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An Evening With Friends

There was a concert on the Town Green tonight. I have no idea who was playing because I was too busy talking and enjoying a great picnic dinner that Joy prepared. The kids played. We talked together. It was great!

Vacation Prep

We're getting ready to begin our vacation on Monday. For the first week we're hanging out at local beaches up and down the coast. Hey, I figure people come here from all over the world to spend time on the beaches of Southern California. It's enough to enjoy them for ourselves. At the end of the first week, we'll be packing for a week at a cabin near Lake Tahoe. Lots of fun with the whole family. Last year we went to Lake Mead. Lots of people...very small houseboat. This year should be a bit more relaxing. And yet, our boys have great memories of Lake Mead.

These days I'm also more aware of the change of pace during the summer months. There are many things I'm praying about but it doesn't feel like a season to push, push, push. Please pray with me in terms finding ways to expand our outreach to this community. Pray that our worship services overflow with a sense of God's presence. Pray that God might raise up more leaders among us who will get excited about serving this community. Pray for our partnership with others on behalf of the people of Malawi, Africa. Pray for that we will be good steward of the resources entrusted to us. Pray that we will ALL learn to give generously in order to establish a community of faith here in Ladera Ranch. Pray for your pastors who will both be away for vacation during the first week of August (Leanne returns after August 7th). Thank you for your prayers and for your partnership in this mission!

VBS Lessons

Here are the comments I shared prior to the sermon last Sunday. It's my offical list of things I learned last week at VBS:

1. It doesn’t matter what you’re doing, it’s always more fun with friends.
2. Crying is sometimes a temporary set-back but sometimes no one else in the world can replace mom or dad.
3. Music is more fun when you make it more fun.
4. Kids love to explore. And it's best when they can do so in a safe and secure environment.
5. Craft time helps us to discover the artist within. When was the last time you made something purely for the joy of creating it?
6. Africa is far away but kids really do care about other kids. We raised more than $140 for a World Vision project in Malawi, Africa.
7. The fruit of our labor may not be seen for many years but we can be sure that planting the seeds of faith is an incredibly rewarding endeavor.
8. Water is essential to life. We couldn’t change the weather but we could respond appropriately.
9. “Whatever” is not a good response to teachers or to students and especially to God.
10. I am grateful for first attempts, a gradual learning curve, and the expectation that we can do it all again in 2006.

Flip-Flops

I'm not a regular reader of the Orange County Register but today I came across an article about the flap flip-flops made recently at the White House. I have to confess, I don't get what all the fuss is about. Here's the AP photo showing a smiling group of women from Northwestern University and a President who also appears to be enjoying himself. By my count, there are two, maybe three pairs of flip flops visible (it's tough to tell if the third woman from the left has the offending sandals on or not). These women are national champions in lacrosse. They've achieved something wonderful and some people are worried about their footwear? Surely there are more important issues in the world! And why are strapped sandals (at least six in view) more acceptable than ones that fit between the first and second toe, like the flip-flop?

This photo doesn't bother me at all, but maybe I'm just showing my California colors on this one.

Maybe this whole issue raises a good question about what's appropriate to wear to worship. I have a friend who insists on not dressing up for church (he usually wears a t-shirt and jeans) because he believes God accepts him "as is." So also, I have a friend who insists on nothing less than a coat and tie every Sunday. He is eager to give his best to God every Sunday. So who's right on this issue? I can't say for sure but I do know that what we wear says something about who we are. So back to the flap about flips flops. I'd probably wear 'em but I'd be inclined to stand in the back row for the photo. In this way I could be comfortable and avoid controversy at the same time. And if it sounds like I'm flip-floping on this issue, that's my point exactly.

Bonfire at the Beach

We gathered on Sunday night for a farewell party for the Ripperger family. Brian and Laurie have been with us only a short time but they've made a big impact on this community of faith. Brian was a part of the Friday morning Men's Group and he faithfully served on the Set Up team (I'd love it when he'd bring Justin to help...Justin is so full of questions that it always made the morning more enjoyable). Laurie joined our leadership team a few months ago and I was glad for the stability and insight she brought to the group. Laurie often made it known that she had an "East Coast" perspective on things. The "laid back" style of California didn't always suit her but in the end I think she was feeling more at home here (even if she's still not a fan of the beach).

