I've been doing some more thinking about retirement. The latest is that I think I will be applying for social security as well as pension. I will be of "FRA" (full retirement age, in social security parlance) in less than a year, after all. And I'm anticipating the independence of not working full-time. I know that finances will be tight, but then they've been tight for as long as I can remember, so what's new?
It's been awhile since I have had more than a couple of weeks without preaching on a Sunday morning, and I'm looking forward to listening to somebody else's sermons. Sometimes, anyway. I don't think the Holy Spirit is through with me yet.
Of course the endless topic of speculation the last few days has been Chelsea Clinton's wedding downstream in Rhinebeck. I must say that every time I see pictures of Chelsea and Bill Clinton together, with the father-daughter bond that they obviously enjoy, I get a bit teary. It's that old parent-child tenderness that used to make me teary watching certain situation comedies (Father Knows Best, My Little Margie, and other oldies like that) even when I was a child. Part of it comes from missing my own father, after 26 years, and my own mother, after 36 years... to think that I have now lived to be four years older than my mother at her death is amazing to me. I'm sure that Hillary and Chelsea also have a close relationship, but the father-daughter thing is different.
I never gave my Dad the opportunity to escort me down the aisle. He would have been proud. But he was proud of me, anyway -- and let me know it while I was in seminary, after a first career as a teacher. I'm so grateful he was more forthcoming with praise after I reached adulthood than he had been when I was growing up. We grew into a close and loving relationship, for which I'm thankful.
So ... I'm sure that when I see a picture, finally, of Bill Clinton escorting Chelsea in her wedding dress (so much speculated upon!), I'll shed a few more tears: for tenderness, for Daddy-daughter affection, for all the years I've spent without my Dad and Mother. Such is life. But there are so many unhealthy parent-child relationships that I can only thank God for Chelsea's and Bill's, and for my parents' and mine.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Thoughts on marriage and weddings
Last week my denomination, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) had its biennial General Assembly. The assembled ministers and elders (in equal numbers -- that's an important piece of our polity) made a large number of decisions, some of which give guidance to local congregations and clusters of congregtions called presbyteries, and some of which have more authority for the congregations. Some of their decisions now go to the presbyteries for ratification. In that latter category is a proposed change in our Book of Order to eliminate wording that some of us have always regarded as badly written as well as restricting marriage to "one man and one woman" and elevating sexual sins above other sins when discerning whether someone is able to be ordained as a minister, an elder, or a deacon.
I don't know what will happen in the presbyteries. I am in favor of the new language for a number of reasons. And that's not the decision that I'm most concerned about today. The decision that occupies my mind right now is the one General Assembly made to study the question of same-sex marriage, which effectively leaves ministers who reside in states where marriage equality is the law of the land in limbo -- the state says that these marriages are legal, but the church says that a congregation may not celebrate marriage between two people of the same gender. Which means that those who have been baptized and nurtured in a congregation may not have their most important relationships blessed by the very congregation that knows and loves them best.
I am not now, nor have I ever been, married myself. At this point in my life such an event is extremely unlikely. But I have observed many, many marriages from outside those relationships -- and those include a few same-gender marriages. I have observed some very healthy, spiritual, and loving marriages -- both heterosexual and homosexual. I have also observed many that seemed to me unhealthy, stifling, and destructive relationships. Same-gender marriage is no threat to heterosexual marriage -- heterosexuals have done a fine job of denigrating the spriritual nature of marriage without any help from their GLBT brothers and sisters!
For a long time now I have believed that the churches, synagogues, and mosques should get out of the business of being agents for the state when it comes to marriage. I think that, as is true in other nations, marriage ceremonies should all be conducted by the state, along with the marriage license, and that religious institutions may then decide which marriages merit the spiritual blessings of the congregations. I would leave this to the individual congregation, but then I have been existing happily as interim pastor with an American Baptist congregation for the last nineteen months ... so this particular portion of my plan wouldn't work in my own denomination. And I realize that this would not solve the problem for all ministers in states where same-gender marriage is legal but their denomination will not bless these unions.
