Sweet Home Alabama…
It was very sweet to be back in Alabama for a few days. I had the pleasure of attending the Diocese of Alabama’s 181st Convention. Included in the convention weekend was spending time with new and old friends, watching my Bishop juggle, visiting with my fellow seminarians and having a ball! The Diocese of Alabama is a great a diocese. I am so blessed to be a part of it. I was updating my mother about the weekend and told her 10 times I love my diocese. In fact, it was hard to get focused on school after such an amazing weekend.
I am a big fan of Bishop Kee Sloan. You will see what I am mean if you take the time to listen to his Bishop’s address: www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7G-wP0C9_s&feature=youtu.be. Kee is passionate about our diocese and wants to work together to continue to grow the Kingdom of God. I can’t wait for the opportunity to work with him in a few years.
The highlight of the weekend was spending time with my St. Mary’s family. I preached three times and spoke at Sunday School. Whew, Sunday mornings are busy for a priest in training☺ It was an amazing experience and I am grateful that I was welcomed home with loving arms. The audio for my sermon is on my facebook page. I hope you enjoy it! It was a labor of love for the people of St. Mary’s.
I made it back to Austin safe and sound and jumped right back in to the week by officiating at Evening Prayer. I am working hard on a big paper that is due on Tuesday and a variety of other projects and scholarship applications. Visitor’s Weekend is around the corner and I am excited to help entertain a postulant from Alabama and his wife.
Lent is here, a time for reflection, soul searching, discipline and preparing. I have taken on several things including exercising more and increasing my prayer life. My challenge to increase my prayer life is to make my ordinary life a prayer time. I hope you will join me! Here are a few ideas:
1) Try saying the Lord’s Prayer while the coffee is brewing in the morning.
2) Pray for someone while you are walking from the parking lot in to work or even to the grocery store.
3) Make a list of all people in your life that you have hurt or have hurt you. Intentionally say their names everyday in your prayer life.
4) Be open to the power of prayer and remember prayer can happen all day long in every occasion.
I pray that Lent will be a time of meditation and reflection for us all. You are all in my prayers and thoughts.
Blessings to you all as the ride continues…Mary Balfour
Seminary of the Southwest Christ Chapel
The view I get to experience everytime I attend Christ Chapel!!!!!!
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Back in to the swing of things...
Back in to the swing of things…
It seems we are back in to the swing of things here at the Seminary of the Southwest. I have just completed my second full week of classes. I am back to my routine of nightly reading and I have my first paper due soon. Scholarship deadlines are approaching, there is lots of paperwork needed for working in a VA Hospital this summer and I am working 8 hours at week for the Development Office at SSW!
Although I like a routine and schedules, I am also trying to create something new each day. Sometimes Owen and I take a different path for our walks, often I stop by the bookstore and chat with my friends Donna, Vivian and Laura. I had lunch with my buddy Kellaura and a new friend Maggie this week. I know I am a calendar person, but sometimes when you get caught up in calendars and routines you miss the very thing that God is putting in front of you. I am working on it God, show me what you want me to see!
I also had the privilege this week to hear two different and powerful sermons. In the second semester of your middler year, you begin preaching in Chapel. It was a normal Wednesday and I was fulfilling my schedule of being a greeter in Chapel. I wasn’t aware of who the preacher would be that day and I was pleasantly surprised by the sermon. Clay’s spoke to us about not getting caught up in the details, specifically about our worship in Christ Chapel. God will always get worshipped. Even if someone spills the wine, reads the wrong texts or sings out of tune. It was a wonderful reminder to enjoy worship and feel God’s love, but more importantly to enjoy each day and all that He has given us.
