Cups of Tea . . .

"And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi,

Let me now go to the field,

and glean ears of corn after him in

whose sight I shall find grace.

And she said unto her, Go, my daughter."

Ruth 2:2   KJV

One of the 'ministries' that I have really enjoyed here in Ireland is that which happens over a cup (or more) of tea. Yes, ministry over cups of tea! No one had to twist my arm or tell me twice, I love my tea, hot or cold and usually with sugar, but have learned to also enjoy a cup of hot tea with milk.

Teacups and biscuits on table at
Cork Meeting House - Cork, Ireland

During Ireland Yearly Meeting sessions there were breaks mid-morning for coffee and tea, with assorted biscuits, of course. There were also breaks mid-afternoon and in the  evening for coffee, tea and biscuits. Warning . . . they use VERY hot water, and they certainly love their tea time!

Since we left Ireland Yearly Meeting Sunday morning we have had many more opportunities to share cups of tea . . . when it's been just us, with meals and when we've met with individuals and groups for conversations about the ministries that they're doing.

The conversations have been amazing, light at times and very deep at other times - a good mix. The conversations have been educational, fun, informative and serious. The cup of tea sometimes helps the conversation along.

Teapot on building in downtown
Derry, Northern Ireland

So what is it? The ministry isn't the cup of tea. The ministry is what happens around the cups of tea. There seems at times to be a bit of a ritual about it all, OK, I know Quakers aren't into rituals, but it's there - and other times not. It's preparing for the tea, preparing the tea, setting up the room, setting out the cups and saucers, and setting out the biscuits. It's within the conversations that arise.

It's a time for a bit of socializing. It was a nice way to break up the sessions during Yearly Meeting and a nice way to wind down in the evening before heading to the epilogue. It's also a bit relaxing . . . to sip a cup of tea over conversation.

Sometimes our conversations have been planned but many times they have just happened . . . over a cup of tea!

Bat Ministry . . .

'And Ruth the Mobitess said unto Naomi,
Let me now go to the field,
and glean ears of corn after him
in whose sight I shall find grace. 
And she said unto her, Go, my daughter.'

Ruth 2:2  KJV

Last Thursday evening I found my way to Cork Meeting House, thanks to my flat mates - Charles B Lamb and his wife. I went for what was listed as a 'Bat Walk from Cork Meeting House' with 23 other Friends, mostly Young Adult Friends, and Erik a visiting Friend from the Netherlands - whom I had sat with and got to know a bit at supper. Conor Kelleher lead this 'hike.'

Now, we didn't exactly go on what I would call a hike, rather we walked around behind the Meeting House and through the grave yard and into what I've been told is the old grave yard, pre-marker area. Conor talked to us for over an hour about bats - different kinds of bats, their eating, sleeping reproductive habits and such. Very interesting to hear and experience.

Conor had a small electronic devise in his hand that would go off when the bats would fly overhead - amazing that he could tell by the number that was displayed on the screen exactly what kind of bat it was! 

We were entertained by a pair of bats, possibly mother and child, with their acrobatics show over our heads.

After about an hour or so on bat watch and listening to Conor speaking the whole time, we heading out of the grave yard and made our way around to the front of the Meeting House where Conor showed us about 6 different 'mummified' bats! Rather interesting.

When we were ready to head back to our flats at Deans Hall, someone asked if anyone knew the way. I was feeling confident, so I volunteered to lead the way. And yes, we made it back, no problem.

So, yes, as crazy as it may seem there was a bit of 'bat ministry' behind the Cork Meeting House during Ireland Yearly Meeting. The sharing of ones gifts with others, no matter the gift is an amazing ministry . . . for me this was a continuation of the sharing of gifts that we had during Western Yearly Meeting sessions the week before.

As far apart as we may be in physical distance and as different as we may be or seem to be in our Quaker practices, we are all Friends, and we all have our God given gifts that we so freely share with those around us. I've heard it said that we're all called to be ministers and it's amazing to experience the different ways Friends find to minister to each other . . . the diversity in our ways of ministry is so wonderful.

What a blessing!

Epilogue by Candlelight . . .

