May 2016 - Shepherd of the Hills

May 2016
“Shepherd of the ills …”
By Pastor Scott Searl
Early last week, Saint Kevin (also known as our custodian extraordinaire) was
power washing our sign that faces out to Blake Road and Maloney Avenue. Made
of concrete, it’s painted white. Over time it turns a little green, and a little brown.
It gets covered with the elements of life: a little moss, a little mold, a little dirt, a
little snow and a little rain. The paint gets chipped by falling branches, dented by
rocks (tossed out by the mower), and scuffed by blowing sand. Kevin was giving it
the early spring power wash treatment when the spray blew off the “H” in Hills!
So, for a few days we were, “Shepherd of the ills Lutheran Church of Edina.” It
made a great Facebook post! You can go like us on Facebook and check it out! ☺
It also reminded me that we really are a gathering of people who are in a manner
of speaking, ill. We are not perfect. We don’t have it all together. We don’t have it
all figured out. We make mistakes, we hurt the people we love. Our hearts are
hardened for reasons unknown, even to us. We do dumb things we regret. We
forget to share with the poor. We get greedy and buy too many things. We are
human. And at the same time God is the Good Shepherd of the ills… Jesus is the
Shepherd of people like us who suffer from depression; People who get cancer;
People who get divorced; People who are in too much debt; People who get lost in
their own lives; People who have stolen.
We admit this truth when we say every week… “We are in bondage to sin and
cannot free ourselves.” Then, the Good Shepherd of all the ill people speaks to us,
“hear the greatest news… you are forgiven, you are loved, you are known, and
you are a beloved child of God.” It’s like power washing for the soul… the dirt is
washed away. The stains of guilt can be released. The mold and moss bleached
into dazzling white. Dents patched, scars healed, love spoken.
The Shepherd of the ills loves His ill people. Jesus even said so, “Those who are
well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not
the righteous, but sinners.”
Pastor’s Message continued on page 2
News
Shepherd of the Hills
Lutheran Church
500 Blake Road South
Edina, MN 55343
(952) 935-3457
Staff:
Pastors
Scott Searl & Joanna Mitchell
Assistant/Visitation Pastor
Fred Jensen
Director of Music/Organist
David Surdez
Shepherd’s Song Director
Emily Koski
Children’s Ministry Coordinator
Brian Henning
Administrative Assistant
Shawn Wacholz
Custodian
Kevin Wicks
Parish Nurse
Kaye Wothe
Center for Service Director
Katy Yannitelli
Church Council Members / Officers:
President
Kathy Wiemer
Vice President
Julie Showers
Treasurer
Quinn Driscoll
Financial Secretary
Dan Orlopp
Secretary
Open
Service
Scott Koelsch
Worship & Music
Ryan Sands
Building & Facilities
Dave Wiemer
Learning
Joan Dillon
Growing Relationships
Christa Meland
Caring
Gretchen Marble
LMCC
Hilary Nelson
Evaluation
Jason Miller
Telephone & Voice Mail Extensions:
Worship Times
Directions
Shawn Wacholz
Pastor Scott Searl
Pastor Joanna Mitchell
Brian Henning
Emily Koski
Emergency Message Mailbox
Kaye Wothe
Kevin Wicks
Shepherd Online!
Pastor Scott Searl
1
2
11
12
13
14
15
24
25
26
scott@sothchurch.com
Pastor Joanna Mitchell joanna.mitchell@sothchurch.com
Shawn Wacholz
office@sothchurch.com
Kaye Wothe
kaye.wothe@sothchurch.com
Brian Henning
brian.henning@sothchurch.com
Church web site
www.sothchurch.com
Center for Service
www.hopkinsvolunteers.org
Page 2
Pastor’s Message continued
I wish more people knew that this is who we are and what God says. I wish
more people would come and confess. It does in fact feel good to speak the
truth about our flaws, our faults, our mistakes, and misdeeds. It does in fact
feel good to hear the truth, that despite it all, you are loved. It is good to get
a little Jesus power washing for the spirit, even if it knocks the “H” out of
you…
I’m sure Saint Kevin will fix the sign. I’m sure we won’t publicly profess our
illness forever. But, as the grass turns green, the sun begins to shine, and life
is renewed, it’s good to remember that we all need a Shepherd, especially
one who loves all the ills. People like you and me!
