It’s time to turn the page on another year—remembering the good things of the year just past—letting go the hurts and disappointments—leaning into the future with new hope and new possibilities.

I love the notion of a “new year.” It’s not “the next year.” It’s not even “just another year.” It’s a New Year and, because it is, we can approach it as a time when we can start anew—a time when we can shift directions—a time when we can reflect upon all that has gone before us and decide how we want to move into the future. I find that with each New Year, I am more mindful of taking time to reflect upon these things and being more intentional about making those changes that I hope will bring me deeper inner peace and a stronger sense of connection to the Divine Presence in my life. With that in mind, I share with you some of my reflections on our common life together this past year and lift up some of the hopes I have for this coming year.

This past year brings to mind so many good memories. I can see the look of seriousness and awe when the confirmands knelt down to receive their stoles of ministry so lovingly prepared for them by the Sewing Group that also created the Baptism Banner we use whenever we welcome a new child into our church family. I remember celebrating the lives of our graduating high school seniors—youth that were part of the first class I confirmed as your pastor and who were part of the mission trip to San Antonio as sophomores. I can hear the sounds of our choir as they tried out new styles of music and I can most especially hear the sounds of our first ever Homecoming Service in Dutton Hall. As it is every year—I see the faces of our children as they gather in front of church each Sunday to create the children’s message—and they do create it--with or without my input!

Some of my memories are bittersweet. One of the holiest of moments for me, as a pastor, is to spend time in the presence of those who are nearing the end of their lives. It feels as if the distance between this world and what is to come is as small as it can be for those who will not cross it at this time and I know that I am in the presence of the Divine. The bittersweet side is saying goodbye to persons I have grown to love.

As I look forward to this New Year, I see more opportunities to live out our faith as the People of God. We will engage in missions that reach out into the world. We will engage in conversations that may be difficult. We will sing and laugh together. We will cry and pray together. We will be, as we are meant to be, a community gathered together in love.

The Light that Still Shines

In the quiet darkness of the sanctuary a candle is lit; it is the light of Jesus the Christ whose birth we celebrate on Christmas Day. From this light, candles are lit and as their light spreads across the darkness, voices are lifted in singing the reverential hymn, Silent Night. It is one of the most profound and most moving moments in the Christian year. I daresay it might be one of the reasons why people choose to come to church late on Christmas Eve; I know it is one of the reasons why this service has always been so important to me.

The light we spread this night is the same light that we are called to spread each and every day in each and every place we find ourselves. Sometimes the candle will take the form of food brought to a food pantry or clothing and toys gathered to make Christmas Day a more joyful time for families who struggle to make ends meet much less provide their families with gifts under a tree. Sometimes that candle will take the shape of a conversation about the need for more justice-based actions in our communities and in our world. And sometimes that candle will take the form of a compassionate heart that allows for differences in opinions even as we continue to break bread together--either at the communion table or at a church potluck.

The light that still shines in our world and through Jesus the Christ is the same light that once prompted the prohpet Micah to proclaim "and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8)

May the light of the Christ shine in our hearts and through our lives--this day and every day.

A Reason to Believe

You can find a variety of opinions and theolgoical understandings here at Federated Church and that is something we value a great deal. We enjoy the conversations--we enjoy the dialogues--and at times we even enjoy the debates! What matters to us is not that we all believe the same thing but that we honor and respect each opinion that is offered--each life that is shared.

In the Season of Advent, when we are preparing to celebrate anew the birth of Jesus, I find the some of the conversations I'm having are once again dealing with the notion of the virgin birth--the historicty of the story itself--and why it matters anyway.

However you understand the birth of Jesus--however you understand the unfolding of his life--however you understand his death and resurrection--through his birth--through his life, death and resurrection, God has given us a reason to believe that where we are right now--in terms of our faith journey and our life's journey--is not where we have to stay. Hope abounds because through the birth of a child and the courage of the man he grew up to be--God has found a way to reach inside human history and bring forth life. That is plenty good reason to celebrate.

