Good Friday Five

Trying to get back into the rhythm of my week… I will make a start with this!

RevHRod over at RevGalBlogPals offers this for the Friday Five:

1. Our prayer concerns are as varied as we are this day. For whom would you like us to pray?

2. Are there things you have done or will do today to help the young ones understand this important day in our lives?

3. Music plays an important part in sharing the story of this day. Is there a hymn or piece of music that you have found particularly meaningful to your celebrations of Good Friday?

4. As you hear the passion narrative, is there a character that you particularly resonate with?

5. Where have you seen the gracious God of love at work lately?

And here are my responses:

1. Our prayer concerns are as varied as we are this day. For whom would you like us to pray?

CaliPastor’s partner, Piano Man lost his aunt last night—she was like another mother to him, so this is a blow to the whole family. Prayers for all of them, please, especially as PM’s mom is also very ill. And for a dear friend whose relationship is imploding, amidst tears and insults and anger and confusion and much pain…prayers for understanding and compassion and, eventually, healing and the return of hope. And for me, as I explore gingerly the possibilities of a new relationship.

2. Are there things you have done or will do today to help the young ones understand this important day in our lives?

Sadly, no. I don’t think I’ve ever had children present for a Good Friday service—and I know none of the services that I have participated in have made space for them. A sad commentary. Thank you for the nudge, RevHRod. I will rectify that in future.

3. Music plays an important part in sharing the story of this day. Is there a hymn or piece of music that you have found particularly meaningful to your celebrations of Good Friday?

“Were You There?” has always moved me, and today we heard an amazing instrumental version using pipes and drums. Very haunting and dramatic and Celtic. The closing hymn afterwards was an anticlimax.

4. As you hear the passion narrative, is there a character that you particularly resonate with?

Always Peter. I try to do what I know I should, and I can be brave up to a point—but when it comes to the point, all too often my courage fails and I pretend I don’t know the man from Galilee. It’s not that I don’t know the right thing to do—I do. I just can’t bring myself to do it, because it would mean more work or stares, or nasty phone calls, or the loss of friendships. None of them good enough reasons. And so I take comfort that Peter does redeem himself later. Also in the fact that Brit Boy took “Peter” as his confirmation name—for much the same reasons, I suspect.

5. Where have you seen the gracious God of love at work lately?

In the aforementioned possible relationship… In the support of the local community here in River City around the study the church is doing. In the expressed and supportive love of Cali Pastor and Piano Man during my recent visit (to be honest, they spoiled me rotten, from the gourmet coffee I love but they don’t drink, to the use of the sporty Jeep to luscious meals to wonderful company).

Withdrawal Pains

My faithful laptop has to go to the big laptop repair shop far away. I will not be able to post for several days. This is what I get for procrastinating on the repair.

The good news? It's still under warranty.

Will post regularly once it returns...

Catching Up...

Oh my more than a month!!

I can’t believe it’s been so long. Well.

I’ve been involved with a presentation at a conference, then went to Large Western Coastal City to another conference and also to visit friends, and then back to catch up. Also, with a second job I have to be a lot better at time management. It’s a challenge.

Projects I am currently working on: worship planning for the next couple of months, working with Brit Boy on the church’s website redesign, rewriting the membership class materials, and working on SOPs for a community organisation. That’s in addition to the usual sermon writing, worship and bulletin preparation (for two churches), Powerpoint presentation, etc.

Events for me personally: On the positive side: visiting my friends was wonderful. It offered a much-needed break with people who love me and support me unconditionally and who spoil me shamefully. They fed me bountifully, listened, entertained, and loved me. On the negative side: I’ve told Roomie to be out by this Saturday. And that’s a long story…suffice it to say that I was being taken advantage of—rent not paid, lack of responsibility re: house cleaning, no respect for boundaries… So she’s going to be gone, with the help of Landlord if needed.

So I will endeavour to do better at this—even if it’s a short note. I promise!