Recently St. James has been going through a transitional period with our musicians. This is very hard. Someone who is hurt and troubled told me that it was my fault that our congregation is "falling apart." I assured this concerned member that St. James is NOT falling apart, that God is very much present in the midst of our conflict, making a way for us in the wilderness. The angry response was, "Oh, don't bring God into this."
As so often happens, I couldn't think of the right response at the time. But I've thought a lot about this exchange since then, and it has produced much fruit in my Lenten contemplation. I want to share some with you.
1) It is neither possible nor necessary for me to bring God into the struggles at St. James. Or anywhere else. God is already present. In fact, it is God who invites us "into this"--not vice versa. God calls to us, embraces us in our baptisms, and claims us as God's own. Even when we don't reciprocate, still God pursues us, loves us, forgives us, and believes in us.
2) In the story of the temptation, Jesus was driven to the wilderness by the Spirit. That has often troubled me, but now I find it somewhat consoling. The Spirit leads the church and we follow, not the other way around. Even when our circumstances feel as arid and lonely as a desert, we can rest in the assurance that God is there with us, and will nurture and guide us through. Angels will attend to us when we are worn out.
God is in this. God is and has always been in this congregation, this community, this world. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. That Word still echoes through the universe. In spite of everything we do that hurts God's beloved creation, God is here. In spite of all the ways we fail, or flounder, or even refuse to try, God is here. What's more, God is here because God chooses here. God chooses us. Thanks be to God!
Monday, February 18, 2008
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Light
It seems kind of perfect to me that we will begin installing our new energy-efficient "green" lighting during the season of Epiphany. Epiphany means "manifestation" or "appearance" and--in the church calendar--refers to the Wise Men's arrival at the cradle of Christ, where they SAW the Messiah to whom they had been lead by the light of a star. But anytime we catch a glimpse of God at work in the world we have "epiphanies."
I mentioned in my sermon Sunday that the key word for the season of Epiphany is "LOOK!" What better way to celebrate the season than by installing lights that make it better for us to see by? Furthermore, the council's decision to obtain a no-interest loan from the synod to retrofit our lighting reflects (pun intended) our commitment to be better stewards of God's creation. The timing for the beginning of this project couldn't be better. On Saturday, Feb. 2, right at the end of Epiphany, after weeks and weeks of hearing about the Light of God, we will enhance our building's lighting. I know new light fixtures in our basement and gym are not exactly like the glorious symbols of the incarnation of Christ, but they work for me. They effectively remind me that we are turning toward light, turning toward the world that God so loves, that we are unafraid to turn toward something new.
At the end of the service of Baptism, we hand a candle to the newly baptized (or sponsor) and issue this call: "Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." Let that be our mandate in 2008, and may our building retrofitting project remind us of it regularly.
By the way, please invite all your friends and neighbors (especially those who know anything about electrical wiring) to join us on Feb. 2 from 9-noon to help in this endeavor!
I mentioned in my sermon Sunday that the key word for the season of Epiphany is "LOOK!" What better way to celebrate the season than by installing lights that make it better for us to see by? Furthermore, the council's decision to obtain a no-interest loan from the synod to retrofit our lighting reflects (pun intended) our commitment to be better stewards of God's creation. The timing for the beginning of this project couldn't be better. On Saturday, Feb. 2, right at the end of Epiphany, after weeks and weeks of hearing about the Light of God, we will enhance our building's lighting. I know new light fixtures in our basement and gym are not exactly like the glorious symbols of the incarnation of Christ, but they work for me. They effectively remind me that we are turning toward light, turning toward the world that God so loves, that we are unafraid to turn toward something new.
At the end of the service of Baptism, we hand a candle to the newly baptized (or sponsor) and issue this call: "Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." Let that be our mandate in 2008, and may our building retrofitting project remind us of it regularly.
By the way, please invite all your friends and neighbors (especially those who know anything about electrical wiring) to join us on Feb. 2 from 9-noon to help in this endeavor!
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