Consecration Anniversary

Today is the two year anniversary of my consecration as a Diaconal Minister in the ELCA.

Many things from that day stick in my mind like my dad almost winning the lottery! (He was one number off.  To this day, if you ask him what he remembers it is that). 

My pastor from Washington, DC made the journey to Cary to remind me that God calls us to live out Micah 6:8 to love mercy, do justice and walk humbly with God everyday (regardless of whether or not we are professional ministers or not!) 

On my consecration day, my parents gifted me with a towel.  The symbol for diaconal ministers is a basin and towel. The towel I was given was used at my baptism.  In that moment, when God claimed me as God’s child, I was wrapped in that towel and prayers were offered that I would live into my calling as a child of God faithfully and with boldness.  On my consecration day, my parents gave me the towel and said this, “Danielle, in the waters of Baptism, you were claimed by God and marked with the cross of Christ forever. You were baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and then wrapped in this towel.  You were handed back to us as we promised to raise you in the faith.  We present you your baptismal towel as a reminder of your baptism and symbol of your unfolding life in Christ.  May you use this towel to dry feet, to dry tears and reflect the goodness of God in this world.”

Then Bishop Bolick and partners in ministry from around the state (and DC!) gathered around, laid on hands and gave me a charge:

Danielle Kathryn Kosanovich serve the needy, care for the sick, comfort the distressed, and, through words and actions, witness faithfully to God's love for all people. Cross every barrier that stands between the church and its ministry in the world. Seek out those places where the gospel of Jesus Christ meets the world's need. Empower, equip, and support all the baptized in the ministry of Jesus Christ. Lead us all in proclaiming the gospel in witness and service. And be of good courage, for God has called you, and your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

This was the image used on the front of the
bulletin cover at my consecration

Each day, I remember I strive to live into this calling, this purpose that is greater than me and one that cannot be accomplished on my own.  This calling is odd, wondrous and beautiful.  Thank you for all who have supported me and continue to support me on my journey!  And so begins another year! 

Saying Goodbye to Cheryl

Last night I enjoyed the a meal in downtown at Gravy.  The food was great and the decor complete with large wooden spoon (see the photo).   Cheryl, I hope that you have a great move to Florida and rock it in graduate school!  Who am I going to watch football and hockey with? I am going to miss you! 

Remembering Walt

I spent most of the last two days working on a booklet and planning guide for members of our congregation to use when talking about end-of-life decisions and funerals/memorial services. I will post it when it is available as it is a conversation that we all need to have with our families.  People always ask if our focus on death is depressing.  For me, its not.  Helping people die well is one of the church’s greatest ministries.  In our culture many die alone and in sterile environments.  Deemed useless by the world years ago, these precious children are reminded as the church approaches death alongside them that they are vauled and truly the beloved of God. 

We recently lost an older gentleman in our congregation.  Lung cancer had been ravaging his body for months.  He struggled with the diagnosis and the idea of life coming to an end, and despite the best medical efforts he died. 

The week before Walt died, we had a healing service at Christ the King. This is the part of the service where we allow people to come and have their requests communally lifted up to God at prayer stations.  Others opt to simply share their prayer concerns through a card and the staff spends time praying for them over the next few weeks.  As the music was coming to a close, this gentleman walked over to me—frail and accompanied by oxygen—he came and looked at me.  He didn’t ask for a specific request. He simply laid his tired head on my shoulder, and wrapped his weaken arms around me.  We both cried as we asked that God would allow him to die with dignity, the God would provided even more meaningful time with his family.  We asked that healing would come according to God’s will—making space for healing to be in the next life to come.  We asked that God would give assurance of life everlasting and peace that passes all understanding to those who will grieve. 

A few days later, Walt was taken to the hospital.  I stopped into see him because it was his birthday.  I told him that Pastor Ray sent me to sing. I spared him the singing.  He talked about gardening and I saw him with three generations of his family gathered round with a balloon, magazines and a slice of cheesecake.  Just before leaving, he looked at me.  Something in my spirit knew it would be the last time.  He held my hand, pulled me close and kissed me gently on my cheek. He smiled and said, “Even though you didn’t. I’ll tell Pastor Ray you sang.” 

