Today’s post is by Kimberlee Conway Ireton, author of The Circle of Seasons: Meeting God in the Church Year and a newly released memoir, Cracking Up: A Postpartum Faith Crisis. Please forgive her wondering words today. She’s been reading too much N.D. Wilson.
Today’s post is being simultaneously published over on Godspace. Please forgive its wondering words. I’ve been reading too much N.D. Wilson.
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars that you have established;
what are human beings that you are mindful of them,
mortals that you care for them?
Psalm 8:3-4, ESV
A little girl with bobbed red hair, dressed head to toe in pink—she’s even carrying a pink backpack—just walked in the door of the café where I sit. She’s holding the hand of a middle-aged Latina woman.
A dark-haired young woman sits at the table across from mine. She taps away at her MacBook keyboard and sips a green smoothie.
Outside, a motorcycle rolls to a stop at the curb. Its tanned and tattooed rider flexes his forearm muscles in the autumn sun as he revs his engine and turns the corner.
The number two bus turns the corner. A blonde toddler hanging onto her mother’s hand crosses the street behind it. The mother’s booted feet strike the pavement with the force of hurry.
A boy only slightly older than my eldest and with hair the same color, crosses the street during a lull in the trickling traffic. His blue backpack bounces up and down in rhythm with his steps.
Cars roll to a stop at the four-way stop sign. Each car holds a driver, maybe some passengers. Each of those drivers, each passenger, each passerby on the sidewalk has a story, a place they’ve come from, a place they’re going.
Do you ever stop to wonder just how remarkable that is?
Do you ever stop to think that God knows each of their stories, those places they’re leaving and the places they’re heading for?
Do you ever ponder how deeply God loves the teenager with the lacrosse stick who’s walking past you? The middleschooler with her violin case? The shortest of the three boys crossing the street, the one wearing neon green athletic shoes? And his two companions, too?
Do you ever sit in awe at the incomprehensible enormity of a God who knows each of these passing strangers by name, who numbers the very hairs of their heads?
Do you ever marvel at the terrible odds against their paths and yours ever crossing? And the even greater odds against such a chance passing occurring on a Wednesday afternoon when the sun is shining and the air shimmers blue? (This is Seattle in October, after all.)
Do you ever smile at a total stranger and receive a smile in return? Do you pause to thank God for that moment of connection, that thread of communion, that tiny foretaste of a feast of friendship to come, not today or tomorrow or even in this life, but forever?
Do you ever wonder, if, when you reach the shores of that eternal land, the stranger who smiled at you on this blessed ordinary Wednesday afternoon will recognize you and you her and your hearts will leap for joy that you have known each other before?
Do you ever fall on your face in awe over the fact that anything at all exists, let alone you with your particular story, your past that leads to someone else’s past to someone else’s all the way back to the foundation of the world? Do you ever stop to think just how unlikely the particular combination of atoms that is you actually is?
Do you ever stop to ponder the God who formed each of your atoms from stardust and breathed life into them so that you could sit here in this café where strangers sip green smoothies at the next table and pass by outside the window? Do you see them? Every last one of them sitting, walking, driving, smoothie-drinking, stroller-pushing, boot-wearing, violin-carrying, inspirited stardust.
And when you finally see them for the glorious creatures that they are, do you ever say a prayer of blessing over them? Do you ever ask for their good? Do you ever pray for the glory that is in them to shine forth, blazing starlight into the darkness of a shattered world?
Do you ever stop? Do you ever see? Do you ever touch your stardust skin and raise your face to the starlit sky and cry glory?
image credit: NASA/ESA/STScI
Today’s post is written by James Rempt. A graduate of Trinity Western University, James Rempt currently works as a contractor for an Investment firm in Seattle, where he also lives. He is 28 years old and enjoys hiking, writing, fishing, playing music and working cross culturally, and is currently supporting a small church plant in the Seattle area. I was particularly interested to hear about James’s trip to Williston because I had also just read this article about the EPA allowing fracking waster water for consumption by animals and this one about a Texas town with no water because it is being used for fracking.
By now most Americans have heard of the controversial practice of “fracking” (or hydraulic fracturing); the process by which pressurized water and chemicals are used to break apart shale to extract trapped oil deposits. You may have also heard of the Bakken oil fields, a large area located throughout the Williston basin region of North Dakota. Thanks to the technological development of fracking, North Dakota is now second to Texas for oil production in the U.S and by 2010 production outstripped pipeline capacities for transporting oil out of the Bakken fields.
