Anyone up for a chat thread?

[Paidiske]

Just a small vent: one of the things I find most frustrating in ministry is trying to pick up the pieces when one/some of my colleagues have provided "pastoral" care that has been destructive and debilitating.

 

[seeking.IAM]

Just a small vent: one of the things I find most frustrating in ministry is trying to pick up the pieces when one/some of my colleagues have provided "pastoral" care that has been destructive and debilitating.

But what a wonderful and opportunity you have been given to correct a wrong! Thanks be to God.

 

[Shane R]

A confession: every priest has off weeks. There are times that we can't find a spark during the week and we cobble a sermon together. We know it is probably a steaming pile of dung just as much as the person in the pew but we soldier on with it since that is the expectation of the congregation. That was me last Sunday.

 

[seeking.IAM]

A confession: every priest has off weeks. There are times that we can't find a spark during the week and we cobble a sermon together...

Everyone has an off day. But, if you know you're standing up there tanking, at least keep it short so we can get to the restaurant ahead of the Methodists.

 

[Paidiske]

Everyone has off weeks, true.

I will admit, though, that sometimes it's when I think my sermon is a steaming pile of dung that someone else seems to get something important out of it; and sometimes when I look at a completed sermon with satisfaction and think, "Yep, nailed it this week," it falls flat. God works in mysterious ways...

Do take care of yourself, though, Shane. When was the last time you had leave? (Real leave, not leave spent doing something like moving house).

 

[Shane R]

Last October. I've been sitting here part of the afternoon planning a vacation for myself.

 

[Deegie]

I will admit, though, that sometimes it's when I think my sermon is a steaming pile of dung that someone else seems to get something important out of it; and sometimes when I look at a completed sermon with satisfaction and think, "Yep, nailed it this week," it falls flat. God works in mysterious ways...

Yes, indeed. That's happened to me a number of times. I have learned that either I'm no judge of sermon quality...or my parishioners don't pay much attention. Or both.

 

[Shane R]

I joke sometimes and say I've written some of the best material since the days of John Mason Neale or maybe even St. Crysostom. The Abp. likes my preaching and I have an open invitation to preach at the chancery; so I guess I've got that going for me

 

[Paidiske]

I figure the Spirit just does what He wants with my humble efforts, and I don't get to control that!

The feedback I get is that I write good content but sometimes my delivery doesn't do it justice. I'm not a natural public speaker, but I hope that over time I'm getting better...

 

[Philip_B]

I figure the Spirit just does what He wants with my humble efforts, and I don't get to control that!

The feedback I get is that I write good content but sometimes my delivery doesn't do it justice. I'm not a natural public speaker, but I hope that over time I'm getting better...

Both are important, however content trumps delivery every time.

 

[Philip_B]

https://cathedral.org/press-room/ha...naaQJ279MWuDeQ98azN91fWUmtoEJXQ4Q0pJ2V-UFC3Fw

I just came across this article, and given that I know POTUS seems to draw extreme reactions, especially on CF, however I wondered what the quite corner here thinks of this article?

 

[Paidiske]

I kind of feel like I'm not really in the group you're asking, Philip!

I did, however, want to show off the results of my latest fun little project.

The original piece of furniture was a disused pulpit from another parish; the cabinetry work was done by the local Men's Shed, and we've set up a Little Free Library next to the church... I'm hoping to use it as a springboard to connecting with local bookworms. (Basically, any excuse to read, share, and talk about books; and mission is a great excuse!)

 

[Tigger45]

Have We No Decency? A Response to President Trump - Washington National Cathedral

I just came across this article, and given that I know POTUS seems to draw extreme reactions, especially on CF, however I wondered what the quite corner here thinks of this article?

Very prophetic words. Only the title of office need change.

 

[PloverWing]

My husband and I drove our youngest to college today. We're officially empty nesters now. I've got all kinds of mixed emotions. Mostly happy and relieved that all three of our children have successfully made it to adulthood, but also melancholy, because the house is awfully quiet. And, as always, a little nervously worried, hoping that this last bird will find his wings and fly.

 

[Paidiske]

That's a big shift, PloverWing!

Is your son very far away? Maybe close enough to come home for meals on the weekend, or something? (In Australia, especially in the cities, most of us live at home while we study, so the phenomenon of "going away" to college is a bit foreign to me).

 

[PloverWing]

He's about an hour-and-a-half drive away. That's not close enough to visit frequently, but it's close enough to come home on holidays and special occasions -- Thanksgiving, Christmas, and so on. We'll be driving to visit him next week to celebrate his 18th birthday with him.

 

[Shane R]

I've got a parishioner that's going away too. He's the rector's son. He did community college for one year and is now taking the liberating step of going off to school. His university is a solid four hours away.

I first met him when he was about 12 or 13. When I came back from a two year period elsewhere I got to watch the painful interplay of the organist still trying to get him to sing soprano solos though his voice was no longer suited to it! He was going to be my hunting partner this fall. Now I'm looking for a new one again.

 

[ChristianGirl_96]

I planned a birthday party today. I also went to work and then I sorted out all closets. My plan is to begin using a children's bible tomorrow to teach the twins about Christianity. Wish me luck!

 

[Paidiske]

Good luck!

Our synod starts today. So for the next four days we will try to navigate the deep divisions in our diocese with something vaguely approximating grace and peace. I'm not really looking forward to it.

 

[archer75]

Good luck!

Our synod starts today. So for the next four days we will try to navigate the deep divisions in our diocese with something vaguely approximating grace and peace. I'm not really looking forward to it.

What topics will come up?