TTLA + Finding my Place

Today I got to hang out at the Disciples of Christ Historical Society for the meeting of the Tennessee Theological Library Association. It was so, so much fun being surrounded by people who have, more or less, my same professional interests.

Theological librarianship is a pretty narrow field, so it's always been kind of a novelty to find people who were part of it. But since working in the Divinity Library it's become an everyday thing! I am so thrilled to be working here with such interesting and intelligent people who geek out over the same things I do. I keep saying how wonderful it's been to feel like I'm among "my people."

So as much as I miss San Diego (although I still don't think it's really sunk in yet), I am really overjoyed to be here learning and experiencing this new and exciting environment. It's so certainly where I belong.

We made it!

I know it's been super quiet and sad around here the last few weeks. But we finally made it!

Curtis and I are safe and sound in Nashville. Today marks ONE FULL WEEK of being Nashvillians, and the end of my first full work week. Needless to say I am exhausted. But the best kind of exhausted.

I'm actually almost feeling like a fully-functioning human being for the most part (getting caught up on school work, not having to use a map to drive to and from work), so I expect I'll be back to blogging soon. I didn't realize how much I've missed it!

If you want to check out some photos (like the one above, which I took on the road in Arkansas), you should check out our Nashville Diaries blog.

For now though, I wonder if you all have any MUST-SEE Nashville places we need to check out.

So far we've been to the Pharmacy (I had a FALAFEL BURGER!) and Nashville Biscuit House, plus I've driven through Bicentennial Park a couple times, and I could see the Parthenon at Centennial Park from my HR training room (though I haven't actually been there yet).

Where do we still need to go? Let me know in the comments!

Subverting the Norm: Eucharist as Deconstruction

I know, I am SO BEHIND on everything in life right now.

I am still meaning to do a write-up about the Subverting the Norm conference, which was so SO awesome.

For now, though, I did want to make available the paper I presented there. I meant to post it beforehand, but I didn't want to give it all away before my session! I think it was pretty well received, and got some good conversation going--like, if Eucharist breaks down hierarchies, what are we to say about ordination, or the fact that (in many traditions) only certain people may administer the elements?

Anyway, give it a read and let me know what you think!

Abstract:The liturgy of Eucharist is a deconstructive act within the Church in that it calls into question and breaks down hierarchical social structures and individualized faith in order to create a true and unified body within Christ’s broken body at his table. In this essay, I will briefly attempt to elucidate deconstruction, I will make a few points regarding the Eucharist’s sacramental and unifying nature, and then I will show how the Eucharist deconstructs, but also re-constructs, the Church. This deconstruction and re-construction means  recognizing and remembering that we Christians are one, at one table with the Lord, and that for this to be so, we must submit to the breaking down of the structures in which we often find comfort, but which inhibit true communion with each other and with Christ. In order to be re-constructed into the real, present body of Christ, we must allow and embrace the Eucharist as deconstruction.

Paper: CLICK HERE for PDF.

Pug Mug Monday

I took quite a few Ebenezer photos this week.

Not sorry bout it.

One week til move day.

Happy Monday!