Time for some R&R

'nuff said...

Wanted: Miracle Worker

Position Description:

clean and organize my home while I am away on vacation next week.

Qualifications:

• have the ability to think exactly like me (in order to know what I would and would not throw out as well as to put things where I won't have to go searching for them later.)



• be extremely non-judgemental.

One can dream...one can dream...

Spies

I had visitors in worship today- two members from the Pastor Nominating Committee for this congregation.

I haven't yet had an actual interview with this PNC, but they have viewed a sermon DVD, have had me submit answers to supplemental questions and now have sent "spies" to hear me preach.

I'll take that as a good sign.

They gave me less than 24 hour notice that they were coming, though. I was a little freaked yesterday, but the sermon went well. Not a home run, but a base hit.

The hymn went over very well. I'm glad I chose to use it.

Friday Five: What's In a Name?

1. So how did you come up with your blogging name? And/or the name of your blog?
I have written about this here before, but you may not have memorized everything I've written ! :)

I got Iris from my childhood. You see, when I was about 3 years old, I used to tell people that my name was Iris. My parents don't know where I heard the name, but I guess I fell in love with it and wanted it to be my name. My mom tells me that I would only answer "Iris" when asked, "What is your name?" However, I would answer with my real name whenever I was asked "Who are you?" So, I knew who I was, but my name was Iris.

Growing Where I'm Planted is taken from what my mom used to say to me growing up when I was feeling restless, which was all. the. time. She would say, "Iris, you need to just grow where you're planted." I would get kind of irritated when she would say that to me because my parents transplanted me so many times when I was young (over twenty times before I was ten years old.) I always felt so unrooted and ungrounded. It wasn't until I sensed the call to be a pastor when I was sixteen years old that I felt finally rooted and grounded in a love that had given me purpose and wholeness for my life. Then, I began to believe that I could take my mom's advice to "grow where I'm planted."

I'm still restless as hell, though.

2.Are there any code names or secret identities in your blog? Any stories there?

No, I haven't really used any code names in my blog. I've toyed around with some blog names for my kids and husband, but nothing has stuck.

3. What are some blog titles that you just love? For their cleverness, drama, or sheer, crazy fun?

I love Amy's blog title of Stories From the Red Tent because I love that book and it makes me think of women truly being in deep, sisterly relationship with one another. I also love the sense of hospitality I get from Mrs. M.'s blog name of The Kitchen Door with the subtitle "is always open."

4.What three blogs are you devoted to? Other than the RevGalBlogPals blog of course!

Just three? Just can't do it. Well, look at my sidebar and you can see to whom I am devoted!

5. Who introduced you to the world of blogging and why?

If I hadn't read the article about RGBP in "The Christian Century" in September of 2006, I would not be blogger today. Or at least I seriously doubt it. At the time, I thought blogging was only for narcissists or people who like to argue! I didn't realize that it could also be a wonderful way to build friendships and receive and give support. I had been craving this kind of community for a long time, but every time I would google "women pastors," I would come up with sites about pastors' wives or sites arguing against women pastors. I am pretty sure I know who wrote that piece for the CC and I want to thank her from the bottom of my heart.

Bonus question: Have you ever met any of your blogging friends? Where are some of the places you've met these fun folks?

I have met Linda from Against a Brick Wall on a few occasions. She is a fantastic, crazy-smart woman! I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Towanda last year when I was traveling. Towanda just graduated from the same seminary I did. My husband's family is in the area, so when we were visiting, I took Towanda out for lunch at what was my favorite Chinese restaurant when I was in seminary. Thankfully, it was still good!

Since so many do a "feet" picture for blogger meet-ups, we decided to so a "hands" picture in my sister-in-law's backyard!

It's Great to Have Files!

I took a wonderful class on parables my third year of seminary. My final project for the class was on this week's lectionary Gospel reading, Matthew 13:24-30, the parable of the weeds among the wheat. I had forgotten that I had even written this paper, funny how that happens! I came across my file on this project and it has helped me quite a bit as I prepare to preach this week.

The most delightful discovery in this file was to find a hymn text I had written as part of the project. It is to the tune of "Gather Us In," which is in the Catholic hymnal. I'm a little nervous about it, but I have decided to use it in worship.

