“ What Does It Mean to Be *Rich* Towards God ”

 

Dear Jesus-Followers,

If you ever thought that “following Jesus” was going to be about peaceful co-existence, about living comfortably, about not being anxious about tomorrow, or about being first rather than last …Jesus is about to spend the next stretch of Sundays challenging ALL of our assumptions, hopes, and dreams!  Get ready!  The sun’s not going to be the only scorching thing to smite us!  But living as we do these days next to Hell’s backyard (not only as a reflection of the summer weather, but the world around us that is wracked by the evidence and consequence of human sinfulness), being smote by Jesus’ words isn’t the worst idea of how to pass some of the hottest days on earth. 

Jesus will describe a baptism with which to be baptized, as a fire already kindled.  Jesus references scorching heat from a south wind.  Jesus will sentence us to the lowest place and instruct us to invite the poor to dinner.  Jesus will tell us to “sell our possessions” but be “dressed for action.  Jesus will ask us not to be afraid, but that our house may be broken into.  Jesus will tell us that our lives will be asked of us, and that our possessions cannot remain with us.  So, if we are to have any claim on the Kingdom of God …our lives and our possessions, our homes and dinner tables—should bear little resemblance to how they do, today! 

Wow!  Jesus comes to us with seemingly little tolerance for the ways in which we are usually accustomed to spending our summer vacation!  Boating, fishing, swimming, camping by the lake under the stars, traveling to see far away places, re-creating—we call it! 

If you’re familiar with the television series, Yellowstone, you may have heard Mr. Dutton—the fictionalized owner of the largest ranch in Montana—brag about how no one questions his ardor for the ranching lifestyle from the summer days spent watching the cattle while living away in the wilderness, bathing in mountain streams and playing in the meadows, with no other people to bother you!  A view, even he would say too few people share the privilege of, because people like him, keep it to themselves!  So, Jesus seeks to remind us that living in the Kingdom of God isn’t about preserving it for ourselves, but just the opposite—making it accessible to everyone!  It's why Jesus teaches us that life isn’t about the abundance of possessions, that possessions are sold and alms are given, that God gives us the kingdom (even if we’re not ready for it), and we’re always invited to dinner (whether we can pay for it, or not). 

I think Jesus turns up the heat hoping we realize some urgency in moving toward the Kingdom of God …not for our sake, but for the sake of the whole world!  This comes as no surprise to us who have come to know at least some of what Jesus is about.  When you’ve sat in our pews as long as some of us have, well, the pew is a little bit worn and “comfortable”—like an old ball glove, well-worn shoes, or a favorite pair of jeans.  The “comfortable” isn’t what’s bad; but the urgency of tending to others, sometimes fades, too. 

WE are the instruments of God’s Kingdom.  When we make noise, the Kingdom comes alive!  So may God strike up the band and use us as a clarion call of faithful following in which God’s Kingdom—in all it’s glory—is revealed. 

Keep your cool.  Wear your sunscreen.  Live your life so it tells God’s story …like what Jesus says. 

“ Imbued with Resurrection Joy ”

Dear Followers of the Risen Christ,

In the last few days of the Easter season Christians celebrate the Ascension of Jesus, where his followers watch Jesus get taken into heaven.  Then, on what would be the 50^th day of Easter, we celebrate Pentecost.  These are two celebrations you might wonder why in the world we celebrate.  Jesus …leaving us?  And then, because Jesus has ascended, we are promised and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit? 

But the celebration of Jesus’ ascension isn’t really “celebrating” that Jesus leaves; rather, it is celebrating the full and completeness of his resurrection.  We are reminded that Jesus is no longer subjected to the earthly realm, things like death, suffering, pain, and so forth.  It’s not that Jesus leaves as much as we know he is untouchable.  Jesus was raised.  He is alive.  And that life is extended to us; even though we die, we live.  And the gift of the Holy Spirit, isn’t a replacement for Jesus. 

In his death and resurrection, Jesus has transformed the world.  And by means of the gift of the Holy Spirit, we are called to transform the world, too.  So that in the days after Jesus’ resurrection, the world is transformed, and we are transformed; and for those of us who are alive in Christ, our lives are made new. 

