People have been telling stories since before recorded history. In our telling of stories we work out who we are, what is important to us as a people, give moral instruct, and answer questions of ultimate meaning. We can’t get away from storytelling. Narrative is the mechanism of persuasion employed for motivating people to work for change; or to hold fast to the timeless and eternally meaningful stories of a people.
The medium of storytelling has changed in the last 100 years but the themes of the stories are timeless. Within the stories of Greek Tragedies, and the texts of Scripture, right up to the present day, timeless themes persist. Murder, rape, family dysfunction, the meaning of life; all of these along with the stories of love, perseverance, and triumph over adversity and against overpowering odds are woven into our text we Christians claim as sacred scripture. From the oral traditions right up to the book and beyond to flash on the big screen, story telling informs and enriches human existence. Storytelling carries transformational power.
Preachers are storytellers; interpreting the scripture and using our own bridges to the present context, we seek to inspire and motivate our listeners to excel in their quest for companionship with Christ, with the Holy Divine. To find meaningful connections with the stories of scripture, we listen and look around at the stories being told in the world in which we live.
I was listening to the podcast of Chicago Radios’ program, “This American Life” last week and thinking about the importance of the stories we tell as a people. At the opening of the episode,(Rest in Peace)* was an interview with Rachel Howard, author of The Lost Night. Rachel’s father was murdered when she was ten years old. Rachel explained her own distaste of pop cultures’ fascination with murder stories. She tells host Ira Glass, that the national support group Parents of Murdered Children draws an analogy of murder mystery theatre with another form of common criminal activity. “You wouldn’t want to go to a Rape Mystery Theatre would you?” she asked.
Over the past month I’ve been to the theater to view five movies and each of them touched on themes of human suffering but the most poignant of them was the movie “Precious”. Precious is based on a true story. One young man told me, he had no interest in seeing a story about a fifteen year old pregnant black girl; he saw enough of that in real life. No interest in hearing what the story was. It had no entertainment value to him.
I suppose moral value is not always entertaining, no matter how you present it. But it is a story which requires telling, just as much as the rape of Tamar required telling. For me, that was exactly the point of seeing the movie. Of course, you might wonder if the movie has been a box office success. $40,084,412. to date compared to the production budget of $10 million, it is certainly not a “Starwars” blockbuster. Success isn’t always measured in dollars.
Sometimes success is measured in the change that it creates. The story of the objectification of women and children, and the destruction it causes to the fiber of the community cannot be easily measured in monetary terms. Not for profit alone is it a reason to tell the story, and neither would it be a suitable reason to ignore the telling of the story. The success of telling this story would best be measured in the degree of new understanding, new awareness, some measure of healing that occurs as a result of the telling.
Those preachers who use the revised common lectionary to prepare their sermon each week will have danced right over one of the two great rape stories, that of Amnon and Tamar. The story starts out innocuously, “Some time passed. David's son Absalom had a beautiful sister whose name was Tamar; and David's son Amnon fell in love with her.” ( 2 Samuel 13:1) It closes with the fabric of family and community rent. “And though Absalom never spoke to Amnon about it, he hated Amnon deeply because of what he had done to his sister. (2 Samuel 13:22) Dirty secrets of a family that impair God’s intended plan for shalom. What is the church to do with this story? How is the church to bring healing for this ageless story?
What always interests me is how the lectionary planners, presumably guided by the Holy Spirit, manage skillfully to excise some of the most troubling passages of the Old Testament. The leap over the Rape of Tamar is just one instance of the difficulty we preaching storytellers have with deciding what to say and when to say it.
Having more time than usual to spend reflecting on the task of preaching it struck me that we preachers are somehow complicit in the perpetuation of an age old problem. Most recently I observed the lectionary leap across Tamar’s story which the church really needs to spend time reflecting on and retelling in my humble opinion. Because the church fails to spend time reflecting on this problem, pop culture is assuming the lead on the issue. Thanks to Sapphire, and Lee Daniels, this timeless story is not being completely ignored.
Deciding who should tell the story is as important as deciding what story should be told. Deciding the venue of storytelling also at least as important as deciding the medium employed. All these questions played out in Sapphire’s decision to allow to the story of the book to be taken to the screen. Fear of creating stereotypes for the African-American community weighed heavily in Sapphire’s decision. Persuasion from Lee Daniels, himself a victim of childhood abuse, convinced Sapphire that the story would be told with integrity.
Since viewing Precious, I did a little research on sexual assault crime statistics. It boggles the mind to consider how many victims of various forms of sexual assault are sitting in the average room of any gathering. According to formula of statistics provided by one national organization I figure the likelihood was that one in six female viewers were victims of some form of sexual assault in addition to 1 in 33 men. Which causes me to ask, how is the church going to respond to these open wounds? How will the church be a source of healing to victims of sexual assault?
Remember Rachel’s audaciously preposterous proposal to hold a Rape Mystery Theater? Host Ira Glass agreed, that would be creepy, and so did I at first hearing. Who would want to go to a rape mystery theater? Certainly not me!
Of course we wouldn’t go to participate in that!
Or would we?
*find the episode click on the link all episodes and search for "Rest in Peace"
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
In the Unity of the Spirit
This last Saturday I drove to Echo Park to participate in a Service of Repentance at the Cathedral Center of Saint Paul for the Diocese of Los Angeles for The Episcopal Church.
The event has been posted on the website for the Los Angeles Diocese for weeks, and been worked on by the Planning Group on Black Ministries for months.
The service was a fulfillment of General Convention 2006 Resolution A123 on Slavery and Racial Reconciliation. This resolution runs the risk of becoming like so many social justice issues passed by the highest levels of any institution. Those who are most passionate, the activists who fill the upper echelons of every organization, agree on language and understandings surrounding policies and past activities of the institution, and then covenant to change their ways going forward. But in making that step for reparation of a breach of faithfulness to the call to discipleship it is recognized that reconciliation is incomplete. One doesn’t just go forward without fully acknowledging grievous behavior of the past. The General Conference Resolution called for each diocese to respond by engaging in reflection and action to resolve a breach in the unity of the body of Christ. This is action on an institutional level, not merely the individual and personal.
You might wonder, “Why in the world would a local pastor of the United Methodist Church attend such a function occurring in the Episcopal Church?”
My answer is both simple and complex.
Simply put, this was an action of acknowledging a part of my own identity. I became a Christian through baptism and confirmation as a member of an Episcopal Church in the seventh grade. In my youth, the boundaries of the Episcopal Church Los Angeles Diocese included San Diego County. I am somehow deeply connected to the body of Christ through the Episcopal Church, a fact which became very clear to me as I participated in the Wesley Tercentennial Pilgrimage in 2007. Also, I have among my ancestors one who was an Episcopal Priest who served churches in North Carolina. There is also a string of generations before and after, who claimed membership in the Episcopal Church.
The more complex answer derives from my own passion around the topics of Race and Religion and their intersection with my personal history. I grew up in a time of change. The Civil rights Act was passed in my youth. My own schooling experience lacked the heated controversy over integration vs. segregation in San Diego. And yet, during my ninth grade and half of the tenth grade, I lived with a family in Texas so that I could attend a private Christian School. In that environment I first sampled blatant white prejudice. Racism was not in my lexicon at the time. What I heard felt wrong, in violation of what the messages of Paul’s letters were conveying in scripture. But I did not know how to speak out against this message. Years later I would come to learn more about my own family history and begin to put together the facts. I will only say there are many pieces of that history which offer no place of pride of inheritance.
Attending this service was a way for me to stop and acknowledge my inheritance of racial prejudice and complacency. It was also a time to learn more of the history of the Episcopal Church. In so doing, as a participant I did so as one who has reaped benefits from the institution of slavery and institutional racism, even if I had no personal part in creating the institutions.
There is something very empowering in naming the truth. It is even more so when done in the context of a service which includes the celebration of Eucharist. In the homily delivered by Bishop Jon Bruno, honesty and candor was the hallmark of the message. Not just speaking for the failings of the institution, but of his own places of failure. The Los Angeles diocese is blessed to have the leadership of one who demonstrates such humility and honesty.
I was impressed by the make-up of those who attended. It appeared that the European-Americans in attendance where mostly from among the clergy, clerical collars being the identifier used.While waiting in the reception line following the service with me stood a young Euro-American couple with their daughter who I would guess to have been 4 or 5 years old. Those parents, so much younger than I, are to be commended for creating a lasting memory for reflection with their daughter in years to come.
There was also a young man who I would say, by appearance, was of limited resources, and of mixed racial heritage. He learned of the service when he attended Sunday Worship at the Cathedral the week prior. He told me he hadn’t been to church in many years. He was very excited to attend this service and full of interest in the Story of Christianity. His enthusiasm and interest gave me a sense of hope. Somehow, as often as the church has failed to live up to the call of costly discipleship, we do see signs of repentance and growth that spring from it.
It was most humbling, when I reached the line-up of those who lead the service, and shook each of their hands, that each of them spoke warm thanks and appreciation to me for attending the service. My own heart was strangely warmed by the opportunity to acknowledge on behalf of prior generations, and of my own participation. It was a fitting way to enter into preparation for worship the following day as we joined to commemorate World Communion Sunday.
grace and peace,
The event has been posted on the website for the Los Angeles Diocese for weeks, and been worked on by the Planning Group on Black Ministries for months.
The service was a fulfillment of General Convention 2006 Resolution A123 on Slavery and Racial Reconciliation. This resolution runs the risk of becoming like so many social justice issues passed by the highest levels of any institution. Those who are most passionate, the activists who fill the upper echelons of every organization, agree on language and understandings surrounding policies and past activities of the institution, and then covenant to change their ways going forward. But in making that step for reparation of a breach of faithfulness to the call to discipleship it is recognized that reconciliation is incomplete. One doesn’t just go forward without fully acknowledging grievous behavior of the past. The General Conference Resolution called for each diocese to respond by engaging in reflection and action to resolve a breach in the unity of the body of Christ. This is action on an institutional level, not merely the individual and personal.
You might wonder, “Why in the world would a local pastor of the United Methodist Church attend such a function occurring in the Episcopal Church?”
My answer is both simple and complex.
Simply put, this was an action of acknowledging a part of my own identity. I became a Christian through baptism and confirmation as a member of an Episcopal Church in the seventh grade. In my youth, the boundaries of the Episcopal Church Los Angeles Diocese included San Diego County. I am somehow deeply connected to the body of Christ through the Episcopal Church, a fact which became very clear to me as I participated in the Wesley Tercentennial Pilgrimage in 2007. Also, I have among my ancestors one who was an Episcopal Priest who served churches in North Carolina. There is also a string of generations before and after, who claimed membership in the Episcopal Church.
The more complex answer derives from my own passion around the topics of Race and Religion and their intersection with my personal history. I grew up in a time of change. The Civil rights Act was passed in my youth. My own schooling experience lacked the heated controversy over integration vs. segregation in San Diego. And yet, during my ninth grade and half of the tenth grade, I lived with a family in Texas so that I could attend a private Christian School. In that environment I first sampled blatant white prejudice. Racism was not in my lexicon at the time. What I heard felt wrong, in violation of what the messages of Paul’s letters were conveying in scripture. But I did not know how to speak out against this message. Years later I would come to learn more about my own family history and begin to put together the facts. I will only say there are many pieces of that history which offer no place of pride of inheritance.
Attending this service was a way for me to stop and acknowledge my inheritance of racial prejudice and complacency. It was also a time to learn more of the history of the Episcopal Church. In so doing, as a participant I did so as one who has reaped benefits from the institution of slavery and institutional racism, even if I had no personal part in creating the institutions.