This week the SSW Board of Trustees was on campus for a board meeting and the annual lecture in Bishop Claude Payne’s honor (Bishop Payne was the Bishop of Texas from 1995-2003). I had the honor of meeting Bishop and Mrs. Payne. They are fabulous, giving people! Even though they are now retired, they still bring the messages of leadership and evangelism to our Church. They are also chairing SSW Capital Campaign to raise 15.9 million dollars - we are already half way there ☺
The speaker for the Payne lecture was the Rt. Rev. Jay Magness. Bishop Magness is the Bishop Suffragan for the Armed Services and Federal Ministries. His lecture was entitled "Moral Leadership in the Temple and Public Square: Missional Requirements for a New Era." This is a quote from Bishop Magness’ lecture: “As unconventional as it may appear to be, I am looking for persons who are capable of uniting the passion of Billy Graham, the theological grounding of H. Richard Niebuhr and the Anglican approach of Richard Hooker. A tall order? I suppose, but the times are changing, and the challenges are significant. I am finding that Jesus’ Biblical image of a seemingly stern requirement to be a follower is very appropriate for our circumstances: “’No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.’” (Luke 9.62, NRSV).
As you might imagine, I really enjoyed what Bishop Magness had to say about his vision for leadership and what kind of leader the Episcopal Church needs. I am not sure I can be exactly the person he is looking for, but it is sure would worth trying!
I will be leaving on Thursday to attend the Diocese of Alabama Convention and preaching at St. Mary’s-on-the-Highlands. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to be back in the great state of Alabama for a few days. I will be sure to report on those adventures as I get out of the swing of things for a few days!
Blessings to you all as the ride continues…Mary Balfour
It seems we are back in to the swing of things here at the Seminary of the Southwest. I have just completed my second full week of classes. I am back to my routine of nightly reading and I have my first paper due soon. Scholarship deadlines are approaching, there is lots of paperwork needed for working in a VA Hospital this summer and I am working 8 hours at week for the Development Office at SSW!
Although I like a routine and schedules, I am also trying to create something new each day. Sometimes Owen and I take a different path for our walks, often I stop by the bookstore and chat with my friends Donna, Vivian and Laura. I had lunch with my buddy Kellaura and a new friend Maggie this week. I know I am a calendar person, but sometimes when you get caught up in calendars and routines you miss the very thing that God is putting in front of you. I am working on it God, show me what you want me to see!
I also had the privilege this week to hear two different and powerful sermons. In the second semester of your middler year, you begin preaching in Chapel. It was a normal Wednesday and I was fulfilling my schedule of being a greeter in Chapel. I wasn’t aware of who the preacher would be that day and I was pleasantly surprised by the sermon. Clay’s spoke to us about not getting caught up in the details, specifically about our worship in Christ Chapel. God will always get worshipped. Even if someone spills the wine, reads the wrong texts or sings out of tune. It was a wonderful reminder to enjoy worship and feel God’s love, but more importantly to enjoy each day and all that He has given us.
This week the SSW Board of Trustees was on campus for a board meeting and the annual lecture in Bishop Claude Payne’s honor (Bishop Payne was the Bishop of Texas from 1995-2003). I had the honor of meeting Bishop and Mrs. Payne. They are fabulous, giving people! Even though they are now retired, they still bring the messages of leadership and evangelism to our Church. They are also chairing SSW Capital Campaign to raise 15.9 million dollars - we are already half way there ☺
The speaker for the Payne lecture was the Rt. Rev. Jay Magness. Bishop Magness is the Bishop Suffragan for the Armed Services and Federal Ministries. His lecture was entitled "Moral Leadership in the Temple and Public Square: Missional Requirements for a New Era." This is a quote from Bishop Magness’ lecture: “As unconventional as it may appear to be, I am looking for persons who are capable of uniting the passion of Billy Graham, the theological grounding of H. Richard Niebuhr and the Anglican approach of Richard Hooker. A tall order? I suppose, but the times are changing, and the challenges are significant. I am finding that Jesus’ Biblical image of a seemingly stern requirement to be a follower is very appropriate for our circumstances: “’No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.’” (Luke 9.62, NRSV).
As you might imagine, I really enjoyed what Bishop Magness had to say about his vision for leadership and what kind of leader the Episcopal Church needs. I am not sure I can be exactly the person he is looking for, but it is sure would worth trying!
I will be leaving on Thursday to attend the Diocese of Alabama Convention and preaching at St. Mary’s-on-the-Highlands. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to be back in the great state of Alabama for a few days. I will be sure to report on those adventures as I get out of the swing of things for a few days!
Blessings to you all as the ride continues…Mary Balfour
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Get on with the Show....