News
PRESIDENT’S POST
By Kathy Wiemer, Church Council President
Spring at Shepherd!!
April was a mix of cold, snow, wind and some rain so it
will be interesting to see if the adage of “April showers
bring May flowers” will hold true for us this year! Our
daylight hours are getting longer and it is exciting to
observe the tree buds burst open, plants and flowers
pop out of the ground, and watch the wild birds and
animals preparing for their offspring to arrive. I feel that
same excitement when I see all the great things “springing forth” at
Shepherd:
We are in the process of onboarding our new Council members in their roles
and that is very exciting because of the enthusiasm and ideas that bubble up
during the process of learning their “job”. It takes some time to get familiar
with the Strategic Plan, get to know the Council members and learn how the
Council and ministry teams function, but eventually, it all comes together.
There are many wonderful events, activities and initiatives being offered in
which we can participate. I want to encourage you to seek out our Council
members and Staff to let them know of initiatives, events or activities that
you would like to see happening at Shepherd.
It is important to give feedback to those who organize these events so they
know what you like (or don’t like!!) to help shape future offerings. Our Staff
and Council leaders appreciate it!!
WOMEN’S
SALAD SUPPER
Tuesday, June 7
at 6:30 pm
Mark your calendars, Ladies! The
annual Shepherd of the Hills Salad
Supper will be held on Tuesday, June 7,
2016 at 6:30 pm. Tickets will be sold the
later part of May. Come join us for an
evening of wonderful fun, food, and
fellowship!
LADIES’
NIGHT OUT
Friday, May 20
at 6:00 pm
Join other women at
Shepherd of the Hills for a night of food
and fellowship. We will got to Naviya’s
Thai Brasserie in Linden Hills at 6:00
pm on Friday, May 20th. Please RSVP
at the Welcome Center or by calling
Amy Chi at 612-423-1129.
Outcome of April 24th Annual meeting will be covered in the June
newsletter.
Thanks for your continued support and prayers for your family of faith and
your church council leadership. As always, if you have any questions or
concerns about our life together please don’t hesitate to contact me or any
Council member.
Kathy Wiemer
NEW MEMBER CLASS
Monday, May 16 at 6:00 pm
Interested in joining the family of faith
at Shepherd? We’re hosting an evening
to learn more about our family and
meet some of our leaders. Come on
Monday, May 16th at 6:00pm-7:00pm
for a little history, a little information
about who we are and what we do, and
ways you and your family can
participate. Please let Shawn Wacholz
know in the church office either by
phone at 952-935-3457 or by email at
office@sothchurch.com or signing up
at the Welcome Center that you plan to
attend. We look forward to seeing you
there!
Page 3
Fellowship & Learning Opportunities
CIRCLE MEETINGS
GOOD COMPANY BREAKFAST
Deborah Circle
New members are welcome!
Friday, May 20 at 9:00 am
Date:
Time:
Hostess:
Location:
Bible Study:
Contact:
Thurs., May 12
9:30 a.m.
Norma Langehough
Adult Forum Room
Members
Norma Langehough
(952) 996-0630
Lois Circle
Date:
Time:
Hostess:
Location:
Tues., May 10
7:00 p.m.
Karen Schultz
512 John St.
Hopkins, MN
(952) 936-9786
Bible Study: Kelly Nelson
Contact:
Marge Bullemer
(952) 938-5078
WEDNESDAY MORNING
BIBLE STUDY
Come for Bible study, food, and
fellowship! The Wednesday morning
group meets at 9:30 am for coffee,
treats and fellowship before they
begin a Bible study. The Bible study
begins at 10:00 am and is based on
the following Sunday’s sermon text.
All are welcome.
After a great deal of remodeling and chef changing, the
Eden Avenue Grill has been transformed into a new
restaurant called Hilltop located at 4917 Eden Avenue just
south of Vernon Avenue and backing up to Hwy 100. The
Good Company group will be having a wonderful breakfast
there on Friday, May 20 at 9:00 am in the Patio room. All
church members and their guests are invited to try out the
new location and join us for fun, food and fellowship. If you are able to attend
please contact Barbara Felker at (952) 929-2813 or dollroom@sprynet.com to
be added to the reservation. Thank you.
