Uphill idealist

On the other side of the cusp of bright green buds tipping towards sweet scented blooms and sweater free nights. The joy of this warmth is punctuated by the dusk laughter of children, whirring hula hoops spinning and a 7 piece band calling all to come dancing. Toes are tapping, hearts are clapping and smiles are shared knowing that frost free nights full of campfires and s'mores have finally - like book weary college students - have come back home. Welcome home summer - let's play. Thanks to Active Arts Alliance for kicking off the summer season with the concert at Wintergarden Plaza in Jamestown NY on May 15, 2013!

The last time I had a change in my name was my wedding 21 years ago. This time around there is a change to the prefix before my name - that change is "Vicar”. A "Vicar" according to the ELCA  (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) is a seminarian who is assigned to a congregation as an intern for one year. This typically involves the student working with a senior pastor and a committee of the church to support the development of the seminarian. Last Sunday, a Service of Beginning took place at First Lutheran Church to mark the beginning of my year long internship. It's been a whirlwind since last April, when I was approved by my Candidacy Committee to pursue Seminary and the role of Minister of Word and Sacrament. There is a great deal of learning still ahead, but I'm taking a moment to pause and let this change, this prefix, to soak in. Last year at this time, I was looking forward to the hope that "someday" I'd attend seminary and b...

This year in our Shared Confirmation Program, we used Sparkhouse's re:form curriculum and DVDs, enjoyed a Autumn retreat together and integrated Art and Prayer elements to the expereince.The heart image below is a prayer process of weaving hopes and sorrows in a visual manner. This exercise was adapted from my friend Lynne Farrow's resource book:  Art Making and Metaphor Last Sunday, this group of youth, their parents and teaching team had an opportunity to meet at Lake Chautauqua Lutheran Center to share in a time of games, art making, food and fellowship. The banner project was begun by our Create Fellowship that meets on a monthly basis at First Lutheran Church. This group designed the banner, transferred this design on a canvas painters drop cloth by using masking tape as a guide, and began painting the banner. Acrylic paints (found at a Walmart or Michael's) were applied to the canvas to create the Pentecost themed design with wind, fir...

Today is the last day of the spring forum and I've been challenged, blessed and encouraged. This life cycle of being a Cohort member, adopted into my husbands Cohort and now to have had am opportunity to teach - seem like a dream come true. There is something special here. This tribe of youth ministers stick with each other. This system if flat - where veteran leaders stop to talk to a attendee who really needs some encouragement, where God taps you on the shoulder and gives you a glimpse of what to pray, to hope, and to dream for. The people see each other, laugh together, bond over the challenges of their work and hold each other up - face to face, Skype to Skype and text to text. There is much more to say, but for now know that 200 youth workers, world leaders in youth and family ministry are all together in this place and soaking up the last few hours of this space and time. Soon we'll be back on the road to home, to family and the churches/ministries we serve. As we retu...

Today was the first day of the 2013 Spring Forum for Youth Ministry at Princeton Seminary. The worship was inspiring, how amazing when a gifted worship leader Dr, Martin Tell can unite us all! For the workshops, fellowship and art installment - it's a blessing to be here and be able to serve my co-workers in ministry this way. The morning will come quickly, but like a little child that is worn out from a whirlwind day at the park, I am thankful , content and ready, so ready to rest. Peace, Tara

The week ahead is one I've been excited to arrive for months. My husband and I are heading to Princeton Seminary where he is attending and I will be faculty for the YMI Spring Forum. I'll be facilitating a workshop on Art and Pray and how to integrate arts into church life, mission and worship. It's as if a week of my most favorite things were dropped into 5 days! On a sad note, my dear friend a mission partner Jeanne Thomas passed away this Saturday. She was one of the first people to support me in my starting adventures to Princeton three years ago. As I hit the road I carry memories and joy as well as hope, because That is the way Jeanne would have wanted me to travel. Shalom, T http://post-journal.com/page/content.detail/id/620997/Jeanne-J--Thomas.html?nav=5009 http://www.ptsem.edu/scvm/iym/forums.aspx?hdr=25769804150&nav=25769804149&id=8752

This week my teaching artist friend Renee and I had the privilege of returning to visit a Pre-K Classroom at Fletcher Elementary for a mural project with the Arts Council of  Chautauqua County .We are working on two board murals about 2X6 feet in size. One board is a life-cycle study and the other is the four seasons. Here is our progress thus far. The students that are working on this project are only 4 years old and there are about 17 students in each of the two classes. This kind of teaching keeps an instructor on their toes and gives us a good dose of cute as well. Next week, we'll return to wrap up the project with these two groups of pre-schoolers.  Isn't it amazing what little ones can accomplish with a little helping hand?