June 3 for 3 [2021]: Getting back out there!
What I've been up to lately plus work from other creators and cultivators who are helping us worship God, love people, and enjoy beauty - all arranged in lists of threes.
Tamara’s Note
Happy July, everyone!
Today’s note is quick because we’re packing to get away with family for a few days and I’m so excited I can barely think straight. I hope that you have some plans for rest and play in the coming days. It’s no small thing to anticipate goodness like this and, I’ve found, something I have to fight for more often than not. That’s never been more true than this year.
So I’m trying to not take myself or my hopes for vacation so seriously that anxiety sucks the joy out of the anticipation while at the same time fighting for the goodness of it like a steely-eyed prayer ninja. A tricky balance, to be sure. Reentering the spaces of community fun and festivity is a prophetic act against the forces that would keep us isolated and distanced. It’s an awkward dance, but worth the risk and worthy of our gentleness toward ourselves and everyone else figuring out this new normal.
So peace, and courage, and gentleness to us all, friends!
xo,
Tamara
p.s., Here are a few of the ways we got back out there in June!
1. We were honored to attend our neighbor’s first in-person Shabbat service since the beginning of the pandemic. We’re so grateful for Congregation Rodeph Sholom and the way they’ve welcomed Church of the Apostles to share their beautiful building. This was my first experience attending a Synagogue service and it made me very much wish I knew how to speak Hebrew. I followed along using the parallel English text and catching up every time I recognized a word (Moshe was especially helpful in this passage.)
In the past year, the synagogue has welcomed the third congregation, a Brazilian Baptist church, to join this unique partnership. We rub shoulders and say prayers in Hebrew, English, and Portuguese. May the heavenly sound of shalom spill out into our Bridgeport neighborhood and beyond.
Kendra and her husband Jordan hanging out with a couple of her student volunteers.
2. From the Shabbat service, we drove across town to the Hall Neighborhood House family carnival. Ostensibly, we went to support our daughter Kendra (and friend Adiel) who work at the community center, but the free tacos didn’t hurt.
What a wonderful, flourishing organization situated in the heart of a city that needs all the examples of flourishing it can get. Way to go, Hall Neighborhood House!
3. We got out of town for a couple of days to celebrate Brian’s birthday and this is the only photo I’ve got to prove it! The trip was simple and sweet and included a serendipitous encounter with a country field full of magical fireflies just after sunset.
Happy Birthday, baby. I love you forever.
Bonus pic of Brian’s Father’s Day gift from his forthcoming first grandchild!
Favorite Links
Monthly picks to help us worship God, love people, and enjoy beauty!
Worship God
Everyone’s talking about the book but I haven’t been able to start reading it yet. This was helpful in the meantime.
I’m not sure how I forgot to share this in May because it was one of the best things I read online so making up for the omission now. Once again, Tish Harrison Warren hits it out of the park.
Pardon the metaphor, but here’s another priest with an excellent batting average
Love People
This podcast episode added to my understanding of the very real danger of allowing media partisanship to control healthcare. (2 helpful related articles here and here)
I’m keeping an eye on this and praying for our friends working in that region:
These folks gave me the best advice for approaching Juneteenth as a white woman. And this episode also helped.
Enjoy Beauty
The only thing better than watching this happen live.
A friend shared these two poems with me this month and I can’t stop thinking about the phrases to feel at home in my life and the present is what your life is.
Another recommendation I keep forgetting to share! These YouTube influencers have kept me going this year.
Member Areas
The welcome mat is out. Come on in!
Image thumbnail: Stavanger, home by Phaedra Jean Taylor (phaedrataylor.com)
1. A Sacramental Life Community - IN PERSON
What an exciting season for this community! We kicked off Ordinary Time by inviting folks to join us for the Rhythms of Grace retreat series.
2. A Sacramental Life Daybook Meditations
For the first 8 weeks of Ordinary Time, we’re considering how we embody God’s love in the world and the church. Each Sunday morning I send a devotional post for the coming week that dovetails Sunday’s lectionary readings with art, music, prayer, and readings for the rest of the week from the excellent devotional guide, Living the Christain Year: Time to Inhabit the Story of God by Bobby Gross. These weekly devotional posts pair well with retreat #1 for Ordinary Time: Worship in the World & Church.
Image thumbnail: Heart Sleeves by Phaedra Jean Taylor (phaedrataylor.com)
3. A Sacramental Life Stories
I’m continuing to dive into the Stories deep end, sharing some of the most formative memories of my early life as a pastor’s daughter.
More coming this month!
Currently Reading
From the Book Pile 2021 | See my giant reading list here.
Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling
3. Receiving the Day: Christian Practices for Opening the Gift of Time by Dorothy C. Bass
Bonus Feature
In case you’d prefer a gentler light show this weekend.
Here’s to getting back out there, friends!
Thank you so much for your continuous support. Every time you mention my spiritual direction offerings, retreats or devotional guides to a friend, or engage on my social media accounts, you're helping to support my work. I am grateful for your encouragement!