Mid-Week Pause Service, March, 30, 2022
Bring your Hopes, Bring your Doubts, Feed your Soul.
Pause Worship Video is posted below.
| The Northern Vicar (pastoral notes from the intersection of Northern Exposure and The Vicar of Dibley) First off, welcome our new email subscribers! Second, I hope, for those of you who subscribe to the Star Tribune, that the giant picture of me riding my bike in the Variety section did not mess with your morning. Third, as a follow-up to last week – the conversation with Cathy Wurzer on Friday went well. How are people responding to this exposure of Judson Church? One, I received an email from someone who works with placemaking and neighborhoods and wants to partner with Judson. Two, a neighborhood couple wants to explore Sunday bike repairs at Judson. Three, the accordion band that played at our Open Streets booth contacted and wants to play again. Four, a representative from the E-Bike Challenge at the Minneapolis Convention Center this weekend wrote and asked if I wanted to come and have a table to talk about Judson! And what to make of this exposure? I say we run with it, leverage it, and make new relationships with as many people as possible. How about we live into our invitation: Bring Your Hopes, Bring Your Doubts, Feed Your Soul. How about we respond with our three core values: Relational, Creative, and Inclusive. We have everything we need for this moment; just lean into it. Peace, Travis Three Things for this week: 1. One Great Hour of Sharing‐donate through Judson to help Ukraine. 2. Three evenings this week, write down three things you are grateful for that happened that day. 3. Write your favorite poem on a postcard and send it to someone. Find Judson on the internet through our link tree, linktr.ee/JudsonChurch In-person worship this Sunday, April 3, at 9:30 am with a Livestream on Facebook. Poem/Prayer for the Day “The World Peace Prayer”  |
Mid-Week Notice March 23, 2022
Bring your Hopes, Bring your Doubts, Feed your Soul.
| The Northern Vicar (pastoral notes from the intersection of Northern Exposure and The Vicar of Dibley) First things first, if you were not able to attend in person or watch the Livestream of the Sunday worship gathering and experience the beautiful music, you really missed out. Do not fret you can watch a recorded version by going here. The week, thus far, has had its share of ups and downs. Lori’s older brother David died on Sunday morning; she is in WV for the funeral. He was only 69, he died of complications associated with the early onset of Alzheimer’s. To us, his death seemed sudden, but for the family, this has been a long struggle. While Lori was away I decided it was a good time to fix the leaking bathtub. I fixed the leak but in the process of repairing it, I also caused another problem that needed repairs beyond my plumbing capacity. The plumber laid out my problem this way: it’s either a $150 repair or an $8,000 repair; luckily it was the $150 repair! Now to finally clean all the dishes. Tomorrow, I will be on the MPR noontime show Minnesota Now with Cathy Wurzer. I will talk a little about my book, specifically, the section where I talk about the 1-to-1 interviews I did with the community. I think I will be on at 12:20 pm, but things can change. Peace, Travis If you would like to make a donation to help with the situation in Ukraine I recommend One Great Hour of Sharing. You can make a donation on our webpage here. Find Judson on the internet through our link tree, linktr.ee/JudsonChurch In-person worship this Sunday, March 27, at 9:30 am with a Livestream on Facebook. Poem/Prayer for the Day Tomorrow is the feast day of St. Oscar Romero (1917-1980) Here is one of his quotes: There are many things that can only be seen through eyes that have cried. |
Mid-Week Notice March 16, 2022
Bring your Hopes, Bring your Doubts, Feed your Soul.
The Northern Vicar (pastoral notes from the intersection of Northern Exposure and The Vicar of Dibley)
Yesterday was a big day for me, it was the official release day of Church on the Move: A Practical Guide for Ministry in the Community.
There were no fireworks, parades, C-SPAN interviews, or even in-person events.
In my dreams, I envisioned a warehouse full of books just itching to be released, like the bulls at Pamplona – but in reality, it was pretty melodramatic.
The book is about walking, bicycling, and taking public transit as a means for church renewal and social justice.
But in my soul, I view the book as a love letter for pastoral ministry and to Judson Memorial Baptist Church.
I can’t imagine writing a book with an entire chapter about church parking lots other than Judson, a church without a parking lot!
