REboot

Hello, blog! It's been a while. My last post to the page was in October, 2012 when I wrote about the Puritan practice of the Election Day Sermon (Zzzzz). Well, we're over the finish line of another Presidential election cycle and the country seems as on edge as we've ever been. I've become really thin-skinned about all the ugly public discourse. I've tried to find grace and focus on root issues. But it's hard. A 24-hour news cycle leaves little opportunity for fact-checking, and people seem quick to believe lies and jump on bandwagons, and well, just "other" each other. I'm still full of hope that things will turn for the better, perhaps that makes me naive.

Since my last post, I've moved from one small New England Town to another and now live about 200 feet from the wonderful UCC church full of people that I have grown to dearly love (ten years next week!). As a community, we struggle sometimes over deep wounds and losses. For example, many of us are still frustrated that nothing has been done to change gun violence. Or addiction. Or that the access to mental health resources is so inadequate. We've faced staffing turnover, which has brought challenges.Two ministry colleagues have come and gone, but a third seems to be sticking (she's great!). We face similar financial downturns as many other churches, and it makes it hard to meet the needs of vibrant ministry in this place. Dear, strong, generous members still move away for jobs or retirement or family. But we still try to bring the kingdom of God's love just a little bit closer and haven't given up on meeting the needs of our neighbors. For that, I am very grateful.

On the home front, our eldest has returned home, is in grad school and has come out as a gay woman (proud of her!). My husband has had... hmmm... three (or maybe 4) job changes, I am cautiously optimistic that his latest will stick. Youngest is trying to juggle preparation for Eagle Scout, a job at a coffee shop, school, indoor track and his youth group (PF). And my family has trained to become a foster family, which has nearly taken us three years since first applying. Now that we have our licence, we came close to having a son move in... but that's on hold because he received the Christmas gift of a forever home with his current fosters. I've lost three dear family members, two grandma's and a great uncle who was my grandfather. It feels like my roots are gone some days. Oh, and surprise! I'm headed overseas on sabbatical soon.