In-Between, part deux.

Often, the very things that echo in our preaching and teaching, are the ideas and movements that stir within our own lives.  During this first week of Advent, I’ve been reflecting on Psalm 63 and the in-between.  The Psalmist is in an in-between– he thirsts and yet God quenches his thirst.  The psalmist feels fear and yet places his trust in the Lord.

Since August, I’ve been serving at University Church (UPC) and with Presbyterian Campus Ministry (PCM) as the Campus Ministry Fellow.  I’ve hard the great opportunity of meeting terrific students and working alongside them as they think through small groups and Thursday night programs.  I’ve also had quite a bit of conversations about racial reconciliation and outreach.  The students have been excited to see and hear stories of reconciliation and hope happening all over town.

(a mural of programs is displayed on the walls, here’s a snapshot of what Gina created for the program I led).

Not only have I had the opportunity to serve and to give, but I have been blessed in that the students have given me far more than I could have asked.  They have shared moments of joy and we have rejoiced together.  Times of sadness and we have mourned together.  Tears from chopping onions in preparation for Thursday night programs, and yes, we laughed and cried together about it.  We have engaged in the rhythms of life together, and it has filled me with joy.

I’m currently in an in-between.  At the end of this calendar year, I’ll be transitioning out of my position with PCM into working more closely with Heather Ferguson, who oversees Christian Education at UPC.  I’ll have opportunities to serve in worship at University Church but also to lead a sunday school class, a small group, and maybe even a pub group.  This is a great opportunity to be stretched in different ways and learn new ways of doing Christian Education and discipleship in the church.

While I make this transition with sadness, I am also full of joy and hope.  The experiences I have had and will have will enrich my life and my ministry for years to come.

Grateful to the March 5th Group and University Church for this chance to learn and explore creative ways for doing ministry.

Grace and Peace to you.

Everything but Praise on my Lips (Psalm 34)

“i will bless the lord at all times, his praise shall ever be on my lips” -Psalm 34

It’s around this time of year that driving makes me anxious.  This is the season where everyone is traveling.  Drivers leave home a few minutes too late and often try making up that time on the road.  Traffic lingers and folks are changing lanes without signaling, speeding, and driving irresponsibly.  Caught in these traffic traps, praise and blessing are not the first things on my lips.  Anger and irritation release other not-so-polite words to roll easily off tongue.

Reading Psalm 34, I am surprised by David’s song, “I will praise the Lord at all times; his praise shall ever be on my lips.”  In the midst of intimidation and uncertainty, his response is praise.

We know that God is ever mindful of us (Psalm 8:4).  Yet, in moments of despair God’s nearness to us is easily questioned, and prompts other words and feelings to roll off of our tongues.  To bless the Lord at all time calls for an awareness of God’s faithfulness and presence with us.  To give God praise in the midst of our stuff involves trusting in the One who is with us even when we cannot feel it.

This Thanksgiving, as you remember what you are thankful for, may you bless the Lord.  If you need to write it down, put it in a place where it is easily accessible—add on to it.  And if you find yourself in place of uncertainty, remind yourself of God’s faithfulness.

in all things, give thanks
Charlene

Count It All Loss

October 2 (World Communion Sunday), I had the opportunity to preach at University Presbyterian Church in Chapel Hill, NC for the first time– an experience that was very different from some of the places I usually preach.  I’m very grateful for the opportunity and it was a joy and a pleasure.  The text is Phil 3:4b-14.  Here are the audio and video for my sermon:

Video Here   |||  Audio Here

Thanks for listening.

Small Steps

Last week, as we made our way to visit Dean Blackburn and John gave me a tour of UNC’s campus.  UNC shares many of the same qualities of UVA, but the two are very different.

We trekked across UNC’s campus marveling at the beauty of the surrounding architecture. I’m grateful for the time Dean Blackburn took to speak with me on ways to engage students around issues of diversity and reconciliation on the college campus.  He was encouraging and gave me a list of names to contact during my time on campus.

During this discussion, we talked a bit about some of my experiences in leading and facilitating discussions around reconciliation and diversity.  As we connected the dots and brainstormed, Dean thought of the perfect space to make this happen– at a retreat gathering of student leaders called Carolina United.  “When is it?” I asked.  He glanced at his calendar and said, “Next Tuesday.”  I sat a little baffled and excited.  I’ve only been on campus 2 days, I’m not qualified to do something like that.  But, this is not an opportunity to pass up… opportunities like this usually don’t come knocking again when you’re more ready.

As we ended the meeting, I knew this was a great opportunity to meet students, share my thoughts about diversity and religious life, and make some contacts.

I prepared Sunday and Monday for the dialogue, nervous but excited.  I didn’t know what to expect or what the conversation would look like, but I was confident that this is the kind of thing I sit and dream about.

I arrived at the camp, about an hour away from Durham, and heard some of the students share their stories about segregation on campus before lunch.  During lunch, I sat with some students and chatted it up– until they realized I was the facilitator.  This brought a lot of questions and concerns about how discussions like this actually work out.  I knew their concern because I’ve sat through panels and discussions and wished that there was something more, richer, and deeper about it.

As we started our session on religious life, four students shared their faith stories.  I also had the opportunity to lead the panel discussion on faith and life.  Students from all walks of life and faith, different stories and different journeys, shared, and common with all of their stories was a spilling over of richness and grace.  Many of the students had never been part of a panel discussion or conversation on religion where people weren’t attacking each other.

We had a good time.  It was fun and thought-provoking.  And I’m grateful for the chance to do something like this.  I met some great students and was able to share contact info with many others.

This is the kind of stuff, in the moment, I feel like I was born to do… I feel like I’ve spent my time preparing for it.  As inadequate as I might feel, I know God meets us there in those spaces.

I’m excited to serve as the Campus Ministry Fellow with PCM this year– and experience that will be challenging but worthwhile.

Eugene Cho is Coming to Duke!

You’re invited to lunch and a conversation!

I wrote a blog back in July on A Quest Toward Reconciliation after my visit to Seattle’s Quest Church– check it out.

On Friday, October 1, 2010 at Duke Divinity School (Westbrook 0015) at 12:30pm, join us for lunch an a conversation.

Facebook Invite w/ invite below:

Eugene Cho is the founding and lead pastor of Quest Church- “an urban, multigenerational, and multiethnic church in Seattle striving to be an incarnational presence in a postmodern and postchurch culture.”

With a heart for the city of Seattle, rooted in Micah 6:8, Eugene’s firm belief is to see the Gospel reconcile people in multiple ways along multiple planes and this passion undergirds the ministries of Quest Church.

Eugene’s vision for the church and through the church led him to start Q Cafe, an innovative nonprofit neighborhood café and music venue. He and his wife, Minhee, are also founders of One Day’s Wages- new movement of people, stories, and actions to alleviate extreme global poverty.

He also is an avid blogger with one of the most read Christian blogs in the blogosphere (http://eugenecho.wordpress.com/).

Come out Duke Divinity (0015W) on Friday, October 1, 2010 @ 12:30-1:20pm to hear Pastor Eugene Cho talk about church planting, multi-ethnic ministry, and non-profit work.

—
Eugene’s blog:http://eugenecho.wordpress.com/
Quest Church: http://www.seattlequest.org/
Twitter: @eugenecho

**This event is being co-sponsored by the Center for Reconciliation and Asian Theology