Facing the Good Samaritan

Tomorrow morning, at 7 :45 AM, I am scheduled to be in the little chapel of Good Samaritan hospital in Puyallup. This will be the beginning of two months and a half of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) in other words, an internship in the chaplaincy department of the hospital, as I mentioned it last November. During those weeks, I will be serving in specific units of the hospital, I will have classes, I will have the opportunity to write down “verbatim” (the account, word by word, of a conversation with a patient and how I explore this interaction). Those verbatim will be later on discussed on weekly classes and during one-on-one supervision.

Good Sam is a huge place – a maze really – which doubled its size last winter: an 8 stories building was added to the existing hospital. This internship is the last step of my process to become a pastor. «it is a life-changing experience, said a friend who is now a pastor in Wyoming.  Very hard, very demanding, I learnt so much about me. The whole thing was a gift”.

One of my Hebrew students had a similar comment after doing a unit of CPE in Seattle. “that feels like your personality is scrutinized and analyzed, a fascinating time”, she explained.

So there will be the maze of the hospital hallways and the meandering of my psyche – summer should be interesting in Puyallup. To be followed…

The Vet and the Speaking Serpent

 A few weeks ago, I took Sitka and her red eyes to our vet downtown in Puyallup. Cockers spaniels eyes should be carefully monitored.

That was the first time I met with Casey, the senior vet of the place. He asked me the origin of my accent and what I was doing in life. Then he proceeded to tell me about the animals of the Bible. Not any animals. The talking animals.

In the Bible, we only meet two animals who talk like humans: the serpent of Genesis, and Balaam’s donkey (Numbers 22). The donkey was actually a she and the prophet would ride her.

One day, as they were traveling in the countryside, an angel suddenly appeared in front of them. The donkey moved out of the path to avoid colliding with the heavenly visitor. Balaam who could not see the angel started beating his donkey for what seemed an erratic behavior until she turned to him and told him off for his inability to understand what was really going on.

Balaam’s eyes finally opened up (a translation says «the scales fell off his eyes») and he was able to see the angel. A psychiatrist friend had pointed out this text to me years ago. According to her, the donkey represented our unconscious mind.

Casey also mentioned the serpent from Genesis, a weird animal that had legs (before God condemned it to crawl on the ground) and could talk – and those words, spoken to Eve, go back to the foundation of our theological discussions. “Did God really say…?” (Genesis 3:1)

Casey then mentioned that he had been called before to take care of snakes that had just shed their old skins. This shedding does not always go smoothly. Sometimes, when the weather is dry, the old skin stays stuck on the eyes of the serpent – usually in time of very dry weather – creating some sorts of scales and the serpent cannot see anymore.

“Most of the time, Casey said, you just need to put some ointment or even Vaseline on the eyes of the serpent to solve the problem.” Casey commented that others stories in the Bible (including Balaam’s) mentioned humans unable to see until “scales fell of their eyes”.

For one thing, it is good to know what should be done if we ever cross the path of a snake in trouble. For another... let's face it. Serpents and humans, we all have our own way to blind ourselves until the voice we expect least - the donkey we ride for instance – frees us and brings light back to our lives. 

It happened in December…

… but I I did not find it time to mentioned it so far.

Two services in one night

On Christmas Eve, Irvin, his sister Chris who came to visit from Idaho and me took part at two Christmas Eve services. The first one was at Indian Fellowship at 6:00 PM. About 60 people came. Two of the ladies told us afterward they had been very moved: this was the very first Christmas Eve service they had ever attended. We read verses from the Gospel of Luke, sang traditional carols, and lighted 12 candles one after the other, throughout the service. Irvin and I even sang together an old French song – in French!

First Pres had two services that night, a traditional one at 7:00 PM and a contemporary one at 11:00 PM. There is a musical dividing line throughout the American Christianity. Some enjoy singing like they always have, rejoicing and feeling inspired by the songs they grew up with. Others, usually younger folks, request more modern and stimulant music that some call “praise music”. Churches of the size of First Pres often have two services on Sunday morning – or Christmas Eve – so both groups worship with the music they need. Since I enjoy every opportunity to sing, traditionally or otherwise, I had the pleasure to sing with the praise team at 11:00 PM. Sue offered Irvin to serve communion with her. So we had two wonderful opportunities to celebrate Christmas, in varied atmosphere but each time with joy. In each setting, it was the time to «sing to the Lord a new song, Sing to the Lord, all the earth» (psalm 96)

Houses and cars are also in tune with Christmas

Since the beginning of Fall, houses and sometimes even cars follow the rhythm of the celebrations. From Halloween, to Thanksgiving then Christmas, decorations change the look of the neighborhood. In December, houses are almost transformed in Christmas trees, with their own lights and ornaments, many referring to Santa Claus. All Santa’s history, in all its details, is also a traditional part of the American celebration. Each deer that pulls Santa’s sledge even has its own name! The most popular is Rudolph, the “red nose deer” who has its own story told in an animated movie. One day in December, I parked by a car who had been “dressed up” as Rudolph ! Only in America… 

Beginnings and Endings

So it is our turn now. We just got out of 2010. We are almost the last ones to do so: Australia was celebrating the first minutes of 2011 as our morning was ending on December 31^st.

