August 29th, 2007 - Healthy Habits Study #3 Purpose - Eyes on the Surprise
Host: The Beans

Reading: 1 Corinthians 13 and Matthew 22:36-40

Alisa & Brian Bean were gracious hosts. Many who attended were thankful for the Bean's air conditioned home on the hot day, just as the children were thankful for the opportunity to swim at the Strombergs to stay cool.

Most of those who came were those who shared a camping experience last weekend in Estacada. There were conversations and stories that were shared with those of us who did not attend both before and after the study.

Pastor Mark guided this last Bible Study, which seemed to build on the themes of Sunday’s worship. Is God’s purpose revealed in what we wanted to be or what we do now in career or vocation? Or can it be in moments where you cannot articulate what would be personal purpose?

Susan talked about her attempts to keep her own desires and fears out of God’s way. She wanted to keep “her eyes on the surprise” of what God was doing in a moment or situation.

John mused on how much we still want to be in control of our lives and feel that God or Jesus must be behind all our good plans and decisions. He mused on how many self-help books and programs there are and then on Christian self-help books and programs in particular. He put to our group a question “As Christians should we be thinking about self-help?”

1 Corinthians 12: For now we see in the mirror, dimly but then we will see face to face

Pastor Mark saw something new in this familiar verse as we read it tonight. That we see in the mirror dimly because we see ourselves as individuals and that as individuals we are dim. That seeing face to face was moving beyond our perception of individual identity.

As we talked about God’s purpose the mystery began to engulf our stories more and more. Pastor Mark told of an a struggle of a congregation to come together, that he had tried to help in that struggle and judged the efforts he and others had made to be a failure. Yet he had seen many of these people in a funeral he recently attended and recognized there had been tremendous growth that had come out of those failed efforts.

There was also discussion around our focus on accumulating wealth as well and how that can get in the way of our truer purpose. “To not concentrate on what we can hold in our hand but rather on the hands that hold us and that we hold is for me what justifies us in the eyes of God” Mansor declared.

It was an important discussion. We learned from and about each other and it turned out to be a great study to end the series.

August 26th, 2007 - Being fed and keeping Sabbath

There was familiar and new music today. We still appear to be benefiting from the music inspired by the Chicago Jubilee that happened just before the Churchwide Assembly. The congregation seemed to pick up on the new music quickly and the familiar brimmed with energy. David's vigorous performance of Hallelujah, We Sing Your Praises stood out. Kim's vocals guided the worship music in a very beautiful way.

I was deeply touched by the sermon which started with a rumination on The Oregonian headline of Mother Teresa not feeling the presence of God or Jesus in her life for years. Pastor Dayle talked about times of faithlessness when we feel abandoned by God as times where we need to keep going and that we need to be a community that can buoy each other up during those times.

The sermon then moved to the Gospel reading and how to keep the Sabbath. Pastor Dayle defined this as attending to the things that feed you, give you life and energy and remind you that you are a child of God.

Sabbath gives us the space we need to rejoice in God.

Does keeping Sabbath involve obeying some deep essential that spiritually holds us together?Should keeping Sabbath cuts across the grain of the crammed and frenzied 24/7 time is money life in which we live. We put such a premium on hard work and brilliance, highly-developed skills and achievement. Pastor Dayle talked about another way of keeping Sabbath, the root word which means in Hebrew either to stop, desist, or exhale. Do we keep Sabbath in that way?

I am drawn to the Sabbath being far more than a day to restrain ourselves from working. My earliest childhood memories of Sundays involved restrictions on what could and couldn’t be done. Then, as more chores and work needed to be done, those restrictions slipped away. Growing older I felt I needed Sunday as a “day off” from the work week, a day to vegetate and stay in neutral.

For years I missed, and still often miss, the heart of the Sabbath as silence and trust. I should know that our identity is not wrapped into our activity. Sabbath is a reminder we are limited, and that our lives are more dependant on God’s grace than our own effort and yet that truth often eludes me.

Part of my sabbath, using the definition Pastor Dayle cited, is my writing here. This is a reflection and meditation that helps me see and celebrate what happens at Creator in a way that I would otherwise lose or not understand.

August 22nd, 2007 - Is it possible to find New Balances at a G.I. Joe’s Tent Sale?