While on one hand this has created economic prosperity for oil companies and certain lucky prairie dwelling residents in towns like Williston, (not to mention fomented rumors of the United States maintaining net oil exports and becoming energy independent in the next decade), a sometimes overlooked side of this story involves the environmental risks of fracking and social and economic effects of this relatively new oil boom on near by communities. A number of articles have explored the sex industry’s growth in Williston, where prostitutes fly in on weekends from out of state to make upwards of 2k per night. While that and the stories of increased violence are notable (if not sensationalized), there is an over arching story of struggle and change, often with negative impact, that is rarely explored outside of the communities effected by the Bakken oil boom.
In August 2013, I traveled with 4 friends from my church to Williston North Dakota, a major hub of the Bakken fields. We went to learn more about this promised land of natural resource and plentiful economic opportunity, where its rumored truck drivers can make 100k in less than six months. Our desire was to listen to locals and produce a short film (posted below). What we discovered, in the words of my friend Justin Thomas, was a “broken promised land”. Some have certainly found prosperity as a result of the oil boom. But the citizens we spoke with in Williston, while somewhat hopeful for positive change in the future, almost all told stories of frustration, disappointment and serious community degradation. While officials we interviewed were quick to point to the “growing pains” and “prosperity” in Williston, the struggles that have arisen there (where in 7 years the population has increased by some estimates nearly 6 times its pre-oil boom level) are too great to ignore.
In the midst of this brokenness, the question inevitably arose, “How can the church be the church here”? With input from local public servants, educators, pastors and other residents from religious and nonreligious backgrounds we brainstormed a few ideas, creating a list (below) of needs the church has a unique opportunity to engage in “Boomtown USA”.
Fixed income housing and wellness support – While property values have increased substantially in Williston (spelling big rewards for those willing to sell or rent their properties), those with fixed or limited income have suffered greatly, especially the elderly. Subsidized resident housing or assistance in other areas of life like discounted vehicle repair, food, or living support for those on fixed income in Williston will go a long way towards allowing the community to survive the impact of the oil boom.
Resources for the homeless – The influx of workers into Williston has created such a high demand for temporary housing that hotel rooms and apartments are rented for greatly inflated prices. According to Amy Kruger, Executive director of the Williston Convention and Visitor Bureau, Williston has gone from having 607 hotel rooms to 1698 in only the last 2 years. Many of these hotels serve as short-term homes for those in the oil fields. For those who do not find work immediately, homelessness is a very real issue. Local services for the homeless are few. Churches and social centers in the area are not equipped physically, logistically or experientially to handle the spike in homelessness, especially in the midst of frigid North Dakotan winters. Some form of support or partnership with organizations working for positive change for the homeless or those poorly prepared to handle life in Williston is essential. Organizations that are already established in urban contexts elsewhere could help a prairie town like Williston, which has not established reliable networks for dealing with the types of social issues commonly found in urban centers.
Addiction rehabilitation services – Several public servants we spoke with mentioned the need for increased rehabilitation support. Community focused support in this area appears to be a notable need in Williston.
Man camp community support – Outreach to the living facilities that sprawl throughout the areas surrounding Williston known as “man camps” could be an incredible opportunity for the church to truly be the church in the Bakken fields. These facilities house thousands of workers far away from their social support systems back home, and could likely use some form of caring community. Our research revealed only one small ministry that advertised outreach to these facilities. If outreach could focus on these residents it could make a meaningful impact towards transformation and support.
Child care – There is a lack of available child care in Williston and the surrounding region. A ministry or non-profit providing day care, a pre-school, or other service could support those on the margins in Williston due to drastic cost of living increases.
Community integration programs –Locals told us that the temporary workers make little meaningful contribution to the community. Two key reasons are clear: 1. Long time residents of the region have seen several smaller oil booms in past decades and are calloused towards new comers (frequent reports of disorderly and careless behavior blamed on oil field workers certainly don’t help to warm relations). 2. Oil field workers are usually temporary and therefore rarely contribute to the community. If programs could be developed that both integrate those working in the oil fields into some aspects of the community and give them an alternative outlet to the destructive forms of recreation that often make headlines in the media, it may serve to relieve tensions in the community and bring about a greater level of health and communication. Something as simple as a sports league catering to those in the oil fields may serve this purpose.
One thing is certain; there is ample need for the church to be the church in Williston and the surrounding regions affected by the oil boom. More is needed than short-term outreach. We need people willing to live and reach out in a holistic way, to dig in and live “in light” of the message of gospel, listening to and attending to the needs of the community on every level.
Do you feel called to serve in this capacity? Do you feel called to support? If so, we would love to know! Contact: justint(at)calvaryfellowship.org
And please, take moment to watch the short film we put together here:
Williston, North Dakota from Calvary Fellowship on Vimeo.
As we race towards All Saints Day I find myself reflecting a lot on those who have gone before me and helped shape me into the person I am today. I think particularly of the prophetic voices that have challenged me through their words and actions to realize that the world is not as God intends it to be and that I should be involved in doing something about it.
