As has become standard procedure here, I will offer a few links to things that I have found particuarly interesting or thought-provoking in the past week.
1. I must admit, I am not too proud of a few of my fellow Northwesterners, who have taken "political correctness" to the extreme. To call "Easter Eggs," SPRING SPHERES seems to not only be ludicrous, it also seems to possibly set up young students for failure in geometry. Plus, Easter Eggs really are not religious, but perhaps this is beside the point?
2. Bishop Mark Hanson has made my links two weeks in a row, this has to be an unusal achievement. I really appreciate the thoughts he provides linking the hope of Easter with the hope of finding life in the aftermath of destruction, such as the earthquake in Haiti. It is a good hope filled Easter reflection, with a call to respond.
3. My alma mater, PLU, recently had an important dedication on a small but meaningful project with its mission to be sustainable and a place of good environmental stewardship.
4. And on a final note, also in the PLU sphere, I really wish that I was going to be home in time to join my Lute friends and family in hearing the great Desmond Tutu in Tacoma on May 13th.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Glimpses of Grace from Easter Sunday 2011
The night before Easter got off to a questionable start when I found a bug in my bed. This one bug ended up costing Allison and I any quality sleep on our short night. But oh well, all was made well the next day.
You know that you have to be excited in order to have energy and smile when being up at 4am on a Sunday morning. But this was no problem for me, I mean, after all Easter is my favorite day of the year. It always has been. Why you ask? I just think its so great- to spend so much time in devoted worship and celebration at church, and then to have time with family and friends to spend in quality fellowship out in the hopefully beautiful spring day filled with sunshine. In years past this has meant hiding Easter Eggs on my family's property of woods in Washington. This year, that was a bit different, but it still could not have been a more beautiful day.
On our early morning drive to the church, we saw the sun begin to rise over the one little hill near Mounds View. Obviously, this is no comparison to watching the sunrise over Mt. Rainier and the Cascades, but for one spring morning it was a beautiful thing. The four services at Cross of Hope went fantastically, and I heard so many people say they were fun and powerful. I am taking a little pride here (a terrible sin, I admit), since I crafted them all. But it was good feedback overall. The services included a lot of singing, the choir sounded great, and the duet I was in turned out nicely too. Plus, singing "Happy Birthday" to Allison four times wasn't so bad either. haha ...
I was not sure what to expect from Easter in a different church this year. I have been spoiled in year's past with how special its felt at my home church, and with how the cross is always in full bloom of beautiful flowers by Easter morning. At Cross of Hope, they create a life size display of a tomb and cross, which on Easter Morning are surrounded by Mums and Lillies, and the cross is all draped in white and gorgeous. The way the sanctuary is oriented, the sun shines at sunrise directly from the back of the sanctuary to the front on the cross. It was just so stunning and inspiring!
We were blessed by so many friends at church who helped us celebrate Allison's birthday, and then further blessed by a dear friend's invitation to spend Easter with her family. All in all, it was not quite an Easter back home, but it was special all the same. The most important thing, the message of hope and love was the same... Christ is Risen, Christ is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!
You know that you have to be excited in order to have energy and smile when being up at 4am on a Sunday morning. But this was no problem for me, I mean, after all Easter is my favorite day of the year. It always has been. Why you ask? I just think its so great- to spend so much time in devoted worship and celebration at church, and then to have time with family and friends to spend in quality fellowship out in the hopefully beautiful spring day filled with sunshine. In years past this has meant hiding Easter Eggs on my family's property of woods in Washington. This year, that was a bit different, but it still could not have been a more beautiful day.
On our early morning drive to the church, we saw the sun begin to rise over the one little hill near Mounds View. Obviously, this is no comparison to watching the sunrise over Mt. Rainier and the Cascades, but for one spring morning it was a beautiful thing. The four services at Cross of Hope went fantastically, and I heard so many people say they were fun and powerful. I am taking a little pride here (a terrible sin, I admit), since I crafted them all. But it was good feedback overall. The services included a lot of singing, the choir sounded great, and the duet I was in turned out nicely too. Plus, singing "Happy Birthday" to Allison four times wasn't so bad either. haha ...
I was not sure what to expect from Easter in a different church this year. I have been spoiled in year's past with how special its felt at my home church, and with how the cross is always in full bloom of beautiful flowers by Easter morning. At Cross of Hope, they create a life size display of a tomb and cross, which on Easter Morning are surrounded by Mums and Lillies, and the cross is all draped in white and gorgeous. The way the sanctuary is oriented, the sun shines at sunrise directly from the back of the sanctuary to the front on the cross. It was just so stunning and inspiring!
