happy easter monday

Happy Easter Monday! That's right, Easter Monday. Today is a holiday for many people in the world, from those living in Albania to those Zimbabwe. Did you know this? I didn't. I thought Easter Monday was observed only by Catholic countries as a reason to extend the holy-day weekend one more day or, for secular or merely nominally Catholic countries, a reason to have a nice, long four-day weekend.

My personal experience with Easter Monday extends only as far as a trip to Europe when, for one long weekend, every hotel was hugely expensive (or completely booked) and every museum closed. Fine if you have friends who own a villa and you didn't want to see Michael Angelo's "David" that much anyway. Not fine if you are trapped in a pricey youth hostel with nowhere to go! So my knowledge about Easter Monday was very limited--until I did a little looking into it. Here's what I found.

Easter Monday rituals focus on so-called secular festivities, whereas, traditionally Easter Sunday observance focuses on spiritual concerns. For example, over the weekend the mood at the White House was spiritually centered, with church being the main event. Today, however, it was all about whimsey and fun. The White House held its largest public event of the year in its annual Easter Egg Roll. This event is quite historical (dating to the 19th century) and is the only time children, or anyone else for that matter, are allowed to use the White House lawn for play. And it's certainly the only time you're going to see a president hugging a life-sized rabbit.

Easter Monday has other names in other locales, but is just as whimsical. It is called Dyngus Day or Wet Monday in places as diverse as the country of Poland, Buffalo, NY, South Bend, IN, and much of the state of North Dakota. Dyngus Day or Wet Monday is celebrated all kinds of ways: dumping water on other people, especially those you might be interested in dating (!), going to baseball games, drinking beer, eating hot dogs and even hitting others on the legs with a switch! Weird, huh! The traditions on this day got started when people in Catholic countries started pouring water on each other the day after Easter to symbolize a blessing from the holy water that came from the day before. And then things evolved from there. The point has always been, it seems, to let Easter be Easter (focus on the Resurrection of Christ) and then let Monday be a play day, with the water dumping, games and hot dogs, etc, etc.

So as we sit at work and school today some people are having a good 'ole time. While I'm not so naive as to think that all those partiers went to church yesterday, the idea of focusing fully on the Resurrection on Sunday and then doing goofy egg hunts, throwing parties, and even doing silly dating games on Monday, strikes me as a good idea. I've always felt very uneasy about giving Jesus and the Easter Bunny equal time.

Thoughts?

camp or campy?

So, how long has it been since you went to camp? When you were eight? Never? Well, for me it has been a long time (I won't give the year!). And I must admit the idea of going to camp feels a little campy. You know, not chic, cool or sophisticated. Not what we're into. But, maybe we should rethink this camp thing.

Camp is a place where it doesn't matter how hot you look. This is especially good (and comforting) after a day on the lake, or after your third morning in a row of bed head. At camp your clothes don't matter at all (or as much) because you basically live in your swimming suit, shorts, t-shirt and sweatshirt. By the end, these items are so nasty they are relegated to mow-the-lawn-attire or are (more likely) begging to be burned.

And shoes. Shoes at camp are more about function than status. That is, unless you really want to be wearing those new Sketchers when your buddies throw you in the lake, or you spent all your summer job money on one bag and of pair of strappy Jimmy Choo's and you want everyone to see you with them--by the campfire.


lutherwood is just a click away

Another thing about camp is that it's totally okay to have fun there and not think: what would a cool person be doing right now? The more whimsy the better (bring on the silly songs and seconds on hot dogs; college will come soon enough). Speaking of food: only at camp are "smores" both an exotic dessert and a total food group (grains, dairy, fats...).

Camp is also a time to break away from the various routines of life--school, work, etc--and take a deep breath. Our lives are super busy (I don't have to tell you) so it's really easy to lose sight of the important things: God, friends, family, neighbors, creation, enjoyment.

At camp you get to have a beak from technology, and this means not just TV and computers, but (sigh) even your cell phones. This may not sound like fun, but there is life outside of technology. It's waiting just beyond your iPhone. As much as I, personally, can't imagine life in the modern world without a cell phone, I've also found it much easier to hear from God and enjoy nature when I'm not giving my thumbs a constant workout...

