which is what

A very short post this evening...about growing room

to remind you that when you start the words of institution and start talking about the bread, it would be better to not pick up the wine. At least you can realize half way though that you aren't talking about what is in your hand, look up, realize your wife is the only one looking, switch them and move on.

Ahhh yeah...duh.

Paz

Installation

It will be official tomorrow...now I can actually start doing some work! The assistant to the Bishop is coming down from Rice Lake to install me in the morning. I have some family coming down for it, and Aly's parents are coming into town in the afternoon.

I feel like reflecting tonight on some of the interesting things that open country living has to offer:

--today we took our garbage to the dump. Two weeks of it and they took $2 from us. It was sort of a community gathering. It beats the trucks waking you up at 7 a.m.

--after three weeks we know all of our neighbors within a radius of 1/2 mile. Of course I can't remember all their names but that is why I have Aly around.

--anytime we want to go running more than a 1/2 mile we have to climb out of our valley 200 vertical feet.

--so, those are called stars, huh?

--the other day a neighbor brought over 80 cobs of sweet corn!!!!! Hence that allergy I mentioned.

--10 miles to the nearest decent sized town (well, depending on where you are this is not bad, huh?)

--no where else on a one block walk to work could you be greeted by three of your neighbors.

--quote: "Wireless internet, what is that?"

--we are definitely the only wi-fi hotspot within a 1/2 mile radius.

You get the idea. We are having fun and learning a lot about farming and the different trades that people are involved in. We have great neighbors who keep their tabs on us and within 200 ft. I have three electricians if we run into a problem.

Aly has got a job already working at a cool coffee shop in Red Wing where they also sell cards, gifts and flowers. She did pretty well lasting three weeks without a job. It was too much for her to be around home all the time--it is quiet around here. I will keep busy planning sermons for the next 16 Sunday's straight!!! Do you have any good books to inspire the soul?

Paz

Being There

The schedule sure has been filling up this week. After a trip to Minneapolis Tuesday, Rochester Wednesday I have found a day to create the bulletin and make some calls to fill up my calendar next week. This is what I have been waiting for to happen. I have been sick of trying to memorize names of people I only see on Sunday. The trouble is I also have a bad memory with names (I will blame it on some sort of allergy from the sweet corn we have been eating by the dozen!). It feels good to get out there and 'play around a bit'. I guess it is all about feeling like I have a purpose with my job. It is a pretty good reminder to me that the people of God also want to feel like what they do makes a difference.

Does anybody have any good resources dealing with breast cancer? I am realizing this will be one of the big hurdles/opportunities to minister in my community...

Paz

Week Two

I must say that most things get sweeter with time and this second week has proven that to be true. After struggling through the first week I have had a pretty good second week. I suppose I have been like the tin man--a little rusty on several ends of the ministry spectrum. Sermon preparation went so much smoother and I actually had a sermon done on Thursday night.

I spent last night and today with a large percentage of my good college friends and about 11 of their kids. We spent some time explaining the ministry situation we were in and they were all so excited for us. I am apprehensive often because of the rural/open country nature of the congregations and where we have come from (the metro area). I would simply call it culture shock. What I am getting at is the fact that these people know me well (and I trust them), and each one of them said how perfect the situation sounded for us. So here is to those people who see with God's vision, and to their 'great faith'.

Three cheers for the Service of Word and Prayer.

one down...

I tried to make the title seem non-chalant so that it would mask the reality that the first week, well, wasn't. I have to imagine that each week will be different and I am thankful for that. The past week I filled up on the truth that I will be asked a lot the question, "what do you want to do with [this or that]...and truthfully I have been overwhelmed. How my wife keeps up with me and loves me I am not sure.

Of course it did fly by though and I made it through the Sunday services remembering to crack a few grins thinking about the fact that I have been offered the gift to preside over the table, and that it was my first time doing that. I will always remember these days as being very humbling and ones that pushed me into a lot of indecisiveness for one reason or another. On Sunday, at least, I couldn't even decide where I wanted to put one of my favorite plants! I am not sure how we managed to pick out and buy a washer and dryer.

This week will start out with a text study which I am looking very forward to. I know I will be very dependent on colleagues in the area for support and solidarity. This week I will cling to so many who have affirmed my call to ministry and trust in faith that this is a start to a fruitful ministry.

If you haven't yet check out the ELCA national assembly live this whole week. Monday night was a piece of work to say the least.

the night before

You could say tomorrow is an important day. It is certainly a exciting one as I lead my new congregations in worship and meal. What a glorious experience and memory this is going to be 20 years down the road. Oh how the sermon will be ridiculous as I read it in 20 years as well.

What is most amazing about this first week of call is that I find myself praying for God to be active and present in places, people, and ways that I have never experienced for. That to me is what my ordination is all about (and the challenge of the call)--having the heart of Christ to see beyond specific situations and places and see them as his beloved.

Here is the prayer that I will open my sermon with tomorrow.

We have gathered again, trusting in your promise
that your word will abide with your people, Lord.

In the midst of our sinking and your unique ways of speaking…

Give us eyes to see you work in the world.

Give us hearts that risk; risks worthy of your sacrifice.

Give us tongues to share the source of our strength and identity.

And be yourself, Lord…creating and moving, judging and loving, calling and changing.

For it is only in you that we have our hope.

Amen.

first week

Being in the middle of the first week of a new job is a very interesting proposition. You feel a bit like you are not sure what you should be doing. In many ways this is how I feel starting this pastor thing. In another way I feel so trusted with the responsibility I have that it is a great honor just being given the time to get my feet on the ground.

My first week has been pretty quiet. I have been mulling around the church office trying to get settled in for one. It is interesting as the previous pastor did not use the office very much so people are definitely not used to stopping by. I sure hope that changes.

The neat thing about this week is how many times I have been told how wonderful the people are whom I will be partnering with. I have received several calls from pastors in the area welcoming me and believe it or not one of them is an avid fisherman. Most importantly I have a wife who is so willing to be patient and slowly meet alongside me the people we will come to love in our Lord.

We have a beautiful parsonage in a quaint little valley. It is peaceful here and we have enjoyed biking, jogging, and walking around the area. In our enjoyed solitude we are very thankful for a DSL connection. It is our plan to become a wireless hotspot! We have also compiled a list of 60 things that we need to get in the near future. 450 ft2 to 2000ft2 or so is a huge change. We can fill about one room for now...

THIS JOURNEY is about my joys and attempts as a pastor in God's church. I am sure I will reflect back on these days with many smiles. It is my attempt to remind myself daily to love people and remember that I am loved.