We've just gotten back from our Trip to England!  I had a fabulous time over the pond and Husband and Andrew seemed to enjoy it too.

Here's a few sneak peaks at some pics I snapped.

The role and function of ministry personnel requires a great deal from a person.

Since I've begun this journey this is what I have indeed noticed!  It's hard enough working a regular job, I can only imagine the uncertainty and stress that would go along with being a Minister.  Being with people while they are sick, suffering, scared, at their worst would definitely tall a toll on someone.  I wonder if I would have the strength of character to fill such a position?  But, it's not all negative, right?  Week to week you are able to see individuals succeed, witness marriages, relationships, and happy times.  There is always so much to celebrate.  Are you born with strength of character?  Can you learn it?  Can it come slowly to you over the years?

As the church is discerning the outward call and the call of gifts, it might consider the evidence of or potential for the following gifts:

The question, as I see it, is how do I fit into these gifts...

• Deep spiritual life: Ministry requires a profound sense and experience of the Spirit of God within the individual, ongoing discernment of the Holy, and passion for being part of God’s mission in the world.

 This is a tall order!  Deep Spiritual Life?  How can one self-identify in this way?  Would it not simply be vanity or pride at that point?  It's hard to see things in yourself, that's for sure.  In fact, the more I reflect on this, in a way the less I feel connected to the Spirit and to my path.  Before, it felt like there was signs everywhere nudging me in this direction.  Pointing me towards Ministry, saying, "hey, come this way, this is where you are supposed to be."  Now, it feels like I am grasping at straws and not getting anywhere.  It's not so easy to just say:  Sense & Experience of the Spirit of God, Check!  Discernment of the Holy, Check!  Passion for being part of the mission, Check!


I am a part of God's mission in the world.  I am always taking part in attempting to discern what is Holy.  I am always looking to experience the Spirit.  But, am I able to put how I do this into words?  It's hard.

• Integrity of self: Authentic ministry is grounded in the integration of the emotional and spiritual self with acquired knowledge and abilities.

Do I have integrity?  Yes, I believe so.  I follow what I think is right.  I'm not afraid to speak my mind when appropriate.  I've read the statement about a dozen times already and to be honest, I don't know what they're getting at?  Are they getting at using everything you know in the right ways?  I'm having a hard time thinking this one through.

•  Understanding of human behaviour: Pastoral ministry requires a well-developed capacity for active listening. It also requires a psychological and sociological understanding of human dynamics in individuals and groups.

I'd like to think I'm good with people.  At work, people come to tell me their problems & I try to help them fix stuff.  I am a good, impartial listener.  At work I am viewed as being something like Switzerland, I always hear about both sides of scandal & controversy, but remain only a listener (but that is mostly because of where I work and the type of employee I am).  I would say that my understanding of people could definitely be improved with further study, but I think I've got the basics down (for the most part :P ).

• Scholarship: The ministry of leadership requires an ability to comprehend and teach theological concepts, the traditions of the church, and biblical scholarship, as well as to nurture the faith in others.

 Hands down, I like Academia.  I thoroughly enjoy learning about Religion & Theology.  Do I  have the capacity to teach these concepts and nurture Faith in others?  I think so.  At one time I did contemplate becoming a teacher and I was a Teacher's Assistant for a few years.  I taught special needs kids how to read.   But, sometimes I don't think well on my feet and I feel like I can't get out what I want to say.  I do worry about saying the right things at the right time.

• Commitment to and longing for justice: The commitment to work prophetically for all is the direct result of a robust faith.

 Definitely.

• Capacity for critical reflection: The ability to be self-critical, to assess situations appropriately, and to reflect on one’s actions and their effects on others is important. 

Well, I am self-critical to a fault.  I am insanely hard on myself, so this is probably not the best thing for me to get hung up on.

• Capacity to be a lifelong learner: The openness to admit there is much to be learned and a growing demonstration of the willingness to integrate new ideas, patterns of behaviours, and skills are essential for ministry.

Definitely.  I love learning.

• Appreciation of administration: Ministry requires respect for, and knowledge of, church polity and the ability to oversee the institutional health and well-being of a congregation or community ministry. Does the individual understand administration to be part of the call?

