Tonight brings me to Winnemucca, where I am staying at the "Model T Casino, Hotel and RV - Home of the Fill'er Up Diner" (suffice it to say that when you book this place by phone or online, you book through Quality Inn. The rest is a surprise upon arrival).
I drove here by starlight, having reached Reno just as dusk settled. With clear skies and a favorable weather forecast, one last push made good sense - especially with a sky full of stars and one beautiful bright "traveling star" staying in my field of vision through the passenger side window. That being said, I want to give a shout out to the kind truckers who, during the unexpected snowstorm and white outs about 47 miles W of Winnemucca, let me slip my little car into the "rocking chair" until the road conditions improved. The kindness of strangers is always a sweet gift.
The drive was otherwise uneventful. I left a little after 1 pm, thanks to a 2nd year classmate who helped me load my car - what a blessing! Traffic was moderate to Sacramento, and then heavy almost until Auburn. It snowed over Donner, but nothing was sticking to the road. The trees looked enchanted - it was beautiful. And before I knew it, I was driving through Reno. I think I stopped wiping my eyes around Auburn. Until then, it was an intermittent flow of tears of joy and sadness.
I have seen some amazing things during this past three weeks - witnessed the movement of the Spirit in ways I never dreamed possible. There were times when I wanted to remove my shoes, for it felt like I was standing on holy ground. More often than not, I was indeed standing in a "thin place."
Three years ago, eight of us began this three year Intensive cohort. By year two, two had resigned, and one had joined us. We are an amazingly diverse group in every way possible, but through the intensity of the program coupled with our praying together, we formed a bond that is indescribable. We experienced love in a new way - a powerful way - because this love helped each of us to more fully become our true selves. We experienced church/community in such a clear and true form - both within our group, and within the larger community that held sacred space for us. I am amazed and awed by the growth that has happened in all of us.
Saying goodbye was heartbreaking - it was like leaving members of my family. Four of our group will remain in the Bay Area (for now), and three of us have further travel to get to our other homes and families. I have no doubt that each of us cherishes what we have experienced and witnessed.
What God has done in our lives through the mystery and miracle of community is incredible! How God has ministered to each one of us through another takes my breath away. We were blessed with a Master Teacher and Preacher (and theologian, and Pastor, and Prophet) for our last course, and his words were manna from heaven - and strong medicine. He embodied a lifetime of faithful witness and service - his level of integrity and credibility was second to none. I never left a lecture without having heard the words I needed for life - God working through one person to minister to many. I suspect his words will continue ringing in my heart for a long time to come (both the strong medicine and loving affirmation).
Thursday night at Chapel I met a sister UCC minister and retired professor from Emory; again, she embodied the grace and compassion of a life of loving service. I will use her profound words on Sunday for the Communion Service that celebrates Black History Month. I will never forget the depth and tenderness in her eyes. She walks with a cane, and does so with grace and dignity (without any of the judgment that plagues me). At one point during the evening, she wrapped her arms around me to give me a hug, and I instantly knew that it was God hugging me through her. I felt the most amazing peace and loving tenderness envelop me - sacred space - God working through the life and love of one person to minister to another. I lost all sense of time - I only knew that I was loved, and that was enough!
Lives changed - hard truths spoken - challenges met - fears faced - love given and received - boxes of tissue emptied - laughter shared (our cohort is know for our quirky sense of humor - we make videos to bring a lighter side to the serious work we do, and these videos have taken on a life of their own)! All of this within the container - the crucible - the safe space - the gift - of community.
I am transformed because of what I have seen and experienced. I honor God's gift when I share this experience with others - helping to create community where transformation happens for all who accept its invitation.
Tomorrow, it is back to Boise, and goodbye to the good people of Winnemucca (who are, by far, the friendliest people I have ever met). This visit's "friendliest minimum wage worker award" goes to the drive-through cashier at the Burger King - if her enthusiasm and kindness could be bottled and shared, the world would be unrecognizable!
And Sunday it is back to my duties at the church. If I can bring a small part of what I have experienced these three years in Intensive into my ministry at Boise First, I will not only honor the keepers of the sacred space - people who have taught me so much - but I will give my congregation a precious gift.
Oh - what I have witnessed! What I have seen, and heard - and known to be true!
Awed by God's grace,
Kim
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