There is something very empowering in naming the truth. It is even more so when done in the context of a service which includes the celebration of Eucharist. In the homily delivered by Bishop Jon Bruno, honesty and candor was the hallmark of the message. Not just speaking for the failings of the institution, but of his own places of failure. The Los Angeles diocese is blessed to have the leadership of one who demonstrates such humility and honesty.
I was impressed by the make-up of those who attended. It appeared that the European-Americans in attendance where mostly from among the clergy, clerical collars being the identifier used.While waiting in the reception line following the service with me stood a young Euro-American couple with their daughter who I would guess to have been 4 or 5 years old. Those parents, so much younger than I, are to be commended for creating a lasting memory for reflection with their daughter in years to come.
There was also a young man who I would say, by appearance, was of limited resources, and of mixed racial heritage. He learned of the service when he attended Sunday Worship at the Cathedral the week prior. He told me he hadn’t been to church in many years. He was very excited to attend this service and full of interest in the Story of Christianity. His enthusiasm and interest gave me a sense of hope. Somehow, as often as the church has failed to live up to the call of costly discipleship, we do see signs of repentance and growth that spring from it.
It was most humbling, when I reached the line-up of those who lead the service, and shook each of their hands, that each of them spoke warm thanks and appreciation to me for attending the service. My own heart was strangely warmed by the opportunity to acknowledge on behalf of prior generations, and of my own participation. It was a fitting way to enter into preparation for worship the following day as we joined to commemorate World Communion Sunday.
grace and peace,
Sunday, June 14, 2009
On the road today, heading back to Ashton to pack and prepare for our return to California.
I was sent by God to serve, used and now, in the spirit of the words of the Wesleyan Covenant prayer, we are "set aside" for a while. There is a strange and beautiful peace in the quietness but also a very real hole in my life now that I have no responsibility to prepare for preaching and leading a community in worship each Sunday.
Discernment always requires a space of quiet to allow the old to fade before the new entrance.
Grace and peace to all.
I was sent by God to serve, used and now, in the spirit of the words of the Wesleyan Covenant prayer, we are "set aside" for a while. There is a strange and beautiful peace in the quietness but also a very real hole in my life now that I have no responsibility to prepare for preaching and leading a community in worship each Sunday.
Discernment always requires a space of quiet to allow the old to fade before the new entrance.
Grace and peace to all.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Community Visioning Rally
I've been involved in this project, the Horizons Steering Committee, since I first attended the Showcase put on by the University of Idaho last August.
My part in getting the project rolling wasn't that spectacular. I just took the words other people spoke about their perceptions and hopes of what good could result if we were accepted into this grant program, and put it into the final form for submission. We heard back within 48 hours. Anyone who has written grants knows that very unusual. But it's great getting immediate feedback.
Well, honestly, I realize I do accomplish a lot by encouraging people to speak and then claim responsibility for their ideas by acting on them. I also like to give voice to their concerns as I preach, teach and work with the church and the community. I enjoy seeing other people grow in their self-confidence and to see the fruits of their work.
Thursday night was the kick off of phase four with our Community Visioning Rally.
The threshold goal was to have 15% of the community participate which was a target of 170 people attending. We definitely met that.Free dinner certainly helped fill the room.
David Beurle was our facilitator. I could say so much about him. WOW. In the presentation he identified the ten characteristics of a successful rural community. The photo is the result of the communal voting on individual perceptions about the agreement (green) or disagreement (red) of the statement as an accurate description about our community.
The ten items where each listed on a one sheet (ten pages on the wall) and each voted as they viewed the community. We had 4 red and 4 green dots each to vote with.
What we all noted was the surprisingly high level of agreement on these issues.
THE top ten Attributes of Successful communities are:
1. Evidence of strong community pride and inclusive culture.
2. Invest in the future- built to last.
3. PArticipatory approach to community decision making.
4. Creatively build economic opportunities,
5. Support local businesses.
6. Deliberate transition of power to new leaders.
7. strong belief in and support for education.
8. Strong presence of traditional institutions that are integral to community life.
9. Willingness to seek help from the outside.
10. Communities are self- reliant.
What participants said about Ashton is said with the picture at top. (read pictures of charts left to right to correspond with Attribute 1-10 being present in the community).
By the end of the session, the group had named their preferred vision for the community.
By the way, thanks to members from Ashton Community UMC who came out for the rally:
Chan & Judy Atchley, Nancy & Rodger Williams, John & Joann Jorgensen, Pat Sturm, Marion Rice, Jane and Claude Daniels.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Easter plus three weeks
I realize it’s been a while since I posted anything.. not that anyone has been demanding any word of wit, wisdom or sarcasm. But as a sort of cyber spiritual journal it is reflective of my own need to maintain silence and reflection as I sort out what is happening in my ministry, and my life.
To catch up with the seasons of the Christian year we are in Easter. That’s a season, not just a day if you plan or participate in the worship life of the Church. The First Sunday is really the most high Holy Day of the entire year in my own faith understanding. The reason it is so is because Easter Sunday commemorates the Triumph of life over death. The resurrection of Jesus is God’s testimony verifying the life and testimony of Jesus of Nazareth. At the recognition of Jesus by the disciples begins the birth of the new line of faith that would try to remain within the household of Judaism, but would eventually end up being cut loose to seek it’s own path and identity as the way to eternal life. The rest of that story comes in the Celebration of Pentecost and the season that follows which lectionary writers simply refer to as ordinary time.
Resurrection of the dead required a death to become demonstrable. One testimony, and one glorification became the confirming signs of one Lord over all creation. Jesus “the anointed one of God” Christ became the Judge over all creation. For most Christians the celebration of Easter is an acknowledgement of all that scripture gives and gave witness to throughout the ages. It is the jubilant feast that laughs at the prince of darkness, and the victory over death which grounds our own hope which ultimately conquers fear of death, and offers newness of life.
With that said, why on earth would a blogging pastor stay silent?
Well, in some ways this year, this pastor has been off calendar. My Lenten journey seems to have needed more time. Palm Sunday my District Superintendent called to advise me and begin the process of working with my congregation, preparing them for an important change. This was not unexpected because it was the result of earlier input given to the Bishop through the District Superintendent in which both myself as pastor, and the pastor staff parish relations committee discerned it was time for a change in pastoral leadership.
On Easter Sunday the appointment intentions were read in the congregation.
So for the last three plus weeks I have been processing what needs to be done to bring closure to a ministry. But added to that I have also had to do something somewhat untypical for United Methodist Pastors, as I have had to initiate a job search outside the bounds of the conference, a calling of sorts, for an appointment or placement within another conference.
Our life, like so many Americans today, is being touched by the economic downturn in an unanticipated way. I hopefully anticipate being led by God to a next place of ministry. But quite naturally both Tim and I are forced to face the uncertainty of not knowing while we wait upon the Spirit of the Lord to present us with the pillar of fire and smoke to lead us on our next leg in the journey. Being two unemployed people simultaneously would be the worst case scenario.
Yet life inside the Ashton Community United Methodist Church Parsonage has a peculiar peacefulness. That, I believe, is a sign of our own certain belief in the claim that Christ placed on our lives which started when together we first trusted in my call of vocation to respond to Christ's commission - go and make disciples. We receive that also because we have many in prayer for us, even as we are in prayer for the whole United Methodist Church in this season of appointments.
So, pray for us in our place of unknowing, to hear and follow where Christ is leading us next.
Grace and peace,
To catch up with the seasons of the Christian year we are in Easter. That’s a season, not just a day if you plan or participate in the worship life of the Church. The First Sunday is really the most high Holy Day of the entire year in my own faith understanding. The reason it is so is because Easter Sunday commemorates the Triumph of life over death. The resurrection of Jesus is God’s testimony verifying the life and testimony of Jesus of Nazareth. At the recognition of Jesus by the disciples begins the birth of the new line of faith that would try to remain within the household of Judaism, but would eventually end up being cut loose to seek it’s own path and identity as the way to eternal life. The rest of that story comes in the Celebration of Pentecost and the season that follows which lectionary writers simply refer to as ordinary time.
Resurrection of the dead required a death to become demonstrable. One testimony, and one glorification became the confirming signs of one Lord over all creation. Jesus “the anointed one of God” Christ became the Judge over all creation. For most Christians the celebration of Easter is an acknowledgement of all that scripture gives and gave witness to throughout the ages. It is the jubilant feast that laughs at the prince of darkness, and the victory over death which grounds our own hope which ultimately conquers fear of death, and offers newness of life.
With that said, why on earth would a blogging pastor stay silent?
Well, in some ways this year, this pastor has been off calendar. My Lenten journey seems to have needed more time. Palm Sunday my District Superintendent called to advise me and begin the process of working with my congregation, preparing them for an important change. This was not unexpected because it was the result of earlier input given to the Bishop through the District Superintendent in which both myself as pastor, and the pastor staff parish relations committee discerned it was time for a change in pastoral leadership.
On Easter Sunday the appointment intentions were read in the congregation.
So for the last three plus weeks I have been processing what needs to be done to bring closure to a ministry. But added to that I have also had to do something somewhat untypical for United Methodist Pastors, as I have had to initiate a job search outside the bounds of the conference, a calling of sorts, for an appointment or placement within another conference.
Our life, like so many Americans today, is being touched by the economic downturn in an unanticipated way. I hopefully anticipate being led by God to a next place of ministry. But quite naturally both Tim and I are forced to face the uncertainty of not knowing while we wait upon the Spirit of the Lord to present us with the pillar of fire and smoke to lead us on our next leg in the journey. Being two unemployed people simultaneously would be the worst case scenario.
Yet life inside the Ashton Community United Methodist Church Parsonage has a peculiar peacefulness. That, I believe, is a sign of our own certain belief in the claim that Christ placed on our lives which started when together we first trusted in my call of vocation to respond to Christ's commission - go and make disciples. We receive that also because we have many in prayer for us, even as we are in prayer for the whole United Methodist Church in this season of appointments.
So, pray for us in our place of unknowing, to hear and follow where Christ is leading us next.
Grace and peace,
Friday, April 10, 2009
Betrayal Past and Present
Earlier today thousands gathered to pay proper respect for the dead of the Abruzzo Earthquake. It’s a tragic situation, the death toll now at 289, the count still rising, leaving so many victims and crushed lives. Nature rumbled and buildings tumbled. But the greatest tragedy to my thinking is the news following this earthquake which places heavy blame on contractors. Modern buildings crumbled while ancient edifices remained intact. President Napolitino has called for an investigation in why building standards weren’t upheld. Betrayal of trust is the theme of the day. This is a somber reminder of the fallen nature of humanity which fits right in with the story of the crucifixion of Jesus.
Today’s Funeral service received special dispensation from the Pope, because today, being Good Friday is the one day in the year when Roman Catholics will not celebrate the Eucharist. Under normal circumstances, there is to be one single focus on this day world wide in Western Christianity, remembrance of the betrayal, arrest, conviction, and crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth. But considering the circumstances postponement of funeral services would only further cloud the story of hope that comes on the third day, and delay the needed closure for so many survivors. So wisdom and sorrow intersected in the streets of L’Aquile while thousands mourned the tragic events of the week. Christians and Muslims together mourned. If you like thinking in apocalyptic terms, shock waves catapulted the great horse of death through the streets and towns of Italy, riding on the waves of the earth’s crust. Anger and grief mingle together now as Italians seek understanding of the senseless loss of life.
This is not the first time faulty building construction has taken its toll on a community.
What is it about humanity that allows people to cheat in quality at the expense of their own countrymen? Is it greed, or lack of pride in workmanship, or ignorance? Perhaps it’s a combination of all. So the theme of present betrayal serves as a counterpoint in reflection as we remember his time of abandonment and betrayal which preceded the death of Jesus of Nazareth.