In the crucifixion and resurrection Jesus supercharges OUR lives.  Jesus calls us to love one another and others as he has loved us.  Jesus invites us not just to fish for people, not just to believe in him, but to take our lives and love as he loved.  And it’s because we are LOVING people that we need a bit of light, sparkle, enthusiasm, hope, and …joy. 

In the scriptures, notice how those who believe begin to make a difference in the lives of others.  See what happens when those who follow Jesus encounter worldly challenges.  Witness how the lift of Jesus is no longer confined to biblical stories, but has been let loose in the world through us. 

When Eastertide wanes, we are inaugurated and imbued with resurrection joy!  For having been made in God’s image, we are now recreated for God’s loving! 

…So what’s ahead for you …and your loving? 

 

Be sure to join us on Sunday, May 8^th as we celebrate Pentecost in worship, followed by our annual Pentecost Picnic! 

On June 15^th, we celebrate Trinity Sunday—the only Sunday in the liturgical calendar named for a church doctrine, not a biblical story! 

On Wednesday during June, our all-Church Bible Study meets on Wednesday evenings.  Join us for a meal at 5:30 followed by Bible Study at 6pm. 

 

The crucifixion was hard, but new life lies beyond it.  How will you use yours?

" What I can Do on My Summer Vacation "

Dear Followers of the Risen Christ,

Now that Eastertide has been inaugurated, there are several special summer opportunities for us to live into the new life of Christ together!

• In July, our denomination, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), will once again be hosting the Presbyterian Youth Triennium in Louisville, KY. This is a special “youth rally” event, that as the name implies, is observed every three years, hasn’t been held since 2017 because of COVID. It’s for High School students (or just graduated) …and our Presbytery is hoping to send a delegation of as many of our youth as possible. The Presbytery will be offering generous scholarships, and the Synod will be supporting our delegation with a special $1,000 gift. You can learn more about Triennium at the official website: https://presbyterianyouthtriennium.org/. If you have any interested youth, please contact Pastor David.

• The Presbytery also helps support congregations through scholarships for summer camping for eligible children and youth at Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center. Ferncliff offers a number of summer camps for children and families throughout the year. You can check out their offerings at their website: www.ferncliff.org. The Presbytery of the Pines will MATCH congregational support, up to one-half of the cost of attending summer camp.

• And there aren’t just opportunities for children and youth! Montreat is a PCUSA conference center in North Carolina (Sue and John Pickett’s son, Tanner, works there!). Montreat offers a full schedule conferences for youth, college-aged youth, young adults, and denominationally-affiliated conferences like the Worship & Music Conferences and others. Montreat was at ground zero for last year’s devastating inland hurricane, but after extensive recovery efforts, the summer schedule is about to be in full swing. Imagine taking a trip to the mountains and exploring rich, spiritual, learning opportunities at: https://montreat.org/

• Not to be outdone, a little bit closer in Texas is Mo-Ranch. “Mo” (as it’s often known) offers a full slate of events, camps, conferences, and learning opportunities sponsored locally and through PCUSA entities. See: https://www.moranch.org/attend-a-conference/. From a robust Men’s Conference, to a renowned Women’s Conference—MO has something for nearly everyone, in an unforgettable Texas hill-country locale!

Not ready to commit? Both Mo-Ranch and Montreat offer accommodations and campgrounds for “passers-thru” so if you’re in the neighborhood, you can check out things in person!

• This year’s Stewardship Kaleidoscope Conference happens in New Orleans this September! ANYONE can attend, and the Presbytery is hoping to have a representative group of attendees! This conference is for congregational leaders—both ministers and pastor-types as well as lay leaders. Find out more at: www.stewardshipkaleidoscope.org. “Stewardship” is a lifestyle of giving, knowing that God has gifted us with much, and that sharing and caring and giving …yield joy.

If we’re singing, ♫ “ Up from the grave he arose ” ♫ this EASTER, new life IN CHRIST isn’t just around the corner—it’s begun! Celebrate the joy of this season by thinking of the ways you can live into Christ’s vision this summer! DREAM BIG! And even if you can’t join in the fun in person, remember …you may have the means to help transform someone else’s life by helping to send them, instead!



The crucifixion was hard, but life lies beyond it.

