tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17077380228558044252024-03-05T08:45:02.890-06:00The Pedaling PastorG. Travis Norvellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10873135928771577833noreply@blogger.comBlogger125125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1707738022855804425.post-78371349389544488962023-03-06T09:56:00.002-06:002023-03-06T09:56:30.978-06:00The Questions Jesus Asked: Is Change Possible?<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Sabon Next LT";">The Questions Jesus Asked<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Sabon Next LT";">Is Change Possible?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Sabon Next LT";">Second Sunday in Lent – March 5,<sup> </sup>2023 – Communion Sunday<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Sabon Next LT";">Judson Memorial Baptist Church<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Sabon Next LT";">Minneapolis, MN<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Sabon Next LT";">Rev’d G. Travis Norvell<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Sabon Next LT";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Sabon Next LT";">Let us pray: <i>Living God, Loving God, Questioning God, May the words of my mouth and the meditation of our hearts together lead us to <em>may know thee more clearly,</em></i> <em>love thee more dearly,</em> <em>and follow thee more nearly. Amen.</em><em><span style="font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></em></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><em><span style="font-family: "Sabon Next LT"; font-style: normal;"> </span></em></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Sabon Next LT";">Questions dominate our lives:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Sabon Next LT";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Sabon Next LT";">The person behind the counter asks: Cream and sugar? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Sabon Next LT";">Facebook asks: What’s on your mind?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Sabon Next LT";">We wonder: what’s for dinner? Will the sun ever shine? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Sabon Next LT";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Sabon Next LT";">There are serious questions:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Sabon Next LT";">Will you marry me?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Sabon Next LT";">How bad is the cancer?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Sabon Next LT";">It is time for mom to go into the nursing home?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Sabon Next LT";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Sabon Next LT";">There are Rhetorical questions:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Sabon Next LT";">Do you want a piece of me?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Sabon Next LT";">Why do they do that?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Sabon Next LT";">Who in their right mind doesn’t include bike parking for a new business?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Sabon Next LT";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Sabon Next LT";">There are troubling questions:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Sabon Next LT";">How much longer till we get there?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Sabon Next LT";">Are we out of toilet paper?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Sabon Next LT";">Who drank the last of the milk then put it back in the frig?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Sabon Next LT";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Sabon Next LT";">The Bible begins with a question to Adam and Eve:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Sabon Next LT";">Where are you?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Sabon Next LT";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Sabon Next LT";">Jesus’ life is bookended with questions:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Sabon Next LT";">The child Jesus asked: Why are you searching for me?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Sabon Next LT";">The crucified Jesus asked God: Why hast thou forsaken me?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Sabon Next LT";">The resurrected Jesus asked the disciples: Why are you frightened?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Sabon Next LT";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Sabon Next LT";">Questions – they are part of, maybe even central to, the language of the Divine-human-creation relationship. So it should come as no surprise that Jesus asked a lot of questions. 311 to be exact, or 307 – depends on how you determine if a part of speech is a question or not. You see in ancient Greek there were no punctuation markings. Sentences and punctuation came later – remember less than 1% of the population could read and an even less percent could write. Greek, like all languages at the time, was primarily an oral language with implied punctuation. Regardless, if it is 311 or 307, Jesus asked a lot of questions. By contrast he was only asked 183 questions. And for the record he only directly answered 8 of those 183 questions. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Sabon Next LT";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Sabon Next LT";">Jesus seemed to live the questions. Maybe you know the quote by the poet Rainer Maria Rilke who one offered advice to a young poet, “Live the questions now. Perhaps then, someday in the future, you will gradually, without even noticing, live your way into the answer.” Isn’t that a lovely quote. Jesus came asking questions, provoking questions, & eliciting questions. Asking questions invites the questioner and questionee on a journey. Have you ever noticed within the word question is the word quest? A quest is a journey often in search of something valuable. The quest for the religious/spiritual life is not information, but transformation. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Sabon Next LT";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Sabon Next LT";">In our lesson this morning Nicodemus, a Jewish theologian and leader with a Greek name, came to Jesus under the cover of darkness. Is he using the darkness for safety – throwing shade on his encounter with Jesus? Maybe. But here’s what I think, I think he went to Jesus at night to feel Jesus’ words – not interpret through body language or the unspoken vocabulary but feel Jesus’ words. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Sabon Next LT";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Sabon Next LT";">It’s like the old advice if you want to know if a stage actor is good or not: close your eyes. If you can feel their emotion, if you can hear their expression, if you can know what they are thinking with your eyes closed then they are a good stage actor! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Sabon Next LT";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Sabon Next LT";">Nicodemus asks the question: How can anyone be born after having grown old?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Sabon Next LT";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Sabon Next LT";">Jesus answers, directly, only one of the eight times he did so in the Gospels, <span style="background-color: white;">“You’re not listening. Let me say it again. Unless a person submits to this original creation—the ‘wind-hovering-over-the-water’ creation, the invisible moving the visible, a baptism into a new life—it’s not possible to enter God’s kingdom.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Sabon Next LT";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Sabon Next LT";">The conversation continues – maybe Jesus was not a good stage actor, maybe Nicodemus got more than he bargained for, maybe he wasn’t ready for Jesus’ answer…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Sabon Next LT";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Sabon Next LT";">Most people when they read or hear this story they immediately assume it is about salvation. I don’t know how I can prepare you for this next step other than to say prepare to have your mind blown. Are you ready? It is true that the New Testament was written in Greek, however Jesus did not speak the Greek language. Jesus spoke Aramaic. And in Jesus’ native tongue of Aramaic there is no word for salvation. The closest Aramaic word or concept to the Greek word for salvation means “to be made alive.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Sabon Next LT";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><h1 style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 24pt; margin: 0in 0in 11.25pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Sabon Next LT"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">This story is not about salvation, it is about coming alive. It is like Nicodemus is receiving from Jesus the same advice a young person received when they wrote Howard Thurman and asked about what they should do with their life: </span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "Sabon Next LT"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” Jesus is inviting Nicodemus to come alive. <o:p></o:p></span></h1><h1 style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 24pt; margin: 0in 0in 11.25pt;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "Sabon Next LT"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">Sadly, we don’t know what happened to Nicodemus. We don’t have his story preserved for us. But it doesn’t matter. What matters is the invitation that Jesus gave</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: #181818; font-family: "Sabon Next LT"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"> him and give you and me. This invitation to begin the quest of transformation. By asking the question, we are inviting this question into our lives and living the question. <o:p></o:p></span></h1><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Sabon Next LT";">And when we peel back even more we can see their conversation as a conversation seeking an answer to this foundational question: How Can a Human Being Change? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Sabon Next LT";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Sabon Next LT";">Nicodemus believes so, hopes so – why else would he initiate the conversation. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Sabon Next LT";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Sabon Next LT";">Jesus believes so, why else would he dedicate his life to living and teaching and healing and loving in the manner that he did? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Sabon Next LT";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Sabon Next LT";">We believe so, or else we wouldn’t be here. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Sabon Next LT";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Sabon Next LT";">Here’s the kicker, a lot of people don’t believe people can change. Many people refuse to even entertain the question or live with it. For example, go to the Minnesota Capitol and find a politician and ask them who from the other side can they work with? Or go to a Defund the Police gathering and ask for police person to come and speak, or go to a police roll call and suggest that maybe some of what the defund the police folks have a point. Or go to a church meeting when they are voting on</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Sabon Next LT";"> a budget and ask them how much they expect to gain in new pledges for the upcoming year. In all of these situations if they even entertain or live with the question they are taking a chance that change/transformation may come their way. And many people are comfortable with the status quo. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span lang="X-NONE" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Sabon Next LT";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span lang="X-NONE" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Sabon Next LT";">But we believe in change. For us, holding onto, clutching to the hope that people can change is foundational to the way of Jesus. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Sabon Next LT";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Sabon Next LT";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Sabon Next LT";">Liberal Christians believes there is a chance for change, but it is too easy. We believe we can think our way out of any situation. Whatever the problem or issue, we read tons of books on the subject, change our language, form taskforces and voila change. Education certainly is part of it, but that’s not enough. Conservative Christians believes there is a chance for change, but their form is too easy too. They believe you can confess your way out of any situation. Just say Jesus is your Lord and Savior and all is well. Whatever the problem or issue Lord Jesus is the answer. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Sabon Next LT";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Sabon Next LT";">One way is a thinking way, one way is a confessing way. Both ways believe salvation is possible by their simple steps. You’ll be saved by thinking anew, you’ll be saved by confessing anew. But the way Jesus offers Nicodemus for change is a re-orientation toward life, being born anew. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Sabon Next LT";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Sabon Next LT";">Nicodemus ought to be on a stained glass window or on a banner for this church. He represents the curious. He is one of those as Richard Rohr describes as seeing a mature faith for the second half of life. He spent his first half learning and obeying all the rules, now he knows how to break them. His spirituality is seeking more depth, more sustenance, more meaning. He was not seeking to replace or renounce his faith only to go deeper; “Teacher I know you are from God.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Sabon Next LT";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Sabon Next LT";">When John Pentland was here in the Fall he said the church pre-covid will never again exist, the church during covid will never exist – we are all moving toward a new understanding of church. I mention this because many of you during the pandemic went away, said “this is not for me” but then something happened – some of those who had given up chose to go deeper and your depth caused me to go deeper. It was an invitation toward transformation.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Sabon Next LT";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Sabon Next LT";">Don’t give up on people, believe they can change. Don’t worry about the 7% the Dismissives or those who are toxic, abusive or harmful in your life – trust God to work on them. Instead, focus on the 93% of people in your life who are open to change. And don’t give up on yourself: believe you can change, believe that you can be born anew, believe that you can be made to come alive. Or maybe this is your Lenten devotion or practice rather than giving up chocolate or swearing or some other vice – give up giving up on people, give up giving up on yourself. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Sabon Next LT";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Sabon Next LT";">Jesus doesn’t give up on you, God doesn’t give up on you, the Holy Spirit doesn’t give up on you. And with their help Judson Church isn’t giving up on you either! </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Sabon Next LT";">Let us pray:</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Sabon Next LT";"> </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: "Sabon Next LT";">Loving God, you invited us on a journey with your questions. Here we are holding onto the possibility and promise of transformation don’t give up on us now. We’re gonna need help, phone calls, hugs, card every now and then, maybe even a dozen chocolate chip cookies (not to be too specific but we like the half dark half milk chocolate chip mix), prayers, maybe even a guest preacher from Canada, and plenty of encouragement. We can change because you’ve called us to change, because you trust us enough to be a blessing. Amen and Amen.</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Sabon Next LT";"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Sabon Next LT";"> </span> </p>G. Travis Norvellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10873135928771577833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1707738022855804425.post-3088810221123929352022-10-19T08:34:00.001-05:002022-10-19T08:34:14.919-05:00Car-Free Conference Travel<p>Last week I went to Denver, CO to offer a Church on the Move workshop for the Evergreen Association of the American Baptist Churches, USA. My options to get there were:</p><p>1. Rent a car and drive: 13 hours and 13 minutes.</p><p>2. Take a bus to Kansas City then another bus to Denver: 23 hours and 40 minutes.</p><p>3. Fly via Delta: 2 hours (organization paid for travel). </p><p>I opted for the third choice. </p><p>When I arrived in Denver I purchased a RTD day pass: $10.50. The ticket took me to Union Station in downtown Denver. Union Station is a gem of a building. I was most impressed with the train and bus connections available at the station. I walked to my hotel, checked in, then rented a Lime bike and biked the Cherry Creek trail and the South Platte River trail. After dinner I got back on the bus (remember, I had a day pass) and took it to REI to rent a bike for 24 hours (cost was $32). </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/tphoto/Mr0oQ8tGKUiGtJwnX1l49w/o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/tphoto/Mr0oQ8tGKUiGtJwnX1l49w/o.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://cloudfront.traillink.com/photos/platte-river-trail-(co)_37941_sc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="660" height="213" src="https://cloudfront.traillink.com/photos/platte-river-trail-(co)_37941_sc.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>I don't know why I never thought of renting a bike from REI before. The next morning I rode the bike back to Union Station and hopped on the Flatiron Flyer to Boulder, CO (another RTD day pass). My bike fit on the front of the bus (they have space for an additional seven bikes on the bus, where luggage goes on other passenger buses). </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://wp-cpr.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2019/06/IMG_0020-e1561754182761.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://wp-cpr.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2019/06/IMG_0020-e1561754182761.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.rtd-denver.com/sites/default/files/styles/rtd_gallery/public/image/2017-06/ff-bus-feature-bike.jpg?itok=1FaD5hHH" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://www.rtd-denver.com/sites/default/files/styles/rtd_gallery/public/image/2017-06/ff-bus-feature-bike.jpg?itok=1FaD5hHH" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In Boulder I met a friend and biked a 20 mile loopdeloo route around and in and throughout the city. What a city, but I gotta tell you I've never been in a city where every resident looked like they could complete an Ironman and/or kick my a$$. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5712e736e707eb7f22b26946/1508258568219-7IBGS9HSXFACQDDJ6L5Q/Screen+Shot+2017-10-17+at+10.28.47+AM.png?format=1500w" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5712e736e707eb7f22b26946/1508258568219-7IBGS9HSXFACQDDJ6L5Q/Screen+Shot+2017-10-17+at+10.28.47+AM.png?format=1500w" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After a great ride and lunch, it was nice to put the bike back on the bus, sit back and relax as I was driven back to Denver!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The remaining two days I did not rent or ride another bike, instead I walked and walked and walked around the city. The whole point of this post is to show that rather than spend $50-$100 a day on a car rental, purchase transit day passes and/or rent a bike, explore the sights and smells and delights of the city you are conferencing in. Not only will you get to see and experience more the city, you'll also feel better - because nothing is worse than going to a conference, sitting all day and eating rubber chicken. Move a little. </div><br /></div><br /><p></p>G. Travis Norvellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10873135928771577833noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1707738022855804425.post-21591879642268606062022-10-05T09:23:00.004-05:002022-10-05T09:33:12.228-05:00Sidewalking It: Blessing of the Animals (and Bikes) 2022<p>October 4th is the feast day of St. Francis, it's also the birthday of Walter Rauschenbusch. Most churches observe the feast day of St. Francis with a Blessing of the Animals on the Sunday before the feast day. Churches enjoy having sanctuaries full of pets on these Sundays. </p><p>I too enjoy churches full of humans and non-humans. But this year I tried an experiment: holding the blessing outside of church on the sidewalk; and instead of doing it during a worship hour, offer it at an hour when pets are out and about, like 4-6pm when they are out for their evening walk...</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdZsgZzkhEzl6qgAiYcvPZnsgKEfbwRVH5c0elnE5xmB0AUyUbE_6uIjzDDDw5Qo3UT0pkNQNKdX0ojR3QUvW0n3JZkJYghRtqf2_dNKo1TCF0CfA2haC1wyac0P5B3QlJxk2RAQnr4n9GJ2BuZRAeEUMgOk3Cz2EPtzo08q1rKKU3NPyUo1Zqm44F/s1024/FePoa4TWQBMIits.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="586" data-original-width="1024" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdZsgZzkhEzl6qgAiYcvPZnsgKEfbwRVH5c0elnE5xmB0AUyUbE_6uIjzDDDw5Qo3UT0pkNQNKdX0ojR3QUvW0n3JZkJYghRtqf2_dNKo1TCF0CfA2haC1wyac0P5B3QlJxk2RAQnr4n9GJ2BuZRAeEUMgOk3Cz2EPtzo08q1rKKU3NPyUo1Zqm44F/w400-h229/FePoa4TWQBMIits.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>So we offered the blessing of the animals on Tuesday, Oct. 4th, from 4-6pm on the sidewalk in front of the church. It was a great experiment. What happened?<p></p><p>At 4:01 a neighbor brought over their cat (in a cardboard box). I asked them if they knew about the Wedge's cat tour, they did not. And how many hours a day they spend watching cat videos on twitter. Don't worry, we all do it. </p><p>From there it was a steady stream of dogs and cats and bikes and a scooter. I figure St. Francis would approve of bike and scooter blessings too. </p><p>True, I did not bless as many animals as I would have if this had taken place during a Sunday morning worship service. However, because we did it outside, on the sidewalk, on a Tuesday during the late afternoon, I was able to have several one-on-one in-depth conversations with neighbors (many I had never met, after being the pastor for 10 years - church doors are hard to open) about life, about their pets, about their pets' healing presence, how much joy they bring to life; we also talked about how wonderful it is to bike in the Twin Cities, the promise of bike buses (see below for more info), and how it is nearly impossible to find someone riding a bike without a smile on their face. </p><p>But what about the people who do not live in the neighborhood, go to Judson, and want their pets blessed too? I did not think about this until someone brought this point up to me. It's a great point. 2023 will be a combo event. Sunday morning pet blessing during worship AND a sidewalk blessing in the evening (probably on a Sunday too). </p><p>What is a bikebus? Check this out.
