What if...?

 

We are now one week into our pre-Easter reflection period known as Lent.  I trust this is a season of meaning and blessing for you as you reflect on our approach to Holy Week, 2014.

As we consider Jesus’ intention to undertake the journey from Galilee to Jerusalem, it is interesting to reflect on what he might have decided to let go of or leave behind.  We know he was a thoughtful planner, so it is unlikely he would have undertaken this trip without deliberate preparation.  What did he decide he would need for the journey ahead, and what could he do without?  Matthew tells us he made his home in Capernaum by the sea (Matt 4:13).  Did he cancel the lease on his residence?  Did he give away his household goods? 

In our personal spiritual journeys, we look to Christ as our model.  During the Lenten season, we consider what habits or elements we too should lay down and do without.  What if congregations were to do the same?  What if our worshiping, fellowshipping communities also undertook a Lenten season of reflection about how we will be faithful together in our calling to be about the Mission of Jesus?  What should we lay down?  What could we do without?  How would that help us be more on task?

Please note that I am not talking about cleaning out the back classroom where 30 years of old lesson books and craft supplies have accumulated, now all yellow with age. Rather, I am wondering what “programs” we might do without in order to be  more faithful. 

What if the program we needed to let go of was (deep breathe) the Sunday morning service?  What if the congregation met together on Sunday morning, not to sit in a sanctuary but to walk the neighbourhood, sit in the coffee shop, or meet the neighbours?  What if we did that prayerfully asking God to let us really see and understand what is going on in the area where the church is planted?  What if we prayed and fasted as we went so we could learn what God’s children who live on our block are going through?  What if we found there were homeless people living behind that apartment building?  What if we learned that the neighbourhood had become multiracial, multicultural, multireligious, how could we open our doors to that community?  What if we learned that our traditional programming was not what the people we are called to serve even needed, would we be willing to set it aside? 

Just a few questions for reflection on our Lenten journey in 2014.  

Posted by Carman

And the Trees Wept!

It was Saturday morning following Good Friday.  I had attended an

Ecumenical Good Friday Service and recalled the tragedies of Holy Week.

Now, I arose, looking forward with anticipation to the joys of Easter Sunday.

As I walked into my kitchen, facing my wall of windows into my back yard,

I  was quite literally knocked speechless by the most astounding, awe

inspiring sight that I had ever seen before, or ever expect to see again.

A bright, clear morning sun had set my yard ablaze; a tall birch tree, a

shapely Japanese maple, and a huge willow tree were arrayed in a mantle of millions of diamonds, setting off radiating sparkles in every direction.  I was

speechless at the beauty before me.  But where, how, why?  My eyes then

traveled downward, and lo and behold streams of sparkling water poured

from every tree.  Again I looked around me;  looked at my neighbors trees

on both sides.  No ice, no frost, no rain!  Nothing!

I stepped out on my deck, holding my arms heavenward to feel the rain....

but no rain fell.  Then as my eyes turned to the glittering trees before me, and

the sparkling waterfall beneath, resembling ropes of moving diamonds more

than water and I thought, “My trees!  My trees are weeping!”

And then almost immediately came a second thought, so clearly;

“God is weeping this morning, weeping over His children!”

....and then these thoughts quickly followed.   Easter is not just remembering

the horrors of Good Friday, or the joys of Sunday’s resurrection, because

God still weeps over His children.  God sent His only begotton Son to suffer

and die for our sins, and He still stands at the door of our hearts and knocks

seeking entrance in.  His resurrection gave us hope for eternal life, but our

hearts have yet to learn to love ALL of God’s children, and so He Weeps!

Can we answer His knock on our heart and forgive one another, love one

another, and share the Good News  that Jesus Lives, Jesus Lives!

Submitted by Dottie Burdette

Co-Pastor, Wiarton, ON

Mission Initiative # 1

The following post comes from Dorothy Burdette, co-pastor of Wiarton Community of Christ. It is a wonderfully encouraging report.

Carman

We (Wiarton congregation) had just selected “Invitation” as our mission initiative when I read the Good News report outlining the success Bridges St. congregation had with a community dinner. (You can find one of those reports by clicking here.) I thought there was a great opportunity in the Easter season, so in a week, we put together the plans. The following is the result.