Oh, and looking at the first line of the text, I guess I've had the name for my blog in my subconsciousness for a long time!

Inspired by the Parable of the Weeds Among the Wheat

Matthew 13:24-30

1. Here in the field, we grow where we're planted.

Nourished by sunshine, soil and rain.

Planted with care, our lives have been granted,

Food for the many, the earth to sustain.

Grow in God's care, our roots will grow deeper.

Grow in God's care, our plants will grow tall.

We're not alone; we grow strong together.

Yielding abundantly for one and all.

2. We have been sown as good seed to prosper,

Growing together to serve in God's name.

Yet all around are weeds in our number,

sown by an enemy, dark night he came.

It's not for us to weed out the other,

Not to employ the hoe and the scythe.

We have been called to love one another,

Extend to others the hope of new life.

3. Hopes may be dashed; our stalks may be broken,

Loneliness, sadness, sorrow and shame.

Here in the field, life words should be spoken.

Tending the field is the Farmer's domain.

Grow in God's care, from near to the farthest.

Grow in God's care, by the truth of the Word.

We know not the time, so wait for the harvest.

We shall be gathered to dwell with the Lord.

ETA: blogger will not let me put spaces between the verses. Sorry if it's hard to read. grrrrr.....

New Gal in the Blogging Neighborhood

I have a friend who is just now sticking her cyber toe into the blogging waters! Since you need to have been blogging for at least three months to be admitted into the revgal ring, I thought I'd introduce her to my blogging buddies to get her started! (Man, I'm glad that rule wasn't in place yet when I joined. I'm certain that it would have discouraged me from beginning to blog, but I understand that several new bloggers joined about the same time I did and then petered out.)

She is blogging under the pseudonym of soonerpastor. Her name reflects where she comes from, not where she currently is serving. She's a lovely young woman, currently serving in her first ordained call and, just like I was nearly two years ago, is craving the supportive community that we enjoy.

Would you please help me welcome soonerpastor to the blogosphere?

The Big Read

I got this over at Alex's place. This is from something called 'The Big Read', from the NEA came up with a list of their top 100 books and they estimate that the average adult has only read 6 of these books. I will highlight the ones I've read. Cut and paste into your blog and let us know which you've read.

1 Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
2 The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien
3 Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
4 Harry Potter series - JK Rowling
5 To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
6 The Bible
7 Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte
8 Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell
9 His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman
10 Great Expectations - Charles Dickens
11 Little Women - Louisa M Alcott
12 Tess of the D’Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy
13 Catch 22 - Joseph Heller
14 Complete Works of Shakespeare
15 Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier
16 The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien
17 Birdsong - Sebastian Faulks1
8 Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger
19 The Time Traveler’s Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
20 Middlemarch - George Eliot
21 Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell
22 The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald
23 Bleak House - Charles Dickens
24 War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy
25 The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
26 Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh
27 Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
28 Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck
29 Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll
30 The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame
31 Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy
32 David Copperfield - Charles Dickens
33 Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis
34 Emma - Jane Austen
35 Persuasion - Jane Austen
36 The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - CS Lewis
37 The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
38 Captain Corelli’s Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres
39 Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden
40 Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne
41 Animal Farm - George Orwell
42 The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown
43 One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
44 A Prayer for Owen Meaney - John Irving
45 The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins
46 Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery
47 Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy
48 The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood
49 Lord of the Flies - William Golding
50 Atonement - Ian McEwan
51 Life of Pi - Yann Martel
52 Dune - Frank Herbert
53 Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons
54 Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen
55 A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth
56 The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
57 A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens
58 Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
59 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon
60 Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
61 Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck
62 Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov
63 The Secret History - Donna Tartt
64 The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
65 Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas
66 On The Road - Jack Kerouac
67 Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy
68 Bridget Jones’s Diary - Helen Fielding
69 Midnight’s Children - Salman Rushdie
70 Moby Dick - Herman Melville
71 Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens
72 Dracula - Bram Stoker
73 The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett
74 Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson
75 Ulysses - James Joyce
76 The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
77 Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome
78 Germinal - Emile Zola
79 Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray
80 Possession - AS Byatt
81 A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens
82 Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
83 The Color Purple - Alice Walker
84 The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro
85 Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert
86 A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry
87 Charlotte’s Web - EB White
88 The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom
89 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
90 The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton
91 Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad
92 The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery
93 The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks
94 Watership Down - Richard Adams
95 A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole
96 A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute
97 The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas
98 Hamlet - William Shakespeare
99 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl
100 Les Miserables - Victor Hugo