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XNRnKXd9sHE" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p><br /></p><p>And if you are searching a good book on St. Francis, please check out Jon Sweeney's fabulous book: <a href="https://www.broadleafbooks.com/store/product/9781506470733/Feed-the-Wolf">Feed the Wolf</a></p>G. Travis Norvellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10873135928771577833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1707738022855804425.post-58889647450185707352022-09-28T10:36:00.005-05:002022-09-28T10:41:12.728-05:00New Podcast, maybe the best yet; and why Amazon reviews matter (even if you buy the book from your local bookshop)A few weeks ago the Office Admin. at Judson Church (a wonderful human being by the way) forwarded me an email, a request for me to be a guest for a podcast interview. I was skeptical because I had not heard of the organization. But I checked them out, they looked legit. I emailed Judson Press, they said "Go for it." <div><br /></div><div>Here's the deal, most of, if not all, of the previous guests on the podcast were megachurch pastors. I thought for sure they had me confused for another pastor, perhaps they thought I was the <b>pastor of</b> Church on the Move (an actual megachurch in Tulsa, OK) rather than <b>author of</b> Church on the Move (<a href="https://www.judsonpress.com/Products/J300/church-on-the-move.aspx">an actual book published by Judson Press</a>). I thought, well at the very least this will be fun when they realize I am not who they think I am. </div><div><br /></div><div>I scheduled the interview with low expectations. But I gotta tell ya, the interview was amazing. The interviewer, Frank Barry, did not know who I was or why he was interviewing me (nor did I), but he trusted his staff! We had a delightful conversation, <a href="https://get.tithe.ly/blog/how-thinking-smaller-can-have-a-greater-impact">I think Frank really got my approach to local church ministry</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>After the podcast I contacted the production staff <a href="https://get.tithe.ly/blog/how-thinking-smaller-can-have-a-greater-impact">at Tithe.ly</a> and asked how they found me and picked me (for which I am truly grateful). My selection was nothing more than a chance encounter/recommendation on Amazon. Friends, your Amazon reviews mean something (even if you bought the book directly from Judson Press or a local bookshop). </div><div><br /></div><div>So if you have a moment, write <a href="https://www.amazon.com/review/create-review/?ie=UTF8&channel=glance-detail&asin=0817018328">a review of Church on the Move </a>(the book, the one authored by me - yes there is more than one book with this title). And then go and write a review of a book your friend or your pastor or your favorite professor or your favorite poet or your novelist wrote!
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TfcCsrV16js" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>G. Travis Norvellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10873135928771577833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1707738022855804425.post-722246768768766332022-09-06T08:08:00.003-05:002022-09-06T08:08:24.866-05:00Collect for Getting to School on the First Day of School<p> <span style="caret-color: rgb(15, 20, 25); color: #0f1419; font-family: TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Collect for Getting to School</span></p><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="vqnl" data-offset-key="5r4sb-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(15, 20, 25); color: #0f1419; font-family: TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="5r4sb-0-0" style="direction: ltr; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-top: 2px; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="5r4sb-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="vqnl" data-offset-key="arue6-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(15, 20, 25); color: #0f1419; font-family: TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="arue6-0-0" style="direction: ltr; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-top: 2px; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="arue6-0-0">Loving God,</span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="vqnl" data-offset-key="flh7s-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(15, 20, 25); color: #0f1419; font-family: TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="flh7s-0-0" style="direction: ltr; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-top: 2px; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="flh7s-0-0">who desires to protect us as a mother hen gathers her brood under her wings.</span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="vqnl" data-offset-key="57h81-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(15, 20, 25); color: #0f1419; font-family: TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="57h81-0-0" style="direction: ltr; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-top: 2px; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="57h81-0-0">Protect all children who </span><span style="-webkit-text-fill-color: transparent; background-image: url("https://abs-0.twimg.com/emoji/v2/svg/1f45f.svg"); background-position: center center; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 1em 1em; padding: 0.15em;"><span style="clip-path: circle(0% at 50% 50%);"><span data-offset-key="57h81-1-0">👟</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="57h81-2-0"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-fill-color: transparent; background-image: url("https://abs-0.twimg.com/emoji/v2/svg/1f6b2.svg"); background-position: center center; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 1em 1em; padding: 0.15em;"><span style="clip-path: circle(0% at 50% 50%);"><span data-offset-key="57h81-3-0">🚲</span></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-fill-color: transparent; background-image: url("https://abs-0.twimg.com/emoji/v2/svg/267f.svg"); background-position: center center; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 1em 1em; padding: 0.15em;"><span style="clip-path: circle(0% at 50% 50%);"><span data-offset-key="57h81-4-0">♿️</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="57h81-5-0"> or </span><span style="-webkit-text-fill-color: transparent; background-image: url("https://abs-0.twimg.com/emoji/v2/svg/1f68c.svg"); background-position: center center; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 1em 1em; padding: 0.15em;"><span style="clip-path: circle(0% at 50% 50%);"><span data-offset-key="57h81-6-0">🚌</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="57h81-7-0"> to </span><span style="-webkit-text-fill-color: transparent; background-image: url("https://abs-0.twimg.com/emoji/v2/svg/1f3eb.svg"); background-position: center center; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 1em 1em; padding: 0.15em;"><span style="clip-path: circle(0% at 50% 50%);"><span data-offset-key="57h81-8-0">🏫</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="57h81-9-0"> this year;</span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="vqnl" data-offset-key="6qglh-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(15, 20, 25); color: #0f1419; font-family: TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="6qglh-0-0" style="direction: ltr; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-top: 2px; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="6qglh-0-0">that they may be blessed with health & happiness & learning,</span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="vqnl" data-offset-key="e1j8j-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(15, 20, 25); color: #0f1419; font-family: TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="e1j8j-0-0" style="direction: ltr; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-top: 2px; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="e1j8j-0-0">through the Savior who was once a child. </span></div></div>G. Travis Norvellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10873135928771577833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1707738022855804425.post-26168810088824472022022-07-28T06:37:00.003-05:002022-07-28T06:37:34.014-05:00Podcast/video interview with the Lewis Center for Church Leadership<p>A few weeks ago I was interviewed by the good folks at the Lewis Center. I have been listening to their podcast and using their resources for years. If you don't subscribe to their material - you should! </p><p>Here is the video. Hope you enjoy.</p><p> </p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0kjJInRky1E" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>G. Travis Norvellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10873135928771577833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1707738022855804425.post-46458174362416131082022-07-23T13:04:00.002-05:002022-07-23T13:04:32.420-05:00A Sermon on Day 1 (radio program): Prayer Lessons<p>A few weeks ago I took the bus to the north loop in Minneapolis and recorded a sermon for <a href="https://day1.org">Day 1</a>. I think it will probably stand as my best sermon ever. The content was above average (for me), but what made this sermon outstanding was the audio engineering. I've never been able to go back and redo one sentence here and another sentence there or excite the transition more (I just made that phrase up, but you understand). </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVJY1kUje83wECgNsE5oGbDBfvlUBk3qE-ZbsHY90PDFIBQqiW2sbrfQVQji0KzUSbrhFX9Qm1XkVoGSxOaN83MnQ90KLPZyFi2sbA_20ejTY4SDWNYmyxxgwn9NYBURSZ2OhtEqVGR7xFupsd7fNGlr7mdb4ExKYgmR8RDEHfZ76I7pUiLGVRgpmJ/s1000/295074177_10160373741778343_6738266136298867674_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="761" data-original-width="1000" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVJY1kUje83wECgNsE5oGbDBfvlUBk3qE-ZbsHY90PDFIBQqiW2sbrfQVQji0KzUSbrhFX9Qm1XkVoGSxOaN83MnQ90KLPZyFi2sbA_20ejTY4SDWNYmyxxgwn9NYBURSZ2OhtEqVGR7xFupsd7fNGlr7mdb4ExKYgmR8RDEHfZ76I7pUiLGVRgpmJ/s320/295074177_10160373741778343_6738266136298867674_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>And it was great to spend some time, virtually, with Peter Wallace - probably one of the nicest and most genuine people you will meet on planet Earth. </p><p>The sermon is a condensed version of my book, <a href="https://www.judsonpress.com/Products/J300/church-on-the-move.aspx">Church on the Move</a>. </p><p><a href="https://day1.org/weekly-broadcast/62c8308e6615fb108200000a/travis-norvell-prayer-lessons">Go here to listen to the sermon and chat with Peter.