Waitangel, another pitcher of beer for my friends and me please.

(I'm writing a sermon which is touching on eschotology and this is an little side observation that needs to go somewhere else)

So... is anybody else perturbed by the Philly cream cheese commercials that has angels exclaiming over its great taste/less filling qualities while in the background is a fluffy cloud holding up a row of walking exercise machines? Like going to gym in this lifetime - which has an end sooner or later - isn't enough fun we can all die and keep going for all eternity? Is not my own post-resurrected self supposed to be already perfected?

I"m just saying...

A letter to Sally Kern from a senior in high school in Oklahoma.

I am not sure if you are aware of recent comments that were made by Oklahoma State House Representative Sally Kern. If you have not you can listen to her hate filled speech here:

http://pageoneq. com/news/ 2008/ellen_ sallykern031208. html

If you haven't seen this yet, read it, then pass it along.

>> A letter to Sally Kern from a senior in high school in Oklahoma.
>> *******
>>
>> Today my nephew attempted to deliver a letter to Sally Kern but
>> was stopped by a highway patrol man. With his permission I am
>> distributing the letter to all news stations and thought I would
>> include it here.
>>
>> Maybe we can all stand to learn a listen from this smart, loving,
>> young man. He more than most has reason to hate. He lost his
>> mother, my sister, in the Murrah Building bombing.
>>
>> Elizabeth
>> ( by way page 112 of the News9 Comment Section at http://
>> www.news9.com/ global/story. asp?s=7983168
>>
>> Letter From Tucker
>>
>> Rep Kern:
>> On April 19, 1995, in Oklahoma City a terrorist detonated a bomb
>> that killed my mother and 167 others. 19 children died that day.
>> Had I not had the chicken pox that day, the body count would've
>> likely have included one more. Over 800 other Oklahomans were
>> injured that day and many of those still suffer through their
>> permanent wounds.
>>
>> That terrorist was neither a homosexual or was he involved in
>> Islam. He was an extremist Christian forcing his views through a
>> body count. He held his beliefs and made those who didn't live up
>> to them pay with their lives.
>>
>> As you were not a resident of Oklahoma on that day, it could be
>> explained why you so carelessly chose words saying that the
>> homosexual agenda is worst than terrorism. I can most certainly
>> tell you through my own experience that is not true. I am sure
>> there are many people in your voting district that laid a loved
>> one to death after the terrorist attack on Oklahoma City. I kind
>> of doubt you'll find one of them that will agree with you.
>>
>> I was five years old when my mother died. I remember what a
>> beautiful, wise, and remarkable woman she was. I miss her. Your
>> harsh words and misguided beliefs brought me to tears, because you
>> told me that my mother's killer was a better person than a group
>> of people that are seeking safety and tolerance for themselves.
>>
>> As someone left motherless and victimized by terrorists, I say to
>> you very clearly you are absolutely wrong.
>>
>> You represent a district in Oklahoma City and you very coldly
>> express a lack of love, sympathy or understanding for what they've
>> been through. Can I ask if you might have chosen wiser words were
>> you a real Oklahoman that was here to share the suffering with
>> Oklahoma City? Might your heart be a bit less cold had you been
>> around to see the small bodies of children being pulled out of
>> rubble and carried away by weeping firemen?
>>
>> I've spent 12 years in Oklahoma public schools and never once have
>> I had anyone try to force a gay agenda on me. I have seen,
>> however, many gay students beat up and there's never a day in
>> school that has went by when I haven't heard the word **** slung
>> at someone. I've been called gay slurs many times and they hurt
>> and I am not even gay so I can just imagine how a real gay person
>> feels. You were a school teacher and you have seen those things
>> too. How could you care so little about the suffering of some of
>> your students?
>>
>> Let me tell you the result of your words in my school. Every
>> openly gay and suspected gay in the school were having to walk
>> together Monday for protection. They looked scared. They've
>> already experienced enough hate and now your words gave other
>> students even more motivation to sneer at them and call them
>> names. Afterall, you are a teacher and a lawmaker, many young
>> people have taken your words to heart. That happens when you
>> assume a role of responsibility in your community. I seriously
>> think before this week ends that some kids here will be going home
>> bruised and bloody because of what you said.
>>
>> I wish you could've met my mom. Maybe she could've guided you in
>> how a real Christian should be acting and speaking.
>>
>> I have not had a mother for nearly 13 years now and wonder if
>> there were fewer people like you around, people with more love and
>> tolerance in their hearts instead of strife, if my mom would be
>> here to watch me graduate from high school this spring. Now she
>> won't be there. So I'll be packing my things and leaving Oklahoma
>> to go to college elsewhere and one day be a writer and I have no
>> intentions to ever return here. I have no doubt that people like
>> you will incite crazy people to build more bombs and kill more
>> people again. I don't want to be here for that. I just can't go
>> through that again.
>>
>> You may just see me as a kid, but let me try to teach you
>> something. The old saying is sticks and stones will break your
>> bones, but words will never hurt you. Well, your words hurt me.
>> Your words disrespected the memory of my mom. Your words can cause
>> others to pick up sticks and stones and hurt others.
>>
>> Sincerely
>>
>> Tucker

