Underground

Driving has done us well. We've made it from the southern part of England through the "Midlands" to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne and now to Durham. Tomorrow, we return to our "home base" near Cambridge and turn in the rental car. The rest of the time here in Europe, we will be traveling by train or by bus.

There are many, many things we could say... but one theme that has connected our different parts of England is "underground." In Bath, we saw what treasure an everyday-dig brought forth - the discovery of the ancient Roman baths. Not far from there, we took the children to Wookey Hole where we explored underground caves with a spectacularly clear river running through it. In northern England, we explored castles and saw the "underground" very scary dungeons. On the Holy Island*, the road went underground - or maybe better said "underwater" - as it does each day as the tide comes in and out. You can only travel to and from the island at certain times... thus we arrived by road in the morning and left when the road reappeared in the evening.

So much story lies beneath. In fact, maybe it is safe to say that the real story lies beneath. This is true of our own individual stories, too. People meet each other at surface level and we often get no further - not even at church. But we have stories underneath - sometimes terrifying and hurtful (like dungeons)... sometimes healing (like the baths)... sometimes intriguing (like the road to the island)... but those stories always reveal something. So dig into your own story... we've had to do some digging into ours... like Chamie discovering that "Lord Shelburne" (that's her maiden name, an English name) is a well-known, prominent man around here. We've had to wrestle with our undersides, the good and bad that travel brings out of you. There are so many stories underneath... so, yes, listen and learn from your own underground story... and take the time, too, to get to know someone else a little bit deeper.

We will tell you more story when we get the chance. Until then, thank you for the prayers; you are in ours, too.



* We will have Aidan write to you about the Holy Island - where St. Aidan was a missionary in 635 AD.

Driving Lessons

Written by Chamie

After several panicked gasps from me, after several snarls from Tim, and after approximately 23 wrong turns (those damn British roundabouts), we concluded that driving through England could be a very strong test of our marriage. Getting to and from Coventry yesterday was quite a... spectacle, I guess you could say. If you are unfamiliar with Coventry, the cathedral there was bombed during World War II. The ruins stand next to the newly built cathedral as a testament to peace and reconciliation. As I made my way up the stairs and stood before the rubbled altar, I could do nothing but weep. I felt heavy with the weight of war and hate and violence. I imagined what my grandfather must have faced when he fought in Europe. I thought of him crying decades later as he held my mother's hand while watching SAVING PRIVATE RYAN at the movie theater. And then the words of Jesus, there at that rubbled altar, spoke to me in an utterly overwhelming way, "Father, forgive them." I couldn't stop my tears. We as Christians are called to such radical forgiveness. This also includes forgiving our husbands for getting in the wrong lane, our wives for muttering over errors and maps, and the British for their roundabouts.

Today was much easier in terms of driving. It helps when you are following a local. We have been richly blessed with Mr. and Mrs. George & Linda Denman, the parents-in-law of one of Tim's best friends from high school. They live in a little place called Stoney Stratton. The NEW part of their home was built in 1796 - the older part, probably about 300 years before that. We are all quite taken by the fact that we have been warmly welcomed into this beautiful historical home - with such lovely grounds to boot. Today Linda led us to Wells Cathedral and Glastonbury Abbey. We stopped on the roadside to picnic in a random meadow on the way between the two locations; the children thought this was rather grand. Tim and I were struck, in particular, by Glastonbury. It is said to be the beginning point of Christianity in England. Today, though much-visited, the abbey lies in ruins, not due to bombing, but reformation, changing tides, neglect... After touring the abbey grounds, Tim and I strolled the main street of town and noted a shop for physic reading, a Sufi library, a store called Ying and Yang, places to buy things like crystals and candles and oils, and about every other form of spirituality you can imagine. In the car on the way home, we talked about how you live the truth of Jesus in such an eclectic world. We were able to talk theology and drive safely at the same time - a true accomplishment.

Tonight we lit the candle and gave thanks for forgiveness, truth, the light of Jesus, hospitality, grace, and safe travels. Amen.

