ooh la la -- may in paris, versailles, england and merced

ok, so there is a story about this picture, but you'll have to read it at the end of this posting....

by now i am home, but the memories of this past week-end linger. this first trip to europe was wonderful! i can't even begin to share, and certainly my pictures do not do justice.

but, of course, trips are about experiences, and the pictures bring those memories back, no matter the focus (or lack-there-of).

when in paris...eat at a cafe for hours...stay up until the sun goes down at 10pm, and then walk down the seine to the eiffel tower.

watch the sun set, and walk around the neighborhoods ... all 20 of them, but not at the same time.

you can't possibly go anywhere in paris without seeing a fountain or a church. this catholic country celebrates its religious holidays. i was here during the pentecost week-end -- and the french take monday off to celebrate! sundays are days not to work, so other than tourist shops, most of paris is closed except, of course, for the cafes. but no shopping; spend time in the parks, the fountains...or take a trip to the louvre...you could spend your entire life in the louvre; like the ever-ready-battery (i went through 8, taking 1879 pictures) the artwork just keeps going and going.

so take a picture or hundreds on the trip. experience notre-dame (more about that later), and take pictures with people in them because you'll never get the 'perfect picture' without people! public transportation is wonderful, and walking is not to be beat!

and, of course, art is everywhere.

so then take a trip to the 'gold capital'; the estate of versailles. louis the 13th and 14th loved grand; maybe the 17th century was the time; i'm not sure. but what i do know is that the stone steps that you take from place to place are 'impressed' by the people who have traveled the paths before you.

did i mention the gold? or the vastness? the fountains are turned on for special occasions ... i guess i wasn't enough of an occasion, but that's ok. use your imagination, and listen for the music that are in the gardens.

a couple from new york brought a picnic lunch to celebrate a birthday in the gardens. marie-antoinette would have been so upset to know that they were actually eating cake in her gardens....

unless you've been there, you just can't imagine that the gardens go beyond where the eyes can see.

but i thought of our prayer team while i was there, because walking is a spiritual experience, i really believe! actually, one strolls in europe; no one seems to be in a rush, unless, of course, you are on the tube or the underground or the metro or the train ... then it is just like any other city ... MOVE! but here in versailles, take your time.

then go to celebrate notre-dame to celebrate pentecost in french; i told shinya, who drove me home from the fresno airport, that the experience of mass was like being a peasant during the middle ages, when only the 'rich and learned' got seats, and the 'other of us' stood to listen on the edge -- but when the bells rang, the bread and the wine turned into christ -- and they knew! the music, the languages, the choirs, the experience made pentecost a truly holy experience for me.


so, at night, people still gather ... i wonder if we can experience that in merced...

so i found something red in paris to wear on pentecost, on this wonderfully beautiful sunny and warm day. just to let you know, i had only a half-day of rain in london, but flew home to rain...what's up with that, not that i'm complaining to remember my baptism....

so after a life-changing worship, why not take the nearly 500 (omygod!) steps up to see what paris looks like from god's point of view...and this is what i saw.

what an experience...

so what does one do after worship? stroll the 'mall' that leads to arc de triomphe. this is a special week-end, and the walk is covered with flowers, plants and trees; a beautiful display that was put together overnight -- so hard to believe -- and on monday, the community is invited to come and take something home ... trees, flowering plants, greens, vegies. what an experience.






so, i didn't walk up either of the 'must sees', but simply to stand in their presence is an experience! just don't try to walk across this round-about.

sunday in paris; popular wedding days. so why not take pictures in your wedding dress around pieces of art. don't mind the crowds; they love happy times....

this is the oldest cafe in paris. it resides on the second floor -- or what we would call the second floor. it is actually on the first floor, because the ground floor is actually counted as it's own floor. just a piece of trivia for you...

the train trip back on the euro-star riding the chunnel was a nice way to go. so relaxing, and i had a section to myself -- so i put my aching feet up; grand! tea time, again; and they bring the food to you on the train!

