A picnic and a hike

Hello from the Vicar

Last Sunday we celebrated the Eucharist for the first time on our new property. We gathered near the tall trees, smelling the cut grass, listening to the birds, and feeling the fresh air on our faces. Music from guitars and violin floated out across the meadow as we lifted our voices in song. What a beautiful day in God's creation!

Afterward, we gathered for the annual picnic and enjoyed good food and good company. I was especially pleased that some of our neighbors joined us. It was fun to see the little kids running around with each other while people of all ages enjoyed each other's company.

There's a tradition that says that a new place is consecrated by its use, and so we began the consecration of our new property on Sunday. Many years from now we'll look back and remember this day.

You can see photos of our picnic by clicking here.

This week I joined Tony's Trekkers on their hike in the North Cascades. Tony's Trekkers is St. Antony's hiking group ('Tony' is short for 'Antony'), but you don't have to be a member of St. Antony's to participate. The Trekkers are a band of intrepid hikers who venture out at least once a month on hikes in our area.

We were hosted by Rick and Robin Schoenberg at their cabin on the North Skagit River near Sedro Wooley. They provided us a comfortable base camp while we took hikes in the North Cascades near the cabin. What beautiful country, and what great company!

You can see my photo journal by clicking here.

Picnics and hikes are classic summer activities, but summer's coming to a close. Soon kids will be back in school, and we'll be starting our fall schedule. Sunday School starts up Sunday, September 8!  I hope you've been able to enjoy God's creation in the beautiful weather we've had this summer.

Bill

New life for my sister

I'm glad to report that my sister, Betty, has had a successful liver transplant and is now in recovery in the ICU. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers that have held us up and carried us through.

As we waited for a donor organ to be found, we watched Betty's condition deteriorate. About ten percent of transplant patients die before a match can be found, and so we were anxiously waiting and praying. 

When we found out yesterday that a donor liver had been found, the first thing Betty asked was to pray for the donor, which we did. All we know about the donor is that this person was Betty's blood type, about Betty's size, and was a young person who lived somewhere outside of Denver.

Organ transplants are truly miraculous, and the skill of the medical transplant team is amazing. Betty's condition was especially bad before the transplant, and it took eleven hours of surgery, finishing about 8:30 this morning. 

As my family contemplates the gift of life that came from a young person's death, we are in awe. We don't know how this young person died, but surely it must have been difficult for their family. I hope the family feels that something good came out of their tragedy. We're acutely aware that out of their child's death has come life for another. And isn't that the Christian belief? This is really a resurrection story.

Betty has a long recovery ahead, and we ask for your continued prayers as her body accepts the new liver and heals from the surgery. I'm deeply thankful I was able to be with Betty before surgery and to pray with her as she went into the operating room. 

I'll return home next Thursday, May 30, after spending more time with Betty and my family, looking forward to Betty's years of new life. Again, I'm grateful that Craig is present to cover for me while I'm away.

Thanks be to God!

Visiting my sister in the hospital

I'm writing this from my sister's hospital room at the University of Colorado Hospital in Denver. My younger sister, Betty, has had liver disease for over twenty years and it has finally come to the point where she is at the top of the list for a liver transplant. Now we're waiting for a donor liver that's a good match for Betty. Betty is jaundiced and weak but she's pretty cheerful, considering everything she's gone through. The doctor said that the waiting is the hardest part, but she assured us that a donor liver will be found, even if it takes a week. As a parish priest, I've made countless visits to hospital rooms and prayed with countless people and their families. Now I find myself as part of the family in a hospital room, and it feels very different. My heart is so close to Betty, and I'm waiting and praying, trying to be fully present to her and my family. It's emotionally taxing. So this is what it's like to be the family member. As I wait with Betty, I'm especially aware of the mystery of life, the wonder of medical science, and the knowledge that the end of one life will be the means of saving another. I'm impressed by the warm and caring support Betty's getting from the staff at the hospital, from the doctors to the housekeepers. I'll be here for some days yet, but I'm happy to say that Fr. Craig is covering for me for Sunday and also for any pastoral care needs. I'm thankful for his willingness to step up while I'm away. Please don't hesitate to call him with any questions. And you can reach me anytime by cell phone (360-620-8086) or by email (billfulton2001@yahoo.com). Thanks for your support and encouragement. Please keep Betty in your prayers, asking God for strength, patience, and healing. Thank you. Bill

Reflections on our parish meeting

Hi, all!

