I see from my last post it has been over a year since I have written anything on this site. That has been way too long and so much has happened since I posted anything here. First and most important I have shifted from being a full time pastor of a church to retired. Four days after my 62nd birthday I stepped back from the profession I have claimed for the last 35 years; pastor of a local congregation and began a new journey in my life: retired clergy. On the next to last Sunday of my employment, my mother passed away unexpectedly. So when I retired there seemed to be a lot of things to dI did a couple of shows with my glass work and spent a couple of weeks helping my brother (who owned the house which my mother lived) helping him getting the house ready to sell. I also had the opportunity to spend a week in Texas learning a new technique in Glass Art.
In some ways I believe staying busy was a good thing because my mind and body were active and I did not have a lot of free time to think about all the things I needed to think about with my job transition. But after Thanksgiving my schedule has not been so busy and I am beginning to see some things unfold in the transition that are helping me see there are some thing about my former profession I miss. There are some things I don't miss.
First let me begin with the things I am not sorry to see go. I don't miss the meetings nor the politics of the modern church. It is easy for those areas to suck the life out of ministry by spending way too much time worrying who is upset and who needs to be coddled and the protocol which needs to be followed before any real ministry can happen. I never enjoyed making sure all the i's were dotted or the t's crossed in just the right way before getting anything done in the area of ministry. I really believe church politics and power often get in the way of good ministry.
So I no longer need to worry about when to schedule a special service or whether to cancel worship when the weather gets bad or did I say something wrong and that is why one of the longtime members is upset. It is nice to have that stress removed from my life.
There is one major thing I am finding I do miss. It centers around one thing the people. I really miss the day to day interaction I had with the people of the churches I served, the casual conversations, the relationships formed and the interaction I had with the people on a daily basis. For 35 years my life centered in and around the 8 churches I served and the people involved in those churches. Engaging in talk about God and the things God is doing in one's life helped me see a constant need to grow and keep up with where people were spiritually speaking.
Over those 35 years the church as a whole changed a great deal and I changed a great deal as a result by having to learn new methods and expand my theology in seeking to understand the people of my congregation.
I found it interesting during my week in Texas I was engaging the others in spiritual conversation. It seemed to flow naturally out of the events of the week. I felt encouraged when at the end of the week a member of the class in the midst of our good byes mentioned that our conversation had given her some hope for the church.
In the midst of all these changes I find myself needing to be intentional in my seeking out relationships. Out of which I will see where the conversation leads. In the midst of all the change I am finding my way into a new adventure in life.
Thursday, December 31, 2015
Thursday, December 04, 2014
Confession
There has been a ton of material cyberspace on the issue of race and Ferguson over the past several months and for the most part I have remained silent on the issue. Prior to this year I would have responded like most WASPs I have seen respond on the internet about it is time to move on and get on with the real issues of life.
Earlier this year I was fortunate to take a class on reconciliation training and my eyes were opened to a new way of seeing the issue of race relations in our culture.
Some of the things I took from this training are as follows:
1. My experience as an American Citizen of European descent is not universal. Just seeing and hearing about the experiences of those who are different than me helped me to see the problem of race in this country did not disappear with the emancipation proclamation or the civil rights act of 1964.
2. I do not know what it is like to be a person of color, female or homosexual in the United States today because I have not walked in those shoes. There is no experience I can have as a white, male heterosexual which can give me that experience on a daily basis.
3. As a white, male, heterosexual I have been the member of the privileged class in our society. I have done nothing to earn this privilege it has come as a result of who I am and I must confess I have unknowingly taken advantage of that privilege without realizing it was there.
4. Racism is a major issue that needs to be dealt with in this country and until it is dealt with in our society and the world at large. The issue will continue to hold us back as a nation until it is erased.
Since that training a couple of months ago I continue to struggle with the issue in my life. I am more aware when I hear statements made by people that could be construed as racially in nature. I often wonder what how I need to respond to such statements.
I have also come to some conclusions:
1. I need to listen to the stories of people not like me to hear about their experiences in order to become aware of the how their lives have been impacted.
2. I need to seek to understand how their lives have been and continue to be negatively impacted by the racial divide that has existed in my world.
3. I must do whatever I can to continue my in this area as I grow in my faith because the two go hand in hand.
I must confess this has been an eyeopening experience for me. I have had to confess my own sin in this area. Deal with my own desire for the quick fix and begin to work towards a solution the resolves the issue. While I do not fully understand everything that is behind the events of Ferguson, I am more aware of why it happened and it will continue to happen in communities like Ferguson around the country.
