A Blessing for Leaders

Elizabeth concluded the retreat by reading this Blessing for Leaders by John O’Donohue. 

I translated it in French on my French blog – a fun challenge! 

This is actually a great read for leaders – and anyone having authority on anything and anyone, including one self.

May you have the grace and wisdom to act kindly,
learning to distinguish between what is personal and what is not.

May you be hospitable to criticism.
May you never put yourself at the center of things.
May you act not from arrogance but out of service.
May you work on yourself, building up and refining the ways of your mind.

May those who work for you know you see and respect them.
May you learn to cultivate the art of presence in order to engage with those who meet you.

When someone fails or disappoints you, may the graciousness with which you engage

be their stairway to renewal and refinement.

May you treasure the gifts of the mind through reading and creative thinking
so that you continue as a servant of the frontier
where the new will draw its enrichment from the old, and you never become functionary.

May you know the wisdom of deep listening, the healing of wholesome words,
the encouragement of the appreciative gaze, the decorum of held dignity,
the springtime edge of the bleak question.

May you have a mind that loves frontiers
so that you can evoke the bright fields that lie beyond the view of the regular eye.

May you have good friends to mirror your blind spots.
May leadership be for you a true adventure of growth.

Amen!

The painting is by Bill Jacklin, detail, Calle II, oil on canvas, 2008.

A Retreat Between Ocean and Mountains

“Sitting is the new Smoking!” That was Elizabeth’s statement, explaining why she stayed standing as she read us a blessing, opening the retreat that she was facilitating from her beautiful home for all leaders of the Presbytery – that is anyone chairing a committee and/or with responsibilities in the Presbytery of Olympia. 

That’s actually true, being sedentary brings the same kind of health risks than smoking, I read. Always good to keep in mind, even if we had gathered to get to know each other better and work on our creativity.

Olympic mountains are hardly visible above the horizon 

That last Thursday was sunny and cold, a very clear sky that allowed us to see the Mt Rainier over the Puget Sound on one side and the Olympic mountains on the other.

At one point, Elizabeth displayed many pictures of paintings and works of art, inviting us to pick one we were attracted to. I chose this one. 

As many people in ministry, I am an introvert who function as an extrovert at work. I need times of solitude to recharge, times where I look like she does, expressionless. 

I did not know when I picked that Edgar Degas, the artist, had made the portrait of “A Convalescent”. I am no longer a convalescent – but sure need “fallow” times to stay healthy. 

Sleep is a Prayer

The Lord gives sleep to those He loves, were we reminded. (Psalm 127:2). 

I think the Lord also loves the insomniac... 
We retired after this prayer by John of Dalyutha, an 8th c. mountain hermit in the region of modern Iraq:

"If you are tired and worn out
by your labors for your Lord, 
place your head upon His knee and rest awhile.
Recline upon his breast (John.13:23)
breathe in the fragrant spirit of life, 
and allow life to permeate your being.
Rest upon him, for he is a table of refreshment (Ps. 23:5)
that will serve you for the food of the divine Father."
Good night all!

Sweet Trinity

In today’s class at our Conference, led by BJ Woodworth (on the picture) we looked at this famous icon by Andrey Rublev (early 15th c.) representing the divine visitors that surprised Abraham at Mamre in Genesis 18. This icon has also been interpreted as a representation of the Trinity. 

The Son is in the middle, and the Father, on the right (with the green garment) turns his head toward him: he is sending the Son. The Son looks at Holy Spirit, with the gold garment. The Son is sending the Spirit (John 14). 

And the table between them, is the table of God, where we are invited (Ps. 23) to complete the circle. We, the creatures, are invited to the table with our Creator. We are invited to fellowship with God. From creatures, God sends us to become creators and bring his Kingdom into reality. 

Obviously, we had a Trinitarian dessert afterward: three raspberries, three drops of berry sauce, on the square table of a lemon tart. An enjoyable way to delight in Christian theology! 