After our special parish meeting last Sunday, I felt humbled and grateful. Not only did we have a lively and respectful conversation about whether we should buy new property, but we had a heart-felt sharing of our hopes and dreams. I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit as we shared together.

For many years, we have struggled with our decision to build on our current site or move to another site, to the point that many of us have become exasperated with the topic. "Let's make a decision once and for all," we said at our annual meeting last January.

The problem is, it's not easy to come to consensus, or near consensus, in a diverse community. How do we decide when there are so many factors to consider? Cost, location, visibility, and the inevitable risks no matter what we do. People of good faith can have differing opinions.

Choosing to buy new property to build a church on rightly makes us cautious. Think of the things that can go wrong. And truthfully it's hard to leave the familiar for the unfamiliar. 

So I was especially impressed in our meeting when I heard so many people speak in favor of buying the new property. Many people shared what St. Antony has meant to them and how their hopes for the future of our church have been revived by the possibility of this new site. Not only that, but a number of people shared how they changed their minds once they saw the new property. I was humbled by the faith and commitment I heard expressed in that room. 

So I think it's the work of the Holy Spirit to make this property available and to bring us to near-consensus. Fifty out of sixty two people marked "strongly agree" with the recommendation of the Long Range Planning team to buy the new property. I recognize that not everyone agrees, and I respect the opinions of those who feel this is an unwise venture or who have voiced caution. Surely we need to hear those voices.

On Tuesday, we made an offer to buy the property, but it hasn't been accepted yet. Nothing is sure until the ink is dry, and undoubtedly we'll have some negotiations to make. But everything so far looks good. It's an exciting time, and I'm grateful to be part of it.

Bill

A wedding and a vacation

Hi, all!

I just returned from a vacation trip to Colorado to see my family and officiate at the wedding of my nephew, Will, and his bride, Kelseigh. It was a wonderful trip and I came back refreshed.

It was an honor to officiate at the wedding of Will and Kelseigh, but it felt a bit odd. I wasn't sure if I was acting as the uncle or the priest. The emotions I felt as the uncle, with all the memories and associations of our family, had to be tamped down a bit as I officiated. The officiant shouldn't get choked up...that's the job of everyone else! Here's a photo.

I took walks in the Boulder foothills with my older sister, had coffee with my brother in a funky Boulder coffee shop, enjoyed a summer evening in the backyard of my younger sister and her husband, and spent mornings with my mother in her sun-spilled kitchen. It's good to connect with family...it helps me remember who I am, and reminds me that I am deeply loved. Also I had some time to make some sketches.

I attended St. Ambrose Episcopal Church in Boulder on Sunday morning. The priest was gone on a mission trip for the youth group, so we had Morning Prayer led by a layperson. The sermon was also given by a layperson, a lawyer, who gave an excellent homily.

When I returned, I found that Marge Mckenzie was in the hospital for heart problems, so I made a visit to her. I also learned that Janet Steller had a brief stay in the hospital but has returned home. Please keep Marge and Janet in your prayers. I'm grateful to Fr. Craig and Fr. Dick Scott for covering for me while I was away.

Although traveling is great, it's nice to be home, and I'm looking forward to being with you tomorrow as we gather around the holy table and receive the Body and Blood of our Lord, the sacrament of Holy Communion. See you there!

Bill

Remembering those who have sacrificed

Hi, all!

In yesterday's newspaper I read about the Tolling the Boats ceremony at Keyport Museum. The bell was tolled for each of the 52 submarines lost in World War Two, plus two more submarines lost at sea later. The loss of submarines in WWII is not generally acknowledged... it was only when I came to submarine country that I realized the tremendous sacrifices given by submariners.

