Beautiful! This reminded me of a Catholic Bible teacher I used listen to - he was talking about Jesus weeping at Lazarus’ grave, and why was he crying when he knew he would raise Lazarus, and he said, “I think it’s simple. He cried for the whole damn mess.”
Oh, I love that perspective. Leave it to humans to overcomplicate and it's so simple. God just loves us despite our being in a constant state of disaster.
I do hope your four year old enjoys the picture book guide! If he's in the hating everything about church outside of church mode, then it really is perfect for him.
Your thoughts about grief made me think about the ways in which women in particular are tasked with the ministry of grief - the visits, the casseroles, wearing black in Middle Eastern culture; in Judaism, "sitting shiva"; in pre-Christian times until even now, the wailers - and it makes me think that this, as an experience you are going through now, might also be a chance for you to contemplate what an Orthodox Christian ministry of grieving could be in a world that doesn't really stop for grief the way our communities used to.
It’s interesting that you mention the grief ministry because my intention upon graduating from my counseling program was to create such a program for the diocese. I thought that perhaps I would possess more clout as a therapist than as a layperson. However, now that I’ve stopped that program (due to said grief and handling my father’s estate), I am not sure I can continue given the DoE’s new federal standards.
The SUS offers a Family Ministry program that provides certification and allows you to assist the priests. I’m still praying about it. I do wonder how the Coptic community would receive such a program.
Thanks for this, it clarifies a lot; I wonder if a tradition’s power is in its consistency or capacity for flexible iteration, your aproach is so smart.
Beautiful! This reminded me of a Catholic Bible teacher I used listen to - he was talking about Jesus weeping at Lazarus’ grave, and why was he crying when he knew he would raise Lazarus, and he said, “I think it’s simple. He cried for the whole damn mess.”
Oh, I love that perspective. Leave it to humans to overcomplicate and it's so simple. God just loves us despite our being in a constant state of disaster.
Well, at least I am in a constant state of disaster. I can't apply that feeling to everyone (anxious laughter)
I do hope your four year old enjoys the picture book guide! If he's in the hating everything about church outside of church mode, then it really is perfect for him.
Your thoughts about grief made me think about the ways in which women in particular are tasked with the ministry of grief - the visits, the casseroles, wearing black in Middle Eastern culture; in Judaism, "sitting shiva"; in pre-Christian times until even now, the wailers - and it makes me think that this, as an experience you are going through now, might also be a chance for you to contemplate what an Orthodox Christian ministry of grieving could be in a world that doesn't really stop for grief the way our communities used to.
It’s interesting that you mention the grief ministry because my intention upon graduating from my counseling program was to create such a program for the diocese. I thought that perhaps I would possess more clout as a therapist than as a layperson. However, now that I’ve stopped that program (due to said grief and handling my father’s estate), I am not sure I can continue given the DoE’s new federal standards.
The SUS offers a Family Ministry program that provides certification and allows you to assist the priests. I’m still praying about it. I do wonder how the Coptic community would receive such a program.
Thanks for this, it clarifies a lot; I wonder if a tradition’s power is in its consistency or capacity for flexible iteration, your aproach is so smart.