time is drawing to a close -- o no! so take a trip to the places i haven't been yet ... head to the national gallery for the latest art piece; this piece has actually been shared this week-end in trafalgar square; everyone gathers there.

the picture that you saw at the top of this post, was actually placed here, originally, but, somehow, it moved to the top. if that is the worst experience i had on my trip -- i.e. my pictures moving around -- then i feel fortunate. i had very little trouble on my travels. thank you for your prayers, your care and support, and the gift of god that allowed this opportunity for me....

so, what does one do on the last night in london? well, go to a pub -- but not just any pub -- dine with sherlock holmes! walk the streets again to soak up the beautiful weather; stroll the thames, and then take in a show. i could have gone to one of at least two dozen shows -- including mouse trap, the london legend that has been playing there for 58 years! -- but i chose to go to see billy elliot, a wonderfully energy-filled 3 hour show, filled with wonderfully talented children! the story takes place during the coal-miners strikes of england, and traces the experience of a young boy who is encouraged to make more of his life than living in a dying mining town. he ends up going to the national ballet school. heartwarming, and a wonderfully moving conclusion to a wonderfully moving trip. i think john wesley would have been someone who encouraged billy to listen to that still quiet voice of god.

we all need to be listening to that quiet and sometimes not quiet voice of god. as jesus would say, go and do likewise. so plan a trip...experience the world -- wesley's parish -- and be kind to one another. make a difference; this will make all the difference in the world....merci; cheers! thanks for sharing in this blog. i hope you've enjoyed it. i certainly have....

just to let you know i made it safely to paris! all is fine! i should have studied harder, barbara, but you tutoring was wonderful! thank you! pictures another time. promise. blessings, pj

the wesley days in london; our last day....

the word for today is aldersgate; the experience where both wesley's have their hearts strangely warmed. we begin, howbut ever, with the 'bust' collection. there is so much wesley 'stuff' that i can hardly believe. but i thought these to the left were great!

a small known fact is that john wesley was carved in marble to be included in westminster abbey -- and yes, big ben does sound like the abbey chimes! anyway, when the carving was done, it was declined. another memorial has sense been included there. much of england appreicates john and charles wesley.

john does share this in his journal: my temper for the rest of the day was, mistrust of my own great, but before unknown, weakness. I saw that by faith I stoood; by the continual support of faith, which kept me from falling, though of myself I am ever sinking into sin. I went to bed still sensible of my own weakness, I humbly hope to be more and more so, yet confident of Christ's protection.

we truly walked the streets of london; of course, one can't go to england without a little shirlock holms.... and i must share with you that emma thompson was in town and walked right past us after we visited charles wesley grave. isn't it amazing that we can be so excited to see a 'star'? what a hoot!

part of the morning was spent learning about the hide street methodist church; this church was made up of many slave holders, in a very poor spot of london; the wesley's came there to preach, and to remind those who had slaves to change their ways.

this is the current building of the wesley chapel. the welsh pastor, who is also a lord and busy in government, shared about suzanna being burried in their gravesite, and how this was the building that was built after the work of ministry at the foundry; it is the center of ministry, and this is where a reminder to work with the poor, the infirmed, the children with their education, social services and even loans were provided. ministry to those on death row as well. our wesley ministry isn't a social gospel, but the gospel of jesus christ being proclaimed. we don't support, we do!

here is the memorial to suzanna wesley. she always wanted to be buried in the anglican church property, but it was not to be.

among other things that we saw today was the remaining wall of the city, below. parts of england are right next to existing property that is being developed or has already become a "place to read about". lots of those readings are around the city.

for instance, the placque below is really suppose to be charles wesley's aldersgate experience, but it didn't upload onto this site, and i can't figure out how to get rid of it. so, needless to say, this is actually the marker we think is charles wesley's conversion experience. this younger brother continued to let john take all the glory, and you'll see the difference in a few moments....

