Henriet's Blog

Henriet and Semper Vita Update

Though my blog has stood still for several weeks, I certainly have not. I just returned from Tennessee where I attended the Wesleyan Holiness Women's Clergy Conference and visited my friend Susan. Though Nashville, Tennessee was unseasonably cold, the time was wonderful. Imagine a conference with 600 women pastors from various holiness denominations including Free Methodist, Salvation Army, Church of the Nazarene, Church of God Anderson, Evangelical Friends, Wesleyan and some others. Pretty amazing.

FULLER EDUCATION:

On Friday, March 21, I finished my Winter Quarter. This was the course on Theology and Pop Culture. To those who took the survey, "THANK YOU!" You helped me get an "A" in my class. You really outdid yourselves. 127 out of 150 took the survey. Most had not seen Eli Stone-though some have added it to their "must watch" list since.

I'm doing an independent study for my Spring Quarter. The goal is to develop a training module for Semper Vita that includes Myers-Briggs and StrengthsFinder.

SEMPER VITA:

God is doing some amazing things. The Board/launch team has been meeting monthly. We've prayed, planned, and acted. Currently, we are working on developing a logo, the software, a web site, and marketing materials. 

In order to write the Semper Vita training module, I have attended and finished the Myers-Briggs (MBTI) and Gallup StrengthsFinder training. I passed the MBTI test in March and am now MBTI qualified. Additionally, I completed the Gallup StrengthsFinder training in April. I need to meet with 10 people for StrengthsFinder coaching and then I'll be certified. If you'd like to be one of the 10, send me an email!

We also opened a bank account and have a Semper Vita mailing address. We would love your support and partnership. If you'd like to help us, please send us your tax-deductible donation. Make checks payable to "Semper Vita." Our address is: 22310 NE Marketplace Drive #108, PMB #156, Redmond, WA 98053.

Help! Please Take Our Survey!

Really, if you take this survey you'll really help us! So, can you give us 5 minutes (or less)? Why help and submit yourself to this ordeal? You'd be helping two "desperate" seminary students working on a different kind of final project for their Theology and Pop Culture class. Check it out:

Henriët and Tamara's Final Project Survey

The name describes the purpose but leaves you wanting for more information, doesn't it? What is this project about? Well, in a nutshell, my friend Tamara and I are in the same Theology and Pop Culture class at Fuller. We are doing a joint final project that will help us with Semper Vita, the new non-profit ministry organization we recently formed.

Our final project mixes a little bit of television, specifically "Eli Stone"...with a bit of post-Christianity (huh?)...with a brief theological discussion with Lesslie Newbigin (a missional theologian). The assignment is to take a pop culture medium (we chose TV), relate it to a post-modern phenomenon (we chose post-Christian) in discussion with a theologian (we chose Newbigin). Sounds a bit tough? I thought so too. In fact, I was quite perturbed until Tamara and I sorted out a project we could get excited about and relate to Semper Vita. 

So, will you help? Your input will add an invaluable element of the conversation. So you see, we can't do it without you!

What's the Survey Going to Ask?

This anonymous survey (yep you're totally safe here) has three primary sections, with a handful of questions in each:

• Personal beliefs - about God and spirituality in general

• Television - your likes & dislikes

• "Eli Stone" - a new show on ABC

If you've never seen "Eli Stone," it's on Thursday nights at 10 PM PT. It's a brand new show. It would be great if you could take a little extra time and watch it before responding to the survey. Otherwise, just take the survey. We're interested in (and need) your feedback either way. 

As indicated earlier, all the survey responses are anonymous. We definitely will respect your privacy. Rest assured, we'll have no clue who responded and how each person responded. We're just interested in the summary results-lots of them!

Time is Ticking!!

The survey will be open until midnight on Friday, March 14th. Our final project is due on Friday, March 21st. We will publish the summarized results on our blogs soon thereafter. So jump in now! Proceed to...

Henriët and Tamara's Final Project Survey

THANK YOU!!

Eli Stone, A Prophet?

For my "Theology and Pop Culture" class at Fuller our assignment is to review a show, movie, song or celebrity. I chose to review a new TV show called "Eli Stone":

Can God use a lawyer in San Francisco? According to the new show on ABC, God can-even if the lawyer doesn't believe.

