UK #8: My Iona Reflections

Going to somewhere that is known as a "thin place" sets some expectations.  I hoped this would be a time away and that I would experience God in a closer way.  And there is something special abut this place where people have been worshiping  in special ways for thousands of years.  And perhaps it is an easier place to pay attention to God than the pressure of every day life.  But I didn't hear any new messages from God.  Instead, in gentle whispers, God reminded me that he is faithful.

The first whisper came as the ferry was approaching Mull--a partial rainbow.  When I arrived at the B&B, I saw another.  Rainbows remind me of Noah and God's promise to never destroy the world with a flood again. God has remained faithful to that promise, and so many other promises.  It is part of who God is.

And then, the first two nights I was there, the sky was clear and the stars were amazing.  The sky was covered with them.  That reminded me of God's promise to the barren Abraham, and God's reminder of his faithfulness through stars earlier this fall (sense a theme?).  I did a Bible search for other places the Bible talks about stars, and found Psalm 147: "He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds.  He determines the number of the stars, and calls them each by name.  Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit."

And then, as I was visiting sites around the island with a book from the Iona Community that provides reflections and prayers for each stop, I visited St. Martin's cross.  It stands at the front of the abbey, and has for 1200 years, "through Viking raids, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the Age of Reason, the industrial revolution, the world wars, the cold war"  (Around a Thin Place, pg. 17). And through all of that, God has remained the same.  Faithful.  

The cross, the stars, and the rainbows were all reminders that God cares for his people and is faithful to his promises.  In a world and time of life that often seems uncertain and out of my control, it is a reminder that I need.
God is faithful.  He is in control.  And he cares for all of us.

If you want to see more Iona pictures, see my Facebook album.  

UK #7: The Iona Community

Iona Abbey

One of the reasons the Isle of Iona has contemporary significance and is well-known in some Christian circles is the Iona Community. I think in North America we sometimes think of them as being the whole island, but they are not. In fact they share the abbey with Historic Scotland who cares for and manages the site. 

In the 1930s, in the midst of the Great Depression, a pastor named George MacLeod came up with the idea to restore the abbey using unemployed craftsmen and young pastors (so they would have training before they went to urban missions). In addition to their construction work, they practiced living in community. Today the Iona Community is "an ecumenical Christian community of men and women engaged together, and with people of goodwill across the world, in acting, reflecting,and praying for justice, peace and the integrity of creation; convinced that the inclusive community we seek must be embodied in the community we practice." It is a sort of untraditional monastic order. Members commit to live by a shared rule which includes daily prayer and Bible reading, mutual accountability for use of time and money, meeting together, and action for justice and peace. There are about 300 members, mostly in Britain. They are divided into geographical family groups. There are also 1450 associate members and 1250 friends scattered across the world "from Michigan to Malawi." 

The abbey on Iona serves as a sort of base. There is a core group of resident staff, and from March to October they offer week-long experience of living in community for people from around the world. They also maintain daily worship at the abbey, which is open to the public. I joined in a couple of their morning prayer services while I was on the island. They were small, quiet gatherings with a few songs, prayers of confession and intercession, and a scripture reading. Each day in their intercessory prayer, they pray for specific countries, specific needs, and specific members of the community (on a cycle that all members follow). 

Chapel where worship is held in the winter

 Before coming, I was probably most familiar with the Iona Community's publishing and especially liturgical resources. I think that is probably what has made the biggest worldwide impact. We have used some of their liturgies at ÇOS (an excerpt I shared). Many songs we sing regularly come through the Wild Goose Resource Group: "He Came Down, " "Take, O Take Me As I Am," "Your Will Be Done On Earth," "Come Now, O Prince of Peace," "Come All You People" and more. 