We were blessed by so many friends at church who helped us celebrate Allison's birthday, and then further blessed by a dear friend's invitation to spend Easter with her family. All in all, it was not quite an Easter back home, but it was special all the same. The most important thing, the message of hope and love was the same... Christ is Risen, Christ is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
This Week's Links
The forecast calls for sun and 62 on Sunday for Easter. I trust that this will be the case, though its kind of hard to believe it necessarily, as winter has returned this morning. Its snowing big and wet flakes like it does usually back home in Western Washington. Its sticking to cars, rooftops, grass, and trees, but it appears the sidewalks and roads are too warm. So I guess its the typical "snow for scenery" sort of snowfall. That said, its still only 33 degrees out in the morning of April 20th. A word that comes to mind for this.. RIDICULOUS.
That said, its time to share some links.
1) Jim Wallis has an interesting blog post up in the realm of social justice, and faith and economics.
2) ELCA Presiding Bishop Rev. Mark Hanson has issued his 2011 Easter message.
3) There is an interesting story on a current Mariners rookie pitcher, that even the non-sports fan might appreciate. Its a good tale of a crazy life journey. If you have seen the movie "The Rookie" this has a lot in common with that sort of tale.
4) Finally, if you do not have a home to worship in during Holy Week, you are wholeheartedly invited to worship at Cross of Hope Lutheran.
Worship Schedule:
Maundy Thursday Services (4/21) 6pm and 7:30pm
Good Friday Services (4/22) 12pm and 7pm
Easter Sunrise Service (4/24) 6:30am
Easter Festival Services (4/24) 7:45am, 9am, and 10:30am
That will complete this week's version of the links.
That said, its time to share some links.
1) Jim Wallis has an interesting blog post up in the realm of social justice, and faith and economics.
2) ELCA Presiding Bishop Rev. Mark Hanson has issued his 2011 Easter message.
3) There is an interesting story on a current Mariners rookie pitcher, that even the non-sports fan might appreciate. Its a good tale of a crazy life journey. If you have seen the movie "The Rookie" this has a lot in common with that sort of tale.
4) Finally, if you do not have a home to worship in during Holy Week, you are wholeheartedly invited to worship at Cross of Hope Lutheran.
Worship Schedule:
Maundy Thursday Services (4/21) 6pm and 7:30pm
Good Friday Services (4/22) 12pm and 7pm
Easter Sunrise Service (4/24) 6:30am
Easter Festival Services (4/24) 7:45am, 9am, and 10:30am
That will complete this week's version of the links.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Holy Tuesday- Reflections
I was asked recently about what I would recommend for one to focus on during Holy Week. They wanted to hear something a bit different then the usual sort of "atonement" linked progression towards the cross and crucifixion. So, I thought for a moment, and I said, focus on relationships.
This week, with all of our reflection and worship, we consider, hear, and remember the acts of the passion. The entrance with Hosannas, the supper, prayers and betrayal, and the jeers of the world. Through this all, there is a relationship of God and the Son. There is also the relationship of the Son and the World. Some people use this sort of logic to call others to "bear the crosses" in their lives. I do not advocate for such an approach, because I believe this logic has often helped continue a cycle of violence and unsafe environments for many in the faith, and no doubt some that sit next to us in the very pews we share each week in worship.
Rather, I told this person who asked me, to focus on the relationships that that person shares with others. With family, friends, fellow congregants, and the strangers they pass on the street. At the heart of the cross is the idea of Christ wanting and choosing to be in relationship with and for us. We cannot do anything to stop Christ in this act, nor can we do anything to deserve it. All we can do is accept it, I believe. This acceptance then, leads us to respond out of love, joy, and thanks. Because its really all we can do. Our response then is how we love our neighbor as ourself. Its how we create and build relationships with our family and extended family, and its how we serve and meet the stranger in the world wherever they may be.
If Lent is a journey, just as Holy Week is as well, I believe this journey is something we can all relate to a little bit, at least in the sense that we all are in a journey of life- full of the unexpected twists and turns. This journey is full of opportunities and relationships as well. We may not know where we will be led and called, but we trust that we are being led and called some place. We just hope to hear that call, and some times the best way to do this is to focus on our relationships with others, because that call certainly could be coming through them.
This week, with all of our reflection and worship, we consider, hear, and remember the acts of the passion. The entrance with Hosannas, the supper, prayers and betrayal, and the jeers of the world. Through this all, there is a relationship of God and the Son. There is also the relationship of the Son and the World. Some people use this sort of logic to call others to "bear the crosses" in their lives. I do not advocate for such an approach, because I believe this logic has often helped continue a cycle of violence and unsafe environments for many in the faith, and no doubt some that sit next to us in the very pews we share each week in worship.
