Running a 5K?

Yes, I am running a 5K this May.

A zombie-themed 5K.

I started by walking a few miles a couple times the past week. This week I start with running intervals. By May, I should be set to run the 5K and do it in less than an hour. :)

In addition, I'm changing up the job-o-sphere.

And I have crazy amounts of schoolwork because it's midterms.

And I suddenly realized that I have actually imbued the language of a seminarian... How? Catching a ride back to campus with a friend from school, he and I were talking about denomination and theologies and creeds versus covenants. He had a friend in the back seat who was not part of the seminary world and I realized how completely different our language is... And the focus we put on things, where we place value, the details we discuss... So that was an interesting experience, to finally see myself as on the same level... It was refreshing.

And then I run Zombie 5K's. So I guess there's a good balance there. :)

Love you all. <3

I Give Up...

Lent is quickly approaching. This Wednesday, many of us will go to church, receive the imposition of ashes, and give up something for Lent.

Last year I gave up alcohol, the year before that sweets of any kind, and so on... And while "giving these things up" made going to the bar or dessert a little less enjoyable, I realize, for me at least, there was nothing in them that actually worked on my relationship with the Divine.

This year, I'm giving up one thing and taking on another.

I'm giving up negative self-talk. So, when I jokingly say negative things about myself or when I say negative things about myself and mean it, or when I catch myself thinking negative things about myself... I'm going to stop myself and say a short prayer/affirmation.

I'm taking on the practice of simplifying my own life - speaking in material terms - and of giving to those in need. I will make at least one run to Goodwill each week. I will not buy any shoes/clothes/etc. during Lent. Basically, if it's not food or school supplies, I don't really need to have it. And too much stuff, materially, tends to make me feel claustraphobic and cluttered emotionally, so we'll work on that this Lent by trying to trim it out of the material in an effort to help out on the emotional side as well.

What are you doing for Lent?

Spring Semester Begins

And thus the spring semester begins!

My courses this semester are Church Music, Parables, Early Christian History, and Intro to Christian Ethics. I am eager, in different ways, for each of these classes.

Church Music strikes a chord with me (bad pun very much intended) because I love music and I think it is such a key part of worship. Often times, for me personally, my worship is entirely music. It is playing my guitar or listening to an album or to people play. Music is my prayer and my praise and my lamentation. I'm excited to learn more ways to bring music, in its many forms, into the worship setting.
Sidenote: my favorite part of my history class this past fall was uncovering that my home church, back in the 17/1800s, placed such an emphasis on music in worship. It made me inexplicably happy to see that I had found a home whose spiritual DNA was very much like my own when it came to the importance of music in/as worship.

Parables should be an interesting class. It is my New Testament class and we look at what makes up a parable. One of the big projects is to prepare a sermon told entirely in parable form.

Early Christian History is going to be amazing because my favorite professor is teaching it. I had classes on Wednesday but it wasn't 'til I sat down in her class this morning that I felt like the semester had actually started - and that I was excited for it.

Ethics is going to be a great class, mostly because I am interested in the subject matter. It's always been one of those things I didn't really consider myself "smart enough" to discuss... But I am, actually, smart enough - there are just some things I need to learn in order to fully participate in the conversation. I am excited to do that.

In addition to classes, I've also begun the process to find a Field Education church for next year. That is exciting. I'm hoping to do something very different from my home church setting, where I served as the youth leader for the past five years.

Lots of new stuff is going on! And it is good stuff!

Hallelujah cover

So, every once in a while I post some music up in here. Click the link to see my newest addition.
Tell me what you think in the comments section on the YouTube page! :)

Where Is Church?

So this morning, I had intended to go see one of my sweet seminarian friends preach. That plan went out the window when I woke up at 10:05. I considered going to an 11 o' clock service at another church, rushing around to get ready and hop on the T... but it occured to me, what I really need right now is some "me and God" time... And I felt like walking. Yes, in the -2 degree wind chill, the best thing for my faith this morning was a walk.

