In, Aside, and Astride the Trenches

As I drive by the overflowing creeks and rivers on my way between the churches and my home, I cannot help but think of creek banks and trenches. The water is rushing so mightily and eerily close to the roads and houses. A quick rush of waters or a sudden change in the depth of the water and someone or something may be pulled away. It is so hard to keep one’s footing along the banks and trenches even when the water is flowing smoothly, but the concerns greatly increase when something unexpected happens.

Seeing these creek banks and trenches reminds me in some ways of the “cautions” of my work as a ministry developer. Many of my colleagues in the ministry developer world would say that we live, work and play in the trenches. We dig deep into what is going on at the various churches with which we work. We have the luxury of offering an objective stance that allows us to notice what is transpiring from the outside. More importantly, we can offer objective advice about possible options and solutions. For years, people have said that I “speak the truth”; perhaps that is both a gift and a burden that ministry developers must share. We are called on to “speak the truth” diplomatically, with care and love. Yet, sometimes, it is difficult to be the diplomat while speaking the truth in a manner that is truly heard as intended.

But today I am not thinking about this work from the midst of the trench, with mud squishing between the toes. Today, I reflect on the cautions that I must take to assure that I do not fall into the trench because of the unexpected—my failure to be prepared. Not that I can always be well prepared. God’s work is not predictable. But it does require me to keep my balance and to get my bearings as I move from one ministry or church to another, making sure that I do what I need to do and not spread myself too thin. Or hurt too many feelings in the process. It is a true balancing act. Although my favorite part of gymnastics was the balance beam, it was not because I have good balance. I am quite clumsy in fact, as anyone who knows me will attest. But I guess a good sense of humor does not hurt, and the ability to trust in friends and colleagues to pull me out of that trench when I happen to take a misstep. Since my colleagues in this work are many miles away, it is even more important that I develop communities within the various parishes (and outside them as well) to help give me reality checks and forgive me when I do take that occasional misstep.

As I look back again at these flowing creeks and rivers, I see a lot of energy. I see a lot of energy as well within the parishes themselves. I pray to God that I can keep my footing as I walk the trenches and do this work. I also pray that others will find it in their hearts to rescue me when needed.

Theresa

Springtime Amnesia

Oh, the pleasures of springtime in rural Western Maryland! The church yards and unpaved roads may be muddy from the nearly-daily rain, but (alas!) we begin to enter our annual amnesia of the hazards of travel during the less pleasant (at least for me!) periods of ice and snow.

The women’s groups may now resume their monthly meetings. We can plan other evening activities as well. Unlike our urban and suburban church friends, our activities ramp up, instead of slowing down.

Sure, the churches with young children slow down and stop having children’s activities because of soccer, softball, and camping activities.  But those churches with few children and youth seem to find renewed energy as they host their fundraising dinners, look to parishioners to assist with monthly church workdays, and host festivals and picnics once again.

I notice more smiles and a renewed commitment to engage in activities, certain that a May or June snow is unlikely to create travel concerns. I notice that I am energized as well. I now can go to evening meetings and not begin and end in the dark. Even memorial services and celebrations of peoples’ lives can be scheduled without wondering if icy roads are in store.

The flipside? We now must worry about excessive heat. Will the wedding party wilt for the lack of a good breeze in our “natural-air-conditioned” churches? For me, the biggest challenge is projecting my voice throughout an entire worship service, including sermon, with the doors open to allow a nice breeze (and perhaps even a stray bird or creature to enter). Will the friendly bear that enjoys the church’s dumpster dare to come and join us in our melodious singing as well?

Ah—I love the life of a missioner! Winter and early spring may pose travel concerns and possibly unexpected cancellations, but oh the wonders of late spring and summer! The fresh breeze wafting in the windows and the casual, more intimate nature of worshiping amidst the sounds and smells of nature is so inviting. Suburbia does not know what it is missing.

Theresa

Musings from Holy Week

As a missioner working with eight churches, I try to make it to one or more services or activities at each of the eight churches from Palm Sunday through Easter. Each of the last two years, I have made it to six of the eight. What a grand week,  getting to worship with so many different people, walk the stations at different churches, watch children scramble to find hidden eggs, attend multiple Easter parties, and even assist with a feeding ministry!!

I guess it is one week of the year when there is a kaleidoscope of opportunities to experience. The biggest problem is learning how to schedule out the week in a way that still allows for getting to as many churches as possible. There are fewer special worship opportunities for Holy Monday and Holy Tuesday, and nearly all of the churches have overlapping service times on Holy Thursday/Maundy Thursday. After all, a church can strip the altar only once! Emotionally, I am not too sure any of us could handle that too many times in a day in any case! Reading and preaching from the Passion three times on Palm Sunday is rough enough!

Good Friday is somehow easier, as there are so many ways to experience that day liturgically. For me this year, it was an 8 a.m. communion from the reserved sacrament, a 12 noon Good Friday liturgy, a 1 p.m. Stations of the Cross, a 2 p.m. Good Friday liturgy, and then a 7 p.m. Good Friday liturgy with communion from the reserved sacrament. Whether participating as a leader or as a congregant, each was very meaningful. It also was necessary to my journey from the Last Supper to the cross and to the tomb. All to be followed by the long wait until we can celebrate Easter with the Easter Vigil. Darkness to light to celebration. Yes; a great week indeed.

What are your thoughts and reflections on this week? Is it just too difficult and draining a week to sustain the energy and feel like it went well? Does the secularization of Easter distract too much from the spiritual energy and experience of the week? Other thoughts? I would love to hear them.

Theresa