I Hate Packing!

I hate the whole moving thing. Packing up, cleaning up, getting the house ready to show, packing your office (not too soon, but not too late either!). It is stressful and difficult and, despite my best intentions, I never do if very well. I always get stressed because I want to clean, organize, discard, recycle, and then pack, but what actually happens is mad packing at the last moment which leaves me feeling guilty and inadequate. I look forward to it all being over some day soon!

New job, new city, new excitement, new fears

Well, it is official. I have been called as the next Rector of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Eugene, Oregon. It is a wonderful parish full of incredible people who are spiritual and involved and who do wonderful outreach. I am truly honored and excited that they felt called to hire me.
The process of finding a new ministry is long and difficult. It is much like dropping marbles into the Grand Canyon and waiting to hear an echo. You send out your information and then wait and wait and wait. Then, if you do hear something, they want you to reply to a set of questions. Then you wait and wait and wait. Then if you hear...etc. etc. etc. It is a very nerve-wracking process. It seems so easy to say, "oh, just put your trust in God and all will work out." That is fine, except when you have a family to consider and support, both now and ongoing. A family that is going to be impacted by whatever develops in your search.
Well, my search is over for now. I am excited to be starting a new ministry with a great parish. I am excited to be moving to Oregon. Please keep me and St. Thomas in your prayers. Peace.

Holy Sickness

Why, Oh, Why??!! Every year I come down with a cold or the flu around Holy Week. I am currently suffering a head cold that is just kicking my butt! (or is it my sinuses?) Last year it was the flu, so I guess I should be thankful that it is nothing worse. Right now, though, it feels about as bad as it can get! Achoo, achoo, drip, drip, drip, cough, hack, achoo, achoo (the sound track of my life!) Please, dear Lord, send healing!

Wow! It has been a tough Lent!

I somehow managed to get myself put in charge of the Lenten Sunday Adult Forum Series on the Renewal of Baptismal vows, as well as the Wednesday evening Lenten Book series. Well, okay, I do know how it happened, I can't keep my mouth shut! All I did was suggest the series and *BAM* I was in charge of it! When will I learn, Oh Lord! I have been as busy researching as I was during seminary. While it has been very fruitful (and even enjoyable), I am exhausted! I can't believe that it is almost over already. I feel like this Lenten season has just flown by, which is a weird feeling because Lent usually seems to drag by. Ironic difference in taking on something(s) versus giving up something (though, my wife would say that I had given up any kind of family life). I miss the monastic feel of my typical Lent. Maybe, as I get better at my ministry, I will learn how to incorporate both in my life during Lent. (or maybe learn to say 'no')

Enough whining!

I do love my job and have exciting parts to it as well as challenges! I am finalizing the preparations for my first youth/parents meeting and am excited about the schedule and mission trips and service projects that are planned. I can't wait for the meeting. I hope it goes as well as I am excited about having it! Yeah!

Passive Aggressive Rudeness

Why is it that people feel that it is okay not to return phone calls, emails, facebook posts, etc? Is it the anonymity of the electronic medium? I spend so much time trying to stay in contact with people who just never respond. Often, when I see them in church on Sunday, they say nothing. If they would even try to justify their behavior by saying, "Oh, I meant to return your call/email/posting, but I just never got the time." I would be okay with that, but they don't. It seems to be okay to blow another person off if you do it electronically. As long as I don't actually catch you when I phone, then you are free to ignore me. Oh well, I guess I need to join the 21st century and just accept that people want to hear that I called/emailed/texted them and not be concerned with the fact that no content was ever exchanged. I guess it is more about trying than succeeding. It's about performing roles, not actually interacting. How sad.

It must get better from here.

I've been employed as the Associate Rector for Family and Young Adult Ministry for 8 months. I've been ordained clergy for 7 months (since my transitional Diaconate ordination). I've been an ordained priest for a month. When, oh when, will I start getting good at this job?
Oh, the liturgical functions like celebrating and preaching go just fine, but it is the day-to-day stuff that kills me. The high school group dislikes me. The junior high group is bored with me. The parents want to turn into the "villagers with pitchforks and burning pine knots." If I communicate one way, they want it another. If I follow this person's suggestion, then that person is upset. If I plan something, they want to do something else...or just don't show up.
I really, really wish that some experienced and successful youth minister would just wave their magic wand and make good and successful at this!