the bug has been entertaining us with his ABC's. you know, literally singing them (and jingle bells - i have no explanation for that one!) for hours on end.
after about an hour of singing yesterday, i realized that he had created some new letters:
A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, Shea, Shea, Elmo, P, 2, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, and Z.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
youth ministry 3.0
hi. i'm holly. and i'm a youth ministry professional.
not only have i worked in churches as both a paid and unpaid youthworker, but i've also taught the discipline (yes, i mean discipline). i follow way too many blogs, read too many books on theology, youth ministry, leadership, and crafting (the last one really makes sense in that list - one day i'll elaborate on that). i usually roll my eyes at youth ministry books. i admit it. i've been trained from an early age to read critically, to think through what i'm being fed.
Youth Ministry 3.0 by mark oestreicher came out last year. as you can imagine, while i totally respect marko, i wasn't running out to buy the book and read. i have many books on my "to read" list, thank you very much. but i picked it up yesterday and rather enjoyed it.
that's what i have read over the past few months since its release: its an easy read but a very. good. one.
marko divides the fairly short history of youth ministry into three periods, making the case that we are entering into the third one (thus, youth ministry 3.0). he organizes his thoughts around the general tasks of adolesence: identity, autonomy, and affinity (who am i?, what do i want to do with my life?, and "who do i want to do that with?). he states that the first wave of youth ministry centered around identity, the second around autonomy, and that this one is around affinity.
i'm still wrestling with this premise - its the kind of thing that provides some helpful hooks for book organization or even inspiring people to reflect on youth ministry. i'm unsure i truly buy it. jury is still out.
regardless of this fact, the book has some great lines and does a helpful if brief job at describing the various periods of youth ministry along with their guiding values. the brilliance of it IMHO is how marko dreams about youth ministry in 3.0 land.
a couple of my favorite quotes:
Contextualized youth ministry doesn't come from a book or conference...it comes from discernment. And discernment always involves inquiry, always involves reading and thinking, always involves wrestling with questions that might not be answerable, and always involves the Holy Spirit...discernment for contextualization is always better accomplished by a group than by an individual. Youth Ministry 2.0 was all about top-down leadership. Youth Ministry 3.0 is a shared journey, utilizing a shared discernment process and involving both adults and teenagers...Dream and discern with them to create a localized ministry that brings the gospel to the real kids yous ee every week. (p. 86)
One youth ministry will likely reach only one kind of kid, one subculture. Multiple youth ministries within the same church have the opportunity to establish contextualized, present (not-driven) ministries of communion and mission in multiple youth culture contexts. (p. 88)
...I dream of a day when we can move beyond a multicultural youth group to a kingdom-culture youth group. (p. 92)
I'll say it again: Youth Ministry 3.0 doesn't call for programming experts, systemizers, communication specialists, or party planners. Youth Ministry 3.0 calls for anthropologically minded missionaries who serve teenagers with humility and grace. (p. 108)
on a personal level, as a spiritual question ask-er and advocate of young people, reading these dreams affirmed where we are as a community of young people and adults at st. g's: we are in a space of discernment for contextualization. we've begun this process. i was hoping we'd be further along than where we are at the moment, ready to implement. but this book confirmed something that has been nagging me: we are still discerning and need to continue to discern. the temptation to be program-driven is strong, the call of god to continue to listen and attempt small experiments is the voice that rings true.
i recommend Youth Ministry 3.0 for those who work with young people. it does an amazing job at hitting a variety of people in various places (those convinced youth ministry needs to change, those who are total pragmatists, those who haven't had enough time to reflect). here's to creating a culture of discernment for contextualization.
not only have i worked in churches as both a paid and unpaid youthworker, but i've also taught the discipline (yes, i mean discipline). i follow way too many blogs, read too many books on theology, youth ministry, leadership, and crafting (the last one really makes sense in that list - one day i'll elaborate on that). i usually roll my eyes at youth ministry books. i admit it. i've been trained from an early age to read critically, to think through what i'm being fed.
