continuing

-
 Sometimes I long for my years at VTS (Virginia Theological Seminary.) There are certainly the friends and faculty that I miss, but the environment and the expectation to be growing, learning, and exploring faith and spirituality are what I think I really miss. I read quite a bit (currently A History of God by Karen Armstrong), but there's something about setting aside the time and space; something about being with fellow sojourners that makes the experience that much richer.
I am so thankful for the continuing education requirements of our church, and for the support and time to grow, learn, and explore (including the financial support of Trinity by the Sea and the Diocese of West Texas!) I believe that, as a leader in a spiritual community, if my own spiritual journey is not active, then there's not much I can offer to others...the well runs dry. Of course, I am fed by the weekly practice of writing sermons, writing this blog, etc., but to get away for some serious soul searching takes planning, and getting away.

So June 8, Pentecost Sunday, I'll be heading out to the Inner Journey Retreat. When I emailed my mentor Pittman McGehee a couple of months ago to tell him a bout that book, and how great it is, he wrote back one line: "Get to the Inner Journey Retreat." He's good about knowing when the time is right. I've been here at Trinity for two years, and I love it so much. And because I love it, I put a lot of myself into my work. It's time to recharge and rejuvenate.

Besides the Retreat, I'll be taking a break from writing this blog, and from submitting to the South Jetty. I'll still be writing here and there as I read, study, and relax, but it's time for a slower pace for the summer. Thank you for reading and responding, and I'll get back to this when I have something interesting to say...in September.

The VTS link above is the 2014 Commencement; for The Rev. Dr. Barbara Brown Taylor's sermon, skip to about 50 min.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

plastic: a spiritual perspective

-
Image
Plastic bag in front of Trinity by the Sea On a recent trip to Austin, I was surprised and delighted not to be handed a plastic bag when I checked out of a grocery store. I wasn't buying much, so I was able to carry out my things without remembering to bring in my reusable bags. For some time now, I've gotten in the habit of turning down plastic bags in convenience stores when they try to put my humble bag of sunflower seeds, lonely, in another bag. The plastic grocery bag has become like a handshake at the end of the deal: it seems to make the shopping experience complete. It is such an ingrained habit, that the person behind the cash register sometimes gets a suspicious look when I ask for no bag, as if thinking, "This yahoo is threatening our way of life!" I think about habits a lot, as a Christian of the Episcopal persuasion. Our practices and our experiences in everyday life shape the way we understand our relationship with God, with others, and with ours...
Read more

Stay Salty Y'all

-
Image
  Sunday, September 29: Be Salty for Jesus! Reflection for church while my back heals.  Welcome everyone to another church on the beach. Fr. James is dealing with his back injury, and sent this reflection to read, so here it goes.  I spent Thursday morning planning for the next two weeks, anticipating that I might need a medical procedure. As I did so, I marveled at how many amazing leaders we have within our church. I was focusing on the worship service, and leading worship on Sundays is a only portion of what we do as a church community, but it is an important part of what we do. It is where we gather together to reorient to God, to open our hearts to the Holy Spirit’s guidance, and to listen for inspiration from Jesus. How fitting that we gather on the beach today to hear Jesus remind us to be salty. Do we have it easier, here beside the sea? We can hardly help but be salty around here. I want to start with that, which is where Jesus lands his somewhat meandering messa...
Read more

Falling out of boats

-
Image
Reflection for Morning Prayer July 28, 2024 Trinity by the Sea Some of you may not remember the first time you stepped onto a boat, or more to the point, the first time you fell out of a boat. Most of my falling-out stories are from the San Marcos River misjudging an eddy around a bend, the bow pulled suddenly in the opposite direction from what I expected, then pushed sideways up against a submerged root that gives loft to the bow sending two paddlers into the drink. Fortunately, all of those occasions eventually ended with laughter. Then there are those moments of non-commitment, like standing one foot on a log that had fallen across the river, foot in the canoe, and quickly realizing the mistake. A similar thing can happen on the docks here, at least with smaller boats. Stepping into a boat takes commitment. One foot on land and one in the vessel is a short-lived exercise in balance and stretching beyond the ability of most yogis. Be on land or in the boat, not in both places at o...
Read more