Richard Rohr says “the role of the prophets is to call us out of numbness.” Since the beginning of time, prophetic voices both in and outside of scripture have been calling us to consider change of some sort. Sometimes it is spiritual change, other times it may be economic, political, or systemic change. Regardless of the emphasis, prophets challenge us to consider a better future. We live in a world that continues to change rapidly. We live in the midst of a rapidly changing world, church and environment. People are rising up and calling individuals, communities, nations, and everything in between out of numbness and toward justice, mercy, equality, and love.
The prophetic voices that have called me out of numbness this year are many and varied. Some are faithful friends and collaborators like Paul and Liz Sparks who came to dinner a couple of nights ago. Paul is one of the founders of the Parish Collective whose emphasis on presence, place and practice constantly challenges me to consider my own community involvement and outreach.
Other prophetic voices have come through my reading. Mark Van Steenwyk’s new book The Unkingdom of God: embracing the Subversive Power of Repentance, As Mark says:
Christianity is carrying a lot of baggage. Two thousand years of well-intended (and sometimes not so well-intended) attempts to carry forward the good news of God with us have resulted in some murky understandings of the teachings of Jesus and the culture of God’s kingdom. To embrace Christianity, sometimes we have to repent of what we’ve made of it.
Mark’s book challenges me to consider the many ways in which I still allow myself to be subverted by the ways of the world. A good reminder that I need on a regular basis.
Other prophetic voices have come through those I know that have died this year. Not just my mother but also people like Cal Uomoto who died just a year ago of cancer. Cal’s amazing work through World Relief here in Seattle with refugees challenges all of us As Titus,one of his sons shared:
My dad was a generous and kind man and from him we learned how to be compassionate.. He opened our home to people who had nothing, who were coming from war-stricken countries or from refugee camps where they’d lived for 10, 15 years. From those experiences, we gained a world perspective.
This year has brought me into contact with a rich array of people across the world, many of whom have spoken into my life in prophetic ways. For me this year many of the prophetic voices have not been well known inspirational speakers or cutting edge theologians. They have been the ordinary people who surround and support Tom and me and the MSA team and ministry. People who comment on this blog and constantly challenge me to walk with integrity and live the talk. People who encourage me to keep writing, praying and speaking out when I feel discouraged. People who support us when we come up with ideas like the Mustard Seed Village that sometimes sound more like si-fi imagining than reality.
All of us are prophetic voices for someone. Any time we encourage, support or cheer for someone to make decisions for a more just, more generous, more loving life we are being prophetic. We are helping bring their dreams and God’s dreams for the future into being and that is I think what being prophetic is all about.
Take some time this morning to think about the prophetic voices in your life. How can you, this All Saint’s Day, celebrate what they have contributed to you over the year?
It looks as though this week is a week for prayers. Maybe it is because Tom & I are getting ready for one of our quarterly retreat. The week before is always one of much reflection and contemplation for me. Much has happened for me and for Mustard Seed Associates in the last few months and I think this prayer which I wrote this morning reflects that.
From chaos to creativity,
From darkness to light,
From brokenness to wholeness,
You lead us Lord.
Through day and through night,
Through joy and through sorrow,
Through health and through illness,
You lead us Lord.
Behind us and before us,
On our left and on our right,
Above and below us,
You lead us Lord.
The circle of your presence embraces us,
The circle of your love surrounds us,
The circle of your redemption sets us free.
You lead us Lord.
I wrote this prayer this morning as I prayed for friends in Australia whose homes and livelihoods have been destroyed or damaged by fire today:
God Almighty giver and sustainer of life,
For those whose homes are threatened by fire,
we ask your mercy.
For those whose lives are threatened by flames,
We pray your protection.
For those who have lost all their possessions,
We prayer your comfort.
For those whose health is impaired by smoke,
We pray your healing.
Be with those who respond,
Keep safe firefighters, police and volunteers.
Make their efforts effective.
God in your mercy,
Hear our prayers.
Amen.
Christine Sine
Read updated prayer here
Iona cross with Bishop’s house in distance
We used this beautiful Celtic liturgy in church yesterday. It is called the Ionian Creed and is published in the Iona Abbey Worship Book
We believe in God above us,
maker and sustainer of all life,
of sun and moon, of water and earth,
of male and female.
We believe in God beside us,
Jesus Christ, the word made flesh,
born of a woman, servant of the poor,
tortured and nailed to a tree.
A man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief,
he died alone and forsaken.
He descended into the earth
to the place of death.
On the third day he rose from the tomb.
He ascended into heaven,
to be everywhere present throughout all ages,
and His kingdom will come on earth.
We believe in God within us,
the Holy Spirit burning with Pentecostal fire,
life-giving breath of the Church,
Spirit of healing and forgiveness,
source of all resurrection and of eternal life.
