So as I finish my year at S. Luke’s UMC
today, (31st July), I am posting the final team building devotion
for Florida City. The past two devotions where apart of this training, that
sums up a lot of what the missions department aims to instill its volunteers
before they go out to serve, and thus is a lot about what I have learnt the
past months. Through helping others go through this training, I definitely have
had my own eyes opened, as is the intention of it all.
As I looked back at “Leading by stepping
back”, I thought a lot about what it means to not lead from the forefront, and
how important this is, not only when doing a joint mission experience, but
while working with youth, or within a community, or even just in our everyday
lives. It is about empowering others, while working side by side with them.
Lead by Stepping Back
Okay, so I am awful with stepping back,
absolutely awful. Two weeks into my internship I went on retreat with the young
adult missional movement, up to Georgia. Two weeks in and I needed a break, I
don’t know what that says about me, but hey. So while away we did the enneagram
personality test. I came out as an eight (as did Ruth by the way) with a strong
9 wing. For those that can’t immediately translate that enneagram language, it
reads that I am a “leader, or challenger” with a strong “peacekeeper” wing.
This means I am self-confident, strong, and assertive.
Protective, resourceful, straight-talking, and decisive, but can also be
ego-centric and domineering. accepting, trusting, and stable. They are usually
creative, optimistic, and supportive, but can also be too willing to go along
with others to keep the peace.
This enneagram combination gives me the title
“the Bear”, but the traits do mean that at even healthy levels, I can have
difficulties in giving up power and leadership…. This came as a huge surprise
to my roommates… but I do honestly have difficulties if I am not in some
control of my work. So today’s topic of leading by stepping back is probably
the least easy for myself to give a devotion over.
Last week we were looking at gifts and assets, and
in the excellent exercise that Adam did, we saw how Branches likely have as
much to offer us, for our needs, as we have to offer to their needs. We are all
equals and thus one group is not the leader of the other, we are all a part of
one body of workers, and cookers, and child minders. We are all working
together.
We read:
1 Corinthians 12:12-31
12 Christ
is just like the human body—a body is a unit and has many parts; and all the
parts of the body are one body, even though there are many.13 We were all baptized by one Spirit into one body, whether Jew or Greek,
or slave or free, and we all were given one Spirit to drink.14 Certainly the body isn’t one part but many.15 If the foot says, “I’m not part of the body because I’m not a hand,”
does that mean it’s not part of the body?16 If the ear says, “I’m not part of the body because I’m not an eye,” does
that mean it’s not part of the body?17 If the whole body were an eye, what would happen to the hearing? And if
the whole body were an ear, what would happen to the sense of smell?18 But as it is, God has placed each one of the parts in the body just like
he wanted.19 If all were one and the same body part, what
would happen to the body?20 But as it is, there are many parts but one body.21 So the eye can’t say to the hand, “I don’t need you,” or in turn, the
head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.”22 Instead, the parts of the body that people think are the weakest are the
most necessary.23 The parts of the body that we think are less honorable are the ones we
honor the most. The private parts of our body that aren’t presentable are the
ones that are given the most dignity.24 The parts of our body that are presentable don’t need this. But God has
put the body together, giving greater honor to the part with less honor25 so that there won’t be division in the body and so the parts might have
mutual concern for each other.26 If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part gets the
glory, all the parts celebrate with it.27 You are the body of Christ and parts of each other.28 In the church, God has appointed first apostles, second prophets, third
teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, the ability to help others,
leadership skills, different kinds of tongues.29 All aren’t apostles, are they? All aren’t prophets, are they? All aren’t
teachers, are they? All don’t perform miracles, do they?30 All don’t have gifts of healing, do they? All
don’t speak in different tongues, do they? All don’t interpret, do they?31 Use your ambition to try to get the greater gifts.
Just think on this. We are all a part of
one body of believers, all of us, Branches Florida City and St. Luke’s, (Churches in Belfast, and Bangor, Northern Ireland and America) neither
is greater than the other, neither has greater leadership skills than the
other, neither has greater construction skills than the other, neither has
greater knowledge than the other. We all have our individual skills and
personality types, but together our skill sets are so wide and varied, there is
no one skill or personality that overshadows the rest. This is the same for the
team we will be joining in Fl City, there will be no one dominant skill. This
means neither we are them are capable of leading the charge, being at the
forefront in everything. Leading about stepping back isn’t just about giving
others the chance to grow, or better themselves, it is also about admitting to
ourselves, we can't do this alone. We cannot do it all. So when we lead by
stepping back we really are leading, by being a team together, St. Luke’s and
Florida City. We will be one team!
So before we leave Friday, if you haven’t
already, take a personality test, do the enneagram test, or something, just to
look at yourself a little closer, and then think “how will I become part of the
bigger team, knowing this about myself?” Try taking a minute to think how this can be applied to:
So here is a devotion I did earlier in the year, that I have been
thinking on recently. I want to share it with you, but here is an idea, if you
can, re-read this with another, or in a group of three or more, and discuss the
questions, because I do think it is important to appreciate other’s skills and
assets, and encourage others, but also it is equally important to look at your
own skills, and think on how they can be used in your life and the life of the
church.
