wedding surf in big sur

changes on the coast, like changes in our lives, happen suddenly and in an instant.

we never known when we might discover the best possible moment; a photo, a chance meeting, an unexpected opportunity ... are we prepared, are we ready, are we willing . . . .

this week-end i experienced a wedding in big sur, an area of california i hadn't really explored before.  i didn't exactly get lost, but i never found the wedding rehearsal or the dinner.  but the coast was a picture!

the fog began to roll in, as it does on the coast; feeling at a loss for directions, a managed to make my way back and forth and back and forth; ever feel like that?!  you get just to the edge, and suddenly, you are just not quite there.

fortunately, that was friday, and the wedding wasn't until saturday at 5.  what is a pastor to do?  pack it in for the day, and start over again in the morning?  you bet 'cha!  so that's what i did.

but never pass up the opportunity to find the light in the haze or the movement of the ebb and flow of life.

in the midst of the rocks is an answer to the where and the why.  if we do not stop to contemplate, then we may never know the true extent of the mystery.  take that extra moment, and be open to the possibilities, even when plans don't go as, well . . . planned!

saturday arrived in big sur, and no matter what, i was going to find the location of that wedding!  with all our gps systems in place, one reality rings true on the coast of big sur . . . . the words "no service" are seen a lot!  so the best way to go is the old fashioned way ... get an address!

OH!  there it is; i'd passed this spot several times on my adventure; do you ever do that?!  and then suddenly, as if out of a fog, there it is; the beauty and elegance of "the right place".

and this wedding location, like the couple themselves, was 'the perfect combination of beauty and elegance; simple and down to earth, and nothing could be better!  by 12:30,  i knew where i was to be by five; and i made it there in plenty of time; to prove it, i captured the sun as it reflected on the surf.  like a mirror disturbed only by the whale spouting some water, and the ripples of the tide.

nearby the 'wind and sea', was the perfect place to wait out until 3:30.

and so i read; i am on the second mystery by barbara corrado pope, entitled the blood of lorraine. i have my new library card, and i'm using it!  pope's mysteries take place in france, and this one deals with anti-semitism; the main character is the magistrate bernard martin.  the first book in the series was cezanne's quarry, and it is easy to get 'hooked'; in this way i get to be an 'armchair adventurer.  reading on the coast was ideal!

following the wedding, as the dancing was just about to begin, i left, leaving the women to change into flip-flops for the occasion; dancing in high-heals my be fashionable, but not on gravel!  and so highway 1 beacon-ed to me.  as i left the sun of big sur, i watched as the fog rolled in over the surf once again, but this time, engulfing the industrial works that sat atop a land-mass.

i thought of kellie and tom as they began their new life together; how we never know what might come in our path; and chances are, that path will change hundreds of times over the course of their developing relationship.

and yet, they have the journey ahead of them before the sunset.

the adventure is just beginning in a relationship filled with possibilities.  the light shines, and the night has yet to consume it!

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?!

naked lady alert (oh my!)

 

i can remember visiting my very proper aunt grace in the heat of a bakersfield summer.  once, when i arrived, she told me to go and look in her backyard at the naked ladies.  as i breathlessly ran to the yard at the ripe old age of 8, all i saw was the gardener and a bunch of pink lilies.

i was going to look up the proper name for these flowers, but thought i might get a porn sight, so, just settle for my aunt's name; and, as it turns out, i discovered one in the front yard of the parsonage this week ... parents be forewarned!  the santa cruz parsonage has a naked lady (but only one, with about 6 blossoms!)

my other delight this past week was the tour of university of california, santa cruz; the first class at ucsc began in 1965.  it is like being in a national park; it is huge, filled with beautiful nature, and sever wonderful pieces of artwork; the sculpture of the squiggle was created by kenney farrel as 'untitled', and sits in an area by porter college, where on a clear day you may not see forever, but you can see clear to monterey!

also in the area in the expanded library is a tribute to the grateful dead; this group's archive is housed here in a wonderful display, complete with a dvd worth viewing!  nature and academia come together to forge a perfect pair!  should a student be looking for a place to further their education, with a united methodist church near-by, uscs is well worth a look-see!

