MarciaEBA: March 2011

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Sometimes we understand God’s hand at work just because of the confluence of events. I started this blog to get out the “message” of Evergreen Association’s Leader Retreat. As I neared the “end” of the report, I realized I had started something that was just too good to abandon. I was scared about what that would mean, but continued to plow ahead and have easily found things to lift up.

Last night, one of my colleagues from Tuesday’s cultural competency training event reminded me that we had agreed to go to Pacific Lutheran University to hear Tim Wise, an author and activist. What a treat! There were many lessons to take away from that 2 hour event, but the primary one that I shared with Stacy on our ride north was that I must “tell the story.” The story of Evergreen needs to be told, and perhaps the best way to begin telling it will be in these blogs.

As it happened, when I came into the office this morning (yes, I’m finally getting myself into the office, rather than working out of my condo—thank goodness for healing bodies, especially feet!), I picked up an old Christian Century that hadn’t made it to my condo. In it was an article on preaching by William H. Willamon, in which he said, “Preaching is so difficult that no one can do it without being summoned. Few of us preachers mount a pulpit on Sunday morning because we are naturally good at it and enjoy mouthing off before a crowd. We got put there.” (Christian Century, February 8, 2011, page 11). I want to say amen to that and that I feel the same way about telling the Evergreen Story, mostly because in my opinion it is a story with many voices and I am only one. However, one thing I learned last night, is that (whether I like it or not) I have been called to tell the story. I can more easily name some of the past wrongs by my culture (white, middle class, American Baptist), although I’m also bound to miss some (the culture is my lens), and I can invite other voices in and will on occasion even quote others. I am summoned to this task.

So the Evergreen Story, by Marcia Patton starts with this apology, not a good way to start, but where I must start. I am surprised more often than not that I am in this position, doing the work I’m doing. I was raised in Temperance, Michigan - a white, Anglo-Saxon protestant community. Really, no kidding! A Catholic Church did not come to Temperance until I was in high school! And, if there were non-Christians in Temperance, they kept such a low profile I was totally unaware of them. There certainly were not people of color. I saw people of color every now and then when we drove the 5 miles or so to Toledo Ohio to shop. But usually we shopped at the nearest shopping center; we rarely went downtown shopping where we’d be more likely to meet people of color. So, I am not one that can say my childhood friend led me to this place. My best friend as a child was a Catholic! And she had a small hand in leading me where I am by her own faith and actions, but I can’t claim any childhood proclivity to the work today. I did not have to overcome, I was raised in privilege. It has taken too long for me to acknowledge that. I have 3 brothers and 2 sisters; my Dad worked swing shifts at the coal-burning power plant, he held a job with that company until he retired at age 62; and my Mom stayed home. She eventually went to work around the time I went to college. Mind you, my family didn’t have a lot of money, but my parents were buying our home and I never remember being hungry. I do remember eating a lot of homemade bread and hating the powdered milk of the days my Dad was on strike one year, but hunger, no. We had land for a garden and froze vegetables that I still yearn for occasionally today. I am privileged. I am a straight woman, never married. I sometimes say that the single life is more confusing to folks than even homosexual marriage. But I know that while the single life is misunderstood by some, it has not caused me the hurt and pain that many gay, lesbian, transgendered, and bisexual people experience. I am privileged.

I will in subsequent blogs tell the Evergreen story, through my understanding and my lens. I am determined to do it justice and will with God’s grace and yours. This is the longest blog so far, I’m sure there will be more to come. Please respond as you are led and able.

Marcia

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Marcia

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Sunday was the memorial service for our colleague and friend, Marcus Walker. The tributes were touching, meaning filled and funny! Thanks to Lauren (Marcus’ wife), his sons and family and friends for putting together such a wonderful tribute for someone too soon gone from our midst. The Burton Church Choir sang marvelously, to so many! Yet, somehow, I want to expect Marcus to still be around…

Yesterday, I spent the day with ecumenical colleagues over in Spokane doing a training event. The majority of the audience (well, all but one) were United Methodist pastors. We were presenting a seven-hour workshop called “Difference Makes a Difference.” It is a second level (after an introductory seven-hour workshop) on cultural competency. In this workshop, we review skills introduced at the first, then go deeper into the Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity. I worked with a United Methodist and two Lutheran colleagues.