This was written and lead by myself before going to Florida City with a
group of different ages, to go help build a playground with the Branches
community. Although it is based around the gifts and assets found by many at
St. Luke’s, gifts and assets are very much universal, so also very applicable
to Northern Ireland, as I will discuss in a later post, that I'm trying to lead
to. Basically I am pulling from my previous work, so one, you can see what I
have been doing, but two, lead you in my thought process, so I can share with
you what I have learnt, and you can see and understand how I got to that point. Skills and Assets
1 Peter 4:9-11
9 Open your homes to each other
without complaining. 10 And serve each
other according to the gift each person has received, as good managers of God’s
diverse gifts. 11 Whoever speaks should do so as
those who speak God’s word. Whoever serves should do so from the strength that
God furnishes. Do this so that in everything God may be honored through Jesus
Christ. To him be honor and power forever and always. Amen.
Colossians 3:17
17 Whatever
you do, whether in speech or action, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus
and give thanks to God the Father through him.
Luke 21:1-4
He
looked up and saw rich people putting their gifts into the treasury; he also
saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. He said, “truly I tell you,
this poor widow put in more than all of them; for all of them have contributed
out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to
live on.
So I came here in October, but prior to
that I had a number of sessions with Britt Gilmore, who is a pastor in Northern
Ireland, who went over as a missionary from here at St. Luke’s.
In these sessions we had dinner with his
family and then would sit down with him, the American use to Northern Irish
culture, his wife Alison, the Northern Irish one use to American culture, and
me the blissfully unaware intern to be. No I did have an idea about American
culture, but these sessions were set as a cultural preparation session.
One of the things Britt said was “Now
Owain, Americans are rather self-assured in their talents, they don’t hold back
on how good they think they are. Whereas you all are rather held back, and shy
away from compliments.”
So from that stand point this devotion
on “Gifts and Assets” should be easy, because you all are so self-assured on
what you’re good at! (This said of course to americans!)
Truth is we do all have skills and
assets, so quick in your groups I want you to discus, what you think your gifts
are, and I want everyone to say at least one!
Now you have all discussed what your
skills are I want you to think, how could this be used in the context of
Florida City, and how it could be used here, at St Luke’s? (Think on how your
skills could be used at your local church or community outreach centre!)
We read
10 And serve each
other according to the gift each person has received, as good managers of God’s
diverse gifts.
As well as
17 Whatever you do, whether in
speech or action, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus and give thanks to
God the Father through him.
This tells us that
1.Our gifts come
from God
2.We should use
our gifts to represent and please God here
3.And everyone has
gifts
Now I showed you that clip from the under rated film Megamind, where he
is trying to find a way to use his skills to impress the class, but can’t find
away, because the young Metroman’s skills keep over shadowing his.
Last week I was on retreat and in our reading, I came across this
passage
“Here we touch the most important quality of Christian leadership in the
future. It is not a leadership of power and control, but a leadership of
powerlessness and humility...” “Leadership in which power is constantly
abandoned in favour of love” “most of us still feel that, if we have anything
at all to show….” “…we have to do it solo, and make it a spectacle”
Our gifts don’t need to be shown as huge gestures of power in faith, to
make everyone say “oh look at so and so, aren’t they so good”, like metroman
making the popcorn, but we can use our skills together to follow the call to
give up power, and be vulnerable humans, and show love. You shouldn’t look at
others and think, like Megamind did, “man their gifts are so much greater than
mine”, they aren’t. God gives us all gifts, talents, and assets, though some
may show them outwardly, it doesn’t mean that you can’t use your gifts, to
quietly build the kingdom here.
We look also at Luke 21, and we see that it doesn’t matter how large the
gift or asset, if we give it fully to God, it will please him. Like in the how
to be rich series how it talks on “God looks at percentages!” If we give our
all, and put a large percentage of our time and effort, if we put all the time
and energy we can, just like the poor Widow, into the work we are doing here at
St. Luke’s or in Florida City, it will please God.
So here is my challenge for you, go from this place and look at the time
you spend during your day, or week, and see if you can break down the time you
spend at school, work, eating, sleeping, resting, and how much of that time you
spend in worship, service, or prayer. Then maybe look at if you can do the
latter more so.
So here is a devotion I did earlier in the year, that I have been thinking on recently. I want to share it with you, but here is an idea, if you can, re-read this with another, or in a group of three or more, and discuss the questions, because I certainly found it interesting how we all have different views of poverty and those in poverty, and its the act of seeing that even those we would see as being in our own social circle, or what not, have different views, that helps open our eyes to our own view on poverty, and a wider look at societies view on it. This was written and lead by myself before going to Florida City with a group of different ages, to go help build a playground with the Branches community. Although it is based around poverty in America, it is also very applicable to Northern Ireland poverty, as I will discuss in a later post, that I'm trying to lead to. Basically I am pulling from my previous work, so one, you can see what I have been doing, but two, lead you in my thought process, so I can share with you what I have learnt, and you can see and understand how I got to that point.