Earlier this year I was fortunate to take a class on reconciliation training and my eyes were opened to a new way of seeing the issue of race relations in our culture.
Some of the things I took from this training are as follows:
1. My experience as an American Citizen of European descent is not universal. Just seeing and hearing about the experiences of those who are different than me helped me to see the problem of race in this country did not disappear with the emancipation proclamation or the civil rights act of 1964.
2. I do not know what it is like to be a person of color, female or homosexual in the United States today because I have not walked in those shoes. There is no experience I can have as a white, male heterosexual which can give me that experience on a daily basis.
3. As a white, male, heterosexual I have been the member of the privileged class in our society. I have done nothing to earn this privilege it has come as a result of who I am and I must confess I have unknowingly taken advantage of that privilege without realizing it was there.
4. Racism is a major issue that needs to be dealt with in this country and until it is dealt with in our society and the world at large. The issue will continue to hold us back as a nation until it is erased.
Since that training a couple of months ago I continue to struggle with the issue in my life. I am more aware when I hear statements made by people that could be construed as racially in nature. I often wonder what how I need to respond to such statements.
I have also come to some conclusions:
1. I need to listen to the stories of people not like me to hear about their experiences in order to become aware of the how their lives have been impacted.
2. I need to seek to understand how their lives have been and continue to be negatively impacted by the racial divide that has existed in my world.
3. I must do whatever I can to continue my in this area as I grow in my faith because the two go hand in hand.
I must confess this has been an eyeopening experience for me. I have had to confess my own sin in this area. Deal with my own desire for the quick fix and begin to work towards a solution the resolves the issue. While I do not fully understand everything that is behind the events of Ferguson, I am more aware of why it happened and it will continue to happen in communities like Ferguson around the country.
Saturday, June 14, 2014
Faith, Family and Glass
I have three great passions in my life: as expressed in the title of this post: Faith, Family and Glass. My faith has played a role in my career choice all of my adult life. But there have been times when my career as a pastor has had a negative effect on my faith. It is easy to get all wrapped up in the politics of church and lose sight of the reason (at least it is for me) of why I am there to begin with. Then I begin to see God clearly again through all the muck and the mire of playing church and faith becomes rekindled and see how this is all supposed to work. I must admit I am worried about the church with all the changes that have occurred during my time in ministry and I have to confess my generation of pastoral leadership has failed to move the churches we have served (for the most part) to keep up with our changing culture expecting things to keep on in the same manner as they were handed off to us more than 30 years ago. I do remain hopeful with the new leadership I see emerging trying to move the church forward. In spite of everything I remain a person of faith. I will continue my walk with God the rest of my life.
Since I have become a grandfather I have seen my family expand in many ways. Reconnecting with extended family and seeing my roots in some new ways has been increasingly important. I recently went through the county seat where my father was born and discovered some things I never knew about my family on my father's side because he talked about it in bits and pieces and I never got the full story. I never knew the great deal of respect his family had in the community he grew up. I heard stories of how difficult it was growing up through the depression and how tough it was being a kid in his hometown. I didn't hear about legacy of his grandfather and great-grandfather had left with the life they lived. I guess he always wanted us to make our own way in life rather than be thought of as people of privilege. That is what I believe I have passed down to my children as well because I learned it from my father.
Glass is something I have discovered on my own. It has not been passed down to me but I picked it up because I needed a venue in which to express myself outside of my faith and family. I keep finding new and more expressive ways to express my many moods and emotions through the medium of glass. It is the most creative thing I do, and I am constantly learning new approaches to this amazing material. Since I have been working with glass I have seen my creativity expand and develop and it has helped me to explore new areas of life and help develop my other passions. I have now learned why the arts are so important to young people. The arts serve to aid other areas of life as one develops and moves from childhood to adolescence and finally into adulthood.
I since I have been working with glass I and surprised how every piece has turned out. It continues to surprise me in so many ways.
Since I have become a grandfather I have seen my family expand in many ways. Reconnecting with extended family and seeing my roots in some new ways has been increasingly important. I recently went through the county seat where my father was born and discovered some things I never knew about my family on my father's side because he talked about it in bits and pieces and I never got the full story. I never knew the great deal of respect his family had in the community he grew up. I heard stories of how difficult it was growing up through the depression and how tough it was being a kid in his hometown. I didn't hear about legacy of his grandfather and great-grandfather had left with the life they lived. I guess he always wanted us to make our own way in life rather than be thought of as people of privilege. That is what I believe I have passed down to my children as well because I learned it from my father.
