Light of God Blog - CCU Lowell

Laos: Hour 12 and Counting

author — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:23:56 +0000

The hours I’ve spent in Asia (Japan to change flights; Bangkok for 36 hours; Laos for 12hours) have been remarkable, if only for the fast pace and the amazing people/places/experiences/food already experienced! (Global song too!)
Flight was butt-achingly long; it takes many hours to fly over the island of Japan, let along from Hudson Bay, Canada beyond Juno Alaska.
Followed by Eight hours from Japan to Bangkok!

We made it from the airport in Bangkok to our hotel and bed at 2:30am, 2:30pm (the next day) EST.
Crazy thing is we were up by 6:00!
After breakfast in the hotel (scrambled eggs, toast & coffee) we walked in search of the Jim Thompson House.
Found it. Caught so many sights of Thailand. Buddhist monks in saffron robes, signs of flood, etc…
Three hours early, we walked around the neighborhood. Ted had a hunch we were close to the Christ Church United of Thailand
(actually he had no idea where we were). Behold, we literally walked onto the compound!
Miracle of miracles, we met the former Executive Director ("Bishop") of this ecumenical body, someone who had been to visit Ted in Lowell twice.
Dr. Sin! (last name is to long to spell)

So……back to hotel and back to CCU, Thailand for worship
Then, 9:45, Dr Sin’s sermon, delivered to 100 Church Educators from many countries.
Then, 10:40 Jim Thompson House where we met up with dad’s classmate, Bill Klausner for the "presidential tour" of the museum and a delicious lunch which lasted late…3:30ish.

For both Ted and myself, spending "quality" time with Bill, a man who has lived in Thailand since 1959, was just short of another miracle. His knowledge of
"things" Asian (history, art, religion, current events, etc) was riveting. He speaks Lao fluently! Trains Peace Corps Volunteers in the cross-cultural essentials; Teaches at a Thai University; He loved Ted, and Ted was amazed at Bill’s knowledge.
Bill was quite impressed with us too, I’m sure.

3:00, 1/26, nap in hotel.
6:00 Out walking the streets of downtown Bangkok last night.
Wouldn’t you know…we saw colorful Asian dancing…the last night of a cultural festival.
Serious costumes, though we dance better at the Christmas celebrations at CCU Lowell.
Meandered home and "hit the hay"
Up at 4:00 (couldn’t sleep) to charge batteries, back-up video

6:30 taxi to Airport to retrieve one lost bag, find Lao Air and fly to Vientiane.
Ted’s two brothers, and two more Lao met us and whisked us through customs thanks, in part, to the letter of introduction from the leader of the Lowell cultural center. After checking in to our hotel, we went seeking government permission for me to visit Ted’s home village.
This took us to the office of the third most powerful man in the govt.
He said "No, can’t go!"
By sundown, his subordinates essentially said "go" but no preaching! (They heard my sermons are too long!)
Into this Ministry office, across town to that Ministry office. Tiresome afternoon in the "other world" capital city of a very poor country.
Lots of motos, cars, three wheeled taxis, and architectural vestiges of French colonial rule, etc.
Hot and humid. (Pack better next trip)
Back to hotel for nap

5:00 out to dinner. Govt. official shows up to dine with us! (8)
Nice guy. Ted’s two brothers (both farmers) were along with us.
Very nice restaurant. Chose not to ingest fried baby birds, and a few other delicacies! (God knows if I’ll get sick or not; haven’t been away from the states long enough to find out)

Ted and his two brothers are asleep in room next door.
I gather, tomorrow we shop, drink a bee or two and definitely eat more rice!

TIme for bed,

WOW, God is Good! Buddha is good! Sweet Dreams!

Peter

Testing 1,2,3…Three Days

author — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 17:36:52 +0000

Hi All
I am about to begin an opportunity of a life time – a three month sabbatical to “grow the multicultural church through global song”
PART ONE IS 7 WEEKS (1/24-3/18)
I’ll be traveling to Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Japan with Pastor Ted Rasakham, to the Caribbean (Puerto Rico) to speak a bit of Spanish and immerse myself in Latin culture/music.
Also, the South by Southwest Music Festival in Austin, TX is on the docket!

PART TWO IS 6 WEEKS 3/19-4/29)
I’ll be in New England for most of this time.
My days will be spent editing my recordings at the Media Center at Andover Newton; reading, writing, planning, spending time w/ family.
Welcoming Spring!

Christ Church United in Lowell will be ably led by Rev. Brita Gill-Austern, a professor at Andover Newton Theological School.
They will be engaged in relationship-bilding between the three congregations (Lao, UCC, Iglesia Hispana de la Communidad, Christ Church United), going on an overnight retreat, and living into our vision to be “Loved by God, Love our Neighbors, and Walk the Way of Justice.”
This opportunity, funded by the Lilly Endowment, is the opportunity of a lifetime! I am grateful to all who encouraged my efforts to write this grant, and who have been supportive of this vision. This will, God willing, be an amazing time for myself and for the church in Lowell.

