PeaceBang

On The Road Again

June 17, 2007 on 1:19 pm | In Mind of the Minister, PeaceBanging Around |

So I’m leaving for Portland tomorrow afternoon.

I still have a bit of packing and laundry to dry, instructions to get ready for the cat sitter, and a massage to get (a gift from my wonderful masseuse who said he wanted to “do you really well” before starting the westward journey tomorrow– whatta sweetie!).

We had our last worship service today, a celebration of our Heifer Project Ark Award and a performance of selections from “100% Chance of Rain” –a jazz cantata for young voices that I sang myself when I was in fourth or fifth grade. I feel a little drained from the running around directing the kids, worrying about the flow of the liturgy, taking in a huge variety of joys and concerns, and just being plain exhausted from the year.

This program year flew by so fast I actually don’t feel quite ready for it to be over until Labor Day. I am doing one funeral in July and I genuinely worry that by the time it’s necessary for me to prepare it, I will be so deeply into relaxation and rest mode, I won’t be able to get my act together!

Honestly, the last thing I want to do right now is face the Introvert’s Nightmare known as GA (I mean, I’m a strong extrovert and it’s even too much for me!). I feel sad and tapped out, rather empty and with nothing much to think, say or feel.

I will be starting the third year of my D.Min. program in the fall and at this point I’m just starting to feel ready for it to be OVER. Let me write my dissertation and get it done with already. I am getting to the point where I just can’t wait to have that little window of time back in my week that is now occupied by doctoral studies. Looking back over the year, I can’t believe that I did so many other continuing education things even on top of my D.min work!! What am I, nuts? I am even enrolled in a four-day colloqium on theodicy this July. Yea, just for fun: theological reflections on evil and suffering.

I’ll see you in a few weeks. Be good.
Peace.
Bang.