May 27th, 2007 - Pentecost

Creator moved to one service this Sunday. A majority of the congregation did wear red to mark Pentecost and it is always an inspiring sight for the occasion.

Word, music, and sacrament told a story in this worship; as always. The Confession today was particularly powerful for me:

We confess to you all the ways in which we dismiss the resurrection news. Foolish and slow of heart to believe, we turn from others and retreat in fear...

There was an arresting musical moment. The Psalmody was a Taize community gift to worship called Veni Sancte Spiritus. As "Veni Sante Spiritus" was repeated (translated as Holy Spirit, come to us) Kelly sang the cantor part over those words. It set a tone of deep reverence and felt like a request being made from our collective heart.

Pastor Dayle preached about the Synod assembly and the apprehension of the Holy Spirit being palpable when Bishop Mark Hanson wore a prayer shawl given to him last year by another synod when they were in the process of selecting a new bishop. The prayer shawl connected the synod assembly to another synod who selected their bishop last year and to something larger.

Pastor Dayle brought up the language to describe the Holy Spirit and the absence of voices that might call us to listen to the gospel in a new way. I appreciated the language she used when describing how the Holy Spirit works in us. We may sometimes feel like God speaking to or through us should be a large, extraordinary event where we feel righteous and certain.

Pastor Dayle preached about the nudges we feel, something we are moved to do. Sometimes we follow through and sometimes we are tempted not to. We may understand God's will through the "nudge". This is more what I feel in life, not a tremendous sense of certainty at first, that comes later; after a commitment to the action I am called to do.

Mary proposed a project to me when we talked later about the service. What if the mystical experiences, those holy moments of knowing God were listed starting this Pentecost (and again emphasize these are not necessarily large, extraordinary experiences). We could open this to everyone at Creator.

So I roll the invitation out to you. You can add to this blog or email your experiences. Let me know if you feel comfortable in having them published to the community or not.

This could help our understanding of where the spirit takes us and how God works through us.

May 20th, 2007 - Ascension Sunday

The Synod Assembly was this weekend. Pastor Dayle wrote an email summarizing what happened:

Creator was well represented at the synod assembly in Eugene over the weekend. Joel Mobley (who serves on synod council), Sara Gross and Peter Overvold (our voting members from Creator), Pr. Mark and myself were present. The big agenda was election of a new bishop. Bishop Paul Swanson has been our bishop for 20 years so we haven't had such a process. I'm very pleased to tell you that the assembly elected Pr. David Brauer-Rieke (currently serving Atonement Lutheran in Newport) as our bishop.

Since both Pastor Dayle and Pastor Mark were at the synod assembly Reverend Al Miller gave the Sunday sermon.

Rev. Al’s focus this Sunday was on the great commission given at the Ascension. Typically, this focus might take us to an outreach type of evangelism which Al preached about but did not recommend. Instead, he talked about how Jehovah’s Witnesses or, more generally, certain types of indiscriminate door to door evangelism, can imply in talks with strangers that there is something that the person they are talking to lacks and that their evangelism or Christianity can provide.

Instead Al focused on evangelism centered around personal moments that cement faith. He also talked about how difficult they are to share socially for different reasons.

The first personal example he gave was of an experience he had just before his ordination to the priesthood in the Episcopal Church. In a Benedictine monastery on the northern peninsula of Michigan he stayed in a starkly furnished room. There was moonlight reflected on the snow during the evening. On the wall of his room he saw an upside down cross, the sign of Peter, shining as if illuminated by the light outside the window. He blocked the light from the window coming into the room. The cross remained on the wall whether light from the window was coming in or not.

Al said he does not normally talk about this because he feels comfortable with cause and effect and this did not fall into that scientific worldview. Yet he did not deny that this cemented his faith and was an experience he returned to over the years.

