December 23-29

Hi Everyone, my apologies for posting this late. There really was only one scripture that I could choose for this week, so I invite you to join me in looking at the second chapter of Luke.

Luke 2

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to all on whom God's favor rests."

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.

When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Reflection on John 21:1-14

For the last few months this text has been roaming around in my brain, popping into my consciousness on occasion. I think it’s because during the process of the setting of new priorities that occurred here in the General Council Offices, we heard that there is a longing “out there” for “outside the box thinking,” for something to “push the church beyond its comfort zone.” It seems the church is asking us to put our nets on the other side of the boat in the hopes that we’ll come up with a big catch of some kind.

I also find intriguing the image of the disciples who, all night long, cast their net and came up empty, yet never thought to try another approach. Of course, they never gave up either! So there is something about their persistence in the midst of continued emptiness that intrigues me.

There’s also that part about Peter needing to put on his clothes in order to swim in to meet Jesus. Why did he need to cover himself? Did he feel too vulnerable? Perhaps there was something he wanted to hide from Jesus. Or maybe it just wasn’t a nude beach.

So, what does all this have to do with Sabbath? I think people do long to live a life of meaning, we long for something larger than ourselves. In a report that will go to our unit’s (CECM) working committee I wrote, “Perhaps it’s not so much that we live in a secular society and that is why people are no longer filling our churches. Perhaps it is that churches have become so secularized that they are no longer filling our souls.” I wonder if this Sabbath practice is a way of putting our net on the others side of the boat. I wonder if it will fill us.

At times I’m also finding the ritual somewhat empty. It’s like a forced thing that I do because I said I’d do it, but I’m not quite comfortable with it. But I’m trying to persist and I’m wondering if I need feel true emptiness so that I can allow Christ to fill me.

I also think sometimes about the ways that I might feel the need to put on some clothes before I jump into the sea to meet Jesus. Why is it so difficult to be completely vulnerable when it comes to living a life of faith?

Well, I’m sure this text won’t leave me for a while. I still find many images from it that I’m not sure that I understand. Who knows, maybe when my turn for choosing a text and writing the blog comes around again in March, it will still be with me.

All peace to you,

Amy

Text for December 16-22

Friends -

Here is the text for this week. I'll blog on it later.

Amy

John 21:1-14
After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. 2Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. 3Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” 6He said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. 7That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea. 8But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off. 9When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. 10Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. 12Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. 13Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

The Candle of Love

I was having a conversation this morning with colleagues about the ministry of youth and young adults. We talked about how hard it is that people expect us in youth ministry to be trying to get youth to participate in church every Sunday morning. I struggle with that myself. And the truth is, our effort in youth ministry is to try to create a culture of deep spiritual engagement. This doesn't happen much in church. At least it doesn't happen in many of the congregations I've attended. This separation of secular and spiritual may have once been as easy as society and church but we can't really say that anymore. I've experienced church professionals who don't want to get involved in spiritual disciplines for a number of reasons. Church (believe it or not) is not mainly a spiritual institution for many. For some it's a morality watchdog, for others, a business and for others, a place of civic responsibility. When people ask me about my model for youth ministry, it amkes me wonder about their model for church.

Well, it's been my turn this week to make a post, and I've found myself as caught up in work as ever... probably even moreso, with an unexpected flu, and the sudden rush of last minute work creeping up on everyone's pile...

And so, I have decided to cheat a bit... and post someone else's reflection. When I read it, I realized that it seemed to contain the kernel of purpose to this year of Sabbath we have begun. And it also speaks to that special clash of overwork and overconsumption that hits us in Advent and Christmas... a time that can feel so spiritually devoid to people, whether Christian or not:

Moderator's Christmas Message 2007: The Candle of Love

Greetings, friends, in this season of Advent, anticipation, and longing. I hope that this message finds you encountering God’s new birth among us in ways that inspire you and your passion for living the Way of Christ in the world.

Let me tell you a short story about an experience that inspired me and builds me up at this time of year. It was the usual busy week leading up to Christmas—hospital visits, communion for those who are shut-in, delivering Christmas hampers, and carolling. Christmas Eve brought the hot crush of visitors and many wired-up children for worship.

