Guelph LabyrinthBig week ahead.
Tomorrow night I go before my Presbytery for the next step in the ordination process. Usually these meetings are upbeat and joyful; mine will most likely edge far to the sober side of the spectrum. I have written candidly about Chicago Son in the statement I have to present, partly because his life and death are now so germane to my call to ministry and partly because I don't want people to feel that they must tiptoe around the edge of whatever real questions they have. I am hoping for some joyful moments at the end!
Thursday morning: our Hebrew final. I have a good grasp on what all the possible issues are (and believe me, that's a huge step forward). The question remains: can I remember how any of them work out? Four more days to cram it all into my brain, a few hours of writing, and then -- over!!!
Saturday I drive to Guelph for my retreat. For eight days the forty or so of us there will spend all of our time in total silence, excepting Mass if we are inclined to attend and a daily meeting with a spiritual director. I have written them about the circumstances of my life, telling them I need a retreat director who is experienced, resilient, and fearless. I have had my moments of trepidation, and long periods of wondering whether attempting to make another retreat, ever, after last year is an indication that I have finally and completely lost my mind ~ but mostly, I can hardly wait.
All of which means that a week from right now I will be surrounded by ~ SILENCE.
Tomorrow night I go before my Presbytery for the next step in the ordination process. Usually these meetings are upbeat and joyful; mine will most likely edge far to the sober side of the spectrum. I have written candidly about Chicago Son in the statement I have to present, partly because his life and death are now so germane to my call to ministry and partly because I don't want people to feel that they must tiptoe around the edge of whatever real questions they have. I am hoping for some joyful moments at the end!
Thursday morning: our Hebrew final. I have a good grasp on what all the possible issues are (and believe me, that's a huge step forward). The question remains: can I remember how any of them work out? Four more days to cram it all into my brain, a few hours of writing, and then -- over!!!
Saturday I drive to Guelph for my retreat. For eight days the forty or so of us there will spend all of our time in total silence, excepting Mass if we are inclined to attend and a daily meeting with a spiritual director. I have written them about the circumstances of my life, telling them I need a retreat director who is experienced, resilient, and fearless. I have had my moments of trepidation, and long periods of wondering whether attempting to make another retreat, ever, after last year is an indication that I have finally and completely lost my mind ~ but mostly, I can hardly wait.
All of which means that a week from right now I will be surrounded by ~ SILENCE.
10 comments:
Blessings on you and the presbytery meeting this evening, dear GG!
May God be with you as you take this next step toward ordination.
Thank you so much, QG (but it's tomorrow).
"I am hoping for some joyful moments at the end!"
Yay for joyful moments for you.Praying for lots of them.
Wishing you faith, grace, and kindness through your presbytery meeting tomorrow, good luck on your hebrew final, and safe travels and tranquility on your retreat. A big week ahead, indeed.
Prayers for you this evening with presbytery, all this week while you study, and peace for you this weekend as you head off to retreat.
Hang in there over the next few days. I'm glad the Hebrew is starting to come together.
You will be in my thoughts and prayers most especially next week as you journey back to Guelph.
Tonight-Presbytery
Then Hebrew
Then Guelph
Prayers for you in each of these times with their unique callings and challenges. Peace...if that is possible.
I pray you'll have many blessings this week and next...
Prayers for the next day, the next few days, the next week...and the silence
once in the midst of silence, another broke silence to tell me that the trains coming from opposite directions sounded their horns a different number of times.
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