“Dear Church... “ Exploration

Our world is burning--of course with the recent uprisings in Minneapolis and around the world, and yet in a less literal way, maybe more profoundly). Much of what figuratively stands ablaze are things we know to be destructive, ways of living in the dominant white, cis-male culture we didn't need in the first place, remnants of a devastating system of division and oppression designed to elevate some and push down others... primarily, racial injustice (racism).

How does God view the human-made and historically harmful construct of race? How does God engage culture and create unity across diverse peoples around the world? In what ways are we being invited to step into that activity with others? If you're interested in issues of racial justice and the church’s faithful response, then this exploration is for you... Join us!

Rest, Prayer, Food

Crow Wing State Park, MN. An exercise in noticing and documenting areas of life where God's creative action becomes real. God's actual creation, the natural world, is an obvious thread running throughout this piece. 

Daily Information Journal

Date: 9-23-19


6:00 am

Work up, check social media (FB, Twtr, IG), Apple news, caught up on Twins score, etc.

Church Website Quest

For each of the communities I visited, I will apply Anderson/Drescher’s approach to “LACE,” found in chapter 4, practicing the arts of digital ministry.

Social Media Mapping

My accounts: Facebook (contribute to), Instagram (ct), Twitter (ct), FacebookPage (ct), ClassDojo (ct), Nextdoor (ct/read), OfferUp (ct/r), MoundsView (r), Linked-in (r), REI (r), Yelp (r), Podbean (r), CraigsList (r), Vimeo (no longer visit), Youtube (nlv), Spotify (nlv), MySpace (nlv)

My Digital Story - Final Project

I made this as a final project for one of my Seminary courses. It's so fun to put all these elements together to illuminate or create new meaning...



I wrote the song in the video. Here are the lyrics...

Here We Are

V1:
Here we are, we gather here
Frail and unsure, we will sing your praise
Here we are, as one we’re here
Broken and scattered, we lift your name

Pre-Chorus 1:
We’ll see what your love can do
Show us what your love can do

Chorus:
You make sweet music from our broken melody
You do great things, though we refuse to see
You offer love through our cold and callused hands
Bind our hearts and unite our voices, we are here

V2:
Here we are, you call us here
Frail and unsure, you empower all
Here we are, unraveled ones
Broken and scattered, you make us whole

Pre-Chorus 2:
Bring us into your life
Lord, we give you our life

Bridge:
Bring us together then send us out
It’s not about who’s in or out

Over the course of exploring the final project, this original song became new to me, It became a way of understanding the Spirit's work through our social media presence and interactions to bring us together with a more meaningful sense of unity. The vast difference between community and conformity.

Break Free Into Community: A Theological Reflection

Sadness lurks, darkness falls, loneliness stifles. Tears of despair swell, frustration & anger burn. Something is wrong... But wait. Hold up… Joy arriving, shadow lifting, community responding. Tears of hope flow, triumph and agency build. All is right… for now.