Youth Ministry 3.0 by mark oestreicher came out last year. as you can imagine, while i totally respect marko, i wasn't running out to buy the book and read. i have many books on my "to read" list, thank you very much. but i picked it up yesterday and rather enjoyed it.
that's what i have read over the past few months since its release: its an easy read but a very. good. one.
marko divides the fairly short history of youth ministry into three periods, making the case that we are entering into the third one (thus, youth ministry 3.0). he organizes his thoughts around the general tasks of adolesence: identity, autonomy, and affinity (who am i?, what do i want to do with my life?, and "who do i want to do that with?). he states that the first wave of youth ministry centered around identity, the second around autonomy, and that this one is around affinity.
i'm still wrestling with this premise - its the kind of thing that provides some helpful hooks for book organization or even inspiring people to reflect on youth ministry. i'm unsure i truly buy it. jury is still out.
regardless of this fact, the book has some great lines and does a helpful if brief job at describing the various periods of youth ministry along with their guiding values. the brilliance of it IMHO is how marko dreams about youth ministry in 3.0 land.
a couple of my favorite quotes:
Contextualized youth ministry doesn't come from a book or conference...it comes from discernment. And discernment always involves inquiry, always involves reading and thinking, always involves wrestling with questions that might not be answerable, and always involves the Holy Spirit...discernment for contextualization is always better accomplished by a group than by an individual. Youth Ministry 2.0 was all about top-down leadership. Youth Ministry 3.0 is a shared journey, utilizing a shared discernment process and involving both adults and teenagers...Dream and discern with them to create a localized ministry that brings the gospel to the real kids yous ee every week. (p. 86)
One youth ministry will likely reach only one kind of kid, one subculture. Multiple youth ministries within the same church have the opportunity to establish contextualized, present (not-driven) ministries of communion and mission in multiple youth culture contexts. (p. 88)
...I dream of a day when we can move beyond a multicultural youth group to a kingdom-culture youth group. (p. 92)
I'll say it again: Youth Ministry 3.0 doesn't call for programming experts, systemizers, communication specialists, or party planners. Youth Ministry 3.0 calls for anthropologically minded missionaries who serve teenagers with humility and grace. (p. 108)
on a personal level, as a spiritual question ask-er and advocate of young people, reading these dreams affirmed where we are as a community of young people and adults at st. g's: we are in a space of discernment for contextualization. we've begun this process. i was hoping we'd be further along than where we are at the moment, ready to implement. but this book confirmed something that has been nagging me: we are still discerning and need to continue to discern. the temptation to be program-driven is strong, the call of god to continue to listen and attempt small experiments is the voice that rings true.
i recommend Youth Ministry 3.0 for those who work with young people. it does an amazing job at hitting a variety of people in various places (those convinced youth ministry needs to change, those who are total pragmatists, those who haven't had enough time to reflect). here's to creating a culture of discernment for contextualization.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
The Hazards of Pumping
I forget to pump.
Today, I even forgot the pump. The monk had to bring it by the office. Only for me to be too busy today to even find ten minutes to get milk from point A to point B.
I have a sign on my computer screen that says, “PUMP.” “For the love of your almost five month old,” I say to myself as I read the sign, “express.”
So that’s what I do. Several times a day to keep my milk supply I usually pump. For the intellectually curious, this is how the process has gone.
Close the door. Check.
Make sure it is locked. Check.
Sit behind desk in a position so that body is not exposed through the office door sexual harassment prevention windows. Check.
Unpack pump. Screw bottles onto breast shield (yes, it’s the name). Plug the sucking mechanism into the breast shield. Plug the pump in. Pray my hand-me-down breast pump keeps working. Check.
Take a deep breath and ready self for doing something to keep my son alive. Check.
Make a phone call to a pumping friend. You know, one of those friends who doesn’t mind talking with a machine making noises that makes it sound like Darth Vader is sitting next to me. Check.
Hear the facilities manager knock on the door and call, “Is anyone here?” Check.
Assume that said facilities manager would realize this is Not. A. Good. Time. Check.
Hear the door slooowwly unlock. Check.
Feel anxiety spike. Check.
Call out, “Please don’t come in here.” Check.
After ten minutes, exit the office. Check.
Have co-workers suggest that I make a sign to put on the door. Check.
Nix the sign idea. A locked door, I suggest, should be enough. Check.
Hear three stories of how people walked in on other women when they were pumping milk to keep their children alive. Laugh because they are truly amusing. Check.
Rethink the sign idea. Run through the many great ideas I have about what kind of a sign I could make. Should it say something obscure for most people like, “Pumping?” Or should it be more direct, “Expressing milk so that I can keep my son alive?” Perhaps it should be a visual sign – a picture of a cow? Or an udder?
Nix the sign idea. Again. Check.
Put my full, warm bottle in the office fridge. Think about putting a sign on the milk. Check.