Now, when I hear the word administration I don't immediately think of what it says there.  I think of mad skillz and managing an office.  I think I could work up to being able to oversee the health and well-being of a congregation.  I would think that comes with experience, non?

In addition to the above gifts, the potential to develop certain skills is important. Leadership in ministry requires the ability to develop skills in preaching, counselling, outreach, education, leadership, administration, and group dynamics.

That's a big list-yet another big list! Didn't we cover those things just above?

This list is not meant to identify the “perfect” person or to provide a shopping list of qualities and skills. Clearly, no one person will ever embody all of these qualities perfectly. Nevertheless, it is a helpful guide in thinking about responding to a call to ministry.

It is helpful, but it sure is daunting.  After reading everything, I worry that it will be declared that I am not 'ideal' enough because I don't meet all the criteria.  But, then I think that is just me being hyper critical of myself again.

There is so much to think about. 

My next discernment committee is on Tuesday evening and so I have begun to focus more on the readings and the questions that we will be discussing.  This meeting is focussing on Ministry & Call.   My next few blog entries are going to be relating to this.

In the United Church there are 3 streams of Ministry.

Diaconal Ministry: 

Diaconal ministers are commissioned to carry out a ministry of education, service, and pastoral care. They are part of the one Order of Ministry in The United Church of Canada, sharing fully with those who are ordained. The word “diaconal” comes from the Greek word diakonia, which means service among others, and has it roots in the Christian scriptures.
Diaconal ministers seek to educate and enable all people, at various ages and stages of life, to work together toward a vision of justice and wholeness in the world. This ministry includes helping people to maintain relationships that are life-giving and sustain community. It is a ministry that requires the desire and ability to stand with the suffering and to work with them for healing, growth, dignity, and justice. . . Education for diaconal ministry is available through the Centre for Christian Studies (a theological school recognized by The United Church of Canada), which is located in Winnipeg. The centre offers a community-based program consisting of four years of study while serving in a ministry setting. . . Diaconal ministers serve in various capacities, such as in congregational ministry, in community development, as chaplains, in inner-city ministry, as overseas personnel, at lay education centres and theological schools, or in staff positions at presbytery/district, Conference, or General Council. Sometimes these ministries include worship and the sacraments. One significant aspect of this ministry is the cooperative “team” relationship that is central to the diaconal minister’s style and identity.

Ordained Ministry:

Ordained ministers are ordained to a ministry of word, sacrament, and pastoral care as part of the one Order of Ministry in The United Church of Canada. This ministry usually happens in a congregation where the ordained minister empowers the people of God, teaches, leads worship, preaches, and administers the sacraments and rites of the church. She or he also ministers to the community at large through her or his representative function and witness to the faith of Jesus Christ. . . Education for ordained ministry normally consists of an undergraduate program leading to a bachelor’s degree, followed by a three-year program of preparation for ministry leading to a Master of Divinity degree from a theological school recognized by the United Church.

Designated Lay Ministry:

A new program is being implemented that governs and equips lay members of the United Church to serve in paid accountable leadership for worship, pastoral care, education, and service in the church.

 That's the basic gist of the 3 of them.   Immediately, I am drawn to the Diaconal stream.  I am particularly interested in: " to work together toward a vision of justice and wholeness in the world", "It is a ministry that requires the desire and ability to stand with the suffering and to work with them for healing, growth, dignity, and justice", and "serve in various capacities, such as in congregational ministry, in community development, as chaplains, in inner-city ministry, as overseas personnel, at lay education centres and theological schools, or in staff positions at presbytery/district, Conference, or General Council."  This all sounds like the right combination of elements.

But, this is, kind of a backwards way to look at things.  We should begin at the beginning.

The beginning is a Call.  The United Church recognizes that All Christians are called to "participate in and extend the ministry of Jesus Christ by witnessing to the gospel in church and society."  In varying degrees we are all called to some form of Ministry within the Church.  Maybe we teach Sunday School, maybe we are lectionary readers, or greeters, or sing in the choir.  Whatever you do, that is what you have been called by God to do.  Some are called to be Leaders in the Church.

