- How do you feel about praying in worship?
I have learned to be very comfortable praying in worship. I try to link the thoughts of the prayers to bring continuity to the service.
- What are your areas of strength and weakness?
I speak with assurance and conviction but I rely more on prayers found in lectionary resources such as The Gathering or on Internet. With such beautiful thoughtful prayers available, I tend not to rely on my own creations for structured worship services.
- What are your growing edges?
I have 15 years of services on my computer so I have lots of history to draw on. With the lectionary turning over every 3 years, so that is a lot of basic work already done. What I am now focusing on is making the current year relevant, which means how far have we come in 9 years, for example. What are the changes in the world or are we part of the same cycle. This approach is stretching my understanding of Scripture in terms of application of the parables, for example. The Good Samaritan can be spoken about from the point of view of the narration but how about the man in the ditch who is likely Jewish and who is under the care of the Samaritan. How does that help us learn to live with refugees, immigrants, who have not traditionally been in our community.
- How do you feel about praying extemporaneously?
I have no difficulty now. I remember once when I was first asked to say grace at a luncheon for someone who was leaving our community. I absolutely froze and all I could think about was 'for what we are about to receive, may the Lord make us truly thankful!', and that was it! If I were to use that prayer again, I would speak about the blessings what we have received from Joe, how it has been like bread in the context of our organization, and as with the food that has been prepared so lovingly, may we be truly thankful. Still simple but more personal to the occasion.
- How do you feel about using other people’s prayers?
I feel very comfortable because the prayers have been prepared for that purpose, with acknowledgement of who has done the work. I don[t mention the person at the time of the prayer (too interruptive) but in the bulletin or on the slide, etc.