Joseph Campbell wrote extensively on the archetype themes that weave through civilizations and cultures. The Hero serves as the ultimate in standards for the moral life. Story after story demonstrate that the moral life is inclined to leave a person walking alone through dark places. Campbell often referred to Jesus as the Christian equivalent of the Hero, a model for humanity to use as a pattern for their own lives. The story of Jesus is a story to bring meaning out of the meaninglessness of tragedy and loss. It is a story to bring purpose and direction when the moral compass swings about mercurially as if caught between several magnets.
That is a minimalist understanding of Jesus of Nazareth. It overlooks the resurrection and sidesteps having to deal with any talk of an atoning death. But if that helps you begin to reflect on the meaning of Jesus to the world in which you live, it’s a good enough starting place.
The Palm Sunday text in Mark (11:1-11) relates the solitary nature of the final phase of Jesus’ journey toward Golgatha. While the crowds shouted joyously up to the city walls, no one steps a single foot inside. A patriotic assembly and rally inside the walls of Jerusalem would have incited the wrath of Pontius Pilate. No one wanted to risk meeting their own execution. But they were glad to cheer Jesus on right up to the city gates. So alone, on his borrowed colt, Jesus traveled through the city and entered the Temple. Later he returns to join his disciples in the safety of Bethany, away from the watchful eye of Roman authorities and Jewish Leaders.
That sets the stage for this evening’s Tenebrae service. From that moment when Jesus walked into Jerusalem, support for the teacher began to evaporate. Many would claim loyalty. No one would hang on the cross with him that day that had also come from within the inner circle of Jesus’ closest disciples.
But then, no one else needed to. Only one perfect lamb was required to accomplish the work of redemption.
“Holy is the lamb that is slain and worthy to be praised.”
Grace and peace,
Pastor Barbara
Today’s Funeral service received special dispensation from the Pope, because today, being Good Friday is the one day in the year when Roman Catholics will not celebrate the Eucharist. Under normal circumstances, there is to be one single focus on this day world wide in Western Christianity, remembrance of the betrayal, arrest, conviction, and crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth. But considering the circumstances postponement of funeral services would only further cloud the story of hope that comes on the third day, and delay the needed closure for so many survivors. So wisdom and sorrow intersected in the streets of L’Aquile while thousands mourned the tragic events of the week. Christians and Muslims together mourned. If you like thinking in apocalyptic terms, shock waves catapulted the great horse of death through the streets and towns of Italy, riding on the waves of the earth’s crust. Anger and grief mingle together now as Italians seek understanding of the senseless loss of life.
This is not the first time faulty building construction has taken its toll on a community.
What is it about humanity that allows people to cheat in quality at the expense of their own countrymen? Is it greed, or lack of pride in workmanship, or ignorance? Perhaps it’s a combination of all. So the theme of present betrayal serves as a counterpoint in reflection as we remember his time of abandonment and betrayal which preceded the death of Jesus of Nazareth.
Joseph Campbell wrote extensively on the archetype themes that weave through civilizations and cultures. The Hero serves as the ultimate in standards for the moral life. Story after story demonstrate that the moral life is inclined to leave a person walking alone through dark places. Campbell often referred to Jesus as the Christian equivalent of the Hero, a model for humanity to use as a pattern for their own lives. The story of Jesus is a story to bring meaning out of the meaninglessness of tragedy and loss. It is a story to bring purpose and direction when the moral compass swings about mercurially as if caught between several magnets.
That is a minimalist understanding of Jesus of Nazareth. It overlooks the resurrection and sidesteps having to deal with any talk of an atoning death. But if that helps you begin to reflect on the meaning of Jesus to the world in which you live, it’s a good enough starting place.
The Palm Sunday text in Mark (11:1-11) relates the solitary nature of the final phase of Jesus’ journey toward Golgatha. While the crowds shouted joyously up to the city walls, no one steps a single foot inside. A patriotic assembly and rally inside the walls of Jerusalem would have incited the wrath of Pontius Pilate. No one wanted to risk meeting their own execution. But they were glad to cheer Jesus on right up to the city gates. So alone, on his borrowed colt, Jesus traveled through the city and entered the Temple. Later he returns to join his disciples in the safety of Bethany, away from the watchful eye of Roman authorities and Jewish Leaders.
That sets the stage for this evening’s Tenebrae service. From that moment when Jesus walked into Jerusalem, support for the teacher began to evaporate. Many would claim loyalty. No one would hang on the cross with him that day that had also come from within the inner circle of Jesus’ closest disciples.
But then, no one else needed to. Only one perfect lamb was required to accomplish the work of redemption.
“Holy is the lamb that is slain and worthy to be praised.”
Grace and peace,
Pastor Barbara
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Saving money takes planning
John Wesley admonished the believers "Earn all you can, save all you so that you can give all you can."
In the wake of the Industrial revolution of Britain, with large numbers of Britain's poor working class finding newness of life in the reception of the gospel, Wesley regularly emphasized the theme of stewardship. His three points of stewardship was presented as a simple directive. Simple that is, if you listen to the beginning and sleep through the remaining two points. Sermons generally lasted much longer than present day preachers turn out. So,I could see how one might conveniently miss the next two point. People were very eager to better their financial position so folks liked being told it was good to earn lots. Letting loose of some of that hard earned cash was easier to do for one's own benefit than for someone else. That's timeless human behavior I think. Frugality can lead to stinginess. You can bet you are being filled by the Holy Spirits gifts if generosity is present and growing.
I was thinking about John's instructions today as I sat in the Coupon Class taught by Amanda Fricke. She came well prepared to lead us through the basics of maximizing the use of coupons and explaining the format of her weekly reports. She also came prepared to protect herself legally, by having each participant sign an agreement not to photocopy or redistribute through any means, any of the materials she handed out. She's put a lot of effort into the research and development of her materials. She has every right to expect others to respect her intellectual materials as protected under copyright laws. I'ld love to tell you everything and freely share all that she produces. But I'm not willing to pay her $45.00 fine each time I do.
I can say this, Amanda understands that making and saving money requires careful planning and discipline. She has a monthly budget for food. She shops and stores surplus knowing there are certain things she will always use. She even plans her menus around what is on the shelf, rather than planning a shopping list around her menus. That fits in with my way of operating. I watch the specials and pick up in surplus knowing there is a certain cyclical nature to store adds.
The big key is planning your shopping by doing research on the current week sales and keeping every possible coupon. She also buys several copies of the Sunday newspaper specifically for the coupon supplements.
Amanda saves so much money, and is able to pick up so many great deals that she can easily be charitable with neighbors, and non-profit organizations. As we all listened to her describe her surplus the question was asked where did she put it all. The reply "under the kitchen table, in closets, a spare refrigerator at her parents home." To make sure no food goes unused because bargains aren't bargains if you end up throwing away expired food, she makes sure to rotate the shelves and give away anything within two months of expiration.
In our presentation I was remembering my years as a mother with one, then two children, going to back to the university to finish my degree. Coupons and refunding were my corporate food stamps. We lived on one income, enjoyed living on campus, and took advantage of many entertainment opportunities primarily because I was able to keep our food budget to the bare minimum.
In this present economy it is easy to slip into thinking we are being deprived. Being with Amanda today reminded me that there is a great abundance available to those who will engage themselves with diligence and discipline to wise use of their resources. A few might even want to follow behind Amanda Fricke weekly for a while to learn all the tricks of the trade and become professional shoppers for others. All of us can learn to save more and do just as well spending less for the same quality we have been accustomed to.
If you didn't attend Amanda's class in Ashton today and want to learn more, check out her blog.
By the way, the Ashton neighbors that came to this class saved a bundle today. Amanda normally charges $40.00 per person for her class. SHARE Network arranged a special price and then offered scholarships to reduce the out of pocket expense to all participants. Our hope is that these people will be better equipped to save as much as they can. If they also begin to share from their abundance and help the Pantry with making special purchases that would be a double blessing.
"A capable wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.
She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
She opens her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid for her household when it snows
for all her household are clothed in Crimson." Proverbs 31: 10,11, 16,18,20-21
In the wake of the Industrial revolution of Britain, with large numbers of Britain's poor working class finding newness of life in the reception of the gospel, Wesley regularly emphasized the theme of stewardship. His three points of stewardship was presented as a simple directive. Simple that is, if you listen to the beginning and sleep through the remaining two points. Sermons generally lasted much longer than present day preachers turn out. So,I could see how one might conveniently miss the next two point. People were very eager to better their financial position so folks liked being told it was good to earn lots. Letting loose of some of that hard earned cash was easier to do for one's own benefit than for someone else. That's timeless human behavior I think. Frugality can lead to stinginess. You can bet you are being filled by the Holy Spirits gifts if generosity is present and growing.
I was thinking about John's instructions today as I sat in the Coupon Class taught by Amanda Fricke. She came well prepared to lead us through the basics of maximizing the use of coupons and explaining the format of her weekly reports. She also came prepared to protect herself legally, by having each participant sign an agreement not to photocopy or redistribute through any means, any of the materials she handed out. She's put a lot of effort into the research and development of her materials. She has every right to expect others to respect her intellectual materials as protected under copyright laws. I'ld love to tell you everything and freely share all that she produces. But I'm not willing to pay her $45.00 fine each time I do.
I can say this, Amanda understands that making and saving money requires careful planning and discipline. She has a monthly budget for food. She shops and stores surplus knowing there are certain things she will always use. She even plans her menus around what is on the shelf, rather than planning a shopping list around her menus. That fits in with my way of operating. I watch the specials and pick up in surplus knowing there is a certain cyclical nature to store adds.
The big key is planning your shopping by doing research on the current week sales and keeping every possible coupon. She also buys several copies of the Sunday newspaper specifically for the coupon supplements.
Amanda saves so much money, and is able to pick up so many great deals that she can easily be charitable with neighbors, and non-profit organizations. As we all listened to her describe her surplus the question was asked where did she put it all. The reply "under the kitchen table, in closets, a spare refrigerator at her parents home." To make sure no food goes unused because bargains aren't bargains if you end up throwing away expired food, she makes sure to rotate the shelves and give away anything within two months of expiration.
In our presentation I was remembering my years as a mother with one, then two children, going to back to the university to finish my degree. Coupons and refunding were my corporate food stamps. We lived on one income, enjoyed living on campus, and took advantage of many entertainment opportunities primarily because I was able to keep our food budget to the bare minimum.
In this present economy it is easy to slip into thinking we are being deprived. Being with Amanda today reminded me that there is a great abundance available to those who will engage themselves with diligence and discipline to wise use of their resources. A few might even want to follow behind Amanda Fricke weekly for a while to learn all the tricks of the trade and become professional shoppers for others. All of us can learn to save more and do just as well spending less for the same quality we have been accustomed to.
If you didn't attend Amanda's class in Ashton today and want to learn more, check out her blog.
By the way, the Ashton neighbors that came to this class saved a bundle today. Amanda normally charges $40.00 per person for her class. SHARE Network arranged a special price and then offered scholarships to reduce the out of pocket expense to all participants. Our hope is that these people will be better equipped to save as much as they can. If they also begin to share from their abundance and help the Pantry with making special purchases that would be a double blessing.
"A capable wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.
She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
She opens her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid for her household when it snows
for all her household are clothed in Crimson." Proverbs 31: 10,11, 16,18,20-21
Friday, March 20, 2009
Coupon class - 50% to 100% off
The Ashton Community Food Pantry is offering a Coupon Class to be taught by Amanda Fricke of www.stretchingyouridahodollars.com. The class will be held on Saturday, March 21st from 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at the Ashton Community Center Meeting Room. (Upstairs and to the left.) The class fee is $20/person which includes “The Coupon Guide” book and Coupon Binder. The first 20 people to register will receive $10 off this class fee. To register or for more information please call Cicely Kuehl at 360-8954.