Comfort and Joy

Comfort and joy are two words that are brought together at this time of year to celebrate the birth of the Christ-child. Even those of us who celebrate Christmas as a cultural holiday sing the songs of Jesus' birth and in doing so find meaning in them that goes beyond the scope of a particular religous tradition.

I've been encountering more and more folks whose celebration of Christmas has moved away from the celebration of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth and moved closer to celebrating this time as a season of good-will regardless of a religous connotation. As a Christian minister--I'm a bit uncomfortable with that--and somewhat tempted to display the sign that says "Jesus is the Reason for the Season." But as a person of faith who has always found more power in the reason for his birth over the circumstances of his birth--I find myself grateful and glad that the message and not the messenger has once again taken center stage. Regardless of the date of his birth--the circumstances of his birth including his gender--the message he brought to us--that love is stronger than hate--that compassion can overcome fear--that God loves each one of us as is there was only one of us--and loves everybody in this same way--can and should be celebrated in many different ways for the message he brought to us is not just reserved for a select few of God's children.

In a spirit of thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day--already--tomorrow--how can this be! That can only mean two things--the annual holiday overeating season is beginning and Christmas will be here before you know it. But seriously...

I love this time of the year. Being a native Minnesotan I love snow and cold--or at least I still can convince myself of that fact. I also love the fact that this is the time of the year when families gather--despite their differences of opinions and life choices--to remember that--as family--what binds us together can be stronger than what pulls us apart. Now that doesn't mean that there won't be times when we choose not to spend time together or that there won't be times when we will never come to agreement over certain issues. It does mean that when all is said and done--family is still family--and remembering that might make it easier to love each other.

I think the same could be true if we remembered that all people are children of God and that makes us family.

Pitching Tent

I preached the first of a two-part series yesterday on the Ruth & Naomi saga of leaving the country of Moab for the town of Bethlehem. The first part of this saga--the decision to set out for a place of unknown circumstances reminds us that courage, love and faithfulness can open our eyes to new possibilities. It was Ruth's deep love for Naomi that caused her to leave behind her own family to insure that whatever they would find in Naomi's hometown there would be at least one person who would always be there to care for her. It also reminds us that most of us are the children of immigrants and that we are called to value the gifts they can bring to us over and above the concerns that their presence among us can bring.

The second part of the story--the "pitching tent" part--finds Naomi & Ruth back in Bethlehem making the best they can of the circumstances in which they find themselves when Naomi's love for Ruth prompts her to insure Ruth's well-being and acceptance into this community in the most unusual of ways. It's a great story and I hope you come to church this Sunday to discover how their actions changed our world.

The Need for Grace

I usually use this space to begin sorting through thoughts for my next sermon. Today I want to spend some time reflecting on some events of the past few days and the atmosphere that typically surrounds an election period.

I, like most of you, were shocked and saddened by the news that came out of Colorado Springs last weekend when allegations of sexual misconduct were lodged against Ted Haggard, president of National Evangelical Association and lead pastor at a large conservative church. While the allegations were saddening enough in and of themselves--I was equally saddened by the spin that was so easily trotted out. Haggard's spin that it was a false accusation trying to sway the outcome of a referendum against same-sex marriage--his accuser's spin that he was outraged when he "suddenly after two years" he discovered that this man with whom he had been having monthly tyrsts was leading the campaign to pass this measure. What saddens me is that this deep personal tragedy--whatever truth will finally be known--has become fodder for our politcal system--fodder for use by others--mindless that real lives are being shattered. The same holds true for the spin being putting on the sentencing of Saddam Hussein. If the allegation is true that this sentencing was timed to influence the voting public--then shame on whoever did such a thing.

In a time when individual lives are devalued and it matters little to others that they are destroying lives in the name of some political advantage--we, as people of faith--are called to model for the rest of the world a different way. We are called to be givers of grace--givers of love--givers of forgiveness. The world sorely needs us.

We Remember

We will be remembering those church members who have died in the past year on All Saints Sunday on November 5th. I love this service as it gives us an opportunity to reflect upon all the people in our lives who have loved us--who have nurtured us--who taught us the lessons of life. It is a special moment in the ebb and flow of life.

