Uphill idealist

Photo of Pastor Becca Erlich, ELCA Bishop Elizabeth Eaton and your's truly - Vicar Tara Eastman at the conclusion of  today's Eucharist service at Notre Dame Retreat Center.   Two days. Five worship services. One hundred people assembled - vicars, pastors, rostered leaders, and a few Bishops. Meals, games, free-time, heart to hearts. Sorrows shared, prayers prayed and songs sung in four part harmony. This kind of effort takes teamwork - as well as the moving of the Holy Spirit. Tonight I'm tired, but thankful. For I had this time, with these amazing people. It is an honor to be asked to lead in this space, but this space is one made better because we all took part and shared in the call to worship God and serve our neighbor. This team included me -  thank you for extending your community to me too. All are welcome.

My husband Ian wrote a lovely post on some happenings at church a few years ago. Here is a re post of his note here... I was greatly encouraged by my son, Nigel, yesterday. We were selling snow-cones and cookies outside of our church, raising money for camp scholarships. A man who was obviously mentally ill approached our booth, asking if we were giving away food. I told him that we had enough to share and wrapped him up a plate of cookies. My son then invited him to the fellowship breakfast that our church holds every month between services. Now I don't know if the man will remember to come back in three weeks, but it was amazing to hear Nigel respond so readily to someone's need. I know that I never reacted with such confidence and grace around the mentally ill when I was his age (12). A half-hour earlier, the worship team at our church led us in the song "All Are Welcome" during communion: All are welcome, friend and stranger at the banquet of the Savio...

Have you ever started to sing a song, perhaps a hymn or another favorite, and find yourself caught up in such a wave of emotion that singing is impossible? The tune that you adore can't be sung as your breath is hijacked from the emotion that just so happens to be pouring from your eyes? I met a fellow this week that came to me for an answer to that question. Why do these hymns I love and know by heart always cut to the chase and bring tears to my eyes? All I could say is that I've experienced this song/tears response as well. In fact, I had an unexpected experience with this "Pavlov's response" this past Sunday. Before worship, we were practicing a song for the prelude that is called, "Love can build a bridge" by the Judds. For those that know it, you probably understand why it pulls on the heartstrings. I invite you to take a moment to watch this video for the song here: This song is new to me and I may have heard it year ago when it first ca...

As you may have heard me mention before, my vocation as a vicar gives me wonderful opportunities to meet some amazing people, some of which have seen a bit more of life than I have. In meeting and getting to know some of these folks who are many years young, I learn a great deal about life and how to keep on keeping on with a smile on my face. Some times the words I hear, like in a visit today, make me smile for a good long time. "You certainly are a hip one!"  - is still ringing in my ears after a visit with a lovely lady approaching 90 years of living life. Her smile ranged from ear to ear as she spoke these kind words to me. I smiled back at her noticing her quiet elegance and said, "Thanks, you are lovely too!" As you might imagine, the smiles kept getting wider as we shared some time together. Hipness and loveliness, I'm learning, has not as much to do with how we look compared to the attitude that lives underneath what we wear. Lovely-hipness is someth...

Last week I had the privilege and honor of meeting a 94 year old woman who captured my heart in the first moments we met. It was once again an honor and privilege to be asked by her daughter the morning of her passing to officiate for her funeral today. In all of the stories her family shared about her, it was clear that she lived life to the full everyday. She loved life, her family and was always willing to learn something new. After her kids were grown she re-entered the world of education in taking an art class. This art class led to her going on to earn two masters degrees and starting a second career in elementary education. A few weeks ago, my dear friend Deb gave me a hand made mini book pendent and chain that on the inside says: Image found at art quote of the day Deb's handmade quote book and Miss Mildred's 94 years of life have given me a wonderful gift. Merton's quote is one I've held close as a reminder to stay active in creative endeavors. Mildr...