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!
  

signs of the times . . . autuman 2014

these are the signs of the times . . . for autumn 2014.  some people claim california doesn't have a colorful fall . . . but this colorful tree is within 1,000 feet of the parsonage where i live!  true, this may not seem like the east coast with all the colorful foliage we see in pictures and in the movies, but none-the-less, this is our autumn. 

i was just walking along doing my daily exercise, and there was this perfect picture of fall.  how often do any of us simply walk outside our front door to see the signs of the season?!

rumor has it we may get two days of rain beginning tomorrow; we are desperate for the signs of this changing drought . . . .

we have had a very outdated sign at the church for some time.  it was actually 'white-out-ed' and looked a fright.  then then lights got repaired and it really looked tragic.  we had been thinking of replacing said sign since may, but ran into a glitch.

for many years, we have been acting as a reconciling congregation; a church that welcomes all people, not matter their age, ethnicity, orientation, or abilities; a place focused on justice and service and even a little 'green', where we offer open hearts, minds, and doors.

we voted in august to (re)affirm our stance, and now we have a new sign that incorporates that message, along with the diversity we represent!

 while walking from bookstore santa cruz past the library, this beautiful hibiscus was in full bloom; such a sign of the times!  very close to the downtown library is a whole selection of beautiful hibiscus and roses.  do you have a library card?  do you take advantage of such services in your community?

i have a colleague who says it is the first thing to be done when moving into a new community; that way you can really settle in and feel a part of the community.  i must have gotten mine within the first few weeks here, and have used it 'religiously' ever-since!  there is always something to learn and read-up on!  and besides, then you can peek at the beautiful things your community has to offer!

moving from downtown to west cliff, another one of the signs of the time is the ocean that invites surfers!  the waves call to you whether you surf or not!  on this particular day, the autumn weather could not have been more perfect, and the surfers were out in force!

i do try and see a glimpse of the water every day; the sound of the churning waters as the waves crash against the shore.  on monday, i even walked the boardwalk where they are making repairs and expanding the walkways in preparation for the anticipated crowds in the summer.  maintenance is also a part of the sign of the times.  be it roadwork on highway 17, or the paving of the streets here in town, there are always signs . . . .

 and speaking of signs, isn't this a great picture?!  i love that someone is so creative as to bring tools to play in the sand and create such a beautiful image!  to be so thoughtful and prepared as to think about what you wanted to do in the sand!  and then to know that what you've created would be washed away at some point in the day, or walked upon or 'wiped out' . . . a willingness to let go of what you've created, is a true gift of the heart and a talent worth sharing.  when i returned from my walk, this masterpiece had been finished and the artist was walking away.  but i share with you this 'work in progress, because it is a reminder of the sign of the times . . . .'

not far from where this creative sand artist was working is a house in progress.  imagine in this day and age, building a house that will face the ocean, with a guarantee of having no one build across the street?!   truly, this is a sign of the times.  for it wasn't that long ago when you could still build on the ocean side of california highway 1.  who knows how long the coast will stay before erosion causes an issue for those houses.  but for the time being, and for a price i don't even want to imagine, a house is being built.  below is the view they'll have from their window! 

even so, i still get to walk across the street, and i'm thrilled to be able to live within walking distance of the pacific ocean!  so, truly, these are the signs of the time . . . . come walk the coast with me . . . .

the theology of mopping . . . and more!

when i went to seminary -- grad school for pastors -- they didn't have a class for mopping, parsonage maintenance, children's moments, navigating the diversity of christians, or even how to prepare for over-night shelter guests.  this is what is usually in the contract in the fine print (but pastor's don't really get a contract -- at least i didn't find it in the book of discipline!) under 'and other duties as required'.  often it is referred to as 'on the job training'.

it has been 31 years since grad school, and i continue to learn those 'other duties as required'.