</a> </p><p><br /></p>G. Travis Norvellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10873135928771577833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1707738022855804425.post-16599069184109434542022-07-11T09:55:00.000-05:002022-07-11T09:55:04.735-05:00Why Minneapolis Is A Great Bicycling City (Great people + Good infrastructure)<p> Thank you StreetFilms:</p><p><br /></p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CY8-sIlrvxE" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>G. Travis Norvellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10873135928771577833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1707738022855804425.post-54603663019187468872022-07-09T14:52:00.003-05:002022-07-09T14:52:57.768-05:00New Book Commercial via StreetFilms<p>A couple of weeks ago <a href="https://twitter.com/Streetfilms">Clarence Eckerson</a> of <a href="http://www.streetfilms.org">StreetFilms</a> was in town to make some new movies about the updates to the biking infrastructure in the Twin Cities. As part of his time here myself and the <a href="https://twitter.com/pedalingprof">pedalingprofessor</a> organized a ride to show Clarence some of our favorite parts of Minneapolis. About 10 people joined us. It was great fun and Clarence is a fun, gregarious and charming human being. I gave Clarence a copy of my book, <a href="https://www.judsonpress.com/Products/J300/church-on-the-move.aspx?fbclid=IwAR2k2JFHpsovq6VRJOmSW0SChI_TGgXoYUWm-VcEcVkBrhBOjYpTerpFmSM">Church on the Move</a>. He in turn, asked me a little about it then turned that into a book promo! Here you go folks:</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='562' height='468' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxxPkUNrAztTWpcUil7QvHq9zwyNEBC0Up6av3zupQ0gBHvh3GX2fAo4McXzx8Efs_4YWNhKsSsAaXPAemqog' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p></p>G. Travis Norvellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10873135928771577833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1707738022855804425.post-71415536280011418902022-06-01T12:59:00.002-05:002022-06-01T13:38:06.794-05:00So you want to be a pedaling pastor, but don't have a bike (yet)...<p>On March 15th, Church on the Move: A Practical Guide for Ministry in the Community was released by Judson Press. Since then the book has sold about 900 copies. Since then I have done a few podcast interviews, couple of radio interviews, a Q&A with pastors, a webinar, and adapted some portions of the book for journal and online publications. </p><p>The most often asked question is what kind of bike do I recommend or how do I get started?</p><p>First off you do not need a "special bike" any bike will do AND you do not need any "special clothing" your regular clothes will do just fine (you've got a few months before you start thinking about winter biking necessities). </p><p>Second, don't buy a bike; well, don't buy a bike just yet. </p><p>I recommend these five steps.</p><p>1. <i><b>Watch this YouTube video from Shifter</b></i>.
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DVuEuL3mYao" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>2. <b><i>Listen to this podcast series</i></b>: <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/plain-bicycle/id1510268605">The Plain Bicycle Project</a>.</p><p>3. <i><b>If your city has a bikeshare program, check it out.</b></i> More than likely they will also have e-bikes to try out. I would do this for a week at least. Why? You'll get a feel for the kind of riding you will be doing for work. You'll get to see a wide variety of bikes and styles out there. And you'll get to talk with other people about their bikes: upright, cargo, e-bikes, all-road, & etc.</p><p>4. <i><b>Find a popular bicycling area near where you live and plop down for an hour.</b></i> Go there one Friday morning with a camp chair and a cup of coffee and a notebook. See what kind of bikes pass by. What bikes do you like? Who is dressed like you will be dressed for work? What kind of bike are they riding? </p><p>5. <i><b>Go to several bike shops and try out all kinds of bikes</b></i>. Don't worry about the price, there are creative finance options I'll talk about next post. </p><p><b><i>Take your time. </i></b> Give yourself a month. Most people get in a hurry and buy the wrong kind of bike. You want to love your bike, you want to have trouble sleeping because you are so excited to ride it the next day to work, to the park, on the trail for a long ride, & etc. </p>G. Travis Norvellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10873135928771577833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1707738022855804425.post-91149199716630352062022-01-21T13:47:00.002-06:002022-01-21T13:58:34.154-06:00Bike Commuting Reports: How Did They Come AboutWhile reading <a href="https://twitter.com/KHayhoe">Katherine Kayhoe's</a> book <a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Saving-Us/Katharine-Hayhoe/9781982143831">Saving Us: A Climate Scientist's Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World</a> I took my time with chapter seven, The Guilt Complex. When I'm in a conversation about walking, bicycling, or taking public transit I often sense guilt arising in my conversation partner. And I quickly try assuage their guilt with, "I have a van, my wife and I drive it all the time." In all honesty, the last thing I want to do as a religious leader is make people feel guilty (I had enough of that in my early religious experiences). <div><br /></div><div>Then I read chapter seven!<div><br /></div><div>In chapter seven I read this sentence, "Peer pressure is effective when there is a viable alternative." Rather than try to take on the guilt someone else experiences because of my transit choices, provide them instead with viable transit alternatives. This seems so simple, but it was a practice I had never considered. </div><div><br /></div><div>In the Twin Cities walking, bicycling and taking public transit are viable alternatives. For every situation and destination? Nope. But for a lot of situations and destinations: Yes. And yet I never invite others to explore these viable alternatives, unless they specifically ask me about them. </div><div><br /></div><div>The morning after finishing Hayhoe's book I sat at the table, drinking coffee and listening to <a href="https://twitter.com/CathyWurzer">Cathy Wurzer</a> give the traffic report on <a href="https://twitter.com/MPRnews">MPR</a>, "there's a car fire on 35E; a semi has jackknifed; it's slow going for everyone." Then a fully caffeinated💡 emerged: what if MPR provided bike, walking, transit stop conditions too? So I tweeted Cathy Wurzer:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNMYUGBwfXABnajzp_vxGzhC7WBvma4Nd5P9-Wwt284U74Us_Fb-XhUjA9H9JWL546wUc2jHVjM_PInwo3vMWatkTeBmJUErPyNrpsZ6nI6rP-rdGtX-3Q3_rAviXTwV9_YCuPm2uv_lZUnZ2Q3WyCRiFiQWaBocDgdXcrGKR00whpjB9oyz-WjBPc=s1185" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="703" data-original-width="1185" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNMYUGBwfXABnajzp_vxGzhC7WBvma4Nd5P9-Wwt284U74Us_Fb-XhUjA9H9JWL546wUc2jHVjM_PInwo3vMWatkTeBmJUErPyNrpsZ6nI6rP-rdGtX-3Q3_rAviXTwV9_YCuPm2uv_lZUnZ2Q3WyCRiFiQWaBocDgdXcrGKR00whpjB9oyz-WjBPc=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was blown away by both her generosity and the response on twitter. For the record: my normal nerdy preacher/biking tweets get one or two likes. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The goal was two-fold: <b>One</b>, 'normalize' walking, bicycling, and taking public transit as transportation. I know from my traversing all over the Twin Cities that many people walk, bike, and take public transit for work, for school, for leisure, to shop. People get around more than just by automobile: walkers, bicyclists and public transiters are traffic too. The report it normalizes these forms of transit too. <b>Two</b>, it shows that there are viable alternatives to the automobile in the Twin Cities, even when it is -10°. And a little <b>lagniappe</b>: people enjoy them!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjcIT_cPZCjzyUxCk0mTIIgG9zy3KyDyRKEvCd7ARoS8Tu3FgXmSM35ql4Z98qpquvXTsMlgBiq67Fg0Azs8Fd1Qh72E6A4NS7MkWz2Hx1ZtSMbYcW6Emxa2b6r5C0Z0CimiSpl3M1iNbA5hslZsUQty0m6rZ8CGYDnegO-5fSZBgjMw48OJC-cBA3e=s1315" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1315" data-original-width="1194" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjcIT_cPZCjzyUxCk0mTIIgG9zy3KyDyRKEvCd7ARoS8Tu3FgXmSM35ql4Z98qpquvXTsMlgBiq67Fg0Azs8Fd1Qh72E6A4NS7MkWz2Hx1ZtSMbYcW6Emxa2b6r5C0Z0CimiSpl3M1iNbA5hslZsUQty0m6rZ8CGYDnegO-5fSZBgjMw48OJC-cBA3e=s320" width="291" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Kudos to Cathy Wurzer and MPR News for be open and willing to reading the bike lane reports. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Postscript: Since the reports started airing my twitter followers has increased exponentially, so I thought I ought to share a little about myself in the form of two pictures. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In my mind this is how I picture myself as the pedaling pastor (that's Canon Rev. Sidney Chambers, priest/detective on the PBS show Grantchester).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzdsma_tms1cdlw9HZkd2GN_uP3kOvK_5o6hF1tspN0MOs1uIAtkRw2jwZiNQVfrAco1lmRn-vW5zf5ehP_GKRmLGfeIJLQjD9ESpR6u5T-S7Pdnw3fizuIzdgFLHeWkXLF3H9ybvrQhm9wgYLpO8g0AB-7Y4NBVnUOUigqJ2DZy1aI2awrZb-OPU9=s1284" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="856" data-original-width="1284" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzdsma_tms1cdlw9HZkd2GN_uP3kOvK_5o6hF1tspN0MOs1uIAtkRw2jwZiNQVfrAco1lmRn-vW5zf5ehP_GKRmLGfeIJLQjD9ESpR6u5T-S7Pdnw3fizuIzdgFLHeWkXLF3H9ybvrQhm9wgYLpO8g0AB-7Y4NBVnUOUigqJ2DZy1aI2awrZb-OPU9=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">and here is what it is really like to be the pedaling pastor as I park my bike outside of <a href="https://www.judsonchurch.org">Judson Church</a>:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOtqiRxzk6zrn77r7xIlejDmrEGWCpqIjnRi0f6RlBDemCFI3UZ3cju4jOyqQi83jHpjLWH0FnJuJDJsNYbQooAJ0htyGHK3lK7w1SXjR4WZTUcbYvmxBn33EnUSpZ5YrgF4GKNeRVAvkR7NAsoZbHCQ45vUcmcmrZQwE7Rsb9MjGUbquwhvdWMiWI=s3088" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOtqiRxzk6zrn77r7xIlejDmrEGWCpqIjnRi0f6RlBDemCFI3UZ3cju4jOyqQi83jHpjLWH0FnJuJDJsNYbQooAJ0htyGHK3lK7w1SXjR4WZTUcbYvmxBn33EnUSpZ5YrgF4GKNeRVAvkR7NAsoZbHCQ45vUcmcmrZQwE7Rsb9MjGUbquwhvdWMiWI=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div>G. Travis Norvellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10873135928771577833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1707738022855804425.post-61951481652837321932022-01-02T07:43:00.004-06:002022-01-03T10:49:52.756-06:00Some Thoughts on WV and Sen. Manchin<p><a href="https://www.startribune.com/love-for-my-oft-ridiculed-home/600131733/">This article first appeared in the Star Tribune, Jan. 1, 2022 as a Commentary</a>. </p><span id="docs-internal-guid-642fb45d-7fff-d5f8-81b9-165cb53b15e6"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.6434782608695653; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sen. Joe Manchin III, D-W.Va., has officially stated his opposition to President Joe Biden's Build Back Better plan. His opposition opened the floodgate for the usual vitriolic stereotypes against Appalachians, best expressed by Bette Midler when she tweeted: "He [Sen. Manchin] wants us all to be just like his state, West Virginia. Poor, illiterate and strung out."