“ Going the Way of the Cross? ”

 

Dear Jesus-Followers on the road to Jerusalem, that eventually includes a trip to the cross,

Some years ago, a friend of mine from my youth group days (who’s also now a minister colleague) invited the congregation she was serving at the time to adopt a program where members were invited to “walk” from Nazareth to Bethlehem during Advent.  The idea wasn’t to travel to modern day Israel, but rather, to cover the same number of miles in their own lives as a kind of spiritual journey preparing them for Christmas.  Individuals and families were invited to sign up and keep track of their progress—they even divided it into the number of steps, so people could count their Wal-Mart trips and parking lot steps!  Another church I heard about, celebrated Advent one year by inviting families to contribute baby supplies for a special mission project that year.  Lent can be this same kind of journey, marking time and having a special emphasis, but it’s a lot less fun.  At least during Advent, you get to look forward to holding a baby when you get to Bethlehem.  For Lent …there’s a cross waiting for us!  This may be why many of us struggle with Lenten disciplines! 

In Jerusalem, there’s a journey through the city known as the Via Dolorosa—they way of sorrows or suffering—believed to be the path Jesus made from the trial before Pilate to the place where he was crucified.  The old city of Jerusalem is actually quite small; the passageways are narrow, and the route of the Via Dolorosa is only about 2,000 feet, passing 14 “stations” or places along the way, attributed to some of the recorded events.  It’s important to note that the stations and events are subjective and based on tradition, not historical facts—so it’s a journey that’s more spiritual than physical, or literal, especially for modern day pilgrims like us. 

I like to remind us during Lent that we’re following Jesus to the cross.  But I also get that this is a bit of an unusual itinerary (except that we do this every year!).  So, it’s not lost on me that while the other symbols for springtime and Easter involve fluffy animals and special candy, we’re actually trying to walk or journey toward a crucifixion!  Which seems oxymoronic! 

Several years ago, a speaker at a conference I was attending reminded the audience of the irony that one of the most brutal forms of public execution was the symbol of our faith.  We take the cross, one of the worst forms of human suffering, and somehow transform it …wearing it as jewelry, placing it as decoration, symbolizing our faith and even “love” with a object that represents violence and death.  “We are traveling to the cross,” as if it were a destination that wasn’t harmful, or at least, harmful to us.  We remember Jesus’ suffering, perhaps as if suffering were simply swallowed up, like death, in Jesus’ suffering and death, when he is raised. 

So, I’ve been thinking about what one carries to a cross party …or, a crucifixion?  …If that’s where we’re going, spiritually if not physically. 

When I traveled to the Holy Land, one of my colleagues decided he no longer needed the things he brought with him …so, he left them behind, either donating them or helping others repurpose them.  Part of the Lenten journey is remembering that we’re invited to leave our sins behind, dying to our old life and being raised in a new life.  Mortification and vivification; dying to sin and rising without sin.  …So if you could leave a spiritual suitcase behind at the cross …what would you leave in it?  What do you no longer need to carry with you?  Or, another way is thinking about what you might tell someone else, they get to leave behind, because you’ve forgiven them? 

Some journeys are harder than others.  The journey to the cross isn’t an easy one, physically or spiritually.  But life lies beyond it.  The way of the cross …dying and rising. 

“ Bright Light and Shining like Jesus ”

 

Dear Followers of a brightly shining Jesus—in our midst,

By the time you’re reading this, it will nearly be Lent!  And to be perfectly honest, it snuck up on me this year!  Lent, of course, is the liturgical season in which precedes Easter, 40 days in which early Christians prepared for baptism and a life of faith in the Church, a time when we as believers and followers of Jesus traditionally undertake spiritual disciplines such as prayer, fasting, studying of scripture, feeding strangers, assisting those who have been victimized, standing up for justice and righteousness.  Lent is an important season which serves to recall us to practice what we believe. 

Another Lenten word is praxis.  Praxis comes from a Greek word meaning, “to do.”  Lenten praxis means “doing Lent.”  So, rather than think about Lent as a season, a time that comes and goes—instead, it’s a call to be doing and practicing our faith.  It’s why we often talk about participating in practices of “giving up things,” which is an ancient way of understanding how to make MORE ROOM in our lives for the works of faith. 

…So the question becomes, “What are you doing for Lent?”  As in, choose your praxis! 