My plan would also mean that one of the banes of my existence as a pastor, couples who want church weddings but who want no other part of the church, could be told that church weddings are only for those who are church members, because they demonstrate a congregation's love for, support of, and blessing toward a couple whom they know and love. I hope that it would also mostly eliminate the phenomenon that has grown exponentially since I entered the ministry 26 years ago: that of small attendance at the actual wedding ceremony and huge attendance at the reception -- the PARTY -- afterwards.
It seems to me that those -- especially politicians -- who yell loudest against "gay marriage" are often those who thumb their noses at the sacred nature of the marriage vows by betraying those vows in adultery. I think Jesus had something to say about such hypocrisy.
I don't know what will happen in the presbyteries. I am in favor of the new language for a number of reasons. And that's not the decision that I'm most concerned about today. The decision that occupies my mind right now is the one General Assembly made to study the question of same-sex marriage, which effectively leaves ministers who reside in states where marriage equality is the law of the land in limbo -- the state says that these marriages are legal, but the church says that a congregation may not celebrate marriage between two people of the same gender. Which means that those who have been baptized and nurtured in a congregation may not have their most important relationships blessed by the very congregation that knows and loves them best.
I am not now, nor have I ever been, married myself. At this point in my life such an event is extremely unlikely. But I have observed many, many marriages from outside those relationships -- and those include a few same-gender marriages. I have observed some very healthy, spiritual, and loving marriages -- both heterosexual and homosexual. I have also observed many that seemed to me unhealthy, stifling, and destructive relationships. Same-gender marriage is no threat to heterosexual marriage -- heterosexuals have done a fine job of denigrating the spriritual nature of marriage without any help from their GLBT brothers and sisters!
For a long time now I have believed that the churches, synagogues, and mosques should get out of the business of being agents for the state when it comes to marriage. I think that, as is true in other nations, marriage ceremonies should all be conducted by the state, along with the marriage license, and that religious institutions may then decide which marriages merit the spiritual blessings of the congregations. I would leave this to the individual congregation, but then I have been existing happily as interim pastor with an American Baptist congregation for the last nineteen months ... so this particular portion of my plan wouldn't work in my own denomination. And I realize that this would not solve the problem for all ministers in states where same-gender marriage is legal but their denomination will not bless these unions.
My plan would also mean that one of the banes of my existence as a pastor, couples who want church weddings but who want no other part of the church, could be told that church weddings are only for those who are church members, because they demonstrate a congregation's love for, support of, and blessing toward a couple whom they know and love. I hope that it would also mostly eliminate the phenomenon that has grown exponentially since I entered the ministry 26 years ago: that of small attendance at the actual wedding ceremony and huge attendance at the reception -- the PARTY -- afterwards.
It seems to me that those -- especially politicians -- who yell loudest against "gay marriage" are often those who thumb their noses at the sacred nature of the marriage vows by betraying those vows in adultery. I think Jesus had something to say about such hypocrisy.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Contemplating Retirement
I'm applying for retirement, not because I want to stop working, but because I want to continue working but not full time. I need the pension, since I'm still paying on the mortgage on my house. Still, this will be a big move. I just saw Ringo Starr on television, talking with Diane Sawyer on his 70th birthday. He said when we're in our twenties we never think we're ever going to be as old as 70. Well, I'm not there yet, but I do wonder sometimes how I ever got to be as old as I am!
I have a list of things I want to do after retirement: volunteer on fund drives for my favorite radio station (WAMC in Albany), offer my services to the local public library and/or elementary school to read to children (and listen to the children read), get back to basket weaving, spend more time playing my dulcimer and my piano. Friends who are retired, though, say that their time gets filled with many other things. So maybe the adventures I discover after retirement will be surprises. That's okay too.
Reaching a milestone like retirement makes me wonder at life's brevity, its meaning, what I might do to make a difference with the time I have left. I have been a teacher and a minister, and I know I've affected many other people's lives. I constantly have the feeling that I haven't done nearly as much as I might have, but it's hard in the midst of life to know how it has all stacked up. I guess all I can do is keep trying, and keep praying that I'll continue to grow in grace and in faith, as long as I live.
