Shipwrecked Boat Destroys Television

I love a party theme.  Any time I can color-coordinate utensils, create table decor, and cheese-up the parsonage in general is a win.  Want an Epiphany photo booth?  I'm your lady.  How about Olympic-themed snacks?  I've got you covered.  Did you want matching airbrushed shirts on family vacation? (This is a goal for summer 2018.) 

So...

when I offered to host a send-off for Bruce & Alessandra, I insisted on a theme.  'Sail Away' was chosen and I was a happy camper since the VBS theme is 'Shipwrecked'!  And thanks to VBS Director, Hallie, I had an anchor, palm trees, and a giant cardboard cutout of a ship with which to decorate.  Mind you this ship is wrecked--so it wasn't exactly sailing anywhere--but close enough, right?

The party came and went (fun!), but as I folded up the 'Shipwrecked' cutout I knocked my television to the ground.  The screen cracked and the television is toast.  Stick a fork in it:  It's done.  

GRRR.  I was so mad at myself.  First:  Why did I insist on a theme?  Second:  The ship was WRECKED.  There would be no sailing in this ship.  This cutout was the antithesis of the theme.  Third:  Why did I not catch the television as it plummeted to the ground?  Fourth:  Why?

Here's the culprit in all its destructive glory

Have you ever been mad at yourself?  Have you ever replayed a mistake or misstep ad infinitum?  If only I'd NOT insisted on a theme; if only I'd caught the television, if only, if only, if only...and this was an accident.  What about those times we're mad at ourselves for good reason?  What about those times we say the wrong thing or do the wrong thing?  GRRR.  I can get so mad at myself.  It can be hard to let go, to move on, to accept forgiveness. 

The Bible theme of VBS is Jesus Rescues.  Starting tonight (!) we have the privilege of teaching children that Jesus rescues us from loneliness, worries, struggles, and wrongdoing.  And perhaps I'll have the opportunity to tell the kids Jesus also rescues us from our inability to let go of our mistakes and missteps--like snapping at someone, holding a grudge, or even something small in the grand scheme (for example:  breaking a television).  I'm grateful for this privilege.

See you this evening!

Snapshots of Covenant

I'm having a difficult time writing about the Installation Service. Words are funny, are they not?  Sometimes they rip out of me like the Tasmanian devil. Other times words are as slow moving as a turtle. Perhaps the day is difficult to capture because it meant so very much to me.  

Here's the-Installation-in-a-somewhat-large-nutshell:  I am blessed to be pastor of Scottsville Baptist Church.  I'm grateful for all the ways they bent over backwards to make Sunday special.  I cherish the words of covenant we spoke to one another.  I'm excited about the future.

Here are some pictures to do the talking for me:

Dorothy Somerville, Co-Chair of the Pastor Search Committee, gives a touching welcome.  I mean...people needed tissues (people = me).

Judy Smith reads beautifully from Isaiah.

Albevanna Clergy Group sings "The Summons."  I meet with these fellow travelers every Wednesday for prayer, singing and Bible Study.


The congregation sings "I Love to Tell the Story." Thank you for leading in worship, Richard Buerkle!


Pam Chisholm prays like she knows God real well.  Stand on your head if you're surprised.


Bill Smith being Bill Smith (that is, being awesome).


Speaking words of covenant.


Seeing your name in icing never gets old.

There are more pictures to treasure.  I'll share soon.  Feeling grateful.

Part Deux: Cutting a CD

So...cutting a CD is humbling.  VERY humbling.  As it turns out shower/car voice is not the same as recording studio voice.  It was very humbling, but I had a lot of fun.  It stretched me because I don't really like stepping out of my comfort zone; but it's a new year and I'm trying.  (Also mad props to the minstrels out there.  Hours and hours of singing is hard work.)

Due to last minute schedule conflicts, there were only five of us at the studio.  Three Methodists, one Episcopal and one Baptist.  Four gents and one lady.  No pressure...amiright Lady Katie?  In the end I sounded a bit like a nervous Cindy Loo Hoo accompanying a strapping barbershop quartet. The men sounded wonderful!

In one of my favorite Bill Smith sermons he compared the Christian family to an orchestra.  Let's say Baptists play trumpets; Methodists percussion; Episcopals flutes; Lutherans tubas and Presbyterians trombones.  We are all part of a great concert together.  And even if we take turns trying to lure him off the podium, Jesus is in charge.  Jesus is the drum major.  At our worst, we sound like a train wreck.  No one pays attention to the drum major.  No one tries to stay together.  We accuse other sections of being out of tune.

At our best however we can make beautiful music. At our best harmony is made.  We play different notes and different instruments, but together we make a rich sound.  We need each other to make beautiful music.  We really do.  A flute trio is nice.  A tuba choir is fun...but together we are capable of making music the world wants to hear.  Isn't that an exciting thought?

Yes we are different.  Yes we will disagree.  Yes it seems like others are out of tune and maybe they are; but shouting at one another in the band room doesn't help much!  (Trust me:  Band drama is not only a nerdy cliché.  It is actually the worst.)  With all due respect, let's work on our own parts.  Sometimes the most discord comes from those within our own sections (ahem...Baptists.  I'm pointing at myself too.)  So let's get ourselves in tune.  Let's focus on blending with the other parts to make beautiful music.  It's 2013 and we all need each other. 

Alright:  This metaphor needs a rest (get it?  music?  rest?:)) but I am grateful for the opportunity to make music with brothers and sisters.  I am grateful to study scripture, eat and sing with these colleagues weekly.  It makes me better.  Thanks Jesus for the diversity of your orchestra.