There are 4 elements to a Call as outlined by theologian H. Richard Niebuhr:

1. The Call to Be a Christian
The call to be a Christian is the common calling we all share, the call to discipleship of Jesus Christ—to hearing and doing the Word of God. The letter to the Ephesians (4:1) includes the reminder “to lead a life worthy of the calling [vocation] to which you have been called.” All Christian believers have a vocation to be “co-creators” and stewards of community and all creation, in order to fulfill God’s purposes for humanity. This is the call of all.

 2. The Call from God to a Specific Leadership Role
The call from God to a specific leadership role may come to some in the church. This is the call of some from within the call of all. In The United Church of Canada, people called to the Order of Ministry serving in paid, accountable ministry positions are known as ministry personnel.
One thing inward calls have in common is that each is different. Each of us is unique and special in God’s sight, so God approaches us in unique ways. . . However, many different voices call to us, so it is necessary to listen for and separate out the voice of God from the voice of society or our own self-interest. A personal spiritual experience that is the call to be a Christian may not be a call to the Order of Ministry.

3. The Outward or Providential Call
Hence, the third call that comes to some is the outward or providential call. This call, which comes from the wisdom, care, and guidance provided by God, recognizes God-given gifts and talents necessary to exercise the office of leadership as affirmed by the faith community. The purpose of the outward call is to examine and confirm the preliminary intuition of the call to a specific leadership role. The people of the faith community who nurture and support those who feel called in their struggle to find meaning, and the committees that interview those who feel called, are all part of this outward call.
Note that the call to a specific leadership role or the outward call is not more important than the call to be a Christian. They are different expressions of how God calls all of us to faithful living as we exercise our gifts for the glory of God and the well-being of our world and its inhabitants.

4. The Call of Gifts
The call of gifts is the confirmation and invitation of the church to engage in ministry personnel leadership in the church. In The United Church of Canada, presbyteries/districts and Conferences determine suitability and readiness through processes of discernment, education, formation, accompaniment, and examination.
The role and function of ministry personnel requires a great deal from a person. As the church is discerning the outward call and the call of gifts, it might consider the evidence of or potential for the following gifts:  Deep spiritual life, Integrity of self, Understanding of human behaviour, Scholarship, Commitment to and longing for justice, Capacity for critical reflection, Capacity to be a lifelong learner, and Appreciation of administration.  In addition to the above gifts, the potential to develop certain skills is important. Leadership in ministry requires the ability to develop skills in preaching, counselling, outreach, education, leadership, administration, and group dynamics.
This list is not meant to identify the “perfect” person or to provide a shopping list of qualities and skills. Clearly, no one person will ever embody all of these qualities perfectly. Nevertheless, it is a helpful guide in thinking about responding to a call to ministry.

 So, that's the guts of what I've been reflecting on and thinking about and reading about these past few weeks.

I have a firm grasp of #1 & #2.  I am a Christian and I do have a call to a specific leadership role within the Church.  I enjoying being the Family Ministry Coordinator at my church and participating on the Council. It's #3 & #4 that require more thought and reflection.  They will be the subject of my next post.

I have a problem.  I have a problem and I think I might be brave enough to finally admit it publicly.  Don't worry--it's nothing gross or upsetting.

I crochet items to be gifts and then never gift them to the intended recipient.  Sometimes finished objects sit in my stash until I sell them or use them myself.  Sometimes I give them to someone else.  Or sometimes I just seem to keep them.

That is kind of what happened with this baby blanket round ripple.  It was supposed to be for a co-workers brand new baby.  But, that baby is over 6 months already.  The yarn is not as soft and nice as I was hoping for.  My father had bought about a dozen skeins of the pink and blue from a garage sale last year for next to nothing.  I remember him being so proud of his find.  He brought them over to my house in 3 big Safeway Bags and then looked at me expectantly.  From the minute I saw it I knew it wasn't 'good' yarn.  I knew it was acryllic and would be scratchy, but I never expected it to feel like it did.  I wish that we had touchavision because then you could just touch it and see.  It feels like horse hair, rough coarse horse hair.