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.6434782608695653; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I haven't lived in my home state of West Virginia since 2002. But every time someone asks me where I'm from (apparently, I still have an accent) and I tell them, I can see the same reaction expressed by Midler.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.6434782608695653; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nevertheless, I am proud of my West Virginia heritage, my love of Tudor's Biscuit World restaurants. I cheer for any sports team or athlete or cultural figure from West Virginia (from Kathy Mattea to Bill Withers, from Katherine Johnson Day to John Nash, from Randy Moss to Renee Montgomery).</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.6434782608695653; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">America has a long history of extracting resources from Appalachia, not only coal, gas and wood, but men for wars. America loves to take from West Virginia and Appalachia but rarely gives back in the form of investment, love or respect.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.6434782608695653; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">True, West Virginia receives more from the federal government than it pays in taxes, but it's nowhere near enough to reverse the decades of neglect and underinvestment. And yet, West Virginia may provide the way to Build Back Better for living in a climate-changed world — with or without the support of Manchin.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.6434782608695653; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Several years ago Bill McKibben spoke at the University of Minnesota as part of his "Do the Math" environmental justice tour. Near the beginning he said, "We don't need any more institutions too big to fail, we need communities so small they'll succeed."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.6434782608695653; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Everywhere along my path of life — from Richmond, Va., to Rochester, N.Y., to Lincoln, R.I., to New Orleans, Los Angeles and Minneapolis, I have met West Virginian expats like me. And when I ask them what they miss most they all say, "the people."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.6434782608695653; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We don't miss the xenophobia and homophobia, the abuse and addiction, the racism and misogyny that forced many of us to flee. But we miss the people, the hospitality, the smallness, the known-ness.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.6434782608695653; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In every place I've lived outside of West Virginia, it is the rare opportunity when someone has invited me to their homes for dinner, onto their front porch for conversation or into their garage for a beer. It wasn't like that in West Virginia, and still isn't when we travel back. Growing up in my hometown of St. Albans I knew my neighbors and they knew me. I was often in the homes of my football coach, my Sunday school teacher, the ancient chair of the deacon board, and all of my friends and all of my neighbors.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.6434782608695653; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I've lived for nine years in Minneapolis and I still do not even know most of the people on my block.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.6434782608695653; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How can we ever move forward as a nation in a climate-changed world if we don't even know our neighbors? How can we be there for one another during climate, social and cultural catastrophes that are sure to come if we don't even know who to care for?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.6434782608695653; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We had a glimpse of a different possibility during the first phase of closings and lockdowns during the pandemic. Overnight Americans stopped flying, worked from home and started cooking. It seemed everyone was making a sourdough starter or growing vegetables. Neighbors began talking to neighbors because they couldn't talk to anyone else.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.6434782608695653; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I experienced this even more acutely outside of the building where the funeral for George Floyd took place. In the midst of public lamentation a Somali family passed out sambusas, white students from North Dakota drove a truck full of bottled water to give away, and a family from Venezuela handed out Popsicles from their cooler. As people sobbed, hugs were exchanged; as people screamed with righteous indignation, ears were listening.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.6434782608695653; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was the closest I had felt to West Virginia hospitality in years, but then it quickly faded.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.6434782608695653; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Here we are at this moment acting as if the balance and future of the world depends on Sen. Manchin's vote of approval. We've ceded too much power to one man. We've turned him into an institution too big to fail.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.6434782608695653; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What we need are communities so small we'll succeed. We can Build Back Better, West Virginia-style this holiday season, by investing our time and our attention in getting to know our neighbors, building social trust.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.6434782608695653; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The naysayers will complain, "We haven't got time for that kind of slow work." But what good is a perfect plan if promoted by ignorant fools?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.6434782608695653; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The slow work of community is the kind of work West Virginia has been giving witness to since June 20, 1863, when it became a separate state, rejecting slavery and secession during the Civil War.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.6434782608695653; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Maybe now America will hold hands with West Virginia and Appalachia, not simply extract wealth from it and make fun of it.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.6434782608695653; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All to say, we can build back better without Sen. Manchin's vote.</span></p></span><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><p> </p>G. Travis Norvellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10873135928771577833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1707738022855804425.post-70619972987068278602021-12-20T21:34:00.000-06:002021-12-20T21:34:02.618-06:00Christmas Tales 2021: Rupert the Gnome Searches for a Home (for this poem Gnome and home rhyme)I did not do a Sermon-in-Verse last year and even though no one asked me to do it this year, I did it anyway!<div><br /></div><div>Prolegomena: The poem this year is my homage to the late Eric Carle and his book Hermit Crab Finds a Home. I loved (still love) reading Eric Carle books to the kids. I loved the Eric Carle museum and the documentary on him and the joy he helped/helps/will help others discover. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Rupert the Gnome Searches for a Home</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3yNj3B-Zebc" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>Rupert the gnome lived a fruitful life</div><div>safe, underground and without strife.</div><div>Till the day Jolene the condo wom-an</div><div>came and changed his game pl-an</div><div>Move earth, dig down deep, deep, deep,</div><div>condos, condos, cheap, cheap, cheap</div><div><br /></div><div>Rupert sang</div><div>Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene</div><div>I'm begging you please dont take my home (not every line rhymes)</div><div><br /></div><div>Rupert knew he must evacuate</div><div>a new home he must contemplate</div><div><br /></div><div>Away in a manger</div><div>no place for a bed</div><div>the little gnome Rupert</div><div>lay down his sweet head.</div><div><br /></div><div>But where to move that was safe and sound</div><div>someplace quiet and underground.</div><div><br /></div><div>My new home will be a church</div><div>empty, mostly, I'll do my search.</div><div><br /></div><div>The first church he explored was a Method-ist (1)</div><div>but gnomes like beer, they were not teetotal-ist </div><div><br /></div><div>Second church was a UCC</div><div>neat and orderly but not very funn-y</div><div><br /></div><div>Off he went to an Episco-pal</div><div>but the incense left his sinuses a scan-dal</div><div><br /></div><div>For sure the Quakers, they have big hearts</div><div>but their silence meant he could not be carefree with his farts</div><div><br /></div><div>Then off to the beautiful Catholic</div><div>nice place, but the preacher was no Fosdick (2)</div><div><br /></div><div>Surely, surely the Lutherans would be right</div><div>but their plates of lutefisk left made his belly uptight</div><div><br /></div><div>All he could do was sing a Buck Owens refrain</div><div>They're gonna put me in the movies</div><div>They're gonna make a big star out of me</div><div>They'll make a film about a gnome that sad and lonely</div><div>and all I gotta do is act naturally.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then he found the Judson congregation</div><div>maybe they would improve his situation</div><div>There were misgivings with his hunch</div><div>Baptist were mean and weird was his hunch</div><div>He sang the line from Elvis Costello a little louder</div><div>There are some things you can't cover up with lipstick and powder (3)</div><div><br /></div><div>But the sign said something that made him feel whole</div><div>Bring Your Hopes, Bring Your Doubts, Feed Your Soul </div><div><br /></div><div>So he entered with much trepidation</div><div>but they welcomed Rupert without complication</div><div>We've been waiting for a gnome like yous</div><div>someone to help with these yahoos</div><div>What your name lad?</div><div>Let's get you a name tag.</div><div>More important Rupert we much inc-ur</div><div>John wants to know if you're a ten-or?</div><div>What's you skills?</div><div>Can you help us pay the bills?