The parking lot chapter was adapted and edited by Christian Century and appeared as their cover story (who knew?).
If you would like to purchase a copy of the book please let me know, I will place a bulk “author order” for $10/copy.
Please do not feel any pressure or expectation to purchase a copy. There will be a copy in the library.
But if you do, please don’t pay full price (without y’all there would be no book!).
Peace,
Travis
If you would like to make a donation to help with the situation in Ukraine I recommend
One Great Hour of Sharing. You can make a donation on our webpage here.
Poem/Prayer for the Day
“A Hundred Objects Close By”by Mirabai (c.1498-1550) ~ the most renowned woman poet-saint of India.
from the book, Love Poems From God
I know a cure for sadness:
Let your hands touch something that
makes your eyes
smile.
I bet there are a hundred objects close by
that can do that.
Look at
beauty’s gift to us –
her power is so great she enlivens
the earth, the sky, our
soul.
Find Judson on the internet through our link tree, linktr.ee/JudsonChurch
In-person worship this Sunday, March 20, at 9:30 am with a Livestream on Facebook.
Mid-Week Pause Service, March 9, 2022
Bring your Hopes, Bring your Doubts, Feed your Soul.
Pause Worship Video is posted below.
Order Welcome – Travis Norvell
Healing Justice: The Struggle for Wholeness
Prayer – Travis Norvell
O Lord Hear My Prayer – in Ukrainian
| The Northern Vicar (pastoral notes from the intersection of Northern Exposure and The Vicar of Dibley) This week I have been pretty much glued to the dining room table working on stewardship and budgetary items. The Finance Committee creates the budget and stewardship information, my contribution is to find a story behind the numbers. The story behind the numbers is pretty amazing. Some highlights: -I’m mesmerized by our “reach” -248 subscribers to this email, -1,900 engagements on Facebook since Christmas Eve, -1,800 views on YouTube since Christmas Eve; -10 visitors to in-person worship since we restarted in-person worship in Feb. -The number of people who walk through our doors each week: 500! -The uncountable cards, calls, and visits made last year. -The excitement around reimagining how we teach and nurture faith. -The classes, neighborhood associations, counselors, and non-profit organizations that call Judson home. Let me be honest: yes, we have work to do as a church to become a thriving and flourishing faith community. But we are heading in the right direction. Also, I saw Carl Appelquist on Monday. He wanted me to say hello to everyone and give you his love. Furthermore, (which is my favorite word) a review of my book was in Strong Towns today I share it because the author really made my book look good not just for pastors but for those concerned about neighborhood life. Peace, Travis If you would like to make a donation to help with the situation in Ukraine I recommend One Great Hour of Sharing. Here is a press release from last week about OGHS and how you can donate. Poem/Prayer for the Day by Meister Eckhart (1260-1328) Your Soul’s Delight There is a journey you must take. It is a journey without a destination. There is no map. Your soul will lead you. And you can take nothing. Find Judson on the internet through our link tree, linktr.ee/JudsonChurch In-person worship this Sunday, March 13, at 9:30 am with a Livestream on Facebook. |
Mid-Week Pause Service March 2, 2022
Bring your Hopes, Bring your Doubts, Feed your Soul.
Pause Worship Video is posted below.
Find Judson on the internet through our link tree, linktr.ee/JudsonChurch
The March Messenger, Tree of Life, and Calendar can be found by clicking here
In-person worship this Sunday, March 6th, at 9:30 am with a Livestream on Facebook.
Ponderings from the Pews – a Second Hour experience, March 6th – Sip a little coffee,
devour a delicious donut, and warm your heart with stories.
Several Judson family members will share their ponderings, musings, and stories during a
second-hour gathering in Judson’s sanctuary following Sunday’s worship service.
Masks are required and social distancing is strongly urged. Please join us for this special time!
Messenger, Tree of Life, Calendar for March 2022
March Messenger [Newsletter]
March Tree of Life [Joys & Concerns]
March Calendar [Happenings during March]
Mid-Week Pause Service 2-23-22
Bring your Hopes, Bring your Doubts, Feed your Soul.
Pause Worship Video is posted below.