The Wiarton congregation embarked on their Mission # 1 initiative; Invitation, by inviting friends to a special Easter breakfast before the Easter worship service. We planned a simple meal so that we could eat with our “guests”. Fruit cocktail, fruit plate,homemade quiche, homemade hot cross buns, fruit bread and cinnamon buns made a tasty menu.

Our average attendance is about 22 people. Easter Sunday we had 52 (every seat filled) in the basement for our breakfast, and 65 for the following worship service (every seat filled except open front pews). Eight children filled our small nursery. It was evident that our guests enjoyed the breakfast, fellowship and worship service and we were thrilled with the response. How blessed we were in this, our first endeavor. God’s promises are sure. HE goes before us and prepares the way. Alleluia!

Co pastor, Dorothy Burdette

Thank you Dorothy and the faithful folks of Wiarton. I love you guys!

Every great idea always requires follow-up, and this one is no exception. Stay tuned to What's the Good Word later this week if you would like to read my response to Dorothy's good news letter. It may have some ideas for you as well.

Carman

Risen

Depiction of the resurrection of Jesus
by Bernhard Plockhorst, 19th century

When we reach this week in the Christian calendar, somehow it always feels as we should have an Easter post in What’s the Good Word. It is not that our readers have ever indicated that expectation, yet how could we not comment on the most ____________ (fill in your own adjective: important, sacred, holy…) day of the Christian year? The preparation of such a post always takes some contemplation.

It is that spirit of contemplation that has me thinking about the words of the traditional Paschal greeting, “Christ is Risen!” Within various expressions of Christian tradition, there are a variety of appropriate responses to this salutation including, “Christ is Risen!” or “He is risen indeed!”

Christ is Risen! Think what a variety of emotions those words must have produced over the past 2,000 years! On that first Easter morning, the disciples must have reacted with skeptical doubt and perhaps even terror. What could this mean? Two or three generations later, the words would have been spoken quietly with reverence, and probably produced a sense of wonder and awe among Christ-followers. Following the conversion of Constantine, the same words must have accompanied by wonderful pageantry and joyous celebration.

What response does that phrase evoke in 2012? How do we react? It seems to me there is something incredibly important about the message of those words for our day. We spend our days running from here to there, busily multitasking as we try to get done all the things we have come to expect of ourselves. In the process, what really matters is often in danger of being buried under a mountain of busyness.

Buried. Christ is Buried! Family, friends, nature, our relationship with God, our sense of community...all buried under a pile of cultural and personal expectations. We need an Easter.

As this sacred and holy season progresses, may you take some time for personal reflection on the meaning of Easter in your own life. If you find that your life in Christ has somehow gotten buried, may your contemplation bring about a sense of resurrection within you.

And should you happen to attend church on Easter Sunday morning somewhere where the traditional Easter greeting, “Christ is Risen!” is spoken, may you respond with heart-felt, personal conviction and renewal, “Christ is Risen Indeed!”

Posted by Carman

Invited!

The following quote is from Lovett H. Weems Jr., a United Methodist Church Minister and director of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership. If his name sounds familiar, it may be because Weems has occasionally been a guest speaker at the Temple and is a good friend of Community of Christ. In a recent article entitled Time to Invite, Weems made the following observation.

In the last year, several friends who live in different parts of the country have returned to church after a number of years of inactivity. This is encouraging and counter to the national trend since 2002 of fewer people attending church. There are two striking characteristics among these church returners.

• None returned to a church of their former denomination.
• All returned because they were invited by a friend.

Lovett's story reminds us of the importance of always inviting people to Christ. It also reminded me of the following.

A number of years ago, I was sharing with Brydges Street Community of Christ in London, ON. This congregation was, and still is, being intentional about reaching out to their surrounding community. As Easter approached, a group of leaders met to plan the annual Good Friday breakfast and program, as well as the Easter worship. A great deal of creative effort went into the planning, and it was clear that the ministry offered would be outstanding. The question was asked, How can we convince people to invite their family and friends to this important service?

Consequently, we designed a little pocket or purse-sized folder that was imprinted with the words, “Inside this folder are the means to bring your family and friends to church.” Inside the folder we placed six colourful tickets, resembling the tickets you might get at the movie theatre or the hockey arena. On one side of each ticket was information about the Good Friday breakfast, and on the other side was an invitation to the Easter Sunday service.

