Survivors' Lap

For some reason, Gerry signed up for the Relay for Life event, to walk in the "Survivors Lap". We had no idea exactly what to expect.  I had often donated to this event, and we always knew people who walked to raise money for the American Society Event, but we had never actually attended.

What we found was so surprising and amazing! There was an air of "festival" all around.  There were tents set up where obviously people planned to stay the night.  There were many vendors selling related articles, presumably to raise money.  There was a  concession stand. Inside there was a spaghetti dinner going on, and people doing Zumba of the field.  In fact, activities were planned every half hour throughout the night, from midnight to 6 a.m.

At first, we had no idea where to go or what to do.  Then finally, when the Opening Ceremonies began, it began t take shape.   In the picture above, the survivors group are gathered to begin the event.   Picture a rectangle  (football field) with people standing inside that rectangle all the way around, facing outward.  When the survivors do their lap,  the spectators and teams all applaud!  Imagine getting a standing ovation for surviving!  But that is exactly what happened.

I have often seen pictures in the newspaper of people walking in that, with comments about how meaningful it was.  But until I had experienced it personally,  I could not have imagined how that felt. It was actually for survivors and caregivers, which is why I was there walking with Gerry.  Quite a few of the survivors were in wheel chairs and a companion pushed them.  At one point, being applauded along the way, Gerry had a very emotional response, which surprised him.   It is difficult to express how it felt to walk around that field to a constant barrage of applause for beating cancer!

In Gerry's case,  he is a double survivor.  We have always been very very grateful for that,  but never thought about it as a public gathering and celebration.

Survivors unite!

Earth Is Our Home

Inspired by the theme of this year's Community Arts Challenge,  I have written a poem, or more accurately, lyrics which will become a song.  I trust that the talented composer Fry will do her part and a lovely piece of music will emerge.   It begins with this:

Beautiful Home

  Earth is our home,

Beautiful home,

Like no other place,

  we’ve ever found

in outer space.

Earth is our home, beautiful home.

She is spotted with mountains,

how high they rise,

blanketed with oceans

that dance with the tides.

Adorned with valleys

And dressed up with trees.

Creatures and flowers,

Play their part, come and go;

Rise in the spring,

Die with the snow.

They take what they need,

but nothing more,

as it should be, as it should be.

Blessed by the sunlight,

clean and pure;

caressed by the wind,

may Earth endure.

Without poisoning the atmosphere,

wind and sun could sustain us here,

if only we dare; if only we care,

for our mother earth, who gave us birth.

Earth is our mother

Who nurtures and feeds

Who gives us seeds and

 fish and corn.

How we deface her,

unmindful of species,

of life yet unborn.

Earth is our home;

 Our fragile home;

By Nancy Rehkugler                         How fragile our home.                             5.25.15

Restlessness

For a long time,  for much of my life really,   I can remember having a deep sense of restlessness in my soul.    That expressed itself by feelings of wanting to be somewhere else,  doing something else. Wanting to be someone else.  Needing to accomplish something.

Living in that mode often leaves one with a feeling of dis-satisfaction, emptiness.  One might fill that up with busyness,   drinking, drugs, shopping, partying, striving, coming and going.

At the same time,  I have always had a desire for serenity of the soul, rather than restlessness.  And finally, at long last, I can say that I have arrived at that.  It is not an achievement.  It is a way of being.  It is a shift in one's consciousness.

I no longer feel the need "to accomplish".   In fact, I have "accomplished" more in a lifetime than I ever imagined in my wildest dreams!

Raising four delightful children and having good relationships with them all
Marrying an intelligent, accomplished, wonderful human being, and having a good marriage
Graduating from seminary and having a 20+ year ministry
Writing two books, a cantata, poetry, a blog, and other things
Being a respected member of my community
Having a few good friends

At this point in my life,  I have definitely learned to be present in this moment.  I do not have to be going somewhere.  I do not have to be seeing other people.  I can be quite satisfied with my own company.   I can be occupied by the grooming requirements of the day.  I am happy to cook dinner.  I enjoy reading a book, or writing.  I am quite content doing ordinary domestic chores.

This is deeply counter-cultural.  That is especially true for a retired pastor.   Retired clergy usually just go on and on forever, doing the exact same thing, just for shorter periods of time.  People always ask what you are doing. There is a certain amount of competition involved in how one responds.

Now I know what serenity feels like.  It is about being present in the moment you are in, rather than the past or the future.  It is about being intentional, rather than reactive.  It is about being self-determined, rather than motivated by external circumstances.  It is about being content with who you are.

That is exactly where I aspire to be.

And where I am!

Full Time Church

When I consider my activities over the past few days,  and the things on the horizon in the days ahead,  it occurs to me that I have been spending my time fully occupied with church matters.

* I exchanged a flurry of emails with a church friends, discussing church concerns.
* I practiced the piano for the Prayer Service for which I will play music tomorrow.
* I  looked at the Sunday School material, which Gerry will lead in the pastor's absence.
* I have worked on the sermon I will preach on Sunday in the pastor's absence.
* I sent information for the bulletin to the church secretary.
* I worked on a Pentecost program for 2016.
*  Sunday I will lead two worship services as Pulpit Supply.

I don't know exactly how this happened,  given my determination 'to be retired.'

  Being retired, I have discovered, does not equate with being un-involved in the church.   I have become increasingly so.   I serve on the Worship Committee and the Newsletter Committee.

But mostly I just do the things that I am drawn to,  which I think fit my gifts and talents.
God given gifts and talents come with expectations, I do believe, to put them to work for the kingdom.

I try to do my part.