today, it was the 'theology of mopping'.  when the floor is dirty, and you notice a teacher mopping the fellowship hall before her class (it could have been a male teacher as well, but i think you get the point....) i had to stop and think ... hum, yesterday was a holiday; the last people to leave the fellowship hall was ... us ... faithful church folk who do not have a janitorial service at our beck and call.

so, who does the mopping?  good question.

the floor didn't get finished because class was starting, and the united methodist women were getting ready to meet, and they weren't prepared to mop ... so, who ya gonna call?  the flash mop pastor!

so, do you choose to put this item under new business at the next church meeting?  what would jesus do?  left to their natures, martha would be mopping while mary sat at jesus' feet, listening; two theologies there -- a servant theology and a serving theology.  or is it really just one theological task for which we are engaged?

we learn about god in so many ways; we learn about learning about serving god in a whole lot more ways, i'm thinking.  so, i ask you ... would you be about mopping or finding someone to do the mopping for you?  yes, what would jesus do?

it occurs to me that theological thinking is also about discerning your call.  i preached about the parable in matthew on sunday often referred to as the wicked tenants.  i misspoke on sunday, calling the landowner a slum-lord rather than an absentee land-lord (as someone so wisely pointed out to me on sunday after worship -- for which i am thankful!  and horrified!  good thing god is gracious!)  my point, of course, is to place yourself in that parable, theologically speaking.  would you do as the landowner did and send servants and finally your beloved child to collect the harvest?  might you go and help with the harvest?  might you go and help and collect your bounty after the harvest?  might you make sure your tenants were taken care of (living wage, health-care, retirement plan, worker's comp payment up-to-date, etc.)?  would you be involved or separated from the work of your livelihood? 

these are the theological questions we get to explore on a day-to-day basis.  i have a colleague who discerns questions like this with clarity:  'not my farm; not my pig'.  healthy boundaries.  but what happens when you see something that doesn't fall into any one's job description (or boundaries)?  how do you decide how to respond?  or DO you make a decision ... even shaking your head and walking away is a decision.  what does one do when 'somebody else will do it' doesn't live here any more?!

the decision i made today falls into a 'theology of mopping'.  i didn't do it angrily, and i did not feel this was beneath the pastor.  what i did think about while i was mopping was very practical:  how do i not mop myself into a corner?  how do i not step where i just mopped?  where do i pour the dirty water?  where do i stop once i get going -- do the hallways, the bathrooms, my office?  yikes! 

i have to say, theology can stretch you ... no matter how old you are or how much education you've had.  and, just for the record, mopping today felt very productive.  i'm thankful for the opportunity to learn this insight ... and i'm happy to explore the alternatives for the future. 

but for right now, the giants are up at bat . . . .  gotta go!  

i was feeling a bit . . . WICKED . . . over labor day week-end

i was feeling a bit . . . WICKED . . . over the labor day week-end.  and for the life of me, i can't imagine why!

 

WICKED came to san jose, and as grace would have it, someone's seat-mate cancelled, so i was the 'stand-in' to see the show!  what a treat!  i had seen the production in london during my wesley pilgrimage a few years ago; this production was equally wonderful!  it is a great story; a reminder that we can and still-do, treat people as suspect by how they look, the color of their skin (green, in this case), their viewpoints, the company they keep, and the way they conduct themselves.  the trouble is, sometimes we discover that the people we are drawn to because the 'seem' to be aligned with our values, turn out to be people for whom we disagree.

 

in my vast experience, relationships are something that constantly need attending to; constant conversations allow us to grow deeper with those relationships.  and, while i wish i could say i like to take people at face value, sometime i am surprised to discover that a face can have more than two sides.  sometimes we find the people we have trusted most can't be trusted; sometimes we are able to have relationships we trust for life; sometimes we discover someone we have mis-judged becomes the trusted friend we've longed to have.  life isn't simple sometimes; a simple trip down the yellow brick road doesn't always turn out to be that simple.  and i certainly don't want to spoil the end of WICKED for anyone who has yet to read the book or see the production.  i do certainly recommend both!  and then spend some time reflecting on your experience with the various relationships in your life.