OK5K RUN/WALK TO END HUNGER
Saturday May 21 at 8:00 am
Pastor Scott invites you to join him in support of ICA by
taking part in the OK5K. Here are the details:
What: 5K run/walk to end hunger in the west metro. All
proceeds after expenses will support the work of ICA
Food Shelf.
Where: Start and Finish the run/walk at Oak Knoll Lutheran Church
(600 Hopkins Crossroad, Minnetonka) and a 5K route through
park and residential areas of Minnetonka and Plymouth.
When: 8am Saturday May 21st start
Who: Anyone who wants to have fun, be active, and support the work
of ICA and ending hunger
Cost: Youth 18 and under prior to April 15: $10 April 16-May 18: $15
Race day: $18
Adults 19 and over prior to April 15: $20 April 16-May 18: $25
Race day: $28
Race day registrants are not guaranteed a T-Shirt.
How: Register to run/walk, volunteer, or donate funds at http://
OK5K.zapevent.com
Opportunities for volunteering include: race day logistics, registration of race
day participants, on-site hospitality, medical support, advertising, and
recruiting sponsors.
AAA 55+ DRIVING CLASS AT SHEPHERD
Thursday, May 26 1:00-5:00 pm
Page 4
The Driver Improvement course is open to the public; pre-registration is
required. A MN Highway Safety & Research Center certified instructor teaches
this class. By utilizing the most up-to-date research in the field, participants
will be provided the latest information in regards to driver safety, new laws,
and vehicle technology. Persons 55+ who complete the course qualify for a
10% discount on your auto insurance premium for three years, according to
Minnesota law. If you have taken the 8 hour class previously, then this 4 hour
class will help you keep your discount. Date: Thurs., May 26 Time: 1:00-5:00
p.m.; To register call toll free 1-888-234-1294.
Caring and Service
LOAVES &
FISHES
CONFIRMATION SUNDAY
May 15, 2016
On May 15, 2016 Adam Biewen, Chloe Bennett, Ethan Buss, Olivia Christensen
and Jacob Hobbs wlll affirm their baptism through the Rite of Confirmation.
Over the past three years this group of young people have been present in
our church in a variety of ways. Along with their regular confirmation classes
they have helped with kids’ time, written and lead prayers in worship, read
lessons, ushered, assisted with Altar Guild, served as acolytes and much
more. I have enjoyed very much getting to know them better and hearing
their questions about the bible, faith and about current events.
Thank you to all of their Lenten Mentors, Confirmation Mentors and most of
all to their parents for their commitment to bringing them to worship and
confirmation classes here at Shepherd of the Hills. I hope you will join me in
congratulating them and helping them find their place as adult members of
our congregation.
Monday, May 9
Mark your calendar for
our next serving date
of Monday, May 9. We prepare and
serve an evening meal at St. Gabriel's
Church (1310 Mainstreet, Hopkins).
We hope serving at a Hopkins location
will make it easier for members of
SOTH to help feed our
community. Timing is as follows:
4:00 to prepare, 5:00 to serve
and 6:00 for clean up. We are finished
by 6:45. If you would like more
information or are able to volunteer,
please contact the church office.
I pray that the Holy Spirit enlivens their faith and strengthens them in serving
others.
Pastor Joanna
Top:
Adam Biewen and his
confirmation mentor
Joel Nordin.
Bottom:
Ethan Buss and his
confirmation mentor
Karen Vevle.
