Pastor Kris' Blog

Pastor Kris' Blog

Ghettos Turned to Gardens

Posted by: Kris Androsky on 8/23/2010 | 23 Comments

 

Some of you have asked about it. Others have asked me to write and preach about it. I intended to do so right away but the truth of the matter is: I don’t know what to make of it all. At the end of July, I joined 12 others on a mission journey that brought us to Detroit. 
 
In my experience of urban settings; there’s nothing quite like the city of Detroit. Blocks upon blocks of the same sight. Every block held at least: 1 home that had been burned, 1 home that was abandoned and boarded up, 1 home that had people living in it. Miles upon miles of the same block over and over. I kept thinking that we would, if even by accident, journey into a neighborhood where it wasn’t so…7 days of exploring the city and I managed to catch a sideways glimpse of one street where it appeared that everyone had a neighbor. The downtown business sector reflected the other neighborhoods; a high rise without a single pane of glass standing next to an office building that had business people in suits walking in and out. 
 
If you are a Detroit homeowner that has managed to keep your home; my prayers are with you because I can’t imagine the amount of energy it takes to keep the motivation to tend your home and yard while the lots around you lie vacant and become overgrown and overrun. I pray that you will catch glimpses of God’s restoration enough to give you the hope you need for the day. 
 
Detroit is in a dire situation and it seems that much of the country has forgotten or chosen to ignore the hurt and pain in that city. But, I did find hope for something different and better and more God-filled. In many places we saw and heard about community gardens that are being planted, tended and shared with families in great need. Given that all the major grocery store chains have pulled out of the city of Detroit, fresh produce is hard to come by and even more difficult to afford. These gardens are providing food as well as community. And when an empty or abandoned lot is turned into a resource for sustainable living, it also builds morale and offers a vision of something better, hopeful and God-filled. 
 
So, while I’m still trying to process my experience in Detroit and look for the hope for what is to come, I’m reminded of Shane Claibornne’s observation in Jesus for President, “The image John the Revelator leaves us with is of the city of God that has come to earth, the New Jerusalem, where mourning is turned to dancing, death is no more, the gates are left open for everyone, and the gardens take over the ghetto.” 
 
I guess that maybe that’s my real prayer…that the gardens take over the ghettos…in Detroit, in our hometowns, and in our own hearts. And thanks be to God that others have seen a vision for something different, better, more God-filled! 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Questions for Reflection (so we can learn from one another):
What gives you hope during difficult days/situations?
What needs restoring in your own life?
What “ghettos” have we forgotten and how do we bring hope?

Good Day For A Fight

Posted by: Kris Androsky on 7/26/2010 | 9 Comments

Good Grief

 

My family recently observed the second anniversary of my brother's death. While I have experienced grief many other times in my life, it was Tom’s death that caused me to experience grief so deep that EVERYTHING in life changed. There have been many times when it felt like the world had lost all of its color and I was stumbling around in darkness. I have experienced days when I was pretty convinced that my heart, and my whole world, had shattered. Some days have been filled with silence so deep that it felt like a blanket of snow had fallen, hushing sounds and leaving no words left to speak. Many days, the road out of this place of grief looked so long that no end was in sight. 
 
But, on my very best days, there is a glimmer of hope and a desire to see and live in color again. While there is still not an overabundance of those best days, when they do arrive, they make me want to put on my boxing gloves and begin to fight the demons of hopelessness and sorrow. On those best days, I know that I can fight my way out of the darkness. And I know that, because others have done the same. 
 
Recently, while reading a book by a Buddhist author, I came across the idea of the sangha. Sangha means “crowd, host, or the Buddhist community.” The sangha are people committed to helping others by giving them the wisdom, love and vision of what’s possible when they are feeling miserable. They are able to share that wisdom because it was given to them by someone else on a day when they themselves, were miserable. 
 
It sounds to me like the faith community at its best! When we are hurting, others offer care and support. When others are hurting, we offer our solidarity and support. The community is our reminder that we are not alone; we journey with others and with God. 
 
Every day of this grieving process has cultivated a greater sense of gratitude for the community of people that have offered support, prayers and reminders that I am not alone and God is present even in our grief. I know that some days it was by the courage and strength of others that I found what I needed to keep plugging along this long road. I also know that it is only by the grace and strength of God that any of us have the courage to keep fighting the demons that travel with grief. 
 
Today, I am grateful for my “sangha.” Today is one of my best days. Today is a good day for a fight, so help me God! 
 
Questions for Reflection (so we can learn from each other):
What keeps you fighting for life even in the midst of grief?
Who has been your “sangha” and support in difficult times?
What metaphors for the grieving process have helped you understand your experience better?
 


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    A Note From Kris

    The Soul's Playground
    I consider myself a seeker; someone who is always looking to find a different way of living - a way that moves into a deeper creative spirit and welcomes the things that offer a larger picture of the Holy One.  I can't help but ask a lot of questions and look for the fun and creative places in life.

    In looking for something different in the world and in our lives, it seems that some days are meant for climbing trees and sitting in reflection while other days are made for playing in the sandbox with friends.

    Here you will find my questions, my reflections, my greatest hopes - for our community, for the church and for the world.  Often, I'll share one of the "soul collages" made while playing in my art room as an image of where God is speaking in my life.  I hope that this space will be a place where we can share our tree-sitting reflections and our sandbox conversations.  And, I pray that through the community gathered here, our souls will find the playground they need to connect to the creative spirit of God.

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