a series on holy conferencing . . . . practice active listening and more fun!

my focus in worship this summer has been on helping us to be better listeners, and less bombastic reactors . . . .

i'm hopeful that the practice of these precepts can be useful to EVERYONE in ANY context.

the key ingredient is coming to a place of active listening, and realizing that getting to know the person and building up a relationship is MORE IMPORTANT THAN GETTING INFORMATION!

like this picture from the santa cruz county building looking toward the ocean, it is dense with foliage . . . even during this time of drought.  yet, the denseness reminds us that there is much to see and explore; it is not just a bunch of trees and bushes; this is a complex encounter with the divine.  conversing is complex . . . .

each encounter we have with someone is also an encounter with the divine.  many faith traditions hold this truth; from a christian perspective, the saying goes, "the jesus in me meets the jesus in you.

sometimes we forget the perspective of being in holy conferencing.  we forget the benefit of a conversation is not to 'win or lose' but to deepen our understanding . . . .

this picture is taken from the same set of windows on the 5th floor of the santa cruz county building.  by moving a few feet, the perspective from the set of windows is vastly different.  so like listening in a conversation; be open; be moved from a rigid understanding . . . . 

so it is when we are in conversation, or as john wesley called it, 'holy conferencing'; by careful listening and sharing ideas, we can communicate in positive ways; we can come to understand one another in deeper and more meaningful ways. . . .

it is vitally important that we improve our listening skills.  what i especially like about this picture is the bit of fog that 'clouds the issue' so to speak; coming to a deeper understanding (dare i say 'praying about it') allows the fog to clear and the picture become focused.  While the fog adds beauty to the picture -- in a conversation, 'fog' can be discomforting . . . .


here is a summer view of santa cruz, looking at the boardwalk .... even in a drought, this is just cool!

these are the precepts which are helpful in communicating with one another.  and like learning any new way of communicating, each of us will need to practice to help make our communication pattern comfortable.

every person is a child of god ... this is the basic belief.

listen before speaking ... really listen; resist planning a retort.

strive to understand from another's point of view ... empathy.

speak about issues; do not defame people ... need i say more?

strive to reflect accurately the views of others ... 'i heard you say . . . .'

disagree without being disagreeable ... agree to disagree.

pray before you make decisions and allow prayer to interrupt your busy lives ... pray always.


one of the unplanned results of this summer's sermon series on holy conferencing was an opportunity to have a baby shower at the parsonage ... some 40 people gathered to celebrate the birth-to-be of victor in october!

on the hottest day of the year, we jammed into my un-air- conditioned home, and enjoyed conversation, the opening of baby gifts, food and beverages ... imagine a punch bowl filled with the image of a baby bathtub full of toys!  (fear not!  a little ginger ale, lime sherbet, and some blue food coloring, and you have a witty (and delicious) baby visual!

fun ... enjoyable conversations, a relaxed atmosphere, the guessing of how many jelly beans there were in a bottle, and the sharing of faithful wisdom wishes to the soon to be born victor!  how much fun is that?!

delightful listening, and energizing fun!

and then an evening walk on west cliff that brought some fog, and the refreshing crashing of waves, and some people floating up 'air candle kites' (they might also be known as floating luminaries, but you get the picture ... as it was explained to me, the candles allow the 'kite' to be illumined, and float up until the candle goes out.  as they rose, an "awe" floated out of me -- a prayer for victor, and a prayer that we can all practice empowering one another in ways of mutually agreeable communicating. 

and now i am off for a trip to ashland; shakespeare awaitith..... be blessed!
  

a new conference year . . . . finishing up the last one!

