Some thoughts on my experience at Chautauqua

The first building we stepped inside at the Chautauquainstitute in New York was The Mayflower, one of the UCC houses with a communal kitchen and eating area. The house is historical, beautiful, and humble-- maintained and organized by the power of volunteers and residents with a long history of summers in the home. My husband and I were first-time Chautauquans, fairly uncertain of what to expect. What we found was a well-organized system of preparing, storing, and eating meals, washing dishes and making coffee, while strangers and long-time friends shared stories around tables and participated in intellectual conversations about politics, arts, philosophy, and theology. Each resident is in charge of their own kitchen duties, preparing meals separately and eating when the time is right for them as individuals and families, but ultimately the kitchen and dining area are constantly filled with the spirit of breaking bread together in communal fellowship. 

Meanwhile, just a few yards away is the Amphitheater, filled with well-known speakers and preachers, musicians who rumble the soul, and the world’s largest outdoor organ. While we were there we heard Sister Joan Chittister and Gordon Wood, but other speakers this summer include Jack Spong, one of my favorite theologians, and Ken Burns, who began my love of documentaries. 

Chautauqua was founded as a community where respectful public discourse could take place, with an ecumenical worship service in the Amphitheater every morning, and denominational worship services on Sunday mornings and some weekdays or evenings. 

“Chautauqua is dedicated to the exploration of the best in human values and the enrichment of life through a program that explores the important religious, social and political issues of our times; stimulates provocative, thoughtful involvement of individuals and families in creative response to such issues; and promotes excellence and creativity in the appreciation, performance and teaching of the arts.”

My job at Chautauqua was as the “Chaplain of the Week” in the three United Church of Christ houses. It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience which I would highly recommend to any UCC pastor or chaplain. I led a worship service on Sunday morning, a discussion session on Tuesday afternoon, and a Vespers service on Thursday evening. I took the opportunity as a chance to speak about Judith, the title character of the Apocryphal book of Judith* on which I did extensive writing and research in Seminary and continue to study now when I find the time.

For me, it was renewing to speak about Judith. She has contributed a lot to my faith journey and often finds herself buried underneath the day-to-day tasks of ministry. When I spoke about her, I remembered my passion, and many of the people who were there empowered me to bring her to First Congo of Ripon in ways I haven’t done in the two years I’ve been here. Originally, I was asked to record the sermon so that I could post it on the website, but as I prepared for it I realized that it was a sermon, or at least a version of a sermon, that I’d like to bring to First Congo in person. So I didn’t record it, and I wait with anticipation for the day I’m ready to introduce them to this person, or character, who has inspired me so deeply to serve God in the way I do. 

So why am I so nervous about it? Judith comes with a lot of side-notes—two in particular. First, there’s the big glaring question of how and why the book of Judith is not a part of the Protestant Bible, and what kind of authority we should give her story in comparison to, for example, the book of Ruth, Jonah, or the prophets. Second, there’s the gruesome climax of the story-- the decapitation of Holofernes and the question of how, as people who don’t condone violence as a path to reconciliation, we can interpret that part of the story. With those questions in the way, it’s hard to see the beauty in her leadership skills, integrity, empowerment, and faith, and the way in which she stands out as a woman in early Judeo-Christian history. 

Chautauqua felt like the right place to bring a sermon on Judith, because I knew that I’d have a week to answer questions, to discuss, to explain—and that Chautauquans come to hear new ideas and open themselves up to dialogue. Being there helped me to realize that so many of the people at First Congo are about those exact same ideals, and that Judith will create engaging conversation when I invite her to the church. 

I want everyone at First Congo to highly consider spending a week at Chautauqua sometime in their lives. It’s a week guaranteed to stretch your mind, to make you consider something new, and at the same time to astound you with the beauty God has given us through art, music, and nature. These are some of my initial thoughts on my time as Chaplain of the Week in Chautauqua. Interested in knowing more? Ask away. 

*I linked to this article because I find it pretty well in line with some of the things I'm trying to say about Judith, but you can also find a very basic summary of the Book of Judith on Wikipedia. 

"And did she make my hair?": How my 2-year-old is forming an Image of God

Lately my daughter has been asking about God.  It all started with a conversation about dandelions in late Spring.  I've always found the sprinkle of yellow throughout  green lawn quite charming and I'd gladly adorn a sweet dandelion crown or set the kitchen table with a dandelion bouquet, while I watch others go through environmentally unfriendly efforts to avoid them. So I found myself sitting on the porch with my daughter this spring as she asked me what kind of flowers were popping up throughout the lawn.  She wants to know the names of all flowers.  I don't usually know them, so instead they are "pink flowers" or "big flowers" to me.  But these ones I knew, and so I told her, "They're dandelions.  Many people will tell you they're weeds, but I say they're beautiful because God made them."