Rather, I told this person who asked me, to focus on the relationships that that person shares with others. With family, friends, fellow congregants, and the strangers they pass on the street. At the heart of the cross is the idea of Christ wanting and choosing to be in relationship with and for us. We cannot do anything to stop Christ in this act, nor can we do anything to deserve it. All we can do is accept it, I believe. This acceptance then, leads us to respond out of love, joy, and thanks. Because its really all we can do. Our response then is how we love our neighbor as ourself. Its how we create and build relationships with our family and extended family, and its how we serve and meet the stranger in the world wherever they may be.
If Lent is a journey, just as Holy Week is as well, I believe this journey is something we can all relate to a little bit, at least in the sense that we all are in a journey of life- full of the unexpected twists and turns. This journey is full of opportunities and relationships as well. We may not know where we will be led and called, but we trust that we are being led and called some place. We just hope to hear that call, and some times the best way to do this is to focus on our relationships with others, because that call certainly could be coming through them.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
This Week's Links
Back with a few highlights of some interesting things in the news.
1) In the vein of "Theology on Tap" like Humble Walk coined, there is a new similar ministry being formed back in the Pacific Northwest. It sounds like an interesting outreach with a possible new calling for some pastors "behind the bar."
2) For those of you who missed the great conversation earlier today with LSS Minnesota President and CEO Mark Peterson and Executive Director of Redeemer Center for Life, Marilu Thomas, Luther Seminary recorded it. I will link to it when I find the video available on the Luther Seminary website.
3) And finally, this week's sports story. So, the Mariners started the year 2-0, and then proceeded to lose 7 in a row. That all ended in the most exciting of ways last night. For a highlight of last night's game, you can check it out here.
1) In the vein of "Theology on Tap" like Humble Walk coined, there is a new similar ministry being formed back in the Pacific Northwest. It sounds like an interesting outreach with a possible new calling for some pastors "behind the bar."
2) For those of you who missed the great conversation earlier today with LSS Minnesota President and CEO Mark Peterson and Executive Director of Redeemer Center for Life, Marilu Thomas, Luther Seminary recorded it. I will link to it when I find the video available on the Luther Seminary website.
3) And finally, this week's sports story. So, the Mariners started the year 2-0, and then proceeded to lose 7 in a row. That all ended in the most exciting of ways last night. For a highlight of last night's game, you can check it out here.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
One Wonderful Week
I alluded to my brother coming to visit a couple weeks ago, and he was here this past week leaving on Friday. It was a wonderful week! It was so great to have my one and only brother (and now Allison's one and only bro) here. His being here, helps explain the relatively low amount of blog posts over the past week.
I was debating blogging about this, but I figured it would make for a fun post and reflection. So here goes.
What Happens When Your Brother and Best Man Comes to Visit
He flies in, expecting it to be Minnesota. He arrives and realizes its sunny and 45, so he is perfectly happy that he decided to travel in typical fashion of wearing shorts. He was greeted by a surprise of a couple friends joining us in our trip to the airport in order to make an IKEA run afterward. I don't think he much liked the idea of going shopping but it worked out okay with a great dinner as well.
The weather decided to cooperate amazingly while he was here. He happened to pick the first full week of warm weather. We got some quality walks in and exploration. We got to walk across the Mississippi and visit the Witches Hat on the Hill. We even got some quality frisbee time.
He was inspired by the church we are at, Cross of Hope in Ramsey. He enjoyed meeting the pastor, Sunday and Wednesday worship, and even choir rehearsal.
He even had the chance to come sit in on a class or two, especially enjoying the Feminist Theologian class which had a guest speaker, Dr. Mary Lowe present and talk this past Wednesday.
And in the true measure marking that my brother was visiting, we went through nearly 4 gallons of milk in one week. Yep, typical Siburg fashion of skim milk consumption.
It was, admittedly a different spring break then say going some place warm and tropical, but I like to hope and believe that it was still a great spring break for him. It certainly was a well-needed visit for Allison and I, and it was a great joy and blessing. We are looking forward to going home for a few weeks in late May to help him celebrate his graduation from PLU.
I was debating blogging about this, but I figured it would make for a fun post and reflection. So here goes.
What Happens When Your Brother and Best Man Comes to Visit
He flies in, expecting it to be Minnesota. He arrives and realizes its sunny and 45, so he is perfectly happy that he decided to travel in typical fashion of wearing shorts. He was greeted by a surprise of a couple friends joining us in our trip to the airport in order to make an IKEA run afterward. I don't think he much liked the idea of going shopping but it worked out okay with a great dinner as well.
The weather decided to cooperate amazingly while he was here. He happened to pick the first full week of warm weather. We got some quality walks in and exploration. We got to walk across the Mississippi and visit the Witches Hat on the Hill. We even got some quality frisbee time.