So, maybe you're not convinced. Camp might be in your rear view mirror, only to reappear years and years from now when you have kids of your own. That's cool. You've got work, sports practices, just plain other stuff to do and I get that. But here's an idea. What if we planned a weekend together at camp. We could attend Camp Lutherwood's "Join Hands Day" on Saturday, May 3, and then stay the night free of charge until Sunday afternoon. It's just an idea. Think about it.

one more week

So, what would you do if you had one more week to live? Stop going to school or work? Take a road trip? Eat all your favorite foods? Spend all your money? I have thought about this question, in passing, several times in my life. I always say something like, "Take my whole family to Italy," or "Rent a yacht and cruise as fast as we can to Hawaii," something like that. It's kind of a fun fantasy exercise; you know, something fun to conjecture about for the very reason that it's not likely to happen.

Fantasy aside, it's still an interesting question to think about; you've got very limited time and you want to make it count. You want to do important stuff, things that will set you up to, well, die well. So consider that we do know a person who really did know when he was going to die and we really do know how he spent his last seven days on this planet. That person, Jesus Christ, spent the entire week before his death with people. And not just with people, but helping people. The Saturday before he was murdered (ie, 6 days before Passover), Jesus got a message from two of his best friends, two sisters by the names of Mary and Martha. Their message to him was panicked but a little hopeful, "Your friend (our brother, Lazarus) is so sick he's about to die. Come quick (Jn. 11:2,3)!" So Jesus, in a very confusing twist, did, uh, nothing. At least he waited for two days before going down to their house. Kind of a strange thing to do when a best bud is in critical condition. But, that's what he did. He told his other guys, the disciples, that he was hanging back because the sickness (and impending death) of Lazarus had a big purpose: to bring glory to God and to Jesus, himself (vs. 4).

Apparently where Lazarus and the girls lived was a dangerous place, at least it was for Jesus. His disciples were pretty freaked out that, in light of all that had happened before this (tons of people trying to kill him, 10:31-ff), he was still bent on walking the two miles to help his friends. They say, "Lately the Jews have been trying to kill you by throwing rocks at you, and yet you're still going over there (vs. 8)?" Yep, that's right. I've got a big plan.

Right before Jesus and his guys set out on their walk down to Bethany, he gets word that Lazarus is already dead. At this news, he turns to his disciples and says, "I am glad I didn't come before now, because I not only want to help my friend but I'm also trying to see if you guys and everybody in Bethany gets who who I am and what I'm about (vs. 14). I mean to glorify the Father and myself through this situation. Huh? He was glad? Not exactly a Hallmark condolence card.

By the time Jesus does arrive on the scene, Lazarus has been gone for four days. Understandably girls are distraught and bit irritated: why didn't Jesus, who had already shown that he could heal people, come more quickly and help his own friend, their brother? Was he uncaring? Well, hardly, although it did look suspicious.

Next thing, Jesus started crying. That's right, the guy who had been healing babies and raising kids from the dead and curing all kinds of sickness, walks up to his gal pals who are hysterical and himself starts crying. Why? Well, that's a question for a million sermons, but the sure thing is, death really bites. It's not what any of us were created for, it's our greatest enemy (anyone who has even lost a dog knows that) and it's super sad. That sadness affected even God, somehow--Jesus cried.

Then something really crazy happened. Jesus said: "I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me has life, even if s/he dies. Do you believe this (vs. 25,26)?" Martha, speaking for her sister, and for her brother who's lying there dead, says, "Yes, Lord. I do believe this. You're basically our only hope, the one person who was sent by God to help the world (vs. 27)."

After this, everything is kind of a blur. I mean, imagine the goings-on: Jesus looks around and says, "Where's the body? Take me there." And then, not one to miss a teaching op, prays loudly so everyone standing around can hear, "God, Father, I know you already heard me, but for the sake of the people standing around I'm saying it out loud. I want to help them believe in me, my mission and my authority (vs. 42). Then he yells at the corpse, "Lazarus get up, come out of there!" And guess what, Lazarus comes stumbling out of the tomb, still wrapped in gauze, blurry eyed and smelling of embalming oils.