Glass is something I have discovered on my own. It has not been passed down to me but I picked it up because I needed a venue in which to express myself outside of my faith and family. I keep finding new and more expressive ways to express my many moods and emotions through the medium of glass. It is the most creative thing I do, and I am constantly learning new approaches to this amazing material. Since I have been working with glass I have seen my creativity expand and develop and it has helped me to explore new areas of life and help develop my other passions. I have now learned why the arts are so important to young people. The arts serve to aid other areas of life as one develops and moves from childhood to adolescence and finally into adulthood.
I since I have been working with glass I and surprised how every piece has turned out. It continues to surprise me in so many ways.
Friday, March 07, 2014
Back in Haiti
Finally, I made it back to Haiti after being gone for a year and a half. Some positve changes are evident. A new building at the guest house with lots of additional rempdeling taking place. New and completed projects at orphanges and at CONASPEH. I have also seen new buildings around the city springing up. Slowly but surely improvements are being made.
Some of the most impressive projects I have seen this trip have been the Aparent Project and Rebuild Globally.
Aparent helps children whp have been given away by their families or sold into slavery leave that life an.d develop skills and they sell their work intheir store. Jewelry, pottery, metal work and other items are all for sale produced by the students.
Rebuild globally is a business making sandals from old tires and old leather garments.
They employ 13 people currently at a living wage with benefits, on property in the Tabbare area of the city. One each pair of sandals there is the names of the maker and a little bit of their story. You can purchase the sandals online at www.rebuildglobally.org. This is a buisness model I feel it is important to support and some businesses in the USA could learn.
Some of the most impressive projects I have seen this trip have been the Aparent Project and Rebuild Globally.
Aparent helps children whp have been given away by their families or sold into slavery leave that life an.d develop skills and they sell their work intheir store. Jewelry, pottery, metal work and other items are all for sale produced by the students.
Rebuild globally is a business making sandals from old tires and old leather garments.
They employ 13 people currently at a living wage with benefits, on property in the Tabbare area of the city. One each pair of sandals there is the names of the maker and a little bit of their story. You can purchase the sandals online at www.rebuildglobally.org. This is a buisness model I feel it is important to support and some businesses in the USA could learn.
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Sorry it has taken me so long to post about Jamaica. It is hot, hard work and I have been very tired. But we are making progress on the house. It is very hot heavy work and we work late in the day and by the time we eat I go to bed and sleep well.
I do have some good pictures to post.
I do have some good pictures to post.
We now have six layers of bags will post more later
Blessings
Ron
Thursday, April 18, 2013
A New Adventure
I am excited. But I am also nervous. I am about to embark on a ten day adventure to Jamaica. While in Jamaica I will be meeting up with several other people. The goal of these ten days is to build an earth bag house. Since I do not know these other people and I am not sure just what we will be doing work wise I am sure we will be learning alot as we go.
I have been informed the work will be labor intensive and as one who works sitting behind a desk I realize this is going to be a stretch for me. In my past I have had some labor intensive jobs sucha s working at a lumber yard but that has been years ago so as I head toward 60 I will do my best to keep up with the others on the work site. I was reminded by a church member to take advair and I am planning to do so because of my kayaking experience last summer in the Caymans where Christy and i were the oldest people on the tour and tried to proved we could our paddle the others. I woke up later that night with very sore shoulders. Needless to say I plan on doing a better job pacing myself.
I look forward to meeting new people and making some new friends as we work along side each other.
You are probably wondering why on earth is a 59 year old pastor wanting to spend 10 days working to build such a house. It is my plan to learn how to build such a building and take the knowledge I have learned to Haiti and teach people how to build suitable housing for minimal cost and help the people of Haiti to help themselves in the working toward sustainable housing.
I feel that I have been blessed in so many ways and as one who has achieved far more than others have ever expected of me and more than I have ever expected of myself it is only right that I give something back to the world that has made all this possible.
I appreciate the opportunity that has come my way and appreciate a church that understands my passion by allowing me to take this venture. I also appreciate my family giving me the encouragement to go on so many mission trips.
Over then next few days I hope to have access to blog each evening and hopefully post some pictures of my experience. I look forward to a great experience.