Again, traditional Christians are encouraged to pray, to fast, to study God’s word, to participate in feeding, in sharing, in helping, in standing with, in lifting up …goodness and kindness and mercy and many other virtues.  Again, traditioned believers will be clamoring to be visible witnesses to what they believe, by practicing faith, and being the embodiment of the work and witness of God’s Kingdom as witnessed in Jesus. 

…Have I talked you into “participating” yet?  Because you can’t “do Lent” while sitting down!  Or being quiet, or sticking to yourself.  You can’t be a part of the movement, shake up the countryside, learn how to walk on the Way, seek forgiveness or be forgiven—by keeping it to yourself.  …It’s not like Advent! 

Advent was about waiting and watching, hoping and ringing in the season of God’s love.  Lent?  It’s about challenging and changing what we’ve always done.  It’s about picking up where we’ve left off.  It’s trying again to bring the Kingdom of God to bear on our lives, remembering what it means to embody a resurrection! 

What will you praxis this Lent?  How will you show the world what you believe about Jesus Christ?  Where will you show up and be the Kingdom’s work, and with whom? 

Don’t be afraid.  Even if Lent snuck up on you, too—it’s not too late!  It will come to you.  The Spirit will help make it known for you.  Just don’t sit still. 

We will celebrate the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday, March 5^th. 

Palm Sunday is April 13^th. 

We will celebrate Maundy Thursday on April 17^th. 

And Easter is April 20^th. 

Lent, is all the time between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday.  Make it count. 

 

Jesus shone God’s light on those who were in need, not to make it public, but to reflect the rays of God’s action.  Jesus is still the light of the world.  We are the reflections of his light.  Let your light shine before others. 

“ Prayers and Politics ”

 

Dear Star-Illumined-Jesus Followers,

One of the things I love about serving this congregation is that you know how to pray; and one of the things I’ve heard a lot from the recipients of those prayers is that the prayers are FELT by those who are the focus of your prayers!  It’s awesome! 

Yet one of the conversations behind the scenes has been how our prayers can be best directed, so as to be felt, so as to help realize God’s work …because we have a Prayer Tree, a Prayer Group using Facebook, there can be announcements from the pulpit, there’s a newsletter, a Facebook page, word of mouth, a Sunday School Class, a Choir Group—all of whom can be prayerful!  Or not—because we also have folks who think that prayers are like religion and politics—not to be spoken in public!  Or shared! 

Praying for one another is a gift of the heart, the Spirit, a sign of the love of Christ among us, that regardless of one’s circumstances, can have a powerfully-felt impact—both for the prayer and the one(s) being prayed for.  But it’s also true that to be prayed for, one shouldn’t have to give up their privacy.  Sometimes we need to be prayed for, but it’s a situation or circumstance that should not be revealed! 

I’d like it if one of the ministries of this congregation can be that we pray for one another—in times of great need, or just ordinary plenty.  We can do this by being mindful to pray for each other by just perusing through the directory along with remembering our families and neighbors.  But when it comes to praying in special circumstances, we should apply some additional guidance. 

• Asking to be prayed for isn’t a press release; it needs to be treated as privileged information. 
• Being added to the prayers list doesn’t mean “everyone has to know about it” from the pulpit. 
• Being asked to pray for someone, isn’t an invitation to share their news.  
• Praying for one another is a sacred holding of them before God, and it’s an act between you and God.  It can also be an act of the whole congregation, with the right permission. 

When someone asks to be put on our prayer tree, that’s a group of dedicated, faithful people who do the praying.  If you have prayer requests or would like to be added to the prayer tree, please contact Janice Vail, she can add you to the list of people who are called on the telephone and asked to pray. 

Persons can also be added to our Facebook Prayer group—a private group of dedicated pray-ers.  Only members of this group will see prayer requests, each request is confidential, it is definitely not public.  If you have prayer requests, or you’d like to be added to this group, please contact Ashley in the Church Office—every person who requests to be a part of this group is vetted ahead of time. 

In addition to prayers, our Witness and Service committee is charged with care for members and others, because sometimes we need a little prayer and a cup of soup!  All of us can help can help by helping to ask one another when we think someone might need to be prayed for or if we need to be asking about fulfilling other needs.  If you know someone is or may need our prayers, asking them if they want to be prayed for is a good start; then sharing that with the appropriate persons. 

