A Very Valpo Christmas

Below is a compilation of nominal chronology during this 2007 Christmas season. I could not have asked for a more full or more delightful Christmas celebration. So far it has been 2 weeks of sheer bliss - and it keeps getting better! I hope you enjoy this small montage:

Youth Director, Erin and I celebrating the return of the College Students at our pizza party. We were able to have a beer because alas, no students showed up. So we simply toasted them (and Tammy!)


A remedial photo entry - my dear 8th Grade Confirmation class on my birthday (at the end of November). They make me look forward to every moment of my Wednesday evening! No only do they teach me, but they are just so lively and full of questions and interesting ideas!



Our big 12" snowstorm on top of the previous 5"! For the first time in Jerry's 28 years at XLC, church was cancelled. There is certainly cause for concern when your plowing company becomes terribly stuck in the parking lot and had to call for help. I believe it was an act of divine intervention; God ensuring the hearers of the Word would not suffer my sermon! This is the view from my flat!

A few friends from XLC:

Karen Tiebert Dottie and Irv Olson

Dorothy Maddox Betty Luckett


The Christmas Pageant:

What you do not see here is when Joseph handed Mary the baby Jesus by the head. Very touching!


My favorite video clip!
"I Just Wanna Be A Sheep - bah bahbah bah!"



Little Luke rockin' out to "Away in the Manger"



