A sampler of the kinds of things I talk about with folks. These conversations varied from 5 minutes to 2 hours, and took place last week. Some were formally scheduled meetings, some casual conversation, some one-on-one in a coffee shop, some over email or text. Anything pastorally sensitive I’ve made as vague as possible.
Monday: how to organize a terrific Sunday School class for kids ages 4-8, how a job search is going, what churches can learn from The Apple Store, what hymns echo the scripture we’re reading for the next few weeks? (and also are a mix of new, well-known, and easily singable music), the conversion of Paul
Tuesday: the story of how I became a priest, how can the diocese put more emphasis on the ministry of lay people? is the ordination process such that it discourages smart, capable young adults? a good date to schedule a group visit to a Coptic church in Glen Ellyn
Wednesday: how can we compile an updated list of church kids names and ages? an interview with a candidate for our secretary position, how painful it is to watch a friend suffer through their spouse’s increasingly debilitating illness, what it’s like to have left the Catholic Church, how a kitchen remodeling is going
Thursday: problems solving around finding a nursery volunteer for Sunday when the paid caregiver will be taking the day off, anticipating putting a much-loved pet to sleep (can I be there?), how priests can better deal with conflict instead of avoiding it, finding a set of used kid-sized tables and chairs for a Sunday School classroom, changing the message on the church sign
Friday: my day off — when I try very hard not to have conversations about church!
