Well, here we are at last--it's Holy Week!
To me, it's more busy and exciting than getting ready for Christmas. For one thing, we'll be attending church on five days out of the eight including Palm Sunday and Easter, so just making sure everybody knows what they're wearing is a big deal! We need to make sure we get showers in, and some haircuts, and a undoubtedly a shopping trip or two. There is Easter Sunday dinner to think about, and relatives coming to spend the weekend, Easter eggs to dye and Easter baskets to fill and hide.
This year, we have a lot of extra church-related details to attend to as well, with our church so small and the first year we are doing all 7 services (Palm Sunday, Blessing of Oil & Water, Maundy Thursday, Stations of the Cross, Good Friday, Easter Vigil and Easter Day). Nothing new for Father Rooster, I guess--but I am used to just showing up for these! This year, I am coordinating the Easter Vigil and all the readings/readers for the week. I am in a couple of readings and I'm singing in one of the services. I have added some Altar Guild responsibilities as well, and am helping with miscellaneous shopping and organizing tasks. The details are many!
On Saturday, our core team members blitzed their neighborhoods with a nice card-stock invitation to the services, listing all the times and locations. We are especially trying to talk up the Easter Vigil to our friends and neighbors. I think it's going to be a pretty solid first attempt! We are doing three readings with the accompaniment of a percussionist, a friend of one of our members, and those are going to be great. Uncle Rooster is joining our worship team for the weekend, and he'll be singing "He's Alive," the powerful ballad that we just can't imagine an Easter Vigil without. He's also going to do the Passion reading on Good Friday.
We have a reading that will be accompanied by American Sign Language, and a violinist will accompany a couple more. I've arranged the Abraham and Isaac reading for a father and son. I've also arranged a Reader's Theater-style reading for three of our teenage thespians, which I'm coaching them to have fun with. Blondechick is going to sing on the Easter Vigil worship team and sing a solo on Maundy Thursday; Father Rooster will sing the first part of the Easter Vigil liturgy, the Exultet, as he always used to do at Rez. We have an all-day rehearsal on Saturday, including sound checks with our newly-purchased sound system.
And our first Holy Week service, Palm Sunday, went beautifully and worshipfully yesterday. The snow that was forecast never showed, so we were able to have an outdoor procession (forgot to take pics yesterday, but here are some from last year) waving palms and singing hosannas. The Passion reading went well, and folks said that it was a powerful and effective way of transitioning us into the tone of the week. Uncle Rooster sounded great with the new sound system, singing Chris Rice's "Come to Jesus" as an offertory--so moving.
I can't even begin to tell you about all the effort others are putting in to this week, putting together our bulletins, coordinating all the music, musicians and singers, buying flowers and palms, ordering food for those who will be there all day Saturday, coordinating all our plans with the facility that we rent, putting ads in the paper and having our fliers printed up, rehearsing music and readings...but these services would not be happening without the efforts of our partners in ministry, Our Hero and Mrs. A!!!
So, if you're in the area, please consider joining us for any of these services! (Service times and locations are here.) We'd love to have visitors!!
Showing posts with label a new thing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label a new thing. Show all posts
Monday, April 06, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Tuesday Misc.
Happy St. Patrick's Day! Have you sung St. Patrick's Breastplate yet?
Today's Scripture thought:
But this is what I commanded them, saying, 'Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you will be My people; and you will walk in all the way which I command you, that it may be well with you.'
Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked in their own counsels and in the stubbornness of their evil heart, and went backward and not forward. (Jer. 7:23-24)
Lord, help me incline my ear to your voice, and obey it, and walk in the ways you command. Help me not to to trust in my own counsel, or the stubbornness of my own heart; keep me from evil, and lead me forward in your way, not mine. Amen.
I recently updated the prayer requests in my sidebar to add our church member Barbara, our upcoming Holy Week services at Light of Christ, and concerns regarding the start-up of the new theater program.
Thank you, all you prayer warriors, for lifting us up!
And don't miss the praise update there, you who have been praying for Christian friends for our teenagers! Bantam13 now has solid friendships with 4 Christian homeschooled boys, three of whom are also 7th graders, and one is a younger brother. Now there is another Christian boy right down the street that he just met at one of the other boys' houses, also a 7th grader at a private Christian school, who is also becoming a friend. One thing they all have in common is skateboarding, and most of their time together is spent constructing ramps and practicing tricks. Several of them play instruments, and they dream of forming a band someday when they're more accomplished. We're hoping a number of them will get involved in theater with us too! It's been a surprising and wonderful answer to that prayer.
Finally, I completely forgot to announce the Lenten Blog Carnival, at Homemaking Through the Church Year! If you need a little inspiration here, halfway through Lent, Jessica has got a nice collection of links, and she's added to it in subsequent posts as well. Check it out for some Lenten encouragement.
And if you're in the mood for Lenten humor, I've discovered (by way of Undercurrent of Hostility) a hilarious blog, written by a Catholic nun, called Ask Sister Mary Martha. Today's post will give humorous yet serious encouragement to those who are fasting this Lent--as most of us should be, she says!
***
Today's Scripture thought:
But this is what I commanded them, saying, 'Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you will be My people; and you will walk in all the way which I command you, that it may be well with you.'
Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked in their own counsels and in the stubbornness of their evil heart, and went backward and not forward. (Jer. 7:23-24)
Lord, help me incline my ear to your voice, and obey it, and walk in the ways you command. Help me not to to trust in my own counsel, or the stubbornness of my own heart; keep me from evil, and lead me forward in your way, not mine. Amen.
***
I recently updated the prayer requests in my sidebar to add our church member Barbara, our upcoming Holy Week services at Light of Christ, and concerns regarding the start-up of the new theater program.
Thank you, all you prayer warriors, for lifting us up!
And don't miss the praise update there, you who have been praying for Christian friends for our teenagers! Bantam13 now has solid friendships with 4 Christian homeschooled boys, three of whom are also 7th graders, and one is a younger brother. Now there is another Christian boy right down the street that he just met at one of the other boys' houses, also a 7th grader at a private Christian school, who is also becoming a friend. One thing they all have in common is skateboarding, and most of their time together is spent constructing ramps and practicing tricks. Several of them play instruments, and they dream of forming a band someday when they're more accomplished. We're hoping a number of them will get involved in theater with us too! It's been a surprising and wonderful answer to that prayer.
***
Finally, I completely forgot to announce the Lenten Blog Carnival, at Homemaking Through the Church Year! If you need a little inspiration here, halfway through Lent, Jessica has got a nice collection of links, and she's added to it in subsequent posts as well. Check it out for some Lenten encouragement.
And if you're in the mood for Lenten humor, I've discovered (by way of Undercurrent of Hostility) a hilarious blog, written by a Catholic nun, called Ask Sister Mary Martha. Today's post will give humorous yet serious encouragement to those who are fasting this Lent--as most of us should be, she says!
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Anticipating
It's so true that sometimes anticipation is as great as the fulfillment!
I have been occupied lately with administrative details, both for the new theater group and in the planning of our first Holy Week at Light of Christ, and I am so excited about both!
I am the coordinator for the Easter Vigil, the long Saturday night service which calls for much creativity and celebration. I've been having a blast thinking through, with others and to myself (it filled my dreams last night!), all the possibilities for the readings, in particular--and it's so exciting to settle on some and imagine how it all will work!
For the theater group, I know a secret. I know what our first show next fall PROBABLY will be. And I'm so excited about it!
I am also working hard on getting the word out about both. We're still early in the process of advertising our Holy Week services, but the word is spreading about the March 26 informational meeting for the theater group. It sounds like it is going to be well-attended!
And somehow, homeschooling continues amidst the exciting busy-ness. Thank you, Lord!
I've been keeping up with the Daily Office, but I'm having trouble finding a verse to meditate on. The Deuteronomy and Hebrew readings are all about those who are filled with unbelief--lots of warnings there.
The one verse that struck me was Jesus' response to Nicodemus, after he tried to explain about being born again and about the wind blowing where it wills: "If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things?"
I think of earthly things like the water of baptism, the bread and wine of communion, oil for healing, hands clapping or raised in worship. Don't these earthly elements precede belief and participation in heavenly things? Is it even possible to reverse the order? We often try, but Christ, here, says no.
I have been occupied lately with administrative details, both for the new theater group and in the planning of our first Holy Week at Light of Christ, and I am so excited about both!
I am the coordinator for the Easter Vigil, the long Saturday night service which calls for much creativity and celebration. I've been having a blast thinking through, with others and to myself (it filled my dreams last night!), all the possibilities for the readings, in particular--and it's so exciting to settle on some and imagine how it all will work!
For the theater group, I know a secret. I know what our first show next fall PROBABLY will be. And I'm so excited about it!
I am also working hard on getting the word out about both. We're still early in the process of advertising our Holy Week services, but the word is spreading about the March 26 informational meeting for the theater group. It sounds like it is going to be well-attended!
And somehow, homeschooling continues amidst the exciting busy-ness. Thank you, Lord!
***
I've been keeping up with the Daily Office, but I'm having trouble finding a verse to meditate on. The Deuteronomy and Hebrew readings are all about those who are filled with unbelief--lots of warnings there.
The one verse that struck me was Jesus' response to Nicodemus, after he tried to explain about being born again and about the wind blowing where it wills: "If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things?"
I think of earthly things like the water of baptism, the bread and wine of communion, oil for healing, hands clapping or raised in worship. Don't these earthly elements precede belief and participation in heavenly things? Is it even possible to reverse the order? We often try, but Christ, here, says no.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Ash Wednesday Report, and Some Blogging Odds and Ends
We had such a blessed Ash Wednesday service last night!
It was not our first one--that was last year--but it was my first one at Light of Christ. Last year, Father Rooster just drove north after work to lead the service; the kids and I were still living back in the old country, so we attended the Ash Wednesday service at Rez.
But as I glanced around the quiet room last night, I realized that it was the first LOC Ash Wednesday service for many of us there! Several families weren't with us yet last Lent--hard as it is to remember LOC before they were part of it--and we had a couple visitors.
I think all were truly blessed. It was a great start to our Lenten season.
Speaking of the Lenten season, Jessica at Homemaking Through the Church Year is hosting a Lenten Carnival on March 8! So if you've posted recently about anything related to Lent, consider sending her the link. I'll remind my readers about the carnival when it is posted--should be some good reading!
And speaking of celebrating the church year, let me introduce you to a new blogger! Amy, at Splendor in the Ordinary, was part of Light of Christ last year during Lent, in spirit if not in regular attendance. They were living in Kenosha at the time, trying to discern their next steps--which led them to Pennsylvania, an orthodox Episcopal church, and a position for her husband as a professor at Eastern College. We were sorry to see them go, and now I am so glad to stay in touch with them through Amy's new blog! She has such creative and inspiring ideas for how to celebrate Sabbath and the church year with small children, and her humble heart and quick mind inspire me, an adult, as well!
