RevGals Friday Five

Friday Five: ch-ch-ch-ch-changes
Change is a given in life, yet it's not easy for any of us. So strap on your seat belts and let's talk about it:

1. Share, if you wish, the biggest change you experienced this past year. Wow, I've had lots of changes this last year: daughter graduated from High School, son started High School. I had my first major illness and hospital stay. I have started seeing a Jungian Analyst - who is also an Episcopal priest (way cool) who is helping me discern my life, stresses, and dreams (as in the stuff that I dream about at night, and my hopes and dreams....)

2. Talk about a time you changed your mind about something important. I discerned a call to a church, was one of two finalists and the vestry became deadlocked, unable to decide between the two of us. The vestry wanted to do site visits and other things that the search committee had done. The whole process felt like they were not ready, and I pulled out. Broke my heart, but was probably the right thing to do. That church started their search all over and spent better part of another year discerning, then made a call for a new priest. Me...I'm still figuring that out...will probably take a new call this year, two years later....

3. Bishop John Shelby Spong wrote a controversial book called "Why Christianity Must Change or Die." Setting aside his ideas--what kind of changes would you like to see in the Church? I've been reading "Christianity for the Rest of Us," by Diana Butler Bass. She has some ideas about the future of the Church that I think are on target: essentially she says that we are living in a world facing the end of the "old established voice of authority" church (1950's church). As a society, we are a people suspicious of authority, focused on the individual choice. We are also a people (society) who have become rootless, aimless, we move around and lose connection. We yearn for community and family, even if it is non-biological community we construct. Church can be that for people. Churches need to take on intentional practices of ancient Christian disciplines, making them new again and authentic to the community (ie prayer, hospitality, worship, beauty..she lists 10 "disciplines"). Her thesis, when communities (church) take on one or two of these disciplines and develop them in a way that shapes and forms how they know themselves to be Christian, human, then the community grows in faith, grows in size, grows in Spirit.

4. Have you changed your hairstyle/hair color in the last five years? If so, how many times? for the most part I have let my hair go grey and kept it short. I tried to grow it out last spring but lost patience with the shaggy look. I may try again. (*sigh*) Also, my hairdresser now adds a "glaze" to my hair every three hair cuts, which brings out the natural pigment and reduces the silver tone of grey. Still have grey, just not so much. Looks natural and I like it.

5. What WERE they thinking with that New Coke thing? Never tried that new Coke, sounded awful...and kids said it was...I stick to iced soy lattes, iced tea, or hot versions in the winter....I think I could go for a Starbucks mocha latte right about now...

and now I have sufficiently prograstinated that I have to skip exercising and get ready for work...ahhh too bad, poor exercise bike will be lonely today....

Comments

reverendmother said…
Great answer to 3. I need to read that book!
Unknown said…
I'm going to get it, too!
Me 3 on that Bass book
revhipchick said…
ditto on the book! sounds wonderful! thanks for the headsup!
I'm another one who needs the Bass book. Great answers all around--especially on the Coke one.
Sally said…
Good book that- I've been reading it too.

Hair glaze sounds interesting- wonder if I can get that done in the UK!
LutheranChik said…
Thanks for the tip about the book Christianity For the Rest Of Us. It sounds as if it speaks to concerns I have about the Church.

I need to purchase a small book, Psalms For Sojourners, for an upcoming retreat; didn't want it to be lonely in transit;-)...the Bass book will make a good travel partner!
Deb said…
Great play - another book for my "someday" list!
Deb
Cathy said…
I want to hear and see more about that stuff you have on your hair.
Rachel said…
Love the Butler Bass book, I am 3/4 of the way through it. Great stuff. Bless you.
Jules said…
I liked that book so much that I'm getting ready to re-read it!
Unknown said…
great answers. I like #3 too. Have not read the book but need too. But when.

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