Hello, Bunnies!
While my e-mail inbox has been fairly active with requests for advice and counsel, the comments on here have been sparse. Are you busy? Bored? Heard it all? Should I take a hiatus? What would you like to hear about?
A friend said to me recently on achieving ten years in the same parish, “After ten years, they’ve heard all your stories. Good idea to move on.”
I’m preaching on fire this weekend. Or perhaps I should rephrase that: I’m preaching ABOUT fire. My sermon is called “Burn Season” and what God is doing through fire. I am a Unitarian Universalist and do not preach from Scripture but would welcome your ideas and thoughts. Stories, poetry, free-associations? And yea, I know it’s too early for Pentecost! 🙂
Meanwhile, I can’t get “Burning Down the House” by the Talking Heads out of my head. Did you know there’s an awesome Bonnie Raitt rendition?
Keep posting – always read – but not always comment. On Fire: some seeds of trees can’t get started without fire. One of the issues in the big Yellowstone fire is all the trees were the same age and no new ones because fire had been suppressed for years. See here http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94534548 [Fabulous article for sermon fodder. Thank you! – PB]
Love the Bonnie Raitt version of Burning Down the House!
My schedule hasn’t allowed me time to browse lately, but I was thrilled to see earlier this morning that I have about two pages of postings to catch up on. I savor them like great chocolates and will parse them out during the next day or two when I need a brain break or eye candy.
Keep going!
What popped into my head is Sweet Brown saying, “Oh Lord Jesus, it’s a FIHHR!” I say that to myself all day long. [Oh my god, I LOVE HER!! – PB]
I didn’t realize UU’s never preached from scripture! [Oh, we do! Just not lectionary (except for a handful), and some do not at all. It depends how humanistic their congregation is. – PB]
you don’t hear from us nearly enough – that has to be true – but know that your cumulative wisdom on visual presence helps me every day. I had a professional headshot photo session yesterday, and I felt worlds more prepared, thanks to you! My visual image would essentially make you run screaming, but i am always sure to polish up within my odd parameters. Your wisdom, partnership, and sisterhood are important to me. Hope you feel better soon – Spring is coming!!
Alicia Keys newish song, “That Girl is on Fire!”
Two things which come to mind when I think of fire:
“There was a great and mighty wind, splitting mountains and shattering rocks by the power of God; but God was not in the wind. After the wind – an earthquake; but God was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake – fire; but God was not in the fire. And after the fire – a soft murmuring sound.” 1 Kings 19:11-12
What I Have Learned So Far
Meditation is old and honorable, so why should I
not sit, every morning of my life, on the hillside,
looking into the shining world? Because, proper-
ly attended to, delight, as well as havoc, is sug-
gestion. Can one be passionate about the just, the
ideal, the sublime, and the holy, and yet commit
to no labor in its cause? I don’t think so.
All summations have a beginning, all effect has a
story, all kindness begins with the sown seed.
Thought buds toward radiance. The gospel of
light is the crossroads of – indolence, or action.
Be ignited, or be gone.
-Mary Oliver
[This reminds me of a quote from a Anthony DeMello story, “Turn yourself into fire.” Now I have to look that up. – PB]
I’d look to eternal flame references from Leviticus. Or is that “too Jewish”? [Not at all, but you just reminded me that of COURSE I want to include the burning bush!! – PB]
I’d say that after ten years opens a possibility of depth, wisdom, and connection. First ten years a just a prelude to growth…
I’ll never forget Peter Raible’s sermon at GA on the burned over district – he was referring to upper NY state birthplace of religions and votes for women – apropos of this post and your post on preaching
Probably not what you’re looking for, but what first came into my head was the Bruce Springsteen song “Fire.” When my crying tiny baby just would not settle down in the middle of the night, I’d put on that song and sway. Worked every time. 🙂
But truly, the sexual/passionate metaphor of fire might make it into a sermon somewhere…?
and of course there’s the phrase “baptism by fire.” And the burning coals in the mouth story (now I’m revealing myself as not super-well versed in scripture).
I was on my way out the door to a day “Just in the office” when I decided to wear the leopard pumps rather than the granny-librarian-oxfords — while perusing my e-mail/fb, I saw a colleague noted that she was on her way to a meeting — one I was also supposed to be at! Ran out the door and thought “Thank GOD I’m appropriately dressed for this! Peace Bang would be so pleased!” So we are listening, even when we are silent! (BTW, the rest of the ensemble was fairly conservative navy and copper so the pumps were just the right oomph!). [OOmph! Woo hoo! – PB]
Perhaps it’s post-Easter weariness? I’d love to hear your thoughts/suggestions about how to transition into hot weather. I’m a plus-size woman and in summer I always find it such a challenge to look good without melting. I’m more concerned about clothes than makeup and hair. Thanks for all you do! [Good question + always a challenge for me, too. I hate summer professional wear! -PB]
“Abba Joseph said to Abba Lot, ‘You cannot be a monk unless you become like a consuming fire.’
“Abba Lot went to see Abba Josph and said to him, ‘Abba, as far as I can I say my little office, I fast a little, I pray and meditate, I live in peace and as far as I can, I purify my thoughts. What else can I do?’ then the old man stood up and stretched his hands towards heaven. His fingers became like ten lamps of fire and he said to him, ‘If you will, you can become all flame.'”
(from the Sayings of the Desert Fathers)
[Bless your heart. Exactly what I was looking for. – PB]
Silence and awe… my usual response to your blog. But, because of you, I’ve just written an article for the Scottish Episcopal Church on yellow eyeliner, laughter, and the surprise of Resurrection. Trust me when I say this is not my usual genre, and I thought of you at every turn. [What a lovely note. Thank you! “Silence and awe???” Geez, lady! – PB]
Barbara Brown Taylor has a great story in An Altar in the World about seeing a bush that looked like it was on fire, but she did something else first and when she came back, the light had changed and it was ordinary. It’s probably in the chapter on paying attention.
The Hunger Game’s use of fire imagary – specifically the idea of the Girl on Fire – as a call to action and change ? (may depend on the age of your congregation 🙂 )
yes, please keep on blogging here. I’m a pre-minister and I’m using your advice to help me shop for clothes. My current job doesn’t seem to have a dress code–people dress in the range of sweats to suits (not kidding), but I’ve been dressing better because of this blog, just to get used to what I’ll wear as a minister on a daily basis.
Oh, no, don’t go away! You’re my go-to as I’m transitioning from student to pastor (hey, I got an appointment on the beach! Need warm weather dress clothes! Ay!) and a whole lot of fun to boot. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be trying to do something with my hair, and I’d own ONE pair of dress shoes!
You started a hysterically funny conversation amongst my clergy/seminary friends on what’s appropriate colors in clergy shirts–you have a bit of a fan club at Duke, by the way. [Well cripes, invite me down!! I have a baby goddaughter in Chapel Hill! – PB]
Oh, and you like Bishop Willimon too, one of my favorite profs. Gotta love it!
Thank you for being here for all of us, we love you!
Dear PB, please keep posting – I am a newly qualified minister and have learned so much from you – this BTFM ministry of yours is a blessing to so many people! xx