If someone has a desire to keep a request completely private, you can contact me directly—I’ll then know to be praying for you, especially; and, we can also determine how best to employ our prayer networks on your behalf. 

Again, part of the ministry of this congregation has been and should be to seek to minister to one another in the form of prayer.  Not as a source of sharing information, but directing divine initiative. 

We should be able to do prayer better than politics as a part of keeping up with the story and work of God’s amazing love!  Jesus shone God’s light on those who were in need, not to make it public, but to reflect the rays of God’s action.  Jesus was the light of the world.  And we reflect that light, too. 

" Until the Angels Say "

 

Dear Jesus-Followers and Jesus-Believers,

This year the calendar matches perfectly.  December 1^st is the first day of ADVENT!  …And Advent is the first season of the liturgical year.  And the first word of the first season is …* WAIT *. 

…Do not pass “GO” …do not collect $200 …do not put up your Christmas decorations! 

—Oh WAIT …some of us already have! 

The city of El Dorado’s public lighting was November 21^st! 

Restaurants have been blaring Christmas carols since before Halloween! 

And Hobby Lobby …has Christmas aisles that NEVER go into hiding! 

But before you label me a “Bah humbug-er” …

·       Consider that Advent …is not Christmas.  When Christians began celebrating Advent, it was a time of spiritual preparation for celebrating the incarnation.  Like Lent which preceded the celebration of Easter.  Some patterns of Advent were 6-9 weeks of “spiritual (and other) preparation.” 

·       Just because the secular celebrations of Christmas have shifted from 12 days following December 25^th, to 6-8 weeks BEFORE December 25^th, doesn’t mean we should readjust how we spiritually move through the seasons. 

·       The Bible reminds us of what it means to wait in hope for what God is doing.  In our world, it’s easy to get caught up in our certainty about the birth of Jesus, that we busy ourselves with the preparation for that event, rather than preparing ourselves to discover the ongoing manifestations of God’s incarnation! 

Advent …is not just a counting down of the days until Christmas!  It’s not a season in which we “check off” the things that must be accomplished for our annual celebrations (shopping lists, meal preparations, and parties).  Advent is a time to notice our world, and align ourselves with the ways of God …that almost always are a surprise (like opening a gift on Christmas morning)! 

If you’ve already put up your Christmas tree and redecorated for the holidays …you’re not doing it wrong.  But how well are we anticipating God’s surprises when we’re simply about locking ourselves into the rhythms of every other Christmas?  How ready are we to receive the realities of God’s incarnation if it must follow the familiar pattern?  Can we really see what God has in mind for us and others, insisting that familiarity decides how we should feel? 

When the angel appeared to Mary …it was a surprise.  When the angel appeared to Joseph …it was a surprise.  When the angels showed up for the Shepherds …it was a startling surprise.  And while we are fairly certain that the “good news” of Jesus’ birth is “the reason for the season,” ADVENT invites us to ask some different questions. 

We believe that God is still coming …and not like the first time.  Do we know what to look for?  Or will we miss opportunities to witness it because we’re engrossed in sales and wrapping paper and getting it all done early?  What about the peace of God which passes all understanding—are we pursuing that?  What about invitations to share, to be ready, to live into HOPE, to have worry salved because God is afoot and coming to us—are we pursuing this? 

This Advent we will sing familiar songs.  We will observe familiar rituals.  We will anticipate Christmas, even though it is already happening for some people.  We will try to imagine again what it is like to wait and hope, to anticipate but not jump too soon.  We will tell the stories once again and invite ourselves to not be so urgent about the ending.  We will walk by faith, and not by sight, until the angels say, “All is calm and all is bright.” 

“ October Milestones ”

 

Dear Believers,

Fall is my favorite time of the year.  Along with cooler temperatures, a change in seasons, college football, and harvest …should be “rest.”  In the fall and winter, earth gets a kind of sabbath rest.  The land and soils literally rest, having given themselves in growing produce.  And I love the celebratory festivals and the gratitude that comes with the penultimate celebration of this season—Thanksgiving. 

But before we get to the “rest,” there’ll be a lot going on!  October begins with World Communion Sunday—a celebration of the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper that spans the globe, a sign and practice of our Christian understanding that we are all made one in Christ. 