For the activist out there if you would like to send an email to Sally her address is sallykern@okhouse. gov

Preaching

I love my Episcopal church, it has so many positives, except the preaching. It's a little like torture most Sundays; except when they have guest preachers (the regular Methodist guest preacher tends to bring it in the pulpit), and there is one priest who is an excellent exegete and speaker, who only preaches once every two months. (There are 8 priests at our church who rotate preaching, with the Rector preaching 2 Sundays a month). I even go so far as to write my own, but it would be nice to learn from people who are better at preaching than I am. Easter was really the last straw for me, I had to go to 2 services and hear the ridiculous sermon twice. I know preaching is not everyone's gift, our Rector is really good in small groups and great at pastoral care.

All of that being said I am on the look out for great sermons to read on Monday morning. I already read Heather Jepsen's blog (I hope you preached your Easter sermon and will post it soon, if not can I have a copy?). If any of you know of other really good sermons out there that I can read that would be helpful. I'm not looking for things like tribalchurch.org, which I love, but actual sermons.
Thanks

book update

Westminster/John Knox sent me a very nice thanks but no thanks letter.

So that is two down and an unknown number yet to go.

Piffle.

Atlanta turns into Kansas

As you may have heard a tornado came racing through Atlanta this past weekend. Just wanted to update you that thankfully it skipped our house, but we did get the tornado sirens, hale, crazy rain, and apparently some pretty strong winds. We don't have a basement so Heather, Roux, and I were dutifully huddled in an interior closet underneath our comforter when we heard the sirens go off. Roux was really unhappy with us. Luckily we only had to stay in there for about 10 minutes, then the storm went away. I had been through one tornado before, in high school, which destroyed my parents barn (yes we have a barn, I did grow up in Kentucky). This was Heather's first serious storm, Oregon gets some rain, but not wind, thunder, and lightening like this.

Mind The Gap

The worst part right now is the look on people's face when they first see me. That and my complete inability to speak clearly.

new frog pond

Looks like I will have a book review in an upcoming issue of Christian Century. I am still waiting to hear on the book proposal but I'm okay with waiting right now. Meanwhile, I have a couple other assignments to work on for the Chimes & Presbyterians Today. And a chance to preach on one of the high holy days of the Associate/pulpit supply preacher... (the Sunday after Christmas, the Sunday after Easter, Fourth of July Weekend... )

Meanwhile - spring is starting to bust out around here. Below is a picture of a bush over by the creek where the most amazing mass of leaves are pushing their way out of a monster-sized bud:



This is what the leaves look like once they are out and expanded:


Be rich with life, be explosively green this spring!