Amanda Fricke has been a real help to the Community Food Pantry in collecting food from area stores also.. If you've never thought you could eat almost for free using coupons and store sales you absolutely will want to attend.
SHARE Network is the corporate body operating the food pantry.
Amanda Fricke has been a real help to the Community Food Pantry in collecting food from area stores also.. If you've never thought you could eat almost for free using coupons and store sales you absolutely will want to attend.
SHARE Network is the corporate body operating the food pantry.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
20/20 LENT
“20/20” I said to my beloved today.
He looked at me and said “Dateline?”
Shaking my head negatively, “20/20” I said again.
“Perfect vision?” He replied.
Shaking negative again, I said “20/20.. 20 days before, 20 days behind. We’re smack in the middle of Lent.”
“AHH...” He humors me a lot. “Really.”
Well, it’s true. We are right in the middle of Lent. The dark of winter is almost to a close. Tomorrow will be the first day of Spring. The long Dark now behind us along with the hardest part of the self-reflecting period where I challenged you to think about two questions. Are you engaging your thoughts on the twin questions?
"What would God like me to change?" and
"What would I have God change in me?"
For myself, this year has offered extra opportunity to think about my shadow. I don’t mean like in Peter Pan, the literal shadow of my self that I experience in relationship to the sun or other light source. I’m referring to what therapists refer to as the shadow. It’s a part of our make-up to have both good and bad qualities of the self. The part we dislike the most about our self and want to ignore, or conceal from others can become a heavy burden on the self. It also creates relationship tension. We tend to react negatively toward other people who exhibit the very traits which we dislike in ourselves. It seems to be the worst when we deny that part within our own self. In that case seem to become magnetic in our attracting repellant relationships. We see in others what we won’t acknowledge in ourselves.
“I’m NOT controlling.”
“I never get angry.”
“I’m a peacemaker. I don’t go around hurting people.” Well, you get the picture.
Spiritual growth depends on being able to face that within our self that keeps us trapped in repetitive non-productive cycles. Changing those patterns, behaviors, and beliefs all require looking at the worst part of our self in the full light of day. Alcoholics Anonymous is one group that emphasizes honesty for the welfare of each other. Growth occurs over time when the reality is kept in the light of conscious awareness, rather than being allowed to slip back into the recesses of our subconscious. At least that’s how I understand the process. I can’t quote whose theory it is. I just know that’s how it works for me.
Do we need to go around like members of AA and tell each other the details of our shadow in order to change? For the most part, I would say, no probably not. But I do believe there is value in having others with whom you are willing to share trusting that you will help each other, encourage each other and lift up each other in prayer. I have a circle of friends from seminary# which I use as my covenant. I do encourage the use of a small circle of trusted Christians build faith and friendship. I recently met a lay member in the Annual Conference who said he has a circle of men he has been in covenant relationship with for 20 years. They meet weekly.
When you work on your shadow you need to be prepared to experience a dark period before you see the light. Done properly, you will see a death of your old self and a new birth, by the grace of God. In the cycle of Christian Life, death comes before the new birth, new growth follows the cold of winter. Lent ends in the festivities of Easter.
So here we are 20/20 gaining 20/20. We are standing in the middle of Lent observing our shadow and reflecting on our new self to come into being, anticipating the Celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus and the power over death through the work of God. That power assures us of God’s ability to turn Bad into Good. Yes, even your bad into a “new you” good.
Before the resurrection we remember the journey of sorrows that Jesus endured leading up to his crucifixion. Through our remembrance of Jesus’ journey, we gain assurance that we worship and serve one who also knows sorrow, pain, and hardship but did so victoriously with God. This single week is more important to all of Christian faith, than any other teaching of the church. Even the birth of Jesus is second to this one week’s activities.
Holy week will be April 5 to April 12. Palm Sunday, April 5, recalls the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and entry into the Temple. Holy Thursday marks the last night the disciples gathered with Jesus before his arrest; it included specifically the remembrance of the Last Supper and the institution of the Holy Communion, April 9. “Good Friday,” April 10, is commemorated with a Tenebrae service that recalls the trial and crucifixion of Jesus. Finally, on Sunday April 12, we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus, God’s great joke on Death and the Devil. I pray that you will come to the service held at the United Methodist Church here in Ashton through the week to remember, worship and receive the transforming Spirit of God.
#
We live and work across the West, from California to Washington, Arizona to Idaho, Oregon to New Mexico. We maintain that covenant through email. We miss meeting at the broken loaf of Claremont School of Theology and sitting down to share meals regularly. But now we’ve added to our reconnecting time by using Facebook just for fun. And no, you won’t find a special label on my covenant friends in Facebook.
He looked at me and said “Dateline?”
Shaking my head negatively, “20/20” I said again.
“Perfect vision?” He replied.
Shaking negative again, I said “20/20.. 20 days before, 20 days behind. We’re smack in the middle of Lent.”
“AHH...” He humors me a lot. “Really.”
Well, it’s true. We are right in the middle of Lent. The dark of winter is almost to a close. Tomorrow will be the first day of Spring. The long Dark now behind us along with the hardest part of the self-reflecting period where I challenged you to think about two questions. Are you engaging your thoughts on the twin questions?
"What would God like me to change?" and
"What would I have God change in me?"
For myself, this year has offered extra opportunity to think about my shadow. I don’t mean like in Peter Pan, the literal shadow of my self that I experience in relationship to the sun or other light source. I’m referring to what therapists refer to as the shadow. It’s a part of our make-up to have both good and bad qualities of the self. The part we dislike the most about our self and want to ignore, or conceal from others can become a heavy burden on the self. It also creates relationship tension. We tend to react negatively toward other people who exhibit the very traits which we dislike in ourselves. It seems to be the worst when we deny that part within our own self. In that case seem to become magnetic in our attracting repellant relationships. We see in others what we won’t acknowledge in ourselves.
“I’m NOT controlling.”
“I never get angry.”
“I’m a peacemaker. I don’t go around hurting people.” Well, you get the picture.
Spiritual growth depends on being able to face that within our self that keeps us trapped in repetitive non-productive cycles. Changing those patterns, behaviors, and beliefs all require looking at the worst part of our self in the full light of day. Alcoholics Anonymous is one group that emphasizes honesty for the welfare of each other. Growth occurs over time when the reality is kept in the light of conscious awareness, rather than being allowed to slip back into the recesses of our subconscious. At least that’s how I understand the process. I can’t quote whose theory it is. I just know that’s how it works for me.
Do we need to go around like members of AA and tell each other the details of our shadow in order to change? For the most part, I would say, no probably not. But I do believe there is value in having others with whom you are willing to share trusting that you will help each other, encourage each other and lift up each other in prayer. I have a circle of friends from seminary# which I use as my covenant. I do encourage the use of a small circle of trusted Christians build faith and friendship. I recently met a lay member in the Annual Conference who said he has a circle of men he has been in covenant relationship with for 20 years. They meet weekly.
When you work on your shadow you need to be prepared to experience a dark period before you see the light. Done properly, you will see a death of your old self and a new birth, by the grace of God. In the cycle of Christian Life, death comes before the new birth, new growth follows the cold of winter. Lent ends in the festivities of Easter.
So here we are 20/20 gaining 20/20. We are standing in the middle of Lent observing our shadow and reflecting on our new self to come into being, anticipating the Celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus and the power over death through the work of God. That power assures us of God’s ability to turn Bad into Good. Yes, even your bad into a “new you” good.
Before the resurrection we remember the journey of sorrows that Jesus endured leading up to his crucifixion. Through our remembrance of Jesus’ journey, we gain assurance that we worship and serve one who also knows sorrow, pain, and hardship but did so victoriously with God. This single week is more important to all of Christian faith, than any other teaching of the church. Even the birth of Jesus is second to this one week’s activities.
Holy week will be April 5 to April 12. Palm Sunday, April 5, recalls the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and entry into the Temple. Holy Thursday marks the last night the disciples gathered with Jesus before his arrest; it included specifically the remembrance of the Last Supper and the institution of the Holy Communion, April 9. “Good Friday,” April 10, is commemorated with a Tenebrae service that recalls the trial and crucifixion of Jesus. Finally, on Sunday April 12, we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus, God’s great joke on Death and the Devil. I pray that you will come to the service held at the United Methodist Church here in Ashton through the week to remember, worship and receive the transforming Spirit of God.
#
We live and work across the West, from California to Washington, Arizona to Idaho, Oregon to New Mexico. We maintain that covenant through email. We miss meeting at the broken loaf of Claremont School of Theology and sitting down to share meals regularly. But now we’ve added to our reconnecting time by using Facebook just for fun. And no, you won’t find a special label on my covenant friends in Facebook.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Lent- is it about Addition or Subtraction?
Lent has often been associated as a time of self-denial, giving up something near and dear to one’s heart. It’s a private act of devotion, a special act of piety, not something that you boast about or make loud announcements about if practiced as Jesus taught his disciples. Another way to look at the period of lent is to adopt an attitude of trying something new on for size. Intentionally setting aside a short period in each day to journal, pray for the church, read from a devotional book, or learn a new spiritual practice such as centering prayer.
Are you engaging your thoughts on the twin questions?
"What would God like me to change?" and
"What would I have God change in me?"
One need not literally leave their home for forty days in order to engage in a time of spiritual reflection. One needs only to adopt an attitude applied to daily life. Engaging in such time would be adding an act of devotion to daily life.
May you travel with a receptive heart to the work of the Holy Spirit this Lent.
Are you engaging your thoughts on the twin questions?
"What would God like me to change?" and
"What would I have God change in me?"
One need not literally leave their home for forty days in order to engage in a time of spiritual reflection. One needs only to adopt an attitude applied to daily life. Engaging in such time would be adding an act of devotion to daily life.
May you travel with a receptive heart to the work of the Holy Spirit this Lent.
Gracious God, help us in these forty days of reflection and renewal to become more open to the work of your Holy Spirit. Open our hearts to receive anew the message of your saving grace, offered without price and offered to all. Prick us just slightly each time we begin to slip into believing we have done, or could do anything on our own, that would merit your love any more than you’ve already loved us. Help us recover the joy and relief we first felt when we heard and received the word of hope; when we believed only in your work testified in the resurrection of Jesus. Bring forth from us the best that your Spirit would have us do to bring glory and honor to you alone. This we pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Lenten resources, Lenten Reflection
Lent is a season of reflection and preparation. It seems a fitting time to look at what our Annual Conference membership offers and recommends as well as looking at our own personal practices.
The 2007 Annual Conference adopted a Strategic Direction for the Annual Conference. The Strategic Direction includes a commitment to 4 key points commitments. The First Point is a commitment to Practicing Personal and Social Holiness. At the 2008 Annual Conference, Bishop Hoshibata declared the year of 2008-2009 to be the “Year of Personal Holiness”. As we enter the Lenten season now is a good time for each of us reflect on what it means to live a life of personal and social holiness.
Does it feel that this is a radical expectation? If these words grouped together leave you scratching your head wondering how to live that out in your life, I suspect you are not traveling alone in your confusion. After all, our emphasis of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ sounds like a sure fire excuse to dispel any consideration of actions.
The Apostle Paul encountered similar opposition both to the message of grace available to all through Jesus, and to his calls for purity and holiness of heart among the believers. Christian life is a continual paradox. We are expected to live pure and holy lives. And yet we know that we cannot be perfect, so we trust in the merit obtained through Jesus as a salve for our troubled consciences. As Methodists we also have a heritage derived from the Oxford Movement, John & Charles Wesley, and the practice of belonging to accountability circles. Each of these urge everyone not to take our lives in Christ for granted, instead urging us to seek personal holiness, that which we commonly call “perfection.”