I've read 43 of these- not bad. I'm a little sheepish about a few of them that I haven't read, but I just haven't been able to get beyond chapter one of several of them, including Moby Dick and Tess of the D'Urbervilles. Also, I don't think that Mitch Albom book belongs in this company of great books, but that's just me.

Well, looks like I've got some reading to do. Happy 4th of July everyone!

Getting Into the Boat

Yesterday doubt and fear was foremost in my mind as I considered what is ahead for the PC(USA.) Much of this fear is coming from a feeling of being very exposed. When I was still serving in a More Light congregation as an Associate, it was a lot easier to trust that when change was on the way there would be a strong support system in place as we navigated these changes together.

Now, I am serving as an interim in a rural congregation which, like many congregations, is divided theologically and politically. I had to throw out yesterday morning's lesson in my adult class because all they wanted to talk about was what happened at G.A.. This turned into a heated debate, which I had to moderate. I am sure that the same thing happened in church school classess all over the denomination.

I am also feeling exposed as the Moderator of our Presbytery's Committee on Preparation for Ministry. By and large, I do not have a friendly committee to LGBT folks. So, it will be interesting as we implement G.A.'s direction to not lift up G-6.106b as a "superstandard." Thankfully, G.A.'s actions give me a firm place on which to stand.

As I have been praying and thinking today, the words of our newly elected Stated Clerk, Gradye Parsons, have been ringing in my ears: "Get in the boat. Go across the lake. There will be a storm. You will not die."

So, I'm in the boat. Really, I am. The Spirit is blowing!

Thank you, Jesus.

Rambling Thoughts After General Assembly

I am filled with an equal measure of excitement and apprehension following the actions of the General Assembly of the PC(USA.) Things are moving and shaking much, much sooner than I had anticipated it would in regard to justice and equality in ordination standards and I believe that the one doing the moving and the shaking is none other than the Holy Spirit. Still, I am anxious as to what is ahead of us as a denomination and do not feel like it is time to celebrate.

Part of the blame for my hesitancy I place squarely on the Peace, Unity and Purity (PUP) Task Force, those scoundrels who taught me too well by their Godly example of how to be in community with both those who agree and those who disagree with me. Through their example and through their Spirit-filled report, my heart was changed toward those who disagree with me, particularly on questions of ordination. I was especially convicted in their discussion on allowing that those who disagree with me have come to their places of understanding in as earnest and faithful way as I have.

This is difficult for me, being one whose mind and heart has changed dramatically in the last twelve or so years. I catch myself at times being incredulous that everyone can't see what is so clear to me now. This is, of course, an arrogant and sinful attitude and exactly what the PUP report was asking the Church to work on together in order to move beyond our "positions" and see one another as sisters and brothers in Christ.

So, I am feeling torn between cautious optimism that we may soon rectify what I believe to be a grave injustice to our LGBT brothers and sisters and really and truly feeling the pain of those who believe that the church (small "c") is moving away from them.

Is it anathema to say that I wonder if this is the right time? Are we doing more harm than good right now? I know, it is easy for me to ask such questions because my ordination has never been called into question. I also know that I have a tendency to want to avoid pain and, man, I think we're in for a painful year in the PC(USA.)

I know what my vote is going to be when it is time for my Presbytery to vote on this issue: "Yes, yes, a million times, yes! Take that language out of our Book of Order!" But I don't know that my heart will be rejoicing when I do so.

May the Spirit lead us.

Woot! Woot!

I am one happy Presbyterian right now! Bruce Reyes-Chow, pastor of Mission Bay Community Church in San Francisco was elected tonight as Moderator of General Assembly!