The Pre-K and Kindergarten classes singing "Mary Had A Baby," in the marvelous style of "shout" music!

~~~~~~~~~~~~


Christmas Partying at the Castleman home! My supervisor Jerry is on the right (back) and his wife Claudia is opposite at the left end. Her mother is on the left in the front row. All of these people have been gathering annually for nearly two decades throughout all of the changes in family and church! And they make a mean Swedish meatball with green bean casserole...!


Advent and Christmas wall hangings!


The church sanctuary looking lovely and dimmed on Christmas Eve. Jerry hit the ball out of the park with a beautiful and reflective sermon about the gifts we have and those unexpected gifts God adds to us beyond those things we can imagine! I left those services not only being excited about the gifts here and those to come, but also fully prepared and excited for the coming of Jesus. Many thanks to Jerry!

I hope everyone had a very merry Christmas - that Father Christmas was very good to you and that you were surrounded by the love and peace of your family and friends!

Christmas Eve Welcome

Good Evening!

Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ.

Why are we gathered here this evening?

You look so cheery in your reds and greens, standing close with your friends and family! We gather here in hope tonight. We gather in hope that tomorrow will bring laughter and delight, a tasty supper, and the comforts of home.

But we are also gathered tonight in a new kind of hope; a hope that shines from the stables of the Middle Eastern countryside, in Bethlehem.

Jesus Christ is coming to you. Your dear Heavenly Father loves you so much this night that He calls your attention to a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes in a manger. This is the child that, as Martin Luther once said, is laid in the manger of the prophets of the Old Testament. The one coming of whom we sing and praise tonight is the promised baby born so that you do you not fear God’s presence in the world, but welcome Him with soft arms and gentle words.

God has come to place Himself in your hands, so that you will know love, and trust in Him above all things.

He comes so the dark places of your heart and the worries of this world will pass away and be no more.

The darkness has seen a great light!
Jesus Christ, Son of God, is born today for you!

The Twelve Days of Internship

This goes out to all of you who know what it is to be an intern on Christmas. Word.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On the first day of Christmas my pastor gave to me:
Luther and a love for t.v.

On the second day of Christmas my pastor gave to me:
Two dirty cassocks

On the third day of Christmas my pastor gave to me:
Three hours of sleep

On the fourth day of Christmas my pastor gave to me:
Four evaluations

On the fifth day of Christmas my pastor gave to me:
A long, boring sermon!

On the sixth day of Christmas my pastor gave to me:
Six Bible studies

On the seventh day of Christmas my pastor gave to me:
Seven Advent greenings

On the eighth day of Christmas my pastor gave to me:
Eight bad translations

On the ninth day of Christmas my pastor gave to me:
Nine cranky elders

On the tenth day of Christmas my pastor gave to me:
Ten pounds of fruitcake

On the eleventh day of Christmas my pastor gave to me:
Eleven hours a-visiting

On the twelfth day of Christmas my pastor gave to me:
Twelve committee meetings

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

*note: this creative work of Christmas cheer in no way necessarily reflects the views of the author in regard to her pastor, who is kind and helpful in the ways a supervisor ought to be.

He'll Say Are You Married, We'll Say "No Man!"

I received my very first proposal of marriage yesterday. I was duly informed that 10-year old John Henry would like for me to wait for him.

For Good Cheer

Dearest Friends,

My brothers and I would like to send you holiday greetings in style.
Click on this link:

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1308150356

and a note from my Dear Dad:

http://www.scroogeyourself.com/?id=1308739539

Merry Christmas!

Love,
Natalie, Derek, and Jonathan Gessert

p.s. An addendum from my Mom and her co-worker Sandi:

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1319510440

Kiddoes Confirmation Questions

These kids are smart cookies. There is just no two ways around it. Here are the questions turned in yesterday (be prepared... some of them are veritable novelettes):

1. Why doesn't God show His answers to our questions in "flesh" or in more simple forms? Why doesn't HE answer our questions sometimes? (I want to know too...)

2. Hi, I have a long question. I was thinking of going to a different religion when I'm done being confermed. I have a Nana and a Papa that are deeply pious. And I asked my Mom if they would hate me if I even told them about it and she said yes. And they would say I would go to hell. So, if I don't believe in hell and they say I'm goin there, it doesn't really matter because I don't believe in hell, so why do they bother saying it if I don't believe in it and that's all that matters? Consult me when you're done with the answer or if you need help understanding it. (Lets not mince words, shall we?...)

3. What does this sign mean? I've seen it everywhere after I read this book. (I'm not sure which book she is talking about, but the sign is circle with a symmetrical cross in the center)

