Where The Grace Is

Daily Life is Changing

I have found my daily life is changing. Not one to bark up the tree, stir the waters or jump in on a conversation. My communication is changing. How, what and when I communicate is different now. It’s changed rapidly from sitting on the sidelines and being a wallflower. My social anxiety I once experienced is diminishing and I’m more opening to actually listening and responding appropriately. How? you might ask. Well, there are a few changes in my life and most of them I owe a thanks to God, to my Pastors, and to the fact that I am willing to accept, adapt and change with my roles at the church and for my calling. My life is so much better for all of the things happening in my life and communication has been the key factor.

How it all started

The first invite to a social gathering that I was a bit apprehensive and nervous about was to a dinner and presentation at an Interfaith gathering where there was a presentation about white supremacy. I was invited and I really wanted to go, but my social anxiety I knew would be a bit high due to a large number of people. Once there I was a wall flower, I sat in a chair and kept to myself at first, then my pastor introduced a couple of people to me, he wasn’t going to allow me not to make connections! Once that began and I found people were very friendly and curious as to my CLM journey and asked me questions I was able to relax. I found the environment accepting, welcoming and safe. I was able to drop my walls and enjoy the conversation, answer the questions asked, meet new people and enjoy the food, and concentrate on the presentation which opened my eyes.

The Trip to Montpelier

There was a UMC District Conference in Montpelier VT that Pastor Ralph had asked me if I was interested in going to. The D.S. was ending her 8 years and a celebration of her time was also happening and I had met her and wanted to go. Again a bit of anxiety but not anything like I’d normally would have experienced. Most of the people who were holding offices I had met online in zoom meetings over previous months during my CLM classes and such. Good conversation, laughs and ice cream. Who could say no to that?!

I enjoyed my time. Pastor Ralph and I had great conversations on the way to Montpelier and on the way back as well. He’s an amazing pastor and a great mentor!

Annual Conference

This was a biggie for me. I was excited, but I can’t say my social anxiety was amped. It wasn’t. I think I was just nervous. my first “big real deal” and I think I was more scared of getting lost than anything. But once there and Pastor Ralph showed me around and we found seats I was fine. I saw a few people I recognized from the District Conference, and from CLM zoom days and felt comfortable. I even wandered around to the tables in the hall during break time. We had lunch and continued with the conference. I felt like I belonged! Wait… I did belong. No doubt about it. I belonged in many ways.

Again Pastor Ralph and I did a lot of talking on the way to and from the conference and this is where communication came in. And will forever be changed for me. We talked about ministries to reach the community. The two things I’m passionate about I’ll be leading in the next couple of months. The other is something that Technically I didn’t come up with but I’ll be in charge of because I’m more computer savvy than he is so I took the lead. Read on to find more about them…

Pilot Program: Communtity Dinner for the Needy:

In September I’m heading a pilot program for three weeks to start a community dinner for the needy in the area where our church is. There are no “soup kitchens” in that end of town and there are no dinners for those who are homeless or low income. The idea is to offer a free dinner to the community on a Friday evening the 1st, 3rd and 4th weeks of the month for the first month and see how it goes. We will then reevaluate it at the end of September when the three weeks are finish and if it’s successful will continue with it. We are hoping that we can do a “give back” where we can invite the guests to help with setting tables and cleaning up as a way to give back for what they receive, of course it would be voluntary not required.

A community ministry I’ve dreamt about many times, and recently had been sitting down watching tv and knitting and said “What about a dinner for the homeless” (I don’t think those where my exact words but close enough).

Fresh Expressions – “Bottoms Up”

“Bottoms Up” is a Fresh Expressions that I am forming from an idea that I got from the Annual Conference when a presentation was given of a Fresh Expression for a walk was given. I looked into it and all sorts of Fresh Expressions are popping up and can be anything from hikes, to art, and roasting coffee beans, meeting in pubs to meeting in cafes. It’s a way for those who are spiritual but not sure where exactly they belong to get together and find conversation, support and a place to belong. The idea is to slowly give them a sense and understanding of where they belong. Eventually they will either “go where they feel they belong” or stay and continue as a “Bottoms Up” Those that stay will develop their own sense of “church” over time. The anchor church (my church) supports and monitors “Bottoms Up” and as it grows and I notice a need for another Fresh Expression I can either train members to continue Bottoms Up or train them to start other Fresh Expressions. Some Fresh Expressions have developed into street churches, others have become safe places for those uncomfortable in traditional churches and have become a place where they gather and share scripture, devotional, prayer and conversation, others become that and share a common hobby that donates the created items to charity or sell them and donate the money to a good cause.

This is in essence is one of my outreach ministries because it is reaching out to the community and is inclusive. This does not leave anyone out. All are welcome regardless of who they are or what their background is.

Podcast & Live Stream

Conversations with Pastor Ralph, Pastor Sue, Myself and others interested in having discussions about religion, and important issues. It’s important we have as a Beloved Community a face and voice and I believe podcasts and Facebook live stream would be the way to go in doing that. Another ministry to reach those we might not reach otherwise.

As I sit here and write this, I had realized before hand I’ve personally experienced a change in communication but I’ve had a real change as well with this blog. This was a major turning point in my life. This is a make it or break it endeavor. But it’s a learning curve as well. As having a domain and being able to see what’s getting views, and how many views over time I can see what’s working and what’s not and I can make adjustments. Daily in life, we turn to God for that, and I do that even with this blog. I ask him to lead me in his will. What message would he have me give today? What path would he lead me down today? Some days are easier than others, but communication every day is important and I have to say that God is working everyday with me to open me up and getting me to be more of a communicator than a wallflower. I listen with my ears AND heart to others, I ask questions, I don’t speak unless I know it’s something that I should say and I’m careful with my words. Listening intently, Speaking softly and wisely. I should say sometimes it’s easier most days to not say anything at all and just listen.

Communication is a two way street and it is key to get a long in this world.