Henri Nouwen often writes that to die well is the greatest gift we can leave our loved ones.  In our culture that conditions us to choose isolation in our darkest moments, the church reminds us that we are not alone. We are gathered together in the Holy Spirit and with one another.  Let us allow the fear of death be unseated by the peace of God’s promises—forgiveness, shalom and everlasting life. 

danielle kathryn

My New Place

It’s Official.  After having rented my apartment for a month, I have finally slept in my new place for seven days (That is a good indication of how crazy this month has been). For as thankful as I am for my roommate, I love living on my own. I will admit the biggest change is the lack of cable and technology when it comes to entertainment but I suppose I will adjust (or breakdown and get cable!).  Here is a look at my new place. I could still use some end tables, desk chair, cookie sheet and a coffee table if you have any of these items to spare!   Sorry some of the pictures are the wrong direction. I uploaded them wrong and I am too tired to fix them! 

This is the view when you walk in the front door. Yes, I know I should have cleaned up before I took the picture but just roll with it!  Don’t you just love my area rug?  I think Jesus wanted me to have it because it was the exact colors I wanted and on clearance at Lowes.  (Jesus cares about my rug choice, right?) J

Here is my built-in bookcase.  Note the giant stereo.  Despite the compactness of an ipod dock, I can’t give it up!  The stereo was the first thing I bought with my own money when I went off to college over a decade ago. 

This is my little dining room.  The curtain is a Sari from Sri Lanka, the metal hangings are from Haiti, the table from my grandma and the vase I made with the kids I babysit.  If you come over for dinner, you will need to bring your own chair. I only have two J

Here’s the kitchen.  Many a chai latte will be made here. 

This is where I am planning on getting all my work done!  Will see.  Some how it feels like all I’ve done so far is stack papers.  

My room is still a work in progress, I get pictures soon!

Danielle 

Babies Galore!

I knew there would be a time in my life when babies were the thing!  Welcome to that time.  Two of the most wonderful women here in Cary as well as my sister-in-law are pregnant.  Although all of them have not had easy pregnancies (Ladies, I love how real you are about the swelling, nausea and people’s comments), but each of them are teaching me.  When I look at their lives I see hope and expectation.  I see room being made in their hearts and lives, even as they are making space in their bodies.  So for Laura, Erin and Jen, you are wonderful!  You are always in my prayers and I can’t wait to meet your little bundles of joy. 

"Loving God, thank you for the gift of life and for the hope of bringing all these new babies safely into this world. May You bless them and keep them, helping them to grow loving, strong, and healthy in Your love, now and always. Amen."

Sermon Writing

I am coming to the end of my longest run of sermon writing.  I have preached every week since mid-May and feared the amount of energy it would take to write something each week.  I was talking with a pastor who knows the demand of preaching every week.  I mentioned that I was worried and afraid I wouldn’t have anything original to say.  His response was compassionate and challenging, “You may not, but the Holy Spirit does.”  We talked about how with each sermon we have the opportunity to speak our words or God’s.  We can get on our soapbox or allow the scriptures to come alive.  I have not only learned the lessons of each sermon over the last two months, but the lesson of letting God speak and trusting that God still have things to say to God’s people—even through a vessel like me!

So join me for one of my two sermons this month.  Let us explore what Jesus means when he says, “Come to me all who are weary” in a sermon entitled “The Blessing of Being a Burden.”  God is speaking.  

Unlikely Inspiration

I found myself drawn to Bob Dylan last week.  I can remember when I went through my Bob Dylan phase. It was in 7^th grade.  I remember because I was on a class trip to Toronto, Canada and me and Mark B. listened to Bob Dylan the whole way.  I remember when Mark signed my high school year book he wrote, “Thanks for introducing me to Bob Dylan in the 7^th grade.” 

I found myself drawn to a certain song, considered one of Dylan’s last big hits.  It was written after he became a Christian.  It was acclaimed by some and critiqued by others, like Lennon, who mocked Dylan’s song calling it “embarrassing.”   The song is called “Gotta Serve Somebody.”  It got me to thinking about Christian freedom.  As theologian David Lose notes, “We are all enslaved to something, the question is not are we, but to what.”  In the words of Dylan, “But you’re gonna, have to serve somebody, yes indeed.  You’re gonna have to serve somebody.  Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord. But you’re gonna have to serve somebody.

Dylan’s song became the inspiration for June 25^th’s sermon.  Check it out at: http://www.christthekingcary.org/Home/WorshipAtimewithGod/Sermons.aspx.