So I packed up my laptop in my backpack, figuring I'd get lunch somewhere after my walk, and I took my iPhone (with headphones) and bundled up like Arctic Barbie and headed out into the blustery winds with The Decemberists' The King Is Dead as my soundtrack.

Here is a track-by-track of my spiritual formation this morning:

Don't Carry It All:
Beginning of song - This was a bad idea. It's cold outside.
Middle of song - Oh, wait, the sun is shining. I'm breathing. Things are not that bad.
End of song - Right, then. Things are actually pretty good.

Calamity Song:
I'll admit it, I broke into a kind of dance. The kind of dance you can only do with nine layers on. Sometimes this song makes me really happy.

Rise to Me:
Okay, God. I get it. Good morning, how are you? Thanks for checking in.
The lyrics of this song don't actually make sense in relation to the feeling it imbues in me.

Rox in the Box:
"Of dirt you're made and to dirt you will return.
So while we're living here,
let's get this little one thing clear,
There's plenty of men to die,
you don't jump your turn...
What were you meant for?
What were you meant for?"

January Hymn:
It is January. I can identify with this song. This song is good stuff.
"What were the words I meant to say before she left,
when I could see her breathe lead where she was going to.
Maybe I should just let it be,
and maybe it will all come back to me.
Sing oh, Janu, oh, January, oh."

Down By the Water:
Okay, this song doesn't actually inspire much... but it continues the good feeling.

All Arise!:
"But you keep on stealing, you keep on stealing,
yes, you keep on stealing 'til there's nothing left to steal."
I like this song too.

June Hymn:
I now have this calm that was not there when I woke up this morning. It is quite pleasant.

This Is Why We Fight:
I'm now in Starbucks contemplating this good feeling that has manifested itself in my brain.
"This is why, this is why we fight,
This is why we lie awake."

Dear Avery:
"Don't you shake alone, please, Avery, come home."

It's good stuff, friends.

And I think feelings like this are a big part of why my idea of church is so nebulous and unformed. What constitutes as church? Why does the order of worship and which hymnal we use matter so much? Why do I need an old white or stone building to minister to others?

No, I know that I don't. I don't know what my ministry is going to look like, but I hope it includes cold morning walks and indie folk-rock albums.

Sick :(

I am battling the Flu: Round 2. :(
I've been pretty much non-stop sleeping for the past three days. Friday and Saturday I thought I was better... then Sunday came round and I've had a fever, sore throat, and achey muscles since then.

Taking Dayquil round the clock.

Now I'm about to do the unthinkable and eat soup. SOUP - my arch-nemesis of food.

Good thoughts my way would be much appreciated. <3

Things I Did in 2011:

• Graduated from SCSU (with a B.A. in English & with a GPA that was over 3 points higher than the GPA I left school with in Spring 06)
• Was accepted to Andover Newton!!
• Moved to Massachusetts
• Started Seminary :)
• Placed in the Connecticut State University Poetry Contest and the Connecticut State University Fiction Contest
• Had a music benefit held in my honor
• Had/have teachers who really inspire me to learn
• Went to UCC General Synod in Tampa
• Was attacked by a pigeon at UCC General Synod in Tampa
• Built what was probably the coolest long-term fort ever in my room (yeah, i still do that at 24... it is an accomplishment)
• Left the publisher I used to work at, started working at Starbucks (stahbucks)
• Experienced, like, the longest winter ever... and then a crazy hurricane in the summer
• Read my poetry in public (at the Buttonwood Tree) with some great friends
• Went to my childhood best friend's wedding
• Saw my friend direct Pirates of Penzance
• Watched my youth group kids go off to follow their dreams
• Was published in Folio literary magazine :)
• Sent out poetry to other magazines
• Learned hand-building for ceramics
• Took piano lessons (for college credit!)
• Had a summer off from school (the first in 5 years!!)
• Made some awesome new friends at school/my new job <3 (this is my favorite!)
• And most recently: I bought a shelf (like two days ago) and it is the very first piece of furniture I bought for myself while not living with my family... I don't know if that should be an accomplishment, but I think it is. (it's a real classy shelf too... one of those MDF, pre-drilled holes, laminated shelves.) :)