the united methodist church of santa cruz has been recovering from a fire which affected a classroom.  but because of the nature of insurance, our building is all inter-connected; with smoke damage, etc, and a connecting roof-line, we are getting a major face-lift, thanks to the insight of those within the congregation.

natural light has been added to the worship center and the fellowship hall; a new color pallet graces the neighborhood, and the worship center will be updated with new carpet, polished stone, and paint.

we are due to receive new signage as well; and because of the issue of having a parking lot that extends to the back of the building, we are adding a gate (a way of saying, nicely perhaps, that is really is a place of sanctuary and safety; so please keep it available to everyone to enjoy.

on our 17th street property, gardens grow, but weed abatement continues to be a need.  so occasional work-days are called, and if you'd like to join in the fun and help provide a happier neighborhood, come join us at 9 am on saturday, august 10th.  no previous experience is required; bringing gloves, shovels, a good sense of humor, and other yard-cleaning equipment is encouraged, but not mandatory.

and if you know of someone desiring to be a part of this garden project, invite them to contact us; members of our congregation are invited to sponsor one other person; it is a great way to be engaged with other christians on our collective journey of faith, and a creative way to grow organic produce.

you can reach our website through umcsantacruz.org, or by calling the office and leaving a message at (831) 429-6800.

one of the final outdoor projects is being completed at the california street property this week; a new parking lot!  i am constantly amazed to discover the persistence of our over-seer to this project, and the skill he has making sure the work is done on or before time, under-budget, and with the quality that will last for years to come.

now, trying to work while others are working can be a challenge, as the noise level at times can be distracting ... partly because i am curious about what's going on.

but when the noise becomes overwhelming, the sun beckons and the sound of the waves calleth.  so, off i go to explore another area of santa cruz, or visit a community ministry or someone in the hospital.  of course there is always housework and working in the yard, but those naked ladies will just have to wait!   

it never rains in california

so i got up one morning this week, and picked up my soggy newspaper before i went for my walk; it seems it DOES actually rain in california; even in santa cruz -- even in the banana belt -- that part of santa cruz where i live!  where i live and where i serve have two distinct weather patters -- and they are just mintes apart from each other.

my recommendation:  take in the beauty of the fragrance after it rains.  omg; there is a purple magnolia tree in my neighborhood, and the sweet smell of star-jasmine; salt air and redwood.  beauty is everywhere, and you can help california stay 'green' by making sure you do not waste your water (stop washing down your sidewalk!), recycle or re-use or figure out a way not to waste.  just sayin' -- the base price for a paper sack in our area is 10 cents ... but i was in marshall's the other day and over-heard the price of 25 cents!  be spiritually aware; it just makes good 'cents'!  remember to keep your re-usable bags in your truck; you never know when you'll stop for fresh fruit and veggies!

while on that walk, i got to thinking ... what are the things one needs to remember when coming to california in the summer?  the first is, don't listen to the travel agents about packing!  always carry a jacket and dress in layers; long pants in the am; shorts in the afternoon; long pants in the pm.  the ocean is COLD.  keep it that simple; travel light; and smile a lot!  and remember to pack and use (!) your sun-screen, 30+ or higher, and bring your tennis shoes and flip-flops.  do i sound like i've moved to a coastal town?!  be spiritually aware; be caring for yourself and for others.

remember to take some reading material along wherever you go; but even better than that, people watch! you can learn so much by observation.  be spiritually aware; ask yourself if the behaviors you observe are the kinds of behaviors you want to replicate.   someone from the congregation who surf's shared an insight about beaches -- how people choose to leave their garbage behind when they leave (including the things animals leave behind!) -- i suspect we can be much better about 'taking care', in that spiritual sense.  the book i've just finished by the way, is about a young child who grows into adulthood, and her journey; very compelling. why not 'check it out'?!  "the flight of gemma hardy" by margot livesey.

