Too tired for words...

Today, as I try to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard), to get the sermon done for this weekend, I find myself overly exhausted. I am not sure what is going on...I have had a quieter week than normal, have done a better job of taking care of myself, working out, eating healthier, and yet still find myself with no words to say. I would give a lot for someone else to come in and preach, and just be able to sit and listen to the gospel. Not have to lead liturgy, but be able, like most of our people in the pews to walk into the building, enjoy some fellowship time, worship with the people sitting next to me, and go home to enjoy the rest of a Sabbath Sunday.

But instead, I find myself here again, at the keyboard, with nothing to say on this week's texts, and no good ideas on where to find the words. I have been "working" on this sermon longer than most, and it still doesn't exist. These are the days that I wish I was a 9-5 worker, with some true sabbath time on the weekends.

The perhaps most ironic thing, is that I had last weekend to not preach. I had last weekend to not do liturgy. And now I long for it more than last weekend!

But honestly, if I had to pick the thing that is missing most from these weary preaching bones, it is true friendship. Someone I can call up on days like today, and meet for coffee and talk through the text and get a renewed perspective. I long for my friends near my last call...and try to continue to make it through this one.

So, those of you out in the blogosphere, how do you preach when your tank is running on empty? Any suggestions for this weary pastor?

Your friend on the good days and the hard ones,
Preaching Kate

Tonight's Prayer

Today was a day that was challenging to my spirit...and I am not quite sure why. But I found myself standing in the sanctuary tonight, in the dark, tears streaming down my face, praying the simple prayer: "Help me be better tomorrow". I failed in so many ways today...letting the negative energy around me affect me, agreeing with those around me who see little hope. My prayer tonight, as I finally head home is that tomorrow is better...that it has more light, more hope, and that that hope can be my focus.

If you are out there friends and readers, pray with me tonight..."help us be better tomorrow. Amen."

Your friend on the journey,
Preaching Kate

Love is in the air...so is fall.

As I write this blog update, I am getting ready for another wedding. There have been a lot this year, as couples both young, and not so young make the decision to spend the rest of their lives together. As a single pastor, I find myself, per the usual with a roller coaster of emotions during wedding prep. I am happy for the couple, that they have found each other. I am hopeful that they have a good amount of love and common sense that will see them through the highs and lows that married life brings. And at the same time, I am a bit sad, as another week, month, year goes by that I myself am not married...at least not to anyone or anything but the church! I often joke with people that I wouldn't have time for a husband anyway...but I cannot help but wonder what it would look like to be married...to be a mother...to be something more than a single pastor. So how about it blog-o-sphere? Any suggestions for getting through the difficult times that weddings tend to bring this single gal? Until I hear from you, I'll be the one setting up the Unity Candle!

Your sister in Christ,
Preaching Kate

Fish Out of Water

Today dear reader, I feel like I am a fish out of water...or maybe just one that has found itself in the wrong pond.

I am completely buried in what it means to be a program church...hundreds of registration forms and e-mails and questions, and last minute changes, and on and on.

And today? Today I miss my first call where I could just go and be pastor to the people. Where a typical day was when that I spent with people, walking through life with them for the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Maybe it is because I have spent all day in the office and have no end of work to do in site...or maybe it is because I have been here six months and still feel like I don't really know anyone well. Or maybe because I miss the chance to breathe and see God at work in the world...or maybe it is all of these.

But today, I am longing for my smaller pond...where there were fish I could swim with, a pace I could do, and a place where I felt like I was doing well.

How about it dear reader? What do you do when you feel like a fish out of water? How do you transition from the pond to the ocean?

Let me know!

Peace on the journey,
Preaching Kate

Still stretching...

A few months in, I still am stretching, reaching, trying to figure out why God called me here, and what He wants me to do in this place. As my call gets reconfigured once again, and more staff transitions, all I seek to do is follow His lead, and do His will.

But today? Today I am tired...and weary, and wishing that I could have a chance to get away from it all, be around friends who support and love me, and have my own cup renewed so that I could come back, ready to serve, and ready for fall.

So dear reader...how do you get away when things are taking off? How, when you are short staffed does everything get done that needs to while you walk away?

I know Jesus models for us the importance of getting away, but sometimes I wonder how He did it while everyone was clamoring for his attention.

Any ideas, dear reader? This preacher is up for some new advice!

Traveling Mercies,
Preaching Kate

Needing Air

This week I have been learning that as an internal processor, I just need time to breathe that it appears that external processors don't need. I find it almost impossible to go from one conversation to the next without at least a minute or two of downtime in between.

This morning started with four people in my office within the first 10 minutes! I need to figure out a way to let people know that absolutely, you can have my full attention, but let me find my feet first! Let me have those couple of minutes in between things so that I can be more fully present, and ready to hear you for what you are truly saying.

So I am asking dear bloggers, do you need that space? Do you get that space? Any suggestions for a newbie preacher?

For that is who I am, new to staff, new to the state, and new to this adventure.

Your partner in the ministry,
Preaching Kate

Where's the Word?

I am prepping for my first "preaching" Sunday this week, and came to the realization that at most of the worship services here at this church, people are ONLY hearing the gospel lesson. Now I know the theory that some scripture is better than no scripture, but perhaps instead of using film clips or having another song, we should cut some of that and have more scripture? Just a pondering on my part.

As a lover of music, I am one who usually says you can't have too much music in worship. Maybe the problem is the "need" to get in and out of worship in an hour for traffic flow issues. As I sit in my office, trying to figure out how to fit it all in, I can't help but wonder what does God think about it?

We don't have time in worship to read the Word of God? It hurts my heart! So blogoshpere friends, what say you? How do we fit in more scripture, still get out in an hour, and keep everyone relatively happy? And trust me, shorter sermons are just fine with me!

Also, if you were only to read the gospel and one other lesson, which one would you choose? I would love your insight!

Blessings on your day,
Preaching Kate