4. If you pray silently, like in your head, will God still hear you?

5. If God doesn't want us to hate anyone, then should we hate the Devil and why?

6. I was wondering if you read a book that went slightly against the Bible would it be bad to read that? I don't believe it, but is it right to read it? It is the "Golden Compass" and the "Subtle Knife." They are good books though - they are interesting.

7. I think that God, portrayed by Pastor is really hardcore on everyone. Like we'll go to hell if we're not exactly not perfect Christians. And I'm worried about that. (Yowza. I'm not so sure he is hearing what the pastor means... I never hear him being really down on people and I am pretty cued into hearing that type of thing... I'm wondering what he's worried about...)

Pretty tough and pretty personal questions. Any suggestions from blogland?

Tis' The Season: Buy Indulgence, Get One Free!

(Cut and Pasted from BBC.com)

Pope approves Lourdes indulgences

Pope Benedict XVI places great importance on indulgences

Pope Benedict XVI has authorised special indulgences to mark the 150th anniversary of the Virgin Mary's reputed appearance at Lourdes.

Catholics visiting the site within a year of 8 December will be able to receive an indulgence, which the Church teaches can reduce time in purgatory.

Lourdes has drawn pilgrims since Mary was said to have appeared in 1858 to shepherdess Bernadette Soubirous.

The waters of the French shrine are said to have miraculous healing powers.

INDULGENCES AND PURGATORY A plenary indulgence offers full pardon of the temporal punishment (suffering in this life or the next) due to sins already forgiven in confession Purgatory is a kind of spiritual waiting room - for people who do not go directly to paradise or hell after death - to purify souls of residual sin before they enter heaven

The Pope is expected to visit the shrine next year.

The pontiff also said believers who prayed at places of worship dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes from 2-11 February next year - or who were unable to make the journey - would also be able to receive indulgences.

The decree was signed by US Cardinal J Francis Stafford, who is head of the Apostolic Penitentiary, a Vatican court dealing with indulgences and matters of conscience.

Indulgences became infamous in the 16th century for being sold rather than earned, helping, historians say, trigger the Protestant reformation.

While some might consider indulgences an outdated concept, great spiritual importance have been assigned to them by Benedict XVI and his predecessor, Pope John Paul II.

Hoosier Daddy?

I found a site that may endanger your commitment to procrastinating no longer...

MyHeritage.com will analyze your face in reference to celebrities as well as family members. According to the site I look 26% more like my mother than my father - news to me! Many people used to ask about my adoption status when I was younger and seen with my black-haired, brown-eyed mother. I only wish my fifth grade orthodontist, Dr. Salzburg were still around - then he would know I am definitely not adopted, thank you very much!

As for celebrity listings, I can heartily recommend ANY site believing I look 75% like Jessica Biel... (however, I cannot vouch for the likeness to actress Woranuch Wongsawan...)

Vicar Goes To Staff Meeting

Thursday is always a day of great anticipation. Exciting things seem to happen on Thursdays; Morning gym time, seniors meeting, Mens' Bible study, class preparation, The Office and Scrubs with a glass of red wine...

But today brought a different Thursday flavor. Pastor Jerry decided to introduce "Staff To Go Over Impending Sermon Thursdays." This has been the highlight of the week. We met and had a discussion that went analogously like this:

Person A: Do you like butterflies?
Person B: No, red sweaters frighten me.
Person C: My Auntie Bertha hated turkey.
Person D: It's true - I heard Denzel Washington said so.
Person B: So what is the problem with global warming?
Person C: I've used Crest toothpaste since I was a child!
Person A: Why do you disdain Harry Wendt so much?
Person B: I don't disdain Wendt. I disdain ice cream - lactose intolerance.
Person D: Oh look! There goes Ms. Olson.

And every time you *think* it is time to stand up and say your goodbyes... nope! Just kidding! Yes, yes, yes, yes... ahhhh... no.

This small clip, after whom the blog is named, is a tribute to my staff meeting experience. I won't tell you who is who... but you can make guesses as to the characters involved. In addition, focus only on the times when the entire council/staff meets... the in between times parallel nothing happening in Valpo presently.

I must say, however, this beautiful Thursday morning ended well with an extended discussion with Ms. Olson regarding her extensive and colorful bowel troubles.
Apropos indeed.

Turkey Time

Thanksgiving 2007 was best I can remember!
Hanging out with the family was so much fun! Here are a few fun pictures:

Cousin Jack #12, taking names with the Compuware Team

Birthday Cake!
Mom always picks the pretty ones with flowers.
Cake is never worth eating without the frosting...


My brother Jonathan and I - he's 6'6" now!

Dad and I


Group Photo!
Mom and Dad had a great time!


Surprised at how amazing the frosting is?
Not me! Mom is the BEST!


Mom and Dad gave me a WHOLE JAR of capers!