Another experience he had was at a high school day camp in eastern Oregon. During a sharing of the peace an incredible, palpable joy filled many of the participants. Al felt at that moment a certainty that God’s love would never depart from him, regardless of whether he would feel it or not during other times of his life. This one felt uncomfortable for him to share because it was so “quaint”. Sometimes what might be considered a pedestrian or typical story can be filled with tremendous weight in our lives

I admired Al’s courage and his eloquence. It makes sense to me that witnessing of these personal experiences is at the heart of true evangelism. I also agree with Al that there is a social barrier that prevents our sharing these important moments. Predominantly there is fear of the reaction that your experience is not important, that it will diminish the personal meaning if is told repeatedly or it will not be understood for what it is. Describing such experiences language is barely adequate. Why elect to tell a story where it's importance is unclear or seems to beg for an explanation that is not being requested.

I have an example. My sister went on a trip to Kalaloch, an ancient and mysterious place for her, located in in the Olympic National Forest. She talked to me yesterday, as she had before, about some strange blue and white circles in two of her pictures of the forest that seemed to radiate a living energy.

My son identified them as lens flares. I saw similar circles in other pictures on the web. We ‘explained’ it to her in that way. Yesterday she discounted our explanation and insisted they were something more.

So, who’s right? Does rational explanation trump the irrational? There is a verse in the Dylan song Gates of Eden that is haunting:

At dawn my lover comes to me

And tells me of her dreams

With no attempts to shovel the glimpse

Into the ditch of what each one means

At times I think there are no words

But these to tell what's true

And there are no truths outside the Gates of Eden.

What a statement. And yet I search for the words, and the meaning that can be explained...

May 18th, 2007 - Rebekah Burton & Tribe of the Outcast

Mary and I attend the Pioneer Family Fun Days at Clackamette Park each year now to see Tribe of the Outcast and Rebekah.

This evening's performance was powerful. The band is even tighter than it was last year. All the instruments and Rebekah's vocals contribute to the emotion and mood of all the compostions. Beginning with My Life Unveiled it is easy to see that this music is unique. There is a strength and an epic quality of life lived is communicated. The interplay of the musicians draws the listener in.

As the concert continued Rebekah experimented with different vocal ranges and deliveries. On a new song, that closed the evening, called Black Sheep she used her lower range to dramatic effect.

Rebekah is a member of Creator. She has shared her gifts in musical programs and worship. She has a trained voice that can move from the audience to tears or cheers and her talent to do both is astounding.

Tribe of the Outcast performs Saturday; 8:30 PM and Sunday; 6 PM at Clackamette Park.

May 16th, 2007 - Senior Recognition Dessert

A night for memories, for celebrating the present, and for looking forward to the future. We shared our personal and community stories of Scott, Josh, Amy, Natalie, Tory and Eric and heard their plans for the future. At the same time we enjoyed great desserts. Those that set up and hosted the night did a splendid job.

Many of the 2007 class I knew through Common Ground and the Friends4Ever musical they performed in 2004. As a group, their maturity at that time was notable. Last night, the poise and eloquence of each senior in remembering their past and in speaking about their future plans filled everyone with pride.

We sang John Ylvisaker's Borning Cry to open the recognition and his As You Go On Your Way to close. That music mirrored what was in many hearts during the evening.

We laughed at the funny stories, stories about the character of the seniors as they were being shaped, their honesty and their integrity. There were sisters sharing intimate moments, adults remembering profound moments or life's

Susan was the MC. She gave each senior individually words to remember and spoke to them as a group. She let them know that despite the physical distance and where their future may lead them in the world, their connection would remain strong here in this community.

Pastor Dayle gave a blessing and benediction and singing As You Go On Your Way ended the evening on the perfect note.

May 14th, 2007 - Hunger Awareness Team Meeting

Our excitement builds around the Summer Film Nights that the team will host starting July 18th. This is in appreciation of the donations, time, and effort that the Creator community has given towards relieving hunger for a year and a half now.