I was reminded of how Evergreen must engage in this work, and how we seek to do so regularly in our meetings. I was also led to reflect how we can still minimize our differences. We must continually seek to be sure that we take the time to know ourselves and gain insight on how others do work, so we can creatively use the gifts and skills of everyone in Evergreen. This is an ongoing task. It is a part of jigsaw puzzle.

Marcus Walker is a good example of being/doing the unexpected. Many at his Memorial commented on the seeming inconsistency of being a Baptist Minister and a playhouse director. But truth be told, I see no inconsistency in that, I want to say, yes and why not?! Marcus was gifted in such a way that he clearly made an impact in both those worlds, toward God. One of the skills noticed was how Marcus could call out the best in others and support others in what they were doing. God knows how to use our gifts. We, too, must learn to do so.

As we learn to do this within Evergreen, it is will be a gift to share with the world. The world generally knows and affirms a “conformed” way of doing things, one that rarely sees the “different” gift as acceptable. We will be challenged to learn this acceptance in Evergreen and more challenged to share how to share it with the world. First we must work to make sure within Evergreen that we both listen to all the voices and affirm the various gifts and talents among us. It means that things will not always been done in ways we expect. We may all be surprised at times. But we serve the God of surprises! Let us prepare to serve our God well.

Marcia

Friday, March 18, 2011

Greetings readers, a happy post St. Patrick’s Day to you! I didn’t post yesterday because I was attending the Interfaith Advocacy Day in Olympia, Washington. I will admit that I’m a reluctant attendee at these events. But, after I go, I always feel it was time well spent. In addition to the time for conversation and presentations among those attending, I was part of small delegations to my State Senator and to the Speaker of the House. Both individuals are working hard to make sure that our state budget does not do away with important programs for those with the least in our state. They understand that the budget is a moral document and are working hard to make sure that what can be done will be done.

They both said that one thing that helps is for the voter in our state to understand the choices that are being made. Evergreen is working on developing a statement on Sacred Action for Justice. Going to Olympia and meeting with representatives is one way to do that, but we can also bring things like our state’s budget to our classrooms in our churches. With the Bible in one hand, and things like state and national budget’s in the other, how can we help our legislators do their job better? How can we be better citizens when we are asked to cast our vote, especially those times we may be asked to vote for taxes? My State Senator also indicated that she is willing (other than during the legislative session) to come to local churches and meet with groups of people. What would it mean to invite legislators to come and share how their faith and their work for us meet? How do we help our church members also be good citizens? We need to take our Christianity with us wherever we go but we do not always prepare our people to do so. Please receive this as ideas for your consideration.

Grace and peace to you,

Marcia

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

March 16, 2011

We continue to be concerned for the people of Japan. I’ve sent information to all Evergreen Pastors about how Japanese Baptist Church in particular is dealing with this disaster and also from the ground information from our Missionaries there. You can always donate to relief efforts through One Great Hour of Sharing.

This blog started because of the work of the Leader Retreat in February. So what does all this mean? Will it all make any difference in the way Evergreen does things? The simple answer is yes and no. Some things will be different. There is a lot of “buzz” in our meetings these days about needing to take a hard look at the schedule of the Annual Meeting. We need both better interaction between caucuses and some of our caucuses are still in the learning phase of figuring out how to do business by consensus. I anticipate that come this October our work will be different than it has been the last several years. Our intent is to turn some things around. We will still have wonderful worship and important words from a guest speaker/preacher but the rest of the day will have a different feel.

The Building Bridges Day is coming fast. Register today. We were quite intentional in asking Eric Law to be with us. His plenary on Grace Margin Conversations is one answer to our Leader Retreat. I want to encourage you to look over the offerings and sign up today. Just today we are adding a workshop as Ray Schooler will be in the area. Ray works for International Ministries and will share how to help your church connect with International Ministries.

Marcia

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Good day to each one reading this. My return flight last night was cancelled, so I had to take a later plane, which meant returning in the midst of the wind and rain! However, ABSW had a good visit with the ATS team and are looking forward to the preliminary report from the team today.