About a month before Easter, one folder was given to each person at church. Some were skeptical when they received their folder, but I remember how excited I was when one sister said with indignation, “Is that all I get; six tickets?” You can be sure we quickly gave her some more!

The good news was that people used the tickets and invited their friends. The Good Friday breakfast was full for two sittings, and people stayed for the Good Friday program following. Several people came for the Easter service on Sunday morning, which was their first time attending that church. For some, it was their first time attending any church in many years. Congregation members followed up with them, extending the invitation to come again, and many did. Several came back regularly and at least five eventually asked for baptism. Why did they do that? Because they were invited!

Easter, 2012 is just four weeks away. Is there someone you could invite to come to church and experience resurrection and renewal? What a Happy Easter that would be for them and for you.

Posted by Carman

Greening

Is that a word? It must be. I’m seeing the greening everywhere I look. Do you see it creeping across the world?

I recall reading once that spring advances northward at a rate of about fifteen miles a day. Any time I’ve had the chance to drive south at this time of year, maybe going to World Conference in early April, I’ve enjoyed noticing the change seeing spring appear as I’ve processed down Highway 69. By the time we’d get to Independence the redbuds and pear trees would be in full bloom, while back home it was still gray and brown. We’d see it coming back north where we would wait patiently for spring to come to us. And come it would, surely and reliably unfolding itself over the miles. Fifteen of them every day.

But this year I’m not traveling. I’m just waiting here for it to arrive. And here it comes.

Out over my back garden I see the (still very wet!) grass just getting greener and greener. Hostas, daylilies, violets, even parsley are greening up more and more, minute by minute. Robins are enjoying the great worm feast there for the taking, while the cardinals and finches are whistling their joy. And beyond I see the greening haze appearing on the willows over there in the bird sanctuary. Every day the red maple buds get brighter and clearer.

On my drives around the nearby countryside this Easter weekend I’ve seen it approaching. Pastures and fields that just last weekend were mostly brown are noticeably greening, right before my eyes. Weather forecasts for the week ahead are for “rain, rain, rain and rain.” Never mind. With the rain will come the green.

Let us not get so busy that we fail to notice this wonderful and amazing time of year. It’s the greening! A season full of promise for what will follow.

Happy Easter. Happy Spring.
Look outside there. It’s greening.
Nothing can stop it.

Posted by Marion

Lillies

It will seem like an odd confession for a minister to make but because of the intense busyness of the past few months, Easter has been all but lost on me this year. I have not taken the usual and needed time to dwell in the season of Lent, and Holy week has felt like just another week with too much to get done. Suddenly it is Easter. What does it all mean, and where did that time go? I am sad.

Reflecting on this situation has me thinking about Easter lilies. I envision the lovely softness of the petals on those gorgeous, white, trumpet flowers set against a backdrop of deep green leaves. I remember their fragrance, so pervasive one would think there was one right here in my study. There is not, but I can almost smell its sweetness.

The Easter lily is the subject of many legends, most if not all of them apocryphal. Some stories claim that lilies sprang up where drops of the sweat of Christ fell in the Garden of Gethsemane. Others say that after three days the tomb of the Virgin Mary was found to be filled with nothing but white lilies. Even more ancient stories of lilies trace their roots back to tales of Roman mythology. The truth about how this flower came to be so closely associated with Easter is a mystery. In this, it presents a parallel to the mystery of Easter itself. I find it a fitting symbol; a quiet, lovely presence in the midst of chaos and disaster.

As I prepare these words it is only Maundy Thursday, but by the time you read them, Easter Sunday will have come and gone. The banks of Easter lilies from the front of the church will have been distributed to the elderly or others whom congregational leaders hope will be blessed by the flower’s presence. Each potted flower will have been given with a prayer that this gift may carry the message of love and thoughtfulness that the congregation intends. Let each plant carry the message of Easter hope to the heart of every recipient.

