The parish ministry isn't just about preaching and worship. After all, we live in a dynamic world where the presence of God can be found in any number of places. Sometimes we expect the divine presence. Sometimes we are surprised. A good ministry is about examining and experiencing the many facets of life while helping others to do the same. I am involved in service and justice ministries through the Eliot Church and through the denominations it represents. I also serve as one of the Treasurers of our interfaith clergy group here in Natick, where we address many issues--both sacred and secular--that impact our community. However, on this page I would like to focus on three areas that may not be readily apparent to people when they think of the life of faith. You can find echoes of all of them in the Sabbath Walks blog, of course.
If you have an idea or concept where I might be helpful in regard to these ministries, please do not hesitate to get in touch!
If you have an idea or concept where I might be helpful in regard to these ministries, please do not hesitate to get in touch!
Exploring the Presidential Range near Mount Jefferson.
Sabbath Walking:
As we move through life there are vocations and avocations. A vocation is what we do--no matter how much we love it or how much we get paid--as our job. For me, that is the parish ministry. I love it. It fuels me. It keeps me accountable on the walk of faith. However, one of my favorite avocations is actual walking. I have been a hiker, camper, and mountain climber most of my life. I enjoy it. It keeps me connected to nature and to creation, itself. Lately it has become a ministry.
I have developed a series of workshops and "walking worship" templates that I share with others both inside and outside the church. When I take a walk as part of my ministry to others, I try to make them as inclusive as possible. The goal isn't to wipe ourselves out. Instead, we are trying to connect to nature through silent walking mediations using frames and lenses that help us get the most out of our experience. My hope is that if we develop a practice of mindful walking then it will be easier to move mindfully through a busy world.
There are many posts on this subject on the Sabbath Walks Weblog. However, this post is the one that best describes my approach. I am always available to talk about this part of my life and ministry. It is a passion of mine, and I am always looking for people who might want to make it a passion of theirs.
As we move through life there are vocations and avocations. A vocation is what we do--no matter how much we love it or how much we get paid--as our job. For me, that is the parish ministry. I love it. It fuels me. It keeps me accountable on the walk of faith. However, one of my favorite avocations is actual walking. I have been a hiker, camper, and mountain climber most of my life. I enjoy it. It keeps me connected to nature and to creation, itself. Lately it has become a ministry.
I have developed a series of workshops and "walking worship" templates that I share with others both inside and outside the church. When I take a walk as part of my ministry to others, I try to make them as inclusive as possible. The goal isn't to wipe ourselves out. Instead, we are trying to connect to nature through silent walking mediations using frames and lenses that help us get the most out of our experience. My hope is that if we develop a practice of mindful walking then it will be easier to move mindfully through a busy world.
There are many posts on this subject on the Sabbath Walks Weblog. However, this post is the one that best describes my approach. I am always available to talk about this part of my life and ministry. It is a passion of mine, and I am always looking for people who might want to make it a passion of theirs.
Here is a portion of my current adult gaming group at church.
Roleplaying Games:
There are other ways to experience the journey of the spirit. This time, however, instead of using our bodies to get out on the trail, we use our minds to explore imagined worlds. Through this exploration we gain insights into our own world, the world inside ourselves, and the world we would like to live in. This ministry also comes from a lifetime of experience. I played Dungeons and Dragons in my teen years. I then took time off for college and starting a family. Then--after years away--I started running games for my own children and their friends. One thing led to another, and it became a ministry, too. I have since run games for both youth and adults. While the systems I use now are different from D&D in some ways, the same principle applies. We are using our imagination and creativity to tell a shared story.
There are many fewer posts on this ministry, but they can indeed be found on the Sabbath Walks blog in their own section. I will be updating more now that my sabbatical is over and the hiking has died down a bit. Just like the walks, I am available if you need help setting up your own game, would like to learn the rules to a specific game, or are in need of someone to run a game for you.
There are other ways to experience the journey of the spirit. This time, however, instead of using our bodies to get out on the trail, we use our minds to explore imagined worlds. Through this exploration we gain insights into our own world, the world inside ourselves, and the world we would like to live in. This ministry also comes from a lifetime of experience. I played Dungeons and Dragons in my teen years. I then took time off for college and starting a family. Then--after years away--I started running games for my own children and their friends. One thing led to another, and it became a ministry, too. I have since run games for both youth and adults. While the systems I use now are different from D&D in some ways, the same principle applies. We are using our imagination and creativity to tell a shared story.
There are many fewer posts on this ministry, but they can indeed be found on the Sabbath Walks blog in their own section. I will be updating more now that my sabbatical is over and the hiking has died down a bit. Just like the walks, I am available if you need help setting up your own game, would like to learn the rules to a specific game, or are in need of someone to run a game for you.
When the coronavirus forced us outdoors the Ukestra stepped up to provide (mostly) ukulele music to accompany our outdoor service/carol sing. You can just see my head next to the trumpet.
Music Ministries:
We have had a folk music ministry at the Eliot Church for many years. It is a collaborative initiative that includes me and many other people. It started as a youth ministry when we had a large number of musically inclined middle schoolers. However, it continues to this day with adults, young adults and the occasional child chipping in to perform in church and elsewhere. Our original iteration was called the "Ukestra", and we still pull our ukes out from time to time. This happens at church, but there is something about the tiny instrument that makes it the perfect thing for nursing homes and schools. Now we also play other instruments as the "Tech Committee", a liturgical folk and old-time band.
This ministry is also represented on the weblog in its own section. As with the gaming section, there will be more posts shortly. I am available to help you set up your own music ministry. Also, the various versions of the band are usually in for a low-key gig.
We have had a folk music ministry at the Eliot Church for many years. It is a collaborative initiative that includes me and many other people. It started as a youth ministry when we had a large number of musically inclined middle schoolers. However, it continues to this day with adults, young adults and the occasional child chipping in to perform in church and elsewhere. Our original iteration was called the "Ukestra", and we still pull our ukes out from time to time. This happens at church, but there is something about the tiny instrument that makes it the perfect thing for nursing homes and schools. Now we also play other instruments as the "Tech Committee", a liturgical folk and old-time band.
This ministry is also represented on the weblog in its own section. As with the gaming section, there will be more posts shortly. I am available to help you set up your own music ministry. Also, the various versions of the band are usually in for a low-key gig.