 What I knew less about was the Community's commitment to advocate for social justice and peace. In the Abbey church, they have some displays about different justice issues. Their shop is completely fair trade (much of it local). It was a great place to do a bit of shopping. I am not exactly sure what this commitment looks like in the everyday life of a member, but I would be curious to find out some day. Looking at this ancient building and place and seeing Christians confront modern problems and experiences is inspiring. Throughout my trip so far, I have noticed that trend--communities breathing new life into old places and practices without demolishing the old. 

Displays on social justice issues

I am fascinated by the idea of living in community, while not actually living together. Things like their rule bind them together, but they can actually be spread apart. I wonder what this could look like in other situations. I am thinking especially of pastor-types who make friends and have community, but move often. This question of how to have community when people keep moving or getting married and moving, knowing there is a good chance I'll be moving this summer has been on my mind in the past few months.

St. John's cross (modern replica)

 I wonder if we could create a community for ourselves based not on living near each other, but on a rule that we would create and a commitment that we would continue to support each other. I think our rule would look a bit different than the Iona Community, but I think it could work. I would be interested to try.

UK #6: Pilgrimage to Iona

From Glasgow, I really started my journey to the Isle of Iona, off the west coast of Scotland.  This small island has been a place to go on a pilgrimage for centuries.  People have described it as a "thin place" where only a tissue paper separates the material from the spiritual (Around a Thin Place, Jane Bentley and Neil Paynter, 2011).  In my original itinerary, I wasn't going to come to Iona, because it is January and many things are closed down.  But many people asked if Iona was on the itinerary.  A friend who lived in Scotland for a few years said go even though it'll be January.  I updated my itinerary and started thinking about this as the "adventure" portion of the trip.



I left Glasgow on the train to a port city called Oban.  The three hour trip is part of the West Highland Line, which has been voted the most scenic rail line in the world.  I didn't know that until I saw a sign at the train station--I was just taking it because it was where I needed to go.  But it was beautiful.  The most beautiful train ride I have taken in my life!  

View from the train to Oban

Welcome to Oban!

When I got off the train, in Oban, I walked the five minutes to the ferry terminal.  I got on a ferry to the island of Mull.  That ferry was about forty five minutes, and the sky was clearing up, so there were some beautiful interactions between grey clouds and sunlight.

View from the ferry

Me on the ferry

On Mull, I got on one of the waiting buses.  It took an hour long route across the island on a basically one lane road.  It was also beautiful.  

The one lane road part 

The beautiful part

And then, at the end of the bus ride, I got on another ferry.  This one was a short ten minute ride across the Iona Sound to the island of Iona.  I finally made it.  Once on Iona I've been doing a lot of walking.  It isn't a huge island (3 1/2 miles long by 1 mile wide), but you have to be more intentional about walking than driving.

In this place of pilgrimage, that still isn't exactly easy to get to I've been thinking about the idea of pilgrimage.  It isn't a common spiritual discipline these days like it was in years gone by.  But two things stand out to me.  First, space is important.  Second, the journey is important.

St. Columba in stained glass

Going somewhere is obviously an important part of pilgrimage.  You don't take a pilgrimage to no where.  People came to Iona because St. Columba, an Irish monk came here in 563AD.  He set up a monastery, which prospered.  Historians believe that the Book of the Kells, a richly illustrated New Testament was probably started at the abbey on Iona.  Iona became a place that tradition says royals, including Shakespeare's Macbeth, were brought here to be buried.  Around 1200, a Benedictine abbey replaced the Columbian one (on the same location).  Today, the Iona Community makes Iona their base.  This little island has seen generations of faithful Christians, worshiping and working in the world.  It is a special space.

The restored abbey from the road pilgrims took

And space and place are important for our Christian lives.  For one, it is part of being an embodied human.  God did jot create ethereal spirits to live in a spiritual world.  God created humans with bodies--male and female bodies--in a garden.  And he looked at all that he had made and said it is good.  And so special places matter.  Pilgrimage to those places is one way that we can connect with God and grow in faith.

