A Few of My Favorite Things

 

Recent favorite selfie

Love this one!

My favorite artwork

Good to remind myself

This is me

I need to carry this with me for certain encounters

True for now

Does this include pickleball?

This one made me laugh the most in 2024!

Actions First Please

 

Passing the peace

Are you really helping anyone with this letter?

words are easy when

you are not the one to read them in church

I will not read it

wouldn’t change anyone’s mind

congregation will think it’s partisan

will confirm what they already believe about you

both good and bad 

depending on their perspective.

 

If you really want to help

why not pay legal fees

for churches who harbor illegal immigrants

I see there’s rainbow covenant lane for it

why not elevate it

we should build shelters

send army of volunteers to border

pay for them to get and stay there

I’d like to see you march in protest

offer your prophetic words on TV or from jail

set an example for us

(like Rev. Barber)

why not reward churches

who share space with immigrants

or offer services in two languages

why don’t you entice us to learn another language

put our money where your mouth is.

 

Once when I sat on dCOM

DS tried to eliminate older immigrant woman

I knew well and loved

he said these wives of immigrant pastors

think they are called

because they want to be like their husbands

I thought: did he really just say that?

lay woman in room said

Mister DS that is what white men say

to denigrate women of color

thank God she spoke up

I lacked courage to do so.

 

Perhaps we could work to ensure

such elders are not endlessly promoted.

 

Jesus had harsh words for religious leaders

that should keep us all humble.

December Sweetness

 

Christmas Eve was not one of my better efforts

it seemed not to matter

the beauty is 

the Lord and the day

candles and colors

music and people.

 

My family was there

the grands seemed not to know me

when they came for children’s time

I guess the black robe white stole threw them.

 

We posed for a photo afterwards.

 

Then Katherine took me to a house on the beach

for birthday and Christmas gift

Wrightsville Beach 

where I think we once took her and brother

when they were children

it was cold wind was blowing

except one perfect day we spent

in a garden in Wilmington

then in the city itself.

Live oaks and Spanish moss (above and below) at Airlie Gardens

One day we took a birding trip in a boat

saw exotic birds and dolphins

one day we went to tea, below.

 

I still was not feeling completely recovered

from recent illness

the food was too rich

couldn't drink wine

it was wonderful all the same.

 

If you had it to do all over

knowing now what you didn’t know then

would you do it? my daughter asked.

At the time I did not really have a choice

or felt I did not I replied

the loss of my health was unintended consequence

due to ill-handled stress

other things in me changed too

some good some not so good

at least I got to see God at work

in some pretty awesome ways.

 

Still do.

A Better Experience

 

Light and dark in the Advent sanctuary

Now for happier experience

although it began darkly 2 a.m. Saturday

woke up severe unrelenting abdominal pain

no sleep only pain

then unending nausea and pain into the day

called retired elder who was out of town

please fill in for me tomorrow

it’s just song service and reception

okay she said we’re coming home tonight anyway.

 

Afternoon found me at urgent care

waiting waiting waiting

finally given magic pill

to take away nausea

go to ER they said

no I was emphatic

having been regaled by church member

who spent 11 hours there three days previously.

 

Ran some tests

oh this is what it must be

here have a painful injection then prescription

if severe pain returns take ambulance to ER

could be something much worse.

 

Felt so much better Sunday morning

went to church for singing service

two verses of called-out Christmas carols

don’t forget to call out hymn numbers!

except one woman wanted to sing

verse two of Because He Lives

I know it’s an Easter hymn she apologized

but it IS about a baby

we gladly sang it

love that hymn love them all

always get choked up 

verse three Away in a Manger 

silly sentimental carol.

 

We gave musician jar stuffed with cash

told her you are a joy!

all this followed by lovely reception

magical sparkling scrumptious

exhausted I went home sorry to miss it.

 

Here’s what I know from 20 years of this

God always takes care of me

when I am in the pulpit

always and in many ways

making divine self known to me

thank you Lord.

It's Just Time

 

Window wreath at Massey's Chapel

Text from DS I just saw your intent to retire

wanted to check it wasn’t because of our conversation

you can call me if you want to talk.

 

Our recent conversation was about Massey’s visitor

who I could not remember

called her to complain

after he saw newsletter notice

of grief support group

for folks who struggle to get beyond election

they are experiencing

grief fear anger estrangement

some people obviously excluded from this group

he told her

he never emailed or called me I said

there have been no complaints from members.

 

He apologized for calling her

was thoughtful in speech

complimented my pulpit presence

he is son of a DS she said

which explains it

I didn’t say.

 

No one has complained about me to DS in 20 years

I said aware that might seem defensive

I’m sorry I don’t remember him

I said about five times

then

three visitors are joining this Sunday

so clearly I remember some of them I didn’t say

(more defensiveness)

let me see if I have a visitor card for him

why yes here it is

he attended on Easter

is member of big UMC which I named

I’m sorry I don’t remember him

some visitors slip out before I can greet them

more defensiveness just shut up Cheryl

she did not reply.

 

DS told him to contact me

if he has problem with the group

Judi would have told him that first

then hung up I mused

he will not call me I almost laughed.

 

I responded to DS text

I turn 65 in a few weeks

it wasn’t our conversation

it’s just time.