"No Foolin"

"I have arrived. I am home" This calligraphy by Tich Nhat Hanh sums it up very well. "I have arrived. I am home." It is all about being in the moment. What it says to me is that one is to be mindful that wherever one is, at that moment they are already where they are going. At the same time, regardless of where one is, one can be at home. 


So after almost three months I am back in Denver. I arrived on late on Tuesday evening. Sue Ann greeted me at the airport. On Wednesday I was still definitely on London time. On Thursday and Friday I met with Pastor Ruth Ann, my fabulous colleague who over saw pastoral leadership at Bethany during the sabbatical. We've talked about the past three months and looked ahead to the activities and services of Holy Week.

The first day back in the office will be Tuesday, April 3rd. The first service that I will be at is Maundy Thursday at 12 noon and then followed by Maundy Thursday at 7pm.
Given the fact that I left on January 4th, I'm doing my very best to be quite intentional about the process of re-entry in terms of personal and professional relationships.

This afternoon Sue Ann and I are heading up to Chautauqua for two nights http://www.chautauqua.com/. It's a huge gift from the congregation for us to be granted space in which to intentionally re-engage in the life of the community.

One of the things I did this morning was to return to Weight Watchers. Over the past few months I've been watching my weight (among other things). I know that in order to be a healthy leader that I need to "watch" over my body, mind and spirit.

I just love it when "march madness" overlaps with this weekend of the Passion of our Lord. A double blessings is Sunday falling on April Fool's Day.

May the arrival of Jesus into the city of Jerusalem on this festival of March Madness find you at home
with the wondrous news conveyed in the following prayer for the day:

PRAYER OF THE DAY (ELW)

Everlasting God, in your endless love for the human race
you sent our Lord Jesus Christ to take on our nature
and to suffer death on the cross.
In your mercy enable us to share in his obedience to your will
and in the glorious victory of his resurrection,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.Amen

"Listening and Communicating"

This is my last weekend before I come home. I've had fantastic experiences for which I feel very blessed.

Last night I saw THE KING'S SPEECH. It was phenomenal. Some of you know that I didn't talk until I was three years old. And then when I did, I had speech impediments. When I went to grade school I was referred to speech therapy. So, for several years my mother Levera took me to the sessions.
It's hard not to watch the play and think about my own experiences as well as those of everyone who have struggled to find a voice and express themselves in language. It's all part of the comedy of the gospel that I spend a good deal of my  time listening, communicating and speaking.

In many ways THE KING'S SPEECH is a a wonderful example of what I've been working on during the sabbatical. It's been about listening and watching various entities in our modern world communicating about God, hospitality, love and inclusiveness. I am most grateful to the good people of St. Martin-in-the-Fields for providing a "home base" during this time. When I return back to Denver I'll begin assembling my thoughts and feelings about what I have seen and done.

I just saw that the Anglican Covenant was rejected. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17500144
It's a pretty complex issue, but it is also another example of what many faith communities are working through as attendance in the pews decreases while there is an apparent increase in "spirituality."
Once again a key issue is how we listen to each other. How is it that we walk and talk with one another. The Archbishop of Canterbury had promoted this Covenant. http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/ Earlier this month he announced that he will be resigning at the end of 2012.

Twist + Shout!

You all know that I love pretzels. During my quick trip to Berlin I was able to sample some fabulous

pretzels. My good friend Gus http://www.guspretzels.com/ still makes the very best pretzels that I've ever tasted. He also embodies friendship and hospitality. You can learn a great deal by visiting a pretzel shop like Gus' Pretzels.

Of course, you can't talk about pretzels without talking about Martin Luther. I saw this statute in Berlin and it made my heart sing. Luther had the genius to be able to communicate across various mediums and constituencies. His insights still greatly influence the world today.

At another church I saw this tribute to Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Bonhoeffer was executed

by the Nazis on April 9, 1945 (just 23 days before the Nazi surrender). This year that date is EASTER MONDAY. His witness is deeply profound and continues to resound throughout the world.

While in Berlin I visited five museums with one of my favorites being the Pergamon.
 http://www.smb.museum/smb/standorte/index.php?lang=de&p=2&objID=27&n=15

Way back in 1975 I had my 21st birthday in Berlin. So, it was fantastic to be able to retrace some of my steps.  As we get ready for Holy Week beginning on April 1, I am mindful of the saying about the month of March, "In like a Lion out like a Lamb." This accurately expresses the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem followed by his Sacrifice as the perfect Passover Lamb.

