Hello Lovers,
Today is St. Valentine's Day and even though it is a Hallmark holiday, any day and every day is a great day to say "I love you" to our loved ones and our "not-so-much" loved ones. Don't miss the chance to say it! I LOVE YOU.
John 13:14
Monday, February 14, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Spanish Immersion, El Fin El Primero Semana
I am 10 days into my Cross Cultural Experience at New City Parish and South East Los Angeles. No, I am not in Watts or Compton. We started our Spanish immersion portion a week ago. I would like to say that I hadn't forgotten any of my university Spanish, but that wasn't true.
For the first 3 days, we lived with African American families in the Inglewood area and have over the past week experienced how Holy Trinity Lutheran Church expresses their faith within community (both the church and Inglewood). Then we transitioned to our Spanish immersion experience and moved in with our Spanish speaking family about 7 miles north of Inglewood. Every day I get up and my language class starts at 8:30 and continues to noon. Then we break for lunch and the afternoon is dedicated to the latino/a community and culture in Los Angeles. I then come home to do my "tarea". Today for example we spent the morning working on demonstrative and possessive pronouns, then ate lunch at St. Mark's LC with their
"between homes" folks, sang church music and liturgy in Spanish and then visited with the Esperanza community organization.
It is a very compelling experience to live with folks living between two cultures. In our home we have a mix of Mexican and Guatemalan culture along with 21st century U.S. culture. I have many more questions than I have answers, I am content to live in the tension. The hospitality and commitment of these communities with each other is amazing. I find myself asking, "Why do we insist on introducing complexity to our worship and lives? Do we really gain more than we lose? And focusing not on whose we are but rather who we are, who and "whose" have been lost?"
Hebrews 13:2 is circling in my head.
Hasta luego! Necessita completar mi tarea.
Gretchen
For the first 3 days, we lived with African American families in the Inglewood area and have over the past week experienced how Holy Trinity Lutheran Church expresses their faith within community (both the church and Inglewood). Then we transitioned to our Spanish immersion experience and moved in with our Spanish speaking family about 7 miles north of Inglewood. Every day I get up and my language class starts at 8:30 and continues to noon. Then we break for lunch and the afternoon is dedicated to the latino/a community and culture in Los Angeles. I then come home to do my "tarea". Today for example we spent the morning working on demonstrative and possessive pronouns, then ate lunch at St. Mark's LC with their
"between homes" folks, sang church music and liturgy in Spanish and then visited with the Esperanza community organization.
It is a very compelling experience to live with folks living between two cultures. In our home we have a mix of Mexican and Guatemalan culture along with 21st century U.S. culture. I have many more questions than I have answers, I am content to live in the tension. The hospitality and commitment of these communities with each other is amazing. I find myself asking, "Why do we insist on introducing complexity to our worship and lives? Do we really gain more than we lose? And focusing not on whose we are but rather who we are, who and "whose" have been lost?"
Hebrews 13:2 is circling in my head.
Hasta luego! Necessita completar mi tarea.
Gretchen
Friday, January 7, 2011
J-term Adventure
Hello from sunny Palm Springs!
At PLTS (and many seminaries, universities and college), January is set aside for the opportunity to either regain your bearings, partake of intensive classes or experience other educational and expansive programs. For me, this J-term, as they are called, will be spent in central Los Angeles. I and 14 other colleagues are embarking on our cross cultural experience by taking an intensive 3+ week class in Spanish and experiencing the New City Parish ministry. Lots of people have asked me what exactly it is that we are doing and my response (honestly) is "Well, this isn't a new program, I have a syllabus with books I have read and/or purchased and an address to which I am supposed to arrive at by 6 p.m. on Jan 7th...do I need to know more?" For some the answer would be "Yes, you need to know more." For me, the answer is "No." I tend to not want to many answers too early. If I have answers too early then I have more to wade through in reflection. But that is just me.
So, what is New City Parish? Well, it is a group of Lutheran churches who in the wake of the Rodney King riots decided that they needed to respond within their communities in a new way. I really recommend that you check out their website (which is below). Hopefully in the next 4 weeks I will have time to share some of my journal and experiences with you.
Pray for us. We will surely be thankful recipients of your thoughts and prayers as we are stretched beyond our growing edges.