Order
Welcome – Travis Norvell
Stone Catchers – Bryan Stevenson
Prayer – Travis Norvell
Those Who Dream – The Many
The Northern Vicar (pastoral notes from the intersection of Northern Exposure and The Vicar of Dibley)
On a glorious Sunday at the first church I pastored in Athens, WV, we would have, maybe, 22 people. One week I decided to change things up for the next Sunday:
I printed only 15 bulletins, instead of the usual 20. The next Sunday the ushers were fit to be tied. They threw their arms up in despair announcing we ran out of bulletins.
I loved that Sunday. Now we haven’t run out of bulletins at Judson Church in over two years…until last Sunday! Eileen printed 50 and we had at least 53 people in attendance.
It was a great surprise.
Maybe it was the promise of church coffee and donuts…
Interesting, we also had of our best engagements with those live-streaming the worship service too!
All to say, I felt the energy of Judson Church changing, momentum was in the air. Our goal is to build toward a grand Easter celebration on April 17th. We are well on our way!
Last week I sent out a Pastoral Letter to the congregation, a “How Is Judson Doing?” letter. Some of you received it, some of yours have yet to be delivered,
and for some, we do not have your mailing address. Here is the letter.
Please note, I will be away at a conference this Sunday and next week. Rev. Dr. Cameron Howard from Luther Seminary will be our guest preacher.
Peace,
Travis
Poem/Prayer for the Day A Prayer for Peace Between Ukraine & Russia adapted from a prayer written by the Dominican Sister of Peace
Ever and All-Loving God, As we follow news of the mad progression towards war, we pray and we plead for a logic different from the one based on geopolitical competition.
We pray for a change of hearts and minds, for de-escalation, and for dialogue instead of threats
All peoples are Your children. And Your children find themselves on both sides of the current confrontation. Should this situation descend into war, it will be both Ukrainian
and Russian families that will suffer the loss of siblings, parents, spouses, partners, husbands, children, friends, loved ones, homes, neighborhoods, and ways of life.
But You are a God of peace and love, not war and bloodshed. Though the things that make for peace may be hidden from the eyes of those driving the march to war,
we pray that those eyes may be opened and that peace may yet prevail.
Let us pray together that everyone recognize that we have a common home and that more, much more, unites us than divides us.
Let us pray also that the world never look away. Pray that we always remember the situation in Ukraine is real. It kills, maims, and destroys even now and
that an escalation will generate more deaths and more injured, more tears and pain, more fears and hatred. Pray that we continue to seek and to share the truth which gives authentic freedom and wisdom.
We make this desperate prayer secure in Your love, through Jesus, our Lord,
AMEN.
Find Judson on the internet through our link tree, linktr.ee/JudsonChurch
In-person worship this Sunday, Feb 27th, at 9:30 am with a Livestream on Facebook.
The February Messenger, Tree of Life, and Calendar can be found by clicking here
MidWeek Pause Service 2-16-22
Bring your Hopes, Bring your Doubts, Feed your Soul.
Pause Worship Video is posted below.
Order
Welcome-Travis
Guided Meditation
Song -O Lord Hear Our Prayer
The Northern Vicar (pastoral notes from the intersection of Northern Exposure and The Vicar of Dibley)
A couple of stories this week caught my attention. Recently, a Catholic priest in Michigan was informed by the Vatican that his baptism and ordination –
and all the baptisms, weddings, and Eucharistic offerings he performed as a priest – were invalid because the Archbishop who baptized the priest when
he was an infant said “We baptize you in the name of…” rather than “I baptize you in the name of…”
The other story was in the Sunday New York Times. Actor Christopher Walken was asked to describe the perfect Sunday morning,
“The New York Sunday Times with a cup of coffee, in front of the fireplace. That is beautiful.”
Those two stories illustrate the difficulty ahead of us. Even if people put the paper down and consider being part of a faith community
they think we are more worried about whether a priest used the first person plural 30 years ago rather than the issues of the day: loneliness,
despair, racism, the environment, peace, & etc It’s enough to make you wonder if Metro Transit is still hiring bus drivers!
