Saturday, July 10, 2010
Friday, July 2, 2010
unwhinge and imagine
This has been quite a week for institutional churches with the conclusion of the first ever meeting of the newly-formed World Communion of Reformed Churches, the election of Rev'd Dr Kirsty Thorpe and Mrs Val Morrison as Moderators of the URC in the UK and new leaders of the Methodists as well. Over at RevGalBlogPals Sally has set an inspiring Friday Five based on the inaugural address of the new Methodist Vice-President. Sally writes:
This has been a good week for British Methodism, The Annual Conference has discussed and debated many things and not shied away from some difficult stuff. New Ministers have been Ordained and received into Full Connexion. Add to that the fact that two amazing ladies; Alison Tomlin and Eunice Attwood have taken up their posts as President and Vice-President for 2010/2011- and that they have both inspired us in their speeches and preaching , and you begin to get the picture.
In the Vice- Presidents Address Eunice gave an inspiring account of the type of church she wants to be a part of, almost poetic she said:
I want to be part of a church that is prayer-filled -
A church that is resourced and sustained by the Bible,
A church that can offer hope even in a credit crunch,
A church that can live well with difference and diversity.
I want to be part of a church that welcomes the wealthy, those who have power and influence -
A church that knows how to party and celebrate life,
A church that acknowledges death and speaks boldly of resurrection,
A church that doesn’t pretend to have all the answers but encourages all the questions.
I want to be part of a church that throws parties for prostitutes -
A church that welcomes those who seek asylum,
A church that longs and yearns for justice,
A church that listens to those no-one else wants to listen to.
I want to be part of a church that believes in transformation not preservation -
A church where all who are lost can be found,
A church where people can discover friendship,
A church where every person takes responsibility in sharing the good news.
I want to be part of a church whose hope is placed securely and confidently in the transforming love of God -
A church that engages faith in its communities,
A church that makes and nurtures disciples of Jesus.
A church where the story of God’s love is at the centre.
I want to be part of a church that offers outrageous grace, reckless generosity, transforming love and engaging faith.
This is God’s story Transforming Love: Engaging Faith.
My prayer is that by the power of the Spirit of God at work amongst us, it will increasingly be our story.
I want to be part of that church too, and at the danger of trying to add to such a wonderful litany of dreams/ visions and prayers I wonder which five things would you echo from or add to this. What kind of church do you want to be a part of in the 21st Century?
Simply list the five, and as an added bonus is there a hymn of a Bible passage that you would make your inspiration?
This has been a good week for British Methodism, The Annual Conference has discussed and debated many things and not shied away from some difficult stuff. New Ministers have been Ordained and received into Full Connexion. Add to that the fact that two amazing ladies; Alison Tomlin and Eunice Attwood have taken up their posts as President and Vice-President for 2010/2011- and that they have both inspired us in their speeches and preaching , and you begin to get the picture.
In the Vice- Presidents Address Eunice gave an inspiring account of the type of church she wants to be a part of, almost poetic she said:
I want to be part of a church that is prayer-filled -
A church that is resourced and sustained by the Bible,
A church that can offer hope even in a credit crunch,
A church that can live well with difference and diversity.
I want to be part of a church that welcomes the wealthy, those who have power and influence -
A church that knows how to party and celebrate life,
A church that acknowledges death and speaks boldly of resurrection,
A church that doesn’t pretend to have all the answers but encourages all the questions.
I want to be part of a church that throws parties for prostitutes -
A church that welcomes those who seek asylum,
A church that longs and yearns for justice,
A church that listens to those no-one else wants to listen to.
I want to be part of a church that believes in transformation not preservation -
A church where all who are lost can be found,
A church where people can discover friendship,
A church where every person takes responsibility in sharing the good news.
I want to be part of a church whose hope is placed securely and confidently in the transforming love of God -
A church that engages faith in its communities,
A church that makes and nurtures disciples of Jesus.
A church where the story of God’s love is at the centre.