The craziest thing of all? Right after this, Jesus heads to Jerusalem to let his enemies capture and kill him. Yeah, that's the rest of his one more week: hanging out with friends who don't quite get what he's about and then letting his enemies nab him, humiliate him before the crowds as well as his own mother, and then allowing himself to be be led up the hill with the wooden crosses where he died a horrible, painful, torturous, unjust death.

What would you do with one more week? Would you spend it on yourself? Your friends? Your family? Your enemies? Starting now you do have one more week--and hopefully many, many more--so what are you going to do?

king corn

yalie grads go to iowa to grow king corn

Some of you know that I am totally into learning about local, sustainable and organic foods and that I even have a little food business with my sister and mom. So it won't come as a surprise to you that I'm fascinated with the documentary, King Corn, which came out in December 2007.
I happen to know that I am not alone in being interested in this stuff. Some of you Edisoners who joined me on the Cristo Rey trip last summer told me that for an english lit class
you read Fast Food Nation, by Eric Schlosser,
and we saw the film based on that book during our stay at Christo Rey. And, of course, we've all heard of the documentary Super Size Me.

So, we're surrounded with these cultural, political and nutritional critiques that would make even the busiest, youngest and most bullet-proof among us stop and say, "What are we putting into our bodies, and what are we putting our land and culture through by growing, producing and eating this food?"

I am going to get a copy of the King Corn film and set up a viewing time for the three-church youth group. I'm thinking April will be a good time for that, so stay tuned. Why don't you let me know your thoughts--here, on this blog!!--about the fast food issue. And, hey, go eat a carrot from the good 'ole Skagit Valley!

habitat house in our backyard

So, I was thinking about stuff we care about. I have it on good authority that you Edisoners are interested in Habitat For Humanity, especially what they do locally. I imagine that the same would go for you guys at Burlington and Sedro-Woolley. Well, the cool thing is that Habitat just broke ground on a house for our neighbors.

Now, personally, I only know Habitat from afar; I know they do great work for a great cause. But I've never had--or taken--the op to get involved. Couple that with the fact that I have not had tons (or hardly any!) construction experience, and I'm a bit apprehensive about picking up a hammer to help out. But' I'm game--if you guys are.

Let me know what you think: should we plan an April work day at 520 Alexander Street?


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what's a lute?

above: the "luther rose," given to Martin Luther by King John Frederick, to symbolize Luther's theology ( circa 1530).


I'm sure it's crossed your mind: what's a lute? No, I'm not talking about that guitar-like instrument from Shakespearean England. And I'm not even talking about Pacific Lutheran's mascot, although with that one we're getting a lot closer. I'm talking about Lutherans. You know, US.

Okay, so you probably don't go by the term "lute," but I bet you have wondered a time or two what makes you a Lutheran and not some other "kind" of Christian. I bet you might even have asked your parents, "Why are we Lutheran? Why don't we go to (fill in the blank here) church where there is a band and a huge kids' program? Why do we do "Confirmation" when my friends over at (again fill in the blank here) church just have a junior high group that does cool activities? Well, I 'm glad you asked.

Today I want to explore who we are, what makes us "lutes," or maybe I should say "e-lutes," to be more precise since we're Evangelical Lutheran. Here's a really quick rundown for you.

We are...






Confessional. No, not the little booth in the church where you say your sins out loud (although that booth might help some of us to think twice about sinning!). I'm talking confessional in the sense that we often say "we believe" statements in church. These statements come straight from the Bible (as in the Lord's Prayer) or from historic Christian doctrinal documents (such as the Nicene Creed, the Augsburg Confession, the Small and Large Catechisms). We say them not to take a 3-minute mental vacation or to have time to think about "pizza or burgers for lunch?" but rather to help ourselves remember that we're standing with Christians all over this world--both long ago and now--who are saying, "You know what? In this crazy, wonderful, dizzying, messed-up world, we're people who believe certain really important, precious and life-directing things. We're not going to let ourselves be ashamed of these things or forget them, so here goes."

