Star Words

Star Words

This year at Athelstone Uniting Church I have introduced Star Words. 
In the church calendar, this is the season of Epiphany. In remembering that night long ago when God used a star to reveal the newborn Christ to the world to the wise men (magi) and to all of us, I gave each person their own star.
Each star has a different word and was randomly selected out of a basket.
I invited everyone to journey with their star all year long - to see where the word moves them in prayer, pushes or pulls them in faith, and how it opens their hearts to God’s call on their lives. I encouraged them to ponder what significance it might have in their life, and how God might be speaking to them through it. I told them to expect to be challenged and stretched and to expect God to lead them to places they never expected through this word!

This isn't an original idea. A growing number of church communities have been doing it for some time. Read what Kristin Stroble says about Star Words here
Over the last two weeks there has been a buzz around our congregation as people have shared their words with one another. Some have quietly smiled to themselves, some have laughed out loud, some have been a little disturbed, some puzzled. The process was designed to be completely random, yet the words in so many cases have been such a good fit. I can't wait to hear how God will work through these words in our community and beyond.
I received a Star Word too. Mine is Thankfulness. My plan is to blog about my star word here as much or as little as I am able this year.

Star Word Entry 1

Today I had an impromptu lunch with a delightful friend who I haven't seen in way too long. We had a lovely conversation and I left with a deep sense of joy and love and being loved. 

Just now, as I reflected on this, I was overwhelmed with gratitude for all the people and those relationships that I have in my life. 

My husband, family, close friends, new friends, old friends, colleagues, mentors and mentorees.. all are a blessing to me in so many different ways. 

Each one brings a smile to my face as I think of shared memories, laughter and tears.

For this I am so Thankful.

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.. :)