Healthy Habits Study #2 Balance
Host: The Strombergs
Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:4-27

The study started with each of us introducing ourselves and saying something about our reaction to the word “balance” at this moment.

There were many responses people gave that had us laughing. Greg paraphased a classic Steven Wright joke about balance: You know that feeling when you're leaning back in a chair, and then you lean back too far and start to fall and just at the last second you catch yourself? I feel like that all the time. Kelly was wearing New Balance athletic shoes and Sara talked about how long she had wanted to get New Balance athletic shoes but each time when she went to buy new shoes she was enchanted by another brand. Kelly was thankful for the G.I. Joe tent sale prices for the shoes.

We did all talk about balance in our own lives. Pastor Mark worked on the background and questions we discussed about the 1st Corinthians passage. In that introduction and the questions he moved our thoughts away from our personal lives and towards balance in our families, in church, in community, in country and in society.

The verses that were highlighted were the last two verses of the reading 1st Corinthians 12:26-27

If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.

Debi talked about how this reminded her of how she saw communities linking in El Salvador and Mexico which was much different from what she saw here.

There was agreement on how overwhelming it can be to deal with suffering. Paul went back to a sermon Mark gave about a multitude of starfish washed up on a beach dying out of the water. A boy trying to save individual starfish was asked why he bothered since most of the starfish would die and the number he saved really would not make a difference. “It makes a difference to the ones I am saving.” was the boy’s response.

Pastor Dayle talked about how we tend to isolate and insulate ourselves if we were not immediately affected by an issue.

Susan made a point about how we establish a new balance in our lives when we are thrown out of balance by life’s circumstances.

One question to be answered involved special gifts that women bring to the world and that men bring into the world. There seemed to be a lot of care not to make generalizations. We talked more about how men and women balance each other’s gifts at different times. There was mention of a book a couple of us had read called Men Are Like Waffles--Women Are Like Spaghetti.

To me it was fascinating how different this study was from the one hosted at Susan’s house in October last year on the same Bible verse. In that discussion we talked about our closest friends and those people who had major influences in our lives. It was about recognizing and honoring the gifts of others so it did tie back in with the honoring and rejoicing the gifts of others.


There was an education meeting afterwards. Next study will be on Purpose.

August 19th, 2007

Nita’s friend Al Blain led us in Creator Praise this morning, the music during communion and also led us in a nice closing gospel number that he composed.

During the Children’s Time Pastor Dayle, emphasizing how we are the hands and feet to do God’s work, had the children gather shoes and spell out God’s Work in shoes. It was a moment of fun and relaxation. The shoes remained throughout the sermon and the rest of the service.

The sermon caught the congregation up with what happened at the Churchwide Assembly that Pastor Dayle attended. She joked that the toughest things we have as a congregation to talk about is sex and money. Her sermon touched on both. At the Churchwide Assembly a resolution was passed for urging restraint from disciplinary actions by bishops regarding clergy in mutually chaste, same sex relationships. Pastor Dayle talked about the deep divisions at the Assembly regarding this issue.

Paul, in the announcements before the service, and Pastor Dayle in her sermon talked about Creator’s financial situation. Creator passed a deficit budget this year and there is a deep concern about day to day operational money. Both Pastor Dayle and Paul pointed out that Creator is deeply involved in its ministry. When the congregation passed Pastor Dayle’s overdue increase in salary it was hoped there would be an increase in giving to cover that expense. The message was given to the congregation that this didn’t happen over the summer.

After the service most of the worshippers stayed for Al Blain’s gospel number. It was testifying to the power of Jesus and was a powerful close to the service.

August 19th, 2007 - What happens when Lutherans and Episcopalians Meet?

We found out at our worship, potluck and dessert Sunday evening; we share common ground and, as Pastor Dayle said:

We eat, we worship, we pray, we laugh, we sing, we create community. It was very cool!

There was a rehearsal for the musicians at 4:00 PM. I arrived then and the preparation for the service was already underway. The musicians were David, Kelly and me, together with Tom and Leanne from Holy Family. The rehearsal went well, a quick run through of the music, an agreement on who would sing or play what parts for the rounds and descants.

The potluck was enjoyable and the food was great. The tables, for the most part, had a mix of Lutherans and Episcopalians getting to know one another. The atmosphere was relaxed and comfortable.