By Christmas morning, I was feeling the kind of tired that many people in ministry feel on Christmas. I arrived at the sanctuary early and was enjoying the sun slanting in through the windows and the silence of the big, empty room. I set up a small table at the front of the sanctuary, laid a tablecloth on it, and set out the ceramic crèche from the altar and put the Advent wreath beside it. I knew there would be a small group this Christmas morning, and by 11:00 o’clock there were 9 or 10 of us gathered around the table. First the children told the Christmas story to us in their own words using the ceramic figures, moving the cows and shepherds, Mary and Joseph around the space. We sang familiar Christmas songs and gave thanks to God for Jesus’ birth among us.

Then we used a liturgy that was written by a young man who had grown up in our congregation who was now a minister elsewhere. The liturgy invited us as we lit each Advent candle to some activity or to answer some question. We lit the candle of hope, for example, and went around the circle and talked about the places in the world where we find hope. When we got to the fourth candle, the candle of love, the invitation was to go around the circle and say to each person by name, “I love you and God loves you.” It’s quite an experience to have our friends say to us, “David, God loves you and I love you.” It’s a powerful experience to say to my brothers and sisters in our little church community, “Cindy—or George—I love you and God loves you.”

Well, when it became time for Sarah, a young mom, to go around the circle, she did like the rest of us. We went around and there were warm tears and friendly laughter after each turn. She came to Matteo, her seven-year-old son, and she said, “Matteo, I love you and God loves you.” And here is the breathtaking moment for me. Matteo simply said, “I know.”

I don’t know when it is that we forget or stop trusting that we are beloved. I do know that that is part of the promise of the birth story that we hear at this time of the year. A reminder that God loves us and that we are beloved. And we come to church, we come into Christian community, to be reminded of that and to learn how to live that love in the world.

My prayer for you, and for the strangers who will worship with us on Christmas Eve, and for those we reach out to in the world is that somehow you and they will hear through the voice of The United Church of Canada, “God loves you and we love you.” And that it will be said and enacted through our life together with such truth that they will be able to respond simply, “I know.” Because there begins the journey of faith with God—with the story of our belovedness expressed through the birth of a small child born in a manger.

Peace be with you. Amen.

The Rev. Dr. David Giuliano, 39th Moderator (2006-2009)

Sheep and Shepherds

Scripture passage for this week is Matthew 9:35-38:

Then Jesus made a circuit of all the towns and villages. He taught in their meeting places, reported kingdom news, and healed their diseased bodies, healed their bruised and hurt lives. When he looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd. "What a huge harvest!" he said to his disciples. "How few workers! On your knees and pray for harvest hands!" (from The Message)

Out of the pit, onto the rock of Sabbath!

God put a new song in my mouth! I will sing, sing a new song. I feel as though God has indeed heard our cry as a church, the cry and lament we hear in the words of the Call To Purpose:

"We long for a deeper relationship with God.
We long for deeper connections with one another.
We acknowledge the brokeness, pain and fear that we carry.
We believe that our spirituality and prophetic voice spring from once source
and are lived in one body!"

I have always loved this psalm though I've never considered myself a patient person. The imagery of lifting one out of the miry bog, the desolate pit to a solid place, a rock where one's footsteps are firm really captures my attention. I truly believe that God has finally heard our cry from the world of Youth and Young Adult Ministry and has set us upon a rock which is the practice of sabbath, and we are now called to tell the great congregation of the glad news of this deliverance.