When I think about some of the lessons I learned from those who have gone before me I realize that some of those lessons didn't bear fruit until long after the seeds had been planted. Perhaps it is a function of my own aging process but I find myself pondering past experiences and past relationships and I am finding new insights and understandings. Some of those insights are painful and I finding myself asking forgivness for not understanding them sooner. Some of those insights are simply delightful and I give thanks for the joy they continue to bring.

As you remember those who have loved who are no longer with us in this physical realm--I hope you will allow yourself the time and the space you need to cherish and learn.

Faith to Change

I attended a seminar yesterday titled "Strenghtening Your Prophetic Ministry" where Jim Wallis, founder of the Sojourners Community in Washington D.C. and author of "God's Politics:Why the Right Gets it Wrong and the Left Doesn't Get It.", was the keynote speaker. For those of you who don't know about Jim or the work of Sojourner's you can learn more about them at www.sojo.net. The short version is that they are a group of folks dedicated to both spiritual renewal and social justice.

Jim had lots of things to say yesterday that I will remember for a long time (and some stories that I'm sure will make it into a sermon or two) and when he was talking about that much needed integration of faith (or spirituality) and social justice he said "faith leads to hope which leads to action which leads to change."

As I understand this connection between faith & change is that one of things missing when you only concentrate on spritiual renewal is you can become narrow-minded and narrow hearted--focusing on a few passages that help you condemn the actions of others while ignoring the immense corpus of scripture that deals with care of the poor. If you only concentrate on social justice without a faith (or spiritual) component you can't find the hope that is inherent in a faith perspective and you, too, can become narrow-minded and narrow-hearted--eventually collapsing into cynicism and despair. Both are needed.

Where are the places in your life where you can see faith making a difference? Where are the places where you see a need for a faith perspective that could fuel a much-needed change?

A Place Called Home

We're trying something new this year during the Pumpkin Festival weekend; instead of our regular worship on Sunday morning we will be worshipping on Saturday night with a "coming home" theme.

I heard once that home is that place where they have to let you in when you knock on the door. I know it's supposed to be a cynical comment--but when I think about it--I realize that church is exactly supposed to be that way. There is no one who should ever be turned away--no matter what. A home should be a sanctuary--a place of safety where can you ask all the questions you need to ask--a place where you can share all the doubts you have--a place where you can be completely who you are and know that you will be loved.

That doesn't mean you won't be challenged to rethink some things or change some of your ways. If you go out just the same way you came in--you were never really present or connected. The question should never be "what did I get out of worship today"--rather it should be "how much did I put into worship today and was it enough to connect with the Divine Presence."

What are you searching for in your faith journey and where is home for you?

Uniting to Build a World of Peace and Justice

I'm finishing up the last of the sermon series based in our vision statement--this Sunday I'll be talking about what it means that we are uniting to create a world of peace and justice.

I like the verb form "uniting" because it means that we are still on the journey and we know that there are still lots of folks out there who share our vision and hopes for the world--even if they don't yet know that is what we're all about. I also like it because it suggests that we are open-minded enough to take in new information and wise enough to follow the paths that unfold before us.

Even a cursory glance at a daily newspaper--or a brief time listening to news report--confirm that there is much to be done in the creation of a world of peace and justice. It can seem overwhelming and we could even wonder where we ought to begin. I have a saying posted on my office door that says "because I believe the change must begin with me." I may not be able to negotiate a peace treaty between countries--but I can keep in contact with my elected representatives so that they know how I feel and I can be sure to vote in all elections. I may not be able to model for the world what a person of peace acts like--but I can model it in the places where I do find myself. And I can most certainly unite with others to take on the tasks that I cannot do alone.

What are you willing to do to model peace and justice in the places where you find yourself?