So I've just added Amy to my Bloglines, and I thought I'd point out that in my sidebar, under the link "Blogs I Visit," there is a folder titled "Anglicans," which has links to all the Anglican mommy-bloggers I am aware of, and a few others as well--in case anyone else is searching out their fellow Anglicans.
For example, Janice Skivington is an Anglican artist that I know. Her works are just beautiful, and it's so interesting to read her commentary on her own work. Sometimes it's on the process, sometimes on the result, sometimes on the emotions or the colors...it's all fascinating!
Finally, I've been meaning to mention that if you'd like to receive posts from At A Hen's Pace in your email in-box, there is a link in my sidebar, now, that will allow you to do just that!
It was not our first one--that was last year--but it was my first one at Light of Christ. Last year, Father Rooster just drove north after work to lead the service; the kids and I were still living back in the old country, so we attended the Ash Wednesday service at Rez.
But as I glanced around the quiet room last night, I realized that it was the first LOC Ash Wednesday service for many of us there! Several families weren't with us yet last Lent--hard as it is to remember LOC before they were part of it--and we had a couple visitors.
I think all were truly blessed. It was a great start to our Lenten season.
***
Speaking of the Lenten season, Jessica at Homemaking Through the Church Year is hosting a Lenten Carnival on March 8! So if you've posted recently about anything related to Lent, consider sending her the link. I'll remind my readers about the carnival when it is posted--should be some good reading!
***
And speaking of celebrating the church year, let me introduce you to a new blogger! Amy, at Splendor in the Ordinary, was part of Light of Christ last year during Lent, in spirit if not in regular attendance. They were living in Kenosha at the time, trying to discern their next steps--which led them to Pennsylvania, an orthodox Episcopal church, and a position for her husband as a professor at Eastern College. We were sorry to see them go, and now I am so glad to stay in touch with them through Amy's new blog! She has such creative and inspiring ideas for how to celebrate Sabbath and the church year with small children, and her humble heart and quick mind inspire me, an adult, as well!
***
So I've just added Amy to my Bloglines, and I thought I'd point out that in my sidebar, under the link "Blogs I Visit," there is a folder titled "Anglicans," which has links to all the Anglican mommy-bloggers I am aware of, and a few others as well--in case anyone else is searching out their fellow Anglicans.
For example, Janice Skivington is an Anglican artist that I know. Her works are just beautiful, and it's so interesting to read her commentary on her own work. Sometimes it's on the process, sometimes on the result, sometimes on the emotions or the colors...it's all fascinating!
***
Finally, I've been meaning to mention that if you'd like to receive posts from At A Hen's Pace in your email in-box, there is a link in my sidebar, now, that will allow you to do just that!
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Another Night in Illinois--and a Dream
Tonight, the theater kids and I are all returning to DuPage County to see "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," performed by our former theater group. It's the last night of the run, so we'll attend the cast party afterward (and be the last ones to leave, if my kids have anything to say about it...!).
There are a number of kids who are graduating out of the program now, so it will be bittersweet to watch them in their last show. We all remember their first auditions--some of them pretty lame, indeed! What a long way they've come.
Since the cast party will probably go into the wee hours, we're planning to spend the night with friends and go to our old church again on Sunday.
Last week, after our wonderful visit there, I had a house dream. Whenever I dream about houses, they are usually significant dreams, with layers of meanings. This one wasn't too hard to interpret:
I dreamed that "our house" (it wasn't either our IL home or our WI home) had to be moved, for some reason, and the company that moved it did it in layers. First they somehow unattached the second floor and moved it with something like a giant forklift; then they moved the ground floor with another.
In the dream, I didn't see the house reattached and set up in its new location...but I went back to the old site to see what they did about the basement. I wondered about my pear tree, which was planted relatively near the foundation--I had a vague idea of digging it up and trying to move it, too, but when I got there, it was gone, most of the basement was gone, and what was left of the basement had some small dolls and toys in it that I didn't recognize.
Then I woke up and immediately knew that the way the house was moved a floor at a time related to the way we moved in stages--we "moved" from our church home (by driving up here every Sunday) over a year before we moved out of our physical home there. In a way, all that is left, now, in IL is our "basement"--the foundation of friends and memories that we have there.
In the dream, I was disturbed to find the dolls and toys that I didn't recognize, and I don't know exactly what they represent. Perhaps it was my fears that as we return, it will begin to seem unfamiliar? The sense that literally, someone else's belongings are in my old home? Perhaps I feared that these items did belong to us, but I no longer remembered them--maybe a fear that I'll forget things from "our old life" that I don't want to lose?
The whole dream had an emotional component of my home being torn apart--and nowhere in the dream was it all put back together. (I look forward to that dream, when it comes!)
So, much as I will enjoy this return visit...I'm aware that, to some degree, it will probably have a heart-rending effect....
There are a number of kids who are graduating out of the program now, so it will be bittersweet to watch them in their last show. We all remember their first auditions--some of them pretty lame, indeed! What a long way they've come.
Since the cast party will probably go into the wee hours, we're planning to spend the night with friends and go to our old church again on Sunday.
Last week, after our wonderful visit there, I had a house dream. Whenever I dream about houses, they are usually significant dreams, with layers of meanings. This one wasn't too hard to interpret:
I dreamed that "our house" (it wasn't either our IL home or our WI home) had to be moved, for some reason, and the company that moved it did it in layers. First they somehow unattached the second floor and moved it with something like a giant forklift; then they moved the ground floor with another.
In the dream, I didn't see the house reattached and set up in its new location...but I went back to the old site to see what they did about the basement. I wondered about my pear tree, which was planted relatively near the foundation--I had a vague idea of digging it up and trying to move it, too, but when I got there, it was gone, most of the basement was gone, and what was left of the basement had some small dolls and toys in it that I didn't recognize.
Then I woke up and immediately knew that the way the house was moved a floor at a time related to the way we moved in stages--we "moved" from our church home (by driving up here every Sunday) over a year before we moved out of our physical home there. In a way, all that is left, now, in IL is our "basement"--the foundation of friends and memories that we have there.
In the dream, I was disturbed to find the dolls and toys that I didn't recognize, and I don't know exactly what they represent. Perhaps it was my fears that as we return, it will begin to seem unfamiliar? The sense that literally, someone else's belongings are in my old home? Perhaps I feared that these items did belong to us, but I no longer remembered them--maybe a fear that I'll forget things from "our old life" that I don't want to lose?
The whole dream had an emotional component of my home being torn apart--and nowhere in the dream was it all put back together. (I look forward to that dream, when it comes!)
So, much as I will enjoy this return visit...I'm aware that, to some degree, it will probably have a heart-rending effect....
Monday, February 09, 2009
Great Day Yesterday
I only have a few minutes, since today is filled with appointments....
But what a wonderful day we had yesterday at Church of the Resurrection!
It was a delight for Father Rooster to lead the liturgy at both services, and by all reports, many were glad to hear his familiar priestly voice. We were able to greet so many old friends, adults and children alike, at both services.
Then several of our good friends hosted the most beautiful open house for us! They thought of everything. There was a fabulous spread of food and drinks. There were slideshows of our family--from way back in the early Rez days, to recent photos at Light of Christ. They took pictures of everyone who came, to go into a guest book later, which everyone signed on their way in. So many of our Rez friends came, and our kids' friends, and even our former neighbors, theater friends, friends from Wheaton College days and homeschooling friends! In the evening there was more food and choice desserts, and a special liturgy of blessing for us, with an open time of sharing memories and ways folks had been blessed by our service at Rez. How wonderful to laugh, cry and reflect on all we had been through together and how amazingly God has worked--even planting the seeds of new works, in our lives and others', many years ago!
Spiritual hindsight is such a gift.
We expected that this day would be a great time of fellowship. But we were unprepared, somehow, for the generous outpouring of love, encouragement and blessing we received. Thank you, dear friends. Thank you, Lord!!
But what a wonderful day we had yesterday at Church of the Resurrection!
It was a delight for Father Rooster to lead the liturgy at both services, and by all reports, many were glad to hear his familiar priestly voice. We were able to greet so many old friends, adults and children alike, at both services.
Then several of our good friends hosted the most beautiful open house for us! They thought of everything. There was a fabulous spread of food and drinks. There were slideshows of our family--from way back in the early Rez days, to recent photos at Light of Christ. They took pictures of everyone who came, to go into a guest book later, which everyone signed on their way in. So many of our Rez friends came, and our kids' friends, and even our former neighbors, theater friends, friends from Wheaton College days and homeschooling friends! In the evening there was more food and choice desserts, and a special liturgy of blessing for us, with an open time of sharing memories and ways folks had been blessed by our service at Rez. How wonderful to laugh, cry and reflect on all we had been through together and how amazingly God has worked--even planting the seeds of new works, in our lives and others', many years ago!
Spiritual hindsight is such a gift.
We expected that this day would be a great time of fellowship. But we were unprepared, somehow, for the generous outpouring of love, encouragement and blessing we received. Thank you, dear friends. Thank you, Lord!!
Sunday, February 08, 2009
Return to the Mother Ship
Today we are spending the day back in Illinois, at our sending church, where we attended for over 15 years before planting Light of Christ.
We will attend both services; Father Rooster will be celebrating (or leading the liturgy for the communion portion of the services) and also sharing a brief report on how things are going at Light of Christ and how God is at work there.
We'll have lunch with Grandma and Grandpa Rooster, and then good friends are hosting an open house for our family, so friends can stop in and visit with us in person. After dinner, couples that we were in a prayer group with for years, plus some other invited guests, will gather to pray for us.
And send us off back to Wisconsin!
It'll probably be a long but wonderful day. Except for the driving and the getting everyone out the door by 7 a.m. part of it, we are really looking forward to it!
We will attend both services; Father Rooster will be celebrating (or leading the liturgy for the communion portion of the services) and also sharing a brief report on how things are going at Light of Christ and how God is at work there.
We'll have lunch with Grandma and Grandpa Rooster, and then good friends are hosting an open house for our family, so friends can stop in and visit with us in person. After dinner, couples that we were in a prayer group with for years, plus some other invited guests, will gather to pray for us.
And send us off back to Wisconsin!
It'll probably be a long but wonderful day. Except for the driving and the getting everyone out the door by 7 a.m. part of it, we are really looking forward to it!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Epiphany Anniversary
Today at church we celebrated Epiphany and Light of Christ's second birthday!