(and some pretty earrings!)


Jonathan and cousin Ellen out for a night on the town


Cousin Julia was a mouse in the Nutcracker!
She was wonderful and even had a solo!


Grandma and I post-tuck in at the Sidetrack in Ypsi.
Ypsi makes us Tipsy!
(we weren't actually tipsy - its just fun to say!)

Not pictured:

- The most tender and delicious turkey cooked by one Mrs. Carol Strom
- Side dishes, including mashed sweet potatoes, bacon-topped stuffing (because everything is better with bacon), broccoli, rolls, squash bisque, shrimp cocktail, fruit platters, baked root veggies, and GRANDMA'S MASHED POTATOES!
- All of the times my brother and I were tackled, whacked, tickled, thumped, wrestled, twisted, hugged, and dragged by our little cousins!
- Sitting with the head coach of the Detroit Redwings during cousin Jack's hockey game! Go Wings!
- Sleeping arrangements at Grandma - poor Mom and Dad sleeping on a mattress that looks something like this: \_/
- All of the other yummy food and great conversation we enjoyed all weekend long!
- All of the really sweet hugs, laughs, and kind words exchanged among everyone

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

A Word from the Picket

The Writers Guild of America has been on strike since early November, causing major disruptions in the daily diet of popular late night comedy, soon to level the pre-recorded sitcom phenomenon. As you might have guessed, this strike has caused those of menial authority and local notoriety to overestimate their personal talents taken for granted by the fickle public, resulting in Miss Natalie Gessert, Vicar of Valpo, to strike from the blogosphere until her royalties are duly paid in full.

Unfortunately, for Miss Gessert, we at the Democratic National Offices have caught her on camera far from passionate picketing and engaging in suspicious activities which may interest the House Committee on Un-Republican Activities, or HCURA. As you might now, Mr. Cheney is not the only one who has advance Intelligence and Risk Assessment technologies. We have the environment on our side and the whole animal kingdom has been bugged accordingly.

The following photographic record documents the covert environmental activities of Miss Gessert:

Assessing the premises for onlookers and cameras


Finding none, she proceeds in a most un-Republican display of arborial affection


A kiss-and-run, as it were


She believes she has been spotted and makes a run for it


Yet again, with a false sense of security.
The dogwood is the next sufferer of this covert environmentalist rampage


Warned about the Democratic paparazzi combing the region.
Eying with concern...

Not even the dogwoods can save you now, sweetheart...

Such activities will not go without documentation.
You know, Miss Gessert, we are certain the Republican party has Pat Robertson-sponsored church programs to de-environmentalize you. They are always there to help in the de-greening process.

Just note that Hillary will always be there with open arms...
waiting...
waiting...

Update

I'm so sorry about the lapse in blogging! I will be posting later on tonight. The past two weeks have been absolutely packed. It has nothing to do with my grief regarding the Colbert candidacy...

Thanks for your patience!

A Day After A Day of Mourning

To my dear readers:

It is with great sadness and regret that I inform you Stephen Colbert has been forced to drop his run for the U.S. Presidency in 2008. He was pushed out by Democratic party officials in a bid to appear on the primary ballot by a vote of 13-3.

And here I thought I could actually vote for a Democrat...

However, in a diplomat effort to revamp the Colbert Campaign and encourage its continuing strength, I hereby name myself the 1,000,001st in the "1,000,000 Strong for Stephen Colbert."
You should too. For the sake of America.

So, if you want Natalie to vote Democrat for the first time in her life, join the campaign. 1,000,000 Strong for Stephen Colbert. I'll do it if you will.

Signed,

Jeni's Favorite Republican

Faith Around the Hearth

As the year presses on I'm finding that church life is less about attachment to a church building, but more about meeting others in the middle of life. Faith in Chris happens more at the supper table, at work, and in school than a few hours on Sunday. I, myself, feel more able to call on hands above to lean on in my little apartment late at night than during Sunday worship.

One notable frustration I have about church life here in Valparaiso (and certainly not limited geographically) is that the faith is negligible in the most important places life is found: at Work and in the Home. I believe that the work of ministry is to flood others with the Gospel - News so Good that is must be taken back into the intersections of life where goodness is most often experienced. My hope is that the little ones of the church are given homes reflective of what I hope they find at church: responsible, loving care offered by adults who model this behavior towards one another. The hope of most people for our little ones is that they are provided with all of the good things they need in life - food, clothes, home, family, daily work, and all they need from day to day. Interestingly enough, Jesus commands us - even adults - to have faith like a child, so that it becomes the joy of the church to also ensure that these same needs are being met for "grown-ups."