within john wesley's home next to the foundrey and wesley chapel, is what remains of a life that influenced england and the world. this is john's death bed -- famous because it is his belief until the end, that god is with us! the heavenly banquet was something we prepared for here, and mixing ministering to everyone was what life was all about.


this is john's marker for death, in the backyard of the church. american methodism helped to provide the means to preserve this history.

to the right is the marker about john's aldersgate/conversion experience. it rests outside a london museum. we sang 'and can it be' as we stood taking pictures. it was a moving experience -- in harmony, no less!
so many things; you just had to be here; i hope this little bit of information has been helpful.

we finished our day before heading back on the train line, and tube/underground -- which had some trouble today -- so that we could dine and finish our pilgrimage with the eucharist at st. katharine's where we are staying.

so, by now, you have probably recognized st. paul's cathedral. we celebrated evensong there at 5 pm. evensong is a service that celebrates the incarnation of god in christ, as experienced by mary. no pictures are allowed in here, so you only get outside pictures. some have asked about westminster and st. paul's. westminster is really the royal chapel that serves as the place to have regal ceremonies; the clergy are hand-picked by the queen -- she never did have tea with me; high or otherwise!

but doesn't this bring to mind mary poppins? many believe this could have been the concept for that famous scene where the woman is singing 'feed the birds, tuppins a bag...' as the banking industry is in this area.




and this is the remarkable picture of st. paul's from the neighborhood; notice how in england, the buildings are modern and classical. remember that wwii experience where domed buildings were not bombed?

well, back in london i forgot to tell you that during wwii, the wesley center and the undergound tube stations became air-raid shelters. at the center, the people didn't want to go home because of the connections people made over the years they slept together in the shelter --- hum... that doesn't sound right, but you know, i hope, what i mean.

when london was re-built, the "old style buildings were not

re-created. it gives london and england that old world charm, and the cutting edge newness!

we completed our evening with the eucharist in st. katherine's chapel; this icon is something that spoke to me, so i captured this icon to share.

please keep people on this trip in your prayers. traveling begins early morning tomorrow; some are even getting up at 2:30 am to train over to the airport.

i, however, will sleep in and be ready to catch my train to PARIS!!!

thank you for coming on this journey with me. may god move your heart and inspire your efforts to be in mission to the care of those around you and beyond. prayers were lifted up today for the struggles in korea. our world is so small...when will we learn to care ... enought?

bless you on your journey. and, hey merced! i'm coming back! let the spirit move us in the ways of christ! love, pj

our first (my second trip) day in london....

greetings! just a quick note to let you know we made it safely to the methodist center in london safely. all is well. the above picture is john wesley. this center survived wwii. it was saved because the germans bombed london but left any dome structure alone. soa good thing, really! see blue-grey domed building below. what a fast paced city; not like the 'take your time -- no worries of the country.

the houses of parliment were meeting today, and overtook the methodist center. so we didn't get to see the meeting hosue, per say; just a little look-see. it is home to many international speakers, and was the birthplace of the u.n.

as i said, the houses of parlament was meeting, and so lots of security. isn't this a grand piece of history to the right?

communion at the abby above was just great. no pictures allowed, however. so after a lecture and a tour of the methodist center, we came to our resting place here in london.

some facts: in british methodism, there are 5400 churches with 240,000 in worship each week. they have too many clergy; just like us. they are going thru a 'rethink church process' move at the moment. it is called 'fresh expression'. they vision that we had biblical pioners, foll0wed by permission givers, preservers, protesters, and peole of peace.