I’d like to turn our thoughts to the fourth “edge” or “mission priority” narrative from the leader team that met last month. This one is on “Sharing the Evergreen Story.” The small group offered this narrative:

“The Evergreen Story and current events are on the internet, in the newspaper, on facebook and twitter and whatever new thing is coming along. A good quality production video of Evergreen is on UTube and available on DVD.

People in Evergreen have conversations with lots of people wherever they are about Evergreen.

There are young adults and teenagers involved in the life of Evergreen, they are at all events and meetings.

More churches/organization are using consensus in their decision making process. Creative ways of power sharing (such as caucuses) are being developed and used. More churches are using Kaleidoscope Bible Study, Respect Communication Guidelines, Mutual Invitation in the life of their churches.

Annually congregations are added to the Evergreen family because we are planting church—especially Hispanic/Latino(a) and Native American churches. More congregations are joining Evergreen because they are embracing the benefits of associating with American Baptist Churches and Evergreen.

Every church has an Evergreen Storyteller who keeps the Evergreen story before the congregation with the result that more people are attending events and understanding the relationship between the local church and Evergreen Association.”

What does this inspire in you? How do you connect with the Evergreen story? What is your Evergreen story? We’d like to start by publishing more Evergreen stories in our Newsletter. Do you have something to share? Please contact us through the contact page or directly to me at marciaeba@comcast.net

Marcia

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

A blessed Ash Wednesday to you. As we enter into Lent (whether or not you are a member of a congregation that “practices” Lent), I commend to you this time of reflection and action on our spiritual journey and what Christ has done for us and how Christ has shown us life.

I am really writing this on “”Shrove Tuesday” or Mardi Gras, but since I’m leaving very early tomorrow morning to go to Berkeley to participate in the ATS visit at American Baptist Seminary of the West, I thought it better to post early than not at all because it is Ash Wednesday. It being such a day has nothing directly related to the post for today, because I am continuing the “painting” of the inside of the “jigsaw puzzle” of Evergreen. This posting is sharing the narrative of the “Reaching Beyond our Borders” group.

As Evergreen explores becoming a change agent by reaching beyond our borders we will:

Successfully interface with community partners in a variety of projects, learning from their strengths and impacting the community
Form closer bonds with ecumenical and interfaith partners, learning to better understand their viewpoints in order to enrich our own.
Be more intentionally active in social justice issues, including ongoing work on the Call to Sacred Action which will be a foundational part of our identity.
Increase our understanding of our denominational milieu and individual differences/similarities in Regions

Action Items:

Continued present on Church Council of Greater Seattle and other ecumenical councils as appropriate
Encourage churches engaged in the Missional Church Learning Experience
Annual Mission focus, possibly including trip/offering
Annual local one-day project for all churches to be involved, example: “Christmas in April”

Once again, we are called to “increase our way of being”. What does this offer to you? What questions does it raise for you?

Marcia

Monday, March 7, 2011

Computer problems as well as other concerns led to my not posting for a few days. Thanks to those who are reading regularly. I want to continue the description of our virtual “jigsaw” puzzle. We’ve outlined the four corners, our core values: Unity, Cultural Diversity, Acceptance and Shifting Perspectives and the four edges, our mission priorities: Building Bridges, Equipping Congregations, Reaching Beyond our Borders and Sharing the Evergreen Story. The next assignment at our Leader Retreat was to meet in four small groups and develop “narratives” about each of these mission priorities. The narratives were to describe what Evergreen would be like 3 to 5 years forward because we had paid attention to these mission priorities. Starting with today’s post, I’ll share with you over the next 4 posts the narratives as they came to us from the participants at the leader retreat.

The first one dealt with “Building Bridges.” Evergreen churches build bridges that carry the message of who we are and accepts the message of who others are. Those bridges open the door for the creation of relationships. Relationships begin through participation in Evergreen that lead to an increased number of people being involved, and intentional intergenerational connections. Those relationships result in support of one another through acceptance, understanding and sensitivity to our cultural differences. So that more people now live and tell the Evergreen story.

What do you think? How will you work with us to build bridges? What does your church do to build bridges? We’d love to hear your feedback, you can use the contact us page or email me at Marcia@ea-abc.org.

