Change of season

Here in Adelaide winter has settled in. Cold mornings, rain, floods, king tides and rumours of snow in the Adelaide hills.

I too find myself in a new season. On my first day of holidays I can look back at the last few months and reflect. I can look forward to this next week as a time to catch up on study and start sorting through my paperwork mess at home. I can look forward to a relaxing time next week with Paul on the Murray in a houseboat. And I can look forward to a new season of ministry when I return in a few weeks.

Reflecting back, along with the BCUC community, we have experienced a season of shock and grief, following the tragic news of the death of the son of my colleague Matthew Bond (and his wife, my friend Ruthmary Bond). For 3 months we  journeyed together as a congregation grieving with the Bond family and continuing the ministry of Christ, uncertain as to when Matthew would be ready to return. 

In recent weeks Matthew returned, beginning a time of transition as he settled back in to ministry life and I tried to bring him up up to speed on what had been happening. His description of this time was insightful. He described it as trying to jump onto a moving train. 

I am so grateful for the love, support and prayers I have received from the Uniting Church Presbytery, my supervisor, BCUC leaders and congregation members, Uniting College faculty and staff, close friends, family and most of all, my husband Paul. So many people have offered support and have prayed. For this I am so thankful.

What have I learned from the season? 

I learned that we are made to be in community and it is through the community that the Spirit moves and that we are blessed. 

I learned that effective missional leadership in a time of crisis calls for much prayer, high communication, deep honesty and vulnerability, modelling and encouraging a slower pace and focusing on peace, drawing on the resources of the body (through the local congregation, the presbytery, supervision, colleagues and friends), and constant re-evaluation of Christ's call on his church at this time and in this place.

Now, after 4 intense months of ministry, it is time to hit the Pause button.  

I'll be reflecting on the 23rd Psalm:

"He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul."

Ahhh.. :)

End of PoD #2

It seems a bit strange... blogging while the rest of my family is sick with swine flu. But there's not a lot I can do, other than keeping my distance. So here's part 2...

Major influences in discernment and growth areas

Ministry experience
In addition to my ongoing regular commitment of leading worship once or twice a quarter at the 10am service at my congregation, my minister, Phil invited me to start preaching as part of my PoD. From terrified beginnings, I have come to love preaching and have been overwhelmed by the affirmations I have received along the way.
I was also invited to preach at Seacombe Uniting in June this year and Kersbrook Uniting in July. These were wonderful experiences where I worked with the local worship leaders to prepare the services in two very different churches.
Up to the time of writing this report I have preached 15 times.

In October 2009, I had the privilege to lead worship for the women’s Emmaus Walk at Nunyara - a 4 day, short-term faith community. This was a wonderful experience. I really enjoyed preparing the songs, teaching them to the team at training days prior to the Walk, then leading some very special times of worship.

My Minister, Phil also suggested that I lead a Bible study for a term. This is my current ministry focus. My small group, the Houghton Hillbillies, has been very generous in allowing me to lead them. I have really enjoyed this experience. Studying God’s Word together on a weekly basis, asking deep faith questions, sharing our pastoral needs and praying together for each other and others we know, are all regular practices for our group.

Another new experience, which I am about to embark on, is leading in the sacrament of Communion. The presbytery has licensed me, and the youth coordinator in my congregation, to preside over Communion, while we have no minister in placement. We have just been trained, and I am really looking forward to leading in this sacrament.

part 3 coming soon....

time to give it a go...

I've decided to join the blogging community and have a go. Not sure if anyone would be interested enough to read my ramblings, but, hey, I'll give it a go anyway!

My plan is to blog some of my thoughts, joys, challenges and surprises as I complete my POD and then, hopefully, continue along the path to formalised ministry in the Uniting Church.

I'm currently feeling quite overwhelmed with the many commitments I have coming up, along with a few overdue assignments. I need to find some motivation to focus myself, stop procrastinating and start writing.

On the upside, my Minister, who has just left our congregation, has been very encouraging and has given me some great parting advice to help me prepare for the months ahead.

a brief intro to blogging. 'til next time... Take care :)