'

dinner was on our own;a pastor named donna and i went to trafalgar square --note the horses-- and a nice walk to the "i" and back; the british museum was closed; they had changed their hours... boo hoo. so a walk to a pub for dinner; great food at reasonable prices. and then a walk to picciadilly circle -- note the horses. then on the tube and train back to st. catherines. a good night.

but i am tired, so off to bed. wesley chapel in the morning...sleep tight...love, jay

last day in salisbury, but busy, busy, busy....

before i begin my blog this evening, i wish to ask for prayers for susan walsh and her family; i received word that susan's mother is in the hospital. thank you for keeping this family in your prayers for care and with loving support. the candle above (left) is the amnesty candle that is lit in rememberance of those held in captivity. captivity can be a very broad term, and is just a beautiful candle from the salisbury cathedral...

one of the pictures that downloaded today from my camera was this picture to the right top; it is from sunday! susan and kris have found a place for coffee and sweet yummy's, before they head into church. sometimes tea time needs more of a kick!

our day began this morning with worship at the cathedral. i just can't imagine, but the front chapel was full for a 7:30 am service. following breakfast, we explored the topic 'what i wish i had learned in my early years of ministry'. we broke into small groups of provisional clergy, 'seasoned' clergy, and laity; and it was quite interesting: things suggested for the years ahead include the goodness of having covenant groups and mentors, the building up of trust and perhaps an intern year in seminary for the purpose of learning 'hands-on' ministry, sexism is still very present and needs to be addressed, and spiritual direction is a great tool for everyone.

following 'tea time', we shared our learnings so far; many days so far, we have broken into 6 small groups, for mutual support and accountablility. our presentations were to focus on what we are bringing home -- what is the story we tell about this experience? the learnings have been powerful! we will work on sharing the 'old story' in a new way, because the past has meaning, and is the basis of our faith. we are a tapestry of grace, whereby we must learn to be bold in our faith and develop strong ties through small groups, the wesleyan way of love means accountability and justice, communion and boundless love, holistic love and boundless sharing, sharing profound theology in a new way, as well as story telling of the wesleys themselves, including mama suzanna and even samuel and his herb garden.

our group shared cinquain poems; they are five line poems based on a counted structure, relating to the first line. these, remember, were based on our learnings. i will share mine with you:

heartbeat

perfected not

preach unconditional

today god makes this possible

loved shared

this is based on the concept that most of us have difficulty believing in the wesley concept of grace as a free gift from god; since we feel undeserving, we can't really believe deep down inside that we are forgiven and set free to live anew -- to love and serve god and our neighbors in all that we say and do. we tend to say, 'o no, i couldn't do that (whatever 'that' is); i'm not worthy (didn't moses say that? and peter? and lots of people in history?) so, my task when i return is to remind us that we actually are forgiven and free; a real people of grace! and that we've got work to do; because 'the church' isn't about us (i know this is hard to believe!) but about how we are the church to the world....

isn't this a great picture? o my aching feet! after our mid-day worship service (these words of charles wesley came from our journal for today: let us join our hearts and hands; help to gain our calling's hope; build we each the other up. god's blessing shall dispense, god shall crown this ordinance, meet in these appointed ways, nourish us with social grace....) we took a tour of the cathedral. among other things, we learned that this burried soul was important because his feet rest upon a lion. if the average you or me were burried there (and we can't be because this location is full!) our feet, if they were raised, would probably be placed upon a dog. {this, of course, made me think of the newly released 'alice in wonderland' movie; in that movie, the queen of hearts calls for a pig to use as her footstool; we might not even rate an animal at all -- economically speaking. i wonder what these poor animals must think! but, alas, i digress....}

the picture of satined glass to the left is the central focus of the cathedral. it was commissed (the 5th set of windows since this was built in 1258 -- 2 years before "they" believed the world was coming to an end). this building was built in 38 years (if i remember correctly!) the center window is jesus on the cross with mary (the honored saint) below the cross; so just take a few minutes to ponder this....

also to the left are four of the saints; lots of saints here. the third saint is st. francis.



and below is a british flag; very old, but part of the reminder that the church of england is very much a part of the country. the stained glass in the back are part of the 'lightening up' phase of this community; now the trend is moving back to color. humans enjoy change, even though we moan and complain, hu?

and below is the cloister, the public, outer area which is also part of the cemetary. there is one outside as well. but this is inside, and will eventually be opened to walk upon.

