I don't remember when I was last in a Cokesbury store, but after many years of subconscious avoidance, I dropped by today to pick up some books for the adult Sunday School class I'm leading again this fall.
I was wearing Ada in the sling and having a really good time, imagining myself buying and using everything in the shop. About this time, I noticed that I was clenching my right hand so tightly that my nails were digging into my palm. I started to feel a little panicky.
I felt like I had been running away from something for a long time. I felt like I was ignoring a calling, the most obvious calling, one of the first careers I ever considered (and rejected and considered and rejected). What child doesn't imagine herself, however briefly, following in her parent's footsteps?
But this is not what I want to do! This is not how I want my life to be!
And then I found myself in the marriage section, looking for a gift for a newly married friend, perhaps a book about adjusting to seeing herself as a spouse. And the books I found weren't what I expected for a United Methodist ministry. My choices tended heavily toward Dr. Dobson and an entire book built around dancing imagery - with the husband leading and the wife following.
And all I wanted was out. I paid for my books and headed for the door as quickly as possible. Fortunately, the urge has (mostly) passed. Again. For now.
New Release Spotlight: Amber Wardell
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Happy release day to debut author Amber Wardell! BEYOND SELF CARE POTATO
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7 comments:
Maybe you really want to be a Unitarian minister...
Sunday school! I have been recruited to teach for the very first time and I will admit I am horribly reluctant. I have the kindergartners, which is great in theory, but to be totally honest groups of kids wig me out. I feel socially awkward around them! Plus I have these fears that I will have a child in class whose family does not know about me and MY family, and who will cause a riot and ruckus because I am teaching and "recruiting" their younguns.
This Sunday is Rally Day, and next week I'm on for the first time.
Can you feel my panic? :)
Oh yes, I did the Cokesbury store to rule out a calling method, too! Remember, cokesbury serves a very wide audience---and has to stock the dancing stuff along with living the questions (my favorite adult ed curriculum).
Might want to think on that one again. It would sure be a good match to your gifts and interests. Of course, there are other things that would match those gifts and interests, too. (and yay for you teaching adult sunday school--that's the hardest one to recruit!)
Aw, Orange, we Methodists are the next best thing to the Unitarians!
Sarahlynn, what about doing lay work, like Stephen Ministry? You know me, though, I like that borderline approach, cause I'm moody. A little VBS, a little summer Sunday School teaching, that's enough to satisfy me. The bible stores all freak me out, though.
Orange, I just can't imagine it. I've considered it, but I'm just too Presbyterian.
Seasonal, how was rally day? I would be petrified to teach the kids. Young adults are more my comfort level. Ah, people like me. Easy-peasy!
PPB, a new vocation, at my age? All that school? Then no way to pay off the debt? Endless evening meetings? Perhaps I'm making this even harder because I know what I'd be getting myself into?
I really want to do Living the Questions! Unfortunately, I don't think it works in 45 minute Sunday School blocks. But if they come out with a modified version, or if I learn that I'm wrong, we're so doing that one!
PK, I don't know. You Methodists might have the current edge on us Presbyterians, but the UCC are still out there in the foreground, I think.
I am an inactive Stephen Minister, believe it or not. Right now, I'm afraid of responsibility. Have you ever been into a Cokesbury? Mostly, it's progressive. And that's so comforting in a Bible store!
LOL. I don't know, maybe I'll make it my mission to be the most Unitarian Methodist the world has ever seen! :)
I like the Catholic Store over the Bible Store. Really, that's what they're called in our town. The Catholic store's got more kitzch, less Dobson. I know Cokesbury, but I don't think we have one here.
I can totally see you as a Stephen Minister!
Oh Rally Day, it was a handful. I don't know how cut out I am to teach the children! :) That compounded with my own two running around, no one to help out in the nursery but me, and a handful of other things led to mommy meltdown!
I'd like to see about bringing Stephen Ministries to our church, but I don't know that we can do the expense for the initial layout. Hopefully someday!
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