Rhythm: ALL MIXED UP

We meant to "wrap up" talking about the family rhythms of prayer, study, work, play, and rest while at Avila Beach. But I guess you could say we got too busy working (yes, even on sabbatical, there is the work of dishes and laundry and confirmation of travel plans and so on and so on)... and we did get too busy playing and resting as well.

And then today we arrived in England and we're not really sure what time it is and Chamie still doesn't feel she has yet got her "land feet" back and all the cars are on the wrong side of the road, so you could say our rhythm is all mixed up. But we had a pint of beer with friends at the local pub and our gathered six children became fast friends in the matter of seconds and we still lit our candle tonight before going to bed.

Tomorrow morning, we head out to sights of Christian history - like Salsibury Cathedral. We had a little glimpse of history tonight when we poked our heads in the old church on our way back from the pub. The choir was practicing, so the old building is still a place of present worship. But on the wall were listed the names of the abbots - the first one starting in 1160. We invite you to ponder for a moment - to try to wrap your head around - how many faithful followers of Jesus have gone before us. We are part of an enormous, beautiful - and true, sometimes heartbreaking - yet amazing story. We look forward to sharing with you the weaving of old stories with new stories. For now, though, goodnight... or good morning... or whatever the heck time it is. May you know that we have arrived here well and good and we pray that you are well and good, too.

Rhythm: STUDY

Written by Chamie

We've been grateful to live in this rhythm of prayer/worship... starting and closing our days with the prayer candle... Sundays worshipping with family and friends...  It is something we can carry with us wherever we go.

Another rhythm we have been choregraphing is "study." In some ways, you could say that it is the first sabbatical rhythm we adopted because we had to prepare out of necessity - Aidan would normally be attending 2nd grade at school. When Tim started applying for sabbatical grants, one of the first people we spoke to was Principal Lavik. "How might this look for Aidan?" we asked. 

Aidan has been blessed with a curiosity for life. He always likes to explore, ask questions, and discover a new place, person, or thing. On his own volition and unbeknownst to us, he took a crowded page of sermon notes last Sunday. We were rather impressed as well as amused at them when he showed us after worship. It was also Aidan who coined the word "modattical." It stands for "mom," "dad," and "sabbatical." Everyday we have "Modattical School." They even have "uniforms" which all three children made themselves and are rather proud of. Currently, we are attempting to finish all of Aidan's second grade book studies prior to leaving for England. 

Morning study has become a rhythm for us. But Aidan isn't the only one studying - we all are. We desire to carry this spirit of wanting to grow and learn with us our entire lives. Each day, Tim and I take turns grabbing a book and heading to the local beachside coffee shop to study.* Our study-buddy Aidan joins us and sits across the table with his own studies. In addition, "Mr. Modattical" (aka Dad) has taken the children down to the beach for P.E. class where they play soccer. Madame Modattical (aka Mom) has attempted teaching French (with a CD).

How can any of us play a sport well or know how to communicate in a different language or gain the skills of a profession if we don't study them? Study has been a key component of the Christian life across the ages. This has, of course, always included the study of scripture, but also the study of subjects like science, literature, language, history, and astronomy. In fact, did you know that Sunday School began NOT as a means to teach children scripture (they did that at home) but as a means to teach children the basics of reading, writing, and artithmatic? Children commonly were in the labor force in those days and were unable to go to school during the week. Thus the church concluded they could serve children by helping their minds on Sundays. Furthermore, do you know that Martin Luther said if he could be anything other than a pastor, he would be a teacher?** John Wesley and the Methodists (I just can't let Luther have the last word here), emphasized the importance of "faith and knowledge." When I served as campus pastor at South Dakota State University, it was the words "where faith and knowledge meet" that were etched into the cornerstone of our Wesley Center Chapel. 

May "study" be for you not drudgery or burden, but blessing and passion and possibility! I have this theory that the more we study the stars and the octopus and the human cell and the history of the world and the literary greats and the theories of therapy - and, yes, the words of scripture - the more we will have seen and heard God.