Two years ago, during Epiphany, Mr. & Mrs. A held the first service in their home with the beginnings of a core team. At that point, Father Rooster was committed only to helping out once a month, as was one other priest. (It didn't take long for us and for the core team to agree that God was calling Father Rooster to a much great task, and by Easter Sunday of that year, we were coming every week and getting our house ready to put on the market.)
Our church is called Light of Christ because it began in Epiphany, when the Light of the World was revealed to the World: The readings for the day are either the Wise Men (representing the Gentile world) following the star (light) in the heavens, or the baptism of Jesus, when the dove and the Father's voice revealed him to be the Son of God.
In honor of our birthday, one member shared what the church had meant to her on her spiritual journey. She said that all her life, she had found the sense of God's presence to be elusive, even when intellectually she knew He was there. But at Light of Christ, she said, every Sunday, she always sensed God's presence, and that is what brought her and her family back week after week.
Praise God! I sat thinking, as she was sharing. How wonderful to hear that it wasn't the sermon or the music or the people that she kept coming back for--though I know she appreciates all those things--but for the presence of God himself! To me, this was such an affirmation that we're on the right track as a church.
We were delighted to have a number of visitors, including a young couple from our "mother church" and their little boy. They spent the afternoon and evening with us, sharing what God is doing in all our lives and exploring possible convergences in the future. We'll see what God may be doing there!
The wife is the daughter of some special friends of ours back in Illinois, and we were touched by a gift that had been sent with them--a large tin of homemade carmel corn, a specialty of her mother's, made for us. (I am munching on some as I type!) A small thing, but it goes a long way to keep a sense of connection with old friends. (Thanks, Mr. and Mrs. B! Can't wait to see you at Mars Hill!)
No birthday would be complete without a cake...so we had some after church.
What a blessed Epiphany Sunday!
Two years ago, during Epiphany, Mr. & Mrs. A held the first service in their home with the beginnings of a core team. At that point, Father Rooster was committed only to helping out once a month, as was one other priest. (It didn't take long for us and for the core team to agree that God was calling Father Rooster to a much great task, and by Easter Sunday of that year, we were coming every week and getting our house ready to put on the market.)
Our church is called Light of Christ because it began in Epiphany, when the Light of the World was revealed to the World: The readings for the day are either the Wise Men (representing the Gentile world) following the star (light) in the heavens, or the baptism of Jesus, when the dove and the Father's voice revealed him to be the Son of God.
In honor of our birthday, one member shared what the church had meant to her on her spiritual journey. She said that all her life, she had found the sense of God's presence to be elusive, even when intellectually she knew He was there. But at Light of Christ, she said, every Sunday, she always sensed God's presence, and that is what brought her and her family back week after week.
Praise God! I sat thinking, as she was sharing. How wonderful to hear that it wasn't the sermon or the music or the people that she kept coming back for--though I know she appreciates all those things--but for the presence of God himself! To me, this was such an affirmation that we're on the right track as a church.
We were delighted to have a number of visitors, including a young couple from our "mother church" and their little boy. They spent the afternoon and evening with us, sharing what God is doing in all our lives and exploring possible convergences in the future. We'll see what God may be doing there!
The wife is the daughter of some special friends of ours back in Illinois, and we were touched by a gift that had been sent with them--a large tin of homemade carmel corn, a specialty of her mother's, made for us. (I am munching on some as I type!) A small thing, but it goes a long way to keep a sense of connection with old friends. (Thanks, Mr. and Mrs. B! Can't wait to see you at Mars Hill!)
No birthday would be complete without a cake...so we had some after church.
What a blessed Epiphany Sunday!
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
End of Year Musings
Wow!!
All I can say, looking back at 2008, is, "What a wild ride!"
A year ago, watching a real estate market stopped dead in its tracks, we were waiting a few more weeks to put our house back on the market--for the second time.
We were getting our kids up at 5:45 a.m. every Sunday morning to drive to Wisconsin for church.
Papa Rooster was spending Wednesday evenings with the core team and staying overnight with Our Hero and Mrs. A.
I was washing walls constantly and realizing that yes, we do need to strip the wallpaper in the dining room before we put the house back on the market. Even if it did mean another few days off of homeschooling....
We had so many questions: Would we ever sell our house? Should we step out in faith and buy something in Wisconsin even if our house wasn't sold yet? Should we commit to ten weeks of rehearsals for the next children's theater production? Where will we be in two months? In a year?
And a year later, here we are!
In mid-April, we found an amazing house for a fabulous price, and it seemed clear that we should step forward and make an offer. Three weeks later, the day before we closed on the new house, we accepted an offer on the old one! And four weeks, 9 Oliver performances and one hardwood floor installation later, we moved in.
It was a busy summer of unpacking and checking out our schooling options for the fall. Our two oldest took a summer school class at the local public high school as a trial run, and that experience led us to search for a better option for Blondechick. By God's grace, she ended up at a tiny new charter school that she now loves (despite her initial insistence that we were ruining her life by not sending her to Huge Local High!).
The remainder of the brood were happy to be homeschooled, though hesitant about finding friends in the local homeschool group. But God provided, and through co-op enrichment classes and homeschool gym classes at Carthage College, the Bantams made some good friends which we are so grateful for. And they live nearby!
Our little church plant has grown slowly but solidly, and Papa Rooster and I love the friendships we have with the folks there. Our worship together is a joy, and our small size has so many delights.
Papa Rooster's "day job" has been stressful, with his industry (they provide health care-related data to the government and other businesses) affected by the economy, like all the rest. But we are so grateful for his job and how it provides for our family. And when so many are laying off workers, his company actually hired a man from our church! So now PR has a companion on his 2-hour round-trip commute, and another good friend in his workplace.
A year ago, how could we ever have guessed?
So what does the New Year hold?
Undoubtedly, more than we can ever guess! But at least we know (probably?!) where we'll be living. What a wonderful feeling!
And we know of two big things that seem to be on God's agenda for 2009.
One is a more concerted effort to make our little church known in the community. We are celebrating our 2-year anniversary on Epiphany Sunday, if you can believe it! But we haven't really "launched," as some church planters call it, and in the coming year, we'll be discussing when and how we're going to do that.
The other thing is the starting of a new chapter of our Christian children's theater organization in Kenosha! So far, our family is the connection point for this new venture, and I am helping lay the groundwork. I anticipate that I may be asked to interview for the part-time, work-at-home job of "area coordinator," so I have been praying about whether I should. I am feeling a nudge to go ahead if asked, but I have all kinds of questions for the Lord about how He's going to help me keep all the balls in the air!
But our 2008 experience, like so many other years, has taught me to trust in His answers. They don't always look like the ones I would provide, or in the timing I would pick. But our new house, our new community, the high schools, the homeschool group, and especially our church, are all such wonderful, delightful provisions and places to serve. Better than I could have imagined, and worth the wait!
All I can say, looking back at 2008, is, "What a wild ride!"
A year ago, watching a real estate market stopped dead in its tracks, we were waiting a few more weeks to put our house back on the market--for the second time.
We were getting our kids up at 5:45 a.m. every Sunday morning to drive to Wisconsin for church.
Papa Rooster was spending Wednesday evenings with the core team and staying overnight with Our Hero and Mrs. A.
I was washing walls constantly and realizing that yes, we do need to strip the wallpaper in the dining room before we put the house back on the market. Even if it did mean another few days off of homeschooling....
We had so many questions: Would we ever sell our house? Should we step out in faith and buy something in Wisconsin even if our house wasn't sold yet? Should we commit to ten weeks of rehearsals for the next children's theater production? Where will we be in two months? In a year?
And a year later, here we are!
In mid-April, we found an amazing house for a fabulous price, and it seemed clear that we should step forward and make an offer. Three weeks later, the day before we closed on the new house, we accepted an offer on the old one! And four weeks, 9 Oliver performances and one hardwood floor installation later, we moved in.
It was a busy summer of unpacking and checking out our schooling options for the fall. Our two oldest took a summer school class at the local public high school as a trial run, and that experience led us to search for a better option for Blondechick. By God's grace, she ended up at a tiny new charter school that she now loves (despite her initial insistence that we were ruining her life by not sending her to Huge Local High!).
The remainder of the brood were happy to be homeschooled, though hesitant about finding friends in the local homeschool group. But God provided, and through co-op enrichment classes and homeschool gym classes at Carthage College, the Bantams made some good friends which we are so grateful for. And they live nearby!
Our little church plant has grown slowly but solidly, and Papa Rooster and I love the friendships we have with the folks there. Our worship together is a joy, and our small size has so many delights.
Papa Rooster's "day job" has been stressful, with his industry (they provide health care-related data to the government and other businesses) affected by the economy, like all the rest. But we are so grateful for his job and how it provides for our family. And when so many are laying off workers, his company actually hired a man from our church! So now PR has a companion on his 2-hour round-trip commute, and another good friend in his workplace.
A year ago, how could we ever have guessed?
So what does the New Year hold?
Undoubtedly, more than we can ever guess! But at least we know (probably?!) where we'll be living. What a wonderful feeling!
And we know of two big things that seem to be on God's agenda for 2009.
One is a more concerted effort to make our little church known in the community. We are celebrating our 2-year anniversary on Epiphany Sunday, if you can believe it! But we haven't really "launched," as some church planters call it, and in the coming year, we'll be discussing when and how we're going to do that.
The other thing is the starting of a new chapter of our Christian children's theater organization in Kenosha! So far, our family is the connection point for this new venture, and I am helping lay the groundwork. I anticipate that I may be asked to interview for the part-time, work-at-home job of "area coordinator," so I have been praying about whether I should. I am feeling a nudge to go ahead if asked, but I have all kinds of questions for the Lord about how He's going to help me keep all the balls in the air!
But our 2008 experience, like so many other years, has taught me to trust in His answers. They don't always look like the ones I would provide, or in the timing I would pick. But our new house, our new community, the high schools, the homeschool group, and especially our church, are all such wonderful, delightful provisions and places to serve. Better than I could have imagined, and worth the wait!
Now to him who is able to do
immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,
according to his power that is at work within us,
to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus
throughout all generations, for ever and ever!
Amen.
~Ephesians 3:20
immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,
according to his power that is at work within us,
to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus
throughout all generations, for ever and ever!
Amen.
~Ephesians 3:20
Sunday, December 07, 2008
Cast List--and Second Sunday in Advent
The cast list is up and it looks good! We don't know what half these roles actually mean, since we've never seen this show before, but it looks like:
Bantam13 is a Wiz Kid, whatever that is, and a Swing Dancer, in the "Gravity" ("shoo-bee-doo-down-down-down") number. This is exciting for B13, who hasn't ever been featured for dancing before. It's--ahem--not his strong point, shall we say--but he enjoyed learning the swing dance they taught at callbacks, and he had a feeling he did well. So, as I say, kind of exciting for him.