romance must be in the air; i just received a call (literally) from a couple planning to get married in a couple of weeks from out-of-state; they had tried to track down their youth pastor from years ago, but had no luck.  and so i got the call; was i available, would i be their pastor; what an honor!  ironically, i have gotten a call this week as well do perform my nephew's wedding in october.  both weddings will NOT be in a church.  that has become the trend.  but we at the united methodist church of santa cruz are working to fix up our building and are keeping brides and grooms in mind as we make ready our worship center.  while couples may not always think about 'a big church wedding', some people still do, even if they do not go to church!  so, we are making ready for those couples not yet here.  we are seeking to be spiritually aware, and we welcome you and those you know to help us share the news:  you are welcome here -- even if you might not be 'all that traditional'; after all, we are california, and now we REALLY have something to celebrate!

finally, for the state that NEVER sees rain in the summer (oddly, however, we have seen a bit.  at least three times so far in the last two months ...) . while preparing for your summer trip, remember never to leave home without your sense of spiritual openness.  what might god have in store for you as you journey forth?  what adventure will you encounter?  are you prepared to be touched, wowed, awed, changed?  will your every moment be filled with possibilities?  will you intentionally be looking for ways to be renewed, as well as opportunities to make a difference?  as you return home, do you plan to be the same person who left home, or will the experience of your 'adventure' change your future?

of course, you don't have to go very far to be 'spiritually changed'; you could just walk out your front door to retrieve your newspaper -- only to discover that it is soaking wet -- in the middle of summer!!  try not to be annoyed; you can read the news on line!  but you can't get back the time you've wasted on non-renewable spiritual living!  be spiritually aware in this moment and in your times ahead; be open to the possibilities . . . .

moving location complete

when last i posted, i was getting ready to move from merced to santa cruz.

what a  (smooth) time i have had; very little physical issues to contend with (a broken lamp, now fixed; the challenges of getting lost and finding myself in a location i hadn't planned to visit but exploring that area as well; trying to figure out the placement of things; selling a house and settling into a parsonage) ... much more the issue of trying to deal with the emotional issues and details around leaving and moving; the saying good-byes, the changing of internet and television companies (once i moved, i even relocated my tv from one room to another, causing yet another visit -- and fee -- from the company!), and the opportunity of finding 'coolness' in the summer.

the picture to the right shows the nearly empty bookshelves of the merced office.  packing and purging.  the letting go and the spirit leading to 'all things new'.  

the most noticeable thing i experienced in this move was kindness; the sharing of a 'good' good-bye from merced; people sharing how they had grown spiritually, and wonderful celebration filled with meaningful music, good food, and unexpected gifts that will forever touch me.

and then ... the discovery of finding 'home' once again in santa cruz.  the kindness of a 'warm' welcome; being expected, being anticipated, being received.  the discovery that 'all my stuff fit' -- differently than before, yes, but fitting in a new way; a refreshing change.  the picture to the left is reflective of the santa cruz office, part of where i now call home.

people have been gracious; the discovery that i didn't have to 'go home from holiday' after the 4th of july -- all i had to do was settle in.  well, the "all" part will take a little time, mainly because i am now out of boxes, but i'm not sure where everything is!  i can function, i've completed two sunday services, and each week we have something new to see -- this week was the discovery of sky-lights!

my day off continues to be on mondays.  so, one of the things that grounds me spiritually is 'nesting'.  digging around in the yard is a way of finding my place in my new location.

so i discovered a local nursery and secured shredded redwood to work as ground-covering.  one of the advantages of having a convertible is that you can put the top down and load it up.  so, that's what i did yesterday; i can get 20 bags of ground cover in my vw cabrio.  and then the drive home.

at a stop sign, i drove up next to a woman on a bicycle who was planning to turn left.  she turned and noticed my car.  she said, 'that's a lot of dirt' ... and then began to laugh ... which caused me to laugh ... and then the signal changed and she went her way and i went my way, both still laughing.

what to do with all that dirt!!!  well, take a look below.  when all else fails, spend a little time in the dirt with god.  be refreshed; be renewed; be blessed.  moving location complete!