But it isn't just the space.  The journey is important, too.  Since I've traveled a bit in life, the image of life as a journey resonates with me.  I don't always know what the next leg of the journey will be like.  Sometimes it is monotonous and you just want to get there already.  Sometimes you get lost and you really don't know where you are.  But the journey can also be beautiful.  The work of the journey can make you appreciate where you end up even more.  And the journey is important for itself--on it we develop patience and persistence.  It shapes who we are.  Sometimes I need a reminder, that it isn't just getting to the next landmark (milestone) in life, but the way I live on the journey to that landmark.

And so I have joined Christians from the past and present in making a pilgrimage here, and finding that God does seem nearer on this rocky slab in the sea.  I pray that I will take these reminders and images and allow them to inspire and strengthen me as I return to ordinary life of work and worship.

UK #5: Adelaides in Glasgow

Monday marked a transition in my trip.  I left Poole and people I knew or got to know and set out on solo travel across the UK.  I started by traveling north, to Glasgow, Scotland.  I wasn't in Glasgow for very long, sadly.  But I enjoyed the time I had.

When I was preparing for my trip, one of the accommodations listed in Rick Steves' Great Britain 2013 is Adelaides Guesthouse.  It is in "a multitasking church building."  A tiny bit of internet research showed me that they are in the same building as Adelaide Place Baptist Church.  The guesthouse had an opening for the night (I turned out to be their first guest of 2013, as they'd been on a holiday break) so I made a reservation.  Then I sent an e-mail to the pastor of the church, telling him about my trip and asking if he would be available to meet with me the afternoon or evening I would be there.  To my surprise, he quickly wrote back and said yes.

So Monday afternoon, I spent some time with him, hearing how it came to be that their church building also houses a guesthouse and nursery (day care center).  The congregation has been worshipping in this building since 1877, and it is in the city center.  Like many such churches, members started into move to the suburbs, and membership started declining.  

About 18 years ago, they discovered dry rot in their building, which would cost a significant amount to repair.  They had to grapple with what to do about their building.  At about the same time they did a survey of areas of ministry need.  They found that there were six areas of need, and they couldn't address them all.  They decided to focus on the business community, partly since it is less common than ministering to the urban poor or students.  They thought creatively, and decided to start  business, Adelaides.  They mission would be to extend the kingdom of God through profitable enterprise.  They raised the money to renovate the building.  Now it houses an eight room guesthouse and a day care center to 6 week-olds-5-year-olds.  They also rent out their auditorium and other meeting space for a variety of events.  When they started they also had a cafe because there weren't many lunch places in the area, but that didn't seem to take off, so they have since closed it.

The businesses are formally seperate from the church, but the board of directors is made up almost entirely of church members, so they work hand-in-hand.  It isn't an easy mission.  Just managing the businesses takes an incredible amount of time and energy.  The pastor has been a key piece in getting this started and keeping it together.  They have sown lots of seeds and come into contact with lots of people who wouldn't otherwise have contact with a church.  But they haven't had many conversions (at least that they know of) because of this venture.

The pastor was honest that this is unique and it is a hard road.  They have had to sacrifice as a congregation--time, space, being able to use their space spontaneously, and probably other things.  Personally, I would not want to do what he has done with managing a business and being a pastor, because I'm pretty sure in would be bad at it and it just wouldn't be a good fit for me. But I am thankful for the congregation at Adelaide Place Baptist.  For their creativity to try something new.  For their commitment to keep working at it and making it better.  And for their passion to serve the people in their community.  I pray that God will bless them, and that they will see the fruits of their labors.

And the guesthouse was a fun place to stay, complete with a manager who lived up to Rick Steves' description of a "quirky sense of humor." He called me the "American vicar" and was shocked to learn I didn't realize that Kim Kardashian is now pregnant by Kanye and she's still married to the other guy (basketball player?).