 

my other 'wicked' experience this past week-end has to be shared in the 'confessional'!  so i'll do that now!  true confessions ... i love to spend funds that are not mine.  ok; there, i've said it!  i don't spend frivolously, or simply without thoughtful understanding.  but, when you are given a budget, staying within the limits is an important task!  so, when i was told there was a sale on shredded bark at osh this week-end ... and they would pay the sales tax, i got a little gleam in my eye!

 

the united methodist church of santa cruz is responding to the need of sprucing-up our flower-beds...and shredded bark will be infinitely helpful in making sure we don't waste a bit of water during this time of drought.  there are areas in our quad area where exposed dirt is look and be much more inviting with ground-covering.  and the reality is, i ended up getting probably what was needed for the project (thirty bags instead of just 20) and saved about $50.  someone did suggest that i could have saved a bunch more if i had only purchased the 20 bags instead of the 30, but that's another story!

 

and, i have to say, i just love having my vw cabrio for such a purpose ... put 22 bags in the car with the top down, and while people look at you strangely, some people laugh, and offer fun comments ... like 'that is worth a picture worthy of facebook'!  they didn't know i'd take that comment seriously ... so here it is on facebook!

 

besides all that, now i get to invite folks to come to our workday; it will be this saturday, september 5th, from 9 to noon; 250 california st.  95062 (for those who need to mapquest it).  we are between laurel and bay. 

 

and, who knows?!  we might go so far as to be a little bit 'wicked' and go to lunch afterwards!





 

 

a trip on the train ... to ashland and back!

it has been a number of years since i've been to ashland, or, to participate in the oregon shakespearian festival.  so, this was the year, and I decided to go by train!  trying to be very 'green'.  being on the train isn't so bad; it is transferring to a connect off the train that makes you want to change your color to RED!  so, traveling green was a bit of a challenge, but not awful!

i visited old friends and met new ones; the weather was great, and the bed and breakfast i stayed in, blue moon, is something i can highly recommend; restful, quiet, close to downtown, good food, clean and comfortable! 

so it is almost like william shakespeare is on the scene, although he might be scratching his head in amazement!  here's why:
1

this picture was taken along the creek that flooded several years ago, adjacent to the festival itself.  the first play i saw was in the evening in the elizabethan theatre, but it wasn't by will ... it was by stephen (soudheim) -- 'into the woods' ... a musical about all those great fairy tales we know -- with a twist!  so fun!  a great evening under the stars....

sunday saw the day begin with worship at first congregational united church of christ, followed by another (non-will) production of a mark bedard adaption of irving berlin and george s. kaufman's musical hit, 'the cocoanuts' ... the marx brothers at their best, with plenty of audience participation, and more laughter than anyone could guess for the sabbath!

evening brought my first will play, 'the tempest', one of the romance plays; with denis arndt doing a very reflective rendering of  prospero, who is on a spiritual journey toward forgiveness and reconciliation .... well done, but listen closely!

one of the reasons i attend the festival at this particular year is to participate in daedalus (based on the greek myth); the festival's hiv/aids benefit; this year's daedalus was dedicated to the researchers and advocates who perished aboard malaysia airlines flight 17; a meaningful time, and a remembrance (the naming) at the end of those remembered who had died of this awful disease; one of my high school classmates associated with the festival was included in the naming.

tuesday brought two delightful will productions.  the first, performed with an almost completely african american/black cast, was 'the comedy of errors', set in the harlem of duke ellington and langston hughes.  this comedy deals with the search of lost twin boys and their twin servants and makes way for the experience of mistaken identities.  loss and separation are re-united!

between shows at blue moon, while sipping on iced tea and delights, i could listen to the soothing sound of water, even though there was caution to be water-wise!  port, a new found experience for me, was also offered in the evening.