Marcia

Monday, March 2, 2011

I have been considering the jigsaw puzzle of Evergreen Association that the people attending our recent Leaders Retreat worked on. We have the outline almost finished because we have the four corners of the puzzle, our core values: unity, cultural diversity, acceptance and shifting perspectives. We’ve also looked at three of the four “edges”, our mission priorities: Building Bridges, Equipping Congregations and Reaching Beyond our Borders. Today I’d like to reflect a bit on the fourth edge, mission priority, “Sharing the Evergreen Way.” This is not only an edge, it may become a motto or tag line for us.

Sharing the Evergreen way, is simple and complex. Our consensus and caucus work makes us unique in a lot of cultures. Our determination to work toward making every voice count means we are doing things differently. Our business and our play/work times have a different flavor and sense than whatever was before. We don’t want to say in any way that we have arrived, but we are on a collective journey that is interesting and fun and has the sense of God’s blessing. So we’ve begun to call it “the Evergreen Way.” I’ve written before in these blogs about the “call of God” to do this work, a significant part of that call is the sense that we need to share what we are doing as widely as possible, outside the Evergreen constituents, in particular with the wider American Baptist family, but also in the wider Christian world and because we believe God calls all Christians to witness to the wider world, too. So “sharing the Evergreen way” is an expression of our calling. Please let me be clear, it is one way of witnessing and sharing Christ. We do this because of God’s call, not because of pride or an arrogance that we think we are doing everything right (we know better than that). So we don’t call it “God’s way” although we believe that God is guiding us, but we call it the Evergreen Way, in the hopes that by sharing what we do and who we are, we can make a positive difference for the world. Won’t you join us?

Please share your thinking about this growing puzzle. Either through the contact us on this web site or directly to me at Marcia@ea-abc.org

Marcia

Monday, February 28, 2011

The American Baptist Seminary of the West board meetings were started by a learning session with the Rev. Eric Law, founder and director of Kaleidoscope Institute and Kristina Gonzalez from the Northwest United Methodist Church conference office. The training event and meetings were good. I returned home, to celebrate yesterday with Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Baptist Church, their 34th Anniversary. Dr. Manaway from Tabernacle Baptist Church preached. The music from both churches and Daystar Church was outstanding.

I’ve been unpacking or building the jigsaw puzzle of Evergreen Association of American Baptist Churches. We began by looking at the four corners of the puzzle, our core values: unity, cultural diversity, acceptance and shifting perspectives. In the last few postings we have turned to the “edges” of the puzzle, our mission priorities: Building Bridges, Equipping Congregations, Sharing the Evergreen Way and Reaching Beyond our Borders. I’ll tackle “Sharing the Evergreen Way” on the next posting, I want to say a few words today about “Reaching Beyond our Borders.” One of the things that I don’t think I’ve mentioned in these postings is how those of us gathered (the Evergreen Leadership) felt called to our work together, that is how we felt that Evergreen was called to do some specific thigns. We shared that feeling and sense of wonder of God at work in us and through us. This “mission priority” of the call to share what we have learned, and to work together outside of Evergreen is certainly a part of our call. It is seen and understood in our desire to make a difference in the wider ABC family but also to the community and world at large in terms of justice issues and spreading the good news of God’s love and grace. ABC/USA is the most ethnic diverse denomination in the US. The US will in the next 20-30 years be as diverse as the ABC is today. We must learn to work with that diversity well. If the church does not lead the way in this work, then we will have failed God. If all our work is done within the Evergreen we haven’t done what we have been called to do.

Thank you for reading these postings and please respond via our “contact us” web page. May God bless you in these days.

Marcia

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Our consideration in these reflections has been the “jigsaw” puzzle we worked on at our Leader Retreat, February 11 and 12. I have reflected on the four core values (the 4 corners of the jigsaw puzzle), “unity”, “cultural diversity”, “acceptance” and “shifting perspectives”. Yesterday I began the process of reflecting on the edges of the puzzle, our mission priorities. I considered first the mission priority of “Building Bridges”. Today, I want to reflect on “Equipping Congregations”. This mission priority, like Building Bridges, comes straight out of our mission statement, “to provide resources to equip member churches to share Christ and teach God’s word.” I remember that the Vision Team spent awhile on this provision of the mission statement, both to have it there (lots of affirmation) and to have it speak correctly of what we were supporting congregations to do. It is no small task for the local congregation or us in our work to help churches in every way we can. Just this morning the Ed Team met to put together what we call our Building Bridges Day. Eric Law will be with us this year, sharing with us in plenary session about “Grace Margins.” He’ll share considerations for having those harder conversations we have in our churches. I’m sure everyone will find something worthwhile in the presentation. The next weekend, the Missional Church Learning Experience will have their third round of meetings toward making a difference in their neighborhoods. This is just an example though, of equipping churches. I’ve also spoken of the unintended consequences of Evergreen. One example of this is when a local church has decided to do their work by consensus, too. We are always doing the work of equipping our congregations and yet there remains much to do!