Today, I even forgot the pump. The monk had to bring it by the office. Only for me to be too busy today to even find ten minutes to get milk from point A to point B.
I have a sign on my computer screen that says, “PUMP.” “For the love of your almost five month old,” I say to myself as I read the sign, “express.”
So that’s what I do. Several times a day to keep my milk supply I usually pump. For the intellectually curious, this is how the process has gone.
Close the door. Check.
Make sure it is locked. Check.
Sit behind desk in a position so that body is not exposed through the office door sexual harassment prevention windows. Check.
Unpack pump. Screw bottles onto breast shield (yes, it’s the name). Plug the sucking mechanism into the breast shield. Plug the pump in. Pray my hand-me-down breast pump keeps working. Check.
Take a deep breath and ready self for doing something to keep my son alive. Check.
Make a phone call to a pumping friend. You know, one of those friends who doesn’t mind talking with a machine making noises that makes it sound like Darth Vader is sitting next to me. Check.
Hear the facilities manager knock on the door and call, “Is anyone here?” Check.
Assume that said facilities manager would realize this is Not. A. Good. Time. Check.
Hear the door slooowwly unlock. Check.
Feel anxiety spike. Check.
Call out, “Please don’t come in here.” Check.
After ten minutes, exit the office. Check.
Have co-workers suggest that I make a sign to put on the door. Check.
Nix the sign idea. A locked door, I suggest, should be enough. Check.
Hear three stories of how people walked in on other women when they were pumping milk to keep their children alive. Laugh because they are truly amusing. Check.
Rethink the sign idea. Run through the many great ideas I have about what kind of a sign I could make. Should it say something obscure for most people like, “Pumping?” Or should it be more direct, “Expressing milk so that I can keep my son alive?” Perhaps it should be a visual sign – a picture of a cow? Or an udder?
Nix the sign idea. Again. Check.
Put my full, warm bottle in the office fridge. Think about putting a sign on the milk. Check.
Monday, May 25, 2009
the weekend that was
i love having people in my house, in my space. i love sharing whatever it is that i have - even if its my pre-antique vehicles. perhaps its because i grew up in an intentional community. or maybe being the eldest of seven. while the monk (not so) secretly thinks that the kindergarten admonition to share is a prelude to communism, i think its what makes the world go 'round.
that's why even in my <1,000 square feet place with little on the walls since we are anticipating moving to a larger place in nashvegas (as soon as we find one that we like with the space we want in the area in which we want to live for the price we want to pay - i'm not holding my breath), i was thrilled to have my three sis-in-laws and two nieces pay a visit. they stayed at a hotel down the street and even hosted a slumber party for our two older kiddos one night. we saw things in nashville that i have yet to see - visiting the full-size replica of the parthenon in centennial park (first time inside tho we go to that park all the time) and hitting the disneyland of n'ville: opryland. they treated us to good meals at the wildhorse saloon, complete with some post-lunch dancing with toddlers in tow, and the aquarium where we dined while checking out the 60 species of water life found in the tanks.
i totally enjoyed all of that, getting to know my town in new ways, hanging out with the monk's fam. but perhaps for me the best time was cooking and making sure people had drinks in hand, suggesting that we break out the _beyond balderdash_ to see what memories we could make in our humble abode. i tried out two new recipes that were both amazing, thai chicken wraps and these amazing turkey burgers a friend made the other day when we came over. i also made my summer stand-by, white bean and roasted chicken salad. the el and i had fun making banners of welcome and happy birthday signs and i did a quick cake decorate for a birthday party. add wine and beer and desserts and side dishes and, well, we have so much eating still to do with all the leftovers that i don't think i'll cook this week.
it was a great weekend, full of being entertained by funny children and updates of people from the past. we still have the confetti on the floor to vouch for the fun that was had. i'm grateful to again be reminded of how much fun i have when people come over even if my house isn't all clean or even all picked up and definitely not decorated the way i would like it to be. that's what hospitality is to me and the gift that we can offer to others, the invitation to join the mess of life in all its goodness and craziness.
that's why even in my <1,000 square feet place with little on the walls since we are anticipating moving to a larger place in nashvegas (as soon as we find one that we like with the space we want in the area in which we want to live for the price we want to pay - i'm not holding my breath), i was thrilled to have my three sis-in-laws and two nieces pay a visit. they stayed at a hotel down the street and even hosted a slumber party for our two older kiddos one night. we saw things in nashville that i have yet to see - visiting the full-size replica of the parthenon in centennial park (first time inside tho we go to that park all the time) and hitting the disneyland of n'ville: opryland. they treated us to good meals at the wildhorse saloon, complete with some post-lunch dancing with toddlers in tow, and the aquarium where we dined while checking out the 60 species of water life found in the tanks.
