boat story

The other day we noticed this:

So we replaced this line:

 So I could do this:

While I was up there I fixed this, which has never worked:

And I tried to enjoy the view, when I wasn't too scared.

So now we have to figure out who can fix that metal bracket!

starting over, yet again

I haven't been going to church for a while. Since I moved up here, I just haven't wanted to. Getting up and going at a time when I don't actually have to get up or go, just didn't sound good. I knew Sunday mornings were perhaps less inspiring just staying home and reading the paper and feeling turmoil about how to make the day great, but going to a new church with new people and new everything felt overwhelming.

This past weekend we came home from a little trip with my family on Saturday. Sunday really felt like a bonus day, so I thought I would try to get a running start on the church thing while I wasn't so tired. After some research on the churches we had been recommended, I settled on First Presbyterian. I try not to be too political about church - you won't agree with everyone on everything. But I just couldn't see myself going to a church and giving money, that I earned with my female hands and mind, to a place that doesn't see woman as fit to lead. That rules out the Church of God and a couple other non-denominational outliers. PCA. Anything Pentecostal. Etc. Etc. I also looked up a couple places based on marriage equality, and the ol' Presby's were right on the money again.

I went by myself because Mike didn't get ready in time, and found a spot on a lovely pew in this lovely grandparent-y looking place. People of all ages, styles, and walks of life. Most people were white, but that's just Bellingham. I have to say, I liked it! I was cool with the music, enjoyed the prayers and the sermon. It was very familiar, but also new and super interesting. A woman named Elizabeth introduced herself. The people there seemed happy and nice, and eager to learn, which is obviously the most important thing.

Just my luck, the pastor was talking about conflict, more specifically in the church over political issues! And most specifically, women in the church. It was a good, intellectual, message that I could really get behind. I think I'm going to go back. It's good for my brain and my soul.

Here was a piece that the Pastor shared, that everyone had a good chuckle over. Top 10 Reasons Why Men Shouldn’t Be Ordained:

10. A man’s place is in the army.
9. For men who have children, their duties might distract them from the responsibilities of being a parent.
8. Their physical build indicates that men are more suited to tasks such as chopping down trees and wrestling mountain lions. It would be “unnatural” for them to do other forms of work.
7. Man was created before woman. It is therefore obvious that man was a prototype. Thus, they represent an experiment, rather than the crowning achievement of creation.
6. Men are too emotional to be priests or pastors. This is easily demonstrated by their conduct at football games and watching basketball tournaments.
5. Some men are handsome; they will distract women worshipers.
4. To be ordained pastor is to nurture the congregation. But this is not a traditional male role. Rather, throughout history, women have been considered to be not only more skilled than men at nurturing, but also more frequently attracted to it. This makes them the obvious choice for ordination.
3. Men are overly prone to violence. No really manly man wants to settle disputes by any means other than by fighting about it. Thus, they would be poor role models, as well as being dangerously unstable in positions of leadership.
2. Men can still be involved in church activities, even without being ordained. They can sweep paths, repair the church roof, change the oil in the church vans, and maybe even lead the singing on Father’s Day. By confining themselves to such traditional male roles, they can still be vitally important in the life of the Church.
1. In the New Testament account, the person who betrayed Jesus was a man. Thus, his lack of faith and ensuing punishment stands as a symbol of the subordinated position that all men should take.