TribalChurch.org

TribalChurch.org

Don't know if you all are familiar with this site -- just had to share!
Have a blessed week!
love,
steph

Update on Heather

Hello friends - I survived my surgery really well considering. I hardly had a bloody nose and only threw up once. I spent a week on my back with my mom nursing me back. Swollen and black and blue are my new look. That and the space between my teeth which is already about 5 mm. Hard to believe they can move the teeth so fast . . . that's why it hurts! I am still turning my expander and will do so for at least 5 more days. Today I am going off my big pain meds so we will see how it goes. I was tired of feeling nausea all the time. I am home alone for a few days (Lars has big days at work) and then my mom is coming back to keep me company some more. Right now the battle is depression as I spend my days on the couch looking ugly and feeling like crap! But, back to work by Wed next week - at least half days . . . I hope.

Encouraging News

I got a nice note from an editor today saying that he enjoyed the book proposal and was planning to pass it along to his colleagues for their review.

Still a long ways from the "yes" but hey, what a nice note, eh?

Anitra

thanks

Thanks for your prayers and concern. The infusion yesterday went smoothly with no allergic reaction :) I will have to go and have an infusion every month. Currently I am really tired and weak, which the nurse said was normal. However, I am hoping that the fatigue and weakness are more from the cold/flu I have and that this won't be a monthly event.

Thanks so much! You all mean the world to me.

Much love, Jenn :)

Prayer Request

Hello friends! Things here in Wray are going great. I love the congregation and am enjoying the simple life of a rural pastor.

On Wednesday I start a new IV medication for my MS. Since my body has stopped responding to other forms of treatment this is the next step. Although they assure me that Tysabri is now safe, 3 people have died from taking the medicine. So, needless to say I am a bit worried. My dad has come up to be with me and take me to the first infusion, so that is comforting. So, if you have a little extra time, please keep me in your prayers as I begin this next step of treatment for MS.

On another note, Harold is in Malawi, Africa on a mission trip until February 29, so keep him in your prayers as well.

Take care and much love!

Brace Face

Friends - Here are pictures of my now strange face. I have clear braces on top and metal on the bottom both with blue rubberband thingys. You can also see the torture device that has been installed on the roof of my mouth. I now speak like I have a mouth full of marbles. I sound awful - which will be a joy as I try to preach on Sunday. The trip to the ortho did not go well as they could not get the expander in - the glue had begun to dry. I was crying in the chair from the pain of them forcing it on my teeth. My surgery is now scheduled for Thursday. I will turn my expander two times a day for 12 days and a total of 24 turns. We are going for a 8-10mm expansion. When I finally get back to work in March I will have a large space between my two front teeth. Oh the adventures . . . no wonder most pastors quit after the first year : ) Just kidding - so far my congregation has been great - though we'll see how patient they are after tomorrow's super slow sermon.

Brace Yourself for Valentines Day

Friends - Tomorrow I go in and get all my gear put on. I am getting a palatal expander on the roof of my mouth which looks something like this . . .

Then I am getting cermaic braces on the top and bottom teeth which looks something like this . . .

I will post pictures when I am able. On Tuesday next week I have my surgery to cut open my upper palate so it can move with the expander . . .

Please continue to keep me in prayer.

Confession

I like ants.

I think they are very cool and they do interesting things both individually and as a group. I think they are important little clean up critters in this world and I like having them around. As long as "around" is outside. Not in my house. Especially not in my kitchen.

Which is where they tend to show up after a long rain or it turns cold outside. And who can blame them? Its warm, there's food, and its not flooding the nest.

At first I tended to squeal a little bit and then squish as many as possible with a paper towel but there seemed to quite a few more thousand. I tried talking to them but human-ant interspecies conversation doesn't seem to work well.

So I looked on line and read my organic pest books and decided that pretty much my only option was to set out the puddle of death. Its a high viscosity slow acting ant poison. Its sweet so once an ant discover its yummy lethal goodness, pretty much several thousand of its brothers show up to lick it up and take it back to the next to share with the others.

I hate putting it out. I really don't want to kill them. I just want them out in the yard. Not pets. Yet, this is our second invasion in the upstairs bathroom and we've seen two waves this year in the kitchen so far. I noticed a couple wandering around the living room a few days ago but they apparently decided it wasn't worth calling in the gang. You can see how this could go.

