we celebrated the epiphany in worship, and the altar was re-arranged to reflect the visit of the magi; the wise visitors from the east. we explored what gifts we could offer our community in the new year...basically making sure that the united methodist church was not the best kept secret in merced!
we offer three gifts ... compassion through education and being open to ideas and not having all the answers but being willing to explore tough questions; reconciliation by being a reconciling congregation, seeking to be fully inclusive of those often estranged by the church, including the lgbt community; and finally healing in a variety of ways through our prayer ministry. we hope to offer our community several opportunities this year to utilize our labyrinth.
and so with the epiphany completed -- we get epiphanies all the time; they are those 'ah ha!' moments -- i left on vacation. vacation looked like staying around the house and taking little trips, which included a trip into san francisco for lunch, going to see the 'tin tin' movie and 'the woman with the dragon tattoo' (OMG what a movie!), visits to barnes and noble, tax preparation -- clean out the files; out with the old, in with the new -- and winter yard cleaning (gees i'm still sore!)
but the really fascinating event for me was reading a book that has been in the pierce library forever, i think. but since mom moved a year ago, i have been the recipient of the book which has sat on my coffee table. this book, entitled mr. and mrs. pierce (what a hoot of a name, don't you think?) is by cameron mackenzie, and was published in 1916. it was 404 pages long and basically tells the story of a turn of the century couple in new york who get married and experience after that event, self-awareness and the coming of age.
it is curious to me why my parents kept this book...maybe for the title? kind of like me watching 'mildred pierce' (that great black and white joan crawford movie about a woman who will do anything to succeed and make the best possible life for her daughter -- she buys a restaurant on a highway that sells chicken and homemade pies) over and over again. pbs actually made a mini-series out of that book! anyway, i'll continue to be curious about that book and what it says about my family of origin!
today i look forward to my favorite psychological mystery author, elizabeth george, whose next novel arrives in bookstores today! yes, i have a number of 'church books' in various stages of being read, but having 'fun reading' is a must. and elizabeth george is simply great...her characters, with their uniqueness and flaws, are so well developed, and her story lines are so intriguing that you can hardly put them down...so captivating! if you haven't read her, start from the beginning; it's a very good place to start!
so, my new year's resolution now that i am back at work? more fun, of course! care to join me?
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