There are, however, a few things they added to the church that I hope will somehow rub off on us all. The Ripperger family always made it a habit to arrive for worship 10 minutes EARLY. When the "Call to Worship" was sounded they were in place and ready to go. I like our laid back style but I think we can all learn something from their example. Second, from day one, Brian and Laurie were determined to get involved. They didn't wait for others to reach out to them but they took the initiative to do things like usher, greet, serve communion (Laurie is an ordained Deacon), care, pray, served meals and reach out to neighbors. When they thought of ways we could improve as a church, they not only shared their ideas but they also gave of themselves to make a difference. Laurie worked with Lindsay Yanez to make sure our "sanctuary" looked its best on Christmas Eve and Easter.

Well, maybe that's enough for now. I'm sad to say good-bye but I know also they will be a great blessing to others wherever the Lord sends them. Blessings always to Brian, Laurie, Justin and Tyler!

In the Shade

This has been a busy week with VBS in full swing. Unfortunately, blogging hasn't been at the top of my list. I've come home for an hour this morning to get some work done while the rest of the troops sweat it out on the lawn of the Oak Knoll Club. It's good to enjoy this extended stay in the shade.

I really like VBS. I like to see familiar Bible stories come alive for children. I like watching friendships develop over the week. I like getting to know children and hearing their stories. I like the songs and I like the snacks. And I really like people who are willing to work hard in order to do something good in the life of a child.

It's hot out there today (even as it was yesterday and the day before) but good things are happening. That makes it worth the effort! "Lord, bless the children and all who serve!"

VBS in the Great Outdoors

Yesterday we launched the first-ever Vacation Bible School at Village Presbyterian Church, thanks to the efforts of Kim Johnson and Amy Hemphill. The first day was a bit crazy but today we found our groove and it was great. I'll post pictures and comments in the coming days.

Embracing Liminality...

I presented my project proposal this afternoon. I received helpful comments and encouraging words. I am confident it will be helpful to the life of Village Presbyterian Church. We're going to learn some new terms along the way but we're going to be the better for it! More to come. I fly home tomorrow and tonight I'll be heading out to the Brick with a group of students. Time to celebrate a week of hard work.

Creating Sacred Space

What does it mean to be a people in transition? Can we fully embrace the moment we are living in without having to arrive? Do the followers of Jesus Christ ever arrive? Why have you chosen to worship in a congregation that resides in temporary places? Is there any permanent place in your life? Think of the spaces where you have encountered God. What were those significant spaces like? Did the church help to facilitate that engagement? What do we do to create sacred space for this growing congregation?

As I unfold the canvas to create space for the children every week, I hope also the message is clear for all who are gathered. We're laying out the canvas each week so that people might come among us to experience God with us. How is the church like an unfolding (and temporary) canvas? Are we preparing people to carry the gospel with them or do we conceive of "church" as a place to go?

If you're perplexed by this list of questions, relax. These are just a few of the things I'm wrestling with this afternoon. You might say I'm getting s-p-a-c-e-d out.

Time to Learn

I woke up early this morning hoping I could compel my body clock to reset itself to a new time zone. Unfortunately, my body is not a clock so I've got to be a bit more patient with myself. After a busy travel day yesterday, I'm giving my body the time it needs to adjust. Hopefully, my mind will catch up as well.

I'm glad for afternoon sessions this time around. I was more focused on this first day than usual. There are more than 20 students in this workshop and we're all trying to figure out the focus of our research. Today we went around the room and shared our initial ideas. After each presentation, the group then asked questions. The purpose of the questions was to probe possible areas of discovery not yet considered. And as part of the process, the presenter was asked not to answer the question but only to consider how the question might help focus the research. It was a strange but helpful experience. I'm glad for the good interaction we've had so far. I am also realizing that this is a very different phase in the learning process. Right now the task is much bigger than me but hopefully it will become more manageable as the week goes on.

Well, I better get back to the books. We're going out for dinner in about an hour and there is more to be done.

[in case you have no idea where I am these days...I am here.]