Blondechick16 is a Brainiac, whatever that is, and a Lolly Girl, which means she'll get to sing, "Lolly, lolly, lolly/ Get your adverbs here" in close harmony with two other girls, "Boylan Sisters"-style. Fun!
Bantam9 is one of the Peanut Prodigies, whatever that is, and a Young Inventor (Alexander Graham Bell). We think that means that in "Mother Necessity," he gets to either sing or act to these lines:
Ring me on the Alexander Graham Bell.
Thank you Alexander for the phone.
I'd never get a date, I'd never get a job
Unless I had a telephone.
Rehearsals begin next Saturday! Performances are January 29-February 1 in Grayslake/Gurnee, IL. (Let me know if you're within driving distance and want tickets!)
They'll have ten performances in four days. Yikes! I am eager to see what parent committee they will put me on. I have always done makeup, but if they don't need help in that department, I may be learning something new. I'll find out on Saturday!
***
In other news, we had a lovely second Sunday in Advent service today, with a guest preacher, Father Klukas from Nashotah House, who gave us an excellent word on giving Christ the time and the space necessary for Him to remind and refocus us on right priorities. It's what Advent is all about, as we anticipate His second coming and try to be prepared, like the wise virgins. I am hoping to spend a little time this week on remembrance, resonance and reformation.
Speaking of preparation, for today's service I dusted off my oboe and started playing it twice a day last week, to get my lip into shape--it had been 7 years since I last played it! I have to say that I think I sounded like I just pulled it out of the closet 5 days ago, but I learned a lot from doing it and made our worship leader promise to let me do it again sometime. I realize in hindsight that I probably shouldn't have used a 7-year-old reed...and since I now have the eyesight of an over-40 year old, I need my own music on my own stand, rather than reading it over the pianist's shoulder! (Leaning in close to read the music did not lend itself well to breath support or proper reed position in the mouth, either.) But it wasn't as bad as you might now be thinking...and it was a pleasure to play as part of an ensemble again, for the first time since high school.
After church we had a group over for lunch: Father Klukas, his wife, two seminarians and their wives and children; plus our overnight guests, dear friends from Church of the Resurrection, their two teenage daughters and a friend. My friend--bless her!--helped me make soup on Saturday night, after a mostaccioli dinner, and we served it for lunch today with salad and bagels, with meat and cheese to make sandwiches. It was delight to relax around our big dining room table with such a fascinating group of adults!
And it's so good to have auditions behind us....
Bantam13 is a Wiz Kid, whatever that is, and a Swing Dancer, in the "Gravity" ("shoo-bee-doo-down-down-down") number. This is exciting for B13, who hasn't ever been featured for dancing before. It's--ahem--not his strong point, shall we say--but he enjoyed learning the swing dance they taught at callbacks, and he had a feeling he did well. So, as I say, kind of exciting for him.
Blondechick16 is a Brainiac, whatever that is, and a Lolly Girl, which means she'll get to sing, "Lolly, lolly, lolly/ Get your adverbs here" in close harmony with two other girls, "Boylan Sisters"-style. Fun!
Bantam9 is one of the Peanut Prodigies, whatever that is, and a Young Inventor (Alexander Graham Bell). We think that means that in "Mother Necessity," he gets to either sing or act to these lines:
Ring me on the Alexander Graham Bell.
Thank you Alexander for the phone.
I'd never get a date, I'd never get a job
Unless I had a telephone.
Rehearsals begin next Saturday! Performances are January 29-February 1 in Grayslake/Gurnee, IL. (Let me know if you're within driving distance and want tickets!)
They'll have ten performances in four days. Yikes! I am eager to see what parent committee they will put me on. I have always done makeup, but if they don't need help in that department, I may be learning something new. I'll find out on Saturday!
***
In other news, we had a lovely second Sunday in Advent service today, with a guest preacher, Father Klukas from Nashotah House, who gave us an excellent word on giving Christ the time and the space necessary for Him to remind and refocus us on right priorities. It's what Advent is all about, as we anticipate His second coming and try to be prepared, like the wise virgins. I am hoping to spend a little time this week on remembrance, resonance and reformation.
Speaking of preparation, for today's service I dusted off my oboe and started playing it twice a day last week, to get my lip into shape--it had been 7 years since I last played it! I have to say that I think I sounded like I just pulled it out of the closet 5 days ago, but I learned a lot from doing it and made our worship leader promise to let me do it again sometime. I realize in hindsight that I probably shouldn't have used a 7-year-old reed...and since I now have the eyesight of an over-40 year old, I need my own music on my own stand, rather than reading it over the pianist's shoulder! (Leaning in close to read the music did not lend itself well to breath support or proper reed position in the mouth, either.) But it wasn't as bad as you might now be thinking...and it was a pleasure to play as part of an ensemble again, for the first time since high school.
After church we had a group over for lunch: Father Klukas, his wife, two seminarians and their wives and children; plus our overnight guests, dear friends from Church of the Resurrection, their two teenage daughters and a friend. My friend--bless her!--helped me make soup on Saturday night, after a mostaccioli dinner, and we served it for lunch today with salad and bagels, with meat and cheese to make sandwiches. It was delight to relax around our big dining room table with such a fascinating group of adults!
And it's so good to have auditions behind us....
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Theater Interlude
I'm here at Panera, for my few hours a week by myself, and I'm planning to get to Part Six...
But last night, we went to see the opening night performance of the musical our old theater group is performing, The Legend of Pocahontas (a musical, but not the Disney version). It was fabulous, and afterwards, we joined all the cast families at a restaurant for the traditional Opening Night party/fundraiser there.
It was so good to be with all our DuPage County friends again, and now the four kids who went (all but oldest and youngest) and I are all suffering from homesickness!
A friend asked, "Is it sad because it seems like everybody just went on without you?"
I thought about it and replied, "No, it feels like WE went on without all of you. We've been so busy making new friends and getting involved in new activities...and now all of a sudden we realize what we've been missing here, with you guys!"
I knew before we moved that the thing the kids and I would miss most would be our theater group and our friends there. It meets such a need in our family, for Christian fellowship for all ages and having FUN together with Christian friends.
We are temporarily getting involved with the Lake County chapter of the organization, but it's not the same. For one thing, we're only taking classes this session. We are planning to audition for the winter show, and then we'll be seeing those families three times a week--but it's still only temporary, because ultimately, we are planning to start a Kenosha County group.
The proposal has been approved by the Chicago board, and we are just waiting for the national board to give the go-ahead. If that comes (any day now), we'll plan on an informational meeting in the spring, a week-long day camp next summer, and classes and our first production in the fall--just a year from now!
I've been so excited...but in my current homesick state, I fear that it will still just never be the same. The Kenosha group will probably have its own feel, and maybe it will never be the same kind of community for us.
But when I look into the future, with the eyes of faith...I see my own children, given personalities by God that many find so winsome, attracting other kids and families that are equally fun-loving, talented, capable and committed to the Lord.
I see how God has grown our church, person by person, family by family. As one of our friends who visited remarked, "What neat people, every one of them!" And I trust that He will do the same with this theater group.
I feel a bit like Abraham, believing "the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were."
I miss our theater group so much. Their next show starts in ten minutes, and I wish we were there in the Green Room with the cast!
But it is possible that a year from now, Kenosha County will be praying together before the Opening Night of its very first production. We'll be starting our own traditions of celebration and hilarity. We'll be laying the foundation of a new Christian community that will shape and encourage many kids and families in their faith.
As the handsome young stunt/fight choreographer told me last night, when I was talking to him about keeping my boys interested in theater, "I wish that I could have been involved in something like this when I was in high school. It would have kept me out of so much trouble."
Lord, bring it about. Call it forth into being. May it bless many...and be a comfort to my own family. Amen.
But last night, we went to see the opening night performance of the musical our old theater group is performing, The Legend of Pocahontas (a musical, but not the Disney version). It was fabulous, and afterwards, we joined all the cast families at a restaurant for the traditional Opening Night party/fundraiser there.
It was so good to be with all our DuPage County friends again, and now the four kids who went (all but oldest and youngest) and I are all suffering from homesickness!
A friend asked, "Is it sad because it seems like everybody just went on without you?"
I thought about it and replied, "No, it feels like WE went on without all of you. We've been so busy making new friends and getting involved in new activities...and now all of a sudden we realize what we've been missing here, with you guys!"
I knew before we moved that the thing the kids and I would miss most would be our theater group and our friends there. It meets such a need in our family, for Christian fellowship for all ages and having FUN together with Christian friends.
We are temporarily getting involved with the Lake County chapter of the organization, but it's not the same. For one thing, we're only taking classes this session. We are planning to audition for the winter show, and then we'll be seeing those families three times a week--but it's still only temporary, because ultimately, we are planning to start a Kenosha County group.
The proposal has been approved by the Chicago board, and we are just waiting for the national board to give the go-ahead. If that comes (any day now), we'll plan on an informational meeting in the spring, a week-long day camp next summer, and classes and our first production in the fall--just a year from now!
I've been so excited...but in my current homesick state, I fear that it will still just never be the same. The Kenosha group will probably have its own feel, and maybe it will never be the same kind of community for us.
But when I look into the future, with the eyes of faith...I see my own children, given personalities by God that many find so winsome, attracting other kids and families that are equally fun-loving, talented, capable and committed to the Lord.
I see how God has grown our church, person by person, family by family. As one of our friends who visited remarked, "What neat people, every one of them!" And I trust that He will do the same with this theater group.
I feel a bit like Abraham, believing "the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were."
I miss our theater group so much. Their next show starts in ten minutes, and I wish we were there in the Green Room with the cast!
But it is possible that a year from now, Kenosha County will be praying together before the Opening Night of its very first production. We'll be starting our own traditions of celebration and hilarity. We'll be laying the foundation of a new Christian community that will shape and encourage many kids and families in their faith.
As the handsome young stunt/fight choreographer told me last night, when I was talking to him about keeping my boys interested in theater, "I wish that I could have been involved in something like this when I was in high school. It would have kept me out of so much trouble."
Lord, bring it about. Call it forth into being. May it bless many...and be a comfort to my own family. Amen.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Confirmation Sunday
Our bishop is amazing. Here he is, praying for Bantam17...
...and for Bantam13.
For each one of our 23 confirmands, he prayed an individual, Spirit-led prayer that made you wonder how he could possibly know them so well, never having met them. Only by the power of the Spirit, of course!
