Stretches

A few weeks ago I visited the Warhol Museum to see the "Superheroes and Villains" exhibit --- very cool and most entertaining.

One of my favorite, and to me, little known superheroes was PLASTICMAN. As the name reveals, his superpower is to be able to stretch and contort and reach himself into a variety of unimaginable places. Sure, that's a cool thing, yet, for me what made him an instant personal favorite was that he was a superhero with a sense of humor and a care-free attitude. Too me that is the best reason for PLASTICMAN to be a member of the Justice League. Perfect.

Any athlete in training being coached by a quality person will be stretched and ask to push through and past what one may have thought as insurmountable previously.
A good mentor is one who takes you outside your comfort zone and places you in situations that on your own you would avoid, yet, trusts and encourages you to try and to do.

A life well-lived is a life that opens, extends, and stretches.
A life well-lived is a life that is always learning and always taking those leaps wherein, as Anne Lamott states, "you will either be taught how to fly or you will land on solid ground."

This new year is still new. Each breaking dawn is a break given to try anew. What is it you really want to do? What is it you dream about doing? What fears have you in a vise grip? With what have you grown complacent and stagnant?

I could blog about each of those inquiries and though the word "you" was used, trust me, dear reader, I am so with you on each of those.

Together, let us claim our power to open to new possibilities; to bend into the wind of a new beginning; and to stretch into what can be if we dream and dare. And, like PLASTICMAN, may we laugh along the way and be of good humor and strong of spirit.

Let's enter the game....and, before we do, let us stretch.

Go ask Alice

Today, 11 January, is the birthday of the suffragette, Alice Paul. I confess I was well into adulthood before I had heard of her and the work she and Lucy Burns did to carry women getting the right to vote across the finish line.

Along with women across the nation, let us raise a glass (filled with your beverage of choice) to Alice Paul on this her birthday!

If you too are unaware of Alice Paul and her courage, passion, and endurance in gaining women the right to vote, I most highly recommend the movie, IRON-JAWED ANGELS. In fact, if you have not yet done so, you must watch this film. If you need to borrow a copy, let me know, I'll loan you mine.

IRON-JAWED ANGELS stars Hillary Swank as Alice Paul and along with the compelling narrative of the efforts given to get the 19Th Amendment passed, is also a great primer on teaching "Advocacy 101." A cup of coffee and conversation for any and all who watch the film and can tell me the significance of the title.

I give thanks to the amazing women from the California-Pacific Conference of the United Methodist Church who introduced me to this film when I spent two glorious weeks in San Diego leading their conference's women's retreat. In response, I have used the movie to encourage women to register to vote; to inspire women to continue to vote; and to teach folks the "hows" and "whys" of advocacy.

Here's to Alice Paul and all the suffragettes! In this most critical of election seasons may we each exercise our right to cast an informed vote for the candidate of our choosing.

sj;

Growing up a reader

While getting ready for work today, I heard on NPR an interview with Dean Myers, the third ambassador for Young People's Literature. First, what a cool job. Second, who knew we even had such an ambassadorship.

Of course, this got me to thinking about how important it was and what a gift I and my four siblings received by being raised in a house of readers. I clearly recall each family member taking a book and going to a chair, a couch, a bedroom, a rocking chair, the kitchen table, etc. and spending some good quality time reading. We remain a family who frequently ask one another, "What book are you reading now?"

We were taught to value books and I recall each Christmas receiving a great book from my Aunt Florence, a librarian. I stil have those wonderful Dr. Seuss books and that was the foundation for my justice work and building a better community. Seriously, in my opinion, Dr. Seuss is one of the great theologians of the 20th Century.

In the role of Aunt Sally, I love to buy great children's books for my niece and nephews. Truth be told, I have a great collection of children's literature that I refer to frequently for wisdom, humor, and a great story.

If you have not yet read the following, I highly recommed: "PETE AND PICKLES" and "THE OLD TURTLE." Take a read through these recent classics and let me know what you think. Also, do recommend some of your favorite children's literature. I am always looking for a good read!

sj;

Remember your baptism

Of all the joys and opportunities afforded me as an ordained minister, a biggie will always be to officiate a baptism. It is truly a time for naming and claiming. One of my favorite parts of the baptism service is when I ask the parents, "What name is given this child?" And, the child's name...that unique bit...is shared and throughout the baptismal liturgy I always included the first and middle names of the child so that in the congregation's response and promises they too were mentioning the full name of the child being baptised. I wanted the baptism to be personal.

There are a lot of promises being made and claimed in the baptismal service. One of the very cool parts about the United Methodist understanding of baptism is that it is done in the midst of the congregation and not in a private ceremony. We do baptism as part of the worship service because the congregation makes a promise to uphold, guide, and support the child being baptised.

As I counsel with parents preparing to have their child baptised, I tell them about this promise and that it is a huge deal. I share that the congregation's promise does not have an expiration date. The promise holds for any child baptized and lasts throughout that child's life. A child baptized in a congregation that is serious about the promises made on that child's behalf must be , if the promise is sincere, able to show up and be welcomed, received, and helped always.

Take time to find out the story behind your baptism.

Mine was when I was six months of age and took place in July. My mother told me that I "squawked my head off" the whole time. NOTE: This is also the woman who often told me, "Sally, you don't know how your voice carries...." kind of figured that would be so from the moment of my baptism.

As you remember your baptism. Claim the promise. You, are a beloved, blessed child of God who is beautiful to behold --- then, now, and always.
I had a parishioner who received baptism as an adult and she took this promise to heart and made it her daily and frequent refrain. So should we all.
Name it and claim it.