i totally enjoyed all of that, getting to know my town in new ways, hanging out with the monk's fam. but perhaps for me the best time was cooking and making sure people had drinks in hand, suggesting that we break out the _beyond balderdash_ to see what memories we could make in our humble abode. i tried out two new recipes that were both amazing, thai chicken wraps and these amazing turkey burgers a friend made the other day when we came over. i also made my summer stand-by, white bean and roasted chicken salad. the el and i had fun making banners of welcome and happy birthday signs and i did a quick cake decorate for a birthday party. add wine and beer and desserts and side dishes and, well, we have so much eating still to do with all the leftovers that i don't think i'll cook this week.
it was a great weekend, full of being entertained by funny children and updates of people from the past. we still have the confetti on the floor to vouch for the fun that was had. i'm grateful to again be reminded of how much fun i have when people come over even if my house isn't all clean or even all picked up and definitely not decorated the way i would like it to be. that's what hospitality is to me and the gift that we can offer to others, the invitation to join the mess of life in all its goodness and craziness.
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
mother's day
disclaimer: i'm a mom. i love being a mom. motherhood and marriage are the hardest and most joyous adventures i've ever experienced.
that said, i also married a little later than most of my friends, having years of single-ness that, to be honest, were never celebrated (with healthcare/discounts, parties, etc.) by anyone (our nation/the church/schools). there was a level of difficulty trying to celebrate with friends weddings and births as i wanted to be that person but was not. while i'm the type of person that was glad that my friends were honored on mother's day by the world and in almost every church community of which i was a part, there frankly was not a singles-i'm-making-food-for-every-new-mother-and-buying-gifts-and-babysitting-and-volunteering day for folks like me (and, frankly, there were few people of that demographic in many of those churches - but that's another topic for another day).
i say that not to rehash some things that were hard or trying or to whine - its not something that bugs me now, but rather has made me aware of the variety of people in our communities and to give some background for the following statement:
i'm unsure how to celebrate/recognize mother's/father's day in churches.
i know, controversial. i'm sure i'll get some phone calls/emails/comments that aren't fun.
but, seriously people! combine all the issues people have with their mums/dads, people who are grieving the loss of one/both of their parents, people who want to be parents but for whatever reason are not, i'm not sure that celebrating moms in the fashion that i usually see on those sundays are the best way for us to honor the people in our communities.
what does your faith community do to celebrate the different vocations (married/single/married-no-kids/empty nesters) in your community? how can we both honor the amazing and dare i say holy work of moms and dads while also acknowledging some of the difficulties and challenges in all our lives?
(for more resources this mother's day, check out rachelle's post.)
that said, i also married a little later than most of my friends, having years of single-ness that, to be honest, were never celebrated (with healthcare/discounts, parties, etc.) by anyone (our nation/the church/schools). there was a level of difficulty trying to celebrate with friends weddings and births as i wanted to be that person but was not. while i'm the type of person that was glad that my friends were honored on mother's day by the world and in almost every church community of which i was a part, there frankly was not a singles-i'm-making-food-for-every-new-mother-and-buying-gifts-and-babysitting-and-volunteering day for folks like me (and, frankly, there were few people of that demographic in many of those churches - but that's another topic for another day).
i say that not to rehash some things that were hard or trying or to whine - its not something that bugs me now, but rather has made me aware of the variety of people in our communities and to give some background for the following statement:
i'm unsure how to celebrate/recognize mother's/father's day in churches.
i know, controversial. i'm sure i'll get some phone calls/emails/comments that aren't fun.
but, seriously people! combine all the issues people have with their mums/dads, people who are grieving the loss of one/both of their parents, people who want to be parents but for whatever reason are not, i'm not sure that celebrating moms in the fashion that i usually see on those sundays are the best way for us to honor the people in our communities.
what does your faith community do to celebrate the different vocations (married/single/married-no-kids/empty nesters) in your community? how can we both honor the amazing and dare i say holy work of moms and dads while also acknowledging some of the difficulties and challenges in all our lives?
(for more resources this mother's day, check out rachelle's post.)