So if you're ever sitting by me in church and hear me emphasize certain words during the confession, no I'm not hard of hearing or trying to get my mind off pizza (I hope!) but I'm trying to THINK about what it would mean only to be forgiven as much as I forgive other people or what it would be like to welcome God's Kingdom reign right here in Skagit Valley, for example. I challenge you to join me in saying the confession this way, to imagine you are saying it to your girlfriend or your grandma or your best friend (you know, really mean it). The pizza and burgers can wait.

Traditional. So tradition has sort of a bad rap here in the good 'ole U.S of A, and especially in the West. We Americans tend to live in the now with our sights set on the future, with looking in the rear view mirror barely a thought. Out here our history is very short; what's the point in talking tradition, right? Well there are some points, it turns out. One thing that comes to mind is, Why reinvent the wheel again and again? In terms of theology, many (most!) of the doctrines that our foreparents hammered out are just as true and helpful today as they were yesterday and yester-millenium. So when we say we are traditional it doesn't mean (as it would seem by current language standards) we're old fashioned or politically conservative. We just mean, Hey, we stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before us (as in Luther, Calvin and even Paul and Jesus). We don't spit in their faces and change our doctrines because we want something fashionable.

While I'm on this particular point, let me say that we tend to agree with and emphasize today the specific teachings of Martin Luther, that really cool and controversial church reformer who started questioning what the Church taught about who a Christian is (a person saved by the awesome grace of God to do works, OR somebody who does good works to help get a ticket to heaven?).

Evangelical. I know; obvious since it's in our name, but thought I'd point it out anyway. Evangelical is one of those really loaded words like "Fundamentalist" or even "Republican." There are a lot of assumptions that pass through people's minds when they hear the term. And with good reason. Sometimes there's some funky stuff done in the name of evangelicalism that we wouldn't even recognize in our church let alone our lives. That said, Evangelical, in the most basic sense means "about the gospel," as in people whose lives rally around the teachings of the New Testament Gospel, especially the teachings of Jesus. The term comes from the Greek word evangelia, which is translated straight into English.

But the definition is far from straight forward, at least in the way the word lands in people's lives and in their assumptions. Evangelical means, for some, a political special interest group, a socially conservative group of Christians (those who reject abortion and go to church every sunday), or even a sub-group within the Republican party. These definitions, while not without their historical meaning, are far from helpful when we turn to the Evangelical Church and especially the Evangelical Lutheran denom, and try to connect the dots. Let's just say that Evangelical Lutheran does NOT denote a political group (you can be Democrat or even Independent and be one!), nor does it (I hope) allow for a lot of social stereotyping. Evangelical Lutherans come in both "red" and "blue," believing a wide range a things about social, fiscal and political issues. That said, they tend to rally around the Gospel and be about social justice and mercy for all peoples.

Well, I'm sure there are other things that Evangelical Lutherans are. Why don't you log in a give me some other ideas--your ideas. And of course, your questions are always welcome.

Kelli

the 411

So, I'm going to start hanging out with youth from Edison, Burlington AND Bethlehem churches which got me to thinking, "Why not have an online locale, a hub, where we can to discuss stuff that's going on, post info about upcoming events, and share our thoughts about life? So here goes (Edison people will recognize this as the second attempt at such a venture, but oh well, it's here to stay now!).

Even if you are not a blogger in general (I know, I know cool people have moved on to myspace and facebook!), please check in here often. I will try to post the need to know info you get here in your respective church bulletins and (yikes) I'll even send you all letters every now and then. But why constantly go old school when we don't have to, right?

That said, I would love to hear from you. I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how to get an id so you can log in (but if you DON'T know don't be proud, just email me and I'll help you out). Parents, I know technology can be dizzying, but I'd love to hear your thoughts, ideas, and even reminders about stuff that's going on. Consider this our online coffee break (see you here about mid-morning each day?).

I'll try to keep this relevant to your day, worth your time. (Who likes to log onto sites that haven't changed since your last birthday?). And I'd really like to hear what's on your minds...

I'm excited about working with your groups individually and also working together as a big group sometimes. I think it is going to be 3 times the fun and I hope you're game.

Kelli
Kellibuzz@gmail.com