The bags sat there.  They sat there and sat there and sat there. I didn't know what to make with them.  The yarn sat there in bags for almost a year.  It took up so much space and yet I didn't want to throw it out.  Finally I decided to make a baby blanket.  I thought if I 'worked' the yarn it would get softer.  I can almost convince myself of anything if I really want to. :P

Now that it's finished, I don't want to give it to them.  I don't find it to be soft and cuddly and inviting.  It looks really nice in the pictures and in real life.

As I see it I have 3 options:  Unravel, make what I've made into a rug, or play it up as being an 'outside' blanket great for the park or beach?

Thinking of unraveling it makes me want to cry.  I did work on it for weeks and weeks. 

I'm not entirely too sure how I would make it into a rug?  I might be doing more internet research on this. 

I think my best bet is to play it up as an 'outdoor' blanket.  Great for picnics, the park, the beach, or the yard?  What does everyone think?

Today I wish Husband & Andrew a bon voyage as they begin their journey to the UK.  They are going ahead of me to spend extra time with Husbands parents and his friends.  Today they are going to Calgary and then flying out of Calgary on a direct flight to Manchester.

Andrew has been sooooo excited for days.  Husband has been excited as well (even though he wouldn't admit it).  The last few days have been a flurry of packing, making arrangements, and trying to get everything finished before they leave (which might have included making sure we watched the last 8 episodes of LOST and me making sure that the computer is functioning properly before my Computer Tech is not here--hah!).

Now that they are on that plane and on their way, it does feel pretty quiet here at home.  I have so much that I want to tackle while they are gone, but at the same time it feels like there is just wide open space until I leave in June.  So far, and it's only been about 5 hours since they left, I feel quite empty.  I've cleaned the living room, most of the kitchen, had a shower,  phoned my good friend & my mom & my grandma, and now I've settled in to watch TNG and crochet.  But, something doesn't feel as relaxing as I'd expected.  I suppose (& hope) that I will find my groove and count down the days until it's my turn to leave for the UK.  There's not too many to go now.

Hah!  Remember when I used to make posts about money and the state of my financial affairs?  I kind of fell off the personal finance blog-wagon.  It's been a long time friends.

Well, I have some confessions to make.

In the past year our debt has not gone down.

In the past year our debt has not remained the same.

In fact, our debt has grown.  Our credit cards carry balances, our LOC balance has increased.  Some examples?  The Yurt we rented went on CC, big dinners out with visiting friends went on the CC, the passport application fees went on our CC. 

I know what Gail would say.  I can hear her voice right now, "you can't spend more then you make" &; "you can't afford that" &; "you have to learn how to live on a budget" and so on.  I can even SEE her cringing.  But, we just can't stop spending.

We have our big trip to the UK coming up quick and while the flights are completely paid for and we have about 1K for spending money.  I have a very good feeling that some of the expenses will be going on a CC.

It's hard to get out of and yet so easy to get into.  I'm working on a plan that we can actually follow through with and succeed at.  No get out of debt quick schemes for us.  Slow and steady are going to win the race.

Since I posted about our recent Yurting trip many people have asked what exactly a Yurt is.  I'm here to give everyone the skinny, the downlow on Yurts and how wonderful they are.

& heck, I don't feel like thinking up a fancy new way of describing what a Yurt is, so I'll just let Wikipedia do the talking for me...

A yurt is a portable, felt-covered, wood lattice-framed dwelling structure traditionally used by nomads in the steppes of Central Asia. A yurt is more home-like in shape and build, with thicker walls than that of a tent.

Traditional yurts consist of a circular wooden frame carrying a felt cover. The felt is made from the wool of the flocks of sheep that accompany the pastoralists. The timber to make the external structure is not to be found on the treeless steppes, and must be obtained by trade in the valleys below.

Enthusiasts in other countries have taken the visual idea of the yurt—a round, semi-permanent tent—and have adapted it to their cultural needs. Although those structures may be copied to some extent from the originals found in Central Asia, they often have some different features in their design that adapt them to different climate and use.

In the United States and Canada, yurts are made using hi-tech materials. They are highly engineered and built for extreme weather conditions. In addition, erecting one can take days and they are not intended to be moved often. These North American yurts are better named yurt derivations, as they are no longer round felt homes that are easy to mount, dismount and transport

Now that we've go the boring definition out of the way, lets move on to the fun stuff.  Here are some pictures stolen from the internet so you can get an idea of what is out there.