</div><div><br /></div><div>But a kid stood up and shouted loud</div><div>love this gnome for who is, or he'll run to St. Cloud</div><div>Its Christmastime dont you know</div><div>with baby Jesus and God says hello</div><div>Love Rupert not for what he can do for this group</div><div>Love him to form an open loop</div><div>where his love and our love meet</div><div>where we make music with a beautiful beat</div><div><br /></div><div>Rupert coughed and shuffled his feet</div><div>He said I got a word to entreat</div><div>There was a song I used to sing</div><div>it's by the Beatles, it has a nice ring</div><div>I and it when I drank lots of mead</div><div>you know it as Love Is All You Need</div><div>I know it's not a Christmas Carol</div><div>but we can sing it without much apparel</div><div><br /></div><div>All you need is love</div><div>All you need is love</div><div>All you need is love, love</div><div>Love is all you need</div><div><br /></div><div>Amen</div><div><br /></div><div>(1) Methodist were for a long time teetotalers, not anymore but for the purpose of this rhyme I needed them to still be so.</div><div>(2) Harry Emerson Fosdick was the first pastor at Riverside Church in New York City</div><div>(3) Girls Talk</div><div><br /></div>G. Travis Norvellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10873135928771577833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1707738022855804425.post-5059195585734647232021-12-12T16:00:00.005-06:002021-12-14T16:16:50.384-06:00Anne Rice & Bible Study & My Walter Brueggemann prank/joke This morning I learned of the death of author Anne Rice. After <a href="https://covchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2010/05/0602-Coming-Home.pdf">Bob Smietana's posted his wonderful 2006 interview with her,</a> I read it and was reminded of how gracious Anne Rice was (and how foolish I was/am)<div><br /></div><div>You see, I was pastor of a church in the uptown neighborhood of New Orleans, and although Anne Rice lived primarily in San Francisco she also had a home in the Garden District. I did not know what she looked like, but apparently she and I coffee-ed at the same cafe from time to time. One day out of the blue she called the church I served and left me a voice mail asking if she could lead a bible study with me at the church. But I never called her back?</div><div><br /></div><div>Did I dislike Anne Rice? Nope. Did I think her scholarship would lead the flock astray? Nope. Was my schedule full? Nope. Was my ego so large that I couldn't handle having a famous person lead bible study? Nope. What then?</div><div><br /></div><div>You see reader for years I played the Walter Brueggemann prank/joke on my pastor friends. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Walter Brueggemann prank/joke? Yes. Knowing that most churches in the early 2000s did not have called ids on their office phones... I would call churches, the office staff person would answer, and I would ask to speak with the pastor. The person would always ask, "Who is this?" And I would say, "Walter Brueggemann." (For those who do not know who WB is: he is an Old Testament professor and prolific author. I would wager 98% of mainline Protestant pastors have his books on their shelves). Then one or two responses would take place. One, the office person would tell the pastor Walter Brueggemann was on the phone for them. Then the pastor would answer all excited and say, "Yes Dr. Brueggemann?" Or the person answering the phone would say, "Oh Dr. Brueggemann, we love your work. I know Pastor X will love to speak with you." Then repeat the first response one. </div><div><br /></div><div>So when I received a voice mail message from someone saying they were Anne Rice I thought for sure this was one of my friends trying to get me back for the time I did my Walter Brueggemann joke/prank on them. Plus, why would Anne Rice want to do a bible study with me and my church; we barely had a 100 in worship on a good Sunday. I said, "Not gonna fall for it." </div><div><br /></div><div>A couple weeks later a letter arrived in my mailbox, from Anne Rice. It was a letter explaining that she had called me earlier and left a message about her desire to lead a bible study at the church I served. The letter also contained a promo of her <i>Christ the Lord</i> series. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41LEELzlFuL._SL350_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="237" data-original-width="350" height="237" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41LEELzlFuL._SL350_.jpg" width="350" /></a></div><br />She explained how she had done all of this research on Jesus and the Gospels and early Christianity and wanted to have a discussion with a small church about it. </div><div><br /></div><div>Needless to say, I contacted her immediately, but by then the window of opportunity had closed (I wasn't the only pastor she had contacted). </div><div><br /></div><div>All to say if Walter Brueggemann calls you...chances are it's just me, but there is a chance it really is Walter Brueggemann!</div><div><br /></div><div> </div>G. Travis Norvellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10873135928771577833noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1707738022855804425.post-38371832426116682202021-12-12T07:01:00.004-06:002021-12-12T07:01:52.366-06:00#bikeshadows<p>I really think #bikeshadows ought to be a thing, don't you?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg3rZyBcFM1xGb3GWT2WJP-uNfIpnywJiIRKWCFGkUd9gSyiajbbkyhcKzbSHlDRpV1aHu3XJnyZEglCGGWJDzkLLIWNcq78xrWlhN2nMdjlTyMYq13zOumwdaifPWTBcfKbgYmehFztHfMXndMF5slpiotNiYClXdZBnmmc9GXp2TNlM7-bfF7MlJO=s1200" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg3rZyBcFM1xGb3GWT2WJP-uNfIpnywJiIRKWCFGkUd9gSyiajbbkyhcKzbSHlDRpV1aHu3XJnyZEglCGGWJDzkLLIWNcq78xrWlhN2nMdjlTyMYq13zOumwdaifPWTBcfKbgYmehFztHfMXndMF5slpiotNiYClXdZBnmmc9GXp2TNlM7-bfF7MlJO=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>G. Travis Norvellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10873135928771577833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1707738022855804425.post-68077911403476583822021-12-06T15:19:00.001-06:002021-12-06T15:19:06.596-06:00Two Minute Sermon on Two Wheels: Frosty Edition (Advent 2)<p> Two minute sermon on two wheels: Advent 2 (Frosty Edition)<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dJpOuOblYME" width="320" youtube-src-id="dJpOuOblYME"></iframe></div><p></p>G. Travis Norvellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10873135928771577833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1707738022855804425.post-19615833769182794502021-12-01T08:52:00.002-06:002021-12-01T08:52:32.761-06:00Giving Tuesday (on Wednesday) and Bicycling<div style="text-align: center;">Yesterday, Tuesday Nov. 30th, was #GivingTuesday. I participated in a panel discussion for my alma mater, Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School (i.e. The Mothership). You can watch it here, <iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="true" frameborder="0" height="314" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fcrcds%2Fvideos%2F483857426349370%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=0" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" width="560"></iframe> </div><div><br /></div><div>What does this have to do with biking and pastoring? Well, it's quite easy. You see, because we only have one car, we do not have the extra expenses of $9,282.35 if you own a new car or $3,483 if you have your car paid off. (I have an entire chapter on this in my book). Therefore, even though we have two kids in college and modest salaries, we do have some capacity to give to organizations we care deeply about. </div><div><br /></div><div>I would like to be able to give more, but that is not possible at the moment. If not for a plea by Rev. Clay Smith at the Hinton Center a number of years ago I might have not started giving at the level I do. Clay urged us to give to the Hinton Center <b>and</b> if we were short on cash then give just $1. He said a $1 pledge is a big gift because when non-profits apply for grants or loans or participate in projects the more "pledge/giving units" they have, the better their chances. So I started giving $1 to many organizations. </div><div><br /></div><div>What surprised me the most, however, was how many organizations never followed up with my gift. Not only did they never acknowledge my gift, they never thanked me, and never asked me to give more. </div><div><br /></div><div>Strange.</div><div><br /></div><div>So I, largely, stopped giving beyond the church and the mothership. Then I had coffee with J. Ron Byler (former Executive Director of the Mennonite Central Committee), he told me about an experiment he conducted one November, to withdraw $50 bills on Nov. 1 and give them away to everyone who asked until Nov. 30. I thought it was an amazing experiment. I tried it too, only not with $50. </div><div><br /></div><div>Three years ago I said I would give $20 to any organization that sent me a request for funding. To my surprise I did not receive that many requests. But I thought for sure the second year I would be inundated with requests. I thought for sure I would be put on some "this sucker will give you money list." Nope. The second year only three organizations asked for repeat giving. Third year, only two organization asked for a repeat gift. </div><div><br /></div><div>This baffles my mind, but I should've seen it coming. I have served on the boards of several non-profits. And fund raising/development is always a part of my work as a board member. And I have sat in meetings where development officers say, "Only follow up with those who give $100 or above. If you spend time and resources on those who give less than $100, you are wasting your time and resources." </div><div><br /></div><div>The one organization who goes against this line of thinking: Habitat for Humanity. I receive a mailing every other month from them: some ask for money, others tell the story of how my gift is transforming lives. It's quite a remarkable scheme. Each year I have increased my gift to them. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you are able, ride a bike, save your money, pay off your debt, then start investing in your community. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /></div></div>G. Travis Norvellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10873135928771577833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1707738022855804425.post-55365849743817315762021-11-22T08:56:00.002-06:002021-11-22T08:56:26.406-06:00Two Minute Sermon on Two Wheels: 112th Anniversary Edition<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hNDvbb8eI5o" width="320" youtube-src-id="hNDvbb8eI5o"></iframe></div><br /> <p></p>G. Travis Norvellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10873135928771577833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1707738022855804425.post-43101077072921295962021-11-08T08:44:00.001-06:002021-11-08T08:44:09.153-06:00Two Minute Sermon on Two Wheels: nothing harsh, nothing burdensome<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Uuykd_d6zPQ" width="320" youtube-src-id="Uuykd_d6zPQ"></iframe></div><br /><p></p>G. Travis Norvellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10873135928771577833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1707738022855804425.post-23526614214655720232021-11-01T08:47:00.001-05:002021-11-01T08:47:19.567-05:00Two Minute Sermon on Two Wheels: All Saints edition<iframe width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/Cf1oNxD3Lr4" frameborder="0"></iframe>G. Travis Norvellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10873135928771577833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1707738022855804425.post-15122493461679046862021-10-06T09:05:00.000-05:002021-10-06T09:05:17.010-05:00Pay Your Kids Not to Drive: National Walk/Bike to School Day<p><span style="font-size: medium;">In 1988 License to Drive appeared on the big screens; I was 14 at the time, I thought, like most teenagers, the greatest way toward freedom was a drivers license.