I like the way she dovetails the message of the church season not only with her involvement in the church's life and mission, but also the events of her personal life. I find myself really identifying with her as she describes typical lay involvement in church activities. There were a few things that hit close to home! But, if I take only one thing from this text, it is the statement that it is (the monk's job) "to make sure I know where the gas stations are". What a great analogy for our need to know where we can be "filled up" or for that matter, that we need to periodically stop and fill up.
I liked the comment - "Holy week is the ultimate list". Do we get too caught up in the details, planning, and behind-the-scenes involvement that we lose sight of the message of a particular church season?
18 comments:
It's funny, as I started reading this book, I felt like it was disjointed but as I got further into the book, I liked how she weaved the parts of her life together as they run parallel. You're right Kim, I identified with her a number of times.
I like how Nora shares her own insight as they study information but she also shares others comments. Like when they are studying the Prodigal Son and the pastor asks what it means to "squander his inheritance" and Ann says, it's self-betrayal, squandering his true self.
She is more straight forward and down to earth in comparison with Lauren. I am involved with an organization that volunteers at Market Square Presbyterian on Sunday mornings to prepare and serve breakfast to the homeless. I could identify with some of her experiences, but it also made me realize that my involvement is very disconnected from the people I'm there to help.
Yes, Ann's interpretation was a different perspective yet one that has more meaning. I have always thought of the "inheritance" as being tangible
I was thinking a lot about her observations about serving the homeless as the news came on and people were protesting illegal immigrants. I think few of us realize how we are all a few mortgage payments or a serious illness away from serious financial trouble. I think more people are experiencing it in this economy than we've seen in a long time and many food pantries are having a difficult time keeping up with the demand.
It's interesting that Nora quotes Borg who said during Jesus' time there were sharp social boundaries between pure and impure, whole and not whole, male and female, Jew and Gentile, yet Jesus refused to live by those boundaries. How often we all forget that he died for all of us, not just some of his favorites.
We usually volunteer during the winter months and it can be very daunting, at times, yet fascinating to observe. I always leave with a lot of mixed emotions
I can imagine you must feel many emotions while working there. Are they allowed to sit on the stairs in the summer to eat outside? I thought that part was funny.
Yes, in the description of Robin's baptism (p. 133)she is asked "Will you respect the dignity of every human being?"
It's an interesting question at a baptism, isn't it? And especially as this church struggles with how to cope with Mark and his revelation that he's gay.
We have learned some lessons along the way. The meal provided by the church is a cold breakfast. We decided to offer a hot breakfast. We prepared several pounds of bacon along with eggs and oatmeal. We dished out the eggs and oatmeal but the bacon was serve yourself. Big lesson learned!
I was amazed that they served people on mainly donations and didn't fundraise at all. That's faith in action.
What does the church do in the summer? Do they serve three meals all year or just certain meals? You mentioned breakfast. How many do they serve?
Yet, as Jesus was traveling, teaching, and preaching, he set the example of one who respected the dignity of all. It goes back to the Borg quote you mentioned earlier
Thanks for hosting tonight Kim.
Market Square serves breakfast on Sundays. Downtown Daily Bread serves lunch everyday at Pine Street Presbyterian. We have had as many as 75 or 80 people. Most are men.
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