Texas town for the high school graduation of a nephew. I’m looking back over the 18 years and wondering where all that time went, since he was the highly adored first child of my younger sister.

Because I work on a university campus that rents its facilities to dozens of local high schools, graduations have been a daily feature around here and will be for the next month.

So I’m thinking of beginnings and endings (which seem to come in pairs.) These could be graduations, retirements, new jobs, new family, changes of any kind…

Tell us about five notable commencements in your life / the lives of those you love. Pictures would be great if you have them!!"

I do just so happen to have a few graduation pics at my office this morning and some notable events pictures! Who says cleaning out your bags is not productive work!

This is my High School graduation in 1997. My brother, mother and father are in the back and my maternal grandmother is on the right and my paternal grandmother is on the left. It was a great celebration and a blessing to have this photo!

This is my diploma from Texas Tech University. I worked really hard and did my best after a rocky freshman year. I learned so much at Tech and use much of my Family Studies and Substance abuse knowledge on a daily basis in ministry!

This is my graduation ceremony from Memphis Theological Seminary in 2006. (I actually graduated in December 2005, but they only have one service per year) This is not all of my class, just the Cumberland Presbyterians and the President of the Seminary.

This is the birth announcement we sent out after our little man came home from the NICU. I was not sure we would get a group picture of the three of them, so this one sits on my desk as a daily reminder of just how lucky we were and are!

This is a picture from my first Sunday at my current call, May 19, 2013. It has been my first Solo pastorate and I am loving it, even when I don't!!!

This congregation has offered my husband an opportunity to begin healing from the wounds of other churches. It has allowed my daughters to grow in their gifts and spiritual awareness. It has gifted my son with a safe place to explore and learn about all of God's good blessings.

Life is good! Thanks for the chance to reflect on it today! 

Friday Five: Hospitals

Today's Friday Five comes from janintx:

Hospitals are very much on my mind, because my husband Chuck is having his second knee replacement on Monday. We will be there very early in the morning because he is the first surgery of the day at 7 am.So consider your experiences in the hospital in your various capacities: being a patient; parent, child or spouse of a patient; chaplain; minister; or visitor. In what ways have you experienced your times in hospitals? Think of 5 ways and share your blog address in the comments section when you play.

My Godmother died from Melanoma in 1995, my cousin died from AIDS in that same year, my grandmother passed away in 1998 all at Covenant Medical Center. I spent many hours with all of them through their illnesses and deaths. My Sophomore year of college  I spent several hours there every day for 30 days with my grandmother while she was in ICU praying over her and loving on her. It was one of the things that confirmed my call into ministry.

My senior year of college I did a practicum at University medical Center in Lubbock, TX. While I knew I was called to ministry, this experience helped me to see that pastoral ministry was really more of my calling. I did not do well with people coming and going, I had a hard time "cold calling" and I just really didn't like chaplaincy!

Our oldest child was born at Baptist Women's Center in Memphis, TN. The nurse I had that first night was less than helpful and I hemorrhaged for quite a while before she would call the doctor on call to help. Not the best experience. But I have a beautiful 10 year old who has survived despite the rough start.

Our middle child was born at Parkwest Hospital in Knoxville, TN. We had just been let go from our co-pastorate and were unsure of where we would live or where she would come home to with us. I actually had to have a meeting with CPS because according to the registration information I provided I was an abused woman. The church had been that terrible to me, my husband and our unborn 2nd child. I think I was the first person they had dealt with that had suffered organizational abuse as they called it. Then we had to find a doctor for our girls. Nothing like interviewing pediatricians and telling them we may be your patient for a while or we may be here a week. 

The most stressful time of my life!!

Our son was born at Middle Tennessee Medical Center 7 and 1/2 weeks early. He stayed in the NICU for 2 and 1/2 weeks. 

The nurses were amazing! The doctors were wonderful. I spent a lot of time walking the NICU floor praying for the other babies and their parents and for the staff. While it was a stressful time I also saw many blessings and miracles during the time spent with my son.

All in all hospitals are not my favorite place to be, but I am blessed to be able to walk with others through their times of need at various hospitals. 

Friday Five: Favorite Places

Today's Friday Five comes from Marie:

Hello RevGals! I’m thrilled to be hosting my very first Friday Five, as this was the feature that got me started participating in the blog ring back in 2007. This week I’ve been back at my seminary, Episcopal Divinity School, for Alumni Days. There is so much that makes this place special to me: the chapel, the quad, the apartments and rooms where I lived, and the library, where I first encountered the woman who is now my wife.

So for today’s Friday Five, tell us about five of your favorite places. Have fun with it, and make sure to link in the comments if you play at your blog. Pictures always appreciated!

This one should be fun, and as I just got home from a visit to one of my favorite places I have some good pictures to share!!!!

Taco Villa, My Favorite Fast food Mexican EVER!!!!!

In Texas with my parents

Anywhere on the beautiful Texas Tech Campus

Snuggling with my littles in my chair

In the pulpit!

Thanks Marie, for the fun play!!

Friday Five

Today's Friday Five is from Cindi Knox!

Hi! I’m Cindi Knox, and I regularly write for The Pastoral Is Political. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to have a guest spot on the Friday Five today!