but before port, came my final will experience:  the two gentlemen of Verona -- done, effectively and a twist to historical theatre, with an all-female cast!  this is an adventure of finding yourself without losing your friends; a wonderful evening under the stars!

had i not taken the train, letting me off in klamath fall or, where i caught the connection to ashland, i would have missed the beautiful scenery one does not see on highway 5 -- and the beauty which is oregon!  my story of 'traveling green' concludes with these disclaimers; don't be in a rush as you'll encounter delays; you might want to invest in a sleeper car if you want your own space, and when you are traveling, look for a train that takes you directly to your destination, or you might be a bit surprised by the added length of your trip.  aside from that, you get to see some interesting stuff -- even at night!  and, traveling back to san jose, you'll see (the back-end of) the new sports arena for the giants and 49ers...  so, there you have it!  plan your trip on the train, today!
   

music . . . .and 2 reasons to bike! . . . a show of support

since the building of a sports center in santa cruz, the civic auditorium has become more of a location for events; music is one of the prime events!

each year, santa cruz is the host for the cabrillo festival of contemporary music (finishing its 52nd season).  outstanding musicians, great performances, and world-class music fills the air for about two weeks!  lucky us!!

one of the great best-kept secrets is the open rehearsals where you can just go in and sit quietly to their practice time ... nearly as exciting as the concerts themselves!

marin alsop has been conducting here for years; she serves as the music director for the baltimore symphony orchestra, and the sao paulo symphony orchestra.

i had the pleasure to sit in on the rehearsals for two pieces; brett dean's u.s. premiere of 'fire music' -- a powerful piece that included the main orchestra (including three percussion sections!) with three ensemble groups set around the auditorium.  very exciting indeed.  the other piece was a world premiere and festival commission of gabriella smith's 'tumblebird contrails' -- an awesome piece; and gabriella was on hand to help make the piece the best it could be!

funny enough, i went to a celebratory lunch out-of-town for a friend of mine on monday who was honored for his 15 years working for at&t; another guest at this celebration was the partner of one of the percussionists!  to say it is a small world would be an understatement!
  

returning to church on tuesday, i discovered our fellowship hall filled with young-adults who had biked cross country to raise money for affordable housing -- a most worthy commitment.  'bike & build' have done this for years, and end their time in santa cruz, staying in our fellowship hall, as they fly back to their respective homes ... this morning, one of the bikers left for his home in germany!

what a sense of dedication to raise funds for others!  what a sense of service; and a healthy way of doing it as well.  i'm honored that the united methodist church of santa cruz can help end their journey with a place to stay as they prepare to return to their day-to-day activities.

this is a reminder of how important it is to be able to share a part of who we are with others.  these folks stand as a reminder to all of us; each one of us can have something we believe in and are committed to outside of ourselves that 'gives back' to others in our world; what do you do in your daily lives that helps to make the world a better place each day?

if you haven't had an opportunity to physically do something for another today (of this week, or this month, or this year), let me offer an you another reason to bike.  and even if you have done something for someone else to help make their lives better in some way, here is another opportunity!

there is a young couple in our congregation who are both going to school; they help to coordinate our weekly efforts with the faith community shelter in our community -- a traveling shelter for up to 18 folks who are homeless; our day to supply dinner, overnight shelter, and breakfast is on fridays.  we are working to provide folks in the shelter a 'step-up' program; offering resources to settle into permeate housing, schooling and job resources, and community support.

not only do jonathan and jen work, go to school, and coordinate our program, they also bike everywhere ... and they are biking to support and raise funds to find a cure for aids!  such a worthy effort could certainly be a way to show support for others; simply hop onto the links below to extend yourself into the cycle of support . . . .  won't you join me in helping to make a difference . . . . 

jonathan's donation page:  http://encompasscs.donorpages.com/SurfCityAIDSRide/JonathanBruce2014/

jen's donation page:
http://encompasscs.donorpages.com/SurfCityAIDSRide/JenniferBlack2014