Map image in public domain, from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Scotland_map.png

UK #4: The Wedding

Wedding Flowers

While I was in Poole, I was privileged to attend J's wedding.  J and I were teammates when we were both English teachers in China.  We left China the same year, and she moved to England shortly after while I started seminary.  A bit over two years ago, she met a British man and they decided to get married.  It was an pleasure to see her so filled with joy on her wedding day, and I am thankful that I was able to observe a British wedding.  This post is a collection of reflections on the experience.

A wedding is an example of both the great similarities between British and American customs, but also the great differences.  We hold many core customs in common (as opposed to say, China, where customs are drastically different).  But there are also differences.  For example, in a British wedding, the bridesmaids walk down the aisle ahead of the bride, but then sit in the first row of seats, along with the bride's parents.

With other China friends at the reception

Overall, it seems like a British wedding may be slightly less of a production, and less commercial than an American one.  It is possible that isn't a fair statement, since I only observed one wedding and it wasn't completely typical, but that was my overall impression.  Things like napkins printed for the reception aren't done.  There is less emphasis on the bridesmaids and groomsmen.  There are fewer parties before the wedding.  One of the parents often makes the wedding cake (a fruitcake is traditional), in this case the groom's mother--and it was really good.  

I really appreciated the Church of England wedding liturgy.  One of the things that struck me about it is how thoroughly Trinitarian it is.  There was no mistaking what this marriage is founded on and what it is about.  I also really appreciated that in the very beginning of the service, the congregation was asked "Will you, the families and friends of G and J, support and uphold them in their marriage now and in the years to come?"  I think it is an important reminder that no couple should enter a marriage alone, but they must remain rooted in a community that will encourage and support them.  I will be borrowing this or something similar when I do a wedding.

First dance

I was also impressed with the way the wedding was planned and led when they knew that a significant portion of the guests are not practicing Christians.  It was a profoundly Christian in liturgy, songs, and readings.  Nothing was watered down.  Some of it might not have made complete sense without some knowledge of Christianity.  But the officiants didn't use it as an occasion to evangelize explicitly.  They let people enter, in a way, the life of faith.  To observe what it looks like to start a marriage as "a cord of three strands." I hope and pray that everyone sensed the love and joy of the bride and groom, but also their church and faith community.

UK #3: Outreach at Saint Mary's Longfleet

 SML is a traditional parish church surrounded by a cemetery

As you may remember from my previous post, I spent time with my friend J's church in Poole.  I would say a central part of this church's current DNA is reaching out to people without a church background or a very minimal church background (maybe their parents had them baptized, but they didn't attend church).  As you probably know, there are many people in n Great Britain that fall into those categories, and there is a negative pressure on Christianity and the church.  But SML has developed ways to make connections with people in a number of ways.  

One thing I noticed was that on Sunday, they talked about sharing faith in a number of ways.  They prayed for the seeds that were planted over Christmas, and the vicar shared a conversation he had last week with a bank teller after she had come to a Christmas service with a friend.  There was a real sense that this is just part of who we are. 

They also have a number of outreach programs.  They run an Alpha course, a course that introduces Christianity and builds relationships over a meal, one semester a year.  It has been steadily growing over the past four years and last year they had about 100 people.  They are starting again in a couple of weeks and are excited to see what God does this year.  They use Alpha as a way to follow-up with people that attend their Christmas services, and they follow Alpha with more traditional small groups that basically go through the Alpha material again. 

Another thing they do is called Healing on the Streets.  They work in teams of three and go out to a public place.  They put an empty chair on the sidewalk with sign that says "healing" on it and they have similar cards to pass out to those walking by.  Then they wait to see what happens.  If people sit down in they chair, they pray for them.  They have prayed for over 400 people in the last three years. I actually saw another church doing this when I was visiting the city of Winchester on Saturday.  This program reminded me of the prayer walking I did with the team at Madison Ave. CRC in Paterson, NJ when I did an internship there.