Yes, I have been watching the live streaming of G.A. online. I'm officially a geek!

I am encouraged by this choice and pray for him in his ministry in this role for the next two years.

A Word Association Friday Five

Singing Owl says: I am feeling like playing hooky, and I'm putting off sermon prep till tomorrow. It is a beautiful, sunny day at my place. So come on outside and let's play a summer Friday Five!This post is loosely based on previous "wordy" Friday Fives from Reverend Mother and Songbird. I liked the results, and so we are doing another word association . Theirs were based on words from a lectionary text. Mine comes from the Lovin' Spoonful song, "Summer in the City."Think summer......are you there?

Below you will find five words or phrases. Tell us the first thing you think of on reading each one. Your response might be simply another word, or it might be a sentence, a poem, a memory, a recipe, or a story. You get the idea:

My answers are kind of boring, but I wrote the first thing that came into my head!

1. rooftop: reindeer- I guess I'm ready for winter!

2. gritty: nitty gritty

3. hot town (yeah, I know, it's two words): "Summer in the City" Was there another answer?

4. night: Night life- of which I've had precious little of in recent years!

5. dance: my daughter- who dances around everywhere!

This Song Does Not Reflect My Feelings For Any of You...

My husbanad and I went to see Aimee Mann in concert the other night, which was fantastic. She is such a wonderful alternative to the overproduced crap that is out there. We had a great time, especially considering we hadn't been out for a long time.

This guy, David Ford, was her opening act. He's a singer-songwriter from England who sings mostly angsty (is that a word?) and dark songs. We had to laugh when about four songs into his set he announced, "Now, I'm going to sing a sad song."

The attached video is the song he opened with and, well, I've never been told to "go to hell" so exquisitely.

I've Been Tagged

Singing Owl tagged me for this meme, so here goes...

Rules: The rules of the game get posted at the beginning. Each player answers the questions/statements about himself or herself. At the end of the post, the player then tags five people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

Ten years ago:
In June 1998, I was living in a small town in Missouri working as an Associate Pastor in a church of another denomination. One does not need an MDiv in this particular denomination. I didn't yet know that I was a Presbyterian at heart, but I did know that I no longer belonged in that denomination, as I had decided not to seek ordination by that body. By this time, I had already submitted my resignation to the church and was looking ahead to my August wedding, moving to Denver and beginning seminary that Fall. From there everything changed. Thank God!

Five things on today's "to do" list:
bulletin
laundry
sit and do nothing for at least 10 minutes!
sign grant applications on behalf of some inquirers and candidates
research c-pap masks- I am desperate for one that I will actually use!

Things I'd do if I was a billionaire:
pay off debt!
buy my Mom a house
set up an educational fund for my kids
pay-off my Presbytery's court costs (property issues from a large church leaving the denomination- ugh!)
do all I could to bring an end to human trafficking
support mission

Three bad habits:
chewing my hair
procrastination
throwing clothes on the floor

Five places I've lived:
Wyoming
Indiana
Texas
New Mexico
Budapest, Hungary

Five jobs I've had:
birthday party clown (not anywhere near as fun as it might sound)
car-hop
waitress
English teacher
physical therapist's assistant

Let's see, I tag PK, grace-thing, RevKim, Lutheran Mom, and Mags

A Perfect Friday

We did not move from this swimming hole for over three hours- and we had the time of our lives!

It had been so long since I had last lost track of time.

What a beautiful day!

Primary Over! (Projected)

Obama said tonight, "What you won't hear from this campaign or this party is the kind of politics that uses religion as a wedge, and patriotism as a bludgeon..."

Yes, we can? Oh, I hope and pray so.

On the eve of the final primaries...

I don't usually write about politics here, but I've got to tell ya, I am one weary Democrat. I know I'm not the only one. I was feeling quite hopeful and full of anticipation back in, say, February. Now, I just want it over already and pray, pray, pray that tomorrow will be the day when we can finally say that we have an official nominee.