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Ancient Wisdom, Anglican Futures
one of the things i love about trinity (and why i chose to go to school there and why i continue to serve as an adjunct there) is it's ability to encourage conversation about contextualization in light of the biblical story. as i wrestle with following the way of jesus in our current context and how that impacts ministry in general and the emerging church specifically, i find this contextualized perspective to be invaluable.
while all institutions change slowly - and anglican ones much less educational ones are not exempt from this statement - i have been incredibly impressed at how trinity is navigating this cultural shift. whether it has been allowing instructors (such as me) to create and lead courses that pushed deeply into this shift or embracing new technology (like online courses) with which to teach and communicate, trinity for years has been a place where this conversation has been and will continue to take place.
the anglican heritage to me is a great place to wrestle with these questions. it provides a historical anchor that connects me to a wide tradition of the past as well as a history of contextualizing (that's how our church was birthed! - check out article 34) that gives us a way to approach this current culture change.
for those reasons and many more, i am thrilled to be involved with this conference they are hosting in june. the conference will pair academic professors with practitioners to create a space for the attendee to wrestle with our current cultural context, theology, and faithful practice.
i'm thrilled to rub shoulders with some amazing voice and work alongside jason clark in this endeavor. hope you'll join us.
From the conference website:
Ancient Wisdom - Anglican Futures: An Emerging Conversation
04/28/2009
June 4 - 6, 2009
Register online. To register online click the link to the right.
How do we receive and pass on the Anglican inheritance in a way that moves us "further up and further in" (a phrase from C.S. Lewis) to a deep understanding of living the Great Tradition"?
This enormous question is multi-directional. How do Anglican "insiders" welcome young
evangelicals, post-evangelicals, and emergents who are attracted to the "Great Tradition"? How do inquiring "outsiders" perceive or participate in the distinctive anamnesia (memory) of Anglican worship and mission? How can the exchange between insiders and outsiders bear fruit in Anglicanism today? How will this emerging conversation stir the mind and heart of an Anglicanism in renewal?
These questions require a "baptized imagination" (another Lewis expression) set free within a collaborative gathering that gently crosses boundaries between theology, theory and praxis. We will focus the conversation on the worship life and mission of Anglicanism:·
* Living the Great Tradition
* Worshiping in the Great Tradition
* Mission in the Great Tradition
Be a part of our conversation at the intersection of theology and practice, worship and mission, where theologians and practitioners converge.
while all institutions change slowly - and anglican ones much less educational ones are not exempt from this statement - i have been incredibly impressed at how trinity is navigating this cultural shift. whether it has been allowing instructors (such as me) to create and lead courses that pushed deeply into this shift or embracing new technology (like online courses) with which to teach and communicate, trinity for years has been a place where this conversation has been and will continue to take place.
the anglican heritage to me is a great place to wrestle with these questions. it provides a historical anchor that connects me to a wide tradition of the past as well as a history of contextualizing (that's how our church was birthed! - check out article 34) that gives us a way to approach this current culture change.
for those reasons and many more, i am thrilled to be involved with this conference they are hosting in june. the conference will pair academic professors with practitioners to create a space for the attendee to wrestle with our current cultural context, theology, and faithful practice.
i'm thrilled to rub shoulders with some amazing voice and work alongside jason clark in this endeavor. hope you'll join us.
From the conference website:
Ancient Wisdom - Anglican Futures: An Emerging Conversation
04/28/2009
June 4 - 6, 2009
Register online. To register online click the link to the right.
How do we receive and pass on the Anglican inheritance in a way that moves us "further up and further in" (a phrase from C.S. Lewis) to a deep understanding of living the Great Tradition"?
This enormous question is multi-directional. How do Anglican "insiders" welcome young
evangelicals, post-evangelicals, and emergents who are attracted to the "Great Tradition"? How do inquiring "outsiders" perceive or participate in the distinctive anamnesia (memory) of Anglican worship and mission? How can the exchange between insiders and outsiders bear fruit in Anglicanism today? How will this emerging conversation stir the mind and heart of an Anglicanism in renewal?
These questions require a "baptized imagination" (another Lewis expression) set free within a collaborative gathering that gently crosses boundaries between theology, theory and praxis. We will focus the conversation on the worship life and mission of Anglicanism:·
* Living the Great Tradition
* Worshiping in the Great Tradition
* Mission in the Great Tradition
Be a part of our conversation at the intersection of theology and practice, worship and mission, where theologians and practitioners converge.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
great sale over at maker shed
for those hackers/crafters out there: check out the sale in the maker shed!
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