"And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi,
Let me now go to the field,

and glean ears of corn after him
in whose sight I shall find grace.
And she said unto her, Go, my daughter." 

Ruth2:2 KJV

I've really enjoyed the epilogues by candlelight each evening during Ireland Yearly Meeting this last week. I missed it Wednesday night, but made it Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. It was so good Saturday night to have so many young adult Friends attend.

So what is an 'epilogue' you're asking. It was a time of 'silent' or 'expectant' worship by attenders, of the Yearly Meeting, which was held after the days business and activities had concluded.

Thursday and Saturday nights we gathered in a small room on the second floor of St. John's College in a circle in the dark with a single lit candle in the middle of the room on the floor. Friday night we gathered inside the Cork Meeting Room with a single lit candle on a table in the middle of the Meeting Room.

Friday evening at Cork Meeting House

Friday night one Friend shared the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 and a bit of a different twist on where all that food came from and another shared about the first time he came to Cork and the sign he saw 'Christian Interior Decorator.' The thought popped into my mind to get my paper and pen out to jot them down, but I stopped myself . . . it really didn't feel right to do that. Did I mention that I was sitting right next to the Clerk of the Yearly Meeting???

Why did I go? Did I want/need that quiet time? Did I feel a need to be around other Friends? Did I need to experience that kind of gathering of Friends with those who practice 'un-programed' worship all the time? Did I need to be a part of something a bit different than what I'm use to? I did want to be with my Irish Friends and experience all that Ireland Yearly Meeting had to offer.

I don't know if it was just the un-programed worship, the gathering of Friends, the atmosphere, the vocal or musical ministry that was offered or what . . . but what ever it was I liked the way it felt, the way it made me feel.

We gathered in silence . . . we listened and waited. Some vocal ministry and singing were shared from the silence. The epilogue lasted somewhere between 20-30 minutes each evening and was closed with extending the right hand of fellowship - around the circle. What a great feeling that is!

Each night I walked back to Deans Hall with a different group of Friends - some I knew and some I hadn't really met before. Sometimes conversation, sometimes we walked in silence . . .

I'm not quite sure why I was drawn to the epilogues by candlelight when I first read the schedule for Yearly Meeting, but I was . . . and so glad that I went to them. I may not have shared any thoughts out loud, but I enjoyed the time of sitting in the silent gathering of Friends.

Circle of Friends . . .

"And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi,

Let me now go to the field,

and glean ears of corn after him in

whose sight I shall find grace.

And she said unto her, Go, my daughter."

Ruth 2:2 KJV

Outside Cork Meeting House
Cork, Ireland

We have left Cork and Ireland Yearly Meeting. As expected, time with our Irish Friends there was way to short. We attended the last business session this morning and decided to skip the worship service and lunch with Friends and begin our journey north a bit earlier. Now I don't want anyone to get the wrong impression here, there was a lot of 'worship,' un-programed/silence during the business meeting, and the 6 of us Pilgrims agreed that was enough for us. In doing so, not enough time to say proper good-byes to Friends, but maybe leaving quickly and a bit quietly was best.

Irish Friends are so very, friendly! I felt so very much at home and never felt like an outsider or even a visitor, I truly felt like part of the 'family!' This made leaving this morning even harder.

Outside Cork Meeting House
Cork, Ireland

Ireland Yearly Meeting was a very international Yearly Meeting! Friends attending represented Britain YM, Switzerland YM, Sweden YM, German YM, Netherlands YM, Norway YM, West Scotland YM and the following YM's from the United States - Philadelphia YM, North Carolina YM (Conservative), Illinois YM, Indiana YM & New Association of Friends, and Western YM. Representatives from the Church of Ireland, the Irish Council of Churches, the Methodist Church, the Presbyterian Church and the Roman Catholic Church were also present.

When I wanted to go to a program Thursday night at Cork Meeting House, all I had to do was to ask a Friend how to get there and he didn't just tell me how to get there, he and his wife went out of their way and escorted about 6 of us over to the Meeting House. When the program was over, one of the Friends asked if anyone in the group knew how to get back to Deans Hall (which was the name of the 'flats' we were staying in) and I said that I did . . . and I lead the group back to the flats.