I watched the first three episodes of Eli Stone recently (you can watch the shows on line). The show's premise is that God sends a prophet to every generation. In this case, He's chosen a lawyer, named Eli Stone (played by Johnny Lee Miller), to do His bidding. How does God communicate with this young attorney who doesn't believe in Him? Through visions and sounds. Eli's first experience is hearing George Michael sing the line, "you've got to have faith" from the song "Faith."

What Eli sees, hears and experiences things are actually clues from God regarding Eli's next assignment. The clues turn out to be about cases he's supposed to take on-which result in justice for the poor, needy or disadvantaged.

So is Eli a prophet? During one episode, when Eli is standing on a mountain cliff in his vision, but on the railing of his high-rise apartment in real life, we learn that Eli has an inoperable tumor that "accounts" for his "hallucinations." Eli just wants all the sights and sounds to stop.

On the urging of his assistant, he visits a Chinese acupuncturist, Dr. Chen (James Saito). It turns out that the doctor is a full-blooded American with a degree in philosophy who practices acupuncture and chooses to sport the accent to add to the mystique. Eli tells him what's happening and asks him to fix it. However, Dr. Chen believes Eli might be a prophet despite Eli's lack of faith. Dr. Chen assures Eli that he does believe in God, after all, he says, "you believe in right and wrong, justice, fairness and love. That is God." He also points to a sunset and says, "that's God."

Eli isn't convinced. Dr. Chen tells him that everything has two explanations, one scientific, the other divine. It depends on how you look at it.

I enjoyed the show and character development. However whether Eli is a prophet? Well I'd say the jury is still out. I think you've got to have faith in God before He sends you. What do you think?

Re-framing Christianity

Could it be that the only people going to church are those who already know about God? Could it be that everyone else has little or no interest in spending an hour on Sunday morning to participate in a gathering with strangers? Do you think we need to re-frame what we're doing? Hmmm.

I suspect that if I had invited someone at Starbucks last Sunday morning to come to church with me that I might have had various responses:

"What's my value add to attend church?" (A friend of mine actually asked this question once upon a time.)
"I don't know anyone there."
"Church isn't for me." (What's the implication there? Who is it for?)

Recent research indicates that people think Jesus is cool but church and Christianity is not. In general, people like Jesus and think that he is loving and approachable. Christians on the other hand are viewed as judgmental, critical and exclusive.

Maybe Christianity needs a re-branding campaign. I'm in a "Theology and Pop Culture" class at Fuller this quarter. We were given the task of re-branding Christianity. Here's one of our ads (what do you think?):

Sunday at Starbucks

Last Sunday, Fred and I walked to our local Starbucks. We enjoyed our coffee while there...then walked back. Nothing unusual per se except that normally on Sunday mornings we're at church.

Going to church on Sunday makes sense for Christians, right? However, those who do not yet know Jesus aren't there. The place to meet people looking for Jesus is, well, possibly at Starbucks.

Have you ever spent a Sunday morning out and about-at Starbucks, in a restaurant, on the golf course? I hope you have. What did you notice?

When I attended the Off The Map Conference last November, Earl Creps (featured on my blog) talked about starting a church in Berkeley, Calif. He found out, as he walked around on a Sunday morning, that the streets were deserted. People were sleeping--Berkeley happens later in the day or at night.

If we want to hang out with the people who are looking for God-we might want to meet them where they are when they're there. What do you think?

Happy 1st Birthday!

My blog turned 1 this month. My inaugural post appeared on January 15, 2007!Reaching the one year mark is apparently a milestone in this medium. I've written 138 posts over the last 12 months.

WHAT I'VE LEARNED

Writing is a discipline. One that I've been struggling with in the last few months. I vow to get back on track as I start on this second year of blogging life.

It takes time to develop your voice. Looking back over the blog posts, I notice that I've been "all over the place" in some ways. It's funny to see what I wrote about a year ago. I think I'm still developing the voice of this blog. This next year I'll be writing about people's stories, discussing current topics in light of faith, and I'll throw in the odd "unrelated" piece.

Popular is not predictable. Some posts that I though would really hit-didn't. Others that were just fun posts were well read. Some people just come for the pictures I choose.

CHANGES AND ADVENTURES

This past year life has been exciting. I expect that this year will be full of adventures as well. As Semper Vita gains momentum there will be lots of stories, interesting events, and opportunities to learn and grow. I hope you'll stay tuned as we  start a new year of blogging.

YOUR INPUT

What have you enjoyed on this blog? What would you like to see more of? What are topics you'd want me to address?

I'd love your input.

Thanks Timberlake

How good it is when people live together in unity and praise God together.

