Week 2 at CCC

After living and studying at IWU for three years, I am used to filling every moment of every day with something to do: classes, meals, homework and homework and homework, small group, being with Bethany, church, playing super smash bros, getting coffee with people, etc. Even if some of these things are "leisurely," the sheer amount of stuff and lack of rest and sleep is exhausting. But, because of the constant supply of coffee and the people around me stuck in the same rhythm, I often don't feel that exhausted until it all comes to a screeching halt after finals week. 

I say all of this because my schedule out here in Colorado is much less busy. And, honestly, it's a little weird. I go into the church and work for about six hours each day from Monday through Friday, experience two or three things a day, and then, well, rest. A small part of me feels like I'm missing out on so much activity, but a bigger part of me is really excited about this slower pace of life. For these few months I get to read a lot, I get to pray more, I get to get back in shape and run, I get to explore Colorado a bit, I get to hang out with this family.

With that said, here is what I was up to this past week at the church:

Tuesday:

• I attended the pastor/director meeting. This is an interesting few weeks for the staff because the budget year is coming to an end, which means that everyone is developing strategic plans for the following year and working through budgeting. I appreciated being able to see this happen within the team because I picked up on how these pastors view money, how they collaborate as a team, how they strategically plan to pursue a like mission in their diverse fields. Also, they just have a lot of fun together. They act like family.
• THEN I hung out with Lead Pastor Robert Gelinas for almost three hours. We hopped in his SUV and drove all over Aurora and Denver. He grew up in this town, went to seminary in this town, and does ministry in this town. This means that the most significant moments of his life happened here. So, he drove and told stories, shared his deeply personal and private self with me. I got to see the church where he was saved, the park where he learned how to do ministry outside the walls of the church, the many places where he led CCC to face urban poverty and systemic injustice head, and many other moments. We talked about how he met his wife, how and what we love to read, and the dreams he has for the city. He is an inspiration to me and a great man of God.

Wednesday:

• MoreLife Center: This will be a regular ministry. I spend 9am - 1pm at the MoreLife Center and give out food, sit in on life champion meetings, and spend time with Pastor Keita. 
• After working at the MoreLife Center I did not have anythings else planned, so I went to a really cool part of town and discovered the Tattered Cover bookstore and City Park. 
• Then I went to a Snarky Puppy concert in the Five Points neighborhood, which, I learned from Robert, used to be the "Harlem of the West" and the African American section of town when cities were legally segregated. Snarky Puppy killed it. So good.

Thursday:

• I spent time with Pastor Richard. We drove to Denver Seminary and went on a quick tour. Then, we went out to lunch with a recent grad from the seminary. She has her masters in Spiritual Formation. Richard wanted to run his strategic plan by her to brainstorm and refine ideas and see where she would like to get involved.  Again, it is cool to see how Richard approaches a ministry of spiritual formation and tries to de-centralize leadership by plugging volunteers in. 
• Pastor Richard and I then went on a hospital visit. We visited a wonderful old black lady who recently had knee replacement surgery and is in pain. We took her flowers, prayed with her, and assured her that the church is thinking of her and there to support her.
• In the evening I went to choir practice with Shauna. I figured it woud be fun and informative to see the behind-the-scenes preparation of a church choir. I didn't figure that I'd end up singing with them during the practice. But I did. I sang and got to be immersed in gospel-y goodness for two hours surrounded by people of all different races and ages.

Friday:

• Friday was a slow day. I hung with Pastor Jim at the church for a bit and put a few things on my calendar for the following week. That was really it. I went back downtown to the Bookstore and Park and ate Chipotle and processed my week. 
• For dinner me and the Hans's ordered pizza and went to a park right down the road. We ate pizza, played soccer and croquet--which I won ;) -- and enjoyed a lovely Colorado evening.
• Then I skyped Bethany :)

So that has was my week, a good mixture of work and leisure. Thanks for reading along. Feel free to comment and ask any questions if you have them. Peace!