Wednesday, November 8, 2023

All Saints Day - Nov. 4, 2023

 
Today is All Saints Day and I have to say that this time of remembering our saints was powerful. We set up easels with the pictures of Soldotna UMC saints. After all I served this congregation 30 years ago.  I know these saints, their voices, their personalities, their love. When people came forward for communion they were surrounded by this great cloud of witnesses. We lit candles and prayed. And I found myself strangely warm to this idea of institutional church.  

Truth is I have had my doubts about the future of the Church. Four years of retirement and the pandemic served to put some distance between the Church and me. But I find myself in the pastoral role again. During the prelude to the communion liturgy I talked about the communion table being a symbol of the heavenly banquet table. I invited people to imagine them sitting at this table enjoying the gifts of God’s bounty. Sitting across the table and next to them were people who died. There was conversation and joy and laughter.

Now imagine your table today. There are empty chairs. People we love and miss. People who no longer stop by for dinner or come for the holidays. We grieve those empty chairs. But know that in Christ, our separation is only a temporary thing.

Our separation is only a temporary thing.” In that liturgical moment I made the connection between all the ministry minutia we pastors invest in our congregations. It’s not glamorous work and it can even be difficult and tedious. But in that God-moment it all made sense. These kinds of worship experiences don’t just happen on their own. They happen in faith communities that invest in the infrastructure of Church. They happen when worship is the work of the people (the meaning of liturgy).

Church will continue to be fallable and leaders will wonder if it is worth our time and energy. But when those holy moments break open our hearts and draw us closer to the love of God in Christ it is definitely worth it!

Monday, June 26, 2023

Day 6 - Whitehorse, YK to Tok, Ak

It was supposed to be a 7 hr drive.  Due to the construction to fix frost heaves it was much longer.  Great weather and my body is not balking too much.  Grateful to be home in Alaska! 

Sunday, June 25, 2023

Day 5 - Ft Nelson BC to Whitehorse, Yukon

My longest drive (11 hr) through stunning topography.  Animals I saw: grizzly bear, black bear, stone sheep, elk, deer, moose, and bison.  Hit 6 hours of no cell signal which gave me time to ponder plans for worship at Soldotna next Sunday.

Seven hours to Tok,Alaska tomorrow and 7 to Anchorage on Tuesday.   Still in love with his ministry adventure! 

Saturday, June 24, 2023

Day 4 - Quesnel, BC to Ft Nelson, BC

Ten hr drive with sunshine, rain, and no drowsiness thanks to an energy drink that was new to me.
Jeremy often downed similar liquids to keep him awake on the road and at work.   Thanks, son.

I have to say that God is filling my heart and mind with peace and joy.  I find myself tearing up with a simple smile.  I listened to a podcast on delight.  One takeaway was the comment that we can experience deep joy in the aftermath of deep pain. God is blessing me for sure.

Friday, June 23, 2023

Day 3 - Marysville, WA to Quesnel, B.C.

Leaving family in Washington made this trip feel more real.  Crossing the border into Canada accomplished this also.  I enjoyed figuring out the conversion from English to metric.  When I was a middle school science teacher in the 70's I supported a movement in the US to convert entirely to metric.

The main challenge today was fighting drowsiness.   Cool fact: slapping your face actually helps! 

Thursday, June 22, 2023

Day 2 - Salem, OR to Marysville, WA

Not my favorite route on I-5 north through Portland, Tacoma, and Seattle.   But it was sunny and bright.  A good day.  What usually takes 4.5 hours took 5.5 hours.  I think this will be the last of large urban cities as I cross into Canada tomorrow. 
I enjoyed spending the evening with my son-in-law, Aaron Smith and his parents. 

Wednesday, June 21, 2023

Day 1 - Drive 3 hr from Bend to Salem

No doubt this will be the shortest drive of the trip.  OMG the Cascade Mountains are gorgeous.  
Kim and Kodos drove separately.  We landed at Jenny and Aaron's new apartment as they move from Washington to Salem.  Lauren and Rob's family were there as we enjoyed pizza.  I gathered my four grandkids alone to share why I was going to Alaska.   Partly due to being in the land Jeremy loved.  One of them asked, "Papa, are you crying?"
Yes, I am crying.  I also said that I felt strongly that God was guiding me to Soldotna.  It was a special moment.