Florida City Memorial Day Weekend Training
Making Poverty Personal
Take a look at this first!
Scripture: Matthew 25:34-40
34 “Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who will
receive good things from my Father. Inherit the kingdom that was prepared for
you before the world began.35 I was hungry and you
gave me food to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger
and you welcomed me.36 I was naked and you gave
me clothes to wear. I was sick and you took care of me. I was in prison and you
visited me.’
37 “Then those who are righteous will reply to him, ‘Lord, when did
we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you a drink?38 When did we see you as a stranger and welcome you, or naked and
give you clothes to wear?39 When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
40 “Then the king will reply to them, ‘I assure you that when you
have done it for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you
have done it for me.’
Mini-Message
What is it that comes to your mind when the
term Global Poverty is used? Africa, poor, Less economically developed countries?
What about when the term Local Poverty is used? Benefits, Handouts, minority
communities?
Let’s quickly debunk some basic
misconception’s, though I am sure you all already know this all.
1.The US poverty
level was as of 2014, 14.3%, that means of the people on that will be going on
this trip, statistically 5 would be in poverty. (NB we had somewhere between
35-40 people on this experience)
2.Poverty
does not just occur in pocket communities, within nearly every neighbourhood
there will be people facing issues that make it hard for them to keep their
heads above water.
3.The
majority in poverty are not there due to “lack of effort”, generational poverty
exists massively here.
4.Those in
poverty are not just looking for handouts.
So I want you to think about these four
points, and in knowing that think to yourselves, what is my mission as an
ambassador of Christ?
We are called in the passage I read, to help
everyone, where we see need we are called to help. So we need our eyes to be
wide open to the need around us, and a lot of the time it is not going to be
fully evident, and others it will be, but we need to be able to see those in
need and know that no matter the situation we are called to help.
I want you in small groups of four or five to answer
on these four questions. (You can do this alone at home…)
1.What do
you view as poverty?
2.What are
some areas of poverty, that people even in your community may be facing?
3.What are
some judgments I am quick to pass on people who need help, that I should try to
drop here?
4.How will
you help support each other as a team (or support those you live or work with),
to stop quick judgments, and to help do what this passage was talking about?
Here is one more question for you all to take away with you.
What am I going to look out for this week, to try help me identify those
in need, And to help stop myself passing judgment on others?
Prayer
God we thank you for the time we got to spend together this eve,
preparing to work with our brothers and sisters in Florida City, and we hope
that you can bestow onto us the ability to see the world through your eyes,
that we may see those who need help, and that you also help strengthen us to
fulfil what you have asked of us.
We bring all our worries, and our judgments, that we may have, and we lay
them in your arms, knowing you are the great provider, and sustainer. That with
you we do not need to worry.
Let us go back to our weeks, full of your spirit, ready to help build
your kingdom here, and everywhere we go.
In your Sons holy name we pray.
Amen
That is the end of the devotion, but I did find this video that I thought was interesting, from a UK stance on the public's view on Poverty
Before the letter I will give a little information. This was written and sent on June 22nd, of this year. Many from my home church will have already read it, but it contains a snippet of what I have been up to between my last update blog and now.
Hello,
Is
it me you’re looking for? Okay maybe now isn’t the time for Lionel Richie
lyrics.
So let me start this letter by apologising
for my disappearance from my blog and lack of communication with back home. It
has been about three months since my last blog post, and honestly I have been
neglecting the importance of letting “Y’all” (yup still using American
colloquialisms) know how I am doing.
So I am coming into my final month of
working at St. Luke’s UMC and very hesitant about the fact I am having to leave
so soon, don’t get me wrong I want to see you all back home, but I have made
many connections, and friends here, that I really wish I could somehow bring
home and here together.
So what have you missed, well my supervisor
in youth ministry has moved on to take a congregation of his own, as he becomes
an associate pastor at another church. This has led to two new youth directors
coming on, a Gent called Zac, has become the new director of middle school
ministries, (the equivalent of p7 through third year). He is, of course
completely mad, as you have to be, to work with middle schoolers. Though I
would say he is truly excellent, and I am excited to see how the St. Luke’s
Middle School Youth develops in the future. A Lady named Caryn, has taken over
the High school and young adult ministries, and with her being a member of the
church already, I could think of nobody whom would be more ideal for the role.
In missions the mission experience I had
been working on since January came together, and we ( a group of about 40
people, of all ages), travelled down to Florida City and worked with the
community to build a playground down at Branches UMC. This was over memorial
day weekend, and took a lot of energy as we moved tons upon tons of mulch to
lay down a protective layer around all the equipment. It was tiring, but
immensely fun. I also got to lead a worship group consisting of two St. Luke’s
youth, Pedro, and a few Branches musicians, in the Sunday morning service. In the past few weeks I have had more and
more time to lead the St. Luke’s Youth worship, and has given me great pleasure
in using my music to help guide the youth in their faith journeys.
I have also been continuing my work with
the missions council, in which they try to define the missions criteria, based around St.