Tomorrow morning early, I will fly to California for American Baptist Seminary of the West (ABSW) Board training and meetings. I’m going early enough to be there for BLT and PCBA Board meetings, too. ABSW has sent off its material to ATS for their accreditation renewal, always an important time in an education institution. We will also be doing some cultural diversity work in our training. It should prove to be an interesting time in Berkeley. I’ll be making this trip with my crutches and boot. I’ve appreciated your prayers and concerns and continue to rely upon them. I won’t be posting to these reflections until next week. I look forward to your responses.
Grace and peace,
Marcia

Monday, February 21, 2011

Greetings to you on this President’s Day, a day to keep our President in prayer and remember that leadership comes at a price. I’ve spent the last four reflections on the core values of Evergreen, the four corners of our “Evergreen Jigsaw Puzzle”—unity, cultural diversity, acceptance and shifting perspectives. After you find the corner pieces in a traditional jigsaw puzzle, you find the edge pieces. The edge pieces in reality are mission priorities. The leaders that gathered agreed that our four mission priorities were: Building Bridges, Equipping Congregations, Sharing the Evergreen Way, and Reaching Beyond our Borders. Today, I’d like to reflect briefly on “Building Bridges.” This mission priority is taken directly from our mission statement, “we will build bridges between communities”. And we have strived since our beginning to build bridges, between churches, between caucuses, between various people groups, between ourselves and ABC, between ourselves and the neighborhoods or communities we serve. It is a mission that clearly continues to call us to not only to build bridges, but use them to interact with others and be sure they are two-way bridges, letting others in as we seek to understand and serve others. It is necessary to build bridges with others, it is not a solitary task, but one to do with the other and others.

In subsequent reflections I will share some thoughts on the other mission priorities of Evergreen. Thanks for checking in and sharing with us your ideas on this work, which you can do on the “contact us” webpage.

Marcia

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Blessed Sabbath to each and everyone, may you know God’s blessing a new. I have returned from ABHOW meetings. The theme was “ A time of Stewardship” and there, of course, was a fair amount of reflection on the ramifications of stewardship. ABHOW is a not-for-profit corporation and keeps track of the variety of ways that it gives back to the community. Its benevolence is over twice what it would have paid in taxes if it were a for profit company. Of course, this stewardship gives back to the communities in a way that could not be possible if it were a for profit company. Their “Affordable Housing” arm continues to grow, especially in Washington. It was a good meeting.

I have been reflecting on the work we did at our leader retreat. We considered Evergreen as a jigsaw puzzle, with the corners being our core values. We’ve already considered three of the corners, “unity”, “cultural diversity” and “acceptance.” Today, I’d like to reflect a bit on the fourth, “shifting perspective.” Another way of saying this might be that we are ready and willing to be transformed and we believe we have been called to transform our world, through the love and grace of God. We do hold as a value that we are learning new ways of doing things and we are called to share these learnings outside our doors. It may be that people will tire of hearing of our adventures with caucuses and consensus, but our value is that what we learn can help others. We are a learning organization!

I’ve also been prayerful about the Birdsall family as they celebrate Steve’s life these days. It is always hard to lose a child, we keep Dick and Arlene, Steve’s wife Polly and their two children in prayer. And I am also prayerful about Marcus Walker and his family as we continue to pray for the miracle.

God’s grace and peace to you.

