Thoughts Along the Way . . .

Earthquakes in Nepal, civil unrest in Baltimore, contentious debate in the Supreme Court, a memorial service for my mom. It has been a challenging week in a wide variety of ways. Sometimes life gets a bit overwhelming and it can be difficult figuring out how best to respond. There are times when I am tempted to simply close the blinds and go back to bed. Except that is not really an option. We live in this world and our faith calls us to participate in such a way that we help to restore wholeness in those situations where brokenness can seem all-pervasive. Which is one of the reasons why I am so grateful for my connection with the United Church of Christ. It is good to be reminded that in this sometimes overwhelming world I do not have to face it alone. I have partners to challenge me, encourage me, support me, prayer for me, work with me. Sometimes, as with the situation in Nepal, we have access to well-established partnerships through whom we can provide prompt and efficient assistance. Sometimes, as with the situation in Baltimore, there are wise and insightful people who help us gain a fuller, richer, deeper understanding of what’s going on and how we can participate in making it better. Sometimes, as with the marriage equality debate in the Supreme Court, we have the privilege of standing in solidarity with the disenfranchised as we offer an alternative perspective on what it means to be Christian. Sometimes, as with my own experiences around my mother’s death, we get to offer and receive quiet, prayerful support and encouragement that matters more than words can express. Life in this world can be overwhelming. And it is not necessary to face that challenge alone. We have each other and we have God. Together may we participate in bringing love and light to those with whom we share life on this planet. Thank you for walking this journey with me.

- Pastor Roger

(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)

Thoughts Along the Way . . .

For the past several years part of my Sunday routine has included sending my mom an e-mail note with a link to my sermon. I always reminded her that it included the audio, since it was difficult for her to read very much text. Then sometime later (maybe later that day or maybe several days later) I would get a note back from her with some variation on “thanks - I needed that one” and often followed by telling me that she had shared it with one of her friends. Last Sunday, as I was posting my sermon, I realized that I don’t get to do that any more. Sometimes I don’t realize what I’ll miss until I’m missing it. I invite you to join me in paying attention to all of the “little things” in life which add so much to the richness and texture of our living. May we notice them, savor them, appreciate them and be grateful for them before they slip beyond our reach.

- Pastor Roger

(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)

Thoughts Along the Way . . .

"Putting the Pieces Together" - Stewardship 2015

It is stewardship time once again. Hopefully by now you have started receiving information in the mail about this year’s campaign, which centers around the theme “Putting the Pieces Together.” As we reflect together on what it means to be faithful people, both individually and collectively as a congregation, it is important to remember that stewardship is about everything we do with everything we have. It is about so much more than just the money we choose to contribute to the church. Being a faithful steward involves paying attention to all of the ways in which we orient the whole of our living. It means carefully and prayerfully reflecting on all of the choices we make regarding the ways we use the resources at our disposal, including our time, our energy, our talents, our money, our words, our actions. Looking at life through the lens of stewardship reminds us that life itself is a gift from God. What we do with that gift is how we say thank you.

- Pastor Roger

(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)

Stewardship - Putting the Pieces Together

It is Stewardship time again. This year’s theme (“Putting the Pieces Together”) is a reminder that each of us has a part to play in the life of our congregation. It is only when all of the pieces come together that the picture begins to come clear. Over the years stewardship has sometimes received a bad rap in church. “All they ever talk about is money!” The truth, of course, is far more complex and nuanced than that. Stewardship is about everything we do with everything we have. It is about being stewards of the whole of lives. That includes what we give away – to the church, to other organizations, to our friends and family, to the person on the corner holding a sign, to whomever and whatever we choose to give away some of our resources. It also includes what we keep and use for ourselves – the money we spend at the grocery store, the car(s) we buy, the trips we take, the clothes we wear, the stuff we collect, all of it. The important question which stewardship asks us to carefully and prayerfully consider is this – are my values reflected in the ways I live my life? Are they reflected in the causes and organizations I choose to support? Are they reflected in the businesses I choose to support with my spending? Are they reflected in things I choose to purchase? What does it mean to be faithful stewards of this amazing gift we have been given, the gift of our lives? Of course we talk about money in church. We talk about it because in our culture money represents so much of our lives – our time, our gifts, our energy, our values. In church we talk about what it means to live faithfully and that conversation becomes meaningless unless it includes all of who we are (including our money). That having been said, it is important to note that it is a conversation. It is not a demand. You are the only one who can decide how you will use the resources which you have. I simply invite you to be prayerful about that decision – listening for the ways in which God’s Spirit might be calling you to move beyond your present comfort zone. Together we are the Church. Together may we continue to grow in faith.

- Pastor Roger

(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)

Thoughts Along the Way . . .

This congregation is in the process of searching for a new settled pastor. The Pastoral Search Committee is currently finishing up their work on the Congregational Profile – a comprehensive description of who you are as a congregation. This document will help potential candidates discern whether or not you might be a good fit for them. I am confident that you will attract highly qualified candidates because you are a strong and vital congregation with a wide variety of qualities and gifts which any pastor would want to find. One such quality that rose to the surface in the past couple of weeks is your ability to love and support your pastor. During this time when my mom was in the hospital and then when she died I have been surrounded by your support and love and prayers. The cards have flooded my mailbox. The comments on Facebook have warmed my heart. The hugs and kind words have touched me deeply. Thank you. When I speak of you to people I know (and I do so often), I can assure you that your kind and compassionate support is high on the list of qualities which I mention. It is a joy to be your pastor.

- Pastor Roger

(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)

Thoughts Along the Way . . .

It has been a milestone week. On Saturday one of my daughters was married. On Tuesday my mother breathed her last breath. And I was privileged to be present for both events. Life is so full of sacred and holy moments. Indeed, all of life is sacred and holy. On the day that my Mom died, as I sat quietly next to her bed watching her breath, knowing that her time on this earth was drawing to a close, I wrote a poem. I share it with you now.

Letting Go

From near and far we gather

In person or in prayer

Keeping watch beside her bed

As she slips beyond our reach

We hold her hand and speak of love

With words and tears and silence

The Mystery unfolding

Through the language of our hearts

In this holy time and place

Surrounded by the sacred

We practice letting go

Into love - always into love

(in loving memory of my Mom - Lenore Lynn)

I am so grateful for the support I have experienced from my congregation. You have held me in love and prayer. You have made it easy for me to take the time I need to be present in this time of letting go. Thank you.

- Pastor Roger

(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)