Luke’s 4D vision. This also has involved looking at their Belfast mission
partnerships, and seeing how we change, without losing our partnerships, so
that they fit with our vision. So I have enjoyed the chance to help with that
home connection, and hopefully over the next month will help set some more
things in place to make a difference, both back home, and here.
I went on an excellent retreat to Atlanta
with the YAMMERs which involved going to the MLK centre, which was a very
moving and powerful exhibition, that all should see if they can. I also went to
the CDC (centre for disease control) museum, which was also fascinating to see
how our understanding of diseases has changed over the years, from cancer to HIV,
right through to Smallpox.
I finish work at St. Luke’s on the 31st
of July, and will be returning home the 15th of August. I ask for
prayers for my friend and pastor Jenn, still, as she has just had her final
surgery, in this battle against what she refers to as “Stupid” (Cancer). Please keep her family in your prayers as
well, that they maintain their strength as well. Asking for prayers for the
other Co-lead pastor, Bill Barnes, as he ends his time in ordained ministry and
moves on to other things. Finally please pray for me, that as I try to follow
God’s path for me, and leave this place, for the next in my life journey, that
I don’t find it to difficult.
I continue my prayers for South Belfast
Methodist, and Belfast as we move into the season of parades and bonfires, that
peace will prevail through the time.
So you haven't heard from me in ages, and I'm sorry. The honest reason was because I didn't make time to communicate with yous all, because I was finding it harder to want to put down some of my feelings on paper (well, blog) because sometimes it made it too real, or sometimes I didn't want to let people know that at times I was having some issues. Truth is I'm fine, just at times was homesick, or worried about going home, totally two ends of a spectrum, but still. I decided to try and post one story ever couple of days about my stay here until I leave, good luck to me!
Today my story is prompted by just stopping at one of St. Luke's mission partners to worship after being on retreat. This was Branches, in Florida City. Now I have travelled here twice this year before today. Once was over MLK weekend, to help with Florida City love yourself, in which I did a lot of gardening with the youth, and moved a stupidly heavy cast iron bell with Andrew. The second was ove Memorial Day weekend, on an inter generational mission experience, in which St. Luke's missions department took a group of people to Branches to work along side the community building a playground. I had the privilege to play with the worship band that weekend. It was amazing. Anyhow I digress.
Okay so yet again I have left this a while since my last
blog, due to the sheer amount of work that that I have been helping (not
hindering…. Usually) with, at St. Luke’s UMC. So I am going to do this in my
normal style, for an “Owain-you-have-too-many-days-to-remember” catch up blog.
Children’s Ministry
So as you now I spent time over Christmas, researching
and trying to find some curriculum, for the hour long period I have total
control over the children on a Wednesday, I was happy with what I brought
together for them, however you would be surprised how many Tuesday nights I
spent looking at what I had planned, and thinking, “what the heck was I
thinking?!”, and changing my plan.
Looking back at some of the things I did with them, there
are definitely something’s I would change about how I would present it all. So
here is:
Owain’s three point guide to not screwing up
children’s ministry.
Do no, I repeat do not, put out the paint, brushes,
and paper in front of them before you explain what to do…. Or you will end up
with something beautiful, but also useless for the lesson… this is pretty much
the same for any craft activity.
Explain, in detail, to your volunteers what
the activities are, and even if think you have, tell them once more just to
make sure. This stops you having to answer their questions while explaining the
task or activity to the children, which can be very distracting to kids, or
seen as a chance to escape to the toys. Also, once you start explaining, don’t
stop for questions till the end, because when a child raises there hand, this
most certainly doesn’t indicate a question, it may actually be a five minute
ramble on how they went to school without their hair being the way they wanted…
When you make a plan, most certainly be free
to deviate, as with children, who knows what the heck is going to happen.
(Number of times I stuck to the plan the whole way…. Somewhere between one and
negative one) When you can't stick to the plan make sure you have small backups
to slot in, to keep the children occupied as you try to find a way back to your
plan. (Example: put on some kid friendly worship, as anyone under ten seems to
have the ability, and loves to dance to anything…)
So there you have it. I will put in here, an example of
one of the days we did that I felt went the best…
The Creed: God the
Father
First I sat with
and talked to them about the first two lines of the Apostles Creed, “I believe
in God the father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.” Trying to get them to
just appreciate how we believe in a being that created everything, and how mind
blowing that is, from the oak leaf veins to the massive burning ball of gas,
that we call the sun. I then showed a time lapse video that we had used in
Sunday school for youth that previous week.
We then created a
huge poster of the world, made up of blue bulletin board paper, and green craft
card, cut by the children into different land mass shapes
Youth Ministry
I love every one of my youth, no matter how hyperactive
some can be at times; they are all fantastic! It is a pleasure to be able to
work with them. Over the past month we started new Monday night programming,
called Plugged In, which I have been given as my programme to try grow, and run.