So - the night before last when I was reluctantly picking up the bottle of death goo to spread out the banquet of doom, I screamed like a girly girl when I discovered the ants were already sucking on the pour spout. For some reason it makes me think of cars lined up in the McDonalds drive through lane....

Last night, the population was starting to drop. I could see some of the ants carting off the bodies of their brothers back toward where ever it was they came from.

Today there are no ants. Just the placid, still glistening puddle of death gently reflecting the morning light.

Why can't they just stay outside?

Time on your hands? Wanna go to Geneva?

In honor of Calvin's 500th birthday in 2009, a host of groups and churches have put together all kinds of seminars and events - and a Calvin-centered-hymn-writing competition. Winners get travel and accommodations paid to Geneva for the celebration. Details are here:

http://www.calvin09.ch/media/pdf/interaktiv/Liedwettbewerb_E.pdf

And more info on the celebrations are here:

http://www.calvin09.ch/EN/home/home2.html

I can see it now...

"His theology comes with some gravity,
That's the way of total depravity..."

Snow daze

Well, here we are! Winter has definitely arrived and it shore is purty! This is a photo of Hope College Dimnant Chapel -- inside reminds me a whole lot of Stewart Chapel but about three times as large -- really beautiful.

It has been snowing most of today...and snowing...and snowing...outside my office window, the icy branches have tiny red berries still clinging on for all they're worth! The seminary was actually closed due to weather this past Wednesday for the first time in 15 years!

Life is good. I have been appointed by Dean VanDyk as an adjunct faculty for next academic year to co-teach a class for seniors "Launching Your Ministry." How cool is that??? And yesterday I submitted my application for the DMin program (what am I thinking???). Having a great time -- love what I'm doing here, love the people who put up with me, love our home and love you all for being so supportive when all this started. I've been here one year and 30 days. Can you believe it?

Jim started a "seminary singers" group with yours truly as accomplice -- however the students have suggested another name: Creme de la Croom! We sang in Chapel this morning -- not up to SFTS standards as far as numbers go but the majority of folks here seem to read music so it makes for fun rehearsals.

Almost time to trundle out and scrape the windscreen! So TTFN and loads of love to you all!

Ordination photos

Hi everyone! I'm getting my feet underneath me at Santa Clara, and also have already had my first vistors: friends who were in town for a wedding - and who also brought ordination photos...



Here's a slightly blurry one where Cheryl is about to give me my robe...



...and here's one of my dad and me looking very serious as we serve communion.

Theological Pop Quizzes

I have two stepsons who are loosely Unitarian in their upbringing. They are also very bright and interested in the world around them. Living with them is something like a never ending Trivia Pursuit game. I might be walking out of the bathroom and bam, there's a question like, "how many presidents earned over $250,000 per year?" or "What do you think of Obama's electablity against Gulliani?" Sometimes I can answer the question, sometimes I tell them to go look it up on-line. Mostly I enjoy watching their curiosity and their thought paths at play.

Sometimes though, its tough.

The other night - I had about 15 minutes to eat my dinner & find my shoes/socks/stuff and get out the door for choir practice when my younger step son (age 13) asks, "So, what do you Presbyterians believe about heaven?"

yikes!

So we had a conversation that touched on life after death, the new heaven and earth, Revelations, the holes in Jesus' hands, A God that is always creating, and meanwhile my elder step son is throwing in questions like, "So, explain atonement for me..."

I made it to choir practice on time, with shoes and socks on my feet but I had to postpone atonement for another time alongside of explaining why apocalyptic writings are a mis-reading of Revelations and an overall review of Eschatology & Christology.

I'm going to be sooo ready for a floor examination should that day ever come to pass.

mmmmmm

This is my first effort at making bacon. Real bacon. It has just come out of the oven where I slow roasted it after brining in a simple salt/sugur/pink salt brine. It tastes very good. Seriously.

It has a twin in the refrigerator, still in brine stage. That one I want to smoke. I just need 3 hours w/o rain. Or a tarp.... hmmmmmm