Monday, December 24, 2012

christmas eve, 2012

each thursday morning, with the exception of those thursday's when a holiday falls upon them, a small group of men will gather to prepare breakfast, plug in the coffee maker and heat up the kettle.

many of these men began meeting years ago when they were still working...at six; of late, because of my walking schedule, they have moved from meeting at 7 to 7:30...that's a.m.!

they meet to socialize and to exchange stories and tails that seem to be longer and bigger perhaps each time.  but there is an element of wisdom in everything they say -- really!

they support one another, pray together, and study the scripture for the coming sermon.  it is a great help to me, as they are a wealth of knowledge.  and sometimes, we even stay on topic!


 about three years ago, we were asked to help out a local men's group called hobie house; up to about 25 guys who are making their way back into mainstream society.

and so just before christmas we do what seems very traditional; we pack socks and underwear for the men; the traditional part, it seems, is that when no one knows what else to get the mail gender at christmas, the default always seems to be socks and underwear.

and these guys appreciate it!  we find holiday bags and wrap the gifts in tissue.  we sign cards for them, and deliver them.  we hope to make a difference in their daily lives.  and this bit of missional giving makes a difference in our lives.

our hope is that we will be able to do something with this group more often than just once-a-year-at-christmas; build a relationship with them; share goodness and mercy with them as it has been shared with us.  friendship is a valuable gift in this day and age!

we didn't have everyone in our thursday morning men's bible study group, but below shows a picture of some of the group and our finished project.  christmas is a time of sharing, and our hope is that you are able to find the gift of love that is shared freely to you from the one who gives us life.

and the best thing to do with a gift, of course, is to share it!  merry christmas!


Tuesday, December 18, 2012

the light still shines . . . . dim, but redeeming

the light still shines . . . dim, but redeeming in its divine way.

this iris bulb bloomed this past week in our prayer garden; it has three blooms, and when i snapped this picture i was thinking, 'great!  three blooms of great joy as we move into the lighting of the candle of joy on sunday.

ironic, what a difference a week makes!

my mom fell, hitting her head, and  landing in icu; now she is in the care of hospice in a board and care home. 

a senseless shooting at sandy hook elementary leaves 26 people, mostly first graders, dead in this season of advent -- the season in which we anticipate new life!

so much discussion about newtown ct since friday.  clergy around the country contemplated what it would be like to 'celebrate' this third sunday of advent; symbolically the sunday of joy....do we light the pink candle of joy, or do we leave this flame, unlit?

do we speak the prophetic voice of shame, or bring the good news that light overcomes even our most tragic times....as the gospeler john said, 'we who sad in darkness have seen a great light'.  i believe we do both.  prophetic words are not void of hope.

i elected to have our community light the candle of joy; symbolizing that god's light does shine in our most desperate times!  we light the advent wreath as a sign of hope and peace; we anticipate with joy that one day the hope of peace will be realized, when the tragic events of our world will be recognized for what they are: our human struggle with life.  one day our tragic lives will turn with joy to the recognition that love is what we have been missing -- and yet love has been here all along!

i hold those families and the community, and communities throughout the world in my prayers and in my heart;  may each of us be light-bearers!   i encourage you to share kindness -- the gift we are sorely lacking, and to make great strides in discovering and sharing peace; to advocate for safety and care in our world. 

and most of all, i encourage us to seek the light; to share the light; to be the light of the one who has lit our way with love.  in this season, and in every season, love can be the only way; love is the way, the truth and the life.  we are called to be the bearers of this great light. 

be this hope.  be this peace.  be this joy to someone today, and everyday.  we who anticipate the love...be this love to everyone you meet; together, let us be the living christ in this time and space.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

a visit with mom

there is nothing like a visit with my mom.  it has been a while.  for those who need catching up, my mom moved from her place in a retirement community two years ago, to be closer to my sister; she found a one bedroom apartment in assisted living, that seemed just perfect for her.

but one of the things that happens when you move out of your own home where you had round-the-clock help, is that you get one-on-one attention.  mom would go on walks several times a day, and venture into chair exercises, and have discussions and inter-active play time.

when she moved into assistant living, mom was more on her own; she had to be more intentional in caring for herself, and taking care of her needs; people came to get her for meal-time, and made sure she took her medication.  staff would be very good about making sure that mom was invited to activities, and knew about all the opportunities available to her.  but mom's routine would primarily be going from the dining room back up to her apartment; not much socialization.  they tried, but they were also not doing one-on-one care.