Peace for all people,
Gretchen
www.newcityparish.org
At PLTS (and many seminaries, universities and college), January is set aside for the opportunity to either regain your bearings, partake of intensive classes or experience other educational and expansive programs. For me, this J-term, as they are called, will be spent in central Los Angeles. I and 14 other colleagues are embarking on our cross cultural experience by taking an intensive 3+ week class in Spanish and experiencing the New City Parish ministry. Lots of people have asked me what exactly it is that we are doing and my response (honestly) is "Well, this isn't a new program, I have a syllabus with books I have read and/or purchased and an address to which I am supposed to arrive at by 6 p.m. on Jan 7th...do I need to know more?" For some the answer would be "Yes, you need to know more." For me, the answer is "No." I tend to not want to many answers too early. If I have answers too early then I have more to wade through in reflection. But that is just me.
So, what is New City Parish? Well, it is a group of Lutheran churches who in the wake of the Rodney King riots decided that they needed to respond within their communities in a new way. I really recommend that you check out their website (which is below). Hopefully in the next 4 weeks I will have time to share some of my journal and experiences with you.
Pray for us. We will surely be thankful recipients of your thoughts and prayers as we are stretched beyond our growing edges.
Peace for all people,
Gretchen
www.newcityparish.org
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Why seminary?
It's difficult to give a short answer when I'm asked why I chose to attend seminary. My response is really more of a story which includes many people, places and events. It's a story about my exploration of who I am and who I feel compelled to be in this world. It's also been a story about where God has been present in my life and how I've chosen to respond, for better or worse. In the church we often talk about a person's chosen path, vocation or purpose as a "call". A pastor I know recently described a call as being where "your great joy and the needs of the world meet." Amen! That definition works for me!
Today especially, I am thankful that I will enjoy a warm meal and the company of friends and family. A friend at school recently described the way he lives his life as being a "thank you note to God". This has been a helpful notion on which to meditate. In many ways, I think my life has been a response to abundance, even when it has also been marked by hardship or sorrow. In other words, I have found God to be present in both the joys and sorrows. This has been, for me, good news which I fell compelled to share.
The video below is an advertisement for the ELCA. For me, this video conveys a piece of the gospel message that has so captured me. It reminds me why I remain committed to the vocation of being Christian. It provides a glimpse of what it means to participate in God's radically inclusive and loving desire for the world. It also stirs in me a sense of excitement and hope, pushing me to be ever more actively grateful. I pray that those who do not have warmth, food, shelter or companionship will still experience the transformational miracle of God's love.
Today especially, I am thankful that I will enjoy a warm meal and the company of friends and family. A friend at school recently described the way he lives his life as being a "thank you note to God". This has been a helpful notion on which to meditate. In many ways, I think my life has been a response to abundance, even when it has also been marked by hardship or sorrow. In other words, I have found God to be present in both the joys and sorrows. This has been, for me, good news which I fell compelled to share.
The video below is an advertisement for the ELCA. For me, this video conveys a piece of the gospel message that has so captured me. It reminds me why I remain committed to the vocation of being Christian. It provides a glimpse of what it means to participate in God's radically inclusive and loving desire for the world. It also stirs in me a sense of excitement and hope, pushing me to be ever more actively grateful. I pray that those who do not have warmth, food, shelter or companionship will still experience the transformational miracle of God's love.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
What is seminary?
Just as a quick fyi, Anna and I have received a few suggestions for questions we might consider. So for a while we are going to both write on the same topics.
In Anna's post she provided great official information about seminary and I agree with everything she wrote. I will admit that when I read the comment exchange between Nan and Anna on the Latin root of seminary being "seed". My mind went in a completely different direction...I thought about seeds, "sem", life and then "Oh yeah, that makes sense as Latin was the language of academia when society definitely boasted a patriarchal hierarchy. I wonder if anyone has ever thought of an "ovanary" or a "semiovanary."
This week Pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber was at PLTS. She is a pastor in Denver and writes a blog called the "sarcastic Lutheran". Check it out from the link on our blog site. She talked about how important seminary was for her and I resonated with what she shared. Paraphrasing her, seminary transforms you in your understanding of general theology, Lutheran theology (for Lutherans), biblical studies, worship and leadership with the desire that we will be trained to proclaim, guide and care for others as they respond to God's active encounter with them in Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit.
The telling of the encounter of the two travelers on the way to Emmaus and their encounter with Christ in Luke 24:13-36 comes to mind as I think about what seminary is. I am one of those people on that road. My road is a long one. I think it started in 1976 and took a long detour before it rejoined the main road again in 2005. Most days I feel like a seminarian and minimal days I feel like a "Pastor In Training" or "PIT". I honestly share that I didn't really know what content looked like until now.
