People in Trouble? Call Them

Here's some advice on being a pastor:

If you hear a colleague is in trouble, call them. You don't have to do a gossip monger on them, don't even mention the trouble. If they want to talk about it with you, they will bring it up. But call them. Don't leave your peeps out to dry in misery.

If a local official or neighbor or whoever gets indicted. Call them. Write a note if you'd rather do that but get in touch with them. Let them know you know they are in trouble and you are praying for them.

It doesn't matter if you think they are guilty. An indictment means the grand jury says they need to be in court. Grand juries present one side of the issue, the defendant doesn't get to present his/her side.

Probably you don't know anyone in jail. Think about how isolating and miserable it is to have your name in the paper as an accused.

Our Mayor is indicted. His wife, too. I doubt they did anything wrong but the Grand Jury handed down enough charges to scare the skin off an elephant. People are judging them without knowing the case. The couple have elementary school children. Once the government decides to move on you, you are in big trouble. I think the Mayor's troubles are a technicality without any thought of fraud. Whatever is going on, anyone who knows the Mayor needs to hand him support rather than allowing him to dance in the wind, friendless and pronounced guilty.

Come on, reach out to the troubled.

St.Casserole

Oh! Now I understand. I thought we were a charm worn on a cat's collar used in a game like marbles.

Oh!,

St.Casserole

Wonderful Day! 2

In 1993 on Inauguration Day, I dressed nine month old LD up, got fixed up myself and sat on the sofa with her to watch Bill Clinton's first Inauguration.

Clinton's election made me happy.

Today, LD is off at Art School, I'm at home with cats and dog. I'm in my flannel jammies transfixed by history unfolding on my TV.

Wish we could hear TD Jake's message at the private worship service. He's articulate and smart.

I hope Michelle Obama's outfit is lined with thermal something for warmth when the ceremony moves outside.

I am having a happy attack.

St.Casserole

Wonderful Day!

Wonderful Day! I'm watching the Inauguration at home today. The cats all have new collars to celebrate. Sister, the best dog Nanny in the world, is spiffy in her new collar, too.

I have hope. I want to be part of the change. I want to see the United States realize progressive government.

When you hear the crowd roar in Washington, listen for my voice in that mix.

St.Casserole

Young Clergywomen

Preacher Coffee Group this week discussed the good influence of the young clergy in our conferences, presbyteries, etc. We have one just-about-30 year old who drinks coffee with us. We consider him a treasure.

Rev. Bird Dog said that when he was a young pup preacher, the old guy preachers made things difficult for him. They lied to him, let him know he knew nothing worthwhile and used him for scut work. He says he vowed to never do that to a younger pastor.

I witnessed similar stuff as a young pastor. Older preachers made it clear that I needed to "apprentice" for years before anyone took me seriously and because I was a woman, my sojourn as a scut worker would last longer. I vowed to not treat younger colleagues like this.

When I preach about Samuel's call tomorrow, I'll reflect on his prophetic ministry even though he was young. "Even though", as if God recognized age as a blessing! Age doesn't mean much with second career pastors and the absolute brightness of so many of the young clergy I meet.

Summer before last, I went to the Young Clergywoman's Conference at the College of Preachers. That conference is in the top two continuing ed. events I've ever attended. I have great confidence, respect and hope for young clergywomen. Second career gals, too, impress me.

I want a young clergywoman nearby with time to talk with me. Lord, send me one, ok?

St.Casserole

29 Degrees

Computer probs fixed~!

Cold here! 29 degrees outside. Cold for us! Hope bugs die! Kill all mosquitos! 55 degrees yesterday! Turned on heat! Cats on bed! Wearing fleece now!



Happy!
St.C.

Waiting for Repair Person

The computer fix-it person arrives this morning. He'll pull wires, type in commands and wave a magic wand over this machine.

I'll be doing laundry, reading the book open on the kitchen counter and looking out the windows.

Together, we may get the 'net/computer/bloggage up to speed.

Until then, I remain,

St.Casserole

There is a long stretch of state highway to LD's school. This four lane, mostly without traffic road goes on forever. The road is lonely day or night. Gives me the creeps but the alternative route takes about 20 minutes longer. I do not want to drive this stretch alone at night and I am a brave woman.

The new semester began today so LD stocked up on school supplies, more shoes, junk food for the dorm and new make-up. The kids dress like kids and most do not wear make-up although the town around them is filled with beautifully made-up groomed women who believe "a woman without jewelry is like the sky without stars." I'm talking really Southern dressed up women. I pulled my hoodie over my head, put on sunglasses and kept quiet.

I'm glad to be home but I miss LD.

St.Casserole

Thinking About 2009

I'd like to see the Northern Lights. This pic was taken in Tromso, Norway from Information Jack's blog.

I want a satisfying way to relate to Presbytery.

I want to explore flexibility in my sermons but not sure what I mean by this yet.

Is this the year I write a letter to the Presbyterian Outlook? May.be.

I want five wooden pallets to build into a compost container for my back yard. I know where to get the pallets but need a truck to bring them home. I'll use one for the base, four for the sides and leave the top open. I'll staple chicken wire inside the container so water flows through it. I want good compost to add to my flower beds to limit how much watering I do to keep plants and shrubs alive.

This is the year to finish Little Church repairs and restoration. Really.

What is someone of my generation supposed to wear? I hope to discover the answer this year.

More peace, less poverty. More food for more hungry people. Health care for everyone.
Education for life for everyone. Encourage the Arts. Recycle more. Give more. Garden more. Read and study new areas of interest. Support the new President. Pray for the world and my backwater portion of the world.

Kiss cats on the head.

Read Calvin through the year to celebrate the 500th Anniversary of his birth.
Sit down with LLS and explain everything I know about Calvin to her without jumping up and bolting from the room.

Love,

St.Casserole