So, the time came this november, when it was time to move mom once again.  now she resides with my sister and brother-in-law; sister kay is still working, and brother-in-law michael is retired.  my two nephews are on their own...well, patrick is in sparks, nv, and thomas, while still living at home, is also doing military time, so kay, michael and mom enjoy watching thomas' dog autumn -- a friendly husky, with two different colored eyes.

it was time to visit mom, and check out her new digs.  t was also the perfect time to bring 'christmas'...all the things mom likes in her holiday basket...fruitcake from our united methodist women -- homemade, and just her size (because no one else except maybe autumn will touch it!), some yummy jams and jelly's, and a box of sees -- also a fundraiser for our college wesley group; and, of course, a meditation cd from our prayer ministry team which i have been saving for just the perfect moment.  she was delighted!  'wonderful' is my mom's word.

while kay and michael went out to secure the christmas tree, mom and i played several hands of dominos.  for someone who struggles to remember things and sometimes cannot share what she is thinking, my mom has this great ability to keep track of a running game of dominos.  amazing, really!  she'll stay focused for hours.

then we went for a little walk up the street to see a christmas display of cookie jars....i was half-tempted to see if they were filled with treats for good little boys and girls, but, alas, my mom wouldn't let me!  darn!!

all in all a good visit.  who knows if i will be able to return for the christmas holiday.  but i'm convinced that 'ya take what you can get'.  is it important that my mother remember that i was there?  she may or may not remember.  but i was glad i went.  she seemed pleased and happy and delighted to go for a walk, eat a little something, and play some dominos.  what better christmas gift is there for me than that?!

my christmas wish for each of you this year?  have the opportunity to spend some time visiting someone this season; it may be a gift to them...and it will surely be a gift to you! 

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

'earth mother' right here in merced!

we've a new distinction here in merced; 'earth mother' has arrived...an is now dedicated!

earth mother isn't new, of course; she has been around for ages (about 30+ years if i am remembering correctly), but she now graces the campus of the UC and has found a home at the early childhood education center.

interestingly enough, our UC campus has focused on being a very 21st century campus, utilizing the latest forms of recycling water and air circulation.

unfortunately, when the center was built, the location where 'earth mother' now stands was like a world-wind center; this, it is hoped, will be the perfect piece for that location.

the center itself is a wonderfully welcoming location, at the very entrance of the campus.  the children look as though they are thriving, with space to play, as well as that perfect mix of educational and recreational activity.  what i remember about what use to be called nursery school, was playing, coloring, wooden chairs, and gram crackers and juice (an ucky combination in my estimation!) or milk (yum!)

 
the woman who stands near the dedication plaque is the artist, lynn, who has been part of our community for many years, and has donated a number of her wonderful pieces throughout our community; our congregation is one of the happy recipients.

lynn dedicated 'earth mother' to the memory of mary lou george, who was also a member of our congregation.  mary lou was instrumental in securing the UC in merced.  there was a huge effort in helping to have the central valley be the recipient of such a campus.  and we are being blessed by all those who have offered their energy, and continue to provide leadership to expand higher education in merced and throughout the central valley.

and so it is advent, a time when we think of those who paved the way to give us life.  a mother and a father, mary and joseph, who were called upon to bring into a turbulent world, a child named jesus.

before stores opened to sell their 'ya gotta have this' kind of merchandise, a couple was offered to raise this child for our lifetime....and over 2,000 years later, we light a candle of hope as that first light of preparation as we seek to continue to follow in 'the way'. 

and what we can offer in return is to share what god has shared with us...each of us have something to share...leadership, talents, direction, teaching, care...so many things; lynn has shared her art for generations to come.  the gift received; thanksgiving shared; hope restored.  what will you share this chirstmas?