We meet in this beautiful old chapel only for feast days or special occasions like today. Even though it's aesthetically worshipful, the space itself is difficult to conduct a service in, because of a large wooden rood screen which divides the space in half. Today, we started out with everyone behind the screen:
Another challenge is having both horizontal and vertically arranged pews!
(I like this shot of Father Rooster, in between his father and his bishop. It was a special Sunday for my husband, with his parents, his brother, his sis-in-law, his niece, his wife and four of his children all confirmed!)
After the sermon, the confirmands came forward and were seated in the choir, up near the altar...
...while the rest of the congregation remained on the far side of the screen.
It worked, but our musicians and the altar were too far away from the congregation when we were all on the other side of the screen. We'll try something different next time.
We were blessed to have so many visitors today, especially extended family members of the confirmands, but also a couple of families who were making repeat visits. (And of course, our intrepid photographer friend from Illinois who took on the lighting challenges with an unfamiliar camera: Thanks, Ray!)
Our soup, bread and salad lunch for 23--(same number, but not the same 23!)--came off fine. We had to eat in shifts, however, since I realized late on Saturday night that although I have table and breakfast bar space for 22, I only have 12 chairs and 4 barstools! (I can no longer put off that trip to IKEA. Must buy: bookshelves, folding chairs.) A small group actually used our dining room-turned-schoolroom as a dining room today, on a school/craft table cleared off just for the occasion--with room to spare!
Last year, when we met in the chapel on Pentecost Sunday, a mighty wind blew the doors shut.
Today, we met in the chapel for our Bishop to confirm the baptisms of 23 people and pray for them to be filled and equipped for ministry by the Holy Spirit--and there was flooding all over Chicagoland (of which Kenosha is considered a part).
Last night, a group of fathers and sons who were being confirmed met at the same chapel for a prayer vigil, just as a page who was to be knighted spent the night before in church. It was a holy time for all who attended.
At the same time, there was a woman attending a celebration in another part of the building. Many years ago, she had been an alcoholic. She had joined AA and hadn't touched a drink in years, but at this particular celebration, she decided to have one. Then she had another, and she began to fear that she couldn't stop. She went for a walk in the building, praying for God's help, and she came near the chapel where our group was praying. Suddenly, she sensed the power of the Spirit come over her, and all desire for another drink was gone.
This morning, she called one of the dads she had recognized in the chapel to tell him about her experience.
Despite the chapel's challenges, it certainly seems that the Holy Spirit meets us in a special way in that place!
...and for Bantam13.
For each one of our 23 confirmands, he prayed an individual, Spirit-led prayer that made you wonder how he could possibly know them so well, never having met them. Only by the power of the Spirit, of course!We meet in this beautiful old chapel only for feast days or special occasions like today. Even though it's aesthetically worshipful, the space itself is difficult to conduct a service in, because of a large wooden rood screen which divides the space in half. Today, we started out with everyone behind the screen:
Another challenge is having both horizontal and vertically arranged pews!
(I like this shot of Father Rooster, in between his father and his bishop. It was a special Sunday for my husband, with his parents, his brother, his sis-in-law, his niece, his wife and four of his children all confirmed!)
After the sermon, the confirmands came forward and were seated in the choir, up near the altar...
...while the rest of the congregation remained on the far side of the screen.
It worked, but our musicians and the altar were too far away from the congregation when we were all on the other side of the screen. We'll try something different next time.
We were blessed to have so many visitors today, especially extended family members of the confirmands, but also a couple of families who were making repeat visits. (And of course, our intrepid photographer friend from Illinois who took on the lighting challenges with an unfamiliar camera: Thanks, Ray!)
Our soup, bread and salad lunch for 23--(same number, but not the same 23!)--came off fine. We had to eat in shifts, however, since I realized late on Saturday night that although I have table and breakfast bar space for 22, I only have 12 chairs and 4 barstools! (I can no longer put off that trip to IKEA. Must buy: bookshelves, folding chairs.) A small group actually used our dining room-turned-schoolroom as a dining room today, on a school/craft table cleared off just for the occasion--with room to spare!
***
Last year, when we met in the chapel on Pentecost Sunday, a mighty wind blew the doors shut.
Today, we met in the chapel for our Bishop to confirm the baptisms of 23 people and pray for them to be filled and equipped for ministry by the Holy Spirit--and there was flooding all over Chicagoland (of which Kenosha is considered a part).
***
Last night, a group of fathers and sons who were being confirmed met at the same chapel for a prayer vigil, just as a page who was to be knighted spent the night before in church. It was a holy time for all who attended.
At the same time, there was a woman attending a celebration in another part of the building. Many years ago, she had been an alcoholic. She had joined AA and hadn't touched a drink in years, but at this particular celebration, she decided to have one. Then she had another, and she began to fear that she couldn't stop. She went for a walk in the building, praying for God's help, and she came near the chapel where our group was praying. Suddenly, she sensed the power of the Spirit come over her, and all desire for another drink was gone.
This morning, she called one of the dads she had recognized in the chapel to tell him about her experience.
***
Despite the chapel's challenges, it certainly seems that the Holy Spirit meets us in a special way in that place!
Monday, September 08, 2008
Hi Ho, Hi Ho...
It's back to school (and work) we go!
It sure was a busy weekend though.
It began at noon on Friday with a McDonald's Playland birthday for Chicklet6. Lame, I know. But that was what she told me she wanted long before "birthday coming up" had begun to seep into my brain, and with all my preoccupation with new schools and schooling, the Playland sounded like an easy party to me! We were joined by two other families (moms and kids) from church and a good time was had by all. Chicklet received a tin tea set, little girl makeup, and Polly Pockets.
Friday night we attended auditions for the fall show in our new chapter of the same theater group we've been part of. NOT to audition though--we were just watching, for a change! They're doing The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and since we've BTDT already, TWICE, we're just taking it easy this fall. Still, we thought we'd see how this chapter runs their auditions so our kids will feel comfortable when they audition for the winter show.
On Saturday, Bantam9 and I made French toast for Chicklet6's birthday lunch, and then she opened her presents from us. Here's the funny thing--all day on Friday, I was thinking that Friday was her actual birthday. When my older kids told me I was crazy, that her birthday has always been on the 6th, not the 5th, I didn't believe them and had to go look it up in her baby book (the one that's barely filled out after that information). Sure enough they were right, and I was crazy! I actually looked up the blog entries for her birthdays the past two years, wondering if I had been mistaken for years, but no, we've celebrated every one on the 6th. Don't know what happened to my brain over the last 12 months, but some circuit evidently went awry....
Saturday afternoon, we received visitors from our old church in Illinois--a young man (17) who has always been such a good friend to Bantam17, and his older sister (20), who has become a friend/mentor to Blondechick15. They spent the night and went to church with us, stayed for lunch after, and then headed back to the Land of Lincoln. Seeing them was a joy, and it made us miss their parents, good friends of ours, so much!
They also attended the neighborhood block party with us on Saturday afternoon/evening--for awhile, at least, before going back to our house for some quality time together. The block party was such fun--we've now met everyone in our whole neighborhood, I think, including two families that have moved in since we did, and they are a great group.
While the visitors were here, I was delighted to overhear Blondechick telling the sister about her new school. "I was SO MAD when my parents told me I had to go there. But after 4 days of school, I can't tell you how much I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!" She hasn't exactly said, "Thank you, Mom and Dad," yet, but we'll take that, with relief and gladness of heart!
Bantam17 continues to sound upbeat about his classes and intentions to stay on top of his homework. He met his case manager and really liked him. And oh yes, all was straightened out (without even a phone call from me) and he's officially a junior with enough credits to take the classes he's been attending. Phew!
On Sunday at church, nearly everyone was back from summer vacations and trips, and I counted 55 seats filled. We have another new family that's come the last two Sundays, and we had a visitor who's been in ministry for many years who said encouraging things, like "There's a good feeling here, an energy and an excitement that is really positive. You're going to grow." We kicked off a new Sunday School program, Godly Play, that we are excited about; the teachers felt good about the first week, and the kids (ages 3-9) loved it. Much to be thankful for at Light of Christ!
Sunday night, the older three kids began attending the school-year version of a bigger church's youth group that they have been visiting and enjoying this summer. We are praying that this group will be a positive influence on them spiritually and a good place for them to plug in socially.
And tonight, I will attend the area homeschool group's first meeting of the fall. I am looking forward to making connections with other homeschool families here, and praying for at least one homeschooled friend for Bantam13.
Now hi ho, hi ho...it's back to school we go!
It sure was a busy weekend though.
It began at noon on Friday with a McDonald's Playland birthday for Chicklet6. Lame, I know. But that was what she told me she wanted long before "birthday coming up" had begun to seep into my brain, and with all my preoccupation with new schools and schooling, the Playland sounded like an easy party to me! We were joined by two other families (moms and kids) from church and a good time was had by all. Chicklet received a tin tea set, little girl makeup, and Polly Pockets.
Friday night we attended auditions for the fall show in our new chapter of the same theater group we've been part of. NOT to audition though--we were just watching, for a change! They're doing The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and since we've BTDT already, TWICE, we're just taking it easy this fall. Still, we thought we'd see how this chapter runs their auditions so our kids will feel comfortable when they audition for the winter show.
On Saturday, Bantam9 and I made French toast for Chicklet6's birthday lunch, and then she opened her presents from us. Here's the funny thing--all day on Friday, I was thinking that Friday was her actual birthday. When my older kids told me I was crazy, that her birthday has always been on the 6th, not the 5th, I didn't believe them and had to go look it up in her baby book (the one that's barely filled out after that information). Sure enough they were right, and I was crazy! I actually looked up the blog entries for her birthdays the past two years, wondering if I had been mistaken for years, but no, we've celebrated every one on the 6th. Don't know what happened to my brain over the last 12 months, but some circuit evidently went awry....
Saturday afternoon, we received visitors from our old church in Illinois--a young man (17) who has always been such a good friend to Bantam17, and his older sister (20), who has become a friend/mentor to Blondechick15. They spent the night and went to church with us, stayed for lunch after, and then headed back to the Land of Lincoln. Seeing them was a joy, and it made us miss their parents, good friends of ours, so much!
They also attended the neighborhood block party with us on Saturday afternoon/evening--for awhile, at least, before going back to our house for some quality time together. The block party was such fun--we've now met everyone in our whole neighborhood, I think, including two families that have moved in since we did, and they are a great group.
While the visitors were here, I was delighted to overhear Blondechick telling the sister about her new school. "I was SO MAD when my parents told me I had to go there. But after 4 days of school, I can't tell you how much I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!" She hasn't exactly said, "Thank you, Mom and Dad," yet, but we'll take that, with relief and gladness of heart!
