Always We Begin Again

On Ash Wednesday all worshipers at Holy Trinity received a free copy of the book, “Always We Begin Again,” along with a study guide and an “identity tag” necklace.  The metal tag displayed the words “Walking the Way” and Micah 6:8.

In place of a prepared message I introduced “Always” asking those present to open their books, follow along, and make some notes.  I introduced Benedict, McQuiston, the First Rule, prayer methods and McQuiston’s suggested daily schedule designed to help us balance prayer and work.  We moved so quickly it felt as though an electric fan was gently blowing and turning the pages. I asked everyone (along with me) to take a breath before I concluded, “This is not a ‘have to’ or ‘must do’ kind of book.  Rather, these readings will guide us into “a way of being in the world” where gratitude and loving-kindness are increasingly evident.”

Upon leaving the building at least a dozen people wanted to know how they could get hold of additional copies.  “Thanks for the overview of the work and some suggestions about how to use it.  I have a friend at work who I know could use it too.”  “I want to give a copy to every one of my adult children.”  “I will be leaving in April to return to my home in the mid-west.  I’d like to use it for a study I lead each summer.” 

On Thursday more people called to request copies of the book.  “I showed it to my co-worker today.  She’s been having a really hard time and has been looking for something just like this to help her make it through.”  Another person stopped by the office.  “I spent a lot of time today thinking about the first rule, the part you introduced and asked us to memorize, the part about living this life with an emphasis on loving-kindness.  This book is amazing.  Do you have additional copies?  I want them as gifts for a couple of friends."

If you are already spending time with “Always We Begin Again” I encourage you to stay with it.   Meditate on the words and phrases that call to you.  Use it for the next 40 days and you will begin to see changes in your “way of being in the world."

If you have the book but haven’t yet opened it, now is the time.

If you don’t have "Always" but would like it (or more copies for your friends) you can order copies from various book stores, Cokesbury (at a reduced price on the Internet) and Amazon (new paper, used paper, and e-book).  And, of course, I have a few more copies at the office if you stop by.  The one you get from me is free to you.  

My thanks to Lilly and CTS for furnishing these free copies of "Always" as part of the their Clergy Renewal Grant to Holy Trinity Lutheran. More about Lilly and CTS in the 2013 September Blog post.

Between the first gasp and the final release

In just a few days hundreds of people will gather at Holy Trinity Church for Ash Wednesday worship. Early in the service the worship leader will invite us forward to have ashes placed on our foreheads.  With heads bowed and perhaps kneeling we will receive the ashes and hear the words, “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3). The action and the words are humbling.  They remind us that we are not gods.  We are neither self-made nor self-sufficient.  We are human.

We are human. We are dependent.  We begin our lives as infants depending on others to survive.  We move through life as consumers and producers depending on others to provide for our needs and consume what we make.  We move through life as members of the community depending on the abilities of many to work with us in creating places of comfort and safety.  We end our lives depending on family and friends to care for us as we prepare to draw our last breath. We are not gods.  We are neither self-made nor self-sufficient.  We will return to dust. So true. So humbling.  We are human.
 
We are human. Yet, between the first birth-breath and the last, between the first gasp and the final release there is a world of possibilities and choices to be made.  What shall we do?  How shall we live? How will we use our time, energy and resources between the two fixed points?
  
For me, these questions find their answer in the verse that will guide my Lenten journey and my sabbatical:  “And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly” (Micah 6:8).

Of course, there are other options, other verses and other paths.  But for me, in this season of life, recognizing that I have nearly unlimited choices about how I can spend my life and my resources, and having weighed the benefits and pitfalls of many, I choose the work of justice and kindness.  At the same time, knowing that I lack within my self the ability to do what the Lord requires, in humility, I have sought and found a guide and companion to assist me in the work ahead. Actually … two guides.

The first is named Benedict.  Saint Benedict.
  
Saint Benedict was born around the year 480 in central Italy. As a young man, Benedict studied in Rome but left after a short stay, desiring to dedicate his life to God. At Subiaco, about fifty miles from Rome, Benedict lived a life of solitude and prayer with support from a monk named Romanus.

Benedict's simple life and devotion to God attracted disciples and, in time, twelve small monasteries were established around Subiaco, with Benedict as the spiritual father of them all.

Around 530 Benedict left Subiaco with some of his disciples for Monte Cassino, halfway between Rome and Naples, where he began a single, close-knit community on a mountain top. He remained there until his death around the year 547. While at Monte Cassino, Benedict completed his "Rule for Monks." In it he instructed those under his guidance in the ways of humility, gratitude, mercy, joy, silence, and obligation to God and brothers in the community. Today, the "Rule of Saint Benedict," as it is commonly called, is considered one of the most important factors in the development of Christian Europe.