"GOD made them!!??" My daughter quickly replied, surprised, confused, intrigued. "Who is God?" She knows about God, at least as much as any 2 year old Pastor's Kid knows about God, but I knew she was looking for me to explain more specifically.  

"Yes, sweetheart, God made everything-- the trees, the clouds, you and me."

"The house?" 

"Well, no, but God made the people who made the house."

For Evelyn, a conversation which she doesn't quite understand, but she feels intrigued by tends to repeat itself.  So every time she saw a dandelion for quite some time, she'd start this conversation over again, "Who made that?!"  She knew the answer but she wanted to hear me say it again. 

This recurred once or twice a day for a week or two. 

"Did God make this spaghetti?"

"Did God make my brother?
"Did God make this potty?" 

To inanimate objects I would always reply, "No, but God made the person who made that (house, spaghetti, potty)," and that answer was acceptable to her growing spiritual mind. 

Finally one afternoon we were having this very conversation when she finally said, "And did she make my hair?" 

I paused as I heard her use her first-ever pronoun for God, and that it was a female pronoun.  I was surprised as I felt a warmth and a pride swell up in my heart, and said, "Yes, she made your hair." 

I very rarely use pronouns for God, believing that God does not fit inside a specific gender. I know that's not easy for everyone, but I happen to think it's worth the effort and after a few weeks or months of it, it becomes quite natural.  Having learned about God so far only in the context of inclusive language, Evelyn hadn't used a pronoun for God either.  She never asked.  She never seemed to question it. It didn't seem to matter to her until this moment, when she finally used a pronoun and it was a female one.  

I find it fascinating to see the way that the image of the Old Bearded Man Sitting On a Throne on a Cloud doesn't have to be the default childhood image of God.  For so long I've believed that must be the universal image of God when a young faith is just blossoming.  That's how God was always painted in murals and how God was constructed in stained glass, and how I saw God until I was...I dunno... 20? and "He" is so much easier to say than adjusting the phrasing of a sentence to render a pronoun unnecessary.  "He" often fits better into hymns and praise songs.  "He" is the default because for so long we have lived in a patriarchal world.  

Cultural constructs around gender are changing, and I see that change is already taking shape in the way my little girl's mind is forming.  She has no idea that women were ever considered less than men.  She has no idea that there's any power differential between her and her brother, between her daddy and I.  She has no reason to believe that the One who created us has to be male.  

I don't know how long she'll see God as female, and that's not what matters to me.  What matters to me is that she develops an image of the Divine that works for her specific and individual relationship with God, and not just what some Sunday School curriculum or picture book has told her God looks like.  I love that she is a part of our church, with our Sunday School teacher, Miss Olivia, who is open to the unique interpretations our kids come up with, and that she's a part of this time and place where cultural constructs are being questioned and challenged, and where people are free to form their own ideas.

--Pastor Joanna

Hearing the Gospel Story for the First Time

About to go to bed at the end of a long day, I just recorded this in my handwritten journal and thought it might be a nice post for my church and church-related folks to read.

Today I read a book to Evelyn (2.5 years) called "The Gospel for Little Ones" (here) which her brother Amos (6 months) received for his Baptism on Sunday from his Nana and Papa, who are Roman Catholic.  The exact wording from the book was a little complex for her, but I was able to use a combination of what was written and the pictures to tell her the story of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.  In our house we love quirky voices, so I developed voices for all the characters and she stayed entertained for the whole thing.

As we went through it, we talked about how Mary wanted to be Jesus' mommy even though it would be hard.  We talked about how when Jesus was around the age that Ben is (a Sunday School friend who is about 12), he started teaching all the adults about God.  We talked about how he listened to everyone and took care of people, and taught everyone to love everyone else.  I told her that he died but then he was alive again.

Her favorite part of reading the story the first time through was asking me to tell her over and over again who each of the 12 disciples were, which was a good test for this Pastor Mom, but then as we went through it a second time at her request, she wanted to know how he was still there after he died.  When we got to the page where he was standing among his disciples again she said, "but he died?"* and quickly turned back two pages to the page where he was carrying the cross.  I told her that was the amazing thing about Jesus-- that he died and then he was still alive.

