Ministry Musing

By Donna Kelly

Recently, I attended the Northern Illinois Synod annual Synod Assembly. What a wonderful couple of days it was. Not only did I get to spend time and get to know some of my siblings here at SOTP better, but also to catch up with longtime friends across the synod.

One of the best things from the Assembly, was to be part of the group that was continually being reminded that we are each fearfully and wonderfully made, beloved children of God! Everyone! It didn’t matter what color you were, your age, your gender, your sexual orientation, your mental or physical health, your political affiliation, or any other classification we humans tend to put on each other. All were truly welcomed and loved as a beloved sibling in Christ! It must be what heaven will be like.

Bishop Stacie’s sermon at Saturday morning worship, was a wonderful wrapping of each of us the love of God and the life of the Spirit, as well as encouraging us to go and do likewise.

During the afternoon, we were invited to take part in two breakout sessions. The first one I attended was led by Pastor CeCe Williams, Secretary of the ELCA. She spoke about our need to take time to rest in the Spirit; to find ways to be still and know our God. To listen, to be in tune with the Spirit. To dwell in the presence and to be ready and willing to act as the Spirit guides and leads us.

Pastor CeCe also spoke about a monk who was the one with all of the lowliest jobs at the monastery. He emptied the trash, weeded the garden, washed the pots and pans, scrubbed the floor. But he was looked up to by the other monks because of one thing he did…whenever he entered a space; the garden, the kitchen, the chapel, his room…he would say, “Surely God is in this place”. (Genesis 28:16) Jacob said this when he awoke from a dream he had from God.

I was taken by this practice and am trying to implement it into my life. I can’t help but imagine how differently I might view my life and this world if each time I enter a space I said,” Lord, surely you are in this place”. The grocery store, my weedy flower bed, my car, bumper to bumper traffic, my home, other peoples’ homes…And if every time I answer the phone or saw a text from the last person I want to hear from I said, “Lord,

surely you are in this place’. I’m anxious to find out how my attitude and life changes by remembering and saying, “Lord, surely you are in this place”, wherever I may go.

Donna

Contact Donna at Donna at: donna@sotpmail.com