Next post: Why am I in seminary?
In Anna's post she provided great official information about seminary and I agree with everything she wrote. I will admit that when I read the comment exchange between Nan and Anna on the Latin root of seminary being "seed". My mind went in a completely different direction...I thought about seeds, "sem", life and then "Oh yeah, that makes sense as Latin was the language of academia when society definitely boasted a patriarchal hierarchy. I wonder if anyone has ever thought of an "ovanary" or a "semiovanary."
This week Pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber was at PLTS. She is a pastor in Denver and writes a blog called the "sarcastic Lutheran". Check it out from the link on our blog site. She talked about how important seminary was for her and I resonated with what she shared. Paraphrasing her, seminary transforms you in your understanding of general theology, Lutheran theology (for Lutherans), biblical studies, worship and leadership with the desire that we will be trained to proclaim, guide and care for others as they respond to God's active encounter with them in Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit.
The telling of the encounter of the two travelers on the way to Emmaus and their encounter with Christ in Luke 24:13-36 comes to mind as I think about what seminary is. I am one of those people on that road. My road is a long one. I think it started in 1976 and took a long detour before it rejoined the main road again in 2005. Most days I feel like a seminarian and minimal days I feel like a "Pastor In Training" or "PIT". I honestly share that I didn't really know what content looked like until now.
Next post: Why am I in seminary?
What is seminary?
 |
| A window view from campus. |
I am training to become a pastor. When explaining what it means, I often recall the following words from Paul's letter to the Corinthians, one of the earliest Christian communities: Think of us this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God's mysteries. (1 Cor. 4:1, NRSV) In order to become such a pastor, I am studying scripture, philosophy, history, counseling, management, ethics, human behavior, worship planning, spiritual practice and more. Almost 1.5 years into my 4 year seminary journey, I would already call it a transformational one. There's nothing I'd rather be doing right now.
I didn't always want to do this. Stay tuned for my next post on why I chose to attend seminary.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
One Midterm Down!
Greetings, friends.
It's been so busy down here over the last couple months that I hardly know where to start! We've entered the second half of the semester already, which is hard to believe. It has been true adventure getting acclimated to a new area, a new living situation and a new school.
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First, let me give you a little explanation about where we are. PLTS (Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary) is located in Berkeley, which about 30 minutes (without traffic) from San Francisco. Berkeley itself is a really unique place. I once heard that the area has a high tolerance for silly. So far this appears to be true. Evidence can be found in the local phenomenon of turning vehicles into art. I recently saw this piece parked at the grocery story and spoke with the owner. She turned me onto to Art Car Fest, a local annual gathering of art cars.
My school work has resulted in some great new experiences. For one course, Reading Congregations, we have visited a different congregation every Sunday. The most recent visit was to St. Columba Catholic Church in Oakland. In front of their building, visible to the main thoroughfare, is a memorial to all those who have died in Oakland from homicide. Each cross bears a name and date. This image is a striking reminder of the very real pain and suffering experienced in this community. This alone, however, does not characterize the them. I experienced worship in this place as joyful and uplifting. The service is heavily influenced by African America tradition and was filled with voice, movement and many happy, smiling faces. Even amidst the reality of pain and death, this community is vibrant and alive. That's good news if I ever heard it.
Jeremy and I think of our friends and family often, especially all of you at Faith Lutheran Church, as we both maneuver through transition. Now that I am studying to be a pastor, over 900 miles from the Pacific Northwest, I look forward to this unique opportunity to continue our conversations. I find great comfort in the words of Paul to the Corinthians: For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human being; for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ. (1 Cor. 15:21-22) I hope that this letter finds you well and confident of God's promise of abundant life for you. I give thanks for you every day.
Love and peace,
Anna
It's been so busy down here over the last couple months that I hardly know where to start! We've entered the second half of the semester already, which is hard to believe. It has been true adventure getting acclimated to a new area, a new living situation and a new school.
.jpg)
Jeremy and I think of our friends and family often, especially all of you at Faith Lutheran Church, as we both maneuver through transition. Now that I am studying to be a pastor, over 900 miles from the Pacific Northwest, I look forward to this unique opportunity to continue our conversations. I find great comfort in the words of Paul to the Corinthians: For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human being; for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ. (1 Cor. 15:21-22) I hope that this letter finds you well and confident of God's promise of abundant life for you. I give thanks for you every day.
Love and peace,
Anna
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