Bantam17 continues to sound upbeat about his classes and intentions to stay on top of his homework. He met his case manager and really liked him. And oh yes, all was straightened out (without even a phone call from me) and he's officially a junior with enough credits to take the classes he's been attending. Phew!
On Sunday at church, nearly everyone was back from summer vacations and trips, and I counted 55 seats filled. We have another new family that's come the last two Sundays, and we had a visitor who's been in ministry for many years who said encouraging things, like "There's a good feeling here, an energy and an excitement that is really positive. You're going to grow." We kicked off a new Sunday School program, Godly Play, that we are excited about; the teachers felt good about the first week, and the kids (ages 3-9) loved it. Much to be thankful for at Light of Christ!
Sunday night, the older three kids began attending the school-year version of a bigger church's youth group that they have been visiting and enjoying this summer. We are praying that this group will be a positive influence on them spiritually and a good place for them to plug in socially.
And tonight, I will attend the area homeschool group's first meeting of the fall. I am looking forward to making connections with other homeschool families here, and praying for at least one homeschooled friend for Bantam13.
Now hi ho, hi ho...it's back to school we go!
Monday, August 11, 2008
Happy Campers
Well, the first annual all-church camping trip was a rip-roaring success, I'd say!
We had five families who actually camped for one or both nights, and another family who joined us for a little while on Saturday evening. Then on Sunday morning, two singles and three more families made the trek out to the campground for a lovely outdoor service.
We had beautiful weather--in fact, unseasonably cool for August--but it warmed up enough for swimming in the afternoon. Some of us also paddle-boated, others went for a run or took a nap, the teenagers wandered far and wide, the preschool set resisted naps, and the tweeners played endlessly with swords, shields, and the cheap plastic bow and arrow sets sold at the camp store.
There was much ado about cooking--over the fire, on camp stoves, in electric skillets--and great sharing of condiments and final results. And of the making of toasted marshmallows and S'mores there was no end!
My favorite activity, though, was getting to know the other families a little better, especially a family that's only been attending for three weeks. "We felt so comfortable on the first Sunday we came," the mom explained. "Well, I guess you can tell, or we wouldn't have come camping with you all!" They fit right in, kids and all, with our little group. We are so glad to have them!
This family had also invited their 13-year-old neighbor boy to join them, and he and Bantam13 hit it off right away. He's promising to come every Sunday with them...so finally, we may have the beginnings of a youth group! (So far, it consists of our three oldest.)
The Sunday morning service was a delight, with nature all around and Father Rooster having to shout to be heard above the cheeping of birds in their nests in the roof of the pavilion. Even under the distracting circumstances, his message was a powerful one, about God being with us in the midst of the storms of life. The Gospel reading was about Jesus walking on the water, and he said that in early church tradition, a ship was a symbol for the church. What an informing metaphor for this passage, in which Jesus sends the disciples on ahead, without him, in a boat, into a storm--yet He joins them, in a way that calls them to greater courage, faith and trust.
Fortunately, no storms on our camping adventure, although we had about 20 minutes of hard rain in early Saturday evening.... Though it did dampen some cooking fires, it was not enough to dampen spirits, and I think we're all looking forward to next year! (Some of us are probably glad that's a year off, though. ;)
(Pictures to follow as a separate post.)
We had five families who actually camped for one or both nights, and another family who joined us for a little while on Saturday evening. Then on Sunday morning, two singles and three more families made the trek out to the campground for a lovely outdoor service.
We had beautiful weather--in fact, unseasonably cool for August--but it warmed up enough for swimming in the afternoon. Some of us also paddle-boated, others went for a run or took a nap, the teenagers wandered far and wide, the preschool set resisted naps, and the tweeners played endlessly with swords, shields, and the cheap plastic bow and arrow sets sold at the camp store.
There was much ado about cooking--over the fire, on camp stoves, in electric skillets--and great sharing of condiments and final results. And of the making of toasted marshmallows and S'mores there was no end!
My favorite activity, though, was getting to know the other families a little better, especially a family that's only been attending for three weeks. "We felt so comfortable on the first Sunday we came," the mom explained. "Well, I guess you can tell, or we wouldn't have come camping with you all!" They fit right in, kids and all, with our little group. We are so glad to have them!
This family had also invited their 13-year-old neighbor boy to join them, and he and Bantam13 hit it off right away. He's promising to come every Sunday with them...so finally, we may have the beginnings of a youth group! (So far, it consists of our three oldest.)
The Sunday morning service was a delight, with nature all around and Father Rooster having to shout to be heard above the cheeping of birds in their nests in the roof of the pavilion. Even under the distracting circumstances, his message was a powerful one, about God being with us in the midst of the storms of life. The Gospel reading was about Jesus walking on the water, and he said that in early church tradition, a ship was a symbol for the church. What an informing metaphor for this passage, in which Jesus sends the disciples on ahead, without him, in a boat, into a storm--yet He joins them, in a way that calls them to greater courage, faith and trust.
Fortunately, no storms on our camping adventure, although we had about 20 minutes of hard rain in early Saturday evening.... Though it did dampen some cooking fires, it was not enough to dampen spirits, and I think we're all looking forward to next year! (Some of us are probably glad that's a year off, though. ;)
(Pictures to follow as a separate post.)
Monday, June 30, 2008
Prayer Requests Updated
I figured it was time to update the prayer requests in my sidebar. I know that some of my readers pray so faithfully for us, and we can't tell you what a support and a blessing that is!
I didn't change the requests for the church, because we've been in a bit of a holding pattern for awhile now. There have been so many distractions in recent months for us personally, with the move and all, and with Papa Rooster's other job, and now with core team members going on vacation, that we've been content to prayerfully hold steady.
For our children, I praise the Lord that our move has really gone quite smoothly. None of the kids have been pining away for our old house and friends, though they miss Grandma and Grandpa. The older ones have kept in touch with their old friends by phone and computer, and the younger ones are happy to be near their friends from church here. Plus there are lots of kids in our new neighborhood, which has proved to be quite a distraction for us all....
Papa Rooster and I are a little ambivalent about the neighborhood kids. In the first place, there are no other girls Blondechick15's age, but quite a few young men her age. There are several boys who are Bantam13's age--and several girls who ride by our house a lot too.
In the second place, while all the kids in the neighborhood seem like nice kids (the bad kid moved away, I've been told by one neighbor), none of them seem to be committed Christians.
This is good news and bad news. Good news because we can invite them to church! (Without worrying about "sheep-stealing!") Bad news because, well, we can't expect that they're primarily trying to please the Lord in thought, word and deed. And some of their thoughts and words haven't been the greatest influence on our Christian teens, though thank God they seem to be pretty decent kids overall.
We're trying to get to know these kids and their families this summer, and we do pray that some of them will come to know the Lord in a real and vital way.
But in the meantime, our teenagers need Christian friends, so please pray with us that God will provide. Since the three of them are the only teenagers at Light of Christ, we don't exactly have a youth group there. We may look into partnering with or getting them involved with the youth group at another church at some point, but we need to pray more about that.
Back in Warrenville--(I guess I can divulge that information now!)--our "youth group" was the Christian children's theater group we were in, and while there is a chapter up here that we plan to get involved with, it's about 45 minutes away, and won't facilitate friendships in this area as much. Still, it will keep our teens occupied in a social but constructive way--so much better than just "hanging out."
We have to keep praying, too, about the idea of starting a new chapter of the theater program here in Kenosha. I have had a sense of calling about this for some time, though the very idea seems so daunting. But I feel like God may want to use this program to bless many lives here in Kenosha--not least of all my own teens, who will find themselves in positions of spiritual as well as social leadership. I feel that in God's economy, there may be connections to be made that will benefit our family, the theater group and Light of Christ simultaneously.
And I had not appreciated what an important position the theater group filled for us before we moved and found ourselves without it! We were planning to take the fall production off and get acclimated to new schools and a new year of homeschooling, but now even my son who's most often on the fence about whether he really wants to do theater or not is saying that we probably ought to do the fall show, just to have the Christian community back in our lives. (Hopefully this group will provide that as well as our old one did.)
I have more thoughts and questions about teens and friends and activities...but will save for another post.
It's turned out to be a mixed blessing that our kids still have schoolwork to finish from the past school year--it's driving me nuts, but it's keeping them busy every day till mid-afternoon! I should write a homeschooling update soon.
Meanwhile, thank you so much for your prayers, for us--and for the neighborhood kids!
I didn't change the requests for the church, because we've been in a bit of a holding pattern for awhile now. There have been so many distractions in recent months for us personally, with the move and all, and with Papa Rooster's other job, and now with core team members going on vacation, that we've been content to prayerfully hold steady.
For our children, I praise the Lord that our move has really gone quite smoothly. None of the kids have been pining away for our old house and friends, though they miss Grandma and Grandpa. The older ones have kept in touch with their old friends by phone and computer, and the younger ones are happy to be near their friends from church here. Plus there are lots of kids in our new neighborhood, which has proved to be quite a distraction for us all....
Papa Rooster and I are a little ambivalent about the neighborhood kids. In the first place, there are no other girls Blondechick15's age, but quite a few young men her age. There are several boys who are Bantam13's age--and several girls who ride by our house a lot too.
In the second place, while all the kids in the neighborhood seem like nice kids (the bad kid moved away, I've been told by one neighbor), none of them seem to be committed Christians.
This is good news and bad news. Good news because we can invite them to church! (Without worrying about "sheep-stealing!") Bad news because, well, we can't expect that they're primarily trying to please the Lord in thought, word and deed. And some of their thoughts and words haven't been the greatest influence on our Christian teens, though thank God they seem to be pretty decent kids overall.
We're trying to get to know these kids and their families this summer, and we do pray that some of them will come to know the Lord in a real and vital way.
But in the meantime, our teenagers need Christian friends, so please pray with us that God will provide. Since the three of them are the only teenagers at Light of Christ, we don't exactly have a youth group there. We may look into partnering with or getting them involved with the youth group at another church at some point, but we need to pray more about that.
Back in Warrenville--(I guess I can divulge that information now!)--our "youth group" was the Christian children's theater group we were in, and while there is a chapter up here that we plan to get involved with, it's about 45 minutes away, and won't facilitate friendships in this area as much. Still, it will keep our teens occupied in a social but constructive way--so much better than just "hanging out."
We have to keep praying, too, about the idea of starting a new chapter of the theater program here in Kenosha. I have had a sense of calling about this for some time, though the very idea seems so daunting. But I feel like God may want to use this program to bless many lives here in Kenosha--not least of all my own teens, who will find themselves in positions of spiritual as well as social leadership. I feel that in God's economy, there may be connections to be made that will benefit our family, the theater group and Light of Christ simultaneously.
