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!