I'm writing this because I want you to know that it's never too early to try to understand what God is doing and what God has done.  She doesn't "get it" but then again, neither do I.  But what I can see in her face when I read her the story is that she's intrigued; she wants to know more.  I love to watch her play with the Nativity set, and I love to tell her the stories about how Jesus walked on water or how Moses floated down the river in a basket.  Who knows if she thinks these are anything different than the other hundreds of books she reads a day, but at least I know these stories will grow with her and I have planted a seed in her mind so that she will continue to learn and grow in her understanding of The Divine.

*On a slightly different note, Evelyn is more intrigued by death than I ever thought a 2 year old would be.  A few weeks ago she approached me with a toy cat and said to me "the cat is sad because his mommy died." I was so confused.  How does she even know about death??  But I asked several other pastor-parents who told me that their kids are really aware of death too.  I think it has to do with officiating funerals and such, and I don't know if that's good or bad, but she doesn't seem traumatized . . . just aware of it.

Flashback Post: The Superpower of Creating Dialogue

Below you will see an article from the May 2013 edition of our church newsletter, The Spire.  I felt the need to republish it here so that I could link it to our soon-to-be new website! 

Dear church family,

I do believe that the ability to create dialogue is the most incredible Superpower that we have as human beings.  No other creature on earth can participate in conversation the way that we can.  Surely other species can signal to one another about hunting and gathering or about the need to nurture their young, and as research evolves I am awestruck by how the communication that goes on between other species is far beyond what we originally thought possible.  Regardless, we can be sure that human beings are able to talk about issues that are infinitely more sophisticated and intellectual than any other species.  What a blessing we have!  Or is it a curse? 

Our Dialoguing Superpower allows us to talk about deeply emotional issues with people who disagree with us (e.g.: politics and religion; ways of raising children; the definition of a “healthy” lifestyle).  And when we make the decision to use this Superpower, we have to make another decision at the same time—will we let the alternate opinions of others make or break our relationships with them?  Though at times it may seem difficult, the best decision is to allow differing opinions to form and strengthen us as individuals.  In college, for example, several courses in Asian religions and belief systems made me more certain that Jesus was The Way for me.  My husband’s advocacy of plain black coffee made me more certain that I take cream and sugar.  My brother’s confidence that it doesn’t get better than living in Washington D.C. prepared me to move to a small rural town. 

This all has a point and is relevant to our current church context.  The Open and Affirming (ONA) process that has begun in our congregation is a time when we are invited to put on our Superhero capes and become Dialoguers.  ONA is a designation given to congregations which “make a public covenant of welcome into their full life and ministry to persons of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions.” This is one of those deeply emotional conversations, isn’t it?  But it is one that we have to have in the 21^st century, because the Church has a call to stay relevant and maintain a voice in the conversations of our society.  Since its foundation, the Church (our own and the institution as a whole) has been at the forefront of social justice and civil rights dialogue and now, in a time when church conversations revolve around potlucks and building maintenance more often than issues of caring for the marginalized and downtrodden, it’s time for the First Congregational Church of Ripon to say once again, “Hold on, we have a Superpower and we’re going to use it.” 

When we use this Superpower, we won’t all agree.  And that’s why we have to remember to make the decision to allow differing opinions to form and strengthen us as individuals.  We will be a diverse community of God’s children whether we agree or not.  And that, in itself, is a gift; we learn little when we are only exposed to those who agree with us.  So for the next year and a half to two years, we will occasionally get together and talk about becoming an ONA church.  I want us all to feel free to put our true opinions on the table in the form of healthy, respectful dialogue in which many viewpoints are represented by speakers with open ears and open hearts.  When we take the vote, it may pass and it may not, but we can be assured that as a church we will have a voice in this extremely important issue of our time, and that’s what makes us a strong, vital part of the Body of Christ. 

As we begin this process, there are a few points that I want to make very clear.  One: Your voice matters.  I don’t want to see anyone hiding in the shadows because they think their opinion is the unpopular one.  No one will be kicked out of our church for a different opinion.  Which brings me to point two: There is no pre-determined outcome of this vote. Whether our congregation votes yes or no, we will emerge from the process a stronger church family for having asked the question.  Furthermore, we will remain a church family that, like any other family, has differences and disagreements but continues to be bound by love for each other and our common desire to learn what it means to be Christian in a world that is always in transformation.  And finally I want to make point three: No matter where you stand on the issue, I am your pastor.  That means I’m here to listen when times are tough, show up in the toughest and most amazing times of your life, and pray for your peace and well-being because I care deeply about you.  Please let me know if you want to visit over coffee or in my office and have a conversation about the process.  I’m always glad to get to know each of you better anyway!