 'twas the beginning of a new conference year, and all through my picture files, old photo's kept shouting, "what are you waiting for?"  (ok, so photo's don't rhyme!)

since easter i've pondered, imagined and wondered . . . . what shall i say, what shall i do?!

the parsonage needed roofing, so that has gotten all done; no leaks; no rain; no water to leak!

at the end of two years, not all the plants have died . . . . but a later picture will show just what had to be done . . . .

san franciso kept calling . . . . when will you visit your home town?! 

but why leave paradise just to experience the fog?!

but, alas, the fog horn was too much to ignore, and so a trip after easter was in order, galore!  a quick day-trip, with a new experience of driving highway 1 . . . . a tunnel has been built, by-passing "devil's slide" . . . . what a beautiful drive up the coast for the day!

atop the de-young, with  just a slight over-cast; this allowed the two spans of the golden gate to be flashed!  (ok, well, the city IS the city of love; a little flashing from the golden gate must be permitted!)

a delight to behold, and my car was a gem; the clutch waited to break until i made it nearly home!
  

 the japanese tea garden beckoned me to visit . . . . the only place besides the ocean where the water still resides.

quiet, i could ponder; let the traffic of footsteps pass by; the amazing element of beauty in such a small honored space!

tea, of course; and crackers were needed, because, of course, i WAS on vacation!  but, a pastor is never REALLY on vacation . . . . a word to the wise:  turn off ALL electric devices so as not to be over-whelmed by things better left un-read!

still, one finds the peace if one really strives to see.

and so, contemplation has turned into a sermon series for the summer!  god has a sense of humor . . . . even on vacation!

but such a rewarding place to contemplate; could it be replicated?!

 returning home, i found i didn't have a tea garden, but a spiritual haven in my own (parsonage) back yard!

dorothy may have had ruby slippers, but she didn't have the effects of santa cruz!

upon my return, there has been business to tend; exciting future plans to contemplate and ponder.  always pondering; always something new; always amazing, isn't that true for you, too?!

so take time to ponder; relax and be amazed!  always something more to do; but plan a play- day too!  yes, i'm still walking; the employee well-being challenge of june is now completed; the united methodist church representatives placed 29th out of 55 corporate sponsors, and i placed 8,783 out of 41,600 walkers and runners . . . . not that i'm competitive; but i do need a new pair of shoes, now!

july first marks the beginning of a new conference year; i've finished up the last one, and i'm starting a-new!  santa cruz is sunny, on this first day of our third year together; it's quiet in the office but there is much yet to do.  and alas, not in the far too distance to the east, a lighthouse still calls (not a fog-horn as in the city, but one could almost here it cry!) . . . . its light a reminder that while it may help to light a way for safety, WE at the united methodist church of santa cruz, are called to be the light of justice and of peace, and that in the midst of this new year, we are to carry the torch that says "love is love", no matter what!

so join us at 10:45 on any given sunday . . . . and join us on july 19th, when we're having a bbq . . . . with a discussion about what we plan to be; how we plan to be; and how love will shine thru . . . . be our guest, if you are able; just let your love shine thru!

palm ~ passion sunday . . . and you're invited!

palm ~ passion sunday is tomorrow, march 29th, 2015 . . . and you are invited to attend.

james has made it possible for us to have some long, billowy palms ... who knew!  we actually have a palm tree on our property!

and so the setting is ready; we'll experience the triumphal entry of jesus into jerusalem, and we will sing familiar and maybe a not-so-familiar piece of music; we'll hear the steel drums play and experience an anthem from the music team ... followed by the story of how our hearts were moved with the selfless love of another.

come and let yourself be moved, and allow your spiritual journey to deepen.  and be revived to act in ways of justice and peace in the week ahead.  check out our website www.umcsantacruz.org

or join us at 10:45 am at the United Methodist Church of Santa Cruz  250 California St.  95060

i close with this jewish tale from sunday's message, which i've been asked to share ~ ~ ~

an angel of heaven was looking down upon the earth one day, having compassion for all the people.

the people of the earth seemed to suffer so much.

the angel summoned up the courage, and with hands trembling, asked God for control of the earth for one year.

god granted the angel's request.

the angel erases sin and suffering, decay and death.

but the bread the people eat tasted like clay in their mouths, and turned to dust in their hands.

the angel knew failure and collapsed at god's feet at the end of the year.

then god said, 'behold, a truth which has been known to me from the beginning of time; a truth too deep and dreadful for your delicate, generous hands, my sweet apprentice.