it has been a beautiful day here; we had a little free time to enjoy the market-place before evensong at the cathedral began at 5:30. so i had 'low tea' (well, it was a little more than tea time, and a little less that a full tea, called high tea). evensong is an opportunity for the organ, the boys and adult men's choirs to "show off" for the glory and praise of god. and it was beautiful. then we had a group picture, and a nice dinner. because i helped to lead a small group, i was given the book "mainline or methodist? rediscovering our evangelistic mission" by scott kisker. a little book that might be a good read for others as well.

after dinner we did a group thing....

ok, so you may be aware that the names nottingham and sherwood forest have a connection here in england; the wesley family may very well have had to pass through these areas as they traveled to and from epworth to oxford -- the northern part to the southern part of england.

anyway, guess what?! ok, quit guessing....we went to see robin hood! it was a great movie to see here in england, and is highly recommended. bloody, but then again, it is historical (ok, well, there actually was a king here in england....and many wars....)

so i leave you tonight (actually it is now in the am here), and i am off to go pack; no worries, i will sleep on the bus. while it is only about an hour and a half train ride to london, it will take us longer by coach to get there...have i told you about 'round-abouts'? it feels just like home, as we have them in merced, although they are less complicated in merced; it is a good thing i'm not driving....

cheerio! pj

giving a nod to charles -- a day in bristol -- monday

monday may 17th began with morning worship; on a monday, april 2nd, 1739, john wesley wrote: at four in the afternoon i submitted to 'be more vile' and proclaimed in the highways the glad tidings of salvation, speaking from a little eminence in a ground adjoining to the city, to about 3,000 (!) people. john preached his first open air sermon on this date, see below picture, using the text from luke 4 -- the spirit of the lord is upon me...it was the theme we used at our closing service tonight.
note the old world key that opens and closes my room! bristol, our destination for today, is a mixture of old and new, as seen in the picture to the right. heavily bombed during wwii, this community is now built over water, but was once a shipping hub and hosted a major issue dealing with slave trade. the old city is still represented by a castle (to the lower right), and a shell of a church; one of two shelled churches -- the other one below. also below you will find a ship in the harbor. a wonderful city. just an fyi; we have walked so far an average of about 15,000 steps per day.

following breakfast, we head for bristol, the home of charles wesley and his family. this is the heart of the beginning of methodism, with charles helping to create the bedrock of the faithful movement. the new room, pictured above, is the meeting house where methodism came into its own. following street preaching, this building was erected within 3 months, making visible to the angelican church that methodism had arrived; the wesley's had not intended to make a church, but the angelican churches refused to serve the bread and wine to these faithful pilgrims; that is when the communion table was added, along with the communion rail in front of the two upper/lower lecturn and pulpit.

the picture below shows the building as it was; bristol was a coal miner's community; a rough crowd. with the help of the holy clubs formed in oxford, and names like whitfield, asbury and coke, we find 1739 bristol the second largest trading post in england.

a funny story as to how the new room got its name; the location where they had been meeting was so filled with bodies that the floor gave way. so this was built, and became the oldest chartered building, registered in 1748. it was created as a multi-purpose room, with benches only; the pews were added by the calvinists later on. whitfield had come here to raise money for an orphanage, and invited the wesleys to come when he left; ben franklin was impressed enough to contribute!

there is a church clock in this building -- very large, so as to keep any preacher on track, having started the church service at 5 am, and allowing time to get the workers on time to their places of business.

upstairs from the meeting hall is the place where john would study and sleep; the bed below was the type that the wesley parents used; a rope bed, inexpensive, covered with only a feather bed, it had to be pulled tight each night; "good night, sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite" is a response to this bed; pulltthe cords when it is time to go to bed at night, and shake out the bugs that would become attracted to the bed materials...see what you learn in europe?!

the inside of the meeting house has a lower and upper seating area. the window behind the pulpit isn't all that helpful is it, but there is also a cirrcular window in the roof infront of the preacher; rumor has it what wesley would stand at that window during services to observe the preachers when he wasn't preaching! ye-gads!

