Hospitality

For the past week I hosted a pastor from Namibia. She was visiting different churches in our synod. I generally think of myself as a pretty hospitable person. I think hospitality is very important. However, I had never hosted someone in my own space for this length of time. I learned this week how difficult and draining hospitality can be. Hospitality requires that you are constantly on and are always chipper, cheery, and happy. It also requires that you are always ready to listen and answer questions.

I have been hosted by many wonderful people in my life and I wonder how they did it. I especially remember the wonderful couple that allowed me to live in their basement for 12 weeks while I completed my Clinical Pastoral Education unit. I know that I was not as thankful or as pleasant as I should or could have been. Yet, they continued to be my hosts.

I am sure that I did not do the best job possible being a host this week. I know I still have many things to learn when it comes to hospitality. And I came away from this week with a huge amount of gratitude for all the hosts I have had in my life. Thanks be to God for these wonderful blessings!

A Tourist

Today I was a tourist in the city I live in. I went to the Museum of Natural History. I am not much a museum fan, but I figured that while living in DC it is important to see the Smithsonian Museums. So, I spent about two hours looking at natural history. I didn't read every word, because that would have taken me days to do. I saw a huge elephant, dinosaur bones, lots of animals and insects, and minerals. I was surprised that I didn't see any stink bugs. They need to work on getting a special exhibit of them. I am even willing to help them out with a donation. The highlight of the adventure was probably the Hope Diamond. It was just as beautiful as I expected.
However, there were two other great parts of my adventure. Number one. I saw a really diverse group of people. I heard people talking in many different languages. I saw inspired and awe-filled children learning. I saw parent's interpreting the displays for their children in the language they would best understand. This is a perk of living in Washington, DC. There is diversity. Number two. I achieved a goal today. I went to a museum alone. I really like doing things with other people. However, the reality of life is that sometimes we have to do things alone. I am not going to say it was a ton of fun to be alone, but I did have a good time at the museum. Today I stepped out...alone. And I am sure it will not be the last time.

The Party Planning Vicar

I love parties! I love people! I love hosting people! In DC I have a beautiful home and a wonderful basement/youth room (pool table included), so I knew immediately after arriving here that I would be hosting many parties. For the past three Sundays I have hosted parties/gatherings. SPY - the high school youth group was invited over for spaghetti and games. The young adult group came over for socializing and a potluck with the main dish being sloppy joes. SPY Jr. - the middle school youth group rounded out the social events with a pizza party and game night. This has been so much fun! There has been so much laughter, energy, fellowship, and food in my house in the past few weeks. I can confidently say that these are the people that I know in DC and at the congregation I am serving. This is why small group ministry is so important. It is not only important for me, a new vicar in a strange environment. It is important for these people. It is important to know other people and for other people to know you. It is important to be in fellowship and in community. It is important to gather around a table for food and drink. To me this is just another element of Eucharistic fellowship. As the party planner I am the host of the meal, graciously giving of what I have. The guests are the receivers, thankful for the gift given. That was the surprising part. My guests were so thankful. I expected some of them to say thank you -- but they were overwhelmingly thankful. To me this shows the importance of party planning -- the importance of fellowship -- the importance of hospitality. Thanks be to God for modeling the ultimate hospitality -- the ultimate fellowship -- the ultimate party planning!