I want to be part of a church that offers outrageous grace, reckless generosity, transforming love and engaging faith.
This is God’s story Transforming Love: Engaging Faith.
My prayer is that by the power of the Spirit of God at work amongst us, it will increasingly be our story.
I want to be part of that church too, and at the danger of trying to add to such a wonderful litany of dreams/ visions and prayers I wonder which five things would you echo from or add to this. What kind of church do you want to be a part of in the 21st Century?
Simply list the five, and as an added bonus is there a hymn of a Bible passage that you would make your inspiration?
- I want to be part of a church where the daily newspaper and the Bible are brought together
- I want to be part of a church in which children are welcomed as full and contributing members
- I want to be part of a church with living international relationships
- I want to be part of a church where first peoples are acknowledged and respected
- I want to be part of a church that "welcomes those who seek asylum...a church that longs and yearns for justice
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
never satisfied
In the busyness of everyday I find myself composing mental blog notes that never progress to keyboard or screen. So why is my mind so blank as sit in front of the computer this cool winter evening? Seeking to develop reflective practitioners, I need to exercise those capacities within myself. So of what am I thinking?
One recurrent thought echoes Mick Jagger: I can't get no satisfaction.
It troubles me that I feel so negative attending worship week after week. There seems no depth in the music. The theology is often appalling (to me). Or lacking. In an unguarded moment I once said to the President of our denomination that a thing I find difficult is so often having to switch my brain off as I walk through the doors of the church building. Which was unfair. But heartfelt. There seems an unholy intimacy in the "Jesus and me/ I am a friend of God/ Happy Clappy" atmosphere that distresses me, but that others find life-enhancing.
Yet at the funeral last week, which was an excellent acknowledgment of a life lived well, I did note the absence of any prayers directed to God and the palpable sense of carefully keeping everything rational. "She lives on in our memory of her" is totally true, and yet I yearned to hear the word 'resurrection'. There was an arm-length-ness about the conduct of worship that also did not satisfy.
One of our children said to me the other day "You really miss Cafe@Church don't you Mum?" This was a monthly event in a past hometown which did seem to find a third way that was neither self-consciously 'liberal' nor 'sentimentally evangelical'. This memory is partly why I was so energised by Sally's no hymns plan for this past Sunday. I do miss the creativity that was somehow more readily nurtured in a tiny island country than in a vast island continent.
Jane reflected a few days ago on interesting challenges facing the newly formed World Communion of Reformed Churches which "will have to work hard to try to hold together confessional and faith concerns with the deep desire for social justice. Many of the churches in the Global South do this naturally - it's part of being a Christian, as is praying and bearing witness. Somehow in parts of Global North some churches seem to have decided to say that they are either liberal or traditional and assume that those on the other side either don't pray or read the Bible or don't serve the world or speak out prophetically on social issues. Perhaps one day we will understand that the body of Christ is bigger, more diverse, more open and more challenging than any of us have dared to believe. A place of security from which we can find the courage to overcome the temptations of safety."
A couple of weeks ago we ran a session on leadership for first year students. In which we acknowledged leaders as people who ask "What can I do to change things" rather than whinging about what they do not like. At the recent Queensland Synod meeting the President's second Bible Study focused on Jesus' sayings that we often call the beatitudes (and demonstrated that careful theological scholarship is alive and well in our denomination). I was especially struck by his interpretation of 'meekness' which was, from memory, about not needing to puff oneself up but instead to have the internal strength to do what is right regardless of the reaction of others. Way back (I just discovered it was in March! I have thought about it and talked about it a lot since) Jane posted about the French translation of 'blessed' which is en marche with "the meaning of get up, get going, let's go. If someone is "en marche" they would be setting out on a path, walking ... if something is en marche, it is switched on, working, going." For this whinger then there is a challenge: demonstrate the blessedness of internal integrity. And change that theme song:
How can we get satisfaction?
One recurrent thought echoes Mick Jagger: I can't get no satisfaction.