The practice of belonging to a study circle, or accountability group was integral to the growth of the Methodist movement in Britain. Long in remission in the United States, the Accountability Group is once again being revived in churches throughout the United States. Our General Board of Discipleship, supported by our apportionment dollars, provides excellent resources to assist local churches in starting and maintaining these covenant/accountability groups. In the groups, a commitment to confidentiality, care and concern for one another is established. From time to time members need to ask each other tough questions about where they are falling down in their Christian Life.
What are the hallmarks of being an Accountable Disciple? I have been referring to the "three simple rules," do no harm, do good, stay in love with God for daily guidance in Christian life as a summary of Wesley's preaching. This can be applied throughout each day.
In addition, whether you belong to a small group or not, Wesley’s model of faithful living as a member in the body of Christ stressed a practice of participation in four areas of life:
Living in these open spaces of the west, leads to very independent thinking, in spite of our interdependence upon one another. Belonging to a small group with the specific intent of lifting one another up on the Christian Journey may also seem very contrary to your nature. It’s certainly scary to become vulnerable to a group when we prefer to pretend we have no faults needing correction. Nevertheless, I would urge members to prayerfully seek guidance about forming a small circle of 6-8 Christian friends with a commitment to lifting up one another in a weekly meeting as an avenue to live out our call to Personal Holiness. The personal benefit you can expect is a deeper relationship with God and several brothers and sisters in the Lord.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Barbara
The 2007 Annual Conference adopted a Strategic Direction for the Annual Conference. The Strategic Direction includes a commitment to 4 key points commitments. The First Point is a commitment to Practicing Personal and Social Holiness. At the 2008 Annual Conference, Bishop Hoshibata declared the year of 2008-2009 to be the “Year of Personal Holiness”. As we enter the Lenten season now is a good time for each of us reflect on what it means to live a life of personal and social holiness.
Does it feel that this is a radical expectation? If these words grouped together leave you scratching your head wondering how to live that out in your life, I suspect you are not traveling alone in your confusion. After all, our emphasis of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ sounds like a sure fire excuse to dispel any consideration of actions.
The Apostle Paul encountered similar opposition both to the message of grace available to all through Jesus, and to his calls for purity and holiness of heart among the believers. Christian life is a continual paradox. We are expected to live pure and holy lives. And yet we know that we cannot be perfect, so we trust in the merit obtained through Jesus as a salve for our troubled consciences. As Methodists we also have a heritage derived from the Oxford Movement, John & Charles Wesley, and the practice of belonging to accountability circles. Each of these urge everyone not to take our lives in Christ for granted, instead urging us to seek personal holiness, that which we commonly call “perfection.”
The practice of belonging to a study circle, or accountability group was integral to the growth of the Methodist movement in Britain. Long in remission in the United States, the Accountability Group is once again being revived in churches throughout the United States. Our General Board of Discipleship, supported by our apportionment dollars, provides excellent resources to assist local churches in starting and maintaining these covenant/accountability groups. In the groups, a commitment to confidentiality, care and concern for one another is established. From time to time members need to ask each other tough questions about where they are falling down in their Christian Life.
What are the hallmarks of being an Accountable Disciple? I have been referring to the "three simple rules," do no harm, do good, stay in love with God for daily guidance in Christian life as a summary of Wesley's preaching. This can be applied throughout each day.
In addition, whether you belong to a small group or not, Wesley’s model of faithful living as a member in the body of Christ stressed a practice of participation in four areas of life:
Acts of WorshipThrough these four arenas of life each person can examine one’s own progress in moving on toward perfection in Christian love. Wesley found in his ministry that belonging to a small covenant circle provided strength and encouragement on the journey of faith called life in Christ. It seems quite proven to be a timeless truth for faithful discipleship.
Acts of Devotion
Acts of Compassion
Acts of Justice
Living in these open spaces of the west, leads to very independent thinking, in spite of our interdependence upon one another. Belonging to a small group with the specific intent of lifting one another up on the Christian Journey may also seem very contrary to your nature. It’s certainly scary to become vulnerable to a group when we prefer to pretend we have no faults needing correction. Nevertheless, I would urge members to prayerfully seek guidance about forming a small circle of 6-8 Christian friends with a commitment to lifting up one another in a weekly meeting as an avenue to live out our call to Personal Holiness. The personal benefit you can expect is a deeper relationship with God and several brothers and sisters in the Lord.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Barbara
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Beginning the Journey
Lenten Journey
A Service of Self Guided Reflection
What would you have God change in you?
What would God want to see you change?
When we enter the season of Lent with these twin questions positioned as the main emphasis of Lent we are better able to find a renewed spirit to carry us along on the journey called life in Christ.
May this be a starting place in your journey.. The readings are those used on Ash Wednesday but can be referred to throughout the season of Lent.
Opening prayer
Scripture Lesson Joel 2:1, 12-17
The Psalmist writes “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only have I sinned, and done that which is evil in your sight, so that you are justified in your sentence and blameless in your judgment.” Human standards cannot come anywhere near the standards of Holiness that God holds. Knowing God to be perfect in all actions of first creating order out of the Chaos of the universe, we can fall into despair at our inability to achieve perfection. Should we then give up in such pursuit?
No.
Let us never give up in our pursuit of the perfection of Christian Love. Instead of despair, let us draw ever more closely to God through personal and social holiness. Because God has demonstrated love for all creation, we can take heart in the message of the gospel, and follow the advice that comes to us through the Gospel of Matthew.
Gospel Lesson Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
Recalling again the twin focus for the season:
What would you have God change in you?
What would God want to see you change?
May you be renewed in spirit, finding peace and joy in the ever changing journey of devotion to Jesus, bringing glory to the One True God.
A Service of Self Guided Reflection
What would you have God change in you?
What would God want to see you change?
When we enter the season of Lent with these twin questions positioned as the main emphasis of Lent we are better able to find a renewed spirit to carry us along on the journey called life in Christ.
May this be a starting place in your journey.. The readings are those used on Ash Wednesday but can be referred to throughout the season of Lent.
Opening prayer
O God, maker of every thing and judge of all that you have made,
from the dust of the earth you formed Adam,
and from the dust of death you would raise us up.
By the redemptive power of the cross,
create in us clean hearts and put within us a new spirit,
that we may turn from our sins and lead lives worthy of your calling;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Scripture Lesson Joel 2:1, 12-17
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”Psalm 51
“O Lord hear my prayer, O Lord, hear my prayer, come and listen to me”
The Psalmist writes “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only have I sinned, and done that which is evil in your sight, so that you are justified in your sentence and blameless in your judgment.” Human standards cannot come anywhere near the standards of Holiness that God holds. Knowing God to be perfect in all actions of first creating order out of the Chaos of the universe, we can fall into despair at our inability to achieve perfection. Should we then give up in such pursuit?
No.
Let us never give up in our pursuit of the perfection of Christian Love. Instead of despair, let us draw ever more closely to God through personal and social holiness. Because God has demonstrated love for all creation, we can take heart in the message of the gospel, and follow the advice that comes to us through the Gospel of Matthew.
Gospel Lesson Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
Recalling again the twin focus for the season:
What would you have God change in you?
What would God want to see you change?
May you be renewed in spirit, finding peace and joy in the ever changing journey of devotion to Jesus, bringing glory to the One True God.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Purple Linen, people pleasing & proper responses
It seems that I’ve been quite busy of late, occupied with responding to needs in the parish and connections for my Annual Conference. With that blogging fell a bit to the wayside. I’ve been using Facebook to keep up with my friends and a couple of family members. I’ll write about the experiment using Facebook to form community in another post. I have other thoughts on my mind to share for today.
Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent which is the 40 day period (not counting any Sundays which are always considered mini-Easter feast days) that leads up to the celebration of Easter. In the sanctuary, we’ve changed out the colors to purple which is used among us liturgically focused worship planners and leaders to remind us that this is a season of penitence. Purple is also considered a color of royalty (King Jesus purple) and recalls the passion (from a Latin root, which mean suffering) of Jesus.
The banners were a team design by our worship committee in 2007. Seven panels using the seven last words of Jesus on the cross. The words are really statements, found in the Gospels. Of course some confusion is stirred because not all seven are contained in any one of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The finest theological minds of former years nevertheless have seen fit to refer to them as the “seven last words” and have used them for meditations and sermons during Holy week. The first year we installed this set of banners I too preached each week on one of the Words.
Because today is Ash Wednesday it would have been appropriate, according to our Book of Worship* to use less (or no) purple, to choose to focus on gray or burlap for color and texture. I didn’t, by personal preference. This year, quite honestly, this small community is already very well focused on the mortality theme which Ash Wednesday is supposed to reflect upon. I didn’t feel it healthy to over emphasize our communal condition. It was also a blessing that we had our Dog Derby festivities last weekend to serve as our own form of carnival, maybe not so unlike the New Orleans Mardi Gras, even if around a culturally unique experience.
All of this attention to the appearance of the sanctuary may seem silly. If you aren’t a visually oriented learner, or have an appreciation for symbol and symbolism, these are details which I know are simply missed. Funny, if you went to a Stage Play and it lacked stage props, most people would immediately comment about the absence. Yet, enter a church sanctuary, and people are quite likely enter as if they were blind, paying no attention to the details. I think this is the result of a failure to interpret the meaning for observers, thus the reason for my extended commentary here.
“Ashes, Ashes, we all fall down!” Do you remember the old children’s game, “ring around the rosy”? The most commonly accepted interpretation of this nursery rhyme is a reference to the bubonic plague which ravaged Europe. The Black plague symptoms included a red rosy ring on the skin, and the bodies of the dead where cremated to prevent more spreading of the contagion. I always think of this rhyme on Ash Wednesday and then wonder, how it came about that children would begin singing this rhyme in such great playfulness. Ah, those British had a rather macabre sense of humor (“London Bridge is Falling Down”) didn’t they.
In Ashton this month, we’ve seen life end early due to the worst form of cancer. Heart disease and stroke took others. Several members in the community continue to courageously battle for life as long as possible. Last week I felt as if we were already in lent. In that one week I attended or officiated at three services of death, resurrection and remembrance. The first funeral we estimated had 800 in attendance. In a town with a population of 1198, not only was there an immense turnout of extended family, there were people whose lives had been touched by the deceased from his involvement in community and business. Many friends came to demonstrate their love and loss.
Last week it was not possible to deny that death is a possibility at any time. We could not deny that the impact of one person can be felt across not just a family but an entire community. We could not deny that death may suddenly pluck a loved one, despite the best care available. We could not deny that any day may be the very last time we see someone we love. With that message delivered to so many through the very personal experiences of death in our community, I just didn’t think I needed to add any more somber notes to the tune we’ve heard in town already.
In past years I have held an evening Service of Ashes. Last year myself and several of our members joined our Lutheran brethren at their service. The turnout was small, and the service was meaningful.
This year, I chose to set aside 3 hours this evening to have the sanctuary open, a self guided reflection available. I will be present to offer the imposition of ashes or anointing and prayers with individuals as they choose. I expect there will be only one or two that come tonight. I’m not deluding myself. People simply prefer to feel good all the time, rather than risk entering into a time of reflection which might lead to making any changes in personal actions. But one or two people may be feel the need to come and I will be present. Otherwise, I expect to have plenty of quite time for my own prayers, reflections and reading.