It is good experience starting a programme from scratch, first week we had a
grand total of….Five, which to some may be disheartening, and make you feel
like giving up, but you always have to remember that a programme is not going
to be an overnight success. Also being a new start and blank page, it does give
Andrew and me the chance to be creative with what we do in it over the next
months.
Wednesday nights I am still taking sport, and yes, I am
still awful at basketball…
Sunday School has been really interesting over the past
few weeks. With Andrew leading confirmation, I have been left to take what
remains of the 7th and 8th Grade class. It is a great
growth experience, I believe, for me. It lets me actually teach on the topics;
yea that is scary, me teaching young impressionable minds, on our religion and
faith. So far, however, I feel it has gone relatively well! Sunday evenings
have been going well, we still play games that are all…. Carefully thought
through, I think is the best way to describe them… Maybe…
We also have continue to volunteer with Wyldlife, an
external middle school youth fellowship programme. They are amazing! The leads
are so passionate, and caring towards their youth, it is something that a lot
of youth fellowships could do with!
Forty-four
games that I thought would end up with a child in hospital, but somehow
didn’t….
Dang! We actually have a lot of weeks and games to get
through…. Please note, not all these games are from St. Luke’s Youth, some are
from Wyldlife.
#13 Scavenger hunt… round a major theme park and night
club area, using Instagram! (Wyldlife)
Take
youth to a destination full of people, and different sights, have a list of
objects, people wearing specific clothes, etc. and have them go round in groups
(with leaders) to find them. When found the group must take a photo, be it a
selfie or a regular photo, then post it to Instagram, with a specific hashtag!
It did sound like so many things could go wrong, being out in the crowds, but
it was brilliant, and was a great way to integrate technology into the game!
#14 Reindeer Vs Elves
Marshmallow gun plus capture the flag, at Christmas! You
have a pitch with three thirds marked out,
a reindeer safe zone, a no man’s land, and an elf safe zone. Basically
if you are shot, you must return to your safe zone. The goal being to… well its
obvious… capture the other flag…
#15 Ant Raid!
Four points marked round a specific playing area. One person
is the exterminator, pretending to have a can of Ant Raid, the rest are ants. The
exterminator, runs around spraying ants with the raid! (okay so its tag) When
an ant is caught, it lies on its back with legs and arms up in the air. Four
ants can then drag the dead ant to one of the four previously marked points,
for the dead ant to be revived, while doing so they are safe from the
exterminator.
#16 Ninjas and Shaman
This is a weird, but awesome one. You need loads of foam
pool noodles (you know, the floats) these are swords for the ninjas. You also
need hula hoops, for the shaman. You have two teams, made up of many ninjas,
and a few shamans each. After the whistle goes, ninjas from opposing teams run
at each other, and sword fight. If hit in the arm, you put your arm behind your
back, if hit in the leg, you hop. This goes on till you have no limbs, and are
then dead. The shaman’s job is to hula hoop around, and heals injured ninjas,
but they can’t revive dead ones. Winner is the team with remaining ninjas.
#18 Trade Up. (Wyldlife)
So get multiple teams of youth, and give them all a paper
clip. They then get given a specific and unique route around a neighbourhood,
each. The task is to trade the paper clip for something bigger or better, and
then repeat till your set time limit is up. The winner is to the team with the
biggest item, and the most useful item. The biggest for Wyldlife was a sheet of
Plywood, which our team got at the first house in exchange for the paper clip…
we couldn’t really go anywhere further with trading that…. The most useful was
split between a Surf board, and a 52 inch telly. Yea….
To be honest I didn’t really expect a kid to get injured,
mind you with Florida’s stand your ground law, lord knows what could have happened…
#19 Wizards, elves, Giants
Wizards
beat elves, elves beat giants, giants beat wizards. Two teams. Each choice has
an action, which you can get creative with. Teams line up opposite each other
in the middle of a hall. Shout 1,2,3 go. At which both teams reveal their
action (which must be the same for each team member, if not those doing the
wrong one, loose) the looser is chased by the winner, back to their wall.
Whoever the winner catches joins their team. Rinse and repeat!
#20 Human Knot
Everyone(max
12 people) gets into a tight circle, and then put their hands in the middle.
Take your left hand, and grab someone’s right hand, whom is not beside you! Now
they have to untangle themselves without letting go… I am surprised nobody
ended up with a spiral facture or dislocated arm, with the way they tried
untying themselves… And this was done with elementary school children!
Missions
Missions work has been great fun recently. Not that it
never was, but it has been more so recently... Saved myself there….
I have been working closely with Miriam, in mission
development and Global Missions, as you will remember. The main project I am
working on at the moment is the Florida City Intergenerational Mission Experience. Kelly Brinker, Miriam, and
I have just recently got the applications complete, and sent out. We soon will
be selecting the team, setting up training times, and going down to Florida
City, to coordinate with our partners down there. The goal is to build a playground
over Memorial Weekend.
I have also started work on researching a possible
Intergenerational Mission Training Retreat, to prepare those who want to serve.
One of the places we are looking at is the ECHO far, I talked about recently.