Amen
This week has been an amazing week of rich blessing on the Light for the Journey Facebook page thanks to John Birch, Micha Jazz and Bonnie Harr. Enjoy the prayers.
“May we never walk
in solitude or fear,
but the fellowship
of the Spirit
warm our hearts,
the love of the Saviour
bring us joy
and the shelter
of the Father’s arms
forever keep us safe.”
© John Birch: www.faithandworship.com
God of stillness and creative action
Help us find space for quietness today,
That we may live creatively,
Discover the inner meaning of silence
And learn the wisdom that heals the world.
Send peace and joy to each quiet place,
To all who are waiting and listening.
May your still small voice be heard
Through Christ in the love of the spirit. Amen
(Retreat Assocn.)
Posted by Contemplative network
This prayer was inspired by the encircling morning fog
God you fill us with your Spirit
So that we can hear your voice.
God you ask us to listen
So that we can know your ways.
God you send us out to serve
So that we can be your people.
Come down God of life,
Fill us with your love.
Come in Christ of peace,
Anoint us with compassion.
Come amongst us Spirit of joy
Teach us to celebrate your ways.
Christine Sine
Show me grace O God eternal
Show me grace.
Lead me to your saving light.
Show me mercy O God eternal
Show me mercy.
Provide answers for my prayers.
Show me compassion O God eternal
Show me compassion
Reach down and take my hand.
Then I can thank you for your justice,
I can praise you for your righteousness,
I can trust you for your faithfulness.
Christine Sine
Lead us to a mountaintop
within our daily lives,
a sacred space
where life takes on
a different pace,
for we are too busy, Lord,
and fail to hear you call.
Lead us to a mountaintop
within our daily lives,
a quiet place
where we can rest
in your embrace,
for we are too busy, Lord
and need to hear you call.
© John Birch: www.faithandworship.com
O Christ of the dove, grant us the purity of the Spirit.
O Christ of the sparrow, grant us the Father’s protection.
O Christ of the mother-hen, grant us shelter beneath your wing. Amen.
Bonaventure of Bagnoregio (1221-1274)
Posted by the Contemplative Network
Lord Jesus Christ
You have poured out your love on me,
You have poured out your life into me,
You have poured out your faithfulness around me.
Within and without you hold me secure.
Your Word is my joy,
Your ways are my passion,
Your presence is my desire.
Christine Sine
Every morning, let me hear of your mercies.
– Every morning, let me hear of your mercies.
Make me know the path I should follow.
– Every morning, let me hear of your mercies.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
– Every morning, let me hear of your mercies.
Posted by Contemplative network
Lord Jesus Christ,
May we pause to look
and see you in this moment.
Mountains red and white with morning sun,
Quiet gaps between traffic flow,
Smiling faces welcoming the day.
Lord jesus Christ,
May we draw breath,
and reflect on your presence,
enlivening all things,
sustaining all things,
transforming all things.
Lord Jesus Christ,
May this moment call me to respond
with just living,
generous giving,
grateful actions.
Christine Sine
Bless to us, O Lord,
the earth on which we walk,
each mountain top,
sunlit sky.
Bless to us, O Lord,
the beauty that we see,
soaring eagle,
butterfly.
Bless to us, O Lord,
the peace within our heart
when filled with joy
or sorrow.
Bless to us, O Lord,
the journey that we make,
the footsteps that
we follow.
©John Birch: http://www.facebook.com/
Seize God,
the weaver of heaven and earth.
Bring your past,
Bring the present day,
Bring the promise of the future,
before the Eternal One.
Seize God,
choose love,
seek the holy presence,
Let the Lord,
make your life extraordinary.
Christine Sine
Our sufferings bring acceptance,
acceptance brings hope:
and our hope will not deceive us,
for the Spirit has been poured into our hearts.
It is through the same Spirit that we pray:
– Stay with us, Lord, on our journey.
Posted by Contemplative Netowork.
Creator God,
on windswept beaches
your saints of old
held their hands up to you
in wonder and amazement,
felt your power through the roar
of wind and surf and,
exposed to the elements
felt a oneness
with the One
who had created all things.
This world does not often allow us
such intimacy with you, Father,
we are crowded out
by circumstances of our own choosing,
seeking fellowship with each other
rather than with you.
Forgive our unwillingness
to follow in the footsteps of your saints,
to meet you in the solitude of your creation.
Forgive our unwillingness
to get our feet wet
© John Birch – http://www.facebook.com/
Lord may I take time today
to be alone with you.
May I create the discipline of presence,
Knowing that inner retreat,
regardless of outer circumstances
is a gift worth pursuing.
May I remember that in the midst of storms
you slept in perfect confidence
rocked to sleep by your faith.
May I take courage when the waves swamp me
Knowing that to our cries of terror
you respond
be not afraid.
Christine Sine
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