Page 5
Worship
WORSHIP ASSISTANT SCHEDULE
DATE
TIME
LECTOR
COMMUNION
PRESENTERS
COMMUNION
ASSISTANTS
ALTAR
GUILD
USHERS
May 1
9:30
Reid Anderson
S Peterson / N Broholm
S Peterson / N Broholm
K Wiemer & K Boucher
Luers Team
May 8
9:30
S or P Bohnsack
R & G Morseth
R & G Morseth
B Edmundson & L Walker
Luers Team
May 15 9:30
Confirmation
K & J Wicks
K & J Wicks
N Broholm & K Iverson
Rinker Team
May 22 9:30
Celeste Gibson
RM Anderson / A Horsman
RM Anderson / A Horsman
G Morseth & J Grams
Rinker Team
May 29 9:30
Barb Johnson
E & B Edmundson
D & K Wiemer
J Luers & K Vevle
Rinker Team
June 5
Colleen Rose
L Kopperud / W Wollenberg L Kopperud / Wollenberg
K Schultz & L Lilly
Olsen Team
June 12 9:30
John Perry
R Blank / N Broholm
R Blank / N Broholm
M Bullemer & J Wicks
Olsen Team
June 19 9:30
Hub Nelson
S & L Edmundson
S & L Edmundson
N Broholm & L Rosendahl
Olsen Team
June 26 9:30
Diane Sands
P & B Johnson
P & B Johnson
L Kopperud & S Nash
Edmundson Team
Page 6
9:30
May 2016
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
1
2
3
4
5
6
9:30 Worship
10:30 Coffee & Fellowship
7:00 Troop Meetings
9:00 Quilting
1:00 Staff Meeting
9:30 Fellowship
10:00 Bible Study
6:00 Wed Programs
year-end celebration
5:45 TOPS Group
6:00 Staff Meeting
Office Closed at noon
8
9
10
11
12
13
Mother’s Day
9:30 Worship
10:00 Coffee & Fellowship
2:30 Caregiver Support
Loaves & Fishes
6:45 Shepherd’s Song
7:00 Troop Meetings
NEWSLETTER
DEADLINE
9:00 Quilting
1:00 Staff Meeting
5:30 Executive Team
7:00 Lois Circle
9:30 Fellowship
10:00 Bible Study
6:00 Confirmation
Banquet
9:30 Deborah Circle
5:45 TOPS Group
Office Closed at noon
15
16
17
18
19
20
Confirmation Sunday
9:30 Worship
10:30 Coffee & Fellowship
7:00 Troop Meetings
9:00 Quilting
1:00 Staff Meeting
6:00 Council Supper
6:30 Council Meeting
9:30 Fellowship
10:00 Bible Study
5:45 TOPS Group
9:00 Good Company
Breakfast
Office Closed at noon
22
23
24
25
26
27
9:30 Worship
10:30 Coffee & Fellowship
6:45 Shepherd’s Song
7:00 Troop Meetings
9:00 Quilting
1:00 Staff Meeting
9:30 Fellowship
10:00 Bible Study
1:00 AAA Driving Class Office Closed at noon
5:45 TOPS Group
29
30
31
9:30 Worship
10:30 Coffee & Fellowship
Memorial Day
Church Office Closed
1:00 Staff Meeting
Sat
7
14
21
28
Worship Schedule
Summer Worship Schedule
April 24 - September 18, 2016
9:30 a.m.
Regular Worship Schedule
September 27, 2015 - April 17, 2016
9:00 & 10:30 a.m. Worship
Page 7
CYF Ministries
THANK YOU FOR A GREAT YEAR!
By Brian Henning, Children’s Ministry
Coordinator
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
June 13th-June 17th
9:00-11:30am with afternoon care
available
Embark on a VBS Adventure That
Will Light Their Way!
Gear up for an over-the-top
underground adventure! Ground
kids in the rock-solid foundation of
God’s love, a love that takes us
through life’s dark times.
Three year olds-5th graders are
invited to join us for a fabulous week
of fun and learning. We will explore
together our faith by playing games,
through scientific experiments, bible
adventures and more.
Registration forms are available at
the Welcome Center and on our
website. Cost is $20 per child. There
are scholarships available.
Afternoon care will be available with
an additional fee of approximately
$20 per kid per day.
It’s hard to believe another school year has come and
gone already, but what a great year it has been! It
has truly been an honor to work with the kids and
the congregation over the past several months. The
ongoing support of and priority of the Children’s
Ministry has allowed Shepherd of the Hills to be a wonderful community for
our kids. So, I say, “Thanks be to God!” for Shepherd of the Hills and
everyone who is a part of it.
