Category: Life

Posted in Life

The holy week experience

Posted on by William Douthwaite

When I was growing up, attending church for all the services of holy week was a given. On Thursday we remembered the institution of the Lord’s Supper. On Friday, we came at both noon, remembering the time Jesus spent on the cross, and again in the evening, as candles were extinguished and the church became eerily dark. On Sunday, we were up for a sunrise service and then another service later in the morning.

It’s always a challenge for me to remember that many have not grown up with these traditions, so it does not occur to them to come to church on any day other than Sunday. I have to remind myself to walk them through the passion of our Lord, rather than assuming they know it, for many just don’t know the story. If we don’t get a chance to pause and think of the agonizing prayer in the garden, the betrayal and denial, the false charges, the cries and “crucify him,” and the cruel nails of crucifixion, we may miss some of the impact of the resurrection, too.

I owe my parents and the church I grew up in a debt of gratitude for making sure I got the complete experience of holy week. I hope I get a chance to pass that along to others.

Posted in Life

My wife’s back from Haiti!

Posted on by William Douthwaite

She flew back to Miami this past Sunday, and my youngest daughter and I drove down to meet her and drive back home on Monday. Was it ever good to see her! I also got to meet a number of the medical mission team she went with her and talk with them over supper. An interesting, diverse, and talented group who made a difference in the 1300 patients they saw at the church turned into a clinic the week before.

She was glad to be home, for the conditions were hot, sticky, rainy and dirty. But I think a part of her wanted to stay since so many would need so much help for years to come. Even though what they did was awesome, it was only a drop in the bucket. The team had just gotten to know each other and many members of the church and community, so it was as hard to leave as it would have been to stay. One of those paradox things.

Now that she knows people there, we’ll be able to stay in touch and help more in the future. It feels very different to help people you met and know by name than to just support “missions” somewhere, so this can be a great opportunity for her and our congregation. Where will she (or hopefully, “we”) go next? Hard to say. There are many, many opportunities. Of course, for just about everything now, you must pay your own way, so a little planning is needed.

So, God — what’s next?

Posted in Life

30 hour famine follow-up

Posted on by William Douthwaite

The youth group and I ended our thirty-hour famine this afternoon with a worship service, holy communion, and then a great dinner prepared by the parents at 6:00 sharp.

This year’s group is awesome. We had no problems, everyone participated fully and enthusiastically, and everyone was asleep by about 2 am last night. The ground was hard and the air was cool but I was warm in my sleeping bag under a cardboard box. Earlier in the evening we did a few devotions, played some games to help us understand the dynamics of living without much in third world countries, and watched the movie Slumdog Millionaire. I’ve seen the movie before, but it’s a great reminder of how difficult life is for so many in this world. Today’s program included some strenuous service activities at the homes of some of our members who need a little help with yard work, and a few more games.

One lesson of not eating for a day or so is the awareness of how often you just timefor a snack without even being hungry. I’ll bet I caught myself thinking about it a dozen times over the thirty hours. We could probably all do with a few less snacks in the course of a week. I also learned that our youth care a lot about other people. They may have their moments of self-centeredness, but they also have many moments of wanting to make a difference and leave their mark on this world. I’m very proud of them all.

Posted in Life

30 hour famine

Posted on by William Douthwaite

I spending the night at church with the youth group tonight, who are doing a thirty hour famine to raise money for World Vision, specifically their work in Haiti. The fast began about noon today, we’ll be sleeping in boxes outside, and it should be a nice night to sleep under the stars. With Lisa out of town, Sable the Bassett hound gets to come and sleep in my box and enjoy the attention of all the teenagers. She won’t fast, but she’ll look like she is, with her perpetually sad, pathetic face. I’m not in charge of the program, just a few devotions along the way. Tomorrow we do some service projects, and in-between Liv has her last lacrosse game of the season. Should be an interesting night. I’m not anticipating too much actual sleep.

Posted in Life

My wife in Haiti (part 4).