The second Sunday in October will be marked by a congregational meeting to elect a new class of Session members, who will join session to lead our congregation next year.  It’s also the Sunday when we will gather following worship, to share a meal provided by “Chef” Martin, and receive the challenge budget for 2025. 

The first Sunday will be a reminder of how God offers God’s self to sustain us and our world.  God, we might say, gives the entirety of heaven to ensure human salvation—that God so loves the world, that God gives us Jesus.  The second Sunday is a reminder about how we can give in ways that help give God’s kingdom a foothold on earth.  We should be encouraged that we have many ways to support the life of faith—in what we have to give, or even in our own service—and that each of them, or all of them make a difference in transforming the world, in building the Kingdom of God. 

God gives. 

            We respond. 

                        God calls. 

                                    We act. 

                                                God loves. 

                                                            We love. 

The rest of the weeks of October won’t have special observances, but each Sunday is the constant reminder that is calling us out of nothingness and insisting we are loved and valued.  …It’s a message I wish the world understood, and would hear, better!  That we are loved and valued even when the world seems to be on fire with all the things not of God—greed, violence, oppression, worldly power and glory. 

That’s right.  We live in a world on fire with all the wrong kind of things, and we are still loved and valued by God who insists and invites us to claim other ways of living.  A God who gives us Jesus, who loves us, and whom we’re invited to share with others.  Something we share sacramentally, and something we share in the ritual of breaking bread with one another. 

This season in which we share warm meals, remind one another about the hard work we’ve participated in and given, we share not only the promise of God’s love, but also the grace that there’s more work to do.  So join us in celebrating God’s love in the next few weeks, and then being mindful of sharing the celebration with those around you! 

" Stewardship Vibes "

 

Dear Believers,

I’m returning this month to one of my favorite places!  Not really a “place,” but more of a “reality.”  The “place” moves each year, so it’s never the same “space” even.  I could say, “it must be the people,” but each time, many of the people change, too.  Yes …one of my favorite places is Stewardship Kaleidoscope—an annual conference grounded in stewardship education and generosity, giving and fundraising, where the topics almost always come closely akin to the difficult financial realities churches and church leaders are facing …but each conference always traffics in unmitigated joy! 

Most of the time, when someone says, “stewardship,” most people (especially church people) think, “money” or “conservation"—or sometimes, the conservation of money!  Which leads church people to thinking about the lack of members …and decline …and sadness or even shame.  Put a bunch of these folks in the room and you can’t imagine there’d be much joy—but you’d be wrong!  Because stewardship is God calling to us to share in what God provides; where there’s no lack of resources, no shortage of love, no absence in the face of need, where we’re met with an abundance rather than enough.  For conference-goers, who may register for and show up all down in the mouth, worried and scared, afraid of not having what they need for their congregations, the conference becomes a lived in promise of the Psalmist decree—“weeping may endure for the night, but JOY comes in the morning.”  For most, simply showing up will end long nights of worry and anxiety! 

Most of us often think we know “JOY.”  But I’ve found over the years that JOY—born of gratitude—often goes missing in our lives.  Yes, most of us would say we experience times of joy; but I’ve learned by experience and with others, that these are like puddles after a rain, arriving and departing again, leaving us …wanting.  That even though we maintain lives rooted in worship and spiritual practices among a supportive community of fellow believers, our Joy is not always deep or abiding …and I’ve been shocked to find you may not even notice it!  You won’t even wonder where all your joy went; then, you’re hanging out with people who understand gratitude …when you realize your lack. 

Stewardship people know that JOY is almost always born of gratitude.  And gratitude is like a muscle that needs to be built up and exercised.  One of the easiest ways to begin is adopting language of gratitude—asking yourself: “What am I most grateful for?”  And “What am I lease grateful for?”  Simply talking “gratitude” begins to reveal the reliably JOYFILLED crevasses in every day.  But when you begin talking about gratitude, you more easily discover how to live IN gratitude; and when you LIVE IN gratitude, you can have different responses.  Like, having car trouble—you can be “least grateful” for the trouble, but “grateful” for a friend who can give you a ride.  “Least grateful” about having to find money for a repair; but grateful your store of riches includes someone who can give you a ride to Wal-Mart.  Stewardship people see differently, somehow knowing a deep, abiding sense of God’s presence, love, and joy. 