I would first like to thank three people in particular for the role they have
assumed in making WAM an enjoyable and productive experience. First, a
huge thanks to Marnie Teppen for all of her hard work in designing and
preparing the crafts each week. Art time is one of biggest activities the kids
look forward to most during the week and her skills have helped make the
Bible come to life. I would also like to thank Angie Raney and Greta
Edmundson for their commitment in assisting each week. Their assistance in
the room has helped in so many ways and has allowed us to focus on the
gifts and abilities of each child.
Second, I would like to offer a “job well done” to all of the kids for their
incredible hard work in all of the WAM choir rehearsals and during the
Christmas Program. Each of the performances were very well done and the
kids have really stepped up to the challenges given to them. It has been
awesome to see the kids overcome their fears by singing the solos and
learning the more difficult songs of the year by heart.
I would also like to thank all of the volunteers for making Kids' Time on
Sunday mornings a reality. Your hard work has helped the children creatively
identify with the Bible stories. However, it has also given the kids the
opportunity to meet different members of the congregation. These crossgenerational interactions have helped to further integrate this wonderful
community of faith.
Finally, I would like to thank the parents for your commitment to this
ministry. Week after week you entrust your children to us and we love having
them around. I also want to thank you for all you do behind the scenes for
this ministry: helping the kids memorize their song lyrics, providing
transportation, offering your words of encouragement, and anything else
that has helped transform this ministry into what it is today. It is all so
incredibly important and this ministry would not be what it is without you!
Again, I cannot reiterate enough just how wonderful it is to feel the love and
support from the congregation. I am weekly amazed watching the
congregation make the children of the community a priority.
Blessings to you during these summer months.
Yours in Christ,
Brian Henning
Children's Ministry Coordinator
Page 8
Staff Reflection
SUPERMOM’S SUITE OF
SUPERPOWERS
By Emily Koski, Shepherd’s Song director, wife and
Supermom
I’ve read many articles and blogs lately about the
idea of Supermom. The legend is that Supermom is someone who can
accomplish every task, taxi every child, and cook every meal, all with a
smile, a happy marriage, and a good career. Modern women have come out
dispelling this myth saying that it’s unrealistic and downright unfair for a
woman to be expected to do all of these things to perfection. I certainly
agree. However, in the spirit of Mother’s Day, I propose, instead, a new
version of Supermom. This new Supermom can (and does!) do it all, but she
does it with a most impressive superpower: she’s ok with doing things
imperfectly.
I came to this realization one day while trying to switch out my young boys’
clothes for the upcoming cooler weather. I could not get the summer
clothes sorted, folded and in the Rubbermaid bin without one of the boys
messing it all up. Eventually, I just shoved it all in and rushed to slam on the
lid before they could get to it again. This literally made my cry. Who was I?
This shoddy excuse for organization wasn’t how I did things! And it wasn’t
just the clothes. Going from one kid to two, work stress and the upcoming
holiday season had me at a breaking point. But, luckily, this incident made
me realize that what I thought was my kryptonite could actually become a
superpower! I decided to stop lamenting imperfection, and instead chose
to say, “Heck yeah! I got all those clothes in that box and slammed on the
lid before the toddler got in there. I’m Supermom!”
I’m finding that being a Supermom, in fact, carries with it a whole suite of
superpowers that are all perfectly imperfect:
Supermom remains upright. Keeping up with crazy schedules and daily
demands after nights on end with practically no sleep would have most
humans down for the count. Not Supermom! She peels herself out of bed
every morning and dives in.
Supermom is a master prioritizer. She zones in on exactly what needs to be
done to survive another day.
Supermom is proud to use her favorite suffix: “ish.” The house is clean-ish.
Dinner is healthy-ish. The family gets there on time-ish. Whereas
imperfection wasn’t previously an option, now accomplishing any task to
the point of “ish” is a reason to puff up her chest with pride.
Supermom loves taking care of herself. Pedicure? Impromptu shopping
trip? Dairy Queen drive through? Don’t mind if she does. Supermom does at
least one special thing for herself every day. Having something to look
forward to recharges her other superpowers.
