From the desk of Intern Steven

Sorry it's been days and I haven't reported.

Well I broke down and finally bought a laptop. I really do need one out here. (I'm trying to become a laptop person but it isn't easy. I've got the soul of a desktop living inside me.)

Monday's staff meeting went well. I gave my little report with the tiny things I've been doing on the parish level. I told them about my work towards being a Lector. I informed them I'd be in the Crop Walk and asked for sponsorship. I taught Susie what Angry Birds was and Father John decided to play a few noisy rounds during my report. I gave him the evil eye and was like, "Really you couldn't at least mute it?" We all had a really big laugh. I shared that over the next few weeks I'd like to spend one Sunday School session with each class. The report should've been longer but I'm still trying to get my feet wet.

Tuesday I started getting some work setup on my non-profit. I've had some emailing back and forth with the Executive Director. I'm interested in getting involved in what classes their cultural center has to offer. I wanted to focus on Citizenship however I think I will end up getting to do more than that.

Wednesday of course is my big church day (my roommates have a big church day as well). 7AM Eucharist where we had 3 lovely college age ladies in attendance. Do you find that odd? Me too so I asked them what brought them here and they were like, "Um theology class....we are students at St. Mary's." I knew it was a school project. It reeked of school report. I will say both of the ladies at this service (not the young girls the full time parishioners) hugged me during the peace. It was great. (I really like hugs.)

After that it was off to breakfast with Max & Father Jack which was a lot of fun. They both are just full of knowledge and experience and I spend more time listening than I do talking. (No joke if you can believe that.)

Then it was back to church for their 9:30 Healing Eucharist. I love how laid back this crowd is. The church is dutiful, organized, and liturgical but they aren't really crazy strict which I like. I think everyone could stand to be a little bit more relaxed about things (myself included). After that it was time to fold, stuff and lick envelopes. I had to lick 70 envelopes personally b/c the wet wheel tool couldn't be find. Needless to say envelope glue doesn't taste great. (I am such a modern day martyr...just kidding it was a super easy job.) Then I had a little time so I went out and got some things done.

Afternoon rolls around and I'm jumping in a borrowed pick up truck to help move tables & chairs from the Rector's house back to the church. Then we had our Wednesday night events. I helped by running to the store to pick up some last minute items and I helped setup for dinner. Dinner was amazing (as per usual - this parish knows how to cook). Then went into Youth Group event and we talked about Authority. We talked about authorities on Earth and in Heaven. I even got the Senior High kids talking about the authorities they submit to. All of them shared "earthly" ones which I felt was very honest. Our lives are very dominated by things like money, success, family, fame, health, beauty, and the list goes on and on. Some of these things can be very good. None of these things should be placed higher than the Lord.

I admitted that money has a great deal of power over me. I told them all week long I wanted them to work on overcoming the "earthly" authorities that bind them. One member of the group said, "Okay what about you?" I told the group for the next week I would (try) to not log into my online checking account. I typically like to do it about 3 times a day. I don't know why. I don't gain any more money by doing so and I don't have things that needed to be checked so frequently. I hope the gang comes up with ways to challenge their earthly authorities. Can you think of an earthly authority that has a hold on you? I encourage you to find a way to challenge it this week (and in the weeks to come.)

Got home and had some roommate time and now I'm about to try and a watch a little TV online and head to bed.

Entertainment Tip: Go watch/read "The Help."  I really enjoyed it.
Currently Reading: The Powers That Be
Fun Nebraska Fact: Using the word "ya'll" gets you branded a Southern on the spot.

Welcome to Nebraska

My name is Trevor, and I am a Resurrection House Intern for the 2011-12 program year. I was born and raised in Reston, Virginia, which is about 25 miles west of Washington DC. After getting a degree in History from Virginia Tech, I returned to northern Virginia and have done a variety of jobs from moving furniture to working as an Instructional Assistant in a Special Education school. I decided to apply to the Resurrection House program to discern God’s call in my life by working with a local parish, volunteering, and receiving regular spiritual direction. Part of the program is to live with two other people, Kate and Steven, in intentional community. Using the early church described in the Book of Acts as inspiration (Acts 2:42-47), we have committed to sharing meals, prayers, chores, and providing support to each other. There will undoubtedly be some challenges, but we should be able to overcome difficulties that arise through effective communication, compromise, honesty, and remembering that God calls us to live in community.

I had never been to Omaha prior to September 3, 2011. To be honest the only things I knew about Omaha were that Warren Buffett was born there, the College World Series is played there, and a lot of Omaha steaks get delivered at Christmas. I have only been here 3 weeks, but many things have pleasantly surprised me. The Henry Doorly Zoo is massive, Memorial Park is lovely, the Old Market is interesting, and the Joslyn Art Museum had more to see than I could fully appreciate in one visit. However, the most impressive thing by far has been the warmth and hospitality of the people I have met. It cannot be overstated how important that is for someone completely new to town. Several people have stated that Omaha is a “hidden gem,” and I am starting to see why.

At the conclusion of our opening retreat to the Benedictine Center in Schuyler, Nebraska I was placed at All Saints Episcopal Church. It is an honor to be placed at the largest Episcopal parish in Omaha. We are still working out my specific responsibilities, but my goal is to have a mutually beneficial relationship. I aim to contribute to the active, generous community that has already been built, and in return feel closer to God through strong relationships with the congregation. Elsewhere, I am only two weeks into Year One (The Old Testament) of the Education for Ministry course and have already learned a lot. Yesterday we (the interns) had our first preaching workshop. We were asked to speak for three minutes from the pulpit about something we love. Our presentations were recorded and then used as a visual tool for feedback. It always makes me a little uncomfortable to see myself on video, but it was a very effective tool and should lead to improvement.

Being 1,200 miles from my family, the people I love most in this world, has been tough. I have felt homesick at times. For example….the Washington Redskins are 2-0, it’s Dallas Week AND we're playing on Monday Night Football, yet nobody around here seems to care. It helps to be reminded that I came here to challenge myself and experience new things. It does not make sense to want to get out of my comfort zone, and then complain when things are different.

I will conclude with a verse of scripture that I have repeated many times since my arrival, and hopefully will continue to be with me…..

“O God, you are my God; eagerly I seek you;

my soul thirsts for you, my flesh faints for you,

as in a barren and dry land where there is no water.”

-Psalm 63:1 (English Standard Version)