it is this:  that the earth must be nourished with decay and covered with shadows, so that its seeds may bring forth the harvest.

so it is this truth; that souls must be made fertile with flood and sorrow, that through them a great work may be born....'

may you know sorrow enough to grow strong in the grace that is the gift of life . . . .

the journey . . . is our home

i learned a long time ago:  life isn't always about the destination; life is about the journey.  the journey . . . is our home!

this picture was taken one night after our music team practiced; the sky from our parking lot.  it was a beautiful sky, and a beautiful night.  imagine being totally in the moment in this time, rather than being caught up in the worries for which we can generally do nothing about ... except saving up for taxes, which has been one of my lenten disciplines this year -- who knew NOT being a homeowner could be SO EXPENSIVE?!

Alas, this really is a 'first world problem', and so i tell myself, "don't worry ... just be on the journey!


One of the workshops I attended recently was put on by hospice of santa cruz county . . . entitled 'partners in caring: a seminar for faith leaders on end-of-life care.

so many wonderful things hospice provides ... including care and supportive care for everyone within the county!  did you know, for instance, that you can attend a grief support group through hospice, even if you did not have someone actively die through hospice?  and they provide all kinds of resources which can be very helpful for the living, the surviving, and they dying!  thought about your end of life plan?  this can be very helpful to you and to your family/friends who will care for you!

this cymbidium came from the plant i gave my mother, which has now returned to me; it only had two stems this year ... BUT, they have lasted the longest of any year!


 ironically, this is the only bloom i am likely to get from the numerous iris bulbs i have planted; many people have shared that a drought does that.  we were lucky enough to have early rains, but unfortunate enough not to have them continue much into the new year.  ironically, it turns out, this is the perfect time of the year to replace a roof . . . the parsonage roof is due for a new roof, so, that will be an easter gift! 

even so, this iris has been a welcome reminder that even singularly, we are blessed with a great gift of beauty!  while flowers in the garden have been in short supply, the yellow flowers of clover oats have been in abundance!  they are easy enough to pull so that other plants don't get chocked by them, but they leave their little bulbs in the ground -- a guarantee that next year, i will be blessed with them again!

one of the great concerns (worry, even, perhaps!) of this winter was this beautiful little tree at the parsonage.  without much water, this tree really had to have roots that searched for nourishment . . . and one day, while just driving out the garage, i noticed color!  i was so excited, i stopped the car and just drank in the moment.

and so, lent is coming to an end; the dormant is being awakened, and what lay dying surprisingly is finding new life ... perhaps even in my soul as well.  how about you?  are you finding renewal after this winter?  have you a sense of new life this spring?  how is the journey of life going for you?

if you are needing a spiritual 'tune-up', come spend some time at the coast this week, and join us for a variety of worship activities that can renew you on your journey . . . home!

ashes to ashes ... dust to dust ... this is the reality of life . . . .

today begins ash wednesday;  the season of lent, when the christian faithful spend time in reflection and renewal of their spiritual practices. . . ashes to ashes ... dust to dust ... this it the reality of life.

we offer three services today; one at 7 am (for the 'before work crowd'), one at 12:30 (for the 'lunch crowd'), and one at 6 pm (for the 'OMG i almost forgot crowd').  we remember who we are, and why we are here; and this year i am inviting folks to spend time focusing on their prayer life -- learn a psalm that speaks to you -- explore how it speaks to you and learn it well enough that you 'know it'; allow that psalm/prayer to guide you on your journey . . . and let that prayer respond to your life and the neighbors whom you pass during your journey.  each of us is a living prayer . . . .

someone on facebook commented that california is perhaps too cold yet to have poppies flowering.  he said they are blooming in kentucky!  well, here on the coast with the rains we have had (and, of course, we need more!) but we have one lone (but new) blooming poppy in our church yard.  we did some new landscaping in the fall, and have been rewarded by the gift of  'a blooming flower'.  it is overcast today, and i don't suspect it will bloom much bigger until the sun comes out, but none-the-less, a poppy!