Posted on by William Douthwaite

The text I received about 2:30 pm today was, “The spiders here are on steroids! Huge spider in the sleeping quarters…and it was carrying babies, too…” Big enough that “the guys were jumping, too.” It probably found its way inside to escape the torrential rains that came down today. Between that and being hot and sweaty all the time, the conditions are difficult to say the least. Just imagine living there in a tent, or less. The generator goes out frequently, so power for the fan and showers is unpredictable. I don’t think the clinic will be open on Saturday, so tomorrow will be the last full day of seeing patients. It’s a little dangerous to leave the compound, so I don’t know what they’ll do before they leave on Sunday. It will be interesting to hear her reflections on the whole experience, which I am sure will not be her last.

Posted in Grace, Life

Happy birthday, Dad!

Posted on by William Douthwaite

Just got off the phone with my dad, who turned 86 today. He’s doing great, the snow’s all melted in Philadelphia, his crocuses are up and beautiful, and baseball season is just around the corner. Life is good.

The problem with living that long is that you outlive a lot of people. My mom’s already been gone for five years, he’s outlived all his brothers and sisters, many of his good friends from church and a lot of neighbors. He’s still got a good church family, a few of my cousins to keep an eye on him, and the Phillies who have been very worth watching these last few years.

My brother and I send him sermons and he really likes that. When you have a CD to listen to, you can go back and listen to the parts you didn’t understand the first time. He never got to hear me preach that much over the years, so this is something he really enjoys. Adam is taking his first preaching class at the seminary, so I’ll have him preach this summer, and then my dad can hear yet another generation in the pulpit. That will be cool. Not just because I can get a day off, but because I have a feeling Adam is going to be very good in the pulpit. That’s my unbiased, objective opinion, of course.

Posted in Life, Ministry

An old friend

Posted on by William Douthwaite

A few weeks ago I received an invitation to the 50th anniversary of Luther Memorial in Tinton Falls, NJ, the church I attended when was living in New Jersey and working for Bell Labs before I went to the seminary. It’s been twenty-eight years since I’ve been there, so I am flattered that they remembered me and sent me an invitation. Unfortunately, the celebration is on Palm Sunday, and I am working. But I took a few minutes to write with my my greetings and record a few memories for them.

Just out of college, working my first job, living in my first apartment, I decided to search out a church in Monmouth County, NJ. The first one I tried didn’t even notice I was there. The second one, Lutheran Memorial, embraced me as one of their own from the moment I stepped in the door. The first Sunday there, someone took me to lunch. The next week, they got me involved with the choir and playing trumpet. The third week they invited me to help teach the high school class. And from there, grew to love ministry much more than my profession. The love of that congregation propelled me towards the pastoral ministry in a big way. And for that I will always fondly remember and thank God for my time with them.

Posted in Life

My wife is in Haiti (part 3)

Posted on by William Douthwaite

My wife is in Haiti (part 3). At least once a month, someone forgets to turn off their cell phone and they get a call during a worship service. Today, it was my cell phone. Actually, I set this up ahead off time with my wife. We timed it just right so that her call came right in the middle of my sermon. You should have seen people’s faces, first, when it was my phone going off, second, when I answered it, and third, when they learned it was Lisa calling from Haiti! So many were glad to hear her voice and update on her work with the medical team in Haiti! BTW, Don’t try to call me during the sermon in the future, though. I never have my phone with me like I did today. The real work begins tomorrow. They expect to see 300 patients. Today after church some of the team went to an orphanage to do health checkups. Lots of children, some of whom lost their parents in the earthquake. The pictures she posted on Facebook were pretty moving. She really enjoyed sharing with the children some of the toys our Sunday School helped purchase from their offerings. Something as simple as a beach ball goes a long way when you have nothing else to play with.

Posted in Life

Just between you and me

Posted on by William Douthwaite

In the current issue of the Lutheran Witness, there is an article about private confession and absolution. This practice is probably unfamiliar to many of the readers of my blog. Why would you need to do it privately? Don’t we do it every Sunday in church, publicly? Isn’t that a Roman Catholic practice? Who would do that anyway? Most Lutherans probably don’t realize it’s something that is available to you with your pastor. As a called and ordained servant of the Lord, I have the responsibility and authority to tell you that you are forgiven when sin and guilt and Satan just won’t leave you alone. When I can look you in the eye, remind you of what Jesus suffered and died for on the cross, and tell you you’re free from your sin, it is a powerful and liberating moment. And just so you know, I have had people come to me for this very reason. Old and young, teens and octogenarians. No matter where you are in life, it is a precious gift from our Lord.