As far as I can see, the best word I can think of for this sort of saturation with care and concern in the name of our common faith is verbal in nature (Lutherans have always been into Verbs... comes with the territory). I see the role of the church as: To Invade

Now, I cannot quite think of another English word that conveys the relationship between church and the home. While the word is so unfortunately often associated with military tactics and hostility, what about rejoining it with images of yeast in bread. Or the pervasive joy a newborn brings to her home. Or the way snow comes to gently blanket our communities a few times a year. Those, to me, are "good" and welcomed invasions. They are gifts dropped upon us without us asking or even knowing quite how it happens. So I look to our role as the church to find good and healthy ways to invade the home, saturating every corner of the faith life with goodness, love, and hope. A tall order, yes. Impossible - well, God doesn't seem to think so. And He says its His job anyway to take care of it, so I guess its not out of the realm of possibility.

Anyhow. Part of the reason why I was thinking about the church and its need to saturate the whole home and life has to do with the Catechism. In Luther's day he had large posterboards made up with the commandments, Apostles Creed, and Lord's prayer on it so that the Mom's and Dad's could teach one another and their children all about the promises of God in matters of life, death, and relationships. Maybe its not the norm for modern living, but I can't help but think it is a pretty good idea. Instead of simply sending the kiddoes off to Sunday School to "get them some morals," it is helpful to have those lessons and gifts invade the whole of life - life at the crossroads of the supper table. I was reminded of this because a friend of mine, Edith Gage, has come up with a really beautiful way of bringing the Apostles Creed into the home:

She did this with her own hands! I had the good pleasure of seeing this process unfold over a few months. This piece is the Apostles Creed surrounded by Luther's explanations to the articles. This is not lofty, heady theological discourse, but rather the sort of dinner table discussion to bring into your kitchen. This is meant to be graspable by all and enjoyed as a centerpiece in discussion about the clarity of God's gifts and promises available at all times and in all places.

I'm not really into using this space as advertising (Blogs should give us some relief from that world, shouldn't they?), but Edith's work is really wonderful and I would encourage you to think about bringing one of her pieces home. Her work is very price-manageable and high quality. If you are interested, contact her at:

Edith Gage
Engaging Faith
Exploring the intersection of faith and art
egage001@luthersem.edu
(651) 645-7007

Green and White, My Hearts' Delight

It's okay, Michigan State.
We both know you are the real winners.



On the banks of the Red Cedar
Is a school that's known to all;
Its specialty is winning,
And those Spartans play good ball;
Spartan teams are never beaten,
All through the games they fight;
Fight for the only colors,
Green and White.
Go right thru' for MSU,
Watch the points keep growing.
Spartan teams are bound to win,
They're fighting with a vim.
RAH! RAH! RAH!
See their team is weakening,
We're going to win this game.
Fight! Fight! Rah! Team, Fight!
Victory for MSU.

It's Not What You Think, Ocifer...

I was pulled over at 3:01 a.m., 31. October, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Hard to believe, I know, but occasionally it happens. This is lucky #3 for me and my diverse driving career and its currently one for three in terms of getting an actual ticket. TPR Officer K. Devries is the name on my traffic warning and I'd just like to take this moment to share with you, dear reader, what a fine police officer this man is.

While of course being pulled over is one of those life events we might like to avoid (and indeed, my heart was beating into my throat at the time), this officer made a beeline for me with a smile and a helpful concern regarding my front right headlight. It seems Officer Devries has not yet become so disillusioned by matters of the law that he has booked a cell at his local seminary for more Gospel-related citations...

During preschool the police officers usually make a visit in their subdued blues with shiny badges, sounding the siren for excited little ones who clamp their hands firmly over their ears. Each receive a little plastic sheriffs badge and the little boys begin to dream about their future in the squad, anxious to rid the world of crime with the other superheroes in blue. They will, of course, feel the same urgency when the men in red show up to put out fires, but there is something romantic and death-defying about doing the grunt work of public protection. Policemen and women are the ones we all want to trust to keep us safe and free from the dangers our neighbor or strangers might seek to inflict upon us. Officer K. Devries reminded me of that the other night - that old sense of trust and confidence I felt in preschool: that there is indeed someone strong and kind who has the wherewithal to keep common folks like me safe in day to day matters.

So if you are out late one night, driving in an unfortunate state of padiddlement, just hope its Officer K. Devries at your service.
He's one of the good guys.