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announcing the obvious
Dear All,
The good news is that I am planning to complete my Ph.D. dissertation this year, have signed contracts for two publications I'm really excited about, and am absolutely loving my work with IMPACT Boston -- teaching and coaching in assertiveness, boundary-setting, violence prevention, and self-defense in their regular classes (many of which, I'm gratified to say, take place in shelters for the homeless and for domestic violence survivors), certainly, but I'm also very glad to say that I've been working with IMPACT colleagues with experience in congregational ministry and violence prevention to craft a program called FaithIMPACT. FaithIMPACT is geared specifically toward clergy and lay leaders in communities of faith who want to be effecting change agents in the face of fear, and especially around issues of healthy relationships and interpersonal and community violence. I'll be blogging more about it, I'm sure, in the future, but for now I hope it suffices to say that I think it might make a major, concrete, and rapid difference in the lives of people and communities, and I'm working hard to help it get some initial funding and sites to offer the course.
The bad news, predictably, is that I've found that it's just not possible to cobble together a living from multiple part-time and one-off gigs, launch and nuture a few curricula (I'm still working with John deBeer on the Connect, Commit, and Covenant courses, on top of launching FaithIMPACT), complete multiple scholarly and popular writing projects, finish a Ph.D. dissertation, and stay holistically healthy without something suffering. Yes, just about anyone else could have told me so from the start, but I can be a bit slow on the uptake.
Having blogged the lectionary for over three years, I've decided that the best way I can serve myself, God's Church, and God's mission might be to take a hiatus from lectionary blogging for a bit. I do hope to return to it, and I'd love for that to be sooner rather than later, and in the meantime I'm still accepting speaking, preaching, retreat, and consulting work (my rent remains the same, after all). I hope that what I've written thus far can serve y'all well during the hiatus. The Spirit of Truth is Jesus' to give and not mine, but I can give you this:
- The "search this site" function in the left-hand sidebar. If you're preaching a sermon and the gospel text is John 9, verses something to something, enter -- using the quotation marks -- "John 9" in that search box and click the button, and you'll see everywhere I've used that phrase since this blog started in December of 2003. You can also search for key words and phrases that way, e.g., "Holy Spirit."
- There are categories of posts in the right-hand sidebar if you scroll down a bit. My posts have been categorized by liturgical season, pastoral occasion, and topic as well as biblical book. The category system isn't foolproof, as I might have categorized a post differently than you would, and occasionally I might have forgotten to assign categories to a post, but the categories should still be useful, particularly to someone putting together a small group study on a particular book or theme.
- I know many are looking for Holy Week preaching resources. You'll find my previous posts for Holy Week here.
- I will answer email to the best of my ability. Every now and then, some nasty person or group of people decides to start some kind of 'email bombing' campaign of sending me hundreds or thousands of messages a day, so if I don't respond within a reasonable time frame, feel free to remind me again if there's something pending I can help you with.
And, as ever, I appreciate your prayers, your encouragement, and your support. I hope to hit an astonishingly productive streak and be able to rejoin you soon, as I learn as much or more from interacting with y'all than you get from me.
Blessings,
Dylan
March 11, 2008 in Administrivia | Permalink
Comments
Since you've done (virtually) all the propers over years A, B and C, is there a convenient way to search for them that way?
Posted by: Malcolm+ | Mar 12, 2008 3:25:18 AM
Dylan, this blog has been the most amazing gift and lifeline during my curacy...I can't say how grateful I am for your insights and your generosity. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I'm glad that there are so many good things happening for you, and very much look forward to your re-engagement with the lectionary at some point before we're too much older.
Many thanks again and lots of blessings xxxx
Posted by: Kathryn | Mar 12, 2008 4:42:32 AM
I knew you were way too busy. I believe that you have made the right choice to concentrate on your... how do I say this, your real ministries, no, because this was a very real ministry to those of us who looked forward to your take on the weekly lectionary texts. Well, suffice it to say that you have given us some great posts on all the lectionary texts and I, for one, am greatful for your archives.
I don't suppose you could give us a brief video clip of you singing and playing the lead at the U2charist? Here's hoping.
Posted by: Joel | Mar 12, 2008 5:53:41 AM
Ch Ch Changes, it's a good time for them, may the changes be blessed and the call be true. We'll be keeping an eye on the continued online presence and latest updates. Interesting that Im only just getting back into it all because my earlier changes made it difficult to focus and find the time necessary, and now a year later I'm geting back in the swing of things...
Shalom
Posted by: darren | Mar 12, 2008 7:18:21 AM
Sarah, We'll miss you terribly.
g
Posted by: real live preacher | Mar 24, 2008 1:08:10 PM
Blessings and prayers on your new journey!
Fortunately, I don't need to care about Holy Week. I can just do whatever. :)
Posted by: Weiwen | Mar 30, 2008 2:55:39 PM
You've made a wise stewardship choice. Over the past year or so, I've found myself searching your archives about as often as I'd look at your current postings. The archives are a rich resource for us all. I'm so glad you are keeping them available as you concentrate more fully on emerging ministries in your life.
Thanks for all the things you've given me to think about over the years.
Posted by: mommahelen | Apr 4, 2008 12:19:58 PM
Good healthy choices for you- big loss for us. Prayers for your projects and pay!
Posted by: Ann | Apr 7, 2008 11:04:34 AM
Peace be with the moderator, as well as those able to read this message.
The time has come, the harvest is ripe.
The Faithful Witness
Posted by: duke | Apr 7, 2008 2:26:20 PM
Blessings on you, strength for the journey as you write your dissertation. That is a biggie all by itself. Thanks for your blogging these thoughts all these years.
And yes we are big boys and girls who can find what we need to find when we need it.
I'll check your other blogs too.
Even if you didn't make the rgbp big event, it sounds like you received something from it anyway.
Blessings.
Posted by: revabi | Apr 8, 2008 9:07:56 AM
Dylan
Thank you so much for all you have shared with us - an amazing and always stimulating resource. I'm sure I will soon learn to use the search facility!
I look forward to continuing to read your other blogs. Every blessing as you move on in your ministry.
Posted by: Chris | Apr 16, 2008 6:43:34 AM
I missed finding your link at TextWeek, came here, and read of your plans. Best wishes with all that, and thanks for all the thoughts you have passed on through the blog. I'll look forward to digging through the archive. Blessings.
Posted by: William | May 21, 2008 10:04:07 AM
Hi Dylan, Thank you for your lectionary work. A friend referred me to one of your pieces for help with a council meeting at church and as I looked at the site I saw your pic and you looked extremely familiar and then I realized you were my TA in Dr. Bartchy's classes at UCLA. I was definitely surprised to see you after all these years. =) Tied to that, I want to thank you. You were a tremendously helpful and patient teacher. I was young for the class and struggled a lot (with an F on the first midterm) and you took time to work with me and teach me. I took another class 2 years later and spent hours working with you (I think I might have been there every week) and again benefited greatly from all you offered as a teacher and a guide. Those classes, the way I was taught to learn, and what I learned has shaped me in more ways than I can count. I reference the historical Jesus and Schwitzer often as I teach Bible history (and know there are many other things I learned that I now share with parishioners) and feel I had a greater appreciation for the Bible in seminary. Know that what you do/did makes a difference (even years later).
THANK YOU!
Posted by: Debbie | Sep 21, 2008 7:49:20 PM
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