But this week at Judson Church I heard people struggling and wrestling with the meaning of what does it mean to be anti-racist;
I heard people trying to find ways to offer youth more leadership within the community; I heard everyone in staff reviews sharing ways
to make Judson a more thriving community; I read drafts of letters about Judson being their “home” and had numerous conversations on the phone,
email and texts about the importance of hospitality. There were no grammar debates, instead, there were conversations and hopes about a way
of life that just might make somebody want to put down the paper on a Sunday morning…
Peace,
Travis
On Sunday we will center on Jesus’ teaching from the Sermon on the Plain, Luke 6:27-38. In this ‘sermon’ Jesus instructs us to pray for our enemies,
poet Joy Harjo reveals why that just may be a life-changing practice.
Poem for the Day “This Morning I Pray for My Enemies” by Joy Harjo
And whom do I call my enemy?
I turn in the direction of the sun and keep walking.
The heart is the smaller cousin of the sun.
It hears the gnashing even as it hears the blessing.
An enemy who gets in, risks the danger of becoming a friend.
Ponderings from the Pews – a Judson Second Hour experience, February 20th –
Sip a little coffee, devour a delicious donut, and warm your hearts with stories.
Several Judson family members will share their ponderings, musings, and stories during a
second-hour gathering in Judson’s sanctuary following Sunday’s worship service.
Masks are required and social distancing is strongly urged.
Please join us for this special time!
Find Judson on the internet through our link tree, linktr.ee/JudsonChurch
The February Messenger, Tree of Life, and Calendar can be found by clicking here
Midweek Pause Service 2/9/22
Bring your Hopes, Bring your Doubts, Feed your Soul.
Pause Worship Video is posted below. Order Welcome-Travis Meditation O Lord Hear Our Prayer
| The Northern Vicar (pastoral notes from the intersection of Northern Exposure and The Vicar of Dibley) This Sunday will be our “second” restart of in-person worship services during the pandemic. This time feels different, not as daunting. The worship gathering will include the Judson Choir, centering prayer and prayers of the people, singing, a sermon, communion, and a new element: the three-minute bible study. The service will be live-streamed via Facebook (link will be in the Friday email; you do not need to join Facebook to watch the Livestream). Now for some different news: did you know that Judson Church was mentioned on Forbes.com last week? This is about a hotdog eating champion being featured in Vegetarian Times. Nevertheless, it is the truth. Last week the MinnPost story on my bike reports was combined with a podcast interview about my book and featured in Forbes.com. Lastly, for the sermon this Sunday I am centering on blessing and curses (text is Luke 6:17-26 where Jesus delivers both blessings and woes). Blessings we have somewhat a hold of, but curses… Have you ever felt cursed? Or have you ever cursed someone? Or have you ever prayed like these Franciscan monks did when someone stole their Bible that went back to St. Francis? The space between blessings and curses is a difficult land, yet it is the space where we learn to be human beings in relation to one another, Creation and God. Peace, Travis Poem for the Day “Welcome Home” by Parker J. Palmer Here is the context Parker Palmer gave for his poem on the program On Being. “Welcome” is one of the best words we can say to each other. If a person is feeling lost — as so many are — what could be better than to hear someone or something say, “Welcome home!” I spent much of last fall and the first part of this winter feeling a bit lost — lost in the whirlwind of my work, lost on the terrain called aging, lost in the sadness and madness of the world. I came nowhere near the pits of despair, but I know that feeling lost tamps me down. When I can’t find my way, I can’t say “Welcome home!” to others. Alone in the alien, snow-blown woods, moving hard to stay warm in zero weather, I stop on a rise to catch my breath as the setting sun—streaming through bare-boned trees—falls upon my face, fierce and full of life. Breathing easier now, in and out with the earth, I suddenly feel accepted—feel myself stand easy, strong, deep-rooted as the trees, while time and all these troubles disappear. And when (who knows how long?) I trudge on down the trail and find my ancient burdens returning, I stop once more to say No to them— not here, not now, not ever again—reclaiming the welcome home the woods have given me. Find Judson on the internet through our link tree, linktr.ee/JudsonChurch We resume in-person worship this Sunday, Feb 13th, at 9:30 am with a Livestream on Facebook. |