Currently Reading Why Men Hate Going to Church By David Murrow see related

Early Childhood Theology

Here's the gist of a conversation last night in the bathroom. Hmm, maybe I better backup first. It's bath night for my daughters, Amanda (age 6) and Gabi (age 4). These nights usually find the four of us in the bathroom together, though usually with more mundane conversations.

Amanda decided to poll the current occupants of the bathroom about who believes in God.

Amanda: I believe in God. Do you, Gabi?

Gabi: Yes.

Amanda: Dad? Do you believe in God?

Me: Yes!

Amanda: Mom?

Jeanne: Yes!

Gabi: Everyone in the whole world believes in God!

Amanda: No, Gabi, not everyone believes in God.

Gabi: Who? Enemies?

That started a long discourse about many people not knowing God, many seeing God differently, etc. Who would have thought at this age they are grasping these concepts and questions???

By the way, I found out yesterday the pictures of our bathroom are available online. No kidding!

Gardening for the Spirit

This past Saturday was our Spring Cleanup Day. This is an annual gathering of parishioners who tithe some time an a Saturday morning once a year to remove the fallen leaves and apply mulch to the flower beds. We usually do this a few weeks before Easter to get the echurch grounds looking nice before the Easter rush.

We did something extra this year. The local garden club asked to have a  tree planted to honor those firefighters and policemen who have given their lives during their service. We chose a sourwood (oxydendron arboreum), a native tree with fiery red foliage in the Fall. It was placed on a rise between the playground and Route 4, where hopefully many will take notice of the memorial. I hope to create more works like this on the grounds that will honor those who dedicate their lives to helping others.

Pray for the citizens of Belarus, many of whom continue to seek the freedom their young democracy has promised.

Currently Reading Beyond Belief : The Secret Gospel of Thomas By Elaine Pagels see related

LIthuania Christian College

I joined the Blogring for Lithuania Christian College yesterday. Now why would I do something like that? Well, there is a link. Really. Stephanie Wilson is the former Rector of All Saints Church in Sunderland, Maryland, where I currently serve as the Junior Warden. A few years ago she and her husband Kevin realized a dream by working as missionaries. Kevin is now a professor at LCC, while Stephanie is busy serving as a priest and even looking to help launch a church in Lithuania. All Saints and individual parishoners have helped fund their mission work in the past and present, and may now be taking this support to the next level by helping Stephanie secure a grant for their work in Lithuania. And perhaps entering into a deeper relationaship with LCC. We'll see where the Holy Spirit guides us in this mission.

But there is another reason. I find it very enlightening to read the blogs of Kevin Wilson and the students at LCC, and seeing Christianity and world events through their eyes. America is still very much insulated from the daily issues the rest of the world faces. I'm hoping that seeing events through their eyes will help me grow as I experience my own journey. and maybe I'll be able to give something back.

Lunchtime Labyrinth Musing

A few hours of quiet before the Sunday afternoon holiday season gatherings- open house at the rectory, then our dinner group following. It's still cold outside, with a few inches of snow on the ground after two unusually early snowfalls. Good discussion on "situational ethics" this morning at coffee hour. Sometimes I wish the Bible was a bit more explicit on what to do when rather than trusting me to listen to the Holy Spirit when the events warrant. The question posed by our deacon Kerry for the coming week was "How much do you do intentionally? Hmm...

By the way, if you haven't seen the "Goblet of Fire" yet- it's very good!