In the cemetery at Cork Meeting House
Cork, Ireland

Ministry this last week has been a two-way street, given and received. The warm welcome and greetings from Friends, the simple directions or escorting to a location, conversations - anytime and anywhere and about all sorts of topics, opening/holding doors, singing (in English and Irish - another posting I expect), warm smiles, words of encouragement and hugs.

I had read that they had a 'Market' where they would have things for sale, to raise funds for mission work, I felt a strong need to contribute some items that I had made to this. So, I took some of my small stitchery items for the Market, 4 folded star hot pads, 2 little gift bags and the last 8 of the luggage tags I had made. When I took them in to the Market, the Friend I spoke to was excited and asked me to make a sign to put with them letting Friends know who had made them, which I did. I saw this Friend several times and each time I did she was excited to shared comments about the items I had donated. I  can tell you that all that I donated was gone . . . none of those items are returning to the States with me. I was blessed by several Friends who came up to me and told me that they had purchased one or more of the items I had made and how much they loved them and how they were going to use them!

Conversation with Friends at
Blarney Castle, Ireland

I also made a small display for Friends Committee on Scouting to take with me to help spread the word among Irish Friends about Friends Committee on Scouting, our new 'Quaker Faith Journey' curriculum for our Scouting and Guiding Friends outside the United States and Canada and the 'Friends Emblem' award for the adults. I was really blessed during several conversations to have made Scouting and Guiding connections - and not just with Irish Friends!

This morning as I sat in the silence at the close of the final business session for Ireland Yearly Meeting these words, from a song titled "Circle of Friends" came into my head: 

"In a circle of Friends, we have one Father.

In a circle of Friends we share this prayer,

that we'll gather together

no matter how the highway bends.

I will not lose this circle of Friends."  

An Irish Rainbow . . .

"And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi,
Let me now go to the field,

and glean ears of corn after him
in whose sight I shall find grace.

And she said unto her, Go, my daughter."

Ruth 2:2 KJV

It rained yesterday afternoon as we were driving down to Glendalough, and a comment was made among us that maybe we'd see a rainbow . . . an Irish rainbow.

The rain ceased and as we arrived at Glendalough, I looked out my window and there it was . . . an Irish rainbow! I called everyone's attention to the rainbow and Margaret stopped the van so we could get our cameras and take pictures.

As I laid down to sleep last night and thought back on all we had seen, done and experienced yesterday, I knew I had two ideas I could blog about, but no clear words were coming to me. And then, the image of that rainbow became so vivid in my mind! But what was it about a rainbow, an Irish rainbow and ministry? I got up out of my bed, turned on the light and got out paper and pen - meaning only to jot down the quick thought and the next thing I knew, I had filled both the front and back sides of a sheet of notebook paper, and it was now 1:30am . . . time for bed.

The scripture that filled my head was one I had learned so well back when I was in junior/senior high school and a member of Saint Joseph Assembly #78 International Order of Rainbow for Girls (a youth group affiliated with the Free Masons): " I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth."   Genesis 13:9 KJV.

A rainbow . . . a simple little reminder to us from God . . . a blessing, a sign of hope, bringing smiles to our faces and our hearts, joyful and uplifting.

Yesterday morning we visited Kilmainham Gaol prison in Dublin and heard stories of young and old alike and their deaths. In the afternoon we traveled down to Glendalough and a rainbow appeared to us. A rainbow - a reminder from God of His promise to us. At Glendalough, we walked through the cemetery and saw the old and not so old grave markers and the ruins of buildings and then walked along a trail . . . stopping to reflect along the way and to take in God's creation as He laid it before us.

I can't help but to be drawn to the rainbow that God sent to us between these two stops on our journey yesterday . . . His simple reminder to us that He is present with us on this journey, a sign that He hears us, He is guiding us, He is protecting us, He is giving us hope and a simple reminder that He won't give us any more than we can handle . . . and we aren't alone.

I could have waited until morning to try and write this, but afraid I might forget - I got up out of bed, intending to only jot down the thought about the rainbow.