While we are on the subject of lilies, this year especially it is worth a moment to reflect on the origins of the flower we know in North American as the Easter lily. Prior to World War II, almost all lily bulbs were imported from Japan. A returning American World War I soldier named Louis Houghton is reported to have brought a suitcase full of lily bulbs home with him to the southern coast of Oregon in 1919. Houghton is said to have shared the bulbs with some of his friends who grew the flowers as a hobby, and they did well in that area where ideal conditions exist. When the supply of bulbs from Japan was cut off as a result of the attack on Pearl Harbor, the rising price of the bulbs suddenly made the lily business a viable industry for these hobby growers, and a new industry was born. Today, virtually all North American Easter lilies originate from one of ten farms along the California – Oregon border.

The Easter lily represents many things to many people. The flower has come to symbolize purity, virtue, life and hope, the spiritual essence of Easter itself. For me, it is a symbol of mystery; a quiet presence of stillness and beauty in the midst of chaos and disaster. I look forward to gazing on its beauty on Easter Sunday morning, and this year, I will also remember the people who struggle with disaster in Japan. May they also be blessed with grace and hope in the midst of devastation and chaos.

Happy Easter.

Posted by Carman

Spade

There are some times when we just have to call a spade a spade. And it seems to me that Good Friday must be one of those days. Friday is the darkest day in Holy Week. On this day we hear the sounds of the hammer, the cries of the anguished women at the foot of the cross, the traditional “last words” before the silence. We hear the silence most of all. We wait…

I wrote earlier in the week about our most human desire to move quickly over the hard moments in this season; we’re perhaps in too big a hurry to leave the dark thoughts of the crucifixion to gather Easter eggs on the lawn. We’re glad our church’s crosses are empty, preferring to focus our thoughts and our theology on the empty cross, the empty tomb and think on the resurrection.

But there are times when we must call a spade a spade.

President Veazey has called us, yet again, to get serious about mission. We’re feeling good about many ways we’ve already been responding. We’re rightly pleased to hear stories of new life and new energy. New leaders are emerging. Good stuff is happening!

But one very big piece of that call to mission is a call to recognize a spade for a spade. “Abolish poverty and end suffering.” There it is, right there in the number two position. On Good Friday we have to look at the nails and the thorns and the suffering. Because they are real.

They are still real. There is much suffering in this world of ours. Jesus’ cross was not alone on that hill. He was not the only innocent who’d been taken by the powers of oppression and injustice. There are still others who still suffer. “Abolish poverty and end suffering.”

On this Good Friday let’s call a spade a spade. The suffering continues. Where is it in your neighbourhood? Which of your neighbours, right there in a pew beside you, needs you to see them and hear them and leave your Easter basket for another morning?

And if, on this Good Friday morning, you are the one who is suffering, I invite you to come into one of our communities where someone is trying hard to notice you and help you find comfort and nurture and lead you to your own resurrection morning.

“Collectively and individually, you are loved with an everlasting love that delights in each faithful step taken. God yearns to draw you close so that wounds may be healed, emptiness filled, and hope strengthened. Do not turn away in pride, fear, or guilt from the One who seeks only the best for you and your loved ones. Come before your Eternal Creator with open minds and hearts and discover the blessings of the gospel anew. Be vulnerable to divine grace.” Doctrine & Covenants 163:10

Butterfly

Consider the caterpillar; how he crawls along quietly going from leaf to leaf, staying mostly hidden, trying to blend in with his surroundings. He wouldn’t dare stand out. After all, he might get stepped on or eaten for some bird’s lunch! So he quietly crawls along until it is time, then spins a cocoon with himself inside. To all appearances, that is the end. The caterpillar is no more. The blend-in caterpillar, that perhaps no one knew even existed, has ceased to be.

But then something remarkable happens. Transformation occurs! The cocoon splits and a new creature emerges. This new being does not immediately take to the air, but spends some time to get oriented and dry its wings in the sun. Only then does it begin to float on the breeze and fly where it wills. Gone are the drab, blend-in colours, replaced by bright and wondrous hues. The urge to hide is replaced by a willingness to see and be seen as it visits the flowers and makes the world a better, more beautiful place.

In the Barrie congregation, we are beginning to see signs of a butterfly. Our former presence there had reached the stage of its life when it needed its rest. To outside appearances, the caterpillar was dead, but this was not the case. From the cocoon has emerged a new creature and a fresh expression of Christian life is beginning to test its wings in that fair city.