people have passed by and noticed how the church building is looking!  we are alive and active, and it looks as though folks live and serve here; and there is no better invitation than to at least have your building look welcoming!  of course, the BEST invitation is the old-fashioned way ... 'come and see' . . . .

following the storm last week-end, the monday was beautiful and the waves were quite active . . . not a surfer in sight!  but the sea did roar, and, so it seemed, the entire community came to see the power and might of the pacific. 

this picture will be part of our lenten journey.  some of you may recall the noah story in genesis chapter 9 ... another ashes to ashes, dust to dust story -- only this time it was with water!  the promise of god was to never again destroy the earth by flood.  i found in my files, two rainbows from my children's art collection; they are ratty and faded, but they will be a great reminder of the covenant for sunday's children's message . . . .   we've struggled with weather patterns again this year, but each day is a gift ... that's something worth remembering!  and there is nothing like the crash of the waves to remember that there is life more powerful than us!

 as a pastor, it is so difficult to go anywhere and not think about the possibility of a sermon illustration!  so, while i was away in palm springs, one of the high desert areas of california, the beauty of this area was evident.  so, also during lent there will be pictures of palm canyon, including the many windmills that generate power in that area. 

these are powerful images for us -- a reminder that humanity is not the most powerful, but to use our power responsibly; to care for those who are not able to care for themselves -- and to empower them until they are able to live on their own; to speak for those whose voices have been silenced by cruel circumstances; and to find the heart of peace within ourselves, and to extend that peace in loving ways to others throughout the world, one person at a time . . . .

ashes to ashes ... dust to dust ... this is the reality of life.  it took a month to have mom's memorial graveside service.  it was a family affair; not everyone was able to attend.  but her remains will reside next to dad's remains in front of their headstone marked #13 at the golden gate national cemetery in san bruno.  the flag was flown at half-staff that day, honoring the veterans and their families.  we shared memories, hugs, and tears; laughter and flowers and the recollection of the powerful wind that never seems to cease in that cemetery. 

ashes to ashes ... dust to dust ... this is the reality of life. . . . be loving to one another!
 

mom . . . august to december . . . 2nd to 30th . . . 88 years

as i share with the congregations with whom i serve, "word has reached us...."  and so that word came to me last night about my mother having died.

in her time, she moved from arkansas to bakersfield to san francisco to daly city to walnut creek to south san francisco to millbrae . . . and now to the golden gate national cemetery, in earned with dad on that spiral hill, #13 .  good natured in these last years; everybody like her (really!); even with health issues up the ying-yang, she had a funny little chuckle, euva jean did; in school the gym teacher called her pease.  but she was mom.

we lived through challenging times, as many family systems do, but she kept going.  she retired from i magnin ... classy and knowledgeable in that sense; known to make mock enchiladas, red velvet cake, and 'garbage soup' from the wonderful left-overs in the refrigerator.  she'd hum tunes, read, and was always doing housework -- can a house get that dusty in just a week?!  she'd always want to know 'the reason' for everything . . . . and the reason could often displease her.  she shared and also withheld; probably not unlike the women in her family before her.
but, she was mom.  i'll never have another. 
      

mom and dad were married until his untimely death in 1982; but this picture of them is a favorite from one of those church pictorial directories that were done at temple united methodist church in san francisco in the 1960's, when dad had hair and mom wore her hair in a french twist.  she would wear this green dress on special occasions, with a jade pendent and matching earrings, and 'glass slippers' (so I called them); she'd paint her nails, apply ponds cold cream a touch of something around the eyes and lipstick, and away they'd go.

relatives would come to visit sf in it's hay-day, and i'm sure tell stories about going to height-ashbury; they'd cook together; rode the jitney to bart together, and made plans to retire together.  but those plans never materialized, and from that point on, mom seemed to exist, but never really live. . . .  at 88, mom was truly the 'older woman' by six months from dad.

so you do all the things you do at this time; alert the family, make arrangements for the graveside service....and then i realize, i'll probably be doing that service . . . . mom's service; i do it for others -- why not mom?!