Supermom exercises for sanity… or not… Who has time to care about
looking good or being healthy? Supermom hops on the treadmill to release
stress and maintain a bit of sanity. Or, if the thought of rocking it at the
gym is more stressful that abstaining for a few days, she rocks it sitting on
the couch instead.
Continued above
Supermom’s continued
And her greatest superpower of all…
Supermom doesn’t feel guilty about
any of it. She doesn’t waste time or
energy on the word “should.” She
just “does” or “doesn’t” and knows
they’re both equally ok.
I fully admit that I still cringe a bit
when dinner is only healthy-ish or
when I just can’t talk myself into
getting to the gym, but my hope is
that all of us ultimately realize that –
hey! We do this every day and we’re
heroes! So sit up a little straighter,
pat yourself on the back and take a
moment to proudly watch your
Supermom cape wave in the breeze.
Page 9
New Ministries
New Ministries continued
here.” Melissa is growing into her
identity as pastor all the while she
raises funds for a new congregation
and tries to discern where the spirit
might be leading her congregation to
go now.
In my meetings with Melissa I realize
that she has helped widen my own
vision of mission work. So many of
our neighborhoods in the metro area
are filled with people that are not
going to church and have not
experienced the good news of the
Gospel. Our neighborhoods are
changing too. Language barriers and
cultural differences get in the way. It
is hard to walk into an existing church
that is filled with well-established
long term members especially if you
are of another ethnicity. I think the
people who do this are incredibly
brave.
So how do we reach out to people in
our changing neighborhoods? How
do we share Jesus’ love within our
own community because there is a
need here just as much as anywhere
in the world? I believe it is through
starting new churches, churches that
are daring to try it in a new way.
Churches that are willing to be
vulnerable and on the edge just like
some of their members. I believe we
share the Gospel by listening to
people like Melissa who have passion
and conviction and who are daring to
not only build bridges of welcome but
as she often says walk across them.
I am so excited that on May 1st at our
9:30am worship Tapestry will be here
to share their story: their band will
play and Pastor Melissa will preach. I
hope that you will make every effort
to join us for worship and welcoming
the members of Tapestry to
Shepherd.
Page 10
NEW MINISTRIES, NEW PARTNERS,
NEW RELATIONSHIPS:
THANKS BE TO GOD
By Pastor Joanna Mitchell
When I think back about my first year of being a pastor I
remember how little I actually knew about how to do
things. I had passion and a call and I was willing to try new
things, but how to actually do them all, well that was
another story. I am so grateful to the people who helped
me in my first year of ministry: my colleague Steve Delzer and our entire staff
at Our Savior’s in Faribault. They were a tremendous gift to me. I don’t know
if I would still be in ministry today without their guidance, support and care.
It made all the difference.
Over the past few months, Shepherd of the Hills has started a partnership
with a mission-start congregation in Richfield Minnesota called Tapestry. It’s
a congregation that aims to reach out to diverse populations in Richfield and
it has a Latina flavor to their worship. Tapestry’s pastor, Melissa Melnick is a
first call pastor, although second career. Melissa has been a Spanish teacher
as well as a teacher to English Language Learners. Melissa is part of the
Cross-town Conference, which is the conference in which Shepherd
participates. I met Melissa a number of times before I came to the realization
that while Tapestry is housed at WoodLake Lutheran Church in Richfield, for
the most part she is on her own starting a new congregation. She would
often come to our conferences and spend a lot of time sharing, more than
the rest of us. It took me a while to realize that Melissa didn’t have a lot of
support, or at least not on a daily basis. And I will confess that I wasn’t all
that supportive at the time. I listened and learned from Melissa, but there
was no further conversation. When Melissa reached out to the churches in
our conference asking for them to partner with Tapestry something within
me was moved. Melissa was busy taking risks in ministry. She was working
hard to care for people living on the edge. She was advocating for people
who were losing their homes in low-income housing changes in Richfield and
she was raising up leaders in a congregation of people who had not been
exposed to the Christian faith before, or if they had, they had fallen through
the cracks. As I think about it now, I recognize I was missing the fact that
Melissa was falling through the cracks too. Who was supporting her on a
regular basis? Who were the people who when she had a hard day she could
talk to?