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/1/11/License_to_drive_poster.jpg/220px-License_to_drive_poster.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="220" height="320" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/1/11/License_to_drive_poster.jpg/220px-License_to_drive_poster.jpg" width="215" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;">Just like Corey Feldman I ditched my bike (a sunset orange 78lbs Schwinn Continental with front headlight, white plastic bike pump, under the seat basket, and clown honking horn) and started driving my father's truck (a 1983 Chevy Silverado) as soon as I could, with delight.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://novabicycles.com/Orange%20Continental.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://novabicycles.com/Orange%20Continental.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br />Foolishly, I thought I could go anywhere anytime I wanted: Myrtle Beach for the weekend (in WV this was where you vacationed), up to Williams River to trout fish, to the movies, to hang out with friends, & etc... But there were lots of holes in my theory, primarily scarcity.<br /><br />In my family we only had two working vehicles, the two my parents used for work. I could only use one of the vehicles, at most, when my parents were not working during the evenings and on the weekends. Then there was that other aspect of scarcity: money. Driving cost money: insurance, gas, maintenance, wear and tear; and money I did not have. Then there was that other aspect of scarcity: interpersonal - I really wasn't all that popular, I did not date in high school, I was a burgeoning introvert.<br /><br />I soon discovered that driving, rather than providing me a rush of freedom, provided me with the disappointing experience of being trapped. In just a few weeks I went from a teenager who rode his bike all over town to a licensed driver who wouldn't even think of biking, walking, or taking the bus to his destination when he did not have access to an automobile.<br /><br />If I had only stayed with the bike, walked around town, and learned the bus system...<br /><br />It took me twenty years to get back on a bike, but not the Continental (years ago I heard it was being used as an anchor for an ocean worthy vessel in Lake Erie). </span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">When my oldest progeny approached 16, I had to find a way to make bicycling, walking, and taking public transit more attractive than driving. For the record my oldest loves to bike, walk and take public transit. But I knew this love would not be enough to counter the onslaught of societal pressure to get a drivers license and start driving.<br /><br />Pause for a moment and think how difficult this is in our culture:<br />-Main form of identification: drivers license.<br />-Class offered at school: drivers education.<br />-ratio of parking spots at schools for car vs bikes<br />-sports programs that do not have busing<br />-pop culture images of driving (when was the last time you saw a bike commercial on television? a teenager in a movie forgoing a car and biking instead? a song on the radio about biking or walking or taking the bus?)<br /><br />I thought and thought about this, even prayed about it. Then the idea occurred to me: why don't my lovely bride and I just pay our progeny not to drive?<br /><br />But how much?<br /><br />I called up my insurance agent, did some internet explorations, computed some numbers, talked it over with my lovely bride and came up with a number: $50 a month. It was going to cost us around $50/month to add our oldest to our auto insurance (that's with multiple line, good grades, and drivers ed deductions)<br /><br />Here is how it works. We pay our oldest child $50 a month not to drive a car. We also put $20 a month on a bus card and purchased a new bike for this young adult. It's a small investment to hold off the automobile/drivers license temptation during this time of peer pressure, cultural pressure, and out of control capitalist pressure. Will it last forever? Probably not, I see this young adult sometime getting a drivers license. But if we can help this person see that car ownership is not necessary for life in a city (and in college) then I think we can help this person imagine an alternative life that is healthier, cheaper, and environmentally friendlier than a car-centered one.<br /><br />Did your parents ever pay you not to drive? Did you ever ask your parents to pay you rather than put your on their auto insurance? How do you keep the love of biking, walking and public transiting more than the desire for a license?<br /></span><br /></div>G. Travis Norvellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10873135928771577833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1707738022855804425.post-84990882204048110632021-10-05T10:49:00.005-05:002021-10-05T10:55:40.369-05:00The Pedaling Preacher too<p>Just so you know, I am taking a digital preaching class (which is fantastic). </p><p>The instructor asked if I could whittle my sermon down to 2 minutes. At first it sounded too difficult, but it was actually easier than I thought and kind of fun. </p><p>But I thought of doing something a little different: preaching my two minute sermon while riding my bike. </p><p>I recorded the mini sermon while pedaling my way to Sunday worship. The interesting part was how much clearer my longer sermon (eight minutes) was because I had preached my shorter sermon first. </p><p>To be honest this first version is 3:19 because I share a little bit of a conversation I had with my wife about this idea. </p><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/C5KpTWKGbF8" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div>G. Travis Norvellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10873135928771577833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1707738022855804425.post-23132439119616930712021-08-27T11:12:00.002-05:002021-08-27T11:19:28.454-05:00Is Bicycling Slower or Faster than Driving?The one response I hear the most from other pastors (and church-goers) when I talk about my experience as the pedaling pastor is, "That may work for you, but I don't have the time to pedal, or walk, or take the bus..." <div><br /></div><div>Which brings me to the topic of today's post: Is Bicycling Slower or Faster than Driving a Car?</div><div><br /></div><div>Test case: Hospital Visit.</div><div><br /></div><div>This week I pedaled to the hospital to visit a parishioner. The distance from my house to the hospital is 5 miles, it took me approximately 30 minutes to pedal it. I then pedaled another 5 miles to church, which took an additional 30 minutes. To drive, it would have taken me 20 minutes, plus parking, plus visiting the parking office to get my parking validated (perk of being a clergy person), and let us not forget my CO2 contribution (<a href="https://www.carbonfootprint.com/offset.aspx?o=0.003&om=0&a=r&r=CalcCar&defra=true">$3.29 to offset it</a>). </div><div><br /></div><div>From a purely time equivalent vantage point: driving was "quicker," 20 minutes of driving compared to one hour of bicycling. But what happened during my one hour of bicycling? </div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>One</b>, I burned 600 calories. </div><div><b>Two</b>, on the way to the hospital I listened to a beautiful sermon: <a href="Ezekiel's Tree">Ezekiel's Tree by the Rev. Dr. Otis Moss, III</a> on the Day 1 podcast (which also allows me to hear <a href="https://day1.org/staff">the host of Day 1, fellow WVian Rev. Peter Wallace</a>); on the way to church, I listened to <a href="https://www.workingpreacher.org/podcast-type/sermon-brainwave">Sermon Brainwave's podcast</a> on the lectionary texts for Sunday. Many will say, I could have listened to those podcasts while driving. True. But you wouldn't have listened fully or as safely while pedaling (or walking or taking public transit). Driving demands your full attention. One split second when you fiddle with your phone could be a life or death decision. On a bike path, or non/slow-trafficked road, it's not all the time life or death. </div><div><b>Three</b>, I was aware of my surroundings. I got a feel for the new bike/ped path that crosses highway 62 and the new bike/ped path along 66th St. (see pictures below). Because of the placement of bike parking at the hospital (only one bike rack I could find, which was 309 steps from the front door) I saw those who took the bus to the hospital and those who were struggling to get into the Emergency Room (if I had driven, I would have, literally, been above all of these interactions).</div><div><b>Four, </b>I was out in the fresh air for one hour. I heard birds, saw clouds, smelled garlic roasting and people smoking pot, felt sunshine. </div><div><br /></div><div>Sometimes slower is faster!</div><div><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPS; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPS; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 700;">Trust in the Slow Work of God</span></div><div class="page" title="Page 1"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column"><p><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;"><i>Above all, trust in the slow work of God<br />We are quite naturally impatient in everything<br />to reach the end without delay<br />We should like to skip the intermediate stages.<br />We are impatient of being on the way to something<br />unknown, something new. And yet it is the law of all progress<br />that it is made by passing through<br />some stages of instability-<br />and that it may take a very long time. And so I think it is with you.<br />your ideas mature gradually – let them grow,<br />let them shape themselves, without undue haste. Don’t try to force them on, as though you could be today what time<br />(that is to say, grace and circumstances<br />acting on your own good will)<br />will make of you tomorrow. Only God could say what this new spirit gradually forming within you will be. Give Our Lord the benefit of believing that his hand is leading you, and accept the anxiety of feeling yourself<br />in suspense and incomplete.</i><br /></span><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPS; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 700;">- </span><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, S.J. (1881-1955)</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP1cEXzZt8bqy8yKdgR8uBJsmpodDU_bAdjgzUTzEppbNdDCLiiBqNHlBLchV1yZD391dvr2gcpI37Qae0EFM59zm4aBJHncWDymoFBSS20SBE-3gUfjHpnERavgzvCWc8tVlhIybv-TY/s2048/image_67212289.