honestly, i've grieved for mom in so many ways for so many years.  it is the complication of a family system that not always embraces diversity.  and so one learns to live with the reality and create a more welcoming place -- of self, and others.  john wesley would call this 'going onto perfection'.  we're confess to strive for perfection in this lifetime.  i do believe there are 'perfect moments'.  we even had some when i was growing up.

when mom got to a point where speech did not make sense to my listening ear, i'd simply listen to her story, knowing it must make sense -- probably to her!  but, none-the-less, she was happy and well cared for, and those are two elements in this world that are not always the care.  and then i'd be heading out the door and she'd say, clear as a bell, 'good-bye; i love you'.  and that's what you hold onto.  love in its vast forms. . . .

so, here's to mom; euva jean pease pierce august 2nd to december 30th . . . . 88 years; what a life!
   

now i see red . . . in advent!

 
 

one of the odd things that happened when we refreshed our sanctuary last year was the color scheme changed, and now the various purples that we have for advent are all wrong.  it's a terribly 'first world' problem to have . . . . what to do, what to do!

so, we discovered red!  and now i see RED in advent, not purple.  but, ya know, i think i'm growing fond of it.  we've decorated the sanctuary in a simple way; tree and wreaths, some banners, the nativity and the advent wreath.

our gift for ministry which arrives today is a new piano; and with that new piano, we have an idea in mind to extend our sanctuary into the community.  we're very excited about the possibilities!

so on this day of the celebration -- the festival of lights -- i've made sure to include the image in my home.  the parsonage, where 'the parson' lives, has a beautiful picture window, that is just perfect for either a tree (did that last year!) or candlelight (did that this year!)  the light provides a warm glow which reminds me each time i return home at night, that this is the season to extend hope, peace, joy and love into the world.  don't you just love flameless candles with timers?!  they are my new love!

as i sit in my office, another storm of the season is fast approaching.  after years of drought, we have had a goodly amount of rain, and i'm not tired of it yet!  and, a gentle reminder that we don't have enough water to be wasting any, so, be mindful of your care for water!

for those of you who know i've nearly always got my pedometer on me for virgin health (or is it FROM virgin health) . . . no matter, my point is, i participated in their 'turkey trim' event that lasted about 14 days over the thanksgiving holiday and into advent.  and for those sports fans keeping score, i placed 245th out of the 2,700 +/- participants.  our colleague judson placed as one of the 1st place participants; he and i are also participating in the 'daily challenge' for your health.  i have to say, this health stuff is gonna kill me!

i may not get back to my blog before year's end, so i want to share a couple of reflections from the advent/christmas letter is shared with the congregation.  feel free to substitute your spiritual understanding for the word/concept 'christian'.  this season has a focus, and it isn't on the shopping!!!  may these thoughts guide you on your journey as you help to share hope, peace, joy and love with everyone you meet -- and even those whom you do not know . . . .

"the coming of advent jolts us out of the ordinary with the invasive news that it's time to think about fresh possibilities for deliverance and human wholeness."  (patricia e. dejong).
"all of us, men and women, are included in mary's and eizabeth's time of expectancy, calling us together in partnership with god in god's plan for this world . . . .  we are all uniquely made in the image of god, meaning that we are to see god in one another and are called to say yes to justice for all." (trisha lyons senterfitt)
"if we are paying attention, we recognize too that god is in the ordinary moments of our life -- in the making of lunches and the folding of laundry, in daily kisses good-bye, in the moment when we look into the eyes of one whom the world considers unlovely at best and unworthy of notice at worst.  it is why we aim to live the christian life by not only talking about it or thinking about it, but by doing it -- why our prayers are not only those of the heart, but those of the hands and feet." (Kimberly bracken long)

for those looking for a christmas eve service, and for those who are curious about what christmas eve is all about, we welcome you to join us as we celebrate: wednesday evening, december 24th, at 7 pm.  www.umcsantacruz.org

the picture, below, depicts what happens after a storm here on the coast; this was the beautiful depiction of the sky from our parking lot.  how fortunate i am to share this time with you!  blessings to your celebrating and your sharing and your receiving . . . love!