Christmas 2009
I know the answer! The answer lies within the heart of all mankind!
The answer is twelve? I think Iím in the wrong building. Charles Schulz
So it’s not even Thanksgiving and here I am, writing my annual Christmas letter. I’ve already ordered my gifts, my Christmas card is at the printers, and my card list is all set. There’s not much left to do except write this thing. But what to say? Everything feels off. Usually this is my busiest time of year but now, with the global economy causing gig cancellations left and right, I suddenly have scads of time on my hands. Which in many ways can be a bad thing. Unless it is a good thing....
When it gets dark enough you can see the stars. Lee Salk
I often say that sometimes the only way God can get me moving is to put a wad of dynamite under my tuckus and light it. I’m particularly adept at sticking with the status quo, especially when things are humming right along. Yet all that busyness can make it difficult for me to hear God’s voice or respond to God’s nudging. Now, with all this enforced quiet on the work front the last few months, I haven’t had much choice but to spend some time really considering where I am and what might be next. Part of what I’ve been mulling over are possible places to live outside DC and other professional avenues to consider....
God will not look you over for medal, degrees or diplomas, but for scars.
Elbert Hubbard
Elbert Hubbard
The professional front in particular has changed after a miraculous turn of events that began in January. To make a long story short, I met with my candidacy committee soon after the new year. They decided on the spot that I should return to Final Assessment. After working up and submitting my study and sermon on a passage in Mark, we scheduled FA for June 6. After a 2.5 hour conversation, that committee voted unanimously to certify me ready to receive a call. Which means that some day, if I find a job at a calling congregation, I can be ordained as a Minister of Word and Sacrament. I’ve put together my church resume and have posted it on the PCUSA database, but, with the current economy, pickin’s are scarce...lots of first time call seekers and few first time call positions. All I can say about all this is that it still feels a bit unreal given how long and what it took to get this far. And that, ultimately, whatever transpires is all up to God....
But I, being poor, have only my dreams; I have spread my dreams under your feet;
tread softly because you tread on my dreams. William Butler Yeats
And yet, I still feel an overwhelming sense of call to continue doing what I’m doing...not only as an artist but as a consultant. Particularly after a marketing trip to a large United Methodist congregation near Memphis in September. Meeting with the worship teams there really drove home my desire to work across denominations and convey what I’ve learned and discovered over the years so that other churches may consider a different way of approaching visuals in worship. When it gets down to it, what I do is a God-given gift so I may as well share it. Now we just have to wait and see if the economy will turn around....
A person is a success if they get up in the morning and gets to bed at night
and in between does what he wants to do. Bob Dylan
In the meantime, there’s loads of room for gratitude. I am grateful I get to do what I love. I am grateful that I can call myself an artist (even if I am starving)...it is the truest characterization of my heart and soul. I am grateful for whatever creative opportunities come my way...producing visuals for worship and choral events, running my photography camp (30 kids strong this year!), creating print pieces, all of it. I am also grateful to be one (huge) step closer to becoming a pastor, whether or not it ever happens. I am grateful for my friends with whom I have shared much, who have encouraged me every step of the way, and who have come to my rescue and given me work to do to keep the economic wolf at bay. I am grateful for the simple things. I am grateful for my new web site (it totally rocks). Oh, and I am grateful I finally got to escape this place for my first vacation in seven years when I slept on a Dominican Republic beach for two weeks in July. It was awesome.
God bless one and all. You are my gift and treasure. Have a wonderful and blessed holiday season! love! kim