God is in Florida

"In my heart of hearts God is closer to me than I am to myself." (St Augustin)

We are… in Florida, where Irvin and I will be part of a conference about “Making Room for God”. This is part of our continuous education – two weeks a year. We get to choose where to go – it is also possible to stay home and read the growing pile of theological books discovered and ordered as the year went by.

Those few days will allow a change in our daily routine; take time to dwell in the Scriptures. That will be a pause to attempt and discern the voice of God in our lives… while breathing the salted air of the ocean under the sun.

There are 75 of, Presbyterians pastors from the four corners of the continent for this conference. Being to meet and reconnect is one of the greatest aspects of this kind of gathering. We hope to find here the “substance”, the spiritual food that will sustain us throughout the year.

Pastor B.J Woodworth, one of the leaders of the conference, told us the following story as an introduction. A Rabbi was studying the Genesis book with his students. At each step of the creation, we read the famous words “And it was good”. Except… when humans were created.

Why? asked the Rabbi to his students. The answers were diverse and some very inventive but the Rabbi dismissed them. Eventually, he explained that the word “good” (tov) also means “complete, accomplished”. God did not create humans as completed beings. Each of us is meant to achieve God’s work in ourselves.

That afternoon, Irvin and I walked on the beach that seemed to never end. The wind reminded us that winter was here, but we took great pleasure in feeling the waves so close as the birds, seagulls, cormorants and pelicans dived in to capture fish.

That was, yes, tov. Good. 

2012 – Resolution Day!

My first resolution, in this brand new 2012 year, is to… reconnect with my blog. I was thinking I posted my last message a couple of weeks ago. What, it was three months ago??? Where did Fall 2011 go?

In any case, 2012 is indeed here, and here I am, facing the immense perplexity of a future that can take so many different shapes. On November 2, the committee in preparation for ministry certified me “ready to receive a call”. That means that I went through all the steps to be a pastor, from the theological degree (both from the Institut Protestant de Theologie of Paris, France and Dubuque seminary – an eclectic pairing) to the internships in a church,  (Puyallup First Pres last year) then in a hospital chaplaincy this summer. There was also the psychological evaluation – where I found out I was an extravert – me, an emblematic introvert! And of course I had to pass those ordination exams.

So I am “certified ready”. But the ordination can only take place when I receive a call, either from a church or from a hospital if I become a chaplain. I feel pulled in both directions, which is eventually a good thing: opportunities in the Tacoma area are not that many, so I should get ready for both.

On the pastor side, I will go through the interim pastor training, a weeklong education. In the Presbyterian denomination, an interim pastor always steps in between pastors. The churches in our area have all ministers right now, but they will need an interim pastor one day or another.

And on the chaplain side, I applied for a residency (a yearlong paid internship) that would allow me to complete my training. This residency would start next September. An interview is scheduled in a week.

So here it is. I can’t help wondering if the doors in both directions might actually close before me, while our church situation stays precarious, and our denomination tears itself apart. More than ever, this is the time to keep in mind that we are in God’s hand. God will make the calls and lead in new directions…

To be followed… Meanwile, Happy New Year!

Pandora’s box and its Exact Opposite.

Pandora’s box – actually a large jar or amphora since this story comes from the Greek mythology- used to hold all the imaginable evils which poured out onto the world once the jar was regrettably opened. Only hope stayed inside. In our church, the situation is exactly opposite. Our treasury is empty but we are equipped with hope.

Our grant has expired. Last week, at our session meeting, the treasurer brought predictable yet alarming numbers. The church is able to pay its pastor in December. And in January. And that’s it.

This means possible hurdles for the future of our congregation and incidentally for the life of the pastor. Still we have good hope to overcome this circumstance.

In our Presbyterian denomination, churches are autonomous yet interdependent through regional and national bodies. Our church prepared a request for an emergency grant to the synod. This request should first be approved by the Presbytery. Last Tuesday, several elders, Irvin and I met with its council.

One important fact we wanted to share: our financial situation does not provide from a lack of generosity from our members. Most of them have fixed incomes yet they boldly contribute as much as they can. What is happening to us is not an isolated circumstance. The others 121 Native Presbyterian churches in the country struggle to exist and none can support a full-time pastor.