Tonight we worked from a thorough list Mary compiled and handed out at our April meeting. It summarized the plots, listed the running times, and described the pros and cons of nine suggested films to show.

We selected four films from the list; Sullivan's Travels, The Grapes of Wrath, Sparrows and The Southerner.

We discussed plans for the OFB Work Day and starting the sign up process.

Diane brought a book, Earth Prayers. We read a number of inspired prayers from it.

To start the meeting we read Thich Nhat Hanh and his prayers around food:

Blessing the Meal

This food is the gift of the whole universe - the earth, the sky, and much hard work. May we live in a way that makes us worthy to receive it. May we transform our unskillful states of mind, especially our greed. May we take only foods that nourish us and prevent illness. We accept this food so that we may realise the path of practice

First Four Bites

With the first taste, I promise to offer joy. With the second, I promise to help relieve the suffering of others. With the third, I promise to see others' joy as my own. With the fourth, I promise to learn the way of non-attachment and equanimity.

These and the other prayers that were read resonated with us. There were prayers for all parts of a meal from filling plates to washing afterwards.

Diane was also passionate about encouraging the congregation to intentionally buy for OFB donations rather than donating "from the shelf". She will be writing about this for the newsletter.

Once again, what comes from the heart and is offered at our meetings is astounding to me.

May 10th, 2007 - Council Meeting

Newness. That word was persistently in my thoughts throughout the meeting. Perhaps newness came from Sunday worship, and maybe it was because this was my first council meeting as a member, or both. I imagine for others this may not have been a particularly memorable meeting with the exception of the confirmation vote for Susan as President and Paul as Secretary.

With David and Joel gone and with Nita and Paul there, this Thursday evening felt different from last month's council meeting; although there were similarities as well. Everyone worked cooperatively together, just like last time. We moved through the agenda and there was still time to share jokes, stories and references.

One reference surprised me regarding the origins of the phrase "rule of thumb". I understand now it is claimed that the term originally referred to the maximum thickness of a stick with which it was permissible for a man to beat his wife.

Although the true origin of the phrase was most likely much earlier than this quoted pronouncement by a British judge, Sir Francis Buller, I will be using the phrase more judiciously going forward.

As the discussion and meeting moved forward I reflected on the importance of those around the table to what is special about Creator.

Larry has a keen wit. His enjoyment of life and joy regarding those around him is infectious. He also knows how and when to connect people to ministry at Creator. For me, the ministry I have undertaken at Creator are from his observations and invitations. Larry imagined me regularly playing guitar on Sundays and told me so. Next thing I knew I was doing it. Being part of council was by his invitation as well.

Teresa became a member when I did. Since then we have talked and worked together brainstorming ideas for Adult Education. I have come to know her deep spiritual drive and her strengths in organization and working with people.

Kelly is a man putting love and concern into action, making things better and having fun doing it.

I could go down the list but the blog entry would be overwhelming. I'll end this entry with a few impressions of Susan.

Susan has stood out for all her past work for Creator. She led the call committee for Pastor Mark and earned the respect and admiration of many at Creator during that process. She brings a carefulness and concern to all she does that engages people and lets them feel comfortable. She has a keen eye for the qualities other people bring to the table. During the Bible studies last year she spoke from the heart about every topic.

She voiced some concerns that she had as she prayed about taking on the position before we voted. She spoke eloquently and thoughtfully, as usual. Larry talked about how her words often brought a perspective beyond herself. At times she was able to be "a conduit for God's words" as he put it.

She "con do it" Pastor Dayle quipped and the vote for Susan as President was unanimous.

As we had opened, we closed in prayer and there was a high energy level after the meeting. Our congratulations and thanks go out to Susan and Paul.

May 6th, 2007 - Sunday Service, Congregational Meeting

Sing unto the Lord a new song.... lyric from Let Everything That Hath Breath performed by the choir at the morning's services.