I have been informed the work will be labor intensive and as one who works sitting behind a desk I realize this is going to be a stretch for me. In my past I have had some labor intensive jobs sucha s working at a lumber yard but that has been years ago so as I head toward 60 I will do my best to keep up with the others on the work site. I was reminded by a church member to take advair and I am planning to do so because of my kayaking experience last summer in the Caymans where Christy and i were the oldest people on the tour and tried to proved we could our paddle the others. I woke up later that night with very sore shoulders. Needless to say I plan on doing a better job pacing myself.
I look forward to meeting new people and making some new friends as we work along side each other.
You are probably wondering why on earth is a 59 year old pastor wanting to spend 10 days working to build such a house. It is my plan to learn how to build such a building and take the knowledge I have learned to Haiti and teach people how to build suitable housing for minimal cost and help the people of Haiti to help themselves in the working toward sustainable housing.
I feel that I have been blessed in so many ways and as one who has achieved far more than others have ever expected of me and more than I have ever expected of myself it is only right that I give something back to the world that has made all this possible.
I appreciate the opportunity that has come my way and appreciate a church that understands my passion by allowing me to take this venture. I also appreciate my family giving me the encouragement to go on so many mission trips.
Over then next few days I hope to have access to blog each evening and hopefully post some pictures of my experience. I look forward to a great experience.
Thursday, November 01, 2012
The Adventure is Over
My last full day in Haiti and it was a great experience for me. I rode with Frenaud the young man who interpreted for me on a tap tap out to his house. I was amazed how efficently tap taps ran. Going out to his home we had to change three times and we never waited we got off one right onto another and it left. Each ride cost 5 gourdes. You paid when you got off. and each one was full when it started except the first one where Frenaud and I were the only two riders.
In the past I sent Frenaud some funds for his family to build a wall around their property and he has wanted me to see how the money was used. So I was happy to have finally made it to his house. His father had a new church built and we saw it and the small home they build on their property. Then they made a great Hatian lunch for me. The neatest thing was when I prayed for the church, the pastor and his family. They have plans to build an orphanage, a school and a new house.
I am so thankful for the opportunity to visit with them I was able to take their pictures with my pad and they were so excited to see their picture. In their small home they have eight children and I could see the love and respect the children had for their parents. The love the parents had for their children. Frenaud's mother told me God had blessed her with 8 children.
The class today was small because it was a holiday so there was no school but the class again had lots of questions. They asked me to come back and teach then again.
I plan to return in April and it is my hope to continue to work with the people of the school and Temple of Faith along with working with the people at CONASPEH.
My last motorcycle ride was without incident. Rudy my driver from Walls laughed at me when he saw me in my helmet. Not much traffic on the street today because it was a holiday. Daniel was a good driver and I made another new friend. We are going to connect on facebook. I do not think i want to go this route again.
I had many adventures this time, took some risks and came out of it with out a scratch. I have to say it was worth it.
I am ready to go home a share my adventure. I only wish others could share my experience or better yet have their own. If anyone is interested in traveling with me next time to Haiti let me know. It will be an experience you will never forget.
Ron
In the past I sent Frenaud some funds for his family to build a wall around their property and he has wanted me to see how the money was used. So I was happy to have finally made it to his house. His father had a new church built and we saw it and the small home they build on their property. Then they made a great Hatian lunch for me. The neatest thing was when I prayed for the church, the pastor and his family. They have plans to build an orphanage, a school and a new house.
I am so thankful for the opportunity to visit with them I was able to take their pictures with my pad and they were so excited to see their picture. In their small home they have eight children and I could see the love and respect the children had for their parents. The love the parents had for their children. Frenaud's mother told me God had blessed her with 8 children.
The class today was small because it was a holiday so there was no school but the class again had lots of questions. They asked me to come back and teach then again.
I plan to return in April and it is my hope to continue to work with the people of the school and Temple of Faith along with working with the people at CONASPEH.
My last motorcycle ride was without incident. Rudy my driver from Walls laughed at me when he saw me in my helmet. Not much traffic on the street today because it was a holiday. Daniel was a good driver and I made another new friend. We are going to connect on facebook. I do not think i want to go this route again.
I had many adventures this time, took some risks and came out of it with out a scratch. I have to say it was worth it.
I am ready to go home a share my adventure. I only wish others could share my experience or better yet have their own. If anyone is interested in traveling with me next time to Haiti let me know. It will be an experience you will never forget.
Ron
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