The Presbytery heard us and is supporting our request. Neighboring churches, like First Pres where I did my internship, have been partnering with us for years and also want to be on board to help us.

If this request is granted, the financial help will be punctual and limited in time so we are also resolutely engaging on fundraising efforts. Last night, we invited our parishioners to join us for a Dinner and a Brainstorm aimed at finding creative ways to let our church be known and raise funds. Many ideas were brought up, some of them will be implemented straightaway in this favorable time of Advent and Christmas.

May you live interesting times – this sentence often attributed to China was mentioned by Robert Kennedy in 1966.  We are trying.

5 new members at Church of the Indian Fellowship.

Last Sunday, during our worship service, Church of the Indian Fellowship officially welcomed 5 new members – a notable increase: a 10% addition to our membership !

Becoming a member of a Presbyterian Church is serious business. You can do so by reaffirming your faith, or by being baptized or by transfer from another church.

Each congregation should keep an up-to-date roll of their members, and that will include three categories, active members, inactive members, and affiliate members – for those who live far from their home church and are being part of another church while they live in its neighborhood. They should present a certificate from their home church. Everything is detailed in the Book of Order.

Compared to others denominations (such as the French Reformed Church, where I belonged in France) the Presbyterian Church may appear meticulously organized, bordering sometimes (and this is said with love) on the persnickety.

Of course, anyone may contribute to the life of churches even when they are not officially members. But when you decide to make this step, you commit to become more spiritually involved and in the life of your congregation.

The four women and the young man who made this decision have very busy lives that include demanding work, raising young children and difficult circumstances. Yet they took the time to sit with Irvin for four training sessions.

April, who is from the Navajo tribe, was baptized. This was a moving moment during which she beamed with joy. Nicole, Tamika, Eleanor and Jesse reaffirmed their faith.

The reception of those new members concluded with a time where the congregation praised God and thanked the Lord for sending those new brothers and sisters who will now share our journey.

The Dog Lovers Society

An invisible yet discernible affection connects people who love dogs and find comfort in their close by presence. This complicity has opened the doors of our Presbytery where dogs are allowed to some of the meetings with their owners, a rare permission in the US.

The Committee on Preparation for Ministry enjoys the presence of a little white dog, Bijou, who looks like a lamb. Bijou graciously allows us to share the company of her owner.

However, Bijou has immediately shown irritation when a rival joined us at our meetings. Hannah Murray is a tall pup, with a spotted brown fur, typical of her breed : Hanna is a Louisiana Catahoula Leopard dog, an AKC (American Kennel Club) registered breed – you will find them under the category “unusual breeds”.
Catahoula Leopards dogs are called that way because they originate from the Catahoula County in Louisiana, and because the spots of their fur are often reminiscent of leopards. They are untiring and loyal shepherd dogs.

Max, her owner, found her about ten years ago – she was alone, wandering by Camp Murray.
Hannah is gentle and benevolently accepts to be patted ; she does not show any annoyance when Bijou barks right in front of her.

Our monthly meetings last 6 hours and Hannah serenely spread herself out while we discuss, waiting for the breaks during which she will enjoy a short walk. When she realizes she is going to stretch her paws, she smiles, a wide smile that shows her teeth.

I tried to take pictures of the smile, but as soon as she saw my camera, Hannah lowered her head and moved away. Max explained that she fears flash lights and cameras. I took several pictures without flashes – those pictures are not that great. I can discern her back, some paws, a blur of ears, but no smile. Hannah consented to pose by Max but you can tell she is not exactly comfortable.

An invisible yet discernible affection connects people who love dogs. Since yesterday, I am thinking of my friend Brandi and her pup Maka. We have not seen each other for several years but we communicate through facebook. We have often exchanged posts and comments about our pups and their little mischievous acts, and the joy to live with them.

On Wednesday night, Maka did not come home. Later, Brandi found out that she would not see Maka again. She wrote on her facebook page “Rest in Peace Maka…” I never got to meet Maka but I feel so sad...