Julie’s News from Maryland

A student in one of the other classes is taking a ’survey’, the results of which will be revealed next week at the annual Folies. The survey has legitimate questions with mostly legitmate mutliple choice answers, with the last of the choices being silly or facetious. The questions are generally about seminary and the Episcopal church. As I was answering my survey, I found the following question:

If elected as chair of the Peach and Justice Coalition, who would be most likely to promote “vestment activism”? (all names have been changed)

a. Rob

b. Rich

c. Mary

d. Julie Nelson

How hilarious is that? Clearly, my distaste for vestments is well known. It’s nice to have people joke about it and include me in the joke. I totally laughed like crazy when I saw it.

My fabulous, wonderful, smart, innovative, fearless-about-proclaiming-the-gospel, witty, and amazing stewardship professor is coming to the Diocese of El Camino Real to lead stewardship training for the clergy and lay leaders. If you can weasel your way into this thing do so at all costs! Terry really really gets this stuff and committed to breaking (and I quote) “the culture of scarcity in the Episcopal church.” The conference for lay leaders is Saturday, May 13.

I have thoroughly enjoyed her class this semester and think it should be a required class for all students at all seminaries everywhere. Terry believes that stewardship and tithing grow from a strong understanding of scripture and as a response to the power of God at work in our lives. She refuses to let us think about stewardship from a ‘fundraising’ mindset, but rather constantly reminds us to think about growing faithful stewards - grow a disciple and you’ve grown a steward, as I like to say. One of the greatest parts of the class is Terry’s wit and her fearlessness. She refuses to be shy and say the polite thing - she pushes people to get out of their comfort zone and to think differently about the world. And, she never fails to be rooted in the gospel. She told us that if people complain that priests talk about money too much that we should promise them that we’ll never talk about money more that Jesus did! How’s that for an answer?!

This class has been my source of hope and inspiration this semester. Whenever I feel bogged down by the drudgeries of church history, or the strict ritualness of the chapel, or the seeming lack of Jesus anywhere around me, I am always revived in my stewardship class. Terry’s enthusiasm, committment to Jesus, and vision for the church give me hope that there is a future for the Episcopal Church.

Is it really Good Friday if I didn’t get to go to Stations of the Cross?  Is it really Good Friday if I didn’t get all the way through the Maundy Thursday service (left before communion - kid issues)?  Is it really Good Friday if I spent the day doing homework (writing a church history paper) and taking care of the kids instead of sitting in deep contemplation about the death of Jesus - even if only for a minute?

This is been the least ‘Holy Week’ of any for me, I think.  The demands of school and Rick’s performances have called me into chores and child care duties such that I have been unavailable for any sort of contemplation as we approach Easter this week.  I am not one for long spans of quiet contemplation, but the services of Holy Week often provide time and space for me to mark the events of this week such that I am ready for the great joy to be felt on Easter.  Having not had the luxury of attending those services this week, I’m feeling a bit like I am not quite ready for Easter.

Then, out of the blue, along comes a sermon in the dead of the night that reminds me what it is all about - finally a few moments of quiet contemplation about the seriousness of today and this moment of grief.  After finishing my essay for church history (finally!) I took a quick browse of the usual blogs.  I came across the Cristopher’s Good Friday Sermon and finally feel the emotions of the day.

One of my classmates played this radio commercial for St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church that they had come across. It is too too funny. I did a quick scan of the parish’s web site, but couldn’t find any mention of the commercial, so I have no idea if it ever aired or if it just a hoax. Still, it is worth a listen.

Most of the Foster family (all but David) are here visiting us this week.  Have I mentioned how much I love having visitors?  The kids have been getting along very well and playing very nicely together - which is good since we have very limited space for them.  I managed to get all the homework that is due for the next two weeks finished last week, so I have lots of time to just hang out and enjoy their company.  It’s practically like vacation!

Or, maybe that should be ‘It’s Snowing!”  Last week and over the weekend we had beautiful weather - the temperatures were in the high 60s and low 70s.  The sun was shining and it was wonderful to be outside soaking up the sun.  Over the weekend we saw some gray skies and we’ve had a few rain showers since then.  Two days ago I read that there was a possiblity it would snow today.  When I left the house for school a few hours ago the sun was shining and it was gorgeous outside - I was wearing a coat, but didn’t need a scarf or gloves. 

 I am in the library working on a paper and I just happened to look out the window and it is snowing. And not a tiny little snow, either.  It is some serious snow.

 The weather on the east coast changes so dramatically so quickly.  It is such a startling difference from good ol’ predictable California.