I have a list of things I want to do after retirement: volunteer on fund drives for my favorite radio station (WAMC in Albany), offer my services to the local public library and/or elementary school to read to children (and listen to the children read), get back to basket weaving, spend more time playing my dulcimer and my piano. Friends who are retired, though, say that their time gets filled with many other things. So maybe the adventures I discover after retirement will be surprises. That's okay too.
Reaching a milestone like retirement makes me wonder at life's brevity, its meaning, what I might do to make a difference with the time I have left. I have been a teacher and a minister, and I know I've affected many other people's lives. I constantly have the feeling that I haven't done nearly as much as I might have, but it's hard in the midst of life to know how it has all stacked up. I guess all I can do is keep trying, and keep praying that I'll continue to grow in grace and in faith, as long as I live.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Worship today
This morning the FOCUS Churches of Albany (something like Fine Old Churches United in Service) had a union worship service at one of our member churches, Israel A.M.E. While I don't think I'd be comfortable with this brand of worship as a steady diet, it was certainly a joyous, Spirit-filled time. Only two hours, which in the Black church tradition isn't excessive.
The other FOCUS churches are Emmanuel Baptist, where I'm currently Interim Pastor; First Presbyterian, Westminster Presbyterian (both PCUSA congregations), Trinity United Methodist, and Delmar Reformed. Delmar is a suburb of Albany, and the other churches are all in the Center Square neighborhood of Albany, which is just up the hill from the Capitol building.
FOCUS runs a breakfast program in winter, a "computer for kids" program in summer, and a food pantry all year round. In general, FOCUS ministries aid the hungry, homeless, and poor of the neighborhood.
Albany is a small city (called "Smalbany" by some), but it has all the problems of cities of all sizes. There are other churches in the city, too, that are doing much-needed ministry. But the churches can't do it all. And I am convinced that the purpose of government really is in part to "promote the general welfare" of all citizens. The rub, of course, is how to do this when revenues are limited. I don't have all the answers; if I did, I'd be running for office, or at least writing lots of letters to the legislators and the governor -- and the U.S. Congress and Senate and the president... but I do think that too many get away with too little in taxes.
Ah well. This morning at Israel, the tithers were invited to bring their tithes forward first, before the rest of the worshipers. There were a lot of them! I wonder ... I doubt that anyone in that worship service this morning is a millionnaire, and I wonder how many millionnaires tithe to churches or to charities. If more of all of us tithed to help out the "least of these" all would be better off.
Let the people say, "Amen."
The other FOCUS churches are Emmanuel Baptist, where I'm currently Interim Pastor; First Presbyterian, Westminster Presbyterian (both PCUSA congregations), Trinity United Methodist, and Delmar Reformed. Delmar is a suburb of Albany, and the other churches are all in the Center Square neighborhood of Albany, which is just up the hill from the Capitol building.
FOCUS runs a breakfast program in winter, a "computer for kids" program in summer, and a food pantry all year round. In general, FOCUS ministries aid the hungry, homeless, and poor of the neighborhood.
Albany is a small city (called "Smalbany" by some), but it has all the problems of cities of all sizes. There are other churches in the city, too, that are doing much-needed ministry. But the churches can't do it all. And I am convinced that the purpose of government really is in part to "promote the general welfare" of all citizens. The rub, of course, is how to do this when revenues are limited. I don't have all the answers; if I did, I'd be running for office, or at least writing lots of letters to the legislators and the governor -- and the U.S. Congress and Senate and the president... but I do think that too many get away with too little in taxes.
Ah well. This morning at Israel, the tithers were invited to bring their tithes forward first, before the rest of the worshipers. There were a lot of them! I wonder ... I doubt that anyone in that worship service this morning is a millionnaire, and I wonder how many millionnaires tithe to churches or to charities. If more of all of us tithed to help out the "least of these" all would be better off.
Let the people say, "Amen."
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Traditional Music
Last weekend was the Old Songs Festival at the Fair Grounds in Altamont, NY. For the last 8 or 9 years I have "worked" Old Songs -- taking tickets at the Campers' Gate all day Friday. Then volunteers get in to the rest of the festival free, so two days' "play" for one day "work" seems a good bargain to me.