The neighborhood around SML

There are some other things they do, but these seemed the most interesting to me.  I wonder if that's because they tend to be more overtly Christian than many of the things we do at COS.  I wouldn't give those up, but I wonder how we could build some more explicitly Christian pieces in?  Or have them available?  And how could we be more intentional about talking about what we do in the congregation, so it is something that is the part of all of our discipleship, not just the core outreach volunteers? 

I am especially wondering about some kind of prayer ministry.  I wonder what would happen if we took some chairs out into the neighborhood and offered to pray for people?  Or even if we just started prayer walking in the neighborhoods around us(including Calvin's campus), praying for the people whether we interacted with them or not?  

UK #2: Worship at Saint Mary's Longfleet

I am sorry I haven't posted much.  I have not had a lot of internet access, particularly on my tablet.  I expect to have more for the rest of the trip.  I have lots of ideas of things to write!

Outside of SML

In this first week, I spent a lot of time in one place and with one church community, St. Mary's Longfleet Church of England in Poole.  This is my friend J's church.  The wedding was here, with lots of people from their church.  I stayed with a friend of J's who also goes to this church.  I also met with a couple of their staff members.

As is typical in the Church of England, there has been a church on the site for hundreds of years.  In the last 20 years or so, this church has been revitalized.  It is part of the charismatic/new wine stream of the Church of England.  They have three services a Sunday, with vibrant activities and fellowship.  It is probably not as well-known as some of the other churches I will visit on this trip, but it was a blessing to get to know a more ordinary church.  I worshipped at all three services Sunday in order to get the flavor of each.  The next couple of Sundays I will probably go to a couple churches each day, so this was my opportunity to just stick with one church.

The 9am service is their traditional service.  It was the smallest of the three--maybe 100-150 people.  Most of them were in the 50+ category, although there were a few kids and other young people.  They used a traditional prayerbook service, although they had a self-contained service printed so you didn't have to flip from place to place in the prayerbook, and it was all projected as well.  The components and order of service were very similar to COS, including communion.  The music was contemporary and led by a band.  It was the least expressive service of the three, but it was heartfelt.  People clearly enjoyed being other to worship and fellowship together.

Worshiping at the Evening Service

The second service is at 10:45am and it is the family service.  There is a nursery and children's and youth activities at this service, so most families attend it, but there was a nice mix of people and generations.  The kids worship with the adults for the first part of the service, and then after a "children's song" that everyone sings, they go to the church center across the street for their classes.  The sermon is the same at these two services, although it was called a "talk" at the second service.  The liturgy was less formal, but it still moved through most of the components, except for communion.

Coffee, tea, and fellowship after the evening service

The third service is in the evening.  It is the most contemporary and least formal.  It is focused towards 20 and 30 something's, but there were also a few families and middle aged folks.  For most people, this is the only service they attend, not a second service.  It was refreshing to be at an evening service with lots of other young people!  I really appreciated contemporary worship in a historic space.  Even though the songs were new, the space reminded us that our faith is not new, but an ancient faith.  It is a very different feel than contemporary worship in a generic auditorium style space.  This service bordered into slightly more charismatic worship.  There was no speaking in tongues, but when the pastor led a time of prayer after the sermon, he was more prophetic.  Personally, this was my least favorite worship style, but the service where I heard God speak to me the clearest.  That is a good reminder that it isn't all about what we like or think is best--our God is a God of surprises!

SML is also doing cool things in the community that I will write about another time.  I am really thankful to have been able to meet them and worship with them, and I pray God blesses their ministry.

For some other pictures Of things I've been doing, see my Facebook album.

UK #1: Unity in Christ

I have not had a lot of internet access this week, so I haven't been able to post yet.  But I hope there will be more to come (with pictures) in the next few days!  

I arrived safely, and early (!) in England on the morning of January 1, local time.  Immigration, customs, and getting a coach (long distance bus) were all easy.

