Whew! I need a breather from all the activity going on these days. I still have never figured out why the "church" thinks that by adding more and more services at special times of the year, (read: Lent) we think we're doing a great service to everybody! Though I love the opportunity to spend time in personal reflection of my Savior and his outpouring of love, we don't always consider the lives of the volunteers who make sure the services are carried out in a timely manner. Oh well ... Maybe NEXT YEAR I'll give up LENT for Lent!
Anyway ... enough ranting. We do hold 2 Wednesday services (4 and 7) to meet the needs of the attendees, and provide a light lunch for those who join us. The relationship-building time is always a welcome addition. So what's been happening?
Last Thursday we had our annual trek downtown to the URBANstudio for the annual "Transition Projects - 'Soup for the Soul'" fund-raiser. Again, there were 6 chefs from local restaurants who provided soup and the participants merely enjoy the evening. Oh, plus a "chocolateer" provides deserts! We chatted with a young couple (he is the marketing agent for Providence Portland Medical Center), and the other gentleman was the one who came up with the ideas and plans for the "Soup for the Soul" evening and has guided it for three years, now.
I truly enjoyed the soup offerings, but especially the "Celery Root and Black Truffle with Roasted Pork Belly" (it takes longer to say it than it does to eat it!). At the end of the evening the guests are presented with a soup-bowl and spoon marked with the "Soup for the Soul" occasion - AND - a copy of each of the recipes for the soups! WE now have three years of soups (that'd be 18 recipes) and have never attempted to make one of them! Silly us!
Saturday morning I had the 5th Graders for their First Communion Class - that also is a real treat. Have the child and a parent, so both get the opportunity to 'learn' together. Had six kids this year - actually the "beginning" of "larger" classes ... for many years just one or two kids. We celebrate their Milestone on Maundy Thursday by having the parents provide a blessing for their child and as a family they receive Communion together. It's probably the only time the whole class is ever at the "same" service - thus it is a memorable occasion for that reason also.
Then, last Saturday afternoon - to celebrate Mark's Birthday we met downtown at the Rose Garden (home of the Blazers) and watched the Harlem Globe Trotters! I took the MAX downtown, Karina had to work part of Saturday so she drove down - and we met in time to see the beginning of the game. The jokes, the gags, the sthichk(?) never change; the banter is always coming from the court; and it's still delightful entertainment! Did you know that's there's a woman on the GT's? That was news to me! We were guests of the Providence (PPMC) system - and were entertained from a luxury suite a loooong way from court-side But the free pizza, and soda and hot dogs and chips and dips and etc. sufficed for any activity one couldn't see on the court! It really was fun. Plus I even called Mark from the "Garden" 'cuz I figured that would be the only call he ever would get on his birthday - even if he has 70 more - from a Harlem Globe Trotter show!
here's the gal - I forgot her name ...
the green circle is the 4-pt shot - an added GT touch
Had a great day at worship on Sunday - had another "Stories from the Road..." episode. We interview members of the congregation and make a little video clip (about 3 minutes) as they share their faith in the worship setting. We've found that a video clip is much less threatening than a face-to-face with the congregation - and it has been really well-received. It was our office assistant, Mary, who shared her "testimony" Sunday.
Then Sunday evening (last night) I was privileged to go back to the Rose Garden and see the Blazers! They've had a rather ragged year - had a 7 game losing streak - until last night and they beat the Celtics! Was I ever impressed with Boston's KG (Kevin Garnett) - talk about a soft touch! Fortunately he was a bit off (no doubt the Blazer defense) - and the Blazers won 92-86(?) - something like that. Bill Warren (a retired pastor at PoP gets a ticket package to about 12 games a year, and last night he took me! (he couldn't get a date ... how many times have I had to be someone's second choice!) Had great seats and felt like we were part of the action.
It the midst of everything else, have a Memorial Service tomorrow for a long-time (40+ yrs) member. A quiet, always smiling individual - an alto in the choir - and you know how choirs hate losing members ... Had the service been today, the choir would have sung, but tomorrow didn't work out for many - so congregational singing and a solo will suffice.
The Lenten Roses are abloom
and the first croci (crocusses?) have arrived ...
Winter must be giving way to Spring!
I think that's it from the left coast for now!
Love ya'
Karina and Dan
Happy for you that you've gotten to relax and have some fun (bb games) in the midst of a very busy and scheduled time in your church. God provides great balance for us.
ReplyDeleteWe have an opportunity to see the GT later this spring with the Boy Scouts -- I saw them as a child and still remember the funny antics. We might just have to get a few tickets!
Could we send some snow your way and trade for a few of those beautiful blooms?! We are in a winter wonderland AGAIN. Hoping spring is just around the corner!
Love you guys dearly!!!! but you can keep the snow (I just would feel terrible taking away some of your blessing).
ReplyDeleteyet that won't stop me from sharing the blooms ... at least in pictures!
as with many subjects - even snow - this, too shall pass.
d.
Yup, you really know how to 'rub it in' that YOU have fleurs a-bloomin while we here in the Heartland can only get our spring fever fix by looking at the Nursery catalogs. Our time will come!
ReplyDeleteChoir sang HB to Mark tonight, and I told him his b'day was now OVER! I think he survived the shock on a new decade as friends now IN that decade assured him it was OK and & that they'd always be older. We take solace in simple math facts.