As you can see, they can vary quite a bit.  You can have bathrooms, kitchens, second floors, lofts, the ideas are endless.  The Yurts we stayed in at Camp Morton Provincial Park are really comfort camping.  They about the size of your living room (16 feet in diameter) and have a heater, electricity, a futon, table, 4 chairs, and bunk beds.

I have made a little collage in Picasa with some of our pictures from our last 2 trips.  They are comfy little things.

From my research, a simple Yurt could cost as little as about $6K and a tricked out ones cost around $20K.  I used to think that The Provincial Park put the Yurts up every summer and then took them down for the winter, but after doing quite a bit of reading online, I think they are left there year round.  I wonder how the canvas remains undamaged, but I'm sure the Park has a system.  The Yurts where we stayed are definitely 3 season facilties.  They would do very in the fall and spring.  The little electric heater in them sure packs a punch.  I am definitely feeling a little Yurt crazy after our trip.  It would be wonderful to buy some rural property and instead of putting a cottage/cabin on it put a Yurt there.  Just a simple little Yurt.  :P

Here are some wonderufl websites to check out about Yurts
Pacific Yurts is like Yurt Porn.  Make sure to check out the Photo Gallery
Canadian Company Yurtco.
All sorts of information over at YurtInfo.
WoodlandYurt is a UK company.

Youtube has a few nice videos/slideshows that show the versatility of Yurts and their beauty.  Go to the tube and check out the many other vids.  Tres cool.





Enjoy!  Do some googling and maybe you'll find that a Park/Preserve in your area has Yurts to rent.

I recently downloaded Picasa and have been having enormous fun playing around with it.  Picasa is part of Google and didn't turn my computer all wonky or give me a virus or give me the dreaded blue screen of death.  It went rather smoothly, once I figured out that it was on my desktop and not in an internet tab.

I made the banner for my blog in Picasa.  I followed this tutorial and was pleased to learn how simple it really is.

I have also discovered that with the collage feature I can also make these...

I am so thoroughly impressed!  Picassa also imported all my pictures from my blog, so I didn't tediously have to transfer everything over.

I made this blanket out of scraps from my stash. It's made using the most beautiful and ingenious crochet stitch ever. I used this pattern - the corner to corner throw which I found on my new favourite website ravelry. Whoever thought it up is brilliant. However, it is not a pattern that translates well in words. I must have started and unraveled and started and unraveled a half dozen times before I decided to see if youtube had a video. Thank goodness they did, because I was lost. It took me a few watches, but I finally understood. (I wonder what people did in the days before Google and youtube?)

Once you start and understand, it is a very fast moving stitch. It works up wonderfully. I had, unfortunately, 2 problems with this blanket. (& they are completely and totally my fault)

1. The blanket is quite small. Granted, it is a baby blanket, but it is still small. I was very worried that I was going to run out of my 'colours'. Now, looking back I don't understand what I was thinking about in regards to those 'colours'. Orange, yellow, brownish-orange, pink, and hot pink don't really go together all that well. So, it's very small. Good for an infant I suppose, which is good because we actually know a few people that have just had babies.

2. I screwed up on the edging. It doesn't lay flat. The sad thing is is that I knew it was screwing up as I was going along, but I kept trying to convince myself that it was all going to work out. Hah. I should know by know not to trust my inner crocheting voice. I think it's simply my lazy conscious. I tried to add the scalloped edging in hopes that it would help it to lay flat...but it doesn't. I know I should unravel it...but I have no desire to try and fix it. I've already moved on to my next project (which is The Hexagon Baby Sweater--I said we have many friends that have just had babies). I think to the untrained crochet eye, they will not notice the ruffles--heck, they might even think that it's supposed to be ruffly, right? :P

All in all--

Will I use this stitch again? Absolutely. It's lovely and works up fast.

Will I ever use that colour combination again? No way Jose. It is straight out of 1977--the bad parts of 1977.

Will I pay more attention to my edging? Oh you better believe I will.

cheers!

~dinah

PS. I changed the blog template...what does everyone think? Better? Worse? Blase and boring now? Or elegant and refined?