I took the coach to Poole, which is in southern England, about a two and a half hour coach ride from London   My friend, J, lives in Poole.  J is an American, and we were teammates in China.  She is getting married on Friday to a British man, so I will be able to attend her wedding.  But it is also great because this time gives me an opportunity to get to know some ordinary British Christians.  I am staying with one of J's friends, who is very hospitable, and I am able to experience a British home.

Tuesday evening (the day I arrived), she and J's sister hosted a wedding shower for J.  Wedding showers are an American custom so there was lots of explaining and 'interpreting' going on between the two cultures.  Even the rather ridiculous toilet-paper-wedding-dress-game (where you divide into teams and each team creates a wedding dress for a member of their team out of toilet paper, and then the bride judges which is best), somehow seemed less ridiculous as a cultural exchange.

As easy as it is to travel around, Great Britain is still very different.  The architecture has a very different look.  Driving on the other side of the road means all of my innate traffic sense is gone.  And those are just some obvious things I noticed in my first few hours here.

The shower was a good example of the differences between the two cultures.  But it was also a good example of how what holds us together, especially as Christians, is much greater than what separates us.  As we gave J her gifts, each person was also asked to hare a verse, quote, or other word of wisdom.  Most people shared Bible verses or other Christian wisdom.  At the end, we made a circle around J and had a time of prayer.  In prayer for our sister, we were one--British accent or American.  God is so much bigger than the cultural differences that divide us.

'In that renewal there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all' (Col. 3:11)!

Christ is all and in all.  I expect that will be a theme of this trip.  Despite all the differences n language and culture and ways we do church, Christ is bigger than all of it and brings us together as brothers and sisters in Christ.  

Christmas Ornament Stories: My Ordination

Welcome to any new COS readers!  I am travelling today, so I am sharing the last post in a series about my Christmas tree ornaments.  My next post will be an update on my trip!

Every ornament tells a story.  That’s the basic philosophy of my Christmas tree.  During this Christmas season (and I’m including the church calendar Christmas season, which goes to January 6), I am introducing you to some of my favorites and sharing the story behind them.  So far, I have shared ornaments from my parents, grandparents, and aunt and uncle.

Today’s ornament is one of my newest ornaments.  I made this one myself at the end of last year’s Christmas season.  Sometime in the fall, I saw this idea on Pinterest made with a wedding invitation or program as a wedding gift.  As soon as I saw it, I knew I wanted to make one for myself with my ordination bulletin/liturgy.  My ordination was on January 1, 2012—one year ago today.  The next week I made myself this ornament.  It was probably my favorite to pull out of the box this year, because it reminded me of that joyous day.  The day the church said: “Yes! We publicly affirm God’s call in your life to serve in ordained ministry.”  The day that I vowed to love, serve, and lead the church.  It was one of the most important days of my life, and this ornament reminds me of it.

As I look back at one year of ordination, it has been a hard year and a joyful year.  I have seen human brokenness in new ways.  I have been stretched and wondered if I could do this for the rest of my life.  I have mined God’s Word for his word to us in this time and place.  I have been honored to be with people as they spend their first few months in this country.  I have been blessed by the love and support of the church council.  I have watched young leaders grow.  So even though it isn’t an easy calling, today I reaffirm my vows. 

With God helping me, I believe that in the call of this congregation God himself calls me to this holy ministry.

With God helping me, I believe that the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and life.

With God helping me, I subscribe to the doctrinal standards of this church, rejecting all teaching which contradicts them.

With God helping me, I promise to be a faithful minister, to conduct myself in a manner worthy of my calling, and to submit to the government and discipline of the church. (CRCNA Form for Ordination of Ministers)

Thanks be to God!

Sunday Afternoon Prayer: For Life's Journey

This is my sermon text for our Old Year's service this evening.  We will think about how God, the maker of all things--not the gods of the hills--kept us through all the situations we have faced in the past year, and how we can trust that he will do the same in the year to come.  Tomorrow, it will be my traveling prayer as I set out on a pilgrimage of my own.