And I had not appreciated what an important position the theater group filled for us before we moved and found ourselves without it! We were planning to take the fall production off and get acclimated to new schools and a new year of homeschooling, but now even my son who's most often on the fence about whether he really wants to do theater or not is saying that we probably ought to do the fall show, just to have the Christian community back in our lives. (Hopefully this group will provide that as well as our old one did.)
I have more thoughts and questions about teens and friends and activities...but will save for another post.
It's turned out to be a mixed blessing that our kids still have schoolwork to finish from the past school year--it's driving me nuts, but it's keeping them busy every day till mid-afternoon! I should write a homeschooling update soon.
Meanwhile, thank you so much for your prayers, for us--and for the neighborhood kids!
Monday, June 23, 2008
Odds 'N' Ends
It's been a quiet evening. Blondechick15, our most verbal and somewhat high-maintenance child, is at a Christian drama camp until Friday. The public areas of the main level of our house are finally in an unpacked state for the first time in weeks, so tonight I actually felt like I had a few moments to sit down at the table with Chicklet5 and play a phonics game with her.
We had a lovely time, and she wanted to play something else. As we put away the ABSeas game, I noticed the Spirograph set--one of my favorite childhood pastimes. So I showed her how to sharpen her pencil and choose a little wheel and watch what happens as you trace it round and round. We sat and did Spirograph for a long time, transfixed by the endless patterns and variations. I think I need more Spirograph in my life.
I stayed up till 2 in the morning on Saturday night, focusing on my office/school room mess, since we had friends from our old church, Rez, coming for the Sunday morning service at Light of Christ and coming over after the church picnic to see our house. It was as good a motivation as I'd had in awhile, and with the house all quiet, I was able to get a lot of stuff put away or dealt with decisively--even if that meant placing it in the box of stuff to be dealt with at some later, non-urgent date.
My homeschool books still need to be organized--I shelved them willy-nilly, in no particular order, just to find out how many will fit. And of course, there is still filing to do. (I am still planning to revamp my whole filing system.) But I was able to take pictures! and host our friends without embarrassment. Yippee!
(Actually, Kay and Randy are such old friends that we can no longer embarrass each other. It was wonderful to be with them again!)
And this morning, I hosted (without embarrassment) two other women (and their children) from Light of Christ to discuss what we're doing with our Sunday School/nursery/Children's Church. It was a good, thorough meeting. We considered a lot of options and worked out a good plan, I think. Our only regret was we didn't have time to talk about all the other things we wanted to--unrelated to the church, like homeschooling. We'll have to meet again next week, we agreed, just to finish talking!
Our meeting was precipitated partly by a big hole in our Children's Ministry team. One of our core couples, after 18 months of investment in the foundation of our church plant, is returning to the church where their sons remain heavily involved. While we bless their decision to worship together again as a family, we will so miss them and their service as guitarist and teacher (him), worship leaders (both) and Sunday School teacher/nursery worker (her).
What else? Oh, GAFCON. My heart is in Jerusalem with a bunch of conservative Anglican leaders from every continent (300 bishops and over 1,000 delegates) who are seeking the Lord this week for a solution to the crisis in Anglicanism created by the Episcopal church here in America:
That's a quote from blogger/priest Matt Kennedy, who is there with his wife, also a blogger/priest. Our friends and leaders, William and Anne Beasley are there too. No one really knows what the outcome of the conference will be:
If you are so led, please pray for those at GAFCON (Global Anglican Future Conference).
In other news, Chicklet5 taught herself to ride a two-wheeler. I have pictures.
And Bantam13 and I went to the guitar store today to buy him a new G-string. (Seriously.) Tonight, he started a highly recommended "Learn to Play Guitar" course on DVD and practiced for over an hour. Stay tuned.
Pun intended.
We had a lovely time, and she wanted to play something else. As we put away the ABSeas game, I noticed the Spirograph set--one of my favorite childhood pastimes. So I showed her how to sharpen her pencil and choose a little wheel and watch what happens as you trace it round and round. We sat and did Spirograph for a long time, transfixed by the endless patterns and variations. I think I need more Spirograph in my life.
I stayed up till 2 in the morning on Saturday night, focusing on my office/school room mess, since we had friends from our old church, Rez, coming for the Sunday morning service at Light of Christ and coming over after the church picnic to see our house. It was as good a motivation as I'd had in awhile, and with the house all quiet, I was able to get a lot of stuff put away or dealt with decisively--even if that meant placing it in the box of stuff to be dealt with at some later, non-urgent date.
My homeschool books still need to be organized--I shelved them willy-nilly, in no particular order, just to find out how many will fit. And of course, there is still filing to do. (I am still planning to revamp my whole filing system.) But I was able to take pictures! and host our friends without embarrassment. Yippee!
(Actually, Kay and Randy are such old friends that we can no longer embarrass each other. It was wonderful to be with them again!)
And this morning, I hosted (without embarrassment) two other women (and their children) from Light of Christ to discuss what we're doing with our Sunday School/nursery/Children's Church. It was a good, thorough meeting. We considered a lot of options and worked out a good plan, I think. Our only regret was we didn't have time to talk about all the other things we wanted to--unrelated to the church, like homeschooling. We'll have to meet again next week, we agreed, just to finish talking!
Our meeting was precipitated partly by a big hole in our Children's Ministry team. One of our core couples, after 18 months of investment in the foundation of our church plant, is returning to the church where their sons remain heavily involved. While we bless their decision to worship together again as a family, we will so miss them and their service as guitarist and teacher (him), worship leaders (both) and Sunday School teacher/nursery worker (her).
What else? Oh, GAFCON. My heart is in Jerusalem with a bunch of conservative Anglican leaders from every continent (300 bishops and over 1,000 delegates) who are seeking the Lord this week for a solution to the crisis in Anglicanism created by the Episcopal church here in America:
It would be far easier to relate to our revisionist friends if they would quit the masquerade and admit honestly that they have birthed a new religion altogether. It is the misuse of the name “Christian” and “Anglican” that makes “togetherness” impossible for so many. It would be the same were a Muslim to deny Mohamed the title “prophet” and yet refuse to relinquish the descriptive self-referent “Muslim.”
That's a quote from blogger/priest Matt Kennedy, who is there with his wife, also a blogger/priest. Our friends and leaders, William and Anne Beasley are there too. No one really knows what the outcome of the conference will be:
...at GAFCON it is safe to say even the leadership is clueless about what to expect -- or what (if anything) will be agreed upon or acted upon by next Sunday. ...each leader has made it clear that is no formal agenda to produce a specific outcome. They stress this gathering is a time of listening....the final statement will not be written until the end of the conference (and there will be no final statement unless all the Jerusalem Pilgrims can agree on it). Secondly, for the first time the laity of the Anglican Church will have a large presence and a strong voice. There will be no action and no statement without the laity.
If you are so led, please pray for those at GAFCON (Global Anglican Future Conference).
In other news, Chicklet5 taught herself to ride a two-wheeler. I have pictures.
And Bantam13 and I went to the guitar store today to buy him a new G-string. (Seriously.) Tonight, he started a highly recommended "Learn to Play Guitar" course on DVD and practiced for over an hour. Stay tuned.
Pun intended.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Friday, June 13, 2008
Jazz & Kids
After the Celebration Dinner, we picked up our kids at the A--'s house and headed over to the lake for some outdoor jazz!
At least, the adults enjoyed the jazz, provided by a local orthodontist on keyboards, his wife singing, and his 80-year-old father making a special appearance.
The kids enjoyed climbing...on the rocks by the lake:
...and in this ancient tree.
That's Bantam9 and Chicklet5 on the left, and the three right-most boys are the A--'s handsome crew.
When Father William visited us on Sunday, he and his wife Anne were both so blessed by these kids and the others at Light of Christ. They saw them participating in the worship and the prayers so wholeheartedly. "These children will lead you," he told us, meaningfully clasping our hands as he spoke. "They'll draw other children--and then their parents--to the church. Provide opportunities for them to invite other children, and they will build your church."
It was a good word--one to remember as we become more intentional about growing.
At least, the adults enjoyed the jazz, provided by a local orthodontist on keyboards, his wife singing, and his 80-year-old father making a special appearance.
The kids enjoyed climbing...on the rocks by the lake:
...and in this ancient tree.
That's Bantam9 and Chicklet5 on the left, and the three right-most boys are the A--'s handsome crew.
When Father William visited us on Sunday, he and his wife Anne were both so blessed by these kids and the others at Light of Christ. They saw them participating in the worship and the prayers so wholeheartedly. "These children will lead you," he told us, meaningfully clasping our hands as he spoke. "They'll draw other children--and then their parents--to the church. Provide opportunities for them to invite other children, and they will build your church."
It was a good word--one to remember as we become more intentional about growing.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Celebration Dinner
Last night, our dear friends (in the British style, I shall call them Mr. and Mrs. A--) took us out for a celebration dinner in downtown Kenosha at this cleverly named little bistro, Wine Knot. It was kind of a "thank you for letting us be your realtors" dinner, they told us, but more importantly, it was a celebration of us finally moving to Kenosha.
They've been waiting a long time for us!
Six years ago, they attended Father Rooster's ordination to the priesthood, since Mr. A and Father Rooster have known each other since their first year at college. (They were Freshman Class President [Fr. R] and Vice President [Mr. A]!) Mrs. A was deeply moved by the service and the presence of the Holy Spirit. She told Mr. A at that time, "We need a church like this in Kenosha!" (And she's lived there her whole life, so she should know.) She was especially struck by the Isaiah passage, "Here am I, send me."
It was probably soon after that that they first asked us, half-joking and half-serious, if we would consider moving to Wisconsin to help them start an Anglican church--the first of many times they would poke us teasingly and say, "Don't you want to move to Kenosha?" "No," we would respond, deadpan. We didn't really feel like there was anything to consider. We loved Rez and our friends there, Father R. was needed as an assisting priest there, and I had my homeschooling network I couldn't imagine leaving.
But they kept praying--and driving nearly an hour to another AMIA church, Church of the Redeemer. The rector there was Fr. William Beasley, whose picture appeared a couple of posts ago. He'd been building a network of church plants based on the African model of starting churches with lay leaders called catechists:
(Sorry for the long quote, but if I'd just linked to Wikipedia, you'd have had a lot of skimming to do to find that section!)
Father William encouraged the A--'s to go ahead and start a church in Kenosha, with Mr. A as the catechist, and with the help of one other couple who lives in the area. He promised to come once a month, and he volunteered Father Rooster to come once a month, too (knowing he would be happy to do it).