The logo for this year's festival said "Music with Roots" -- and for me those roots go back to my high school days, when my favorite music wasn't rock 'n roll, but folk music, with Joan Baez, the Kingston Trio, Peter Paul and Mary, and Simon and Garfunkle high on my list. In college I added some knowledge of Pete Seeger to that list.
And then I went to Bainbridge, NY as pastor of the Presbyterian Church, where I met Rick Bunting, John Kirk and Trish Miller, and Dan Duggan -- the Susquehanna Strings. I thought I'd died and gone to heaven, when not long after I arrived there I went to Stefanie Bunting's high school graduation party, and there in the back yard of the Bunting home heard the Susquehanna Strings jamming. From then I haven't looked back. I've even learned to play the mountain dulcimer, thanks to the talent and patience of Susan Trump.
Anyway, last weekend I only experienced a bit of lack of manners once during the whole weekend, and it occurred to me that "folkies" really are nice people! The musicians are hardly jealous of each other at all -- they share songs and arrangements and the stage with each other, seemingly without a prima donna in the lot. And when we left the fair grounds on Sunday evening, it did NOT look like the aftermath of a wild party. We pretty much left things the way we found them. I wish everybody were like that.
The logo for this year's festival said "Music with Roots" -- and for me those roots go back to my high school days, when my favorite music wasn't rock 'n roll, but folk music, with Joan Baez, the Kingston Trio, Peter Paul and Mary, and Simon and Garfunkle high on my list. In college I added some knowledge of Pete Seeger to that list.
And then I went to Bainbridge, NY as pastor of the Presbyterian Church, where I met Rick Bunting, John Kirk and Trish Miller, and Dan Duggan -- the Susquehanna Strings. I thought I'd died and gone to heaven, when not long after I arrived there I went to Stefanie Bunting's high school graduation party, and there in the back yard of the Bunting home heard the Susquehanna Strings jamming. From then I haven't looked back. I've even learned to play the mountain dulcimer, thanks to the talent and patience of Susan Trump.
Anyway, last weekend I only experienced a bit of lack of manners once during the whole weekend, and it occurred to me that "folkies" really are nice people! The musicians are hardly jealous of each other at all -- they share songs and arrangements and the stage with each other, seemingly without a prima donna in the lot. And when we left the fair grounds on Sunday evening, it did NOT look like the aftermath of a wild party. We pretty much left things the way we found them. I wish everybody were like that.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Now that I know a little bit -- a VERY little bit -- about this blog business, some thoughts:
I've been following the Elena Kagan confirmation hearings, and thinking about the difference between liberals and conservatives in interpretation of the U.S. Constitution and the Bible. There are similarities: in general, conservatives believe that there is one meaning, and one meaning only, for the original words, and if we can just find it, we'll have the correct interpretation to form our laws. And in general, liberals look at both writings as "living documents" whose interpretation takes into account the current context as well as the original context.
I've had experience with a group of conservative (evangelical) Presbyterians and liberal (progressive) Presbyterians, and learned that it is possible to study and discuss Biblical passages together. At times we have moved closer to each other's interpretations, at other times we have not. But always both "sides" have benefited from understanding that good, intelligent Presbyterians can differ. I wish our politicians could say the same!
I've been following the Elena Kagan confirmation hearings, and thinking about the difference between liberals and conservatives in interpretation of the U.S. Constitution and the Bible. There are similarities: in general, conservatives believe that there is one meaning, and one meaning only, for the original words, and if we can just find it, we'll have the correct interpretation to form our laws. And in general, liberals look at both writings as "living documents" whose interpretation takes into account the current context as well as the original context.
I've had experience with a group of conservative (evangelical) Presbyterians and liberal (progressive) Presbyterians, and learned that it is possible to study and discuss Biblical passages together. At times we have moved closer to each other's interpretations, at other times we have not. But always both "sides" have benefited from understanding that good, intelligent Presbyterians can differ. I wish our politicians could say the same!
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