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP1cEXzZt8bqy8yKdgR8uBJsmpodDU_bAdjgzUTzEppbNdDCLiiBqNHlBLchV1yZD391dvr2gcpI37Qae0EFM59zm4aBJHncWDymoFBSS20SBE-3gUfjHpnERavgzvCWc8tVlhIybv-TY/s320/image_67212289.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">when visiting the hospital, I advise you to wear a clerical collar (even if it is not your tradition). they really grease your way around a hospital. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivpfkMzYWSDwbliP4AT5xpXOO6S8u1byML9azFGShoHWtNkXksUF8dvJjP5uKXKN_tyhVhjdNYw6uWaXMTIbWZgcSMoOT1eE42vOZ4qEbynw3O4sso3STTFppUcE4cFAwloXUmOW_5by4/s2048/image_67167745.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivpfkMzYWSDwbliP4AT5xpXOO6S8u1byML9azFGShoHWtNkXksUF8dvJjP5uKXKN_tyhVhjdNYw6uWaXMTIbWZgcSMoOT1eE42vOZ4qEbynw3O4sso3STTFppUcE4cFAwloXUmOW_5by4/s320/image_67167745.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">here is the new approach to the bridge over highway 62. before this was just a dirt path.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7j8YK8dp9dI2Ngk_47SF-0JxvenxgIINkli7ZNXNIYV3O2a61ev47dLm4gu4j5StUBE4veJddN6_fUpesmErNjwcCHKbnZXtV8DDidfX0bqd4aP03ClgIT3w0LmgpGh8OSnAVIuju85E/s2048/image_67163905.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7j8YK8dp9dI2Ngk_47SF-0JxvenxgIINkli7ZNXNIYV3O2a61ev47dLm4gu4j5StUBE4veJddN6_fUpesmErNjwcCHKbnZXtV8DDidfX0bqd4aP03ClgIT3w0LmgpGh8OSnAVIuju85E/s320/image_67163905.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">as you can see, they added an additional 18 inches of concrete on the right of the sidewalk. This provides an amazing improvement of shared safe (and separated) pedaling/walking space.</div></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWdOWkF7JAaN-O_Pi_mTPoqaVIs4RzenB_N4ThbXLS69Hk-mAor7qcz7hNtaUAh-PG1vdjrX_PX9AR3fnkrMMnBTGgGsIjRgADodaVlkfUz06g6dBUu2YFhCP-STZ6BTuFGTF_OaZBu08/s2048/image_67189761.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWdOWkF7JAaN-O_Pi_mTPoqaVIs4RzenB_N4ThbXLS69Hk-mAor7qcz7hNtaUAh-PG1vdjrX_PX9AR3fnkrMMnBTGgGsIjRgADodaVlkfUz06g6dBUu2YFhCP-STZ6BTuFGTF_OaZBu08/s320/image_67189761.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgaKRbHb-ESeqpUVENGCkYCRKIJb9vPnUiSyGWgR_VbYD7YkAU7ASKO0no-w50rzX3pUzTSCTWz-FsSBgECwpQawEfelbQbrDJAEbDMiQzxva80Jb3ncth1qXSMIlMZogx83Hi26rTdrw/s2048/image_67221761.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgaKRbHb-ESeqpUVENGCkYCRKIJb9vPnUiSyGWgR_VbYD7YkAU7ASKO0no-w50rzX3pUzTSCTWz-FsSBgECwpQawEfelbQbrDJAEbDMiQzxva80Jb3ncth1qXSMIlMZogx83Hi26rTdrw/s320/image_67221761.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">different riding surfaces along 66th st.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlC8cwr3Ss2GxszZ0EQWrI85jCPymNz8Sd_4qM9dcw1tytzfkbY9kIXMWprRirSrNxSNdLV9xSGbtPR7453Rm1jUcakpWnVlVLdhb8EDoEM3SK-EOVWCND3Ih_3s_2vIV23Xq3r_0o1dw/s2048/image_67136257.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlC8cwr3Ss2GxszZ0EQWrI85jCPymNz8Sd_4qM9dcw1tytzfkbY9kIXMWprRirSrNxSNdLV9xSGbtPR7453Rm1jUcakpWnVlVLdhb8EDoEM3SK-EOVWCND3Ih_3s_2vIV23Xq3r_0o1dw/s320/image_67136257.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZgTXqqdfT2zDFiXQhKeoktkWbwRcDwimLHGA-yH5VnfxsbmPgkTec4lHtV0nU_YsAYE0cTwqaQFn6juCLMoWS0fceOyDZywXNYGRkY26RO3uDlOG7LQGh1S1_viLqumOScEgqxqYUkZE/s2048/image_67223297.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZgTXqqdfT2zDFiXQhKeoktkWbwRcDwimLHGA-yH5VnfxsbmPgkTec4lHtV0nU_YsAYE0cTwqaQFn6juCLMoWS0fceOyDZywXNYGRkY26RO3uDlOG7LQGh1S1_viLqumOScEgqxqYUkZE/s320/image_67223297.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">bike parking 309 steps from ER entrance</div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB-DOCvXazqTI34wzj-k-eEs_HL_FiID8pS_Q8ZkHKYUkLqMO-cM1Kx7zc0M04vupEbJHwBxHSJDVM6ZJ4FHrxSXj12a7cV55gJpMS72d0JUJfvTXzbvydYUN_WjxnHNuHO85FbvofUJk/s2048/image_67160577.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB-DOCvXazqTI34wzj-k-eEs_HL_FiID8pS_Q8ZkHKYUkLqMO-cM1Kx7zc0M04vupEbJHwBxHSJDVM6ZJ4FHrxSXj12a7cV55gJpMS72d0JUJfvTXzbvydYUN_WjxnHNuHO85FbvofUJk/s320/image_67160577.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOZKPjzDxAuAaoRW9zNbWGFGkW9l_OA4N2RUBpju0qFFyAS0JXk5YwHVq7X8ZOGjX_FJI4yHQHEjeycAi3_y26P93vam2ANJgfUjLVO12dmiIRxcHt53TtCGDrd10N7nxxy0qvkyDaTfo/s2048/image_67186945.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOZKPjzDxAuAaoRW9zNbWGFGkW9l_OA4N2RUBpju0qFFyAS0JXk5YwHVq7X8ZOGjX_FJI4yHQHEjeycAi3_y26P93vam2ANJgfUjLVO12dmiIRxcHt53TtCGDrd10N7nxxy0qvkyDaTfo/s320/image_67186945.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(no one in the parking office, no problem for me)</div><br /><br /><p><br /></p></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>G. Travis Norvellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10873135928771577833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1707738022855804425.post-69570737574469426962021-08-10T17:33:00.001-05:002021-08-13T07:51:55.036-05:00In Praise of Dave Walker<p>If you don't know the name Dave Walker by now, you need to. </p><p>Dave is a committed cyclists, a cartooned, and an active Methodist! </p><p>I was introduced to Dave via <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/carltonreid/?sh=59583dbb5452">Carlton Reid</a> when I asked him if he knew of any clergy who were committed cyclists. He said, "I don't think Dave is a member of the clergy. But he is a cyclist and draws great church + cycling cartoons for the <a href="https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2021/6-august/regulars/cartoons/dave-walker">Church Times</a>." I immediately found Dave on Twitter, the Church Times' web page and then began a basking in his wonderfulness.</p><p>Dave, more than anyone I know, has been able to communicate the beauty, functionality, and justice of cycling and church going more than anyone I know. Go here for a wonderful <a href="https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2021/16-july/audio-video/podcast/dave-walkers-guide-to-cycling-to-church-and-elsewhere">Church Times podcast</a> (warning, the audio is a low, you'll need to turn it up), go here for a wonderful article he wrote, <a href="https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2021/16-july/features/features/off-to-church-on-two-wheels">Off to Church on Two Wheels</a>, for the Church Times, and go here to <a href="https://bookshop.org/books/from-a-to-b-a-cartoon-guide-to-getting-around-by-bike/9781472976130">pre-order his book</a>, available in the US September 7, 2021.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-production.bookshop.org/spree/images/attachments/13901643/original/9781472976130.jpg?1612954754" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="187" data-original-width="184" height="400" src="https://images-production.bookshop.org/spree/images/attachments/13901643/original/9781472976130.jpg?1612954754" width="394" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Also, Dave, while chatting on the podcast, gave me a great idea e-bikes for clergy. But get this big brain idea, we call them Clerg-E-Bikes! </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>G. Travis Norvellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10873135928771577833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1707738022855804425.post-34478557982121403862021-08-07T09:31:00.000-05:002021-08-07T09:31:17.038-05:00Walking, Bicycling, Public Transit and Faith Communities News Roundup: August 7, 2021. <p>-<a href="https://www.christiancentury.org/article/features/restoring-bicycles-and-lives-memphis">The Christian Century</a> published a wonderful article by Elaine Blanchard on <a href="https://www.revolutionsmemphis.com">Revolutions Bike Co-Op</a>. What you may not know is that Revolutions Bike Co-Op is located in First Congregational church in Memphis, TN. I spoke with the pastor a few years ago and talked about their creative building use and bicycling ministry. I love this church and I love this model! </p><p>Speaking of bikes, Minneapolis Community and Technical College is now offering a <a href="https://minneapolis.edu/npo?fbclid=IwAR1pv7qpjVn5AcxCDns-Ns97xRk7NoNAeLf13jD4bBkWWyVfDSyni1oIO6A">Bicycle Assembly and Repair Technician</a>! This coupled with the Minnesota State College Southeast Technical and Community College's in Red Wing campus <a href="https://www.southeastmn.edu/academics/program.aspx?p=89">Bicycle Design and Fabrication</a> program I think I am now sending my CV to offer my commencement address services, pro bono.</p><p>-Author Angie Schmitt, author of <a href="https://islandpress.org/books/right-way">Right of Way</a>, was on WBUR's On Point program talking about pedestrian issues, road safety and general amazingness. <iframe frameborder="no" height="124" scrolling="no" src="https://player.wbur.org/onpoint/2021/08/03/in-right-of-way-angie-schmitt-explains-the-rise-of-us-pedestrian-deaths" width="100%"></iframe> </p><p>-<a href="https://metrocouncil.org/Council-Meetings/Committees/Transportation-Committee/2021/August-9,-2021/Info-1-_-StrongerBetter.aspx">Metro Transit</a> (the Twin Cities' public transit organization) is offering $1 fares for September and October as a way to entice riders back. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjdKmvjKMRhppUTBZUGAUprKJSMMGuUA8_tlm2dHBCNKkXTDtKit9S-aYVrWkA3k53p0mCvxiaVXqCTptlbQJUBlM26jnDA2hLNwxY0N8MREBlbLVHxDGHBRbDZFFsXp5TcZhGjWl6Cec/s2048/Screen+Shot+2021-08-07+at+9.13.08+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1139" data-original-width="2048" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjdKmvjKMRhppUTBZUGAUprKJSMMGuUA8_tlm2dHBCNKkXTDtKit9S-aYVrWkA3k53p0mCvxiaVXqCTptlbQJUBlM26jnDA2hLNwxY0N8MREBlbLVHxDGHBRbDZFFsXp5TcZhGjWl6Cec/w400-h223/Screen+Shot+2021-08-07+at+9.13.08+AM.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I love this idea, I hope they keep it at $1 going forward. Make transit cheaper than gas - that's the only way public transit can win!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-And I'd love it if you invested a little under an hour of your time listening to <a href="https://twitter.com/_LauraHartman">Dr. Laura Hartman</a>, the world's authority on church parking lots & professor at Roanoke College, on the <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/nl/podcast/look-at-the-parking-lot-brian-w-dr-laura-hartman/id1529749127?i=1000529795873">Logos(ish) podcast</a>. Dr. Hartman not only talks about parking lots, but beautifully explains the wonderful role of congregations to inspire and encourage community transformation. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-Finally, do you have an old cotton mask that you are going to throw away? DON'T. If you can still use it, use it. But if it has a hole in it, don't throw it away. Instead, send it to Rev. Laura Everett, Ex. Director of the <a href="https://www.masscouncilofchurches.org">Massachusetts Council of Churches</a>, she is mending them! You may know Rev. Everett as the author of <a href="https://bookshop.org/books/holy-spokes-the-search-for-urban-spirituality-on-two-wheels/9780802873736?aid=13166">Holy Spokes</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E7836yCWUAkRqqZ?format=jpg&name=large" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E7836yCWUAkRqqZ?format=jpg&name=large" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>G. Travis Norvellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10873135928771577833noreply@blogger.com0