Archive for May, 2007

Today I’m 40

I used to think 40 was old, but now that I’m officially 40 I can say it isn’t old. We had a blast of a party with all of my family at the beach over the weekend and we’re all married (last brother is engaged and marries this summer) and breeding great little people who love to laugh as much as we do.

We told stories about our formative years, my rebellious years, former boyfriends, car trouble and awkward clutzy moments that have become family folklore.

I made a list of some milestones today: 17 years sober; 14 years married; 9 years a mother to Izzy; 3 years a mother to Mack; 2 years UM was published; almost 2 years from Katrina.

In Anna Quindlen’s recent Newsweek column she said that her children have done more than anything else to “excavate my humanity” and it is so true. My children touch my soul like nothing else and it truly has given me a glimpse of God’s unselfish love for us. A simple enjoyment in our very existence.

We drove home from the beach late on Monday night and I squished myself between Izzy and Mack’s carseat in the back. Chris played songs from the 80s that we still know all too well. What is more fun than singing “Oh Mickey you’re so fine, you’re so fine you blow my mind! Hey Mickey, Hey Mickey!” at the top of your lungs? Chris laughs because he is the only one that can sing on key. It was a great birthday.

Robert Webber (1933-2007)

From CB:

I recently learned that a wonderful scholar and churchman died last week, Dr. Robert Webber. I got to know Dr. Webber briefly during my time at Wheaton College. He was known affectionately as “Book of the Month Club Bob” because he seemed to be writing one book a month. He wrote the very popular Evangelicals on the Canterbury Trail: Why Evangelicals Are Attracted to the Liturgical Church and our conversations centered upon the struggle between a call to ministry and to academia. His words were always warm, encouraging, and brought me great strength in a difficult time. I never knew him well, but I will always thank God for him.

“May light perpetual shine upon him.”

A more complete obituary is at
Wheaton College:

Memorial services planned for Dr. Robert E. Webber

After an eight month battle with pancreatic cancer, Professor Emeritus Dr. Robert E. Webber (73) went to be with the Lord Friday, April 27, 2007. Dr. Webber, known as Bob, died at his home in Sawyer, Michigan, in the arms of his wife and faithful companion, Joanne.

Dr. Webber spent 32 years as Professor of Theology at Wheaton College, before moving on to Northern Seminary. He authored more than 40 books on worship and the Church, as well as contributing to magazines, journals, newspapers and radio shows.

Bob is being cremated, and his family will inter his ashes in a private ceremony.

Before his death, Bob carefully planned his memorial services, one for each of his earthly homes. The first will be a private memorial for the Webber family, Bob’s caregivers, the Bethany Beach community, and invited friends in Michigan.

The second service will be 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 16 at Christ Church in Oak Brook, Illinois. The Wheaton College family, Northern Seminary family, and friends in the area are invited to attend.

The final service will be at Grace Episcopal Church in Orange Park, Florida, the site of the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies. The memorial begins at 7 p.m., Friday, June 15.

All three services will include the same scriptures, songs and communion if possible, and will follow the ancient-future format Bob made his life’s work.

In lieu of flowers, donations be made to:
The Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies
Endowment Fund
151 Kingsley Highway
Orange Park, Florida 32073

or

The Robert E. Webber Center for Ancient Evangelical Future
Northern Seminary
660 East Butterfield Road
Lombard, Illinois 60148

“Christ is risen, He is risen indeed. Hallelujah.”

One.org

You may have seen One on American Idol Gives Back, Bono even made an appearance.

One.org is a grassroots lobbying organization where you can sign letters and email them to your representatives to support legislation that supports debt relief and various poverty issue in this country and abroad. I have been surprised by how reponsive the House and Senate offices have been, and how accessible their staff is to understanding the various issues. I think sometimes we don’t realize how important our voices, and votes, actually are.