A Celebration

Yesterday felt that way. The Timberlake staff and board honored me with a celebration during the Sunday services and a reception in the foyer between services. Both during the celebration and at the reception, I had the opportunity to share publicly about Semper Vita-it was the first time that most people at Timberlake heard about it. It was well received.

During the reception, there were lots of hugs, some tears and many well wishes. I've known some of these people for a long time-my family has attended and served at Timberlake since February 1994. We'll continue to attend and will still help out in various ways as God leads.

They Asked, "What Will Semper Vita Do?"

My simple explanation is that we will help people (both those inside and outside churches) to find ways to give back. Specifically, we'll connect people with opportunities to serve outside church ministries in ways that fit their skills, passions and life circumstances. Not everyone wants to help out at church or serve at the local charity. However, almost everyone would like to give back in some way. Most of us don't know where to start, who to call or how to put our gifts and skills to work.

Semper Vita's goal is to connect like-minded people with each other and with easily accessible and appropriate existing service opportunities. To make those connections, we need to establish an alliance of non-profit organizations, churches, businesses and ministries. This alliance will provide access to service opportunities and people who want to serve. Several people shared ideas of organizations that might want to partner with us-which is great! Know of any? Let me know!

Thanks For Everything

Thanks Timberlake for celebrating my time on staff and for sending me out to lead this new venture!

Semper Vita Lives

For almost a year I've had the privilege of writing this Semper Vita blog, known as Henriet's Blog. Last week, I announced the start of a new chapter in my life--the launch of Semper Vita and my opportunity to lead it full-time. (For Tamara Dull's take on this, click here.)

Not doing this alone

I have the privilege of leading a team of incredible people. All of them Christian leaders in business, non-profit and technology jobs. Together we are crafting what Semper Vita is all about.

Semper Vita was officially registered as a non-profit at the end of last year. Our vision is for "everyone to experience Jesus Christ through the love and service of others." We want to exist as a caring community of connected people serving together.

How do we do that?

Last year I wrote several stories that illustrated what service, Semper Vita-style, looks like. One of them was Serving Tent City. Another was On Mission With Tim. These posts told the stories of people finding their own way to serve. Semper Vita will help people to easily connect to opportunities that suit them and make a difference.

New Year, New Beginning, New Life

New Year

I love to celebrate the start of a new year. The idea of starting over. A new date: 1.1.08. A new journal--clean pages waiting to be filled with new adventures. I love the idea of a fresh start--leaving the old behind and starting over. This new year started like the others with a celebration, a count down and champagne--except it had even more new starts.

New Beginning

Besides a new day, a new month and a new year, it was also a new beginning on the job and ministry front. My job as Pastor of Adult Ministries at Timberlake Christian Fellowship in Redmond ended as of December 31. I knew about this change during December and was ready for this new beginning.

It really IS a new beginning. I'm not sitting at home wondering what to do next. I'm already doing it. What is it? This new year starts with the new beginning of an organization called Semper Vita. Semper Vita means "always life." (Yep, it's the name of my blog's web site address.) This isn't a sudden start--I've been preparing for this new beginning since last January (actually October 2006).  However, with the end of my full-time job, I now have the chance to start it in earnest.

During this past year a group of missional leaders, including Tamara Dull and I, started thinking and planning for the launch of Semper Vita. We met several times in the Fall. By the end of December we filed for non-profit status, filed a Form 1023, and received our non-profit tax I.D. We even received some donations from early supporters and believers of this vision for new life.

New Life

Semper Vita will mean a new life for me and all those who resonate with our vision and passion. The goal is to connect like-minded people who love God to serve people who need help. We will not start a new social service organization. Semper Vita will be about aligning with other organizations to connect people to each other and to existing service opportunities. We will be a missional partnership group that connects and trains individuals and organizations to better serve people in their communities with the love of Christ.

I can't wait to see what this year will bring! Want to join us? Write a comment on this post or send me an email by using the link below my picture.

More stories to come...

Christmas Everyday?!

It's the week after Christmas and all through the land people... have gone back to their regular lives. With all the hubbub leading up to this holy Holiday, it's amazing how fast it's over. The food is consumed, the drinks drunk, and the packages opened. Life returns to, well, normal.

Including for those who are homeless. Their "Christmas" is over too. No more extra attention and people making more effort to provide them with additional food, blankets, socks and toiletries. Yet, they're still cold, still homeless, still in need. As Bart Shatto sang so movingly at the TSO Christmas Show, "why can't it be Christmas everyday?" As I said before, why not indeed?