And that was the start of our involvement at Light of Christ!
Some may remember that early on, our interest in Kenosha was piqued by a property there, with an old Catholic church, a school building, a rectory and a monastery--for sale, cheap! We've had a long-time dream--and a call, we believe--to one day start a monastic-type community with daily corporate prayer. One of the biggest difficulties was finding a property--especially so in the western suburbs of Chicago--and we wondered if this affordable option, not too far away in Wisconsin, was one God was leading us to.
Over time we discerned, with the counsel of many advisers, that the property was probably not a good one for us. But God used it to open our hearts to Kenosha, and to the thought of moving. That property also excited our kids' imaginations and planted visions of risk-taking for God, which ultimately helped them accept our move with openness and enthusiasm. God knew what He was doing, even though it seemed like a rabbit trail for awhile there.
So what about the community? Are we just bagging that idea? I know a few of my readers may be interested in joining us, if we ever do it, so I should update them.
It seems as if the Lord is leading us to concentrate on the church for now. But we are still eager to add the community piece whenever He indicates, which may be by the perfect building or an ideal piece of land becoming available. How we would afford such a purchase is another hurdle--but that's looking too far down the track, I think. The assignment He's clearly given us to focus on for now is the church...and only He knows where that will lead! But we do hope that down the line, it will lead to the community.
Ah, the excitement of following Jesus! You never know what's around the corner...or how long it will take to get there.
It might take six years! (Right, Mr. and Mrs. A?)
They've been waiting a long time for us!
Six years ago, they attended Father Rooster's ordination to the priesthood, since Mr. A and Father Rooster have known each other since their first year at college. (They were Freshman Class President [Fr. R] and Vice President [Mr. A]!) Mrs. A was deeply moved by the service and the presence of the Holy Spirit. She told Mr. A at that time, "We need a church like this in Kenosha!" (And she's lived there her whole life, so she should know.) She was especially struck by the Isaiah passage, "Here am I, send me."
It was probably soon after that that they first asked us, half-joking and half-serious, if we would consider moving to Wisconsin to help them start an Anglican church--the first of many times they would poke us teasingly and say, "Don't you want to move to Kenosha?" "No," we would respond, deadpan. We didn't really feel like there was anything to consider. We loved Rez and our friends there, Father R. was needed as an assisting priest there, and I had my homeschooling network I couldn't imagine leaving.
But they kept praying--and driving nearly an hour to another AMIA church, Church of the Redeemer. The rector there was Fr. William Beasley, whose picture appeared a couple of posts ago. He'd been building a network of church plants based on the African model of starting churches with lay leaders called catechists:
In many parts of the Anglican Communion, day to day parish ministry is carried out by catechists. A catechist in most parts of the Anglican Communion is someone who is licensed by the bishop on recommendation of the priest and local church council. ...In most parts of the Anglican Communion, the priest comes for Holy Communion only when it is possible. The Catechist organises and conducts worship services on Sundays when there is no priest, and throughout the week, the catechist rings the bell that calls people to Morning and Evening Prayer. In most villages, the catechist also works with youth, educates parents and godparents for the Baptism of their children, rehearses those to be confirmed, and many other duties.
Some dioceses have training centres for catechists, in some dioceses catechists are trained by priests or by more experienced catechists.
Most catechists also assist in the distribution of Holy Communion when the priest comes to a village for celebration.
(Sorry for the long quote, but if I'd just linked to Wikipedia, you'd have had a lot of skimming to do to find that section!)
Father William encouraged the A--'s to go ahead and start a church in Kenosha, with Mr. A as the catechist, and with the help of one other couple who lives in the area. He promised to come once a month, and he volunteered Father Rooster to come once a month, too (knowing he would be happy to do it).
And that was the start of our involvement at Light of Christ!
Some may remember that early on, our interest in Kenosha was piqued by a property there, with an old Catholic church, a school building, a rectory and a monastery--for sale, cheap! We've had a long-time dream--and a call, we believe--to one day start a monastic-type community with daily corporate prayer. One of the biggest difficulties was finding a property--especially so in the western suburbs of Chicago--and we wondered if this affordable option, not too far away in Wisconsin, was one God was leading us to.
Over time we discerned, with the counsel of many advisers, that the property was probably not a good one for us. But God used it to open our hearts to Kenosha, and to the thought of moving. That property also excited our kids' imaginations and planted visions of risk-taking for God, which ultimately helped them accept our move with openness and enthusiasm. God knew what He was doing, even though it seemed like a rabbit trail for awhile there.
So what about the community? Are we just bagging that idea? I know a few of my readers may be interested in joining us, if we ever do it, so I should update them.
It seems as if the Lord is leading us to concentrate on the church for now. But we are still eager to add the community piece whenever He indicates, which may be by the perfect building or an ideal piece of land becoming available. How we would afford such a purchase is another hurdle--but that's looking too far down the track, I think. The assignment He's clearly given us to focus on for now is the church...and only He knows where that will lead! But we do hope that down the line, it will lead to the community.
Ah, the excitement of following Jesus! You never know what's around the corner...or how long it will take to get there.
It might take six years! (Right, Mr. and Mrs. A?)
Monday, May 26, 2008
Update and Thank You
After a full weekend, we are all back in Wisconsin. It struck me as I was driving home that I don't know the next time I will be out of state! After a year of leaving the state every Sunday, and after the last two+ weeks of crossing the Illinois-Wisconsin border more times than I can quickly add up, it seems strange to not know the next time we'll make that familiar drive.
I know we have to go back at least one more time, to sign closing papers and bring our camping trailer up here. It seems as if everything is proceeding smoothly with our buyers; we're supposed to find out this week of their financing was approved.
On the new home front, Papa Rooster's basement office was finished this weekend! The carpet came Saturday afternoon, the trim was finished Saturday night, and Sunday afternoon he started moving bookshelves in to his spacious new digs. Unpacking and arranging books took until Monday afternoon, but he finished just before we had to leave for dinner.
Yes, our whole family was invited over for dinner by a homeschooling family with 8 children whose oldest daughter and son attended Church of the Resurrection, our "mother" church, while they were at Wheaton College. A meal for 18 isn't an easy feat to manage, but they pulled it off with style and smiles all around! It was wonderful to get to know them all, and our teenagers were delighted to meet some other Christian teens--the first they've met since we've moved here.
We have so many to thank for their help in the last few weeks:
--the friend who helped pack up my whole kitchen, and came back later to clean out the fridge
--the friend who watched my younger kids for two days while I did makeup for Oliver and spent a day up north here, closing on the new house, picking out carpet, and unloading a 15-passenger van-load of stuff
--the moms who did makeup without me, the moms and dad who adopted my kids between performances on Friday, and the moms who drove my kids to and from performances
--the friends who helped us load up the U-Haul (and finish last-minute packing)
--the volunteers from the Men's Ministry at Rez--that we didn't even know before--who helped us load up the U-Haul
--the friend who drafted those men and who organized the packing of that U-Haul so that not a single cubic foot of space was wasted
--the friends from Light of Christ who unloaded that U-Haul--especially the three brawny sons who barely know us but whose muscles hastened that process immensely
--the friend who came over who spent hours with me at the old house, cleaning bathrooms and vacuuming
--the new friend who spent a whole day helping me unpack, with a baby on her back
--our friend who served as general contractor, making sure Papa Rooster's office got done right, who installed our microwave, and who made countless trips to our new house before we got here, letting hardwood floor and carpet and carpenter guys in
--the man with a lawnmowing business who volunteered to cut the grass at the old house until the closing
--this family who, barely knowing us, offered to bring us a meal while we were unpacking...and ended up hosting us and blessing every member of our family with friendship as well as nourishment.
Thank you, one and all. We can't tell you how much your service and support means! When I try to imagine what the last few weeks might have been like without all the assistance we've received...I just about faint. This has been exhausting enough as it is--but having others come alongside is like a double service: It's a psychological lift as well as a physical sharing of the burden. It's a spiritual blessing as well as a practical one! And we feel so, so blessed.
Thank you, friends--new and old.
I know we have to go back at least one more time, to sign closing papers and bring our camping trailer up here. It seems as if everything is proceeding smoothly with our buyers; we're supposed to find out this week of their financing was approved.
On the new home front, Papa Rooster's basement office was finished this weekend! The carpet came Saturday afternoon, the trim was finished Saturday night, and Sunday afternoon he started moving bookshelves in to his spacious new digs. Unpacking and arranging books took until Monday afternoon, but he finished just before we had to leave for dinner.
Yes, our whole family was invited over for dinner by a homeschooling family with 8 children whose oldest daughter and son attended Church of the Resurrection, our "mother" church, while they were at Wheaton College. A meal for 18 isn't an easy feat to manage, but they pulled it off with style and smiles all around! It was wonderful to get to know them all, and our teenagers were delighted to meet some other Christian teens--the first they've met since we've moved here.
We have so many to thank for their help in the last few weeks:
--the friend who helped pack up my whole kitchen, and came back later to clean out the fridge
--the friend who watched my younger kids for two days while I did makeup for Oliver and spent a day up north here, closing on the new house, picking out carpet, and unloading a 15-passenger van-load of stuff
--the moms who did makeup without me, the moms and dad who adopted my kids between performances on Friday, and the moms who drove my kids to and from performances
--the friends who helped us load up the U-Haul (and finish last-minute packing)
--the volunteers from the Men's Ministry at Rez--that we didn't even know before--who helped us load up the U-Haul
--the friend who drafted those men and who organized the packing of that U-Haul so that not a single cubic foot of space was wasted
--the friends from Light of Christ who unloaded that U-Haul--especially the three brawny sons who barely know us but whose muscles hastened that process immensely
--the friend who came over who spent hours with me at the old house, cleaning bathrooms and vacuuming
--the new friend who spent a whole day helping me unpack, with a baby on her back
--our friend who served as general contractor, making sure Papa Rooster's office got done right, who installed our microwave, and who made countless trips to our new house before we got here, letting hardwood floor and carpet and carpenter guys in
--the man with a lawnmowing business who volunteered to cut the grass at the old house until the closing
--this family who, barely knowing us, offered to bring us a meal while we were unpacking...and ended up hosting us and blessing every member of our family with friendship as well as nourishment.
Thank you, one and all. We can't tell you how much your service and support means! When I try to imagine what the last few weeks might have been like without all the assistance we've received...I just about faint. This has been exhausting enough as it is--but having others come alongside is like a double service: It's a psychological lift as well as a physical sharing of the burden. It's a spiritual blessing as well as a practical one! And we feel so, so blessed.
Thank you, friends--new and old.
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