One of the WWII submarine vets in attendance said, "It was a volunteer part of the Navy. Everyone volunteered and took our chances." On Memorial Day we remember those who volunteered to serve their country and were lost in battle.

It reminds me again how tragic war is. How many lives lost, and how much destruction. How many young men and women with so much promise, lost. I don't know if war is necessary. It seems to me that war is a complete waste of lives and resources. but I honor those who have given their lives in sacrifice, and those who serve our country with fidelity and courage.

J.R.R. Tolkien wrote, "War must be, while we defend our lives against a destroyer who would devour all; but I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend." (The Two Towers)

As always, I find the words of the Prayer Book to be dignified and gracious:

"Almighty God, our heavenly Father, in whose hands are the living and the dead: We give thee thanks for all thy servants who have laid down their lives in the service of our country. Grant to them thy mercy and the light of thy presence; and give us such a lively sense of thy righteous will, that the work which thou hast begun in them may be perfected; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord. Amen." (BCP, p. 488)

Tomorrow we'll honor the fallen with that prayer as we seek to continue "the work which thou hast begun in them."

Bill

Finding our deep gladness

Hi, all!

One of my favorite quotes is from Frederick Buechner: "The place where God calls you to is where your deep gladness and the world's deep need meet." Finding our deep gladness is not always easy. Sometimes it takes a long time to discover our true self.

When I was in the eighth grade, my family moved from Kansas to Nebraska, and I was thrown into a new school in the middle of the year. In the first day of art class, the art teacher told us to draw something from our imagination. I had no idea what she wanted. I dawdled and dragged the time out, but she insisted that I draw something. So I drew a logo from my dad's work, the only image I could think of. She said, "What is that?" I explained and she said, "No! I told you to draw from your imagination." She crossed her arms and said emphatically, "You'll never be an artist."

And with that decree planted firmly in my mind, I avoided anything about art from then on. It was only many years later that I began to experiment with pencil, ink, and watercolors. I got such pleasure from sketching what I saw in front of me that I began to realize she was wrong. Contrary to what she said, I am a creative person. In fact, when I get too busy to sketch, paint, make music, or do woodworking, I begin to feel dull and bored, like something's missing.

I've finally come to accept that I need to be creative in order to be myself. My mind needs to be continually imagining new ideas, new images, new projects. I've come to understand that this is how God made me. Now I always carry a sketchbook with me so I can capture an image or describe a scene in front of me. It's not the quality that's so important to me, but the immediacy, the engagement with my surroundings, and the creation that happens with a pen or a brush. It inspires me.

I photograph my artwork and upload it to the internet so anyone can see it. So from time to time I'll show you some of my artwork so you can enjoy it, too. In fact, on Monday I made this watercolor of an old-time gas station I saw in Bainbridge Island (see below).

Each of us has unique gifts that God has given us. Your gifts and your inspiration are uniquely your own. So let me ask: what is your deep gladness?

Bill

Click on the image to see a larger size.

Emerging from Christmas

January 13, 2012

Hi, all!

Yesterday I finally mailed the last of the Christmas letter we usually send to our far-flung family and friends. And even though Epiphany has blown by us, we still haven't taken our Christmas tree down. 

   

The Christmas season seems to wrap me up in a big wind and send me hurling headlong through the days. Now, finally, I think I'm emerging from the frenzy of Christmas, at least enough to think about writing Hello from the Vicar!

When I was first ordained a priest and our sons were little, I felt I had to do my part to help Katy make a special celebration at home, plus I felt the pressure of celebrating two Christmas eve services at church. Now that our boys are grown, it's much easier. But I still find Christmas to be exhausting.

This year after Christmas, our family went to La Push, a small Native American village on the Olympic Coast, for a couple of days of rest and relaxation. We hiked the beaches, went to a Native American Dance and healing circle, and I painted some watercolors. It was a very relaxing time for me. And now that Epiphany is over, I feel I'm fully engaged for the new year.

I hope that you had a good Christmas celebration, too, and that the New Year is finding you in productive and healthy endeavors.