This past weekend, for instance, there was a gathering of youth and others on Thursday evening for fun and fellowship. Friday saw our leaders out on the streets, visiting the unique flowers that are God’s people. Saturday evening was their first worship event held in a downtown café, and the little coffee shop was packed with 31 people! Then Sunday afternoon, despite some rain, a group gathered for a service project which consisted of picking up trash at a local park. I have seen pictures of that event, and they were clearly having a wonderful time. They didn’t even look like caterpillars! Then they all went back to the pastor’s home for more conversation and play.

I think this butterfly is going to be absolutely beautiful!

You can stay in touch with the Barrie Community of Christ by clicking here.

Posted by Carman

Superstar

From the time she was a little bitty girl my granddaughter loved the movie "Jesus Christ Superstar." She knew many of the songs without really knowing (we didn't think) what they were saying. She loved the beats and the rhythms. She loved the dance routines. She would lie on her mom and dad's bed and watch that video over and over. You'd be sure she must be asleep and yet she'd beg to "Play it again!"

As I write this on Palm Sunday we're entering into Holy Week--that most puzzling of times and yet the central series of events in the Christian calendar. So many things happening at the same time.

Today we celebrated the victorious entry of Superstar Jesus into Jerusalem. But oh, the paradoxes we need to pay attention to. One writer puts it this way: if the passion is not at least a distant drumbeat then Palm Sunday is just a happy little parade.

And, of course, it isn't just a happy parade. Jesus comes riding on a donkey as a reminder that this Jesus is, by this very act, speaking truth to power, calling into question the unjust and oppressive systems that bring out the cries of "Hosanna!"

I suspect most of us think of that word as just some ancient form of "Hurray!" but in fact, it means "Save us!" Another friend suggests that too many of us are looking for a saviour that will let us keep all our stuff. Do I really understand the meaning of sacrifice?

As we enter Holy Week, will you be observing other events? Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday's vigil? Much like a roller coaster of ups and downs the week races toward the next celebration of resurrection on Easter Sunday morning.

I wonder if I am like Maly, enjoying the music, trying to manage my focus on so many things at once, the parade of palms and the distant drumbeat of passion, cross and resurrection, fear and rejoicing. Play it again please, I need to figure out who is this Jesus? What kind of Superstar?

Not many answers today, but some important questions I think. What do you think?

Posted by Marion

Easter

The Easter season has begun. The Lenten season, with its time of fasting, prayer and penance, is finished, and now we move into Easter. In contrast to Lent, Easter is a time of wonder, celebration, and feasting as we contemplate new life. It is, or should be, the most joyous time of the year.

Sometimes we mistakenly think of Easter as “Easter Sunday,” or perhaps “Easter Week,” running from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday; then it is over! According to the Liturgical calendar, that is not correct. The Easter season does not conclude until Pentecost, which in 2010 falls on May 30. Following that, the Christian liturgical calendar moves back into what is commonly referred to as “ordinary time.”

Ordinary time; it sounds so…ordinary! How wonderful that the Easter season continues. How sad if this season of rebirth, renewal, and resurrection were to be over so soon! How lovely to be able to enjoy the warming of the earth, the return of the summer birds, the emerging of spring flowers, and the budding of trees, and consider all of that as part of this wonderful, sacred season.

May your life be graced with the Spirit of Easter today, and tomorrow, and the day after. May you, like Mary Magdalene, experience the joy and wonder of resurrection, and the amazement and sure knowledge that the Holy knows you personally and calls you by your name. If we experienced that kind of wonder every day, I doubt that time would ever be ordinary again!

Happy Easter everyone.

Posted by Carman

Week

A week is one of those things that just don't seem to stand still for me anymore. I'm not sure if it ever did, really. I remember a time when a week was very long. Sharing with little ones today I realize that for them, it still is. Amazing!

It's a whole long week before you come; I can't wait Grandma. Is it a week yet? When will Santa come? School isn't over for another week. Yuck!

At some point a week started to shrink.

You've only got a week to finish the job. Sorry a week's holiday is all we can afford. Are you back already? It's only been a week.