This carried into the service. The sources for the worship were varied, as I have mentioned in the blog before, Episcopal, Lutheran, United Methodist and the New Zealand Book of Common Prayer. However varied the sources, the structure of the service felt familiar except for the Gospel reading and sermon coming after communion. That was unique to this service so that the children could be present at communion but did not need to stay through readings and the sermon.

The worship was unique and kept us in the space where we were mindful of God's gifts to all of us and the faith that we share.

Reverend Julie gave a meaningful sermon centered on the Gospel reading: Luke 12:49-56. She focused on Jesus' words which can comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.

The food and conversation afterwards provided more connection and there was a definite excitement about the energy felt in this joint effort.

August 16th, 2007 – Council Meeting

Susan opened the meeting with something to ponder; how Creator is currently working as a church.

Pastor Dayle tied this question in to what was a primary emphasis of the Churchwide Assembly. She posed a this as a question about Creator working (involved in mission) as opposed to functioning (well organized and performing its daily business well). At the Churchwide Assembly the shorthand for this was a settled church (funtioning) as opposed to a sent church (working). Susan challenged us to move Creator ahead in its work in new ways.

Throughout the evening Susan kept the council moving through the agenda. To highlight the report Pastor Dayle gave; what recently kept her up nights with worry were church finances and education needs. What recently inspired her was the Jubilee she attended with David and the Churchwide Assembly which she attended afterward the Jubilee.

The treasurer’s report shortly afterwards spelled out Creator’s financial dilemma and the source of Pastor Dayle's worry. Our cash in bank for operating expenses is extremely low and, on average, expenses are currently exceeding income monthly. Creator’s deficit is more than what was planned for in the current deficit budget.

Obviously many ways were proposed to turn this around. Everyone at the table was engaged in the discussion and the strengths we have as a congregation were brought to bear. There were some immediate action items to raise congregational awareness of the financial situation with the understanding more energy should be devoted to stewardship.

What was deeply evident was that this issue united the council rather than dividing it. Individual members saw different solutions. Some were in direct opposition to others, but humor and mutual respect remained throughout the discussion. There is a need for an ongoing effort regarding finances but it currently appeared the council, with God's guidance and help, was up to the challenge.

During the meeting we added a new member. Paul resigned from council after the congregational vote. Justin, who was in attendance at the meeting, was voted in to fill the vacancy after feeling a call to accept that position.

August 12th, 2007

We worshipped with the Now The Feast & Celebration setting. Pastor Mark preached and did the Children's Time.

The musicians were Elizabeth, Kelly, David and I. It felt like a strong instrumental and vocal blend as we were playing. The congregation response was great. It is always a treat when David and Kelly can move between piano and David's drumming can get into the mix.

The readings and the Gospel text centered on faith and so did the sermon. Pastor Mark pointed out a definition of faith was in the Hebrews reading:


Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.


We find the antithesis of faith in the First Lesson and the Gospel which start with the words of God and then of Jesus saying “Do not be afraid”.

That fear is the opposite of doubt contradicts the thought that the opposite of faith is doubt. Pastor Mark pointed out that many times doubt can lead to stronger faith. There is an engagement and concern when there is doubt.

He gave many examples. The sermon reminded me of what I read by Marcus Borg.

Marcus Borg, in The Heart of Christianity, speaks of four types of faith. He categorizes them by four Latin terms for faith that each have a distinct emphasis. Briefly, they are:

• assensus: accepting a statement to be true; this might be called "head belief"
• fiducia: trust or reliance on God
• fidelitas: faithfulness, living for God
• visio: a way of seeing reality; in particular, seeing God's grace at work

Borg also lists the opposite of each type of faith:
• assensus: doubt or disbelief
• fiducia: anxiety or worry
• fidelitas: unfaithfulness or "adultery"
• visio: viewing reality as hostile or indifferent

The fiducia type of faith intrigued me most. Pastor Mark gave one example of fear that attacks faith, the panic someone who is drowning feels. A rescuer must sometimes swim down to keep the person being drowned from grabbing the rescuer around the neck.

Borg talked about "swimming" being a good metaphor for faith. Faith buoys spirit and fear or panic pulls spirit down.

Luke gave a presentation after the service about learning and working together with the people of El Salvador. Their history of repression and the challenges that face them is a story that needs to be told. The recent trip by the Oregon cluster was interesting.