It troubles me that I feel so negative attending worship week after week. There seems no depth in the music. The theology is often appalling (to me). Or lacking. In an unguarded moment I once said to the President of our denomination that a thing I find difficult is so often having to switch my brain off as I walk through the doors of the church building. Which was unfair. But heartfelt. There seems an unholy intimacy in the "Jesus and me/ I am a friend of God/ Happy Clappy" atmosphere that distresses me, but that others find life-enhancing.
Yet at the funeral last week, which was an excellent acknowledgment of a life lived well, I did note the absence of any prayers directed to God and the palpable sense of carefully keeping everything rational. "She lives on in our memory of her" is totally true, and yet I yearned to hear the word 'resurrection'. There was an arm-length-ness about the conduct of worship that also did not satisfy.
One of our children said to me the other day "You really miss Cafe@Church don't you Mum?" This was a monthly event in a past hometown which did seem to find a third way that was neither self-consciously 'liberal' nor 'sentimentally evangelical'. This memory is partly why I was so energised by Sally's no hymns plan for this past Sunday. I do miss the creativity that was somehow more readily nurtured in a tiny island country than in a vast island continent.
Jane reflected a few days ago on interesting challenges facing the newly formed World Communion of Reformed Churches which "will have to work hard to try to hold together confessional and faith concerns with the deep desire for social justice. Many of the churches in the Global South do this naturally - it's part of being a Christian, as is praying and bearing witness. Somehow in parts of Global North some churches seem to have decided to say that they are either liberal or traditional and assume that those on the other side either don't pray or read the Bible or don't serve the world or speak out prophetically on social issues. Perhaps one day we will understand that the body of Christ is bigger, more diverse, more open and more challenging than any of us have dared to believe. A place of security from which we can find the courage to overcome the temptations of safety."
A couple of weeks ago we ran a session on leadership for first year students. In which we acknowledged leaders as people who ask "What can I do to change things" rather than whinging about what they do not like. At the recent Queensland Synod meeting the President's second Bible Study focused on Jesus' sayings that we often call the beatitudes (and demonstrated that careful theological scholarship is alive and well in our denomination). I was especially struck by his interpretation of 'meekness' which was, from memory, about not needing to puff oneself up but instead to have the internal strength to do what is right regardless of the reaction of others. Way back (I just discovered it was in March! I have thought about it and talked about it a lot since) Jane posted about the French translation of 'blessed' which is en marche with "the meaning of get up, get going, let's go. If someone is "en marche" they would be setting out on a path, walking ... if something is en marche, it is switched on, working, going." For this whinger then there is a challenge: demonstrate the blessedness of internal integrity. And change that theme song:
How can we get satisfaction?
Friday, June 18, 2010
Haere haere haere kuia ma ...
My first experience of Tiger Air today, flying to and from Melbourne to pay respects and bid a final farewell to 'Aunt Jean'. My husband's only remaining aunt, she has become increasingly frail over recent months and died on Sunday after 97 very full years of life. As he is in Grand Rapids, I really wanted to represent the 'wider family'. And so pleased I went, as I was the only relative apart from the immediate family. Even if I am a relative-in-law. So for the first time, and as the first in my own immediate family, I have met my cousin-in-law and his wife, children and grandchildren. Strangely and yet too frequently it is a death that facilitates this happening. Now that I can no longer exchange seasonal greetings with 'Jean', I look to make new contacts and ensure that future generations know the heritage they share.
It makes me think of the important role of networker or family connector that is present in several branches of my family.
This has been a very timely day. The right time to open up new relationships. The right time to try a new airline and enjoy discount fares. A very measured pace (partly due to the early hour of the cheap fare). A call from work about a serious student matter came just as the afternoon tea was finishing. And returning home at just the right time to collect youngest household member from music practice. Taps seems very appropriate:
Day is done, gone the sun
From the lakes, from the hills, from the skies
All is well, safely rest;
God is nigh.
And to Aunt Jean - Haere ra kuia ma, haere ki toku kainga tapu, ake ake ake, amine
Go beloved child of Alice and Matthew, go repected matriarch of our generations, go to your true home forever, Amen.