Benedict's disciples, both men and women, can be found on every inhabited continent of the world, leading lives dedicated to "Prayer and Work," as Benedict taught in his rule and by his life.  (see Christ in the Desert Monastery, New Mexico, for more information)

John McQuiston II will serve as my second guide and companion.  McQuiston, an attorney by vocation discovered Benedict and “The Rule” more than twenty years ago.  He began to use “The Rule” to guide his daily devotional life.  It helped him find balance in his faith and work life.  It helped him deepen his prayer life.  It helped him cultivate gratitude, patience, humility, and joy throughout his work week.  And, in hope that others would discover “The Rule’s” treasures, he re-wrote it under the title “Always We Begin Again.”
 
Like “The Rule,” “Always We Begin Again” is not a “must” “should” nor “have to” kind of book.  It isn’t a set of rules to be followed and obeyed.  Rather, it is a series of readings, reflections and suggested pause points throughout the day.  Open your eyes and experience the morning light.  Listen to the first sounds of the day. Pause briefly from 10:30am to 10:31am and ponder those things for which you are grateful.  Each evening spend a brief time with people you love without the computer, smartphone or television.  Make your last thought of the day one of gratitude.
  
Those who worship at Holy Trinity Church on Ash Wednesday will receive a copy of McQuiston’s book.  The gift brings with it my hope that others will choose Benedict and McQuiston as guides and companions during the Lenten journey.  It is my hope that others will join me in THE WAY of Micah 6:8: justice/kindness/humility.

Remember … dust … human … dependent … between the first gasp and the final release there is a world of possibilities and a choice.

Thanks to Lilly Endowment Inc and CTS

As you know, I’m very excited about my sabbatical next summer. But when I began to list the places I would like to visit and the people I would like to see, one question surfaced early on. How would I fund the dream?

 Well, my sabbatical team went to work on this question earlier this year.  The team submitted a clergy renewal proposal which, if granted, would fund my sabbatical and the congregational events associated with it.  This week we received great news.  Here it is.

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church has received a grant of $42, 625 to enable its minister, Leroy Rehrer, to participate in the 2013 National Clergy Renewal Program funded by the Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment Inc. and administered by Christian Theological Seminary.  Holy Trinity Lutheran is one of 87 congregations across the country selected to participate in this competitive grant program.  Established by the Endowment in 2000, the program’s grants allow Christian congregations to support their pastors with the gift of extended time away from their ministerial duties and responsibilities.

I have to pinch myself every time I read the announcement.  As one colleague mused, “Maybe you didn’t win the Powerball but you did sort of win the lottery this week.”

I am deeply indebted to the members of my sabbatical team.  They worked through most of February and March putting words to paper as they probed my dreams and desires in answer to these questions:  What will make your heart sing?  Where do you want to travel?  What do you want to see and do?  What theme and word of scripture could provide the thread that will pull the adventure together? What will deepen your relationship with Christ and, at the same time, provide opportunities for friends and members of the congregation to grow spiritually?

These are answers to some of the questions so far.  I will travel in Europe to visit cathedrals in Italy and France, monasteries in Spain, and sacred places in England.  I’ll visit with family and long-time friends along the way and here in the States.  I will immerse myself in “The Rule” of St. Benedict paying special attention to themes of justice, kindness and humility.  There will be time for golf and fishing as well.  These are the things that will make my heart sing!

Thanks also to the leaders and members of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church.  Granting sabbatical leave is but one example of your tenacious generosity.  It also provides an additional opportunity for us to grow deeper into the way of justice, kindness and humility.
  
I’ll be posting again soon.  I would be honored to have you accompany me on the journey through this blog.   I hope you will “follow.”

Excited

This is the first entry in my new blog, “Walking the Way,” and I am ecstatic!  This blog is a significant first step in preparation for my three-month sabbatical beginning in late April 2014.  Here I will share stories about the people I meet and the places I visit.  And I invite you to join me in the journey.

The sabbatical, sometimes called “Clergy Renewal,” is a wonderful gift and grants me time away from the regular duties of congregational life.  Leading worship, visiting the sick, teaching classes and spiritual direction within the congregation and local community will give way to travel, visits with family and old friends, and extended time for reading and study around the words of the prophet Micah, “Do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with your God.” What joy!

The sabbatical is also a time for “Congregation Renewal.”  During the three months I am absent from the congregation the members and friends of Holy Trinity will experience the good news through new voices:  guest preachers and teachers, and friends gathering in small groups to share their personal experiences of justice, kindness and humility.  New leaders will emerge to share in the work of the congregation and advance our mission, “In the city for good.”  And, in the months following my return we will gather to share the discoveries and the challenges we experienced during our time apart as well as the possibilities for ministry in our new season together.

Over the next months I will be planning the details of the sabbatical and sharing my excitement about them in this blog.  I will also be posting pictures and stories here while traveling next summer.

Thanks to all of the members of Holy Trinity and the Church council for this gift.  


I feel like a five year old on Christmas morning ready to open the beautifully wrapped package with my name on it.

   
Exciting!