This week I hosted Family Promise, overnight at St. Luke's. As their website states: Family Promise of Greater Orlando (FPGO) is a nonprofit, interfaith hospitality network providing temporary assistance, hospitality, and case management for families with children experiencing homelessness. Family Promise provides these services through the participation of local congregations, dedicated staff, and hundreds of volunteers. It was great to get talking with the families, and hear all their plans, and what they did in their everyday lives.
Super Bowl
I watched the super bowl at Andrews… he is a mad patriots
fan, so Pedro decided to support the Seahawks, because he doesn’t mind stirring
things up at all…. So we watched the game at his, and I got to experience
proper super bowl adverts! There were some very impressive ones!
Also with those last four game plays, meaning the game
was in the balance till the end, made it a game I won’t soon forget. That and
Andrew flipping out when Patriots intercepted in the line….
School System
So I have recently started helping some students, at our Monday
programming and some others, with homework, and some tutoring.
Oh. My Goodness! I just cannot get my head around their
system. These youth are under constant testing, and the AP students have large
exams at the end of the year. Some start school before 7am, if they have a test
they need to do, and end around 2pm. In the last year of school they could be
doing up to eight subjects, sometimes more. Admittedly I haven’t come across a
subject (even AP) which goes into as much depth as we do in our A-levels, but
we are doing only four subjects, and other than coursework and practical’s, the
only real thing that counts for our result is our end of year exams, which yes
is horrendously stress full. Here though homework, and in the year tests, all
count, and then you get told where you’re grade is at the end of each term….
The stress is constant. I honestly don’t understand how that can be seen as
healthy, mind you I wouldn’t say that our home system is better. I have thought
one thing… Thank dear goodness I managed to get through it all eventually!
Six Nations
I can confirm I have watched all the games! Wooo! However I will also confirm the games kind of sucked, except the Scotland Wales game, that was a good one. Come on Ireland for Sunday the first of march!
Their first rugby game... it sucked....
CQ
On Friday just past I took part in CQ, a seminar,
workshop, whatever you want to call it on Cultural intelligence! I was interested
to see where I ranked on the scale for CQ, and it suggested that my cultural background
was, well all over the place. I have the collectivism mentality (focus on We
rather than I) similar to those cultures in in Arab, Confucian and southern
Asian, Latin American and sub-Saharan African. I am High Power Distance orientated,
meaning I see boundaries and somewhat accept inequality levels, as in Arab, Latin
American and southern Asian cultures.
I have a high uncertainty avoidance level, like Latin European
and American cultures, meaning I avoid failure, and need rules. I am
competitive like Anglo and Germanic European cultures, so need to excel and
live to work. I am long term based; I need a long term plan, look at past successes
to determine the likely hood of future success.
I am fairly high context based like Eastern European
Latin American and European cultures, so I am indirect in communication at
times, and don’t like upsetting harmony.
I am doing orientated, like Anglo and Germanic European cultures,
so am goal orientated. I am time focused, and need a time frame, and a plan!
My home culture would come under the Anglo cluster
culture, which includes the US, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand. However I do
hate the term Anglo…
For the Actual CQ Profile, I was in the top 25% of the
worldwide norm for each of CQ Drive, Knowledge, Strategy, and Action. This
means I do have a good idea of Cultural differences, and know how to interact,
though it did show me areas in which I could improve, like in my
Socio-linguistic skills, or Extrinsic Interest in CQ, which is to see something
in it for yourself, apparently I don’t look at things for my own gain a lot,
which to be honest I am not too sure if this is true or not…
Despite this it was an excellent workshop, and if you are
ever offered to do it, please take it!
Spare time
What free time…
I am joking. kind of... Recently in my spare time I have been
hanging with the college students, frequently with my friend Francesca, who I can
honestly say I am lucky to have around, to keep me sane here at times!
I also have been to the cinema with Pedro on numerous
occasions, once to American Sniper, then with youth to Selma, and with him to
see Kingsmen.
They were all good films, though American Sniper made me
feel very uneasy, especially when the audience cheered and clapped when the “bad
guy” was shot dead from two miles away….
Selma was mighty powerful, and for someone who knows
little about the American civil rights movement, has created an interest.
Kingsmen was hilarious for a twenty year old male….
Prayers, Praises and Concerns
The Stiles-Williams as they continue their journey, Grace
as she continues through her Senior year.
Shakeria, just that whatever is going on in her life
right now is positive; and the same for Francesca.
Pedro, just for his heart.
Sarah, my other roommate.
My family back home, that they stay safe, healthy, and
mad as ever. That my father has a positive lent and Easter.
That St. Luke’s has a positive transition as Pastor Bill
retires in the following months, and Pastor Jenn moves from co-lead, to lead
pastor. That people, who may have fears in this change (as many do not like
change at all), may be put to rest.
Pray for me to keep motivated, and energised!
Pray for Andrew, as for the reason below!