In the USA, April 15 is the day that income tax filings are due. The forms are somewhat complicated, and can be quite frustrating at times. Every year, many Americans work on their returns on the very last day, hoping to get them into the mail on time to avoid penalties.

Now that the deadline is past, I’d like to think about the budgets in our own lives – not so much for money, but for time, energy, nourishment, fun, etc. How do we seek balance between the demands on us and the self-care we need?

With that in mind, I offer a tax-inspired Friday Five for our spiritual, emotional, physical, and social budgets:

1. Taxes: What events do you find “taxing” – taking energy, time, or otherwise being a bit of a drain? Maybe Christmas or Easter takes a lot out of you. Maybe it’s the annual meeting. Maybe it’s gearing up for confirmation. Or maybe it’s something that’s not church-related at all – maybe it’s doing laundry, or taking the car to the shop.

House Cleaning

Social Media

Web site Building

Lice Removal

2. Withholding: Aside from money, what do you put aside for when you need it? Do you save up vacation time for a needed rest? Or perhaps stash a little chocolate away for a needed binge? How do you prepare for those times when you just don’t seem to have enough?

Vacations Time & Diet Coke

3. Exemptions: What things do you do to take some time off or to get a break from the demands on your time and energy? Do you always rest on the Sundays after Christmas and Easter? Do you have a regular time to rest each week except for “dire emergencies”?

I try to take Fridays off (although I'm at the office now, so guess it doesn't always work!) The Monday after Easter the office is closed, same goes for the Monday after Christmas. I usually take the week after Christmas off to visit my family or my husband's family (both of which also include clergymembers, so post any holiday is when we celebrate)

4. Deductions: What things in your life help you get through trying times? Maybe you have a particular tea that helps you relax, or a pet that cuddles with you when things get rough. When you can’t “exempt” yourself, what lessens the burden?

ClergyMom

ClergyMom

I call my clergymom! She is a huge help to me and I'm not 100% sure what I would/will do without her, but luckily I don't have to stress about it just yet!

5. Refunds: How do you realize the benefits of what you do all year? What makes you feel “it’s all worth it”? Does your congregation celebrate a “Pastor Appreciation Day”? Do you feel the benefit when someone sends a note from college or their new home far away, telling you how much they miss worship with you?

The church celebrates my anniversary as Pastor, and gifts me during the Christmas Holiday. I have a folder full of cards of encouragement and thanks that I have received and often pull them out when I am feeling less than appreciated. I love getting messages from clergy friends, and former church attendees who just want to say hi and check in.

Please join in the fun! You can be as serious or silly as you want with the answers. If you play on your blog, please remember to post a link in the comments section below.

Rainy Day / Bills image courtesy Steve Woods

Random Friday Five

Today's Friday Five brought to us by revkarla

Playing Friday Five was my entree into the World of RevGals. I remember the first time I played, I felt so welcomed by everyone’s comments. That was in 2007. And even though most of my blogging is through writing prayers for the RGBP blog, I can’t imagine my life or my ministry without this community. I am so, so, so grateful.

So, since I am all weepy and happy thinking about this organization, I offer you this Random Friday Five:

1. What are you wearing right now? (a question from my first FF play.)

my "uniform" Jeans, stretchy knit top and a pair of Toms

2. What are you having for lunch (or dinner)? (another question from my first FF play.)

Chick-fil-A

3. Share an experience of community that was transformative or precious to you.

Easter Sunday, I baptized an infant. I've been serving here almost two years, I've had 10 funerals, 1 wedding and FINALLY a baptism! 

4. Describe your favorite mug or glass.

It is a tie between a coffe mug that says believe, and a YCWP tumbler.

5. Give a shout out to a friend or colleague!

Terri @ http://seekingauthenticvoice.blogspot.com has helped me a ton through my struggles at my first call and blog issues raised then. She is a light of encouragement to me and many others!

Thanks for playing, and let us know that you played in the comments with a link to your blog!

Friday Five!

Friday Five: Saints be praised!

Posted on March 6, 2015 by 3dogmom

Saint Patrick’s Day is right around the corner, which got me thinking about how the “official” saints of the church touch our individual and collective worlds. A woman I met recently was born on St. Patrick’s Day, and her parents honored the occasion by naming her for this saint whose feast day is the cause for much celebration. So for today’s Friday Five, please share with us a little something about the saints that are a part of your life in one way or another.

1) Do you have a “favorite” saint? Tell us about him or her!

Saint Dymphna- saint of those with nervous disorders and the mentally ill.

2) Some of us share names with a saint. If that is the case, has that saint, or his or her feast day, held any meaning for you?

Not any Saint Cardelia that I could find.

3) Is there a saint whose life or story intrigues you (other than number 1)?

Saint Denis of Pairs- even beheading couldn't stop his zeal for preaching!

4) Do you pray with, or to, a saint (or saints)?

No.

5) Many saints are designated patrons of occupations, needs or occasions (like traveling). Is there such a saint that factors into your life professional, or avocationally?

Not really. Sometimes I have been known to ask Saint Anthony for a hand in finding my keys.

Bonus: please share a picture of one (or more) of the saints named above.

Be sure to post the link to your blog if you play today’s FF there so that we can visit and say hello!

Share this:

 

 

Posted with Blogsy