Speaking of Spirit

The picture above was taken immediately after my ordination -  June 2013.  I made my stole with bits and pieces of material, lace, and beads sent to me by loved ones. This stole is symbolic of how we all fit together, are connected as well as how our differences when celebrated and connected create something beautiful.  I have often been asked why I became a minister.  Here is my response. “ Here I am  Lord. ”  The first time I heard this hymn based on the story of Isaiah, I felt as if this was my story. I, too, had heard Spirit calling me; I, too, wanted to answer. However, as a young, Catholic girl answering Spirit’s call was confusing. I knew in my heart that I did not want to be a nun; however, to become clergy, I had to be male. Each time I mentioned wanting to become a priest, I was told not to think such things. If becoming a nun was not appealing, then I should simply concentrate on being a good wife and mother. Neverthele...

Photo Credit: [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons People ask how long I have been "into" interfaith beliefs. I find it difficult to answer, because it seems that I have always had them. With the recent death of evangelist, Billy Graham, I remembered one of the key moments in my journey on the interfaith/interspiritual path that I travel. In 1964, I had just turned 11, when my mother told me she would be going to a revival with my Girl Scout leader. I was full of questions, as usual. What is a revival? Why do you need to be "born again?" Who is this man, Billy Graham?  Being raised Catholic and attending parochial school, I didn't know about such things. I did know that there were many paths to God, because our neighborhood was quite diverse with churches on every block it seemed - not all of them Catholic.  Momma was not an adherent to the "only one true faith" belief. She spoke to everyone, trying to understand where they were ...

Photo Credit: (c) 2014 Linda M. Rhinehart Neas " I will break their hearts of stone,  Give them hearts for love alone." - Dan Schutte The words above are from one of my favorite hymns, Here I am Lord , which we sang at my ordination several years ago.  This hymn is about answering the call of Spirit to serve others.  In the chorus, we sing, "Here I am, Lord...I have heard you calling in the night." This is based on the Bible stories in which Isaiah and Samuel, at different times, answer the call to serve their brothers and sisters. We are all called to serve. Each of us has special gifts that are meant to be shared with the world. Our gifts are many and varied - compassion, music, healing, art, writing, speaking, raising children, raising crops - the list is endless. What is important is that we understand that we are called to serve others with these gifts. To turn our backs on this call is to turn our backs on all that we hold sacred. Some of us turn ...

  After last week's post, I had the most serendipitous blessing of joining a group of interfaith/interspiritual ministers from around the world on a conference call to discuss what to say when asked where our church was.  The conference was lead by Rev. Claudia Roblee of the Wisdom Circle Ministries. For over an hour, Claudia led us through a process of discerning our mission. During this process, we shared what we had written.  When one of the attendees mentioned that she was a "minister without walls" the lights went off in my head.  Of course! Churches without walls! Before entering seminary, I attended the "University Without Walls" at UMass Amherst in order to complete my bachelor's degree.  This idea of not being confined to a specific space was not foreign to me; in fact, it was very familiar. I am a minister without walls serving those near and far through dialogue, blogging, prayer and mediation on the internet as well as face to fa...

Over the past few days, several people have asked me where my church is.  Honestly, I stumble over answering this question.  My "church" is the world. But, when I say that, people take a step back and look at me with shock or suspicion.  When I answer that I don't have one, they apologize and begin listing all the churches they know looking for ministers. In reality, I am not a minister to one denomination or faith path, which means I do not have a pulpit from which I preach every Sunday.  I am an ordained interfaith/interspiritual minister.  Ministry within this context is far-reaching. Ministry literally means serving others. This may be accomplished through a community of like-minded individuals within the confines of a building, but "the church" is not a building.  The Church is the people that gather together. Therefore, my "church" is wherever people gather and are in need.  This may mean the mother who is exhausted from chasing toddlers...

 Photo credit: NASA/Gary Rothstein  Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons   I have a great affinity for eagles. Since early childhood, I admired their strength and beauty. Eagles, in many cultures, have traditionally been associated with the Creator. So, it is not wonder that, for me, eagles are connected to ministering.  At this time of year, many people feel exhausted. Winter is almost over, but not quite. During these days of dirty snow, mud and skeletoned trees, we need something to lift us up…to take us from the shadow of death to that wondrous place of rebirth.  Yet, smack dab in the middle of all these blah feelings, we are called to minister to others, to be lights of God’s Love to those who have become lost in the darkness of pain, suffering and failure. How can we keep going forward with so much to do, so much darkness still in the world, so much pain and suffering?  I am reminded of the hymn, On Eagles' Wings , which is base...