Rooted in Spiritual and Theological Diversity

One of the challenges for a community like ours that values that there can be and should be a wide range of beliefs and spiritual paths is finding the connectional threads that run through all of our very diverse beliefs. What are those core values that can unite a person who holds a more traditional understanding of Jesus as the only-begotten son of God with a person who accepts Jesus as moral teacher—gentle friend but not divine? How do we covenant with one another to be companions on the journey when our faith paths seem to be so diverse and would seem to lead us in opposite directions?

While there could be many ways to approach this challenge—I suggest to you that one of those ways could be intentional faith exploration with one another. I think we-- as a congregation and as individuals--do really well in honoring the diversity of beliefs but we are less comfortable when it comes to exploring our differences. We pull back from a more engaged conversation for the most part—and then something happens that forces us to examine those differences—and that can and does happen--outside our faith community as well—and our conversations can become mired in the presenting problem—rather than rooted in an exploration of our beliefs. In addition to that—the emotionality of some of the issues can cause us to lose sight of this commitment we have to diversity of beliefs and we can start to choose up sides or try to shut down the conversation before it begins. The middle path is a more excellent way—staying engaged in the conversation—realizing that others may not come to see things as we see them—being open to the possibility that we might change our minds—trusting that what unites is will be stronger than whatever it is that seems to be pulling us apart. That works well in our more personal relationships as well.

Being rooted in theological and spiritual diversity also requires that we stay true to our own beliefs—even as we acknowledge and honor the beliefs of others—and in some ways that can be more difficult than it seems. In a world that rushes to compartmentalize people into neat little stereotypes—real men don’t eat quiche—all feminists hate men—all Christians believe the same things—red states—blue states—conservative—liberal--how often have we sought to distance ourselves from those stereotypes rather than challenge them as the less-than-complete statements that they are. We don’t have to give up what we believe in order to have a conversation with someone who believes another way. We do—however—have to give up the notion that there is nothing to be gained from having the conversation unless that person comes around to our way of thinking. In order to even begin the conversation—we have to know what it is that we hold too valuable to change—and the places where can compromise and adapt without losing our integrity. A person who cannot stand for anything will ultimately stand for nothing.

Fostering a Welcoming Community

Over the next three weeks I'm going to focus on our mission statement which states that “It is our mission to foster a welcoming community, grounded in spiritual and theological diversity, uniting to create a world of peace and justice.” It is both a statement of aspiration—something that tells us about the community that we are striving to be—and a statement of commitment—something that we are promising to live out as best we can in the here and now. What I’m going to focus on today is the first section “to foster a welcoming community.”

The aspirational part of fostering a welcoming community—as I understand it at this moment in time—is that we seek to be a community where no one is turned away because of what they believe—or what their social status is—or who they choose to love—or where they have been before they walked through our doors. We seek to be a community where each person can call this home and where we are free to be who we are and at the same time to be those who can be challenged in love to become more the person we seek to be. A welcoming community is that place where--no matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey—you will find safe space to work through and to work out your deepest concerns—knowing that those with whom you have chosen to travel “have your back”—and will care for you as deeply as they care for themselves.

The task that is before us—the committal part of our statement—is that those of us who have already made it through the doors—those of us who have already found this to be such a place—will not only do all we can to make it happen for others when they find their way here—we will actively seek out those persons who may not even know that such a place as this exists. If you are already a part of this community of faith--what makes this the place you want to call to call your church home. If you are seeking a church home what are you looking for?

A Harvest of Righteousness

Fall is really in the air today and my mind travels back to the harvest seasons of my childhood. I loved hearing the sounds of the harvest for I knew that with them would come a look of contentment on my father's face as he completed another cycle of planting, growing and reaping. He loved farming and it showed in his whole being.

The faith journey has some of these same elements. We plant the seeds of the Beloved Community by acting and speaking in ways that promote peace, justice and gentleness. Planting those seeds, however, is not enough. We need to nurture our souls and each other by sharing in worship, engaging in educational experiences and reaching out to the world in concrete acts of kindness and service. When we live each day within the goodness of God then the harvest of righteousness will be ours and it will be the Beloved Community.

How are you experiencing the journey of faith? Where are the places of gentleness in your life? Where does it need yet to be?