The ministry, it's here, in and among this small group of pilgrims, as we journey together - exploring what God has planned for us to experience - together and as individuals - as we walk, ride, eat, share with each other and in our quiet times alone. The ministry of yesterday afternoon - the sharing of the Irish rainbow, God's simple gift to us . . . a reminder of His promise.

So, next time you see a rainbow in the sky, wherever you are, take a few minutes to think about what it is that God is trying to remind you of . . . and then thank Him for it.

A Bible for Ireland . . .

“And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi,
Let me now go to the field,

and glean ears of corn after him
in whose sight I shall find grace.

And she said unto her, Go, my daughter.”

Ruth 2:2 KJV

OK, I was trying to decide which Bible I should pack and take with me to Ireland. And wondering since this seemed to be a difficult decision, if that meant that I might have too many Bibles . . . not sure that is possible but a question that I just might have to pose to my ‘almost Godfather, The Reverend Uncle John.’ Much like when I asked him about Quakers back when I was in college.

Well, my Bible issue was resolved five weeks ago, when I went in to talk with Pastor Sue to see about getting a few minutes to speak during worship that Sunday - which happened to be Father's Day and the day before our Vacation Bible School began, so already a full worship service which is why I needed to talk with her. I needed to be able to share with the members of Mooresville Friends Meeting how I planned to keep in touch with them while in Ireland. This was something that I wasn’t just going to be able to get up, unannounced, and speak about during worship – it needed to be ‘scheduled,’ if you know what I mean. I was hoping for just a minute or two and she gave me 3-4 minutes! She understood that this was/is an important piece in this journey, not specifically for me but for the members of Mooresville Friends, and during our conversation she understood why it had to be that Sunday.

OK, so getting back to choosing a Bible to take with me to Ireland . . .

After our conversation, Pastor Sue gave me a 'goodie bag' (something she does for different reasons), with instructions to look through it in private . . . a bit of a scary thought there. I asked if there was any chocolate in it, as it I knew it would melt as soon as I put it in my car. She said, not this time! So I left and went over to the Library, across the street from the Meeting to get online. Before I got out of my car, I took a few minutes to look inside the bag . . . one of the items in the bag was a Women’s Study Bible.

 Question/problem solved! I knew instantly this Bible would be the one going with me to Ireland! I've never had a study Bible before, but I had been looking at them the last year or so – with no clear direction which one, if any, I should get. I’m now looking forward to checking out all the 'extra' pages and notes it has.

So, I now have a new Bible to take with me, a bit smaller than my other Bibles, which was one of the things I was considering when looking at the ones I already had. 

The decision as to which Bible to take with me to Ireland was something that I was dealing with personally and not something that I had mentioned to anyone. Likewise, I had not mentioned to anyone that I had been looking at study Bibles. Amazing how things work out sometimes, isn’t it?

Just wondering, do you have a 'special' or 'favorite' Bible? What makes it stand out from others that you might have? Is it the version? size? color? who gave it to you? OR maybe when it was given to you?

I just realized, reading back over this, that I've mentioned two Pastors in this posting . . . one from my early childhood who is a very close family member and the other my current Pastor . . .

Colored Napkins at Lunch . . .

“And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi,
Let me now go to the field,

and glean ears of corn after him
in whose sight I shall find grace.

And she said unto her, Go, my daughter.”

Ruth 2:2 KJV

It’s lunch time on Friday for the USFWI/QMI Triennial (United Society of Friends Women International/Quaker Men International) and I’m standing at one of doorways to the dining room with a Friend as Friends arrive for lunch. Now, this is listed as a “Get Acquainted Luncheon” in the program . . . so let the fun begin! 

As Friends arrived for lunch I took their meal tickets, as usual, and then one of us would hand them a colored napkin – red, yellow, green, lime green, light blue or pink. Most looked a bit puzzled when handed a napkin at the door, but we explained to them that they needed to find a table that had that color napkin in the centerpiece and sit there for lunch – each napkin color had 2-3 tables, so not like only one table to sit at. Some were not so sure about this, as they had waited for their friend/friends to come and eat with them and now we were telling them that we were going to split them up.