And the one who was seated on the throne said "See, I am making all things new"... Revelation 21:5

I give you a new commandment, that you love one another... John 13:34

We performed David's liturgy today and introduced his new addition to it, the Alleluia. This composition definitely fits into the whole of David's liturgy with the same melodic feel. There is this element about "singing God's song" that Creator makes spiritually dynamic for me. The command, “Sing to the Lord,” runs through all of Scripture as part of the call to worship and glorify God. So music plays a part in the proper human response to God. It can, and often does, move beyond speech, silence, or action. It adds a dimension to the sacrament and the sacred.

It is amazing, and quite an honor, to attend a church where two musicians have written magnificent Lutheran liturgies, together with their other accomplishments and compositions. I constantly learn more about God through listening, sharing and performing this music. The choices made for worship music each week reflect the our relationship to God. It moves into the heart and remains an integral part of worship.

I couldn't get Let Everything That Hath Breath off my lips and breath this week. On Sunday the performance was a wonderful gospel shout. With David playing drums and Kelly's piano, the energy was in high gear. It was a perfect choir season closer. The choir will start up again in September.

Pastor Dayle preached about God making things new. She focused on how worship shapes community and what God is making new at Creator, in the ELCA and in the world. One area where she saw this making new was in the ELCA's effort to examine gay ordination again. Later, in Adult Education Pastor Dayle led a discussion about the three memorials going to the Oregon Synod assembly revolving around the decision of the Pastor Brad Schmeling Hearing Committee. This is part of a large effort to pass the memorials through as many synods as possible to reach the floor of the Churchwide Assembly, August 6–12, in Chicago.

People offered comments during that discussion, more for than against the memorials, but there was disagreement. We talked about this issue as one that is not going away. There were certainly concerns within the group about the division within the ELCA over this issue.

Today we also had our congregational meeting. We voted on raising Pastor Dayle's salary to synod guidelines and voted on two new council members, Gary (me) and Scott. There was congregational approval on both votes. There is, as in the past, more presentation and less discussion than is to be expected. It likely stems from a deep trust and faith the congregation has that Christ is with us and guiding us as a church.

This definitely felt like a Sunday with strong reminders that God is making things new.

May 2nd, 2007 - Choir Practice

Looking outside the church door as I arrived there was rainbow. Kelly was practicing the piano on Let Everything That Hath Breath. Kelly let the choir know this evening that the May calendar was not our friend. It turned out there are no sopranos planning to attend Mother's Day Sunday, so this piece will be sung this Sunday. We concentrated our practice to get it right.

One thing a few of us wondered about, since we started rehearsing this, was the mention of timbrel in the lyrics and what this referenced. Wikipedia reports the timbrel was the principal musical instrument of percussion of the Israelites, identical with the modern tamborine.

The word timbrel is used in the Old Testament in both singular and plural form, so as to suggest that the former referred to a hoop of wood or metal over which was stretched a parchment head; while the plural was perhaps used to designate the tambourine with bells or jangles fixed at intervals in hoops.

Back to the practice. It is unbelievable how fast confidence is built through having sections get their parts down and then repetition until it is the only way it seems like it can be sung. Kelly drew much out of the choir tonight. He honed each part, our breath together with our phrasing. It was music not only of a high standard but power of the spirit. It reminded me once again of the lyrics I wrote describing the choir in Gambol in the Presence of the Lord:

The choir prepares to sing; the piano plays how the sanctuary rings,

Oh, see the choir swaying to the pulsing pounding chords

They Know "He's Worthy To Be Praised" as they gambol in the presence of the Lord.

People are caught up in devotion to the life we're moving toward

There's a feeling we're reforming with a passion and it cannot be ignored.

There is a performance of Let Everything That Hath Breath on You Tube by the Texas Meroplex All-District Choir. The sound is a little ragged but it is interesting to see this performance with soloists. Gave a slightly new perspective on the music to me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsjAvix48RE

Should be great praise on Sunday. We will also perform David's liturgy.