A Restless Evil

Sticks and stones might break my bones but words. . .

James has some pretty harsh words for us this coming Sunday about the dangers of gossip and the need for mindful speech. As hard as those words fall upon my ears--I say a hearty AMEN! In a world of spin doctors--damage control--and information shaping--I am grateful for the reminder. Once hurtful words and lies are spoken they cannot be taken back and they continue to harm long after we have forgotten what we said or have asked for forgiveness. Even the tiniest little lie has the power to destroy a life.

Words can also be used to uplift the human condition. When we are mindful about our words we use language that includes all people--we are careful not to let stereotypes slip into our speaking--and in doing so--we begin to shape the world we want to live in by speaking of it in ways that can make that happen. It's hard work at times but it's well worth the effort.

Sticks and stones...but words

Hungry Ghosts

In Buddhism, hungry ghosts inhabit their own realm. They are depicted as having huge stomachs and small mouths representing both greed and a hunger that cannot be satisfied. Other faith traditons, including Judaism and Chrisitianity (Book of Enoch), also have stories of beings like the hungry ghosts. Greed, it seems, transcends religious boundaries.

In this coming Sunday's reading from the Book of James, we are cautioned to not show favoritism to the rich and powerful at the expense of the poor and marginalized. It would appear that a prospensity to curry the favor of those who might be able to satiate our greed for the finer things of life is nothing new! We are further cautioned not to turn away from those in need by merely praying that their needs be met--we are to be the ones who meet those needs.

What are the hungry ghosts in your life? How do you find ways to respond to the needs of the poor and marginalized of our world? What makes that difficult? I'll be waiting for your responses!

Doers of the Word

What kind of shopper are you? Some folks like to window-shop and enjoy just going to the malls to see what's new. Some folks consider the act of shopping the main event and the stuff they bring home is secondary to the experience. Still others go shopping when and only when they know they need something and they are in and out of the store as quickly as possible. I tend to fall in the last category--but while I'm there to get what I need--I also like to browse "just in case!"

Just as they are different approaches to shopping--there are different approaches to the journey of faith. Some folks skim along the surface never really making any deep commitment. They're "just looking." Some folks get really engaged in the programs and the community but find it hard to hear the gospel call on their lives. They're content with being part of "their church." Still others work hard at living out their faith in real and engaged ways in the world outside the walls of their church building and beyond their own community of faith. They are those whom the author of the Book of James would call "Doers of the Word"--people who hear and heed the gospel call to faithful living.

I'd be interested in hearing of the ways you are engaged in the world around you. What makes that possible for you? What gets in your way? What questions do you bring to the conversation?

The Call to Steadfastness

I'm finishing up the sermon series on the letter to the church at Ephesus with the passages from the sixth chapter verses 10-20 (Eph 6:10-20) and I am mindful that the military images are troubling especially when they are combined with images of Christian warfare that are prevalent in some popular literature and movements today. I intentionally chose to use them as the basis of my sermon because they illustrate two things for me: the use of the common language and images of the time in order to preach a radical message and the need to grapple with those parts of Scripture that are troubling to us.

When this letter was written to the church in Ephesus--the author chose to use military imagery because the region was occupied by the Roman army and people would understand both the images and the call to "replace" that armour with the gifts of God that can be used for the making of a lasting peace. It is noteworthy that all the images used, other than the sword, are used for protection rather than weapons used in attack. It is possible, then, that this passage is a call to non-violent resistance and that, as children of God, we should heed the call to be makers of peace--in our personal lives and in the world around us.

The call to steadfastness is a call to create a world that allows all persons to live full and productive lives. Will our world be perfect? Probably not. Will all conflict cease? Of course not. We will, however, look first to dialogue and compromise as we seek win-win solutions to age-old issues. We can do this--and each time we choose to "replace" our old models of aggression with new models of cooperation--we will find ourselves one step closer to God's beloved community.

