I had never played the lottery before in my life until last week.

When the Mega Millions drawing topped at well over $600 million last week, I admit I caught the "bug." I suggested to my husband that we should buy a ticket. We didn't spend much, just a paltry five bucks. I figured why not throw our hat in the ring just this once? I knew the odds weren't in our favor, but if we didn't win it simply meant that we'd lose five dollars, and I could probably recoup that by turning over our couch and shaking out all the loose change!

Working as a chaplain intern in an emergency room (ER) in a Washington hospital last spring, I noticed a disturbing link among the patients. More than half of all patients admitted to the ER had problems stemming from relational problems and poor life-style choices. Overweight patients came in with diabetes, asthma, joint problems, and cardiac problems. Men passed out on the street from excessive drinking or other drug abuses. Elderly patients were dropped off by relatives late on Saturday afternoon-too late to find a ride home over the weekend. Young men and women fearful of contracting AIDS came in to be tested. Among psyche patients the link was even more pronounced. For the most part, the doctors treated the presenting diagnosis and released them.

I am scheduled to go on sabbatical this summer (June - August). I am looking forward to this extended time away-and it is luscious to think about this close to Easter! Certainly there is the attraction of having a break from the day to day church "stuff"-do I really need to list it out here?! But more enticing is what I actually have planned for the sabbatical-being church in the 21st century. As denominational loyalty is waning and as those seeking spiritual experiences seem to like Jesus, but aren't so keen on church, I believe churches, communities of faith, are being given an opportunity to explore and examine what it means to be church for the 21st century.

The PCUSA is infected with a disease: self-loathing. We are constantly talking about what is wrong. Obviously, we have our problems. However, we have amazing assets, assets that are going unappreciated and sometimes under-utilized. When I go to the PCUSA website and look at the budgets, worship attendance and membership in many of this Presbytery's congregations, it is pretty impressive.

hallelujah -- exclamation (1) a shout of joy, praise, or gratitude [Hebrew. hallalu-yah, praise Jehovah]

Hallelujah -- song written by Leonard Cohen, sometimes referred to as "Broken Hallelujah." Popular covers by John Cale, Jeff Buckley, Rufus Wainwright, k.d. lang, Bob Dylan, Bon Jovi, Justin Timberlake and others.