I listen to a lot of NPR as I drive the 44 miles each way from my house to my church. Of course, today was full of talk about this past weekend with the rules committee and what tomorrow's primaries will hold. On the Diane Rehm show this morning, they spent quite a bit of time talking about the bitter disappointment of many Clinton supporters, especially "feminist" and "progressive" women, as it becomes more and more apparent that she will not be the nominee.

It's interesting to me how little attention has been paid to women who would also self-identify as "feminist" and "progressive" who are Obama supporters. It's also interesting to me how many RevGals I've noticed who are Obama supporters. I am one of them.

It seems to me that all we've seen in the media about female supporters of Obama is "Obama Girl." As much as I get a kick out of Obama Girl, I do not "have a crush on Obama." I actually think he's kind of dorky looking, but I believe that he's our best chance right now to have someone in the White House who in concerned about peacemaking and justice for all people.

*End of political commentary*

Two Things Meme

RevHipChick tagged me for this meme tonight.

Two names you go by:
1) Mama
2) another name, similar to "Iris" (but I'm not telling here, at least not yet...)

Two things you are wearing right now:
1) a really ugly, but oh so comfortable, sundress
2) um, underwear

Two of your favorite things:
1) the laughter of my children
2) chocolate

Two things you want very badly at the moment:
1) to know which 300 words to shave from my sermon
2) to lose about 50 pounds

Two favorite pets you have or had:
Shadow and Emmy- my kitty cats.

Two people you hope will fill this out:
anyone who wants to!

Two things you did last night:
1) I saw the "Sex and the City" movie last night. It was very satisfying for this fan!
2) I put drano down my bathtub drain

Two things you ate last night:
1) vegetarian BLT (made with smoked tempeh)
2) chocolate covered raisins at the movie

Two people you last talked to:
1) my sister
2) my husband

Two things you are doing tomorrow:
2) preaching
3) sleeping

2 farthest trips taken in the last 5 years:
1) to Virginia in 2004 ( was extended a call to a church out there. I wanted to go, but hubby didn't.)
2) to St. Simon's Island, GA- also in 2004 for the Princeton Youth Ministry Forum. Very fun!

Two favorite holidays:
1) Holy Week- hands down, my favorite time of the year.
2) Thanksgiving

Two favorite beverages:
1) good ol' H2O
2) Cabernet

Thanks, HipChick!

I'm Here

I just haven't felt like blogging lately. I'm fine, but have been feeling a bit like a turtle who wants to hide in her shell for a little while.

I realized recently that I had been white-knuckling my way through life for several months and was feeling very depressed. So, for a couple of weeks I took some down time. With the blessing of my General Presbyter and the personnel committee, I only preached and went to essential meetings.

It was a good thing. I made a list of things that I needed to do for myself that I had been putting off. I replaced the mask for my c-pap machine (for sleep apnea) that broke probably 4 months ago. I visited my doctor who did some blood work- all fine. Spent time with my family. I slept.

I am feeling much better and have dozens of blog posts that I'd like to write. Maybe I'll write a few of them.

I do want to share a few things for which I am thankful today...

• our little, cozy home in a great neighborhood


• that my husband and I are making more of an effort to spend time together- just us


• the colleagues in my Presbytery who have wrapped me in loving care


• my son's successful completion of first grade


• belly laughs with my little girl


• blogging buddies whose writing inspire, challenge and take me out of my life for awhile.


• oh, and my new porch swing I got for Mother's Day!

Done

With some urging from More Cows, I decided to call the PNC chair. I'm so glad that I did because now I don't have to wonder anymore and I can finally feel free to explore other calls.

This is what he told me:
The PNC fell in love with both me and the other candidate and just couldn't make up their minds between us. Then, a pastor in their Presbytery decided to throw his hat into the ring and, well, it is likely that they are going to extend the call to him.

My intuition tells me that there is more to the story, but that's not my concern, is it?

This night before Pentecost, I pray God's blessing on that call and that their ministry together will flourish.

Finally, Something

E-mail I received tonight from PNC chair:

Dear Pastor Iris,

I am sorry that I have not communicated to you lately – we have been very busy in our discernment process.

We have not yet offered a call, so I would ask a little more patience. We expect to finish this very shortly.

After nearly a month of no contact, I'm not sure what to make of this.