"I can sometimes see whales ...".

Billman, Kathleen

The author of Preaching Helps for the April issue of Currents in Theology and Mission is Kjersten Priddy, who for the past year and a half has been involved in interim ministry at Paul's Lutheran Church in Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif. One of the blessings of ministry in this place is that Kjersten can sometimes catch a glimpse of whales from her office window.

Not all of us are fortunate to live beside an ocean and catch sight, from time to time, of the extraordinary sight of a whale breaking the surface of the sea. But perhaps, from time to time, amid our own contexts of ministry, we catch sight of something that retains the power to inspire; the power to connect us to the earth and to all God's creatures, and awaken us to the wonders of daily life even in ordinary time.

The texts for this issue of Preaching Helps take the Christian assembly from the remembrance of Ascension Day and Pentecost into the long season of Pentecost. From recalling the momentous events of extraordinary time--the larger than life events that changed the direction of life and history for our forebears in the faith--to remembrances of faithfulness during the less dramatic rhythms of ordinary time, these texts both widen horizons and offer solid ground. We are invited to once again tell of the moments that changed the direction of life for Jesus' followers and for the church, and to bear witness to times when wind and flame have come into our own lives of faith, inspiring risks we never thought possible; hopes we could never have manufactured but could only have come as a life-giving gift. We are also invited to stay attentive and open to surprise during the seasons where the Spirit's movements are less easily discerned. The texts for this season are marvelous texts to keep us rooted ... and surprised.

Kathleen Billman

Interim Editor of Preaching Helps