getting away from the computer

so i was told last week that i spend too much time at my desk, and that i need to get up and get out and about, so i don't get overtaken by my computer!

so, i found la barranca park, just a stone's throw from the church property, that is a little walking path down bay st.  this is a wonderful little planned path adjacent to the sidewalk by the water treatment plant.  it is a little refuge set aside to honor italian-american contributions to santa cruz county.

there are lots of benches!  the one to the right was given as 'a resting place for the weary'; it is a perfect place to bring your lunch and literally watch the world go by.  i have to say, santa cruz is a place where you slow down; you don't rush, and you let things happen.  watching the world go by, be it on a bench or in your car (summer is the time to admire the dust collected on your dashboard while you creep through traffic!), is truly a part of the character of this community.  what a delight!
  

i loved this little sailor on the path, pictured on your left.  as one might suspect on the coast, fishing is one of the stables for this area.  i've decided to decorate my bedroom/bath in this theme; it isn't to hard to come up with things to make it look like i'm on the beach!  it really is a refuge, and a renewing space.

but this sculpture also reminds me what it is like to work hard at your livelihood, and then to rest from your labors.  the sea is rugged and can be unpredictable, and this reminded me how attentive to live around us we have to be; paying attention also as we relax.

in that way, santa cruz is a very spiritual place to be; a reminder that there is a time for working hard to survive, and a needed time to be finding a place for renewal.  it is important, as i watch those who fish, to be very prepared for the unexpected; even as you watch the surfers, it is the thrill of the moment, even as one is prepared for the risk.  being prepared takes place before you begin, as well as being attentive in the midst of what you are doing!  as i say, this is a very spiritual reminder of how we are to live our lives; preparing oneself for living in the moment.

so, this is a place where you can find renewal and grow.  one can also get lost here, but i believe the spirit is very inviting here.  lots of places to sit and find the sacred that is deep within us, as well as right on the surface!  one of the other benches i loved is below, in memory of one who wanted to go back to sea ... and is now there.  it reminded me of paul's words in his first letter to the church in corinth (the 13th chapter) where he talks about how we only see dimly now, but eventually we will understand life fully, in the end.  i can live with that, even though i'd like to know everything right now!

and so another week begins ... how will you find rest; how will you grow; and what will you find as you get away from your computer?

through the years . . . .

if this shore of west cliff drive in santa cruz could talk ... i wonder what it would say?  certainly, through the years, the number of people who have surfed and swam, walked, cycled, skated this patch of land, as well as simply sat and watched/meditated/shared a prayer, must mount into the millions....

through the years, the dreams that were shared, the conversations that occurred, and the promises made on this spot must have evoked a sense of intimacy and promise; the letting go and the starting over; the confessions and the new beginnings -- such a place as this is the collection of wisdom and memories.  the footsteps across this land represent a yearning, i believe, which speaks of hope and possibilities and the letting go of hurts and failures, allowing us to begin anew with renewing freshness.

such is the opportunity of life with god; grace, we call it . . . .

in this warm and loving 1910/11 west cliff drive house, the darlings have made a home.  in and out of their doors, through the years, individuals have come and gone and returned again to find renewal and the gift of hospitality.  such a gift was offered once again on monday evening as darrell and karen and their family welcomed the community into their home (also a vibrant bed and breakfast) in a time of celebration.

through the years this generous couple has offered a home away from home.  and monday evening, the years culminated with a loving tribute.

beginning life together before their teenage years, karen and darrell celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary in a contemporary way -- by inviting others to share in their happiness of love -- in particular, inviting couples who previously had been denied the opportunity to fully express their love legally; specifically same gender couples.

on this beautiful evening in santa cruz, the darlings opened their home and their celebration to others, remembering the time as the cake says, 'when we were young and gay'.  couples shared their love stories as did darrell and karen; and, in typical united methodist fashion, a delightful pot-luck was shared by all.  romantic music, the sound of the ocean, and delightful conversation rounded out the evening.

through the years, viewpoints have changed about a variety of subjects -- the rights of certain women and men to be citizens; the rights of people of color to be fully accepted (including marriage to whom they loved), the rights of women and people of color to vote, and now the recognition of the lgbtqi community!

sunday during worship we sang 'lift every voice and sing' ... the on-going discussion now confronting us is making room at the table for the genuine welcome (not simply the toleration of) all people; finding room in our hearts for further discussion of immigration.  the need to be reconciling -- the desire to be inclusive -- the hope to extend the welcome of god's love is not yet complete.  through the years, we have faced the inclusive challenges of a variety of people.  may we continue to prayerfully walk the talk of jesus, who sets us free to share the love.  as we sang on sunday, 'facing the rising sun of our new day begun, let us march on till victory is won'.

trees and water . . . . what more could you ask for?!

 if i can say this and not be bragging, i will!  i have been appointed to a community that literally is the 'best of both worlds' for me; trees and water . . . . what more could you ask for?!

the picture to your right comes a week after the picture of the church from last week's blog . . . the parking lot has been completed and the outside of the church building is basically completed, save for signage and a gate being placed in the backside for reasons you can only imagine!

and to go along with our emerging re-incarnated building, i've chosen to preach on the 'church focus' this month: offering community, deepening spiritually, and (helping to create) a more compassionate and just world; we do indeed have open hearts, open minds, and open doors!

ironically, i was in my office one afternoon, when i accidentally picked up the phone (i'm still getting use to just letting the phone ring rather than picking it up immediately, allowing the caller to make a choice with whom to speak).

on the other end of the phone was a couple from out-of-state seeking to get married in the big basin redwoods state park.  round trip, is was only 55 miles, but with curving mountain roads, it takes about an hour to drive each way; but you don't have to drive nearly that far to feel as if you are in the redwoods!  within my neighborhood, i can walk through redwoods to the harbor and have to pinch myself to realize i haven't traveled very far!

the wedding was romantically wonderful; we even had a catered white linen reception sitting among the redwoods; i didn't know a soul, and only met the wedding couple that day, but, it was one of the nicest weddings; hardly any stress!

 from the redwoods of big basin, to the sea-shore (no doubt where sally selects sea-shells!) to the neary lagoon.

literally, in the backyard of the church, down a wooded slope, is this 44 acre park/wildlife refuge, which functions as a wetland ecosystem.  and now i know how jesus walked on water ... someone built a floating dock system (ok, ok, that really does take the mystery out of jesus' miracles!)

but from those floating docks, you can see the cross of the church; pretty neat, hu?!  this lagoon was thought to have been an oxbow bend of the san lorenzo river that became disassociated from the main stream.  once 75 acres, it now is a 14 acre freshwater marsh enclosed within a 44 acre park/wildlife refuge.  i've taken my lunch and a book and enjoyed an hour away from the office ... and never did open my book!  but please, do not feed the ducks.

and at the end of an exhilarating music rehearsal, all i have to do is go out into a very crowded parking lot filled with cars attending a school board meeting and an aa support group and realize what a gift i have been given; an opportunity to be among the beauty of god; people in the struggle of life, the birds of the air, the trees with a longer history than any human creature, and a water system that reminds me that i, too, am water washed and spirit born.  what more could anyone ask for?!