Today we remember +Oscar Romero+ priest, bishop, martyr

Blessings,
rtg

Back to Church 030512

Vicar Richard James beneath Luther Quote

I met today with Vicar Richard James of Christ Church, Cockfosters http://www.cockfosters.org.uk/

to talk about BACK TO CHURCH SUNDAY http://www.backtochurch.co.uk/. We had a delightful time of conversation and prayer. As he showed me around the church building I noticed the lovely quote by Martin Luther. We had a good time talking, listening and discerning God's plan. 

It is so grand to meet fellow ministers who have a passion for the people of God and God's church.

I suggested to him that perhaps Bethany and Christ Church should become prayer partners regarding Back to Church Sunday. As the prayer for ALL SAINTS DAY states, "we are knit together."

Blessed be the "tie that binds"

rtg

"Come to Me"

"Come to me all you who are heavy laden and I will give you rest."

I'm on the Lenten retreat with some 20 plus others from St. Martin-in-the-Fields. The theme of this "silent" retreat is "Space to Explore, Space to Grow." It is led by the Rt.Revd Peter Hullah and the Revd Clare Herbert. We arrived on Friday evening and will head back to London following eucharist and lunch today. It's been a blessing for me to participate and accompany these sisters and brothers in the Lenten journey.

Sub topics have been:

"Gathered in Christ"

"Finding Christ"

"Learning Christ" 

"Living Christ"
and this morning our sending session/Eucharist  will be  "Sent out With Christ."

In addition to lots of time for silence, self-reflection and prayer we also had a poetry reading session last night. People brought their favorite poems and read them. It was an amazing time of inspiration, community and grace. For you know when you read a poem that you really love, you're being somewhat vulnerable and intimate. I am most grateful for this time, this space to "explore and grow."

On Friday it was my privilege to spend several hours with Siku, artist, conceptualist, art director, theologian and creator of THE MANGA BIBLE. http://theartofsiku.com/

He has an exhibit at St. Martin's featuring his Stations of the Cross. I first saw these on Wednesday and have been thinking about them ever since. You can see all of the stations by checking out

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.395443213806455.111813.100000223394424&type=1&l=b48377378c

I am beginning the process to see how I might bring these stations to Denver and other cities
in the USA for Lent 2013. If you are interested in assisting me on this quest, drop me a note.

RTG + Siku

Part of the experience on Friday was watching Siku and photographer Ian Dingle work out some shots for publicity. You can see  three of these shots on Ian's website, http://idphotography.viewbook.com/

Ian and Siku talk about the photos

I am personally very moved and inspired by Siku's work. It is bold, fresh and inviting. I encourage you to utilize it in your Lenten devotions and discipline. 

Sue Ann and I are reading together "LENT FOR EVERYONE" This is all part of the #BIGREAD12.

Once a week we SKYPE to talk about our insights. There are amazing resources out there for folks who want to "explore and grow."

On Thursday evening I attended a lecture at the portrait gallery by Allain De Botton, author of very hot selling book, "RELIGION FOR ATHEISTS." http://www.religionforatheists.com/

Let me say, right away,  I disagree with him and his views regarding God. However,  the very important point he is making is that it's time to move beyond the "existence" debate between believers and folks who don't believe and go to something more helpful.  He is very articulate and insightful when it comes to talking about what church has done right and continues to do well in terms of education, community and the arts. Having experienced a myriad of discussions about "what's wrong with the church" (primarily by people professionally employed within the church) his appreciation for communities of faith is refreshing.
 He argues that religions can teach atheists a thing or two. Conversely, I would argue that atheists/secularists can be instructive for people of faith, as well.  We live in exciting times.

This morning's session, "LIVING CHRIST" is about to begin. We will focus our hearts, souls and minds on Mark 14:3-9, The Anointing of Jesus.  Of course, this story happens at Bethany. And so today like I do everyday, I remember the good people, members, staff and friends of Bethany Lutheran Church.

May you "come to the ONE" who promises rest.
May you find a way to give thanks and celebrate the HOLY ONE in your midst.
May you find "anointing for service" and life.
May the stations of the cross inspire you with energy to love and believe.
Blessings,
rtg