Last Sunday I gave one specific suggestion for a Lenten practice. Rather than expecting any sacrifice of denial I am asking each person to develop the habit of daily naming at least two things for which they are grateful. I believe that the Micah 6:8 commandment calls for us to develop a deeper appreciation of how very blessed we are. This is a holy sacrifice, a sacrifice of praise. With deepened appreciation and gratitude comes greater compassion for others. In counting one’s own blessings we develop the ability to reach out to our neighbor in need.
Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent which is the 40 day period (not counting any Sundays which are always considered mini-Easter feast days) that leads up to the celebration of Easter. In the sanctuary, we’ve changed out the colors to purple which is used among us liturgically focused worship planners and leaders to remind us that this is a season of penitence. Purple is also considered a color of royalty (King Jesus purple) and recalls the passion (from a Latin root, which mean suffering) of Jesus.
The banners were a team design by our worship committee in 2007. Seven panels using the seven last words of Jesus on the cross. The words are really statements, found in the Gospels. Of course some confusion is stirred because not all seven are contained in any one of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The finest theological minds of former years nevertheless have seen fit to refer to them as the “seven last words” and have used them for meditations and sermons during Holy week. The first year we installed this set of banners I too preached each week on one of the Words.
Because today is Ash Wednesday it would have been appropriate, according to our Book of Worship* to use less (or no) purple, to choose to focus on gray or burlap for color and texture. I didn’t, by personal preference. This year, quite honestly, this small community is already very well focused on the mortality theme which Ash Wednesday is supposed to reflect upon. I didn’t feel it healthy to over emphasize our communal condition. It was also a blessing that we had our Dog Derby festivities last weekend to serve as our own form of carnival, maybe not so unlike the New Orleans Mardi Gras, even if around a culturally unique experience.
All of this attention to the appearance of the sanctuary may seem silly. If you aren’t a visually oriented learner, or have an appreciation for symbol and symbolism, these are details which I know are simply missed. Funny, if you went to a Stage Play and it lacked stage props, most people would immediately comment about the absence. Yet, enter a church sanctuary, and people are quite likely enter as if they were blind, paying no attention to the details. I think this is the result of a failure to interpret the meaning for observers, thus the reason for my extended commentary here.
“Ashes, Ashes, we all fall down!” Do you remember the old children’s game, “ring around the rosy”? The most commonly accepted interpretation of this nursery rhyme is a reference to the bubonic plague which ravaged Europe. The Black plague symptoms included a red rosy ring on the skin, and the bodies of the dead where cremated to prevent more spreading of the contagion. I always think of this rhyme on Ash Wednesday and then wonder, how it came about that children would begin singing this rhyme in such great playfulness. Ah, those British had a rather macabre sense of humor (“London Bridge is Falling Down”) didn’t they.
In Ashton this month, we’ve seen life end early due to the worst form of cancer. Heart disease and stroke took others. Several members in the community continue to courageously battle for life as long as possible. Last week I felt as if we were already in lent. In that one week I attended or officiated at three services of death, resurrection and remembrance. The first funeral we estimated had 800 in attendance. In a town with a population of 1198, not only was there an immense turnout of extended family, there were people whose lives had been touched by the deceased from his involvement in community and business. Many friends came to demonstrate their love and loss.
Last week it was not possible to deny that death is a possibility at any time. We could not deny that the impact of one person can be felt across not just a family but an entire community. We could not deny that death may suddenly pluck a loved one, despite the best care available. We could not deny that any day may be the very last time we see someone we love. With that message delivered to so many through the very personal experiences of death in our community, I just didn’t think I needed to add any more somber notes to the tune we’ve heard in town already.
In past years I have held an evening Service of Ashes. Last year myself and several of our members joined our Lutheran brethren at their service. The turnout was small, and the service was meaningful.
This year, I chose to set aside 3 hours this evening to have the sanctuary open, a self guided reflection available. I will be present to offer the imposition of ashes or anointing and prayers with individuals as they choose. I expect there will be only one or two that come tonight. I’m not deluding myself. People simply prefer to feel good all the time, rather than risk entering into a time of reflection which might lead to making any changes in personal actions. But one or two people may be feel the need to come and I will be present. Otherwise, I expect to have plenty of quite time for my own prayers, reflections and reading.
Last Sunday I gave one specific suggestion for a Lenten practice. Rather than expecting any sacrifice of denial I am asking each person to develop the habit of daily naming at least two things for which they are grateful. I believe that the Micah 6:8 commandment calls for us to develop a deeper appreciation of how very blessed we are. This is a holy sacrifice, a sacrifice of praise. With deepened appreciation and gratitude comes greater compassion for others. In counting one’s own blessings we develop the ability to reach out to our neighbor in need.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Elephants are loose
Driving home from the airport last Friday, I had a heavy feeling of emotion gradually descend upon me. As I came closer to home, the snow was falling. Once in Fremont County the weather was a full blown snow storm. I began by thinking what I was feeling was the sadness of leaving behind all the sunshine of California. Then I realized, I was returning to a place with spaciousness which was allowing some unresolved grief to emerge, and now I just needed to say hello to this task for a while.
I’ve found that grief and loss are subjects people would like to avoid. Loss can come from any number of sources. The top of mind kind is the loss from the death of someone you care about. It’s topmost in my own mind regularly because I have a unique role to play in peoples lives. In time of illness, or emergency, I walk into peoples lives to offer support, and hopefully, if I minister well, a presence of comfort.
Following a death, I facilitate the immediate process of closure through funeral or memorial services. It’s a special place of ministry for me which I truly cherish. It’s more of a beginning for a journey, rather than an end. I tell the family and friends that they are allowed to cry. I on the other hand, will be the strong one for them.
There are other causes for grief. Loss of a job can create the climate of the mind we call grief. This type of grief is experienced as a form of depression which can spiral out of control. During difficult economic times (does that phrase sound too familiar) the formation of a support group such as a “job club” where people can network and encourage each other can help increase one’s attitude of hopefulness during the search for employment. Being in the same boat, removes the sense of being somehow less than others who are fully employed.
Illness can also cause grief, especially one which requires an amputation, as was experienced by a friend in California. His situation was unusual. He had a splinter in his finger which was acquired doing woodwork. The splinter became infected, and before he knew it he had septic shock. In the course of treatment, after being taken by emergency medical services to the local hospital, he had not one but two heart attacks. There were several weeks of hospitalization, many surgeries to remove the diseased tissue and ultimately the amputation of one thumb.
Needless to say, the alternative was far graver. He is very grateful to be alive. But people have a way of thoughtlessly asking about his wellbeing. One person inquires, “how’s your thumb?” to which he pointedly replies, “I don’t have it anymore.” He’s a good natured person, and he might even choose at some point to change the response. But truth be told, I’m certain he realizes every day, there some things he just isn’t able to do absent the thumb digit of his right hand. One task comes immediately to mind for me, the space bar key for typing. I just tried to type this one sentence without using my right thumb and failed at every opportunity. That’s just one example of how he must adapt to the loss which surely comes with emotions that need to be confronted. Can you imagine the loss that returning soldiers experience from being wounded in service to this country?
Grief can manifest itself in many forms. Anger, loss of sleep, or too much sleep, overeating and not eating are all possible manifestations of grief. Unexplained tearfulness or agitation at otherwise normal activities can be temporary. Any of these symptoms continuing beyond a two week period are a cause of concern. Start with a conversation with your family physician.
As a pastor, I look for and also learn of specialized resources which are available in the region. Ashton’s location is not optimal for seeking a support group for every special situation of grief. It’s also a sad fact that a local mental health clinic recently closed. But there are resources available and if you need help locating them please give me a call. If you are feeling desperate and at your wits end, please do not suffer alone.
One general grief recovery resource will become available in March through Hospice of Eastern Idaho in the form of a Grief and Loss support group.* I have recommended this resource to others in the past and have heard back that the experience was right on target to get the individual moving beyond the loss of the loved one. The ten sessions will be held on Monday evenings 5:30 to 7 pm starting March 2nd and continue through May 4th.
In our family we like to say “Denial is not just a river in Egypt.” Denial is a coping mechanism, and a phase of grief. It can be both blessing and curse. Embracing and confronting grief is a special journey of the soul which I pray you will travel well knowing that God is at your side. Leaving your grief unattended will not take away the work of the soul which you need to do. Some people will put off facing the important soul work for so many years that they honestly believe they have resolved all the loss. Denial is a form of self-deception with sorrowful consequences. I pray that you will not fall into this trap.
May you too join with the psalmist who wrote “You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O Lord, I will give you thanks forever.” Psalm 30:11-12
Shalom,
Barbara
* Call 529-0342 to register. Classes will be at the office located 1810 Moran Street Idaho Falls, ID. There is a new you waiting to be birthed out of whatever loss you have experienced and companions to walk with you, if only you will seek them out.
I believe that God calls many to special healing ministries, they are found working in the secular and public arena. Doctors, therapists, are among those specially gifted to assist you in the journey of the soul. Since you are online let me recommend a free website to read more about medical understanding of grief and depression.
If the death of the loved one occurred through suicide, please check out the national website for Suicide Prevention Action Network and through EIRMC for a special grief support group.
I’ve found that grief and loss are subjects people would like to avoid. Loss can come from any number of sources. The top of mind kind is the loss from the death of someone you care about. It’s topmost in my own mind regularly because I have a unique role to play in peoples lives. In time of illness, or emergency, I walk into peoples lives to offer support, and hopefully, if I minister well, a presence of comfort.
Following a death, I facilitate the immediate process of closure through funeral or memorial services. It’s a special place of ministry for me which I truly cherish. It’s more of a beginning for a journey, rather than an end. I tell the family and friends that they are allowed to cry. I on the other hand, will be the strong one for them.
There are other causes for grief. Loss of a job can create the climate of the mind we call grief. This type of grief is experienced as a form of depression which can spiral out of control. During difficult economic times (does that phrase sound too familiar) the formation of a support group such as a “job club” where people can network and encourage each other can help increase one’s attitude of hopefulness during the search for employment. Being in the same boat, removes the sense of being somehow less than others who are fully employed.
Illness can also cause grief, especially one which requires an amputation, as was experienced by a friend in California. His situation was unusual. He had a splinter in his finger which was acquired doing woodwork. The splinter became infected, and before he knew it he had septic shock. In the course of treatment, after being taken by emergency medical services to the local hospital, he had not one but two heart attacks. There were several weeks of hospitalization, many surgeries to remove the diseased tissue and ultimately the amputation of one thumb.
Needless to say, the alternative was far graver. He is very grateful to be alive. But people have a way of thoughtlessly asking about his wellbeing. One person inquires, “how’s your thumb?” to which he pointedly replies, “I don’t have it anymore.” He’s a good natured person, and he might even choose at some point to change the response. But truth be told, I’m certain he realizes every day, there some things he just isn’t able to do absent the thumb digit of his right hand. One task comes immediately to mind for me, the space bar key for typing. I just tried to type this one sentence without using my right thumb and failed at every opportunity. That’s just one example of how he must adapt to the loss which surely comes with emotions that need to be confronted. Can you imagine the loss that returning soldiers experience from being wounded in service to this country?
Grief can manifest itself in many forms. Anger, loss of sleep, or too much sleep, overeating and not eating are all possible manifestations of grief. Unexplained tearfulness or agitation at otherwise normal activities can be temporary. Any of these symptoms continuing beyond a two week period are a cause of concern. Start with a conversation with your family physician.
As a pastor, I look for and also learn of specialized resources which are available in the region. Ashton’s location is not optimal for seeking a support group for every special situation of grief. It’s also a sad fact that a local mental health clinic recently closed. But there are resources available and if you need help locating them please give me a call. If you are feeling desperate and at your wits end, please do not suffer alone.