It makes me think of the important role of networker or family connector that is present in several branches of my family.
- When my grandfather left England to settle in NZ in the first part of the 20th century, his cousin Olive made sure that successive generations knew of the antipodean family
- My grandmother and father were wonderful recounters of family lore that has enriched my understanding of identity
- My mother has handed down 'heirlooms' with details of the history of each. Today I wear a brooch that first belonged to my great-grandmother. And in the china cabinet is the vase given to my grandmother by my grandfather on their first anniversary
This has been a very timely day. The right time to open up new relationships. The right time to try a new airline and enjoy discount fares. A very measured pace (partly due to the early hour of the cheap fare). A call from work about a serious student matter came just as the afternoon tea was finishing. And returning home at just the right time to collect youngest household member from music practice. Taps seems very appropriate:
Day is done, gone the sun
From the lakes, from the hills, from the skies
All is well, safely rest;
God is nigh.
And to Aunt Jean - Haere ra kuia ma, haere ki toku kainga tapu, ake ake ake, amine
Go beloved child of Alice and Matthew, go repected matriarch of our generations, go to your true home forever, Amen.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
It hurts
Why am I surprised to find that it hurts to put a hand in the fire? I have found a new/additional bottom line. When a colleague is treated unjustly. Threatened with disciplinary action for speaking out about quality and safety concerns. And 'meek and mild' M challenged the attack on integrity. Hurt for a couple of days. Found little had changed. Left feeling a bit winded.
I remember reading a poem once along the lines of 'Why do I feel so bad when I know I have acted rightly?' It's interesting, I think, that in movies and fiction the 'hero/ine' is often squeaky clean and their goodness shines forth in a blaze of righteous confidence. Not often is the 'goodie' perplexed and dismayed and uncertain of how to respond.
But hand in the fire, kia kaha, there is no other way to be
I remember reading a poem once along the lines of 'Why do I feel so bad when I know I have acted rightly?' It's interesting, I think, that in movies and fiction the 'hero/ine' is often squeaky clean and their goodness shines forth in a blaze of righteous confidence. Not often is the 'goodie' perplexed and dismayed and uncertain of how to respond.
But hand in the fire, kia kaha, there is no other way to be
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Hand in the fire
Brilliant and challenging Friday Five from Mary Beth this week. Excellent for a rather mild-mannered introvert with a strong need to please. Mary Beth writes:
--Robert Mapplethorpe, Hand in Fire, 1985
I learned it many years ago, while reading the Best Reference Letter Ever: written by a very distinguished linguistics professor for a student who went on to win a prestigious international scholarship. This student, he said, was destined for greatness; and he submitted his judgment with the certainty of the expression above.
I’ve always held the concept as a very important indicator in my mind. “Would I put my hand in the fire for that?” I sometimes think, and it helps me to make a decision or see a situation more clearly. It’s similar to “is this the battlefield I want to die on?”
These days (certainly as every day) there seems to be so much difficulty, wrong, pain, injustice, and mismanagement in our world, and I need a little revitalization. Often when I feel this way, I’ll write a list of things for which I’m grateful, but that’s certainly been done, and I need a bit of a stronger draught.
So, what are five things for which would you put your hand in the fire? Things / people / causes in which you believe passionately and completely? This might be demonstrated in that you would take extraordinary (for you) action…donations, marching, writing letters…or merely in the way you live your life. You may give as much or as little detail as you wish.
And I respond:
Not so long ago I tentatively questioned a proposal at a meeting (by saying something like "I think we need to consider whether or not this is the best option ...) and the table erupted in laughter when our convenor said "You don't usually jump up and down in such an argumentative manner Mavis." I guess the upside to that is that I can get taken seriously simply by pointing to the fire, because there is a sense that when I raise concerns I am very serious about it. The downside of course is that those not so astute think I'm "happy with the direction" when I'm burning up to the elbows. So when have I taken action/ put my hand in the fire/ been explicit about the bottom line on an issue:
--Robert Mapplethorpe, Hand in Fire, 1985There is a German expression: ich würde die Hand dafür ins Feuer legen, which means: “I would put my hand in the fire for that.”