____________________________________

* WHAT ARE WE READING ON SABBATICAL? In case you are wondering, Tim has thus far read The Contemplative Pastor by Eugune Peterson and The Reason for God by Timothy Keller. He is now reading Sabbath by Wayne Muller and Grace-Based Parenting by Timothy Kimmel. I have read An Altar in the World by Barbara Brown Taylor and The Danger of Raising Nice Kids by Timothy Smith, and several essays from The Child in Christian Thought by Marcia Bunge. I'm now reading Growing Compassionate Kids by Jan Johnson as well as Notes from a Small Island by Bill Bryson.

** SO, I CONFESS... LUTHER HAS A LOT OF GOOD THINGS TO SAY ABOUT STUDY AND EDUCATION... HERE'S A FEW:

“If I could leave the preaching office and my other duties, or had to do so, there is no other office I would rather have than that of schoolmaster or teacher ... for I know that next to that of preaching, this is the best, greatest, and most useful office there is ... It surely has to be one of the supreme virtues on earth faithfully to train other people’s children....”

“I shall say nothing here about the pure pleasure a [person] gets from having studied, even though he never holds an office of any kind, how at home by himself he can read all kinds of things, talk and associate with educated people, and travel and do business in foreign lands....”

“You parents cannot prepare a more dependable treasure for your children than an education in the liberal arts…”

“What do we older folks live for if not for the care of the young, to teach and train them? The prosperity of a city does not depend on the accumulation of great riches, the building of walls and houses.... Rather, a city’s greatest and best prosperity, salvation, and power is this that it has many fine, learned, sensible, righteous, well-trained Christian citizens.”

Rhythm: WORSHIP

Written by Tim

I have had two weeks to think about worship…. and two weeks of struggling as to what to say. I have concluded that worship is just too big of a subject, so I will simply share a couple of thoughts that I have been chewing on…

Here’s one… people in our culture often ask, “Well, why should I even go to church?” Perhaps they rationalize by saying, “Well, I can worship anywhere - out in nature, at home, in the shower.” Or perhaps they say, “Church is boring.” Churches in the United States, on any given weekend, have about a third of their membership in worship. Some of those folks who don’t show up might be traveling or sick, but most have simply lost the priority of being a part of weekly worship. Why doesn’t one go to worship? Well, if the answer is sports, then I would say that sports is the priority. If the answer is “church is boring” then the maybe priority is entertainment.

To me the question really is “why not go to church?” While this is a bit self-serving - I am a pastor after all - I think going to weekly worship at with the gathered church is such and important rhythm to get into. It helps us each week to give glory to God, to hear the story of Jesus, and to refocus on the mission God gives us.

Every morning I am reminded of the delight that God takes in us worshipping. I have observed that as each one of my kids wake up in the morning on sabbatical, they don’t head right toward the kitchen to get food, or to the living room to turn on the TV, or even go to the bathroom. Rather, they come and find their parents and say, “Good morning! I love you!” There is nothing like this to start my day. It’s all I need to keep me going. In many ways, I think this is what people are doing when they gather together to worship God. In many ways, I wonder if God feels the same way as me… only more.

And one more thought… I also think that worship is not ever meant to be laborious. It really is meant to be an automatic response to God’s grace. For this reason worship isn’t just a “Sunday morning thing.” It is (and there are many words I can use here) a “lifestyle.” Jesus once said “those who have eyes to see let them see.” In my sabbatical rest, my eyes have been a bit more open to see the pervasive presence of God more often. I have been able to think a bit more about God’s incredible, abundant provision. It has caused moments of utter gratitude.

I was riding my bike out in the midst of the vineyards of the central coast. It was just me, my bike, and the birds and the grapes. A car couldn’t be spotted for miles. I thought of the Annie Dillard quote when she was out on stroll in Tinker Creek, “with every step one foot was saying ‘glory’ and the other was saying ‘amen!’” With every pedal one foot was saying “glory” and the other was say “amen.”

I have so many other thoughts about the great Catholic and Methodist churches at which we have worshipped, but I will spare you…for a time.

NOTE - We've had the great blessing of worshipping at the San Luis Obispo Mission where my brother, sister-in-law, and three nephews are members. They also joined us, along with my sister Judy who lives in nearby Shell Beach, when we worshipped at the Methodist Church where Chamie's friend and colleague, Rev. Jane Voigts, serves as pastor.