 

So, here’s what happened . . .

 

Two Kenyan men came up and Francis handed me his meal ticket and greeted me, his friend was having a bit of trouble trying to get his meal ticket out of his nametag holder, so Francis helped him. When the other Friend turned his nametag around I laughed and then gave them both a bad time for ‘messing’ with me . . . his name was also Francis! I told them that since they had messed with me I was now going to mess with them. I gave them each a different colored napkin and explained that I was splitting them up and they would have to eat at different tables for lunch! Francis #1 said “No, no we want to eat together. You can’t split us up!” I said “Sorry, but that’s the way it was gonna have to be.”

 

A bit later, a group of about 6 Kenyan ladies came and they too were not happy that they weren’t going to be able to sit together as a group for lunch. But took their colored napkins and went on their way.

 

I know what you’re thinking . . . So, what does this have to do with any kind of ministry? Well, I’m getting to that, patience.

 

It's now dinner time, and I’m back at the door collecting meal tickets . . .

 

As Friends arrived there was a bit of a buzz . . . and nearly all the Kenyan Friends had one question for me as they hesitantly handed me their meal ticket and looked around the dining room “So, which table do I sit at tonight?” Now, the first time I heard that question I was caught off guard just a bit, and had to chuckle. I told them they were free to sit at any table they wanted to and with whomever they wanted for the rest of the meals – the colored napkins were only for lunch. Most agreed that even though they weren’t too happy about being separated from their friends at lunch they really enjoyed the change.

 

One of the Kenyan ladies from that large group from lunch commented to me at dinner, as they all arrived together again, how much she personally enjoyed it. She said “It forced me to sit with Friends I wouldn’t have sat with otherwise and to engage in conversations I wouldn’t have otherwise had.” Like so many of the other Friends, she thanked me for the experience. I thanked her for her comments and said that her comments this evening, along with others I had heard, reinforced something I had thought of months ago when I first began planning to go on this Pilgrimage to Ireland that I was now only 16 days away from.

 

At each meal on Saturday and Sunday I still had many of the Kenyans ask me as they handed me their meal ticket “Which table do I sit at for this meal?” And when I handed out small bookmarks with a purple logo on it, in exchange for their meal ticket for Saturdays lunch – well, yes you guessed it they said “So I need to look for a table with this symbol on it?” No, you can sit wherever you’d like for lunch. They really enjoyed being ‘forced’ to sit somewhere different. I just had to ask “So, what’s stopping you from seeking out a seat away from your friends during meal times?”

 

Sometimes I think we all get caught up in our routine, we’re afraid to try something new, talk to someone we don’t know, to think outside the box and get out of our comfort zone. Why is that?

 

I know that in preparing to go on this Pilgrimage I have already gone outside of my comfort zone several times and along the way I’ve pulled a few Friends in along with me, but we’ve managed to get through it and the journey isn’t over yet . . . but it has begun. We all just need to remember that God never gives us any more than we can handle and that he is always there beside us along our life’s journey. Philippians 4:13 reminds us that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

 

So, the ministry of the colored napkins at lunch . . . it’s there, really it is. We all have choices to make each and every day. We all have many opportunities before us, but we often don’t take advantage of them. Why? Why do we sit back and wait until someone else ‘forces’ us to do something we’re not comfortable with? We need to stop waiting for others to show us what we're missing out on. We need to step out in faith and know that God will always be by our side and keep us safe. 

 

I’m so looking forward to the new opportunities that await me as I travel with and among Friends in Ireland. I’m ready to meet and learn about our Irish Friends and see their beautiful country.

 

And all I experienced at Triennial, well . . . it has shown me that I am so ready for the experience!

 

Being A Servant of God . . .

“And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi,
Let me now go to the field,

and glean ears of corn after him
in whose sight I shall find grace.

And she said unto her, Go, my daughter.”