This is Holy Week in the Christian calendar. In some ways it feels both too long and too short. So very many important concepts, thoughts, images get crowded in this one week. Is it really only a few days since we cheered with palms and rejoiced with the throngs entering the city? Shouts of victory, triumph, success ring in our ears. Hope and optimism fill our hearts as we plan for the future.

We can do it! Look at all these people, ready and eager to begin. I'm so excited!

And yet, there is still much to face. A community of peeple with such diverse needs, such an array of emotions--sadness, loss, weariness, despair--laden with responsibility, heavy burdens, general busy-ness. All these too need to fit into this short week.

Into a congregational Holy Week are squeezed a Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday communion, one last choir practice, a Good Friday service, an Easter egg hunt, a pancake breakfast, a sunrise service and an all-stops-pulled-out eleven o'clock celebration! Is there any wonder some feel exhausted?

Where is the time to reflect on what all this means? Ideas so central to who we are as Christians must find place in this week too. Is a week long enough? Is a lifetime enough?

Do you see what I mean when I say Holy Week is not big enough to contain all it must? And yet it is so quickly gone. I can fill it with more church going and activity than any other week in my calendar if I choose to. Is all that activity essential? Can I observe the many beloved rituals that mark this week as most holy in my Christian life? Which parts will I carry into the other fifty-one weeks, into my world, my community, my life?

Someone recently suggested a way to get folks responding to our blogs would be to ask a question. Today I have enough questions to last far beyond this week. What do you think?

Posted by Marion

Resilience

Palm Sunday 2010, was an interesting collection of events for me. It began with wonderful and thoughtful scripture, discussion on spiritual practise and worship with the group of pastors in our CEM Co-missioned Pastor Initiative. Throughout the day there were numerous other events and conversations, many of which were significant in one way or another. The day ended with the National; the CBC’s nightly news coverage with TV journalists reporting on a variety of Palm Sunday worship services around the world.

As interesting and varied as the day was, one of the images that has stayed with me was television news coverage of the Palm Sunday celebrations in Haiti. There the cameras showed a very large crowd of people that gathered in front of their ruined church, which stands and lies in rubble now. People who have lost their homes, their livelihood, and even members of their own family came together in the street for this significant day. With many emerging from their makeshift tent homes, they gathered to sing, to pray, and to worship God. As is their custom, they wore their Sunday best clothes, gathered from I cannot imagine where.

It was another reminder of the remarkable resilience of this amazing nation. Despite the problems associated with extreme poverty and natural disaster, the people come together to celebrate their connection with God! I am in awe. One cannot help but admire their faith and courage.

I think again of our congregation in Montreal, populated mainly by Canadians whose roots were nourished in Haitian soil. I think of how they sing and dance in worship; how fervently they pray, and how generously they give. They are remarkable and wonderful people.

Whether in Canada or in Haiti, may this wonderful, resilient group of God’s children be blessed with continued hope and abundant grace. As we progress through Holy Week 2010, I suspect there is much the rest of us could learn from them.

Posted by Carman

Renewal

This past weekend, the weekend that included Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week, was a wonderful time for me. I got to spend the weekend with members of my team and the twelve CEM pastors who are joined together in the first cohort of our Co-missioned Pastor Initiative (CPI).

This was the third of six retreats planned for this group; each one focused on a particular aspect of congregational leadership and ministry. This weekend was spent exploring and developing the spiritual disciplines. Together we sang, prayed, meditated, dwelt in the Word with Apostle Mary, laughed, listened to each other and listened for the voice of God. It was a wonderful, peaceful time.

I went to the retreat tired; I know I was not the only one. Life has been very busy for weeks now. The opportunity to sit in that circle under the direction of Evangelist Marvin Rice and be blessed by the overflow of Spirit that is a direct result of his own practice couldn’t have come at a better time. I came away refreshed, restored and renewed.

We have entered Holy Week; the climax of the Lenten season. It began yesterday with Palm Sunday. It will lead us through remembrance of incredible highs and unspeakable lows in the life of the first disciples, and of Jesus himself. It calls us to remembrance, reflection, and a renewal of our spiritual journey. As we walk through this most remarkable week, may you also take the time to reflect, recharge, and renew. In the midst of your own highs and lows and the busyness of your journey, may you find yourself refreshed in the peace of God’s Spirit this Easter season.

A prayer for you posted by Carman