I will be using a HD Video camera, my I-Phone when possible, to record various parts of the trip.
With the help of Chris C-P, I will keep in touch via a blog, and/or internal church e-mails. To follow along: http://wewelcomeall.org/blog.aspx

I ask your prayers for a safe travels for myself, Ted and my family.
I ask your prayers for Christ Church United, Lao UCC, and Iglesia Hispana de la Communidad, three unique and exciting communities of faith which worship in the same building, and sometimes, together!

May our awesome God bless us all on our travels, give to us fresh insights, inspiring new friendships, and rest!

In Christ’s Love,

Pastor Peter

Testing 1,2,3…Three Days and Counting Down

author — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 17:12:22 +0000

January 21, 2012

Hi All
I am about to begin an opportunity of a life time – a three month sabbatical to “grow the multicultural church through global song.”

PART ONE IS 7 WEEKS (1/24-3/18)
I’ll be traveling to Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Japan with Pastor Ted Rasakham; to the Caribbean (Puerto Rico) to speak a bit of Spanish and immerse myself in Latin culture/music. The South by Southwest Music Festival in Austin, TX is also on the docket!

PART TWO IS 6 WEEKS (3/19-4/29)
I’ll be in New England. My days will be spent editing my recordings at the Media Center at Andover Newton; reading, writing, planning, spending time w/ family. Welcoming Spring!

Christ Church United in Lowell will be ably led by Rev. Brita Gill-Austern, a professor at Andover Newton Theological School.
CCU will be engaged in relationship-bilding between the three congregations (Lao, UCC, Iglesia Hispana de la Communidad, Christ Church United), going on an overnight retreat, and living into our vision to be “Loved by God, Loving our Neighbors, and Walking the Way of Justice.”

The Sabbatical – funded by the Lilly Endowment – is the opportunity of a lifetime! I am grateful to all who encouraged my efforts to write this grant, and who have been supportive throughout this process. This promises to be an amazing time for all of us.

I will be using a HD Video camera, my I-Phone when possible, to record various places/parts of the trip. To follow along: http://wewelcomeall.org/blog.aspx

May our awesome God bless us all, and give to us fresh insights, inspiring new friendships, and renewal!

In Christ’s Love,

Pastor Peter
revlovett
(617) 365-6790

Reaching Out – December 2011

author — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 00:47:49 +0000

Click here to read our December 2011 edition of Christ Church United in Lowell‘s Reaching Out newsletter, full of news, events, and activities. Thanks to Karen S-M for her efforts in putting it together!

Reaching Out – November 2011

author — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 21:23:41 +0000

Hi CCU folks,

Click here to read our November edition of Christ Church United in Lowell‘s Reaching Out newsletter, full of news, events, and activities. Thanks to Karen S-M for her efforts in putting it together!

Reaching Out – Fall 2011 Edition

author — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 18:57:45 +0000

Hi CCU folks,

Click here to read our Fall edition of Christ Church United in Lowell‘s Reaching Out newsletter, chock full of news, events, and activities. Thanks to Karen S-M for her efforts in putting it together!

“Under the Oak” – A Place to Express Your Creativity

author — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 13:30:49 +0000

“Under the Oak”*

A Place to Express Your Creativity

In a welcoming and friendly space

Art and Craft Making

Free and Open to All

Coffee and Light lunch Provided

Beginning September 2011 – Open every Tuesday

Drop-in anytime between 11 AM -2 PM

Christ Church United, United Church of Christ

180 E. Merrimack Street (enter through back door on Bartlett St.)

Lowell, MA

For information: (978) 459-9631/ judieb@comcast.net

www.WeWelcomeAll.org

*Genesis 18:1-15

Pastor Peter’s Bike Journey to Niagara Falls

author — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 01:35:04 +0000

Here’s few very quick videos of Pastor Peter on his cross-country bike journey to fight homelessness.

Support his efforts to fight homelessness by donating at http://www.AllSoulsHouse.org

Pastor Peter’s Bike Journey to Fight Homelessness (Day 3, 8/2/11)

author — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 15:24:18 +0000

Pastor Peter’s Bike Journey to fight homelessness, Day 3 (8/2/11): Click link to view his video message.

Support his efforts to fight homelessness by donating at http://www.AllSoulsHouse.org

Pastor Peter’s Bike Journey Day 2 (Erie Canal, 8/1/11)

author — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 00:06:42 +0000

Pastor Peter has made it to the Erie Canal! Here is his second video message from the first lock at the Erie Canal.

Pastor Peter says, “Long hot day on the Erie. I’ve passed Utica and will pedal beyond Syracuse tomorrow. Bedding down in Rome, NY.”

Support his efforts to fight homelessness by donating at http://www.AllSoulsHouse.org