Theology of Disney

So I have this Disney mug... well, I actually I have a few Disney mugs. I LIKE Disney mugs. Don't ask me to explain it. It can't just be that they are well made and hold massive quantities of delicious brewed beverage because other mugs do the same - I just like 'em.

The one on my desk right now is one of my favorites and came with me on internship. It is a travel mug that I've broken the lid to but still use (no awkward ridges like most bottoms without their lids!). Though it is a Sleeping Beauty mug, and the dancing princess on it is nice, I love the banner at the top most of all: "Awaken to the wonder of it all." In a time when I feel like Biblical quotes and passages are so over used or misused, I find this little Disney blurb inspirational. It is simple and direct. A call to action and a comfort. Awaken! There is wonder all around!

And though the Bible has beautiful things to say about mountains and ministry, sometimes I just need a little bit of something entirely non-biblical. Thanks Disney.

Through New Eyes

Sometimes the gentle rush of a quiet river holds its own surprises and with a toss, splashing one's spirit can open us to an awakening.

As I sat in Pentateuch class this week reflecting on the discussion and imagining with the richness of theologians, ancient and present, picturing them before us, arguing, debating and yes even pausing in thought-no matter how I would approach them, approach theology as a whole, I bring this stirring within: the mists of the Serengeti flowing, biting sands of the Sahara surrounding and the whispering shadows of ancient Nubia behind me, reminders of my duty and when my is voice raised, joining others it is the rumbling, vibrating of distant drums and the musical chanting of a forgotten people.

For no matter where I go; what new wisdom and knowledge is poured into my being, and I joyfully accept, within beats the heart of a proud woman of Africa and I dance in celebration for what the Creator has given to me.

"God Our Creator, ever watchful, covering and protecting us by the Holy Spirit, keep us mindful of the importance of where we have come from, and continue to guide us through this journey, while uniting us as your beloved children, humbling charged and blessed with continuing your Son's work, with compassion, mercy, and peace. Amen."

"A Little Baptism"

I have developed a ritual here at LSTC. It is not something I came up with myself, but one I have seen numerous others do. Each time I walk into chapel, I make my way over to the large, flowing baptismal font in the back of the room. Dipping a finger in the water, I make a very small sign of the cross on my forehead, reminding myself that I am a baptized child of God.

I was talking with some classmates yesterday about how our practice of infant baptism can be frustrating at times. Like many Lutherans, I do not remember the event of my baptism, and at times during my life I have struggled to make it an integral part of my Christian walk. But this ritual is a way to make the Sacrament a part of every worship service. As my walk with God began with baptism, so each worship service of which I am a part begins with a “little baptism,” a remembrance that I am claimed by God. It reminds me that my baptism, and indeed even my very faith in Christ, is not something that I chose. Christ chose me.

Writer's Workshop

Every Tuesday afternoon, I take Lake Shore Drive north to Evanston for class.

No, LSTC hasn’t added a satellite campus: Rather, LSTC students are able to take classes at 12 different seminaries in and around Chicago. If you think 12 sounds like a lot of seminaries, you’re right: I’ve often heard it said that there are more students studying theology in Chicago than anywhere in the world but Rome. (Second City, again… sigh.)

As you can imagine, this makes for some unique educational possibilities. The class I’m taking is at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, a school of the United Methodist Church. Our professor is the Rev. Dr. Ruth Duck, whose work can be found in, among other places, our cranberry hymnal. The title of the class is Finding Words for Worship, and it involves creative writing for liturgy.

(above: a selection of books assigned for the class)

In our first class, we were to write a prayer in the “collect” form. A week later, we shared drafts with our classmates and professor, offering and receiving constructive criticism as we refined what we had written. I offer my own final draft below, a prayer for the Feast of All Saints, with gratitude to my colleagues.

God of power,
Your glory dazzles in the heavens above and shimmers in your saints below.
Reveal to us the pulse of your love flowing through your world and your people,
that we might be strengthened to live as the body of Christ in the world,
through this same Christ, the one who fills all in all.
Amen.

Home

Saturday was the one-month anniversary of arriving in Syracuse. On Friday I will have been on internship a month. Nestled between those anniversaries lies another one. One month ago tomorrow marks the day I decided to drive six hours in the middle of the night to spend the day with people I love. Rationally, this was probably a terrible decision. One could argue it was not responsible of me to start internship on as little sleep as I did. But for my soul, it was perfect. I stayed on my old roommate’s couch, snuggled a friend’s new kitten, met my pastor for coffee, and generally immersed myself in the wonderful feeling of being home.

What is home? In the past ten years I have lived in eleven houses in five states, as well as several periods of extended couch surfing. In this transient stage of my life, home has become not a building, but a place where there are people who know me and love me. Thus my parents’ house in California is home, but so is Washington, DC, where I built a community for myself after college. LSTC is home. Syracuse is not home yet, but I can see how it could be. And in this strange year where most of my classmates are in diaspora across the country, sometimes it seems like Skype is home.

So here’s to that ever-expanding place called home. Where people love you and the space feel familiar and safe. Even if those places are virtual.

I'm Doing What I Love!

One can get a little overwhelmed here in school. The readings have gotten longer, and with that so do the papers, and in Greek I have finally run out of fingers and toes to count the verbs I need to know. However, as the nights get longer and the mornings earlier, I find myself becoming more joyful.
In undergrad, when I stayed up late to write a paper or do some project, I would find myself stressed or apathetic. In my time here at LSTC, although I don’t always want to read everything or write responses all the time, I know what I am working toward.
I can see that I am starting to understand Greek outside of class, and in other classes the readings are long, but they give me history of my faith, and understanding on what makes a pastor a pastor, which is what I truly feel called to. The most joy comes when I am at church on a Sunday morning or at Wednesday chapel for Eucharist. I think to myself, one day… One day, I will be leading this. Just like Augustine, St. Francis, Martin Luther and … I gotta get back to reading!

There's no God like Jehovah.

On Friday, October 1^st, the LSTC Gospel Choir sang at the Bethany Lutheran Church revival service.  I’ve never, ever been to a revival or anything remotely close to it, but it was an outstanding experience.  People shouted joyfully ‘Amen!’ and praised Jesus Christ and God.  There were tears, smiles, open hands, and a room full of believers…Amen.

One of the songs performed is called ‘Days of Elijah.’  The chorus goes: “Behold he comes/Riding on a cloud/Shining like the sun/At the trumpet's call/Lift your voice/It's the year of jubilee/Out of Zion's hill salvation comes.”

Being raised in a high-church ELCA congregation, I am accustomed to a prim and proper worship service.  We all stand up.  We all sit down.  We.  Don’t.  Clap……ever. 

Friday night’s revival though, had me clapping, singing, dancing, and physically feeling the Holy Spirit in a way that was like no other.  I was moved! 

In my Worship class this week, we talked about the significance of the “word” in liturgy.  Typically, I hear “word” and think of scripture and maybe even the sermons.  Do you know that the “word” section includes the Hymn of the Day?  How about the Prayers of Intercession?  The WORD, Jesus Christ, is not limited to prim and proper readings from a large, gold-plated, Gospel book, paraded out into the center of an aisle, protected by a body guard of torches.  Yes, that’s the word, but the hymns are part of the “word” too!  Behold he comes…lift your voice!

There's no God like Jehovah.