Andrew
So this month Andrew, Director of youth ministry,
announced to the youth, that he was going for ordination into the United
Methodist Church. This was a hard time for them. I have known for a while now, but before I was told, I could honestly say
that he was made to be a pastor, his passion for youth, is only ought weighed,
in my eyes, by one thing, his passion for teaching scripture and theology. I
have learnt so much from him, it has been a pleasure working with him, and I know
he will make an awesome minister! The church council voted to send him forward
as a candidate for ordination, on Tuesday past.
Reflection
So this week I went to my first full Ash Wednesday,
complete with the Imposition of Ashes, something which rarely done at home, as
it is a Catholic tradition. Though it is a powerful service where I felt we
look upon our own mortality. We are very fragile, and as is said “the only certainties
in life are death and taxes.” Though as a certain nameless person (for their
own protection….) said “yea but you can avoid taxes….” We come into this world,
and from our first breath we have started our journey to death. There is a
saying, that I do use totally ironically when people ask me questions I can’t
really be bothered answering, and that saying is Y.O.L.O. You Only Live Once. An
example “Owain why is my coat on the ground.” “Because, YOLO.” Or “Owain, why
is my car totalled?!” “hashtag Y.O.L.O!” The thing is though, through Christ we
don’t. We will die, but because of Christ we can be born again, so Y.O.L.O does not apply. Many young people use the phrase, to pass of behaviour that isn't really positive, off as banter, joking, a one off, but we should strive to live with Christ. Viktor Frankl once said "live as if you were living a second time, and as though you had acted wrongly the first time." We should really think about all our actions, be it what we say or do, be it towards someone, behind someone's back, our to our self, because we must love ourselves, others and God, we must aim to live for the next life.
This video is
worth a watch, I found it as I was thinking on the Ashes service.
Oh my goodness… I am twenty… What the heck! Gone is the
excuse “I am a teenager”. Two decades down, unknown to go… This week, as you
may have gathered is my first as a twenty year old, and I think I am settling
into it well, and by that I mean absolutely nothing has changed. I still am
working the same as I did, still am as (ill-)disciplined as I was two weeks
ago, still interact with people in the exact same manor. I mean I knew I
wouldn’t have any major epiphany, as I kept reminding my roommate Samantha, as
she practically counted down the days till the house was teenager free. Though
this birthday week has been very different, to start I haven’t had my dad
calmly doing his tax return over it, of course I am joking. The lack of actual
family was really weird at first though, but then I realised, I have a massive
family here. I touched on my Wednesday birthday celebrations last week, and how
Pedro and Andrew threw a Princess Birthday for me, but I didn’t mention the
little things like my boss in children’s ministries, buying me a mountain dew
(and even tied a bow around it) or Minister of Connection congratulating me,
and giving me a hug. Really in life it is the small things that make things
easier. Then my friend Francesca (one of those previously mentioned college
students!) got me a card and candy, despite being broke at the moment, though
how many students aren’t? Then I did
have that princess surprise party with my youth! I arrived home to find the
house decorated by my roommates, with balloons and messages galore. We are all
very busy, but the fact they took the time, and effort, to do all of that was
just so warming, and loving. Honestly have struck it lucky with these guys. I
came in knowing nothing about them, knowing I could be put in a house of freaks,
and to be honest I have, but they are awesome freaks!
On Thursday I had the joys to come in for a meeting in
mission development and I am serious when I say joy, I had been asking for this
meeting since around New Year…. We got together, Lynette (executive director of
missions), Miriam (Director of mission development), Kellie (Associate director
of missions), and myself (director of squat all/intern); we talked on three
points, Global missions, a Florida City intergenerational mission experience, and
another intergenerational mission retreat. From Global missions we looked over
the links I had made with a Floridian College, in regards to Public Health and
our Jamaica mission, as well as the links I had made with this UMC Guatemalan
mission, you know, the one I asked the stupidly difficult questions… Yea that
one. We discussed how we were going on from there. Then for Florida City we
talked over everything that needs to be done before the trip in May, including producing an application form,
going down to work out logistics, what exactly it was we were going to do. I
will talk more on this next week, after we release all the information. Then I
was given three different family mission based retreat facilities to look into,
including ECHO, the global farm project I was at only two days before! The hope
is to sort a family retreat, which will prepare families those who want to
participate on St. Luke’s missions trips, be it local or global! I love being
involved in the development process, as many know I have a rather… strong
personality… which likes to have control, and leadership… and honestly
(although I am not at all qualified to lead or have full control… at all!),
this gives me some control over the content of these retreats, and over the
development of our partnerships!
Friday was a day where I just chilled. I awoke to be invited
by Francesca, to come round and watch Maze Runner with Pedro and the other
students, though Pedro could not attend as he had DMV things to attend to, and
the students ended up busy, so we watched Maze Runner, in glorious surround
sound… which lead me to jump just a wee bit when weird sounds came from right
behind me… totally kept my cool…
Then that night I had a brilliant experience, as I
celebrated my birthday, with whom I can only describe as my American family,
the Stiles-Williams. I mean they do mirror my home family in many, many ways. I
did have a moment yesterday (Monday) where Jenn, did completely mother me, I
will not give details, but it did make me laugh. They took me in, and cooked
beautiful food, gave me some gifts, then took me out to the cinema to see The
Hobbit (don’t get me started on that film…)(…I just question Peter Jacksons
belief that his direction is more creative than Tolkien’s writing is…) (…That
is all I am saying…)(…but can I also just say, Legolas is pointless and
unneeded in this film series…)(…sigh…)Anyway, we saw the film, I got closure
with the trilogy, then we returned to theirs for home baked (from a box) cake,
complete with candles and ice-cream. There is no doubt that they are a blessing
on my year here. They do everything to make me feel at home in this weird
country!