Stewardship people realize the whole economy of gratitude works the other way, too.  You hear stories like, “I didn’t want the waitress to be happy with a 15% tip for good service; I wanted her to feel ecstatic and know the joy of real appreciation.”  Or “That man might have been just fine with a $20 bonus for going out of his way, I just wanted to see the look on his face when it was a $50 bill instead!”  And …it’s never about the money; it’s always about passing around JOY!  …Joy that somehow always finds a way back to the one who gives it. 

It’s been one of the great privileges (and joys) of my life to serve on the planning team for the conference for nearly a decade.  It’s taught me that joy is almost always right in front of me.  And that’s surely been true, at First Presbyterian Church in Camden, too!  I’m so incredibly grateful for your witness and all that God’s love has provided for us! 

" Church World Part 2B "

 

Empty Tomb Witnesses, Resurrected Jesus Seekers, Good News Bearers, Faith-Sharers,

Some of you may be wondering …what is General Assembly?  And why was the preacher spending two weeks in meetings online and in Salt Lake City?  The short answer is that General Assembly is “the highest council of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)—a deliberative, discerning body, responsible for leading and guiding the whole church in ministry and mission.  And though I was not elected, and didn’t have a vote, I also serve as the Presbytery’s Stated Clerk for the Presbytery of the Pines, and presbytery staff have supportive roles at the assembly. 

1,340 people registered on-site in Salt Lake City, Utah.  The Assembly gathered in one of the large plenary venues at the Salt Palace convention center downtown.  166 Presbyteries sent nearly 500 commissioners from across the country; additionally Presbyteries were represented by mid-council leaders and stated clerks who observe, but who don’t have privilege of voting.  Each Presbytery could also send a Young Adult Advisory Delegate.  11 PCUSA seminaries were invited to elect a Theological Student Advisory Delegates.  There are also a handful of Ecumenical Advisory Delegates and Missionary Advisory Delegates.  About half of the people registered are commissioners and advisory delegates.  The remaining participants are General Assembly staff, presbytery and synod leaders and stated clerks, support volunteers from the local presbytery, stage crew, musicians, resource persons, agency staff, and visitors/observers.  It’s a little bit like watching CSPAN …except there’s always about 1,000 people in the room, half of which are actively making decisions. 

Most days at the assembly are structured similarly.  Each day begins in worship; exciting preachers, rich liturgies, special music, and full-throated singing.  Plenary meetings often began with special greetings from ecumenical representatives, or greetings from churches across the globe.  And then sessions of listening to committee reports and voting on committee recommendations.  There’s a break for lunch, usually a group meal for commissioners, before a long afternoon session.  There’s a break for dinner, usually another group meal of predictable hotel kitchen fare, followed by an evening session where meetings lasted until about 9pm. 

The first day of the Assembly, the Assembly elects co-moderators from among the commissioners.  There’s a process for standing for moderator, so you have to declare your intention to stand many weeks before the Assembly; this assembly chose between two co-moderator teams and this Assembly elected Reverends Cece Armstrong and Tony Larson, Minister commissioners from South Carolina. 

What’s all the excitement about?  All assembly committees are responsible for action items for the General Assembly to take bold, prophetic action in response to issues and concerns.  A lot of this year’s work centered around different proposals to direct invested funds away from companies who make and use fossil fuels.  Another proposal seeks to change descriptions in part of the Book of Order, to more explicitly address forms of discrimination by adding some new language: 

“God unites persons through baptism, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, sex, [gender identity, sexual orientation,] disability, geography, or theological conviction.  There is therefore no place in the life of the Church for discrimination against any person.”

Still other proposals addressed gun violence, climate change, the unification of 2 national church agencies, a new unified budget for those agencies, and a host of new church initiatives. 

The exciting part—seeing, feeling, and witnessing to the presence and work of the Holy Spirit.  Seeing old friends and making new ones.  Spontaneous hymn sings, and dance breaks.  Feeling the joy and love of Jesus manifested with, in, and through so many people.  It’s life altering and faith-changing.  And I’m so grateful for the opportunity to participate and be of service.