Around 3:00 PM not only 9 hours was separating us from France, but also a whole year. When it is out turn to leap into 2011, the whole year has already done so, except Alaska and Hawaii.

Temperatures got colder those last days: 25F (-3C) under an unusual sky: without a cloud. While our delighted pups ran after the fireworks coming from the neighboring yards, we enjoyed the view of the many stars that we have so few opportunities to admire in our area where the sky is often overcast.

Let’s not rush moments of transition, suggests this author. "Beginnings and endings are so very sacred, to give honor to all that has transpired, every experience, every joy, every pain, is a doorway to the magical. Hold your entire year between your hands, every day, every thought, every breath. Now bless it with gratitude, love and humility. You have done more to transform this new year than a thousand resolutions". (K. Allen Kay) Happy New Year!

Santa and the Spirit of Giving

Before the representation, our congregation shared an abundant meal – each of us bringing turkey, or green bean casseroles, or potatoes and pies…

Then Santa Claus arrived with lots of gifts - children were overjoyed. Adults also enjoyed sitting on his lap for a fun picture!

Richard and Santa

Our church was not forgotten, as Santa giving spirit manifested itself through another person. Julie, whose family has been part of the life of this church since the 50s when she was a little girl, kept early memories of our congregation. She came with her sister Ada, her niece Bonnie as well as Laura, Bonnie’s daughter and her husband Tyrus who have been coming regularly. Julie’s brother, Marv, shared those childhood memories. He had been active in our church several years ago. He suddenly passed away of a heart attack in 2006. Julie told us that she sold a piece of property in California and she was advised to consider a donation to a charity. At the same time, she heard about our financial vulnerability and our efforts to raise funds. She brought a card in which she shared with emotion how much this little church has meant to her and her family. There was a $10,000 check in it!

That same afternoon, Pastor Sue from First Pres let us know that the session had decided to send us a very generous contribution. Those exceptional donations are such a life saver as we continue our efforts to come up with creative fund raising ideas. This Christmas season is indeed a time for gratefulness at our church.

Next to Irvin, from right to left: Bonnie, Ada, Julie and Laura.

Memories of Christmas, the Wisdom of our Elders

Last week, our church celebrated Christmas in its program whose aim was to narrate the events of the Nativity with the children playing the characters of the Bible, while including older folks of our congregation.

Irvin interviewed two of our members who were born at the time of the Depression. Ace is a member of the Arikara tribe from North Dakota. Eleanor’s parents came from Germany and Irland and she grew up in Minnesota. Both agreed to share their Christmas memories with Irvin. They also shared pictures with him. Irvin created a PowerPoint presentation that was part of the program. Children also led traditional Christmas carols, and were joined by the assistance.

 

At the end of the program, Eleanor showed us a night stand table that had been crafted by her Dad. He was a carpenter and he would construct such pieces of furniture that he would sell for $1 and he would buy toys for Christmas with the money. He was awarded with a blue ribbon, the highest distinction, at a State exhibition, for his carpentry work. A wonderful testimony of love and art through time.

Angels and Shepherds ready to go!

This afternoon, we had a dress rehearsal at CIF. The children from our Creator Talking Circle (our Sunday School) came to try their outfits and review their roles.

Tomorrow Sunday, a potluck dinner will take place directly after our worship and our Christmas program will follow. It should start around 2:00 PM. The children will interpret several key scenes of the Nativity – the angels sharing the good news with the shepherds, Joseph and Mary looking for an inn – and Christmas carols that will be sung along by the audience.

Christmas memories from two of our parishioners who were born right after the great depression will also be shared with a PowerPoint presentation.

Irvin is the director of the program, and he is actively assisted by Danielle, one of the teachers. She ingeniously created beautiful angels costumes, taking into consideration that our church funds are at a lowest point. A friend of the church let us use the costumes she had created for the shepherds last year.

If everything goes as it went today, that should be a great program!