Psalm 121

A song of ascents. 

Mt. Tai in Tai an, China, where I lived for a year.  This is a holy mountain in China, where people go to pray, like the culture surrounding the psalmist.

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,

the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over you—
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

Merry Christmas!

"While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger" (Luke 2:6-12).

Photo is of a nativity scene made in Nepal.  I purchased it at Global Gifts last year.

Sunday Afternoon Prayer: We Are Waiting

This afternoon’s prayer is inspired by a song that we are using as our prayer of illumination during Advent, “We Are Waiting” (Contemporary Songs for Worship 18, text and tune Greg Scheer).

We are waiting, waiting, waiting to hear God’s word.

We are waiting, waiting, speak we are listening Lord.

It’s Advent, and we’re waiting, God.

I am waiting, God.  Waiting to see what will happen in my life.  Waiting to see where you will lead me.  Waiting.

My parishioners are waiting, God.  Waiting for their families to be able to join them in the U.S.  Waiting to see what you have for their lives.  Waiting.

My friends are waiting, God.  Waiting for graduations, babies, and proposals.  Waiting to see how you will guide them.  Waiting.

We are waiting, God.  Waiting for you to return and make all things new.  Waiting to hear the trumpets of your arrival.  Waiting.

Maranatha.  Come quickly, Lord Jesus.

Photo by Li'l Wolf, http://www.flickr.com/photos/schneelocke/2201266557/, 22 December 2012.  Used under a Creative Commons License.

A Preview of Coming Attractions

During January, I have a wonderful opportunity to travel to Great Britain and visit churches and Christian communities there.  Part of the pastoral residency (funded by the Lilly Endowment) is to take a trip overseas to experience the church in a different cultural context. 

I will take my trip to England and Scotland.  I have experienced the church in a number of non-western, developing countries—China/Taiwan/Hong Kong, Mexico, and Nicaragua.  But I have never been to Europe.  So I am going to explore what it looks like to be the church in a global and post-Christian culture.  As I explore, I am sure I will also learn much about the history of the church in Great Britain and how that has affected the United States. 

I am excited to talk to pastors and church leaders about where they see God at work in their communities, and to hear what the challenges they face.  I am excited to hear their stories.  I am excited to worship with brothers and sisters in Christ in many different churches.  I am excited to have a time to “get away” from my daily life and hopefully be able to see things more clearly with a bit of distance.  I am excited to see what I will learn as I explore, and what I can bring back to enrich my ministry.

I will be visiting a number of places, and I am looking forward to each of them.

I will start in Poole, England (on the southern coast).  I am looking forward to seeing a friend who was a teammate of mine in China who has been living in Poole for several years.  I will be there for her wedding to a British man, so I am looking forward to being there for this special event, but also getting to experience this piece of English church life and the opportunities I will have to meet British Christians.

Then I will head north to Scotland where I will first spend a night at a guesthouse owned by a church in Glasgow.  The next day I will continue on to the island of Iona, which has been called a “a thin

place – only a tissue paper separating the material from the spiritual” (George Macleod).  Then I will spend a few days exploring Edinburgh and a bit of Reformation history, such as John Knox’s church.

I will head back to England, with a first stop in the northern city of York.  I will finish the trip in London.  I am looking forward to visiting a number of churches, including All Souls Langham and Wesley Chapel.  Of course, I am also looking forward to some historic and cultural sites.    

I will be blogging along the way, hopefully even a bit more than usual.  I am looking forward to sharing my journey, pictures, and stories with you.

Westminster Abbey photo by jpundt79, http://www.flickr.com/photos/jpundt79/3392606563/, 22 December 2012.  Used under a Creative Commons License. 

