As part of our celebration of Steven's honors yesterday, Craig, Steven and I had a late dinner at Momma Goldberg's (affectionally known as Momma G's). I haven't been there in 25 years but it was much as I remember it. I spent a alot of time there especially during my freshman year. And now Phillip is the age I was when I first walk into Momma G's.
If only we could have had ice cream at the Sani Flush! (Disclaimer! This picture was taken before I was born! But it looked much the same as I recall. I am sure that the reason that AmSouth was assimilated into the great Regions network was as punishment for tearing down such a wonderful landmark!)
For those of you who have not been to Grant, here are a few pictures. Yesterday, Karen's niece was married at the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) School Chapel. In a wonderful coincidence, Karen's new sister-in-law, Teri,is a member of New Life. And because this is simply too cute not to share:
Speaking of NT Wright, check out the interview about his newest book, "Surprised by Hope." I'm about half way through with it (it is part of my morning devotional time) and highly recommend it.
I must confess that I can truly relate to Donn Johnson's reflections on weddings at Jibstay.
Check out this observation on whether race or gender is the bigger obstacle in the presidential race (and I suppose in life in general). Also check out this observation on the age gap in the Democratic primary.
According to Time Magazine, one of the 10 ideas that are changing the world is the movement to "Re-Judiazed Jesus." I'm sure my Jewish New Testament professor and the rabbi who taught me "Jesus the Jew" will be glad to know that they were way ahead of the curve!
Growing up a Dallas Cowboy fan (when the Cowboys were truly America's team--the Tom Landry years), I was so excited to read that the Cowboys were taking up serious video gaming (Cowboys to acquire Pacman from Titans)--but then I read the article and realized . . . oh well you know what I realized.
One of my favorite spiritual disciplines is walking a labrynth. So I was really glad that Mental Floss shared some trivia about them. Better yet was the link to a world wide labrynth finder! (There are TWO in Huntsville)
Wow! I can't believe how long it has been since I shared what I have been reading. So, here's my plan. I'm hoping that by sharing the plan with you that I will hold myself accountable to it. Every week or two, I will share some links to some of the most thought provoking things I have read related to church. I'll try to do this on the weekend. Mid-week, I hope to share some of the fun, non-church things that cross my computer screen.
So here is my first (in a long time) weekly review:
I just discovered the Tangible Kingdom website. Granted this site is an attempt to sell their book, but they raise some important questions about how to be a church that is missional rather than attractional. Check out their video which presents some intriguing images of what the church might look like.
Over at Outreach magazine, they share some ideas that echo the themes of Tangible Kingdom. Sue Skalicky shares ideas for Outreach Parties and Steve Molin shared the story of one church which makes sure its community receives signs from God.
Over at Books & Culture, they are discussing a book about the Civil War that has profound implications for today. "Both Read the Same Book" explores how both sides of the debate on slavery used the Bible to support their views.
Over at Out of Ur, they were reporting on the Shift Conference. The one report that really resonated with me was the report on Darren Whitehead's presentation. Whitehead works with Student Ministry at Willow Creek and identified five shifts in student ministry at Willow Creek. 1. Moving from passive to interactive 2. Moving from resolved to unresolved 3. Moving from imitation to imagination 4. Moving from informational to experiential 5. Moving from confession to compassion
My candidate for poor Christian witness of the week comes from Jerusalem. Check out the pugilistic priests.
No--it isn't a horror movie (at least not so far). So far, tonight has been exciting and fun.
The festivities started at 1 when I took Laura to have her hair and makeup done by Greg. Greg has been cutting my hair since soon after Steven was born so he has known her all her life and he did her hair with great love! While he was putting on her makeup, an opera singer from New York (she is singing tonight with the Huntsville Symphony) remarked, "You can get a New York makeup session in Alabama?!"
We are very proud of our beautiful group! Here you see Christina, Phillip, Laura and Trent. How often do a brother and a sister choose to double date! At the moment, they should be getting a table at Carrabba's.
Friday, we drove down to Auburn to see Steven receive the Dean's Medal Award for Mathematics. It is hard to believe that in a few weeks, he will graduate and officially become a graduate student at Auburn! On the 28th, we will head back to Auburn for the Honors College ceremony and for his induction into Phi Beta Kappa and then back on May 10th for the official graduation.
Now if we can only find him a hot smart chick (his requirement) who'll take him to church (my requirement)! (Love you Steven!)
A good friend called recently and reported that she kept up with my life via my blog. Then she noted that I hadn’t written much lately. Well, I must confess the usual busyness at the Clontz household has reached a new level. With Steven graduating in May, we have almost weekly trips to Auburn (yes, Steven we know we don’t HAVE to come, but we want to come!), then there is all the work involved with preparing to leave Trinity and the much anticipated work of getting to know my new congregation and new community, add to that the normal end of school events and regular duties and well . . . if I find time to update one of the two blogs each week I’m lucky!
So I’ve made a decision to consolidate the two blogs. I don’t see any reason why we can’t discuss reaching the un-churched and the younger generations here. Plus it will soon be time for me to pass the torch on any specific plans at Trinity. So starting today, I will cease to update Re-Creation (although if anyone at Trinity would like to continue it, I’ll be glad to turn it over to you!). But I do intend to get back to weekly updates on all I’ve been reading plus update those who care about life at the Clontz house (next week is prom and I promise pictures!).
By the way, does anyone know an easy way to copy the posts from Re-creation and incorporate them into Comfortable Being Uncomfortable?
On June 11th, I will leave Trinity to serve as the pastor of New Life United Methodist Church in Grant. Right now this evokes so many different and conflicting emotions that I'm a bit overwhelmed. I am excited about going to New Life, but I'm also sad about leaving the folks I've grown to love at Trinity.
The last three years have been full of challenges from grieving the death of my friend and their pastor, Elise, to dealing with a tremendous debt, to changing our worship schedule, and most recently to struggling with our feelings over having to let our worship leader go. I've baptized babies, married couples, and buried folks. I've listened to stories, frustrations, and joys. Trinity is a large church with a large heart and I will miss it.
On the other hand, I am very excited about New Life. There are so many aspects of this move that shout "God is at work" that I can't help but be excited. And while I haven't met anyone from New Life yet, I've heard from others that they are wonderful My prayer is that God has prepared me to lead them where God wants them to go next and that we will be a strong team working together to further God's kingdom.
In the meantime, I'm glad that I have the opportunity to share with the folks at Trinity what my time there has meant to me and to my family.