With the hope and peace of May’s flowers,

Pastor Joanna 

P-K Baptism

Whether or not to baptize one's own child is a pretty heated debate in the Pastor World, many saying they'd like to be "just a mom" or "just a dad" for the ceremony, while others (myself included) say it's a great honor and a privilege to perform the act of baptism on their own child. 

I don't know that there's a right or a wrong here, just whatever is more meaningful for you as a pastor-parent.  But I do know that for me, I really struggled to find options for liturgy in this situation, so it wouldn't feel like I was asking myself questions.  I raised this concern with my husband, a poet, and he took the liberty of converting the liturgy from the UCC Book of Worship into something we could use.  I thought I'd share it here so that others can have access and adapt it according to their context. Let me know what you think! 

Liturgy for the Baptism of a Pastor's Kid

Adapted heavily from the UCC Book of Worship

WELCOME

Pastor/Parent:

Dear friends, we are here to celebrate the gift of grace and the gift of life, converging to form a mighty river, the sacrament of baptism.

ALL:

Thanks be to God!

Pastor/Parent:

Jesus was baptized by John in a river that was murky and unpredictable.  From that point on, his mission was clear and his teachings shed the light of truth on all who heard his undying words.

ALL:

Let the water like a fresh spring cleanse and renew the spirit; let the light like a lighthouse guide and draw us home.

Pastor/Parent:

This sacrament is an outward and visible sign of the love and grace of God.  The promise of the gospel, and the commitment to fulfill it, is not only for us but for our children, too.  Baptism with water and with the Holy Spirit is the seal of a new covenant between God and the church and this new disciple of the great rabbi, Jesus of Nazareth.  In a moment, we will, as a congregation, reaffirm our faith; let us recall our own baptisms and our commitments to God’s church and to each other.

ALL:

In water we were made one with each other by the grace of God.  May our lives flow as one as we surge to help raise this new member of our community.

PARENTS SPEAK FOR THE CANDIDATE

Pastor/Parent:

As a parent and a pastor, I desire to baptize this child into the faith and family of Jesus Christ.

Partner/Parent:

With the help of God, I will encourage this child to resist the powers of evil and to pursue freedom of the spirit in a new Christian life.

Pastor/Parent:

With the help of God, I will teach him/her so that he/she will understand Jesus as a liberator of the mind, body, and soul.

Partner/Parent:

I promise, by the grace of God, to be an example of discipleship, to fight against oppression and for justice, to exhibit love beyond all love and patience beyond all patience, and to witness to the work and word of Jesus as I am best able.

Pastor/Parent:

I promise, according to the grace given me, to grow with this child, to help him/her be a faithful member of this church, by celebrating the presence of the Holy Spirit, by furthering Jesus’ mission in all the world, and by offering the motherly nurture of God the Creator so that [child’s name] may one day affirm his/her own baptism for himself/herself.

AGREEMENT OF THE SPONSORS

Pastor/Parent:

[Godparents/Sponsors names], are you ready, with God’s help, to guide and encourage [child’s name], by counsel and example, in prayer and with love, as [godmother, godfather, sponsors], to follow the way of Jesus as you yourselves model it?

Godparents/Sponsors:

We are ready!

CONGREGATIONAL ASSENT

Pastor/Parent:

Beloved church, we are called to share God’s unquenchable love with all the nations and to offer them the gift of grace in which we all participate.  Do you, who witness and celebrate this sacrament of baptism, promise your love, support, and care to the one about to be baptized as he/she lives and grows in this community?

ALL:

We promise our love, support, and care.

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH

Pastor/Parent:

Let us unite with the church in all times and places in professing our faith.

Do you believe in God?

ALL:

I believe in God.

Pastor/Parent:

Do you believe in Jesus Christ?

ALL:

I believe in Jesus Christ.

Pastor/Parent:

Do you believe in the Holy Spirit?

ALL:

I believe in the Holy Spirit.

PRAYER OF BAPTISM

Pastor/Parent:

The peace of Christ be with you.

ALL:

And also with you.

Pastor/Parent:

Let us pray.

(This prayer comes directly from the UCC Book of Worship)

We thank you, God, for the gift of creation called forth by your saving Word.

Before the world had shape and form, your Spirit moved over the waters. Out

of the waters of the deep, you formed the firmament and brought forth the

earth to sustain all life. In the time of Noah, you washed the earth with the waters of the flood, and

your ark of salvation bore a new beginning.