I learned it many years ago, while reading the Best Reference Letter Ever: written by a very distinguished linguistics professor for a student who went on to win a prestigious international scholarship. This student, he said, was destined for greatness; and he submitted his judgment with the certainty of the expression above.
I’ve always held the concept as a very important indicator in my mind. “Would I put my hand in the fire for that?” I sometimes think, and it helps me to make a decision or see a situation more clearly. It’s similar to “is this the battlefield I want to die on?”
These days (certainly as every day) there seems to be so much difficulty, wrong, pain, injustice, and mismanagement in our world, and I need a little revitalization. Often when I feel this way, I’ll write a list of things for which I’m grateful, but that’s certainly been done, and I need a bit of a stronger draught.
So, what are five things for which would you put your hand in the fire? Things / people / causes in which you believe passionately and completely? This might be demonstrated in that you would take extraordinary (for you) action…donations, marching, writing letters…or merely in the way you live your life. You may give as much or as little detail as you wish.
And I respond:
Not so long ago I tentatively questioned a proposal at a meeting (by saying something like "I think we need to consider whether or not this is the best option ...) and the table erupted in laughter when our convenor said "You don't usually jump up and down in such an argumentative manner Mavis." I guess the upside to that is that I can get taken seriously simply by pointing to the fire, because there is a sense that when I raise concerns I am very serious about it. The downside of course is that those not so astute think I'm "happy with the direction" when I'm burning up to the elbows. So when have I taken action/ put my hand in the fire/ been explicit about the bottom line on an issue:
- When the integrity of a person who has earned my respect is questioned, especially publicly. A very recent incident involved questioning of the integrity and spirituality of a close colleague, one whom I admired for commitment to the values of our organisation. I was privileged and honoured to sign a letter from other staff upholding a colleague.
- When the physical integrity of individuals is compromised. A (SADLY) recurrent theme in medical education is the conduct by students of intimate examinations on anaesthetised patients. As a student I co-led the campaign of our year for an explicit consent process. Thirty years later I find the same issue exists. At least South Australia has a definitive guideline on the issue (discovered today - thanks MB)
- Spelling and grammar. Although far from perfect myself, I do get irritated by errors especially in formal documents. The abstract linked to above said patients were often "quiet willing" and one of the journal club article for our students talks of lung cancer being a "principle cause" of cancer mortality. Australia-wide the usage of the verb to be seems to have replaced the abbreviation you're with your as in "your welcome." Maybe not quite 'hand in the fire' stuff, but certainly an issue I take seriously in assessment and critical appraisal. And in choosing where to shop.
- Carbon footprint. I simply refuse to buy imported fresh produce. Especially if shipped from half a world away. Kiwifruit from FRANCE! Or lemons from France for that matter. I pay the extra for Aussie Barramundi. So far resisted the urge to buy a car - and if I do the back pocket/ cheque book will have to bear the pain of the additional cost of a hybrid.
- And back to the real serious stuff. Rights of children and young people. Our work in New Zealand to remove statutory protection for children from assault by parents under the guise of "correction" certainly caused significant 'fire' and in the end won bipartisan parliamentary support. I supported a family who withdrew participation from their local congregation because of the refusal of the leadership to even try to understand the child rights issues associated with far-right Christian Education curriculum (including teaching like "always do what adults tell you".) And including the UN Convention on children's rights in the medical curriculum. All of these matters surprisingly contentious. And worthy of hand-burning.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
customer service - not!
Arriving at the Sunshine Coast airport I approached the 'tourist information' desk. "Hello. I'm visiting for the weekend. Is there anything you recommend?"
"Not really. All the brochures here are for events in June or July"
"We're staying at Alexandra Headland. What are the points of interest near there?"