Ruth 2:2 KJV

I spent the weekend of July 4^th – 7^th up at the Radisson Hotel by the Indianapolis Airport volunteering at the USFWI/QMI Triennial (United Society of Friends Women International/Quaker Men International). I had been asked by Kathy back in mid-October if I would help out with Registration and in mid-December Julie asked me if I would do Children’s Programing for grades K-6. I agreed to do both. About mid-June Kathy asked me if the children in my program & I would help collect the meal tickets – I said yes, as I saw it as a great opportunity for the children to get involved with the adults . . . a way for them to give some service. I am a Scout Leader after all, and Scouts are always doing or giving service to others.

 

Well, as it turns out, no children registered in my program level, a bit of a letdown as I had prepared several things for us to do including a field trip to either the Indianapolis Zoo or Indianapolis Children’s Museum – depending on the weather. So I contacted Kathy and told her I was free to help her all weekend with Registration and collecting meal tickets . . . sounded like fun.

 

Registration was very simple and really didn’t take much time, find out their name, check them off the list, give them their envelope with name tag, meal tickets, etc., give them a roster of the attendees, make sure they had picked up a purple tote bag (which had a program booklet and small journal among other items) and make sure the Kenyan Friends were given a Bible as well. I enjoyed meeting & greeting many new Friends as well as some old Friends. After the main registration period on Thursday afternoon our job turned more to hospitality – answering questions and helping Friends any way we could.

 

When meal times came, I was at one of the two doors leading into the dining room greeting Friends, taking their meal tickets and directing them to the buffet line. Throughout the weekend, I was thanked over and over again, but the Kenyan Friends thanked me specifically for the 'service' I was giving them. Service? Hummmmm, I hadn’t thought of it as service . . . I was just collecting their meal tickets, I was volunteer, I was just doing my job . . . I was not giving 'service.' As I look back now and thinking about what all I really did and the comments made and conversations . . . I see that I was more involved in providing 'hospitality' to our visiting Friends. Ugh, but wait a minute, I had used the word ‘service’ when I talked about the children doing it . . . Hummmmm, OK, I did give service.

 

My "Mom' Rebecca & I

While I was collecting meal tickets Friday evening, I got involved in a rather lengthy conversation with one of my new Kenyan Friends, Rebecca, and it happened in the doorway to the dining room, where many of the conversations I had were. On her way in for dinner, Rebecca thanked me for my service; she was the first Friend that had used the word 'service.' I told her she was most welcome and that I was enjoying greeting everyone and the conversations. But, she didn't stop there. She went on talking with me and how I was being a 'servant of God' and what all that meant. She referred to Matthew 25:23 “Well done, good and faithful servant!” WOW, that sent shivers up and down my spine, and still does. And it was somewhere in the middle of this conversation that she said she would now call me her 'daughter.' Her daughter, wow, I took that as a huge complement. I told her I would be happy to be her daughter, as my mother had passed away back in January 1994, and I would call her my ‘mom.’ We both had big smiles on our faces. I was feeling really blessed, REALLY BLESSED! The rest of the weekend we greeted each other as 'mom' and 'daughter' and would ask how the other was.



My 'Dad' Henry & I

Now, it felt strange to me to be thanked, by the Kenyan Friends, for taking their meal tickets and to be thanked again as they left the meal. One of the Kenyan men, my 'dad' Henry, explained to me that thanking me, especially after the meal was a custom of theirs. So, I continued to accept their thanks. I had told Henry on his way in for dinner Friday evening that my dad’s middle name was Henry, so he had a good name in my book. He smiled at me and said ‘Then I will be your dad, too!’ I accepted, and told Henry that my dad had died nearly 12 years ago, so I could use a dad. Henry said his dad too had died, so now we would have each other. Another blessing!

 

OK, I went to the Triennial just to help out . . . to do a simple little job or two . . . but those I was helping saw what I was doing in a much different light . . . they saw me giving 'service' and as a 'servant of God!' They taught me to see what I was doing through their eyes and the eyes of God. This is just another example of God having another plan for my life. This time I listened and followed his plan and because of that I was blessed over and over. When I left Sunday afternoon I was not the same person I was when I first arrived on Thursday afternoon . . . I was so full of joy and overwhelmingly blessed!

 

How have you been a ‘servant of God?’ This last week? Today? And to whom did you give service?