One general grief recovery resource will become available in March through Hospice of Eastern Idaho in the form of a Grief and Loss support group.* I have recommended this resource to others in the past and have heard back that the experience was right on target to get the individual moving beyond the loss of the loved one. The ten sessions will be held on Monday evenings 5:30 to 7 pm starting March 2nd and continue through May 4th.
In our family we like to say “Denial is not just a river in Egypt.” Denial is a coping mechanism, and a phase of grief. It can be both blessing and curse. Embracing and confronting grief is a special journey of the soul which I pray you will travel well knowing that God is at your side. Leaving your grief unattended will not take away the work of the soul which you need to do. Some people will put off facing the important soul work for so many years that they honestly believe they have resolved all the loss. Denial is a form of self-deception with sorrowful consequences. I pray that you will not fall into this trap.
May you too join with the psalmist who wrote “You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O Lord, I will give you thanks forever.” Psalm 30:11-12
Shalom,
Barbara
* Call 529-0342 to register. Classes will be at the office located 1810 Moran Street Idaho Falls, ID. There is a new you waiting to be birthed out of whatever loss you have experienced and companions to walk with you, if only you will seek them out.
I believe that God calls many to special healing ministries, they are found working in the secular and public arena. Doctors, therapists, are among those specially gifted to assist you in the journey of the soul. Since you are online let me recommend a free website to read more about medical understanding of grief and depression.
If the death of the loved one occurred through suicide, please check out the national website for Suicide Prevention Action Network and through EIRMC for a special grief support group.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Feminism in the Church
"I'm Not a Feminist!NOT!"
I’ve been very clear about that with many people. I’m NOT a feminist. I’m absolutely not one of those women who goes around breaking barriers and challenging authorities for the right to do anything that women have never done before.
And yet, I am reminded that I am indeed a feminist. By the fact of my birth, my gender places me in the ranks of 50+% of the world’s population. I worked in banking saw the glass ceiling of the management and lending officer training programs in the 70's keep good women from advancing. I've worked in political campaigns of women candidates for congress and saw their battles end in disappointment as they challenged conservative male incumbents with the worst congressional records of attendance. I’m a woman who grew up listening to music which included a repertoire of “I am woman hear me roar.”
But I also chose to be a stay at home mother, rather than immediately enter graduate school, because I saw it as my first responsibility raise up young men with values to pursue peace and justice in their christian lives. As a mother raising my two boys in the 80’s I would tease them with the “wonder woman” twist not just to see them roll their eyes, but more importantly to reaffirm my own power as a woman of ability and accomplishment. It was sort of a mind trick I played with myself for a while when I would begin to feel like my own career had been put on hold, and I was at a loss for my own identity; something other than "Robert's and James' mom." So Yes, I am a feminist. I'm just not a cutting edge "in your face" feminist. I think of myself as more of a heritage feminist. I've accepted as given my opportunities, even as I've worked in small ways to continue the tradition.
The way I read any text, scripture or otherwise is read through the lens which I take so entirely for granted. Coming to that realization is not so completely new, just something that I need to remember. It came home to me recently in this way:
As a Pastor in the United Methodist Church I take our Wesleyan tradition seriously and with pride. I am a student of John Wesley’s sermons. Preparing sermons for my congregation will often include background reading of at least one John Wesley sermon. I was doing just that, reading Sermon 98, “Visiting the Sick” as I prepared to preach on the text Matthew 25:31-46.
In his sermon he calls the people to take seriously the call of Jesus to visit the sick as an act of compassion. He urges the wealthy especially to break out of their protective zone to reach out to the sick and lonely. Then, as he goes point by point in his argument he says, to paraphrase "this is worthy work for women also." (Italics added). At that I snapped my head to attention. All the time I had read the text I was carrying in my head the present day church, the one that I have become so familiar with in America. It sunk in to me all at once that the primary audience seemed very certainly to be Men. At that point I was really ready to give a big AMEN, because what Wesley preached in the eighteenth Century seems just as relevant, probably more relevant, now than in his day.
I am referring to the call of discipleship which is equally valid regardless of gender. John Wesley was a Feminist. And so am I!
I’m especially proud to serve a congregation in a community that has a long history of being served by women pastors. That history reaches back even before 1956 when women were granted full rights as elders by the General Conference. My male colleagues in the United Methodist Church are of kindred spirit with John Wesley (being Feminists) and for that I am also deeply grateful. We may disagree about some specific policies of and social issues adopted by our Denomination through the General Conference, but my experience is that we are also capable of cordial dialogue and civility in disagreement. That is evidence to me that the Holy Spirit is at work in each of us.
Grace and peace,
Barbara
I’ve been very clear about that with many people. I’m NOT a feminist. I’m absolutely not one of those women who goes around breaking barriers and challenging authorities for the right to do anything that women have never done before.
And yet, I am reminded that I am indeed a feminist. By the fact of my birth, my gender places me in the ranks of 50+% of the world’s population. I worked in banking saw the glass ceiling of the management and lending officer training programs in the 70's keep good women from advancing. I've worked in political campaigns of women candidates for congress and saw their battles end in disappointment as they challenged conservative male incumbents with the worst congressional records of attendance. I’m a woman who grew up listening to music which included a repertoire of “I am woman hear me roar.”
But I also chose to be a stay at home mother, rather than immediately enter graduate school, because I saw it as my first responsibility raise up young men with values to pursue peace and justice in their christian lives. As a mother raising my two boys in the 80’s I would tease them with the “wonder woman” twist not just to see them roll their eyes, but more importantly to reaffirm my own power as a woman of ability and accomplishment. It was sort of a mind trick I played with myself for a while when I would begin to feel like my own career had been put on hold, and I was at a loss for my own identity; something other than "Robert's and James' mom." So Yes, I am a feminist. I'm just not a cutting edge "in your face" feminist. I think of myself as more of a heritage feminist. I've accepted as given my opportunities, even as I've worked in small ways to continue the tradition.
The way I read any text, scripture or otherwise is read through the lens which I take so entirely for granted. Coming to that realization is not so completely new, just something that I need to remember. It came home to me recently in this way:
As a Pastor in the United Methodist Church I take our Wesleyan tradition seriously and with pride. I am a student of John Wesley’s sermons. Preparing sermons for my congregation will often include background reading of at least one John Wesley sermon. I was doing just that, reading Sermon 98, “Visiting the Sick” as I prepared to preach on the text Matthew 25:31-46.
In his sermon he calls the people to take seriously the call of Jesus to visit the sick as an act of compassion. He urges the wealthy especially to break out of their protective zone to reach out to the sick and lonely. Then, as he goes point by point in his argument he says, to paraphrase "this is worthy work for women also." (Italics added). At that I snapped my head to attention. All the time I had read the text I was carrying in my head the present day church, the one that I have become so familiar with in America. It sunk in to me all at once that the primary audience seemed very certainly to be Men. At that point I was really ready to give a big AMEN, because what Wesley preached in the eighteenth Century seems just as relevant, probably more relevant, now than in his day.
I am referring to the call of discipleship which is equally valid regardless of gender. John Wesley was a Feminist. And so am I!
I’m especially proud to serve a congregation in a community that has a long history of being served by women pastors. That history reaches back even before 1956 when women were granted full rights as elders by the General Conference. My male colleagues in the United Methodist Church are of kindred spirit with John Wesley (being Feminists) and for that I am also deeply grateful. We may disagree about some specific policies of and social issues adopted by our Denomination through the General Conference, but my experience is that we are also capable of cordial dialogue and civility in disagreement. That is evidence to me that the Holy Spirit is at work in each of us.
Grace and peace,
Barbara
Monday, January 12, 2009
Very deep water, a firey topic
Christians around the world stopped to think about Baptism this past Sunday as our Lectionary readings are dedicated to remember also the Baptism of our Lord.
Two months ago headlines across the nation ran articles regarding a Later Day Saints practice called Posthumous Baptism. That article prompted a discussion in our house. The headline read “LDS still baptizing Jews.” (POST REGISTER- NOV 11, 2008) My initial response years ago would have been “who cares?”
Now, as a pastor, and being called upon to respond to questions about other people’s practices, I had to stop to think through the issue. In doing so, I find that it puts me in a much different place.
This practice which is so important to my LDS neighbors, and probably to one or two of my own family members just seems downright strange to the average mainline Christian. To others it is entirely offensive.
This is my attempt to explain why the Later Day Saint Church practice of Posthumous Baptism is offensive to families whose members died practicing another faith. This is just one person’s personal reflection. I offer it to help create understanding, not to attack.
As I see it there is a significant difference in Orthodox Christianity’s (by which I mean virtually any Christian Church: spectrum running from Roman Catholic to Presbyterian. Anabaptist, Evangelical) understanding of salvation and Later Day Saints teaching. Rather than attempt to explain how the LDS Church teaches salvation I will limit my remarks to what I understand- what I believe about baptisms and its significance in the work of salvation. I will look at scripture, tradition, and apply reason to the issue.
For me the most important scripture describing the work of baptism is found in Paul’s letter to the Colossians.
Luke tells of an encounter of Paul in Ephesus which also tells us more about baptism and what occurs. He writes
Lastly, looking at the Gospel of Matthew we find more about what should happen surrounding baptism.
So looking strictly at texts from Scripture, there simply is no value, in my mind, for any proxy posthumous baptism.
What does tradition have to say about Posthumous baptism?
Some scholars suggest that baptism for the dead was practiced by some early Christian groups, continuing until at least the late fourth century. John A Tyedtnes, a Hebrew and early Christian scholar at Brigham Young University, Utah writes:
“That baptism for the dead was indeed practiced in some orthodox Christian circles is indicated by the decisions of two late fourth century councils. The fourth canon of the Synod of Hippo, held in 393, declares, "The Eucharist shall not be given to dead bodies, nor baptism conferred upon them." The ruling was confirmed four years later in the sixth canon of the Third Council of Carthage.
History shows that any early tradition of baptism of the dead was rejected.
Now, let me share a related line of thought which comes from my experience.
While completing work on my Master of Divinity Degree, our Christian History class was required to do genealogical research. The purpose of which was to trace the religious heritage of our ancestors. In this project many students discovered interesting and little known facts about their family history. While many were presently confessing membership through mainline protestant denominations large numbers of us could look back just one or two generations to find the Family Faith situated in the Roman Catholic Church. My maternal lineage includes four Irish Catholic lines. My husband’s family lines also have several Irish Catholic lines. All these lines carried forward the Christian faith through infant baptism, and we continued the practice for our children.
In the class we discovered that much of the changes in households of faith were due to mixed marriages in the present generation. More often than not the practice of faith remained very constant for centuries. The exceptions seemed more notable. Persecution at the time of the rise of Nationalism brought on many conversions of faith, a coincident event with the Protestant Reformation. Before that the Inquisition was a huge motivator to conversion for Jews to Christianity. More than one student discovered at least one family line of former Jews, originally from Spain but then migrating to the Philippines. While difficult to identify the actual cause, the presumed most plausible cause for conversion was persecution. Historical evidence led many to believe the families converted publicly but privately remained devout Jews who practiced the traditions and festivals of their faith in secret. The primary documents used to prove our connections and movements among the households of faith were diaries, bibles, certificates of baptism, letters and photos. So many surprises and great joys of discovery as well as sorrows and laments for those who considered the violence perpetuated on previous generations were experienced in the process of this class assignment. In the process I was surprised and delighted to learn of my great-great-great grandfather, Rev. Thomas Wright, who was an Episcopal priest in our family history. Would any dare to perform proxy posthumous baptism for this man, I would be insulted. I hold the thought that this saint has joined me in the consecration of Holy Communion throughout my appointment.