"Oh nothing really. They have 'Underwater World' (I begin to think to myself that sounds interesting) but really they have that sort of thing in every city nowadays so there's probably nothing special about this one. Down by the wharf there are soem seafood restaurants but only if you're into that sort of thing if you like seafood I gues it could be alright. Only here for two days. That's not very long. Most people come for longer than that" (Think to self - long enough given that there's nothing to do here).
This interaction stood out because of the generally extremely helpful people at Aussie tourist information desks, full of local knowledge and suggestions for an hour/day/week in their community. It got me thinking about first points of contact. With medical school enrolment for 2011 approaching, the images of the different universities is apparrent in the chat rooms and internet fora frequented by hopeful applicants. I am aware that I feel more engaged with a church congregation I attend maybe four times a year and from whom I receive a weekly email (which is informative and engaging) than with my 'local' where the key communication strategy seems to be ' word of mouth' and even a week or two away can be very isolating. When people ask how I am - responses of 'very busy' or 'pushed to the limit' serve to shut down coimmunication rather like the tourist desk attendant.
So what did we do with two days on the Sunshine Coast? Between attendances at the Uniting Church in Australia Queensland Synod meeting I walked along what must arguably be one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, swam in ocean at the end of autumn, drove inland and visited amazingly quaint towns, enjoyed a superb wedge of lemon meringue pie, stocked up on handmade soap and dukkah at local markets, looked out to an endless horizon while consuming a (supoer fresh) fishburger for lunch and fitted in dinner for two at the surf club before flying home.
At a personal level I wonder how often my interactions with people leave them feeling like I did as I left the airport. I can be very negative, and thsi is a problem particularly if it limits the blessings others receive. Like critical appraisal of a sermon or worship has limited usefulness especially if it is poorly directed (to all and sundry rather than to the key operational personnel). Even if I am not personally excited, Ican encourage independent exploration and if all alse fails, at least be ready to offer generic information with a smile.
"Not really. All the brochures here are for events in June or July"
"We're staying at Alexandra Headland. What are the points of interest near there?"
"Oh nothing really. They have 'Underwater World' (I begin to think to myself that sounds interesting) but really they have that sort of thing in every city nowadays so there's probably nothing special about this one. Down by the wharf there are soem seafood restaurants but only if you're into that sort of thing if you like seafood I gues it could be alright. Only here for two days. That's not very long. Most people come for longer than that" (Think to self - long enough given that there's nothing to do here).
This interaction stood out because of the generally extremely helpful people at Aussie tourist information desks, full of local knowledge and suggestions for an hour/day/week in their community. It got me thinking about first points of contact. With medical school enrolment for 2011 approaching, the images of the different universities is apparrent in the chat rooms and internet fora frequented by hopeful applicants. I am aware that I feel more engaged with a church congregation I attend maybe four times a year and from whom I receive a weekly email (which is informative and engaging) than with my 'local' where the key communication strategy seems to be ' word of mouth' and even a week or two away can be very isolating. When people ask how I am - responses of 'very busy' or 'pushed to the limit' serve to shut down coimmunication rather like the tourist desk attendant.
So what did we do with two days on the Sunshine Coast? Between attendances at the Uniting Church in Australia Queensland Synod meeting I walked along what must arguably be one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, swam in ocean at the end of autumn, drove inland and visited amazingly quaint towns, enjoyed a superb wedge of lemon meringue pie, stocked up on handmade soap and dukkah at local markets, looked out to an endless horizon while consuming a (supoer fresh) fishburger for lunch and fitted in dinner for two at the surf club before flying home.
At a personal level I wonder how often my interactions with people leave them feeling like I did as I left the airport. I can be very negative, and thsi is a problem particularly if it limits the blessings others receive. Like critical appraisal of a sermon or worship has limited usefulness especially if it is poorly directed (to all and sundry rather than to the key operational personnel). Even if I am not personally excited, Ican encourage independent exploration and if all alse fails, at least be ready to offer generic information with a smile.
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