Final Paper

So. Take all the material we have covered in the last fifteen weeks and write about an issue the church must deal with in the 21st century in light of all the writings we have read, all the issues the church has dealt with in the 20th century, and all the theological concerns we have covered. Whew! Daunting to say the least.

I work back through my notebook at everything we have discussed, researched, written about, struggled with. There are so many issues, so much church history, so much theology. Where to begin? First, a topic. Oh, and make it relevant to your ministry. My ministry? Praying for and with cancer patients? Creating and providing resources that will spiritually support cancer patients and survivors? OK.

So I select virtual community. Nowdays it is common for people to attend church online or via TV and never see anyone face to face. For cancer patients who are too weak, too compromised, too susceptible to germs, a virtual worship service, especially if oriented towards their coping with cancer, might be just the right approach. But I cannot get away from the need for personal encounter, for live community.

Yes, the topic will work. I can consider this question in light of the various topics we have encountered in the course. Now all I have to do is outline the sequence of the paper and fill in the paragraphs. Right. Oh, and draw some conclusions and make some applications and attempt to solve the question posed. Not gonna happen, but I will pose the question anyway. I anticipate about 20 hours of keyboarding brain bending labor. Better get started.

Batching It at the RWC Christmas Brunch

Every year the college hosts a Christmas brunch for all employees. It is a wonderful time for fellowship, for chatting casually with people you normally only do business with, for greeting family members, for breaking bread (and French toast and waffles and pastries and eggs and bacon and sausage and a myriad of delectable tasty treats) together.

There are tee shirts for the kids, family pictures taken near a decorated Christmas tree, canned goods and coats, hats, scarves collections, and gallons of coffee, tea, and juice. The boys enjoy coming every year, always surprised at how many people they know. During the year, they live and move in different realms and think they are isolated from my life, but really they intersect with my colleagues in many ways, from soccer to church and a million other paths.

This year, as the date drew closer, the boys abandoned me. Kiel had marriage counseling and Drew had robotics meetings and soccer. They both wanted to come, but life took them in other directions. I decided that without the boys, I would not go. I, too, had papers to write and duties to perform elsewhere. Besides, what good is a family portrait without the family? I'm not used to going solo.

I headed to my office to work on my paper. I saw people still going into Garlock for the brunch. I remembered past years and the great conversations and thought of my friends over there right now eating and laughing and chatting. What was I thinking? Of course I should go, even if I do go by myself. Why would I deprive myself of friendship just because my boys are out of sync?

I dropped my stuff in the office and headed right back out. The dining hall is warm and filled with tantalizing aromas. The waffle chefs are in full production, the hot steaming irons being manned by the Provost, the Academic Dean and the Director of Student Services. I stand in line drooling. Several people come up and chat while I wait - some of them I haven't talked to in months.

I am invited to sit at three different tables, but I select the one with people I know the least, hoping to get to know them better. Two hours flies by in what seems moments. I don't really eat a lot, but I am woven into numerous conversations. It is wonderful to be part of a family this huge, to be welcomed, to be considered one of the crowd. I wouldn't have missed this for anything.

I finally tear myself away, the paper looming over my head. I grab tee shirts for the boys and head back to the quiet and chill of my office, my heart still warmed by the friendship offered. Nice. Very nice.

Surprise!

Sometimes surprises bring good happiness. One of the women in our Learning Center is getting married. This is a second marriage for her, and a wonderful encouragement for those of us who are older and would like to find someone too. I wondered if she had any idea that the bridal shower was planned. Surely she saw all the extra people wandering into the Library - or at least the huge boxes of pastries and carafes of coffee being carted upstairs.

We gathered together in front of the fireplace, inhaling the wonderful aromas of food while we waited for the suspect to arrive. She sauntered down the hallway chatting with her colleague, little suspecting what awaited her around the corner. "Surprise!" we all yelled. And she was! What a grand time we had querying her about the upcoming wedding and honeymoon. We who deal in ordinary life were hungry for details about special events unfolding nearby. We were eager to gather a bit of vicarious joy.

Perhaps we were all a bit jealous of her happiness on the one hand, and relieved we were not going through the stress of lining up myriad details and dealing with the ensuing changes that would surely hit during the settling in process on the other hand. Between the crackling fire behind us, the delicious cinnamon rolls and coffee before us, and the fellowship of women as only women can know, the morning was delightful.

Though reticent to end the celebration, we all had schedules and piles of paperwork drawing us back to the everyday. We will continue to be happy for our friend and pray that her wedding and upcoming days will go smoothly and bring much pleasure and peace to them both.