So, the frost is on the pumpkin, there's a nip in the air, the leaves are colorful, the grass is no longer growing, sweaters and winter jackets are coming out of storage, and we are beginning to sing those wonderful "harvest" hymns in worship. But what I'm really anticipating is my favorite of all meals – Thanksgiving Dinner. Just thinking about it fills my heart with joy and allows at least 5 additional pounds to hang over my belt!
So much happens this time of the year. Why, I don't know. It's not like life is really "easy" in the summer so that we feel the need to make up for it with busyness in the fall. But, all of a sudden the piles of church newsletters I receive get thicker. They all speak of this program or that dinner. (Put all of these dinners in a row and I could eat out every weekend!) I know that my schedule is suddenly much with preaching engagements, attending church functions, consulting on church mergers, staffing church search committees, and mediating church conflicts. But, I love it! I really do.
Not only do I love it, but I want to share some additional programs and events with you.
First, here's a video that I produced of slides and clips from the recent ecumenical retreat of German pastors from the Evangelical Church in Hessen and Nassau and New York Conference pastors at Silver Bay last week.
It was a very enjoyable and inspiring retreat. Mark Burrows, professor of Church History at Andover Newton Theological School, facilitated a marvelous discussion of the use of imagination and creativity in the pastoral role as teacher. He utilized the poetry of Rainer Maria Rilke, Mary Oliver, Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost and others to engage us in this approach to the teaching task. Our German partners also provided thoughtful and provocative lectures on the pastor as teacher. It was also great to come to know new friends. The worship was grand and the singing wonderful! On her return home, Jan Jorgensen, our pastor in Willsboro, Essex Association, wrote a poem. I've included it as a post script to this blog.
The Oneida Association Mission Engagement Team has a new project underway. With the churches of the Association they have the goal of raising at least $3,100 to help Church World Service provide a well for a village in Kenya. To help raise awareness about the issue of our very limited potable world water supply, the Mission Engagement team has provided a series of resources provided by the National Council of Churches, Church World Service and Common Global Ministries. Here's the link to the web page article on the Oneida website: Water for All.
Last April Ann Hanson, national UCC staff person with Justice and Witness Ministries, gave a workshop at the Susquehanna Association Spring Meeting on the "Our Whole Lives: Sexuality and Our Faith" Curriculum. There was so much interest in this program, especially for use with the youth of our congregations, that Sprite Johnson, the Susquehanna Partner in Education, and others began planning for a Train the Trainers event. This will be held at First Congregational UCC, Binghamton on November 13-15. Here's the link to the web page article about this event. Our Whole Lives Training.
So, have a happy harvest, a fabulous fall, an awe-inspiring autumn. Have a good and plenty time. Actually, I never much liked Good and Plenty candies. Licorice is not a favorite. Give me a Milky Way, a Snickers, or a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup any time!
Blessings,
Rick Cowles
"In your eyes:
for my sisters and brothers in Christ"
We hadn't known our hearts were your tomb, O Christ,
we hadn't realized how beautifully they could burst open
we hadn't expected this belonging to you
to become this longing to be with one another.
We hadn't really comprehended
until our eyes responded to your poetry, your fiat
(now we embody both separation and its greater child …)
Now
in our eyes
the world is cleansed: see how the prism promise glistens!
Our eyes mirror the Jordan
as the Voice calls: “My beloved, my chosen …”
Beloved,
in your eyes
I glimpse a hologram of the new creation.
Jan Jorgensen