and here i am above; this is a 'photo opp' for all united methodist preachers....

charles wesley is forever welcoming those who enter one side of the building. he was the poet; his three children went on, not in ministry, but music.

john, on the ever-famous horse, is seen here on the other entrance to the new room; just to let you know; john wore longer, natural hair, and no wig; charles wore shorter hair and a wig, like his father samuel.

moving on to the family home, we begin with this picture of the stairwell looking down, from the attic room of the four story house. charles wrote up in this room; bedrooms below and a parlor on the first floor; the kitchen was in the basement. a wonderful bell announced the arrival of many guests. a small backyard was attached to the home.

here is how the house looks from the front; note that a modern building has been attached or replaced an existing structure. when wesley was living here, the river could be seen from the house.

and here is the back end of the house.





remember i told you about john wesley preaching in the open air for the first time in bristol? below is the picture of the spot; being stood upon by nearly 40 american united methodists. what a hoot, eh?

not unusual to find buildings simply gutted by the bombings of wwii. such is the case here, and modern building built around them -- sometimes nearly right on top. the picture of the gate below is symbolic of a walled city that has been given new life. bath, by the way, is very near by this community.

down the street from here is the 7 stars pub, where discussions were held about the issues of slave trade. you'll recall this discussion during the movie 'amazing grace'. methodism was never mentioned in that movie, but that song has methodist roots!

every community has a cathedral. the other churches also have a minisrty to do; some poeple like to attend worship in a location where they can be nearly invisible. of course, this is difficult for them, and for the church that is trying to survive; not only for financial reasons, but also for the sense of being connected, responsive, and visible to the ministry of god in christ. i truly believe it is very difficult to grow in faith and not be connected to a community of people who will support you in your faith development.

there is something 'awe-inspiring' as you walk into such a massive place; the voices you can't understand as people whisper to one another; the musicians who practice the organ during the week -- almost like getting a free concert. and there are so many little chapels that you can pray and not feel like anyone is walking around you.

as we leave bristol back to salisbury in heavy traffic, arriving late for dinner, the ship above is a picture i took from the bus! a neat reminder of years gone by and today and tomorrow!

so the discussion we raised today is, with bristol being the birth of a movement that has survived to this day, how do we make our faith tradition simply more than survival, but an opportunity for re-birth? do we still have a message to share, worth sharing; worth hearing? if so, how is the spirit of god in christ nuding you; inspiring you to step out in faith and be a faithful witness?

we don't have to hit people over the head with our faith, but i also believe we can't just wait for folks to come to us any longer. wesley addressed the issue of oppression and the poor; both in preaching and in music. hymns such as jesus, united by thy grace (united methodist hymnal -- umh -- #561; o come and dwell in me -- umh #388; come, thou long-expected jesus -- umh #196. how do these words speak to us today? if we were to write words in our modern verse, how would we communicate the needs and our prayerful desires? what words would we use; what image? how might our faith be expressed in mission, and not expect anything in return?

god calls us to rest; these are the pictures of salisbury cathedrial tonight. sort of like living in a magical - disney inspired world. but it is real. as i walked outside to get some fresh air, a young man was trying to get his date up off the ground. too much drink, but they did not want my help.

but i did note that while in charles wesley's home today, there were beer bottles on the fireplace mantal in the kitchen. water was terrible in the 17th century, and the consuption of beer was common. the issue for the wesley's was the social ills that come from the inability to contain ones' consumption. i saw the result of that tonight as well....



















as i head back to my room to write this blog, i could not resist one more picture of a phone booth.

tomorrow is our last day here. each of our groups will present a five minute presentation on our wesley experience. our group has decided to each write a cinquain poem, five lines, that reflect what we will bring home from our experience here, and how we will continue to tell the story of how hearts are strangely warmed by god's spirit -- even in this day and age! so do log on tomorrow night to see what i've written -- it's 1 am, so i guess i better get started on that!

who ever said this was a vacation? a rich experience, but i'll really need to come home to rest up!

cheerio! pj