Patricia's Passing Thoughts
Monday, June 8, 2009
I am writing this blog for the third time. Clearly there is much I have to learn about how this works. My book, "Work After Patriarchy: A Pastoral Persepctive" is now iityn publication. It is finally done! It is available at Xlibris, Barnes and Noble and it can be ordered at local bookstores. Jane Sabuga, my author representative at Xlibris was very helpful.
This week, needing a new car, we took the leap and bought one. I wanted an American car. I feel loyal to our industry and concerned that we hold on to our manufacturing capacity. I don't pretend to understand the economics or politics of it all. Call me nostaalgic, but I belong to an era when Detroit was at the leading edge of automotive production. We are not there any more. But our airlines, trains, and cars, our transportation network, is too important to abandon.
This week we were part of a congregation that participated in the ordination of Elizabeth Leavett who has been called to serve as designated co-pastor with Rob Mark at First Presbyterian church in Waltham. Tom and I have been serving there in the interim. The service was at Clarendon Hill Presbyterian Church where I served as pastor for seventeen years. Liz graduated from Harvard Divinity School where I was Director of Ministerial Studies before Clarendon Hill. Quite a convergence for me. Took me back to my own ordination. Ordaining a woman is now commonplace, praise God!
We wish Liz a fulfilling and blessed ministry. She will be installed in Waltham on the 28th when our work there will come to a close.
Meanwhile, Sara Herwig who is certified to receive a call to ministry waits. She is a transgendered, lesbian women, an elder in the Waltham Church, who, like many in our GLBT community are not yet accepted for ordination. We long and work for the day when this too will be commonplace.
Penned by Patrica Budd Kepler at 2:23 PM
Saturday, May 23, 2009
I have been working on a sermon for tomorrow and Jesus
prayer for his disciples that they might have joy. I must admit that I tripped over this concept. Of course you can pray that people might have joy, but how do you encourage it. We can be advocates for compassion, love, hope, justice, peace. But joy, that is a feeling not an action. So much of life is burdensome for so many people these days. Joy would be such a light in life. It could be life giving. Jesus actually compares joy to giving birth. Beyond the pain, which is soon forgotten, lies joy in bringing new life into the world. I know what he is talking about. Giving birth was such a joyful experience in my own life. Maybe we can be advocates for joy. Joy is a spiritual noticing of all that is good. I better get back to writing my sermon.
On another note, I am waiting for my author's copy of "Work Beyond Patriarchy: A Pastoral Perspective." It will be here soon. Do I dare throw away all the earlier manuscripts of this book and all the notes I have made and articles I have collected. I will hold on to them a little longer. But eventually I have to let go of them. This book is the culmination of all of that, the birthing of all that material if you will. The process leading up to the completion of the book is behind me. Thank goodness! Do I dare rejoice?
Penned by Patrica Budd Kepler at 8:53 AM
Monday, May 11, 2009
May 11. Another beutiful day. Two main accompaishments today: annual dermatologist's visit and final edits on my book have been sent to the publisher. The book should be out by the middle of June.
Penned by Patrica Budd Kepler at 7:27 PM
Sunday, May 10, 2009
May 10, Sunday, a beautiful day. Writing just before we have to leave for services at the Waltham Church. I am preaching. Yesterday we went to Jackson Smith's Memorial Service at New North Church in Hungham. Tom took part in the service. I knew Jackson at Harvard and he was acting Dean of studnets. Most of his life was spent as a minister of small church. He was the one who suggested Tom as Pastor of Nw North. The church was packed...an amazing tribute to him, everything reflecting the unique, extraorindary person he was. As his son said, there was something surreal about it because it was hard to imagine that he is gone. He was so present to so many people and touched so many lives.
Part of me wishes that we could have Memorial services while we are still alove. But I suspect it isn't until after we die that our lives fall into perspective and the softness of grace and love is poured out upon us. We have to take one another someshat for granted in daily life, though perhaps we could experiment more with the gratitude that befals us when someone we love takes leave.
Enough of yesterday. It is today and church and life beckons.
Penned by Patrica Budd Kepler at 4:58 AM
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Today is May 8, an overcast day in Boston. My Webmaster is visiting, Lenora Kepler, and my blog site is up! Yea! My next book, "Work After Patriarchy: A Pastoral Perspective" is in Galley form and will soon be in print. Lenora has given good advice on the cover. This is a short post as we are off for dinner. I consider myself launched. More later. P
Penned by Patrica Budd Kepler at 3:25 PM
Hi, check back soon for updates!
-Lenora (Webmaster)
Penned by L at 3:13 PM