Walking the Talk

Four centuries ago, the English Nonconformist minister Richard Baxter observed the gulf between practice and preaching in his profession: “All the week long is little enough to study how to speak for two hours; and yet one hour seems too much time to study how to live all week.”

This coming Sunday, August 20, I'll be giving the third sermon on a series based on the pastoral letter to the church at Ephesus. The topic of the day will be matching our actions with our beliefs--what is known in church-speak as "walking the talk."

While the quote from Reverend Baxter might suggest that it is only clergy who have difficulty practicing what we preach, the challenge to live as we say we believe is faced by all of us. Truth be told-- I think the challenge is the most difficult in the every-day interactions of life. We say that we belive all people are created equal in God's eyes--yet in little subtle ways--a ethnic-based joke or a momentary thought when we read or hear a story about a particular behavior--and we realize that we are still battling the sin of racism. We say we believe that all persons should be given fair pay for their labors--but we also insist that we need to have lower prices offered in order to make ends meet--and we realize that our own well-being is more important to us that the well-being of others. We say we belive in a lasting peace yet we find ways not to forgive those closest to us for relatively minor grievances--and we realize that we still think peace is only a dream that can never be achieved.

I invite you to think about the ways in your own life where your talk and your walk have parted paths. What can you do to bring them closer together? What would our world be like if everyone was committed to "walking the talk?"

Living Gently in a Violent World

This coming Sunday, August 13, I'm doing the second of a four-part sermon series reflecting on passages from the Book of Ephesians dealing with the challenge of living in a world that often calls us away from our core identities as children of God. This week's message will focus on living gently in a violent world.

I grew up in a relatively violent free environment. My dad could yell louder than anyone I ever knew but I also knew that was the extent of the threat. That wasn't the case for friends who did live in abusive homes and who always feared what might happen when their parents lost their tempers. I recall having conversations where they vowed they would never subject their children to similar ordeals. I left home shortly after high school and lost touch with most of my friends so I don't know if they were able to keep that vow. I sure hope they did.

I was a teenager in the late sixties. You might think given my current political and theological leanings that I was involved in protests against the Vietnam War and active in the civil rights movement. That would have been true if I had grown up in a different family and under different circumstances. Military service was the norm for the young men in my family and for my male friends. As for civil rights--that was so far off the radar in my all-white, flag-waving world--I didn't even know it was happening and it sure wasn't being talked about in my school or at my church.

My naive eyes were opened wide in the early seventies by two events. The first was becoming a survivor of domestic abuse; the second was meeting Dennis Banks who was a co-founder of the American Indian Movement. My safe and secure world was shattered by the first event--my passion for making sure all people would be treated with respect was ignited by the second.

The author of this pastoral letter sent to the church at Ephesus (as well as other churches in the region) is believed to have been a disciple of the Apostle Paul who gathered together most of Paul's writings and thoughts and compiled a letter that would cover the general theme of living in a new way as a Christian in a predominately pagan world. At the time of their writing, pagans were those persons who belived in a pantheon of gods rather than in one god as did the Jews and now this newly forming religion called Christianity. That is still a good definition of what it means to be a pagan today even though the word has taken on some derogratory connontations (pagans are not devil worshippers--they don't even believe in the devil). The passage I'm preaching on this Sunday comes from Ephesians 4:45--5:2 and it is dealing primarily with interpersonal relationships--how is it that we ought to get along with one another.

Being gentle and peaceful--especially when you see violence all around you or if you are the victim of a violent act--is never easy. When I think of gentleness in the face of violence, I see the faces of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr.--steadfastly moving toward their goals--refusing to return violence for violence--choosing instead to love rather than hate. When I was ordained, the preacher that day said "when you can remember that people are doing the best they can given the circumstances they are in--you will find them easier to love." Good advice!

I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on this subject. What helps you remember to love your enemies? Do you have a story to share that might help a fellow traveler along the way.

Pastor Rita

Welcome

Welcome to The Federated Forum. I'm Pastor Rita and I will serve as host for this site. Please feel free to post questions and comments you might have on issues of faith. Our congregation is committed to an open and respectful dialogue.