Iona photo by Duncan McNeil, http://www.flickr.com/photos/duncan_mcneil/1636030785/, 22 December, 2012.  Used under a Creative Commons License.

Christmas Ornament Stories: My Aunt and Uncle

Every ornament tells a story.  That’s the basic philosophy of my Christmas tree.  During this Christmas season, I am introducing you to some of my favorites and sharing the story behind them.  So far, I have shared ornaments from my parents and grandparents.

Today’s ornament is from my uncle and aunt, who also gave a Christmas ornament every year.  It’s really no wonder I love my ornaments--they were a huge part of extended family Christmas traditions.  My uncle was a pastor at a local church for over 30 years.  Every year, their family would host an open house in their home for anyone in the church the first weekend in December.  For several hours Saturday afternoon and Sunday afternoon, their house was filled with a steady stream of people from their congregation, celebrating Christmas together.  And every year, my aunt and uncle gave a Christmas ornament to each family who came to the open house.  Sometimes, especially in the early years, they were handmade.  I remember many a Thanksgiving where the after dinner entertainment was helping to finish up the ornaments for the open house.  Sometimes they bought small items they made into ornaments at some significant place for the year.  This is one of my favorites because it smells like cinnamon.    

The open house and ornaments are just one way that my aunt and uncle showed hospitality.  Family holidays at their house often included more than just biological family, but others who needed a place to celebrate too.  Throughout the year, they often had people knock at the door, whether church members dropping something off or friends of their kids.  They graciously welcomed them in and offered something to eat and drink.  My sister, brother-in-law, and at least one of my cousins lived in their basement for a while when they needed a place to live.  And they welcomed children with Downs Syndrome to their family through adoption.  They, probably more than anyone else I know, have lived out scripture’s command to “show hospitality to strangers” (Hebrews 13:2). 

Sunday Afternoon Prayer: I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

I have written about this song in the past, but it seems right to me again this weekend, when I don't really have words to say.

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

Till ringing, singing on its way
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head
“There is no peace on earth,” I said,
“For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men."

Christmas Ornament Stories: My Grandparents’ Faith

Every ornament tells a story.  That’s the basic philosophy of my Christmas tree.  During this Christmas season, I am introducing you to some of my favorites and sharing the story behind them.  First were some creative ornaments from my parents.

Today’s ornament is from my Grandpa and Grandma.  Pretty much every year, they gave all the grandkids an ornament.  I have some they bought while volunteering in Salt Lake City, some they bought in Mexico while they wintered in Tucson, and several that they made (the creative part runs in the family).

This one is my favorite.  It is also the last one, because it is from my grandma’s last Christmas with us.  They worked together on this one.  They developed the idea and found the pattern together.  My grandpa did the cutting and sanding.  This angel reminds me of their deep faith that they passed on to us. 

In the last few years, I have become increasingly thankful that the faith they passed on is a well-rounded faith.  They were (and are) people of great piety.  They kept a drawer of Bible story books to use when the grandkids came to visit.  They wanted to help us learn the stories of faith and the practice of family devotions.  For their 50^th wedding anniversary, the family gave them a Bible that each of the kids and grandkids had marked some of their favorite verses in.  In the years since, both Grandma and Grandpa have added notes of passages that are significant to them.  It is a wonderful physical heirloom of faith.

But their faith is more than knowing the Bible well and having right theology.  Their faith has legs.  It showed itself us in the care they show—the gifts, showing up on all sorts of occasions, being good friends and faithful church members.  And it showed itself in the way they spent their time.  Instead of going to Florida for the winter to go golfing and shopping, they went to Tucson to volunteer at a fledgling Christian high school.  My grandpa is a Christian school teacher by trade, and so every winter he helped this school as it grew.  He did everything for them from substitute teaching to digging ditches and building things.  Grandma helped to work in the library.  Their selfless care for others was a living model for us and shaped our family.  I would not be the same person without them.  I thank God for them, and for this ornament that reminds me of my heritage.