He was inspired by the church we are at, Cross of Hope in Ramsey. He enjoyed meeting the pastor, Sunday and Wednesday worship, and even choir rehearsal.
He even had the chance to come sit in on a class or two, especially enjoying the Feminist Theologian class which had a guest speaker, Dr. Mary Lowe present and talk this past Wednesday.
And in the true measure marking that my brother was visiting, we went through nearly 4 gallons of milk in one week. Yep, typical Siburg fashion of skim milk consumption.
It was, admittedly a different spring break then say going some place warm and tropical, but I like to hope and believe that it was still a great spring break for him. It certainly was a well-needed visit for Allison and I, and it was a great joy and blessing. We are looking forward to going home for a few weeks in late May to help him celebrate his graduation from PLU.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
An Opportunity for MA Students
As per the announcement sent out this past week via Luther Seminary e-mail:
Curious about professional career options, job opportunities, or what fields best suit your degree?
Join Prof. Gary Simpson, Mark Peterson, Executive Director of Luther Social Services, and Marilu Thomas, Executive Director of Redeemer Center for Life, on Tuesday, April 12th as they discuss "How To Apply Your Degree"! They will share personal experiences, professional knowledge, and practical guidance to help with your vocational discernment.
So bring your questions and appetites!
We will gather from 11:30 to 12:30 in Stub Lounge and LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED
I must say, that I am very excited for this conversation and will be going. I had to provide this update to show that some of my concerns which I have expressed previously are being heard and met. To that end, I was even included in some of the preliminary conversations regarding the potential for this meeting opportunity to occur. For any of you who have interests in working in the non-profit/NGO sector, this hour on Tuesday will be a true blessing and I hope you can make it and be a part of it.
Curious about professional career options, job opportunities, or what fields best suit your degree?
Join Prof. Gary Simpson, Mark Peterson, Executive Director of Luther Social Services, and Marilu Thomas, Executive Director of Redeemer Center for Life, on Tuesday, April 12th as they discuss "How To Apply Your Degree"! They will share personal experiences, professional knowledge, and practical guidance to help with your vocational discernment.
So bring your questions and appetites!
We will gather from 11:30 to 12:30 in Stub Lounge and LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED
I must say, that I am very excited for this conversation and will be going. I had to provide this update to show that some of my concerns which I have expressed previously are being heard and met. To that end, I was even included in some of the preliminary conversations regarding the potential for this meeting opportunity to occur. For any of you who have interests in working in the non-profit/NGO sector, this hour on Tuesday will be a true blessing and I hope you can make it and be a part of it.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
The Poverty Line
I am working on a project that is considering the ramifications of the nation's poverty line. For a family of four, the poverty line is set at an annual family income of $22,050. This, it is believed, is the minimum amount of money needed to survive for a family of four.
What do you make of this figure? I am trying to tell a story about this, looking at why this is so difficult and problematic. But I am wondering if any of you might have your own thoughts or ideas to share that might help spark my own story or details?
For some perspective:
This boils down to: $1,837.50 per month for the family; approximately $424.04 per week; and $60.41 per day for the family. For an individual this means, one has to live on approximately $15.10 a day.
In Minnesota, the average family of four spends $771 a month on food. This averages out to $6.34 per day, per person for food.
A two-bedroom apartment runs for approximately $900 a month, costing about $11,100 annually to rent.
Base utitilies for water, power, and basic phone service runs approximately $3360 per year.
These figures alone add up to more than $22,050. So, the family would likely need to cut back on food consumption to save money.
An allowance would need to be made for gas and transportation expenses to get to and from work and or school.
And health care costs are yet another figure to consider.
Based on these quick estimates and areas of a basic budget, what do you think? What does the poverty line mean to you? I would love to hear your thoughts.
What do you make of this figure? I am trying to tell a story about this, looking at why this is so difficult and problematic. But I am wondering if any of you might have your own thoughts or ideas to share that might help spark my own story or details?
For some perspective:
This boils down to: $1,837.50 per month for the family; approximately $424.04 per week; and $60.41 per day for the family. For an individual this means, one has to live on approximately $15.10 a day.
In Minnesota, the average family of four spends $771 a month on food. This averages out to $6.34 per day, per person for food.
A two-bedroom apartment runs for approximately $900 a month, costing about $11,100 annually to rent.
Base utitilies for water, power, and basic phone service runs approximately $3360 per year.
These figures alone add up to more than $22,050. So, the family would likely need to cut back on food consumption to save money.
An allowance would need to be made for gas and transportation expenses to get to and from work and or school.
And health care costs are yet another figure to consider.
Based on these quick estimates and areas of a basic budget, what do you think? What does the poverty line mean to you? I would love to hear your thoughts.
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