Bill   

Ready or not

Hi, all!

I'm not sure I'm quite ready for Christmas. This time of year is hectic, because there are so many things to do. Parties, presents, house guests, travel, decorations...and on and on. It's a wonderful time of year, but it seems like it's impossible to do everything we want.

I'm not sure I'm ready for Christmas Eve, either. The sermon is done, the bulletins are printed, the music is ready, people are scheduled...but am I ready? Am I spiritually ready to celebrate the birth of Christ?

The truth is, I'm not really ready. I'm still fussing with last minute details, things I forgot to do, things I'd like to do. But when I think about it, I probably never will be really ready. There's always something more to be done.

The good news is that God didn't wait for the world to be ready when he came as a child in a manger. God didn't wait until every heart prepared him room. He didn't wait until all the conditions were right. He came when he was needed, at just the right time.

This poem from Madeleine L'Engle reminds us to rejoice that God is coming whether we're ready or not. Wherever you are tonight, I wish you a holy night, the night of the Savior's birth.

First Coming
by Madeleine L'Engle

He did not wait till the world was ready,
till men and nations were at peace.
He came when the Heavens were unsteady,
and prisoners cried out for release.

He did not wait for the perfect time.
He came when the need was deep and great.
He dined with sinners in all their grime,
turned water into wine.

He did not wait till hearts were pure.
In joy he came to a tarnished world of sin and doubt.
To a world like ours, of anguished shame
he came, and his Light would not go out.

He came to a world which did not mesh,
to heal its tangles, shield its scorn.
In the mystery of the Word made Flesh
the Maker of the stars was born.

We cannot wait till the world is sane
to raise our songs with joyful voice,
for to share our grief, to touch our pain,
He came with Love: Rejoice! Rejoice!

Bill  

Happy Thanksgiving Day!

Hi, all!

Today is Thanksgiving Day, and our house has extra guests...our older son and his friend, our younger son and his girlfriend. As I sat in my chair saying my prayers this morning, I felt a sense of wholeness and warmth. We're all here together.

We'll have a big dinner this afternoon with all the trimmings, including non-gluten and vegetarian options, and afterwards we'll take a walk to work off some of those calories. I hope you and yours are also gathered to celebrate today, and I hope you'll take some time to reflect on the good things God has given you. Practice gratitude.

I'm especially thankful for those who labored to bring us our food, for those who stand by to protect us and keep our electricity on, for the good earth and the peaceful animals that gave us our food. God is generous.

As the General Thanksgiving says on p. 101 of the Prayer Book:
"We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ, for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory."

Even though there's a warm glow around the image of Thanksgiving Day, I'm aware this morning of all those who don't find this a happy day: those whose families are absent or broken by strife, those who are alone or grieving lost ones, those who have to work even on a holiday (especially the early Black Friday), those who don't have a warm, dry home to shelter them, and Native Americans who may find this day a painful historical memory. This awareness keeps my gratitude humble.

Keeping all this in mind,
May God bless you this day with deep gratitude of the soul.
May you savor the food in your mouth and taste the goodness of God.
And may you sense the profound presence of those around you.

Bill

For all the Saints

Hi, all! This week I'm visiting my family in Colorado. I've been going through old photo albums at my mother's house, scanning some of the photos into the computer so I can have access to them online. As I leaf through those old albums, memories from years ago come rushing back. There are fading color photos from my childhood and old black-and-white photos from generations past. I peer at the faces of my ancestors and imagine what life was like for them. The photos are like little time machines. I think of how all these lives influenced my life directly or indirectly. These are the saints of my life, the ones who have made me who I am. I especially think of my dad who died in 1973. Yesterday I visited his grave at Ft. Lyon National Cemetery near here, and memories came flooding back. This Sunday we celebrate All Saints' Day (transferred from November 1), and we'll name those who are the saints in our lives. I've added my dad's name to the list, and even though I won't be at church, it's good to know his name will be lifted up. Who are the saints in your life? On All Saints' Day, it's a good time to remember those who have influenced us - parents, aunts and uncles, coaches, teachers, mentors, friends, and role models. We are part of a long procession of the saints of God, and all of us together make a long, joyous parade as we wind our way to heaven. Bill

Listening to the children

Hi, all!
Tomorrow is the Children's Eucharist at the 10:00 service. I'm looking forward to seeing our young people serving as ushers, greeters, Eucharistic Minister (Chelsea Reeder), and even preacher (Bonnie Foley)!

