Vintage Grace: April 2013

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Livin' Called

This week I am experiencing my first "Call Day" gatherings

at the two seminaries that our church supports.

We married after that time in

my husband's ministry so it is a new thing.

There is a lot of excitement,

probably some trepidation

and also some plan ole giddiness

of watching God reveal the next phase of life....

When it is so new,

you really don't have

any idea of what you don't know...

and that is probably a good thing....

So we will tell them a bit about where we serve

and what God is doing......

There really isn't any kind of "protocol" for me

that I have been made aware of,

and I wanted to welcome the women and wives

to our District.

So I made them each one of the small canvases

that were gifts at our Pastor's Wives retreat this year.......

And the same time I was making these,

I ran across the following statistics

(and they are already three years old)

http://www.pastorburnout.com/pastor-burnout-statistics.html

According to the New York Times (August 1, 2010) (Not limited to Lutherans)

25% of pastors’ wives see their husband’s work schedule as a source of conflict.
33% [of pastors] say that being in ministry is an outright hazard to their family.
40% of pastors and 47% of spouses are suffering from burnout, frantic schedules, and/or unrealistic expectations.
45% of pastors’ wives say the greatest danger to them and their family is physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual burnout.
52% of pastors say they and their spouses believe that being in pastoral ministry is hazardous to their family’s well-being and health.
56% of pastors’ wives say that they have no close friends.
80% of pastors say they have insufficient time with their spouse.
80% [of pastors] believe that pastoral ministry affects their families negatively.
94% [of pastors] feel under pressure to have a perfect family.

So I wonder who at the seminary is talking to them about these real-life impacting numbers?

I see that one of the main areas for me to center

is praying for families

and helping to bring some family life encouragement

to all those Called to Serve in the Southeastern District.

I see that my job of praying for the church workers

is my job...

and what does that begin to look like?

Praying for church workers,

Praying for a husband and wife,

and those with children.

Praying for the churches

and towns they serve.

Here is the link to the Pinterest board where these prayers are collected:

http://pinterest.com/cdenninger/praying-for-the-southeastern-district/

Livin' Well

While visiting our oldest daughter in Hickory, NC

I was inspired by one of her recent art projects for the home.

One of my favorite sayings to keep a daily focus and examen-

It is well with my soul.

She used a canvas, mod-podged white tissue on,

some letters painted and glued on,

think maybe some glue drippings and swiggles that dried

some rub ons, burlap ribbon and pearl dangles-

Oh I just love dangles.

Art Canvas Design and Created by Jessica Meier

She made it without a glue gun....

(can you believe a child of mine does not own a glue gun?

Well, birthday coming up and we will have to take care of that!!

It greets visitors in the Guest Room-

and I love seeing it there......

It is just wonderful to visit your adult children and see the

homes they are creating with their own families.

And more that that,

that she lives knowing her Jesus,

and that makes all things,

no matter what,

WELL.

Friday, April 26, 2013

Livin' Mindful

A short note on some things in my week-

I was able to connect with a wonderful Lutheran blogger

on Tuesday by phone...

her name is Michelle DeRusha and she lives in Lincoln, NE.

Her blog is Michelle DeRusha.

We have never met, but I felt urgings to contact her.

She gave me some wonderful clarifications

for moving forward on my Capstone project.

After my hour and a half conversation (with a total stranger)-

I was giddy and walking about the house

doing some small house keeping things.

Picking up and putting up and away.

Sorting and stacking.

Talking to myself.

And NOT paying attention to what my hands were doing

when my mind was racing

a 100 miles an hour-

Ok - 500 miles.

Later, I stepped into the hall bathroom that our daughter is using

and then I saw it-

a whole stack of washcloths plopped down in the toilet bowl.

My mind shouted-

Who would have done this?

With closer inspection I saw them-

neatly folded and stacked.

Incriminating.

I knew that the only person

who would have plopped washcloths in the toilet

THAT WAY-

was me.

Oh, I often laugh when I say-

I just wish my head knew what my hands were doing!!

Well,

the drippy mess went back down to the washing machine,

and to save you all,

I did not take a picture for this blog post.

But, what a wonderful reminder for ME-

just how challenging this concept is -

of LIVING MINDFUL,

PAYING ATTENTION.

WATCHING THE DETAILS.

And seeing the process really does need my

eyes and mind synchronized in the challenge.

And on a more blissful note-

what I have been watching with delight.

Blooming lilacs.

Livin' Joyful

Nancy Kettner Karen Murr and Diana Alexander

Any retreat experience is Really about the PEOPLE

and here are the gifts assembled together

for the SED 2013

Retreat for the Wives of Pastors

Greeters to Welcome
Heidi Knill and Elise Carlson

Thanks to John Denninger for help unloading
and set up and looking at the Tech Challenges

Sharing and Listening

Left to Right- Darlene Quiram, Faye Krans, Carol Kreyling, Holly Borrasso,
Elise Carlson and Judy Pask

Rae Fangmeier
telling the Story of Counting her 1000 Gifts

Fran Kassouf and Laura Ramey

We loved seeing smiles

Judy Pask and Faye Krans

Nancy Kettner and Vivi Diefenthaler

Julie Black

Karen Murr

Mabelle Bloker and Martha Bickel

Renewing connections-
Pam Nieting and Joan Loesch

Maggie Harris and Precious Okai

Connie Denninger and Nancy Rueter

Diane Guelzow Linda Scherer Sandra Becker and Laura Ramey

Peg Green and Heidi Knill

Faye Krans and Carol Kreyling

Mabelle Bloker Martha Bickel and Christine Dennis-Johnson

Laura Ramey and Julie Nizinski

Carol Bitely and Judy Pask

Diana Alexander on the left

Darlene Quiram and Heather Rosenkoetter

Diane Guelzow and Linda Scherer

We loved listening to each other

Dorothy Roemer and Judy Kuehnert

We loved the stories

Darlene Quiram Heather Rosenkoetter Mabelle Bloker and Martha Bickel

We loved finding out ministry connections

A Common Experience Brings a Common Language

A Common Language Brings Community
And Listening and Caring Communities Thrive on Grace

We give thanks for the Gifts of the People:

Nancy Rueter- Retreat Team Planning and Logistics
Karen Olson- Retreat Team Planning and Brochures
Faye Krans- Name Tags
Pamela Nieting- Photography
Carol Bitely and Judy Pask- Hospitality
Elise Carlson- Registration and Finance
Presenters- Diane Guelzow and Connie Denninger
Diane Guelzow- Retreat Counselor
Lee Berson- Canvas Gifts
Carol Kreyling- Wockenfuss Candy Gift Coordination
Prayer Team- Linda Scherer and Vivi Diefenthaler
Shelly Thress- Music planning
Thrivent Financial
and
Chesapeake LWML
for grants.
THANK YOU!
And a special Thank you to those who trusted us
with their time to attend- without YOU-- There is no Retreat!
Your presence blessed us!

And with life circumstances we missed our dear friends-
Shelly Thress with the death of her father in law
Karen Olson with the death of her father
Ruth Schnepp in her support of her daughter Karen
Linda Miller in her support of Ellen Thress and family
and Marie Flahn with her travels-
who all had planned to be with us.
May you join in these retreat photos
and still join us on the journey of
Counting 1000 Gifts
and
Finding Joy Right Where We Are.

The Joy of the Lord is my strength!
Nehemiah 8:10