blogging, sorting, chatting

I've had several things to write about in the past couple of weeks and will just have to settle for a couple of brief recaps!

First off, THE CHURCH IS ALIVE is going for 2 posts a week, so keep checking it out and WRITE SOMETHING for it!

Jan. 30th, I worked the Youth Weekend at BSM.  I was stationed in the back Sunday School Room to lead a MASSIVE project of sorting and moving clothes donations that have built up over the past couple of weeks.  Over a 6 hour period we finished the task of moving clothes into labeled bags that will be picked up by Salvation Army.  Why don't we use all of them you ask?  Do you ever wonder what kind of things get donated to clothing closet operations?  Let's just say it was a very unfortunate reminder of what people of privilege think of those without.  People give us their TRASH.  Old soccer cleats caked with mud, women's tops with broken straps, tiny shorts/skirts that most parents wouldn't let their kids walk outside the house wearing, USED socks and underwear, unmatched socks, I could go on.  Beyond this, we had clothes that were nice, but unusable to our context (kids clothing), or just WAY too many clothes of a certain type that would merely build up as more donations came in.  

Point of the matter is that the way people look at charity is very upsetting for the most part.  I would speak more to this, but instead I guide you to read the last post I did about "clothing with greater honor." Hey, that metaphor works perfectly!

This week, I visited Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond (my seminary) and Columbia Theological Seminary in Atlanta to promote the internship I am in the midst of.  Erika and I had a wonderful time meeting with students, professors, and other community folks to talk about Broad Street Ministry.  We spoke from a place of deep excitement about how BSM is such a unique experience of being church.  We talked about how the place came to be, what the community is like now, and how pastoral vocation can be shaped through this internship.  We also had a unique opportunity to give brief plugs to preaching and worship classes at both campuses, speaking to the unique form of worship at BSM.  We spoke of the congregation and the practice of communion in that context.  

There was a little bit of tension with some that we talked to about the identity of BSM as not an actual "parish" of the Presbyterian Church.  Being a nonprofit and mission partner has brought a lot of unique opportunities to BSM.  Many of the people we talked to are looking to go into traditional parishes that for the most part, will not have as many unique opportunities.  However, there is a longing among the students we talk to of wishing to reform many practices of the church, to be open to new and creative ways the Spirit is working through the church.  At Columbia, when I was asked about how this could be navigated, I responded that a lot of it has to do with church culture.  The culture of BSM has always been a very affirming and open one, whereas traditional churches have LONG histories and cultures to contend with at times, which is a precarious and long path that must be dealt with delicately.  To begin this journey, I spoke of the 2-3 young adults I meet with every week who wish to be a part of the BSM community.  BSM wouldn't be ANYWHERE that it is now if it wasn't for the young people who have been asked to come and bring their gifts and passions to SHAPE BSM.  This empowerment has allowed BSM to be a unique expression of church.  

If I had to give one message from the halls of BSM to churches out there it would be to OPEN up, BE authentic, and LET new people come in and be empowered to form the church in new, exciting, and creative ways.

Young seminary students we encounter are a clear example of this, as they are looking to enter parishes as pastors, leaders of the congregation.  

Unfortunately, we didn't get any commits for the upcoming year.  However, we had a few at each campus interested the following year.  If YOU are interested or know a seminary student who would be interested in a full year immersion at BSM, LET US KNOW!