That seems to be the essence of the rub. Those of us who take our practice of religion seriously are most offended by the thought that practitioners of another form of religion which now desires acceptance as Christian like all others would regard our ancestors faith as insufficient and incomplete, which is more directly an insult to our understanding of significance of the work of God either in Jesus Christ or the work of God independent of Jesus for our Jewish neighbors.
As a minister in the United Methodist Church I accept as effective any baptism previously performed by any minister of the Christ’s Church. Roman Catholic or Baptist, Lutheran or Episcopal, Independent Christian or any of the Congregationalists, all are accepted if claimed by a prospective member. Fundamentally, it would be an insult to the work of the Holy Spirit to insist upon performing a second baptism if someone where to desire to unite with my congregation. I view proxy posthumous baptisms as an equivalent insult, not just to the practitioners a faith tradition, but more importantly to the Holy Spirit which both the Old and New Testament give witness to.
Sadly, the practice of Posthumous Proxy Baptism sets the Church of Jesus Christ Later Day Saints miles apart from the Church which sees itself as the Body of Jesus Christ at work in the world. So, I am left with one question for our friends in the Church of Jesus Christ Later Day Saints, which Paul asked the disciples at Ephesus; “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”
Father in Heaven, at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan you proclaimed him your beloved son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit. Grant that all who are baptized into his name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly confess him as Lord and savior, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns One God, in glory everlasting. AMEN.
Two months ago headlines across the nation ran articles regarding a Later Day Saints practice called Posthumous Baptism. That article prompted a discussion in our house. The headline read “LDS still baptizing Jews.” (POST REGISTER- NOV 11, 2008) My initial response years ago would have been “who cares?”
Now, as a pastor, and being called upon to respond to questions about other people’s practices, I had to stop to think through the issue. In doing so, I find that it puts me in a much different place.
This practice which is so important to my LDS neighbors, and probably to one or two of my own family members just seems downright strange to the average mainline Christian. To others it is entirely offensive.
This is my attempt to explain why the Later Day Saint Church practice of Posthumous Baptism is offensive to families whose members died practicing another faith. This is just one person’s personal reflection. I offer it to help create understanding, not to attack.
As I see it there is a significant difference in Orthodox Christianity’s (by which I mean virtually any Christian Church: spectrum running from Roman Catholic to Presbyterian. Anabaptist, Evangelical) understanding of salvation and Later Day Saints teaching. Rather than attempt to explain how the LDS Church teaches salvation I will limit my remarks to what I understand- what I believe about baptisms and its significance in the work of salvation. I will look at scripture, tradition, and apply reason to the issue.
For me the most important scripture describing the work of baptism is found in Paul’s letter to the Colossians.
“when you were buried with him in baptism, you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.” ( Colossians 2:12 NRS)Baptism initiates, that is, it begins an act of change within the one who is baptized. So we baptize our children to begin the process, to incorporate them into the Church, which is the body of Christ in the world. It is initiation into a mystical living body. Baptism starts a process of sanctification, which we Methodists delightfully describe as “going on toward perfection.” In any orthodox understanding sanctification simply cannot occur posthumously. Baptism therefore, has no value once the vessel, the human body has ceased operations.
Luke tells of an encounter of Paul in Ephesus which also tells us more about baptism and what occurs. He writes
“While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, “did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”This clearly indicates something of value occurs ONLY for the living.
They answered, “no we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?”
“John’s baptism,” they replied.
Paul said “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all.” (Acts 19:1-7 NIV)
Lastly, looking at the Gospel of Matthew we find more about what should happen surrounding baptism.
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28: 18-20)Here we see several key points. 1) People of all nations are included in the invitation to learn (“become disciples”), 2) baptism occurs in the threefold name once the initiative to become a student (disciple being a Greek word for student) is taken, 3) Continued learning is a follow-up condition of being disciples of Jesus Christ, 4) Jesus promises to be present to all disciples at all times.
So looking strictly at texts from Scripture, there simply is no value, in my mind, for any proxy posthumous baptism.
What does tradition have to say about Posthumous baptism?
Some scholars suggest that baptism for the dead was practiced by some early Christian groups, continuing until at least the late fourth century. John A Tyedtnes, a Hebrew and early Christian scholar at Brigham Young University, Utah writes:
“That baptism for the dead was indeed practiced in some orthodox Christian circles is indicated by the decisions of two late fourth century councils. The fourth canon of the Synod of Hippo, held in 393, declares, "The Eucharist shall not be given to dead bodies, nor baptism conferred upon them." The ruling was confirmed four years later in the sixth canon of the Third Council of Carthage.
History shows that any early tradition of baptism of the dead was rejected.
Now, let me share a related line of thought which comes from my experience.
While completing work on my Master of Divinity Degree, our Christian History class was required to do genealogical research. The purpose of which was to trace the religious heritage of our ancestors. In this project many students discovered interesting and little known facts about their family history. While many were presently confessing membership through mainline protestant denominations large numbers of us could look back just one or two generations to find the Family Faith situated in the Roman Catholic Church. My maternal lineage includes four Irish Catholic lines. My husband’s family lines also have several Irish Catholic lines. All these lines carried forward the Christian faith through infant baptism, and we continued the practice for our children.
In the class we discovered that much of the changes in households of faith were due to mixed marriages in the present generation. More often than not the practice of faith remained very constant for centuries. The exceptions seemed more notable. Persecution at the time of the rise of Nationalism brought on many conversions of faith, a coincident event with the Protestant Reformation. Before that the Inquisition was a huge motivator to conversion for Jews to Christianity. More than one student discovered at least one family line of former Jews, originally from Spain but then migrating to the Philippines. While difficult to identify the actual cause, the presumed most plausible cause for conversion was persecution. Historical evidence led many to believe the families converted publicly but privately remained devout Jews who practiced the traditions and festivals of their faith in secret. The primary documents used to prove our connections and movements among the households of faith were diaries, bibles, certificates of baptism, letters and photos. So many surprises and great joys of discovery as well as sorrows and laments for those who considered the violence perpetuated on previous generations were experienced in the process of this class assignment. In the process I was surprised and delighted to learn of my great-great-great grandfather, Rev. Thomas Wright, who was an Episcopal priest in our family history. Would any dare to perform proxy posthumous baptism for this man, I would be insulted. I hold the thought that this saint has joined me in the consecration of Holy Communion throughout my appointment.
That seems to be the essence of the rub. Those of us who take our practice of religion seriously are most offended by the thought that practitioners of another form of religion which now desires acceptance as Christian like all others would regard our ancestors faith as insufficient and incomplete, which is more directly an insult to our understanding of significance of the work of God either in Jesus Christ or the work of God independent of Jesus for our Jewish neighbors.
As a minister in the United Methodist Church I accept as effective any baptism previously performed by any minister of the Christ’s Church. Roman Catholic or Baptist, Lutheran or Episcopal, Independent Christian or any of the Congregationalists, all are accepted if claimed by a prospective member. Fundamentally, it would be an insult to the work of the Holy Spirit to insist upon performing a second baptism if someone where to desire to unite with my congregation. I view proxy posthumous baptisms as an equivalent insult, not just to the practitioners a faith tradition, but more importantly to the Holy Spirit which both the Old and New Testament give witness to.
Sadly, the practice of Posthumous Proxy Baptism sets the Church of Jesus Christ Later Day Saints miles apart from the Church which sees itself as the Body of Jesus Christ at work in the world. So, I am left with one question for our friends in the Church of Jesus Christ Later Day Saints, which Paul asked the disciples at Ephesus; “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”
Father in Heaven, at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan you proclaimed him your beloved son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit. Grant that all who are baptized into his name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly confess him as Lord and savior, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns One God, in glory everlasting. AMEN.
16 things
You already know (assuming you've been reading my blog) that I have questions about how relevant a connection can be formed using Facebook as the venue, "the commons" cyber version if you will. So playing the game here is as sample of what goes on in my facebook circle: I was "tagged" in a "note" by a friend in Facebook. This is what one person started to get a conversation going:
1. I like AOL I’M for keeping in touch with our son in Iraq.
2. I love being a pastor.
3. Leading worship is my #1 priority in each week.
4. Preparing the message sometimes takes a very long time before any words are apparent.
5. I miss being near to my grandchildren.
6. Being with families as their loved one is preparing to enter the eternal is the greatest privilege of being a pastor.
7. America needs to see movies like “Yes Man” and “Me and Marley”
8. The most profound book I ever read challenged my understanding of Christianity and helped me claim my place in the Church.
9. Being blonde leads to being a redhead.
10. Snow is best enjoyed at the top of a double black diamond run in Lake Tahoe.
11. Telling stories is not about telling lies.
12. I love to garden and once only worked to be able to buy new plants for our new yard
13. Being the only female in a house of men and boys leads to independent thinking and sometimes feeling isolated.
14. I first found God at the edge of the ocean.
15. Sunrises are the best time of the day and they come way too late during the Eastern Idaho Winter.
16. The best class I took in seminary was “Preaching the Book of Revelation” taught by Cornish Rogers at Claremont School of Theology.
Rules: Once you’ve been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 16 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 16 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it’s because I want to know more about you. If I DIDN'T tag you, it is only because 1) you don't post a lot or 2) I assumed you wouldn't be into this.-And this is my response to 16 things-
1. I like AOL I’M for keeping in touch with our son in Iraq.
2. I love being a pastor.
3. Leading worship is my #1 priority in each week.
4. Preparing the message sometimes takes a very long time before any words are apparent.
5. I miss being near to my grandchildren.
6. Being with families as their loved one is preparing to enter the eternal is the greatest privilege of being a pastor.
7. America needs to see movies like “Yes Man” and “Me and Marley”
8. The most profound book I ever read challenged my understanding of Christianity and helped me claim my place in the Church.
9. Being blonde leads to being a redhead.
10. Snow is best enjoyed at the top of a double black diamond run in Lake Tahoe.
11. Telling stories is not about telling lies.
12. I love to garden and once only worked to be able to buy new plants for our new yard
13. Being the only female in a house of men and boys leads to independent thinking and sometimes feeling isolated.
14. I first found God at the edge of the ocean.
15. Sunrises are the best time of the day and they come way too late during the Eastern Idaho Winter.
16. The best class I took in seminary was “Preaching the Book of Revelation” taught by Cornish Rogers at Claremont School of Theology.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Christmas stories continue
Still being in the Twelve days of Christmas I thought this story is worth thinking about.
I'll give this to Simon: He's creative. As a preacher, I like to take license with the text too. Barbara Lundblad has written a convincing book MARKING TIME subtitled Preaching Biblical Stories in the Present Tense.
The problem with the story is how the nativity has been diminished, shredded of the mystery of the incarnation of God into the life of humanity. Instead, the incarnation of Jesus is overshadowed by an ah ha moment. Rather than really challenging us with the scandal of God's incarnation, Simon only demonstrates a revelation. It's not even an Epiphany, because none see the presence of God in their midst. It's a good revelation. If only all humanity would get it at about the same time.
More on Epiphanies later. Hope you enjoy the story, for what it's worth.
Happy New Year
I'll give this to Simon: He's creative. As a preacher, I like to take license with the text too. Barbara Lundblad has written a convincing book MARKING TIME subtitled Preaching Biblical Stories in the Present Tense.
The problem with the story is how the nativity has been diminished, shredded of the mystery of the incarnation of God into the life of humanity. Instead, the incarnation of Jesus is overshadowed by an ah ha moment. Rather than really challenging us with the scandal of God's incarnation, Simon only demonstrates a revelation. It's not even an Epiphany, because none see the presence of God in their midst. It's a good revelation. If only all humanity would get it at about the same time.
More on Epiphanies later. Hope you enjoy the story, for what it's worth.
Happy New Year
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