After much discussion, Pastor Scott and I felt called to be that support for
Melissa. We have invited her to join us at our staff meetings and I meet
regularly with Melissa. Most of what I do in our meetings is just listen. I
listen to what she is up to in ministry with Tapestry. I attempt to ask
questions that help her focus her efforts and more than anything I am just
there. It’s really simple. But through this process I have discovered that I am
blessed. Melissa comes with passion and spirit and a vision for the church in
our community. She comes with the knowledge of Spanish and an ability to
reach out to someone that I might not be able to and say, “you are welcome
Continued above.
Parish Nurse
SUMMER IS FOR
BOUNDARIES AND HULA HOOPS,
SABBATH AND COLORING
By Kaye Wothe, Parish Nurse
The arrival of summer is glorious and very welcomed;
however, it also is a transition for those of all ages.
For families it is a time when kids of all ages are
home (not in school). For some that means a change
in where their young children are cared for during
the day, for others it is the teenage challenge of work, chores at home,
use of the car, and the many things that all entails. For some it will bring
the return of college kids who have been living without oversight, doing as
they please with no worry of answering to anyone regarding basic choices
(and now are emptying the frig and never cooking, creating laundry they
may never plan to do, leaving gas tanks empty, etc. ... can you tell who has
college kids coming home? ☺
For everyone, with families or not, schedules change and with that
transitions and relationships change a bit with the arrival of summer. How
do we handle these transitions without hurting ourselves and/or others?
One key way is boundaries: knowing who you are and what you need to
not just survive but be healthy. Peg Roberts, from Spirit and Hope
Counseling, gave us a good illustration of boundaries by using hula hoops.
She placed hula hoops on the floor and had people stand in them,
explaining that the hoop is their space and boundary, and the person they
are interacting with is in their own hula hoop. This does not mean we
never get in other people's hula hoop. Sometimes we might put a foot in
theirs because they are a child or vulnerable older adult who needs our
intervention for safety or learning. But, as Peg pointed out, if you get too
much in other's hula hoop, then there is no one in your hula hoop, and
your boundaries and needs have disappeared. As a result, there is no one
there. I encourage you to use this hula hoop visualization as you transition
to summer, caring for your boundaries and respecting the boundaries of
others.
At the Women's Retreat our theme was Sabbath. It may be a long time
before I can allow myself to take a whole day off as a Sabbath. I am
convinced Sabbath is one big way God calls us to care for ourselves, and
be better for the creation and people around us. However, because for
too long I have worn my busy-ness as a badge of honor, it will take a while
for me to transition. I plan to work my way towards it now. How? I might
set my phone to chime a few times a day to remind me to take 5 minutes
of Sabbath (time to disconnect with the outer-world and connect with
myself and God) right then and there. Or maybe I will spend the first 10-15
minutes of the day being quiet and connecting with God (instead of email
and Facebook). Or in the evening I might sit down with a scripture loaded
coloring book and color while repeating the words of the verse or praying.
Or I might set aside a couple hours or half a day a week when I cannot
clean, or do things that doesn’t provide care to my soul. I might spend
some the time each week with my family and some of the time alone. I
Continued above
Summer Continued
will need some physical reminders to
help me sit down and be still. This
might be lighting a candle, putting a
prayer shawl on (ask me for one if you
need it), going to a space I can't work
in, planning a fun outing, or something
I haven’t discovered yet.
HOW DOES THIS RELATE TO THE
TRANSITION OF SUMMER?
This Sabbath practice may feel painful
for the time you "give up" getting yard
work, or other work done. However, I
promise that the time in Sabbath will
ultimately give you a peace and clarity
that will make you overall healthier
which will result in the following:
having a better relationship with other
people in your life, making you more
productive at other times, and helping
you see more clearly what is really
important and what are things you can
let go of.
Give it a try! The transition to summer
is hard so I encourage you to care for
yourself and other people during this
time. Let me know if I can help you
with your practice or discovering your
boundaries (I may not have the
answers, but I will be in the midst of
the discovery with you).
And, remember to wear your
sunscreen!
Page 11
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