So I got home around about midnight, and came in to be asked
by my roommates “and where have you been to this hour young sir”. Now, I had
told them, so knew they were joking, but I know that they do actually care on
my where abouts and safety. They then proceeded to tell me we had to leave at
7am for the colour run 5k, which I had taken the place of Pedro on the team,
this early morning wake did not fill me with joy… So 6:45 came, I woke, put on
my white t-shirt and sports shorts and gym shoes, and forced myself into a
vaguely conscious state, and we left for the Orlando Citrus Bowl, where the
race would start and end. The race started at 8:30, but I didn’t pass the start
line till 9:04, as they let people go in large groups. I started jogging at an
even pace, only to find out my roommates decided (after 20m) that they were
going to walk it, but not I. I decided before I was going to use this a fitness
indicator, and was going to run it all, even if it killed me. I passed the
first colour zone, which was Pink. I should say for those unfamiliar with
colour runs, at these zones they spray powdered nontoxic paint on you. I should
advise you, when going through these zones, close your eyes, and mouth, and
just don’t breathe…. I couldn’t see for 10s, nearly taking out a small kid, and
was coughing pink powder up for a solid minute… but I continued round, and went
past each zone (learning from my original mistake) and finished in a time of
34minutes, which I was so happy with given: 1 I haven’t done any running in
over two years now. 2 Intern life does not have the most healthy of diets…
I arrived home, and stood in the shower a solid 30 minutes
scrubbing…. The paint didn’t want to come off, and in fact I kind of gave up on
some of it, didn’t care if I looked like I had some sort of skin disease down
the insides of my arms…. Then I took a nap…. I needed it. That afternoon we saw
Selma, that is Andrew, Laura (the one I dropped two pumpkins on her foot, and
fired one at her face accidently in October…) Pedro, and myself went with the
youth (and by that I mean two youth, one of whom was Laura’s daughter).
Honestly Selma was massively educational and emotional for me, having known
very little on the civil rights movement here in America!
That night I came home to my roommates, having to decide how
to celebrate my 20th… this took a solid hour and a half, as I didn’t
fancy going to an 18 and up night club, where I couldn’t have anything to
drink, mini golf was way out of an intern budget, so we settled on using house
money to go to a nice dinner. Then we went through every option from American
grill, BBQ, seafood (nope not for me….), buffet, Italian, Chinese, and finally
came to the decision of Mexican! We went to this lovely place, Colibri, which
was only a mile away. Lovely music, lovely staff, and food that was
mouth-watering (you should know by now, I like my food…)We took an after dinner
stroll down the gang walks out to the bridge, and around the local shops, it
was very peaceful. We then returned home to play cards.
So not going to lie.... The next three days were very normal. Sunday was filled with Sunday school and Sunday evening programming, with the typical shenanigans after. Monday was a day of editing Sunday school videos, starting out out new programming plugged in, an after school programme, where youth come play games, do homework and just generally chill out!
Tuesday I wrote this blog, started work on a mission experience which I will be talking about very soon, and went to the Stiles-Williams.
Prayers
Of course continue to pray for the Stiles-Williams, with
another Chemo week coming up, and Grace having two scholarship interviews this
week, I am sure you can appreciate the stress that they are facing, but I am
sure you can appreciate also, how despite all this, they have such kindness in
them to still look out for me!
Prayers for Pedro, and his heart.
Prayers for my friend Fran, as she works out some stuff.
Prayers for Andrew, as he continues his path in ministry.
Prayers for my family back home.
Reflection
So here is the thing, last blog, I talked on Branches, and
how it was amazing to see the service dedication, within their community. I
commented how a huge percentage of congregant help in the service days, whereas
at most larger churches, it is a tiny percent that actually is active in the
community that the church works in. It got me thinking on what we as Christians
are called to be.
You know, the bible says Declare His glory among the nations, His
wonders among all peoples, and make disciples of all nations, and above all
love each other as you have been loved. Now it is very possible I have some
very dodgy theology here, but how can we
live into these commands if we only go
to church on a Sunday, or are only active within the walls of the church while
at worship. Surely this means we should be out there, serving? I mean what
better way to teach the gospel than to actually act through it! I am by no
means saying I am good at this…. I suck at this… if it weren’t for the fact I
am interning, I would not be well involved in the community my church connects
to, but I am trying to use this internship, to put in place some foundations
that will stick with me for the rest of my days, and I only put this out there
to share my thoughts from processing all I saw at Branches. I did find this
video helpful when exploring these thoughts.