Get on with the Show…
As I sit here on this 78 degree Friday afternoon working on a sermon, the Van Morrison song, “Get on with the Show” is playing on my IPod. The door to my balcony is open and Owen is barking loudly at a UPS truck as it passes by. I am thinking about this song and how I felt this time last year. I was touring seminaries and was so ready to “get on with the show.” I was ready to start my new life as a Child of God who would have the opportunity to serve God everyday as a priest.
Here we are, a year later, and I realize that I was already a Child of God and a priest. Seminary has helped me clarify so many things. I have told many of you that one of my goals for seminary is to connect my head and my heart. I have always had a heart for serving God. I am now learning how to articulate the thoughts in my head. I am learning how to express why it is I believe what I believe. This is a slow process and I have a lot more to learn, but I can literally “feel” the process working.
I completed my first week of classes for the spring semester today. I am taking Introduction to Missiology, Church History I, Liturgical Music II, Theology I, History and Hermeneutics II and Living into Mission: Meeting the Leadership Challenges of Today’s Church. Living into Mission will be streamed on the SSW website. I will send you all the link so you can be a part of our classroom experience!
I really think I will enjoy this semester. I defiantly feel less anxious about my studies. I think that is because I have some idea of what to expect. In addition, I have confidence that I can do this!
Yesterday I conquered one of my fears. The torches in Christ Chapel are extremely heavy. Although they are beautiful, they are difficult for me to lift and hold in place. I was assigned “torch bearer” for last night’s community Eucharist. I did everything I could to get out of this! But, God would have none of that. So, I put on my brave face and went for it. I made a few blunders and my arms were tired afterwards. But I got the job done. Once again, I can do this!!! Bring on the job of crucifer next! (I hope none of the sacristans are reading this).
God willing, in two and half years, I will physically get to go to a Church everyday and serve God - and get paid to do it! But I am realizing I am already doing just that. I am even getting paid for it, the pay being the joy of knowing Jesus. I can tell you now that my relationship with God is growing. My understanding of His Son is becoming clearer. So, I say let’s get on with the show! Thank you Van Morrison for reminding me ☺
Blessings to you all as the ride continues…Mary Balfour
As I sit here on this 78 degree Friday afternoon working on a sermon, the Van Morrison song, “Get on with the Show” is playing on my IPod. The door to my balcony is open and Owen is barking loudly at a UPS truck as it passes by. I am thinking about this song and how I felt this time last year. I was touring seminaries and was so ready to “get on with the show.” I was ready to start my new life as a Child of God who would have the opportunity to serve God everyday as a priest.
Here we are, a year later, and I realize that I was already a Child of God and a priest. Seminary has helped me clarify so many things. I have told many of you that one of my goals for seminary is to connect my head and my heart. I have always had a heart for serving God. I am now learning how to articulate the thoughts in my head. I am learning how to express why it is I believe what I believe. This is a slow process and I have a lot more to learn, but I can literally “feel” the process working.
I completed my first week of classes for the spring semester today. I am taking Introduction to Missiology, Church History I, Liturgical Music II, Theology I, History and Hermeneutics II and Living into Mission: Meeting the Leadership Challenges of Today’s Church. Living into Mission will be streamed on the SSW website. I will send you all the link so you can be a part of our classroom experience!
I really think I will enjoy this semester. I defiantly feel less anxious about my studies. I think that is because I have some idea of what to expect. In addition, I have confidence that I can do this!
Yesterday I conquered one of my fears. The torches in Christ Chapel are extremely heavy. Although they are beautiful, they are difficult for me to lift and hold in place. I was assigned “torch bearer” for last night’s community Eucharist. I did everything I could to get out of this! But, God would have none of that. So, I put on my brave face and went for it. I made a few blunders and my arms were tired afterwards. But I got the job done. Once again, I can do this!!! Bring on the job of crucifer next! (I hope none of the sacristans are reading this).
God willing, in two and half years, I will physically get to go to a Church everyday and serve God - and get paid to do it! But I am realizing I am already doing just that. I am even getting paid for it, the pay being the joy of knowing Jesus. I can tell you now that my relationship with God is growing. My understanding of His Son is becoming clearer. So, I say let’s get on with the show! Thank you Van Morrison for reminding me ☺
Blessings to you all as the ride continues…Mary Balfour
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