Marcia

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Well, freedom has many different definitions and realities. While I am free from the knee scooter, I am not free from my “walking boot”. The good news is that it is finally living up to its name, as I am to “walk” on it (not a regular shoe), putting just ½ my weight for 2 weeks, 75% for 2 weeks and then working up to 100%. Next appointment is six weeks away! Crutches are my new friends. I can take the boot off at night, that’s freedom of sorts, too. Thanks for all your prayers and continuing prayers, as I still cannot drive (boot is too big).

I’ve been explaining our “Evergreen Jigsaw Puzzle”. We’ve looked at two of the four “core values”, making the four corners of the puzzle, unity and cultural diversity. The third corner, those of us at the leader retreat, agreed is “acceptance.” Acceptance means that all people are “accepted”, and all opinions are accepted. During the retreat when we would self select groups or do some work, time after time, people would say, “well, I agree with what has been said, but also…” The sense that everyone counted was apparent in our work together and it is apparent in our work at Evergreen. Our consensus decision making as well as our caucus structure both support this “acceptance” reality. The growing edge again is the need to listen for and affirm the differences among us so that we use these to best do our work. There is a story line that goes with this “core value”, it is the storyline of “Everyperson”, an organizational archetype, that describes how we usually operate. Acceptance is a primary characteristic of this archetype, we tend to live it out in Evergreen.

I won’t be writing for a few days, as I am leaving for American Baptist Homes of the West (ABHOW) Board meetings. I will pick this up when I return, adding to this site on a regular basis. Your response is appreciated, please use the “contact us” page on this website.

Marcia

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Today, I should be released to begin to put weight on my right foot, six-weeks after surgery. It feels like a day of freedom for me. It is none too soon, as I am headed to American Baptist Homes of the West Board meetings in Oakland tomorrow evening.

The participants at the Leader Retreat last weekend affirmed four core values, the corners of our virtual jigsaw puzzle that is Evergreen. Yesterday I wrote about the first corner of “unity”, today I would like to address the second, “cultural diversity.” These core values are a part of Evergreen whenever we meet. Cultural Diversity is apparent in our structure, with our caucuses and our quorums which call for representatives of all caucus to be present in order for us to do business. We also are very intentional about making sure that the chair of Evergreen moves from caucus to caucus. I think it is also apparent because nominations come from the caucuses rather than having a separate nominating committee. It says that we put some power in our cultural diversity. Our challenge is to express this value by lifting up the differences of our cultural diversity. One of our growing edges is to be appreciative of our differences, not just giving lip service to the diversity, but truly listening to the unique-nesses among us and using them to spread the love and grace of God.

Those of us who gathered at the Leader’s Retreat are anxious to know how our work will be received by the rest of the Evergreen family. We hope you will respond to these notes with your questions, clarifications, suggestions and reactions. You can do so by sending your responses on our contact us page.
Marcia

Monday, February 14, 2011

Happy Valentine’s Day! May you know God’s love and grace.

At the Evergreen Leaders Retreat, we worked on our “virtual” jigsaw puzzle, creating a picture of Evergreen Association today and the future. We first agreed on our foundational pieces, the corners of the puzzle, our “core values”: unity, cultural diversity, acceptance and shifting perspectives. Today, I want to reflect a bit on the “unity” core value. All our core values are present when we are together. Unity is a core value of ours, it is seen most in our decision making process of consensus building. Unity doesn’t mean that we agree exactly the same on everything. It does mean that we are glad to share that we agree on the important things and are willing to live and work with each other because of these things. We believe that God gives us this gift of unity, it is not ours but God’s gift to us. The more we exercise our gift and understanding of unity, I’m convinced, the more God blesses us. It doesn’t mean we all have to agree with each other, but it does mean we listen for the places and points where we can come together. It means that when we understand God’s call to a particular work or ministry, we can work together to make it real and make it happen. Our mission statement ends with “translate our unity to the world.” I believe that the world sees the church/Christianity as divided (especially Baptists?!). Yet, I also believe one of the things the world is seeking is a sense of unity, of partnership or “brother/sisterhood”, so our call to share with the world what we experience is not an afterthought, but a call to share our faith, our walk with God, with others, particularly as they have need.

Your response is welcomed. You can respond at the “Contact Evergreen” page of this website.

Marcia

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Welcome to the real blog of Marcia Patton. I am trying hard to live into this technological age, so have opened this blog. Thanks to Dave Spears for putting the pieces together so this can be read and used well by you!