We have such wonderful young people in our church, and they bring such energy, optimism, and joy to all of us. I feel truly blessed to have them in our parish.
Tomorrow they will serve as ministers in worship, and we'll invite them to gather around the altar for the consecration of the bread and wine. They love this because they're near the holy mysteries. This way they can see and hear what's going on at the altar.
Children instinctively understand about God. It's natural for young children to ask about God, and it's natural for them to want to receive Communion. They "get it" that this is food from God, and we're God's family gathered around God's table.

When we have Children's Eucharist, they learn about God, and we learn about God through them. They teach us. As Jesus said, "Unless you become like a little child, you cannot enter the kingdom of God."
I'm looking forward to learning from them. I hope you are, too!
Bill

The gathering of the tribe

Hi, all!

I just got back from Diocesan Convention, held at the Lynnwood Convention Center in North Seattle. It was a well-run convention, and the business of the Diocese was duly attended to.

The part I like best about Convention is seeing friends from other parishes. Having been involved in the clergy association and various diocesan events, I've made friends throughout the diocese and I always enjoy seeing them.

I think of the diocesan convention as "the gathering of the tribe." In earlier days, Native American tribes were composed of family groups that might separate to travel widely during the year looking for good hunting and fishing. Then in the fall they'd come together for a time of sharing, eating, dancing, and contests of skill. Young people would look for mates, and old friends would remember times past.

That's what it feels like at diocesan convention. Our diocese is a tribe composed of many parishes and groups, and we usually do our ministries separately. But once a year we come together to re-connect and to share with each other.

I'm grateful for our delegates, Bill Demmon and Maggie Scott, and our alternates, Ken Stephens and Tovi Andrews, who took the time to attend convention, and I hope they got a feel for the depth and breadth of our diocese and enjoyed it as much as I did.

Bill  

Hi, all!

Columbus Day landed on Wednesday this week, and Bishop Greg asked us to reflect on the "Doctrine of Discovery". The doctrine of discovery was the policy of European nations to claim full ownership of the lands occupied by their settlers in the Americas. It was used to justify the removal and genocide of the people who already lived there, namely Native Americans.

I think most of us feel some regret about the treatment of Native Americans in our country. We recognize the tragic losses they suffered when European settlers came.

I have some family heritage on my mother's side in this matter. My great-grandfather, Thomas Lawrence Riggs, was a missionary to the Lakota (Sioux) people in South Dakota. In 1872 he established a mission near Pierre, and eventually founded a number of mission churches along the Missouri River, as well as an Indian boarding school.

One of the great tragedies of mission work among Native Americans was the requirement that their children move to church boarding schools, where they were forced to speak in English and they lost their culture and traditions. The church brought them the Gospel of Christ, but also forced western culture on them. The loss of native pride and identity brought a terrible social price: alcoholism, suicide, and disintegration.

My great-grandfather spoke the Lakota language with great fluency, and the family lore is that he was accepted by them as one of their own. The children in the Indian school were taught in the Lakota tongue until government policies forced the school to teach them in English. My great-grandfather devoted his whole life to the Lakota people, and he I'm sure he didn't intend to cause any harm. And yet, there were unintended consequences to the missionary work he did.

So I have some ambivalence about my family heritage in South Dakota. On the one hand, I'm proud of the work my great-grandfather did and the sacrifices he made. On the other hand, I wonder about those unintended consequences.

I'm planning to go to South Dakota in November to attend a workshop by the Episcopal Diocese of South Dakota on Lakota culture and history. I want to learn more about the Lakota people and the role of the church in their lives. Maybe I'll get a clearer picture of the role of missionaries in South Dakota and perhaps find a way I can contribute to the church work there. I wonder if there might be some way we as a parish might partner with a Native American congregation in South Dakota. Who knows?

