Comin' up on the down-hill side of the week--for those of us still locked into the default Monday/Friday work schedule. No gettin'-out-of-school-soon, Friday-afternoon feel yet, but a mental sigh and relaxation; a sense that we might get through this after all. Don't quite know what it's like for the folks who regularly work weekends. (Care to weigh in, Pastor Matt?)
No matter what your work (or play) schedule is, one thing to gear up for is the "town hall" meeting after church on Sunday. Time to start getting serious about where we want to go for the next 50 years. I for one hope the discussion gets past what kind of music we're going to play in church. That's important, but if that's all we talk about, or if that's where we think we're going to find the answer to the question of growing the church, I think we're fooling ourselves. What does being The Church mean in the 21st century and how does Bethel demonstrate the answer? Anyway, don't blow this meeting off. It's important. And, as with elections, if you're not there to voice an opinion, you can't complain later. Well, you can, but the effect isn't going to be quite the same.
Meanwhile, back over at the courtyard, we're still working on it. A lot of you have shared some good ideas. And, believe me, we've heard the complaint about needing to cut back the bushes. This will happen. It's just a matter of finding time (and the proper equipment.) We're also waiting for fall in some cases. Probably better for the plants than to cut them down in mid-summer.
As for the dead branches in the trees, that's a bit more complicated. Taking down a tree is not a business for amateurs. A bunch of well-meaning folks with a ladder and a power saw is a recipe for a really ugly accident. And given the state of the budget, bringing in a professional may be something that has to wait.
There's also the fact that all the debris we take out has to carried through the building for disposal . . . Not a deal-breaker, but an added complication. I understand the thinking of the architects in building a hortus conclusus, (walled garden) but I wish they'd given some thought to direct access to the outside.
We are working on getting some professional advice, but these things take time. Baby steps, people. Baby steps.
Meanwhile, continue thinking about what we can do to take the courtyard to the next level. Suggestions about a prayer garden, putting in memorial stones and even a labyrinth have been voiced. (I know. The idea of a labyrinth sounds all weird and un-Lutheran, but it's not. Just think of it as a more elaborate prayer garden. Also realize that building one in the courtyard would be an expensive undertaking . . . )
Actually, the courtyard is occasionally used for meditation now. One of the friends of the courtyard has reported seeing folks using it for quiet time after support group meetings at the church. Nothing to stop anybody from using it for that purpose now. It's accessible from either the choir room or the door next to the old fellowship hall any time the church is unlocked.
If gardening isn't your thing, and your looking for a good book to kick off your meditations, here's one. Cathleen Falsani has just published a new book, Sin Boldly A Field Guide for Grace. It's a series of personal essays about how she has experienced grace in her life. It's not theological in the sense that there are no catechetical statements, no five clear points of doctrine. For Falsani, grace is best described in stories -- everything from her visit to Elvis' Graceland (no pun intended) to the discovery of a small labyrinth at St. Scholastica up in Rogers Park. Falsani is witty and wise.
Now it's time to wrap up with a final thanks to all of you who pointed out that there was a typo in the URL of the alert I sent out yesterday. Sorry, everyone. I'm an early riser, but some mornings I'm more awake than others.
Well, I guess the ultra pastoral responce to your question about working weekends is for me to say that it is fulfilling and an obligation that is an honor and a pleasure. These words are certanly true for me, but with that said, there are times that it can be a drag. Preaching and leading worship requires a lot of mental, emotional and spiritual work. But let me share this, Monday is a totally awesome day to have off. Everything is slower and calmer on Monday. Stores have no crowds and midday traffic is nonexistant. So while everyone else faces the Monday blahs, I get to relax and rejuvinate.
Posted by: Pastor Matt | August 20, 2008 at 08:57 AM