WHAT IF?

What if we banded together--as people who love God and are spiritual--and partnered to impact the system? What if we organized, looked like the true body of believers, and helped every day? What if we lived, as Jesus told us to, loving one another so that people would be drawn to Him through our love and actions? What if we could make it Christmas every day?

I imagine that if we all worked together--in unity of purpose and service--we could make a real difference for the homeless, for the poor, for the needy...every day!

EVERYONE DOING A SMALL PART

Back to Bart Shatto, do you know what he does with the money he collects? He takes the money that people donate to him, when they think he's homeless,  and buys toys with it. He personally delivers them to the kids in the cancer wing at Methodist Children's Hospital! Thanks Bart for doing your part in large and small ways--by giving of yourself at the show and for giving beyond to the kids who can't be home for Christmas.

Not Homeless at TSO Show

Some of you have asked about the story of the homeless man at the TSO Christmas show. Let me clarify--it turns out he wasn't homeless but part of the show. His name is Bart Shatto and he takes his role seriously. By starting before the show opens, he adds to his performance and makes it convincing.

HOMELESSNESS: HIS CHANGE AND MINE

As I watched him transition the role, I noticed that my reaction transitioned too. I've thought about this quite a bit.

When he seemed to be a real homeless man, I observed his actions and watched him carefully. First I thought, what is he doing here? Catching myself I consciously decided to be glad for him and came up with possible scenarios to make sense of the apparent disconnect (how could a homeless man be at the TSO show?).

Then as I chose to be happy for him I became concerned for him--but still from a distance. I wanted to help but did not really want to be inconvenienced. I really wanted someone else to take action on his behalf. My guilt would be assuaged. (By the way, assuage is one of my favorite words.)

I felt bad after he disappeared--partly because I hadn't acted. I did what I do when I can't "fix" things: I prayed for him.

When he appeared on stage I felt silly for having made such a fuss about it (in my head and in conversation with Tamara). I was also glad he was OK and not kicked out.

Then I noticed another reaction. I felt differently toward him. I relaxed and listened to him. His song was convicting and moving. His message: The homeless are hungry and in need every day. Why can't it be Christmas every day?

AM I A HYPOCRITE?

Still I was left with my reactions and the apparent hypocrisy. Why did I feel differently toward him as an actor? I thought about this as the show continued. After all people are born as cute and lovable babies. Things may go wrong along the way but underneath the appearance, they are still the same--valuable human beings.

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

So, how would you have reacted? What are your thoughts about the situation? About my reaction? What would you have done? What's Jesus' view of the situation?

Homeless At TSO Christmas Show

Thanks to the generosity of my friend Tamara, I found myself sitting in great seats at the Key Arena in Seattle last Saturday. We'd come to see and hear the Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO). My first time! We sat in the 12th row near the aisle.

Before the show started, I was watching the people arrive, looking at the staging and just absorbing the ambience.

WHO IS THAT?

Then I saw him...I thought it was a him. He wore a wool overcoat, had matted hair that was pulled back in a short pony tail and disheveled. He had a wool scarf tied around his ankle and walked with a slight limp. He carried two bags. He seemed like a homeless person. He continued down the steps and sat in an aisle seat on the main floor--just 20 rows back from the stage. Once settled, he pulled out a flask and took a swig. Did I just see that? I pointed him out to Tamara.

How can he afford the ticket? Did someone give it to him? Did he just get in? Did he save his money from panhandling and is this concert that important to him? I wondered. I was glad he was there and hoped he was OK.

More people found their seats and suddenly he was not in his  seat. Where was he? I found myself scanning the crown, searching. It took a while but I "found him." He was sitting on the main floor, an aisle seat, this time four rows up from the back row...almost directly below my seat. Maybe he doesn't have a ticket? Should I give him mine? I knew Tamara wouldn't be thrilled if I left and this guy took my seat. Then he was gone.

WHERE IS HE?

The show had started and it was great. I looked around periodically but there was no way to find him in the dark. So, I prayed that he would be OK. (It may be odd but I do that kind of thing.)

After several songs and a thought provoking Christmas narration, suddenly...the homeless man is on stage being introduced! "He's collected about $150 from you guys. He takes a lot of abuse but does this every show. We don't know why he does it. Please welcome..."

Then he sang a most touching song--about being hungry and in need every day. "Why can't it be Christmas every day?" Why not indeed?