Bill  

May the circle be unbroken

Hi, all!

I spent some time last week searching for the ghosts of my past. My grandmother's family on my father's side were plantation owners in Louisiana in the 1800's, and since I was in the area for my CREDO conference, I took an extra day to rent a car and drive to the site of the old plantation.

I've always been fascinated by this part of my family history. The Bowman family came down the Natchez Trace from South Carolina around 1810 and established Alphenia Plantation near Clayton, Louisiana. I've read about the plantation and always wanted to visit the site.

My brother, the family genealogist, sent me the Google Earth coordinates so I had no problem finding the site. No buildings exist, but there's a huge old oak tree and three ancient Indian mounds that mark the site of the old plantation. 

It was late afternoon when I parked the rental car in a recently harvested cotton field and climbed the mound nearest the Tensas River. Among the trees and brush I found the gravestones of Sarah Caroline Bowman and her four children, who died within a month of each other in a fever epidemic in 1852. I traced their names on a large marble base and a tall obelisk that had toppled to the ground. 

Standing there where my ancestors lived and died was a powerful experience for me. I said a prayer for those who had gone before me, remembering them to God. 

But I wasn't finished. I pushed through the brush and climbed the mound furthest from the river. This was the mound where the slaves of the plantation were buried. It's strange how the ghosts of the past haunt us today. Slavery was an evil institution, and its effects still linger today. 

As I stood there, I wondered what it was like for the slaves 160 years ago. I said a prayer for those who were buried there and for their descendants, and I asked God for forgiveness.

I don't know what difference it made that I visited the site of the old plantation. But it was something I needed to do for myself, and I realized as I walked back to the rental car that this place is sacred ground for me. In some sense, I feel I completed the circle. I'm glad I went.  

Bill   

Mississippi Cuisine

September 30, 2011
Hi, all!

I'm spending this week at an Episcopal conference center near Jackson, Mississippi. It's located in rural Mississippi surrounded by oak and pine forests and lush meadows. And yes, it's hot and muggy in the daytime -- although I have to admit the evenings have been quite pleasant.

The cooks at the conference center have served up some real southern cookin'. We've had grits, red beans and rice, turnip greens, gumbo, and fried catfish. Delicious, every bit.

The conference has focused on clergy well-being and renewal. The staff is a team of clergy and lay professionals including a financial planner, a spiritual director, a psychologist, and a career planner. The twenty five clergy attending the conference are from all over the country and all kinds of parishes. It's a pleasure to be with them.

We've had presentations on subjects like relationships, discernment, visioning, forgiveness, clergy identity and vocation. It's a little like going back to seminary for a week, but more practical. We've met in small groups where we've been able to share more personally, and we've been able to meet one on one with the staff members for consultations.

We've gathered daily for worship that has included morning prayer, Eucharist and a healing service. I was somewhat surprised to find that about half the participants gather before breakfast for a half hour of centering prayer and silence. Contemplative spirituality is now practiced by clergy throughout the church.

Best of all for me have been casual conversations and small group sessions where we've shared our experience as people of faith with a common calling. I've found these clergy to be healthy and lively people with wonderful gifts for ministry. It's a privilege to be here.

We've done a lot of personal reflection, and we're encouraged to make a CREDO plan that sets forth our plans for our personal and professional growth. I think I'll be a better priest for this experience, and I'm grateful for this time for reflection.

I'm looking forward to coming back and being with you in our life together, a life I love and value deeply.

Bill

Wholeness

Hi, all!

Last week I enjoyed a week of vacation in Bend, Oregon, with my family. We returned home Saturday and since Sunday was still a vacation day, Katy and I attended Grace Episcopal Church in Bainbridge Island for Holy Eucharist.

