I think I have mentioned previously that ministry is a strange kind of work. Well, this past week was no exception. It began with attending an advanced meditation class at a Buddhist monastery. I was in such a wonderful frame of mind when I got in my car. However I managed to pick up my electronic leash, otherwise known as a Blackberry, to see that I had a message from a member at the church who had recently had surgery. So, I thought I should call her. She was in a state of shock and shared with me that 4 friends of her daughter's (all in their late teens) had been in a horrible auto accident the previous night and all of them were in the hospital. So much for the Zen state, low blood pressure, etc. I went into the office but knew that I'd be driving about 45 minutes to the hospital later that afternoon. I had to decide that the young woman I was meeting for lunch who has been visiting our church for about 4 months was also a priority and I would not cancel. So, on to the office, then off to lunch. She had all sorts of interesting questions about the devil, what one has to do to get baptized and a few others I can not remember. I left there and drove to the hospital. Met lots of folks, talked, listened, prayed, etc. That was Tuesday.
Wednesday morning I left the house at 7:30 to attend a committee on preparation meeting. Led games at an inquirer retreat, talked about a variety of issues, then left. Stopped at the hospital to see a woman who had broken her hip. While I was there, I noticed there was a lot of activity and the nurses were talking in medical speak. Finally, the RN told me, after I said I was her pastor, that they were moving her to ICU as her blood pressure had been way too low for the last 24 hours. So, I talked, prayed, listened, assessed, called daughter and ultimately left the hospital. Then, I talked about nominating officers when I got back to the office. Ran to make sure the video was ready so that I could teach a class about faith and politics at 7 pm that evening. Class ended at 9, then I talked to a member for about 40 minutes and left for home ....a 14 hour day
Thursday I knew I had to do a few things and cancelled bible study. Worked on two sermons, wrote some emails, read my mail, participated in a conference call, counseled a member about her aging mother, and left the office at a decent hour. Came home and watched Gray's Anatomy.....like I needed to watch someone else's trauma and drama !?
Friday I got up and walked to meet my covenant group friend so that we could drive to the seminary to provide leadership at their Friday chapel communion service. I preached, two of my members led and a 4th provided hospitality of coffee and scones following the service. We had a meeting with the VP for alumni relations and headed home. Then, I saw my family and headed off to a workshop on progressive Christianity. Home by 9:40
Saturday worked on sermon and then walked to the church for installment two of the conference. Came home and had dinner with family. Now am vegging in front of a computer.
A friend of mine told me tonight that I need to slow down....ya think!?
No comments:
Post a Comment