In the time of Moses, your people Israel passed through the Red Sea waters

from slavery to freedom and crossed the flowing Jordan to enter the promised

land.

In the fullness of time, you sent Jesus Christ, who was nurtured in the water of

Mary’s womb.

Jesus was baptized by John in the water of the Jordan, became living water to

a woman at the Samaritan well, washed the feet of the disciples, and sent them

forth to baptize all the nations by water and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

ACT OF BAPTISM

Pastor/Parent:

As parents, [Partner’s name] and I have named this child, and we will say his/her name now as he/she becomes a member of the body of Christ:

Partner/Parent:

[Child’s Name]

Pastor/Parent:

[Child’s Name], you are baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit always be upon you, [Child’s Name], child of God, disciple of Jesus, member of the church.

Church, greet your newest brother/sister in Christ with joyful applause.

MUSIC!!

PRAYER FOR THE BAPTIZED

Pastor/Parent:

(Directly from the UCC Book of Worship)

We give you thanks, O Holy One, mother and father of all the faithful for this

your child and for the grace acknowledged here today in

water and the Holy Spirit. Embrace us all as sons and daughters in the one

household of your love. Grant us grace to receive, nurture, and befriend this

new member of the body of Christ.

ALL: Give to the newly baptized: strength for life’s journey, courage in time of suffering, the joy of faith, the freedom of love, and the hope of new life; through Jesus Christ, who makes us one. Amen.

#Zumbanation

Hello Friends!

I wanted to make a special post first of all to give a shout out to everyone who attended our very first faith & fitness night Zumba class! You all rocked it! There was lots of fun and smiles! Also, I am making this post encourage some of you who may be a little nervous about trying out our new class here. Let me start about giving my own back story on how I got into Zumba and eventually became an instructor.

Zumba is a cardio workout program that involves elements of Latin dance and even dance from modern music. Free Zumba classes were offered to Ripon College students and staff on campus, and I went with a bunch of my roommates and teammates from the tennis team. I loved the positive energy, music, and laughing with my friends while getting a good workout. It was also a great stress reliever to have a busy college student. When I went home for summer and school vacations, I discoverer that one of the Zumba instructors in my hometown was one of my old daycare teachers! I started going to her classes and she really inspired me to dance and even help teach some songs! After that, I was hooked and I knew this was a tool I wanted to have in my toolbox when I did my own teaching. So, the rest is history and I am proud to say that I am Zumba instructor!

Today, on this transfiguration Sunday, during worship and Sunday school, we discussed seeing things in a different way and this is how I ask you to see Zumba coming into church. This offers those who wish a positive place to exercise and work on their health. It is for all abilities and all people. I challenge you during this time as we head into spring, to look at things in a brand new way or from a new angle. Give Zumba a try or do something you have always wanted to try! Connect and talk with God about what may be holding you back and what inspires you to move forward.

With God all things are possible!

Love,

Miss Olivia

Characters in Sunday School

Hello Everyone!
I am very excited to be making my first post here on the First Congo blog! Sunday School has been a joy to be apart of here and I really would like to share some of the teaching tools we have been looking at. A big goal of mine is to connect scripture and worship to things our children may have seen and also may enjoy. Also, I am big fan of film and books, so I really like to making connections using both!

We have started out our Sunday School year talking about heroes. Who are heroes in our own lives? Who are heroes in the bible? What makes a hero? We have discussed many heroes in Sunday School from Jesus to Batman, from Mom to teachers! This theme of being a hero and how God wants us to be heroes is a theme we are still carrying out through out this year and the youth have really responded well to it!

Also, we have used examples from the children's films Happy Feet and Akeelah and the bee. Both of these films give great examples of how being ourselves, just the way we are, we can make a great connection with God and great connections with others. In Happy Feet, we focused on "What is your heart song"? "How do you share your heart song with others"? And in Akeelah and the bee, we learn about the power within and with God, all things are possible. Here are the links we have have watched in Sunday School. Please give them a view and feel free to share your feelings and thoughts!

Happy Feet https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKA8wkU5tdk

Akeelah and the bee https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwKBxabn4QY

Currently, we have been working with the children's book, Pete the Cat. Pete has a lot of lessons to share about how no matter what happens to us in life, it is all good. With faith, love, and understanding, life is a wonderful journey we all walk through together! As we continue to look at these examples and others in the future, I greatly encourage you to connect with our youth and discuss with them your own journeys and share your own examples, thoughts, and feelings.

Blessings and love,

Olivia