It's rare for me to be able to attend church and receive Communion, because I'm usually the one up front, leading worship, preaching, and celebrating the Eucharist, all of which I love to do. But sometimes it's good for me to be a receiver instead of a giver. It's good for me to sit in the pews, listen, pray, and to go to Communion and receive the bread and wine.

I find these times especially renewing, because I can soak it all up and simply be fed. But last Sunday was even more special for me because Katy was with me. There's something about sitting together in church that just feels right. There's a sense of wholeness for me. I'm in God's place and the most important person in my life is with me.

Katy and I rarely get to sit together, so this was special for us. I realize many people attend church without their spouse, for many different reasons, and I always appreciate the faithfulness of those who attend alone. But there's a wholeness about being together when you can.

When Katy and I took Communion, standing in the circle in the center of the church, I felt her presence next to me and realized what a big part of my life she is. I remembered how God has joined us together and made us one. It was a good feeling, a feeling of wholeness.

I hope you'll have that sense also, that the Eucharist is the place where God makes us whole again.

Bill  

The mind of a child

Hi, all!

This week I'm leading the music at Vacation Bible School with my guitar. We're singing fun songs about being thankful, praising God, and the joy of God's creation. It's so much fun to see the children sing out and dance to the music.

Last Saturday at the Barnival I provided face painting for the little kids that came. They chose a design and sat quietly while I carefully dabbed paint on their soft cheeks. So simple, and yet so much fun!

It's been a long time since my sons were little children, and I'd almost forgotten the wonder and joy of children. When children are in a safe atmosphere, surrounded by love, they blossom like flowers. Children remind me how simple and good life is.

We've got a wonderful group of children at Vacation Bible School. As I wander around watching them at games, crafts, and lessons, I see them soaking up the message of God's love. Our teachers and leaders surround them with care and good things, and they respond with joy.

It renews my faith and makes me remember that we are all children of God. If we human beings could only treat each other like the children of God we are, what a better world it would be!

With the wonder of a child, 

Bill   

Norway's tragic loss

July 23, 2011

To my friends,

Today the whole world is grieving with Norway as they deal with the shock from an explosion and many shooting deaths. Apparently one man set off powerful explosives near the Prime Minister's office and then shot dozens of young people who were camping on an island in a lake.

It's hard to comprehend such violence. How could any human being do these things? The trauma is enormous and the loss is extremely painful. We lift up the victims and their families and the whole nation of Norway, asking for God's mercy and healing.

We pray for those who died, that God will receive them into his arms of mercy, and we pray for those who have been injured, asking God for physical healing but also for healing from the mental scarring which will last for many years. And we pray for the families and friends of the victims, as they cope with their shock and loss. 

We remember Jesus' death on a cross, which God redeemed and made into a sign of forgiveness and salvation for all people. Christ died in solidarity with the victims of this tragedy in Norway, and Christ was present with them even in their terror. Christ never leaves us.

I ask your prayers for a world where every human being can live in freedom and peace, and where God's children are secure and protected.

Bill   

Backpacking and God

July 16, 2011

Hi, all! 

On Thursday night, my son, Guy, and I went backpacking in the Olympic Mountains. We hiked a few miles up the lower Quilcene River trail and camped at Bark Shanty camp. It was a short overnight trip, but refreshing to the soul and body. We got tired, sweaty and smoky and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

There's something about hiking in the mountains that renews me. Maybe it's the grandeur of the outdoors, or the challenge of living simply, or communing with one's body. But somehow for me it's a religious experience, too. Being in the mountains makes me feel closer to God.

Many of the stories in the Bible that feature appearances of God are in the wilderness: Moses on the mountain, Elijah in the desert, Jesus in the wilderness. Maybe it's because we're more vulnerable and open to God when we're on our own and stripped of our usual insulation.

Tomorrow's Old Testament lesson is about Jacob's experience of falling asleep exhausted in the desert as he fled from his brother's wrath. He dreamed of a ladder between heaven and earth, with angels ascending and descending, and he heard God's voice promising protection.

We live surrounded by awesome natural beauty. I'm making a special attempt to get out and experience God's presence this summer. I hope you will, too.

Surrounded by beauty ,

Bill