Next week is the joint Lutheran and Episcopalian service.

August 8th, 2007 - Hunger Awareness Film Night Film - The Southerner

A powerful end to this four film series, this Jean Renoir film tied into many of the hunger and poverty themes from the other films from the last three Wednesdays.

We were all moved by what the director, Jean Renoir, said himself about the film in his autobiography:

What attracted me to the story was precisely the fact that there was no story, nothing but a series of strong impressions -- the vast landscape, the simple aspiration of the hero, the heat and the hunger. Being forced to live a life restricted to their daily material needs, the characters attain a level of spirituality of which they themselves are unaware... What I saw was a story in which all the characters were heroic, in which every element would brilliantly play its part, in which things and men, animals and Nature, all would come together in an immense act of homage to the divinity.

We were entertained and educated by all the films shown. We shared popcorn, candy, drinks and perspectives with one another, just as the Hunger Awareness team had hoped. Attendance was lighter than we expected but there were certainly bonds built between those of us who feel passionate about great and enduring films. We also understood the hearts of some people who came before us and and how they viewed the issue of poverty.

Our audience was appreciative and keen on doing something like this again. This Wednesday all of us looked forward to the future opportunities for film nights.

August 5th, 2007

Hands being folded in prayer. A powerful image.

It happened today when those who are in the service or setting up were all performing what needs to be done to prepare for worship.

I was practicing with Matt, our former Music Minister, who was filling in for Dave who was at a Jubilee workshop in Chicago. We finished well before worship and I saw a young woman in the sanctuary, hands folded, deep in prayer. It had been some time since I prayed before service. As I did, it made me wish we had time to pray in group prayer more often before services.

A few minutes after that Pastor Mark gathered the worship leaders for the service for a collective prayer. It set the tone for a special service.

Pastor Mark’s sermon was on the gospel, Luke 12:13-21 about a rich man who plans to build bigger barns to store the abundance of his possessions. I know I was not the only person thinking about Creator and its efforts with acquiring the historic barn next to us. Pastor Mark’s emphasis was on God’s care for creatures and life. As he said in the Children’s Time “God doesn’t care about the anthill but he does care about the ants.”

I enjoyed the music of the service and backing up Matt. It was the African American setting and it felt like the congregational energy was moving in some different ways than usual during the singing.

There was a quality about lifting the community rather than lifting each individual that I appreciated. Hard to put into words but definitely it was a strong feeling.

August 1st, 2007 - Hunger Awareness Film Night Film - Sparrows

The film the Hunger team chose for this Wednesday was Sparrows. Mary and I were concerned how well a silent film would go over with the audience but it was an interesting look into hunger as it was perceived in the early 1900's.

Our son Eric, when he was young, would show his friends Buster Keaton films. His friends found it difficult to be interested because they were expecting a different experience. For them a black and white picture and lack of dialogue was too much to overcome. Silent films just did not hold their interest.

Our thoughts also turned to the Organ Grinder Restaurant with its wonderful organists (including our own David Lee) playing a Wurlitzer organ to silent comedies. It went out of business and we could not think of any place where silent films were shown now. Would any 2007 audience just be bored with the melodrama, the acting style and the way films were made in 1926?

Last night the answer turned out to be no. Instead we found this was a film that seemed to satisfy everyone in the audience on some level. Intstead of watching it silently we tried to voice our reactions during the film. We found that this was a typical way a film audience of the twenties would react rather than watch silently (there was no problem then with dialogue being missed). It took some adjustment but we found this drew us together as an audience.

Certainly, there was exaggerated acting and movement to our 2007 sensibilities but there were also times when expressions would float over Mary Pickford’s face that made a connection. There were scenes that couldn’t be filmed now because they would seem to be too simplistic or over the top. Many of those scenes connected with those of us in the audience.

In the discussion afterwards Diane talked about a memory she had about a fear that was instilled in her mother about child kidnapping from the cradle. The film was about concerned about child kidnapping and the ways baby farms operated in the early 1900s.

There was control of food used as a way to exert power at the farm where most of the story took place.

It feels like the film nights have entertained those who attended and provided at opportunity to explore hunger issues. We look forward to preparing for The Southerner next Wednesday, which will, among its other strengths, dramatize why the Backpack Buddies program ( and other programs specifically focused around nutritional meals for children) are so important.