Roberta J. Egli
Orsay Museum, Paris
Have you been able to take any time this summer to ‘be’? One of my favorite summer moments where I was able to ‘be’ occurred during our vacation this summer. We spent a week in Paris and then went on to Germany to be with my sister at her wedding. It was my first time in Paris and seeing all the masterpieces was unbelievable. However I will never forget entering into the oval shaped rooms at the Musée de l’Orangerie and becoming immersed in the beauty of Monet’s water lilies. I was literally surrounded in beauty and as I turned 360 degrees my mouth fell open and I almost forgot to breathe!
Musée de l’Orangerie, Paris
As I returned home, my days filled up with email, phone calls, and to do lists that kept getting longer. I was reminded that in the midst of doing, I must become more intentional about finding moments to ‘be’. Letting go of our ‘doing’ and spending time ‘be-ing’ is a spiritual discipline.
We each have preferred ways of sinking into moments of ‘be-ing’- whether it is a moment of silence, listening to a favorite musician, taking a walk , looking for beauty in our everyday lives or getting lost in a book. One does not need to travel thousands of mile to find space, time, and beauty!
Writing about vacations and moments to savor may seem out of place for those of you who have already returned to school schedules. Your days and weeks may be filled with getting kids out the door for school or prepping for the busy fall kickoff in your church. Perhaps you are getting your Messy Church supply closet cleaned out and ready for another year! My friend, this is precisely the time to become more intentional regarding taking time and space in our lives to be.
I came across this animated video by Anita Rundles illustrating the beautiful poem The Summer Day by Mary Oliver which is a great reminder for us to take some moments to wonder at the world around us.
My prayer for all of you as August turns into September that in the midst of your messy and busy lives, you will find moments to savor, moments to breath a thank you to God for the gift of this ‘one and precious life’ that we have all be given. Yes, I know we have much to do, and as you read on you will see opportunities to join in the messy fun! However my friends don’t forget to be as you revel in the mystery of God.
Messy Blessings, Roberta
UPCOMING FALL REGIONAL TRAINING EVENTS
If you live close to Washington, California, Texas, or South Carolina be sure to check out the upcoming fall training opportunities. The one day Getting Started in Messy Church will give your team the vital tools to begin your own Messy Church. You will learn about the history, values, format and best practices to get started.
If you are already doing Messy Church, come to the training to get to know other churches in your area that are interested in starting a Messy Church so that you can all learn from one another to grow and sustain your Messy Church.
If you would like to schedule training in your area, you can contact your Messy Church USA Regional Coordinator or you can contact me. What happens at a ‘Getting Started Training”? More information here.
Washington
When: Saturday, August 25th, 2018 from 9am to 3 pm
Where: Federal Way United Methodist Church, 29645 51st Ave. S, Auburn, WA 98001
Cost: $125.00, per team
To Register: contact Ann Mayer at arsamayer@yahoo.com or call the church at 253-839-9220
Registration Deadline: August 18, 2018
California
When: October 6th, 2018 from 9am to 3 pm
Where: Community UMC of Huntington Beach, 6652 Heil Ave, Huntington Beach CA 92647
Cost: $25, per team (subsidized by Cal- Pac Annual Conference New Ministries)
Register Here
Registration Deadline: September 28, 2018
Texas
When: October 13th, 2018 from 8:30am to 3:30pm
Where: Spring Branch Presbyterian, 1215 Campbell Rd, Houston, TX 77055
Cost: Individual – $30.00 (Partially Funded by Grant)
Group Rate – $70 for 2-5 people,
More than 5 per group is an additional $ 30 per person
Register Here
South Carolina
When: October 20th, 2018 from 8:30am to 3:30pm
Where: Aldersgate UMC, 7 Shannon Dr, in Greenville SC
Cost: Individual – $125.00
Group Rate – $150 for 2-5 people,
More than 5 per group is an additional $ 20 per person
Register Here
Registration Deadline: October 1, 2018