Last weekend we had our annual Riverbend United Church youth retreat and the theme for the weekend was "I will follow you into the dark." The first night the leaders invited the youth to exactly that. The leaders and the youth walked into a dark space in silence, no questions were asked, and there we waited in silence. A single candle was lit in the middle of the room and after another minute different voices were heard in the circle reading the words from Psalm 23. There was a sense of mystery, trust, and spiritual stirring in the room as we prepared to embark on this theme for the rest of the weekend together. From the dark we emerged into the light where we reflected on what comes next after our time here on Earth is over. The youth then spent some time in a spiritual practice of creating a mandala depicting their understanding of the afterlife. The colours, and the designs held what I can only describe as hope and spirit. The experience was moving.
But I'm left wondering, who in my life would I be willing to follow into the dark? The dark holds the unknown, it holds great fear, but it also holds the quiet and the work of the Holy Spirit. Parker Palmer in his book "Let Your Life Speak; Listening for the Voice of Vocation" reminds us of the importance of sharing our shadowed selves, our times of darkness with others. Too often we focus on the light, and yet when we are lost, it is hearing about other's struggles and fears that often bring us the most comfort and the most learnings. Palmer writes "Our frequent failure as leaders to deal with our inner lives leaves too many individuals and institutions in the dark." (p.91) I can think of a few people who have modelled leading from a place where they have done their inner work, and who have taught me how to lead from the places of darkness not just the light. The integrity that these people have shown is astounding and the results of this risk have been illuminating, life changing and inspiring.
It is in honour of these people that I share with you the shadows for me in youth and young adult ministry.

• the shadow of not having my ministry understood or valued by others, the institute of the church or those in power.
• the fear of placing youth in high risk situations where they could be hurt by well intentioned people.
• the shadow belief that programs are youth ministry. That time spent in groups and programs are more valuable then time spent in building relationships. That numbers justify this work.
• The crippling fear that I will miss opportunities or signs that youth are in need of support or understanding because I'm distracted by the "work" of the church or because I am too tired, or burnt out.
  

When these fears or these shadows take over, when we are mired in the bog, or stuck in the desolate pit we are leading from a place of fear. The psalmist reminds me that God has answered my cry, and has given me the practice of sabbath as my rock, as my solid ground where my footsteps are firm. I now believe with all my heart that doing our inner work is just as important as doing our outer work. When we do our inner work, "we now stand on ground that will support us, ground from which we can lead others toward a more trustworthy, more helpful, more faithful way of being in the world." (Palmer, "Let Your Life Speak" p. 94)
God has indeed put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord. Psalm 40:3

We need to embrace the shadows, we need to cease allowing fear to control us and lead us, we need to rest from the outer work in order to allow time for our inner work, and we need to feast and celebrate the fruits that will emerge from this time of Sabbath.

Karen

Everywhere I look people are hungry for Sabbath

Sabbath has changed my life.
Through this change in my life, I've been able to spread this new light to others.

John 8:12-20

Being in an inter-racial relationship I understand the concern around light being good and dark being evil. However, both my partner and I think that the light in this passage is a noun, rather than an adjective, like a flame. John’s Christ is portrayed as the ‘light of the world’ and this theme plays out very clearly in this gospel. Yet, this light is not to be kept inside of Jesus rather it is something Jesus gives and then once we receive we give as well. I believe that Sabbath can be this light, this flame. Everywhere I look in this day and age people are so hungry for Sabbath. I have so many opportunities to share in class, at church, with my friends and family what this team and many others are doing. I have these opportunities because there is a hunger for this. I can tell that in some way I have passed on something of value and worth and that if they accept they see their life through a new lens.

Believing in Sabbath means believing in something that our society doesn't believe in.
I fell so hard into this deep hole of being programmed to death and feeling guilty if I wasn't doing something 'productive'. I was killing myself. Sabbath has helped me see the importance in spiritual practice. I don't necessarily mean set aside labyrinth walking or coloring Mandelas, even if they are cool. I mean preparing meals as a spiritual practice, running as a spiritual practice, (heck, I have lost 15 pounds on Sabbath), sleeping as spiritual practice, cleaning as a spiritual practice, rocking out on a guitar and singing in the car at the top of my lungs to Ani as a spiritual practice. I have found a new way to journal. I journal about this journey and the people who are with me on it. I journal about whatever I want instead of what I always thought I should.

Wow, as I read this over this entry it seems so testimony-like…I guess that is what John 8:12-20 is about. Knowing who you are and where you are coming from.

I know Sabbath has changed my life.

Sarah

Reading for Dec 2-8th: Psalm 40

Psalm 40
" I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the desolate pit, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.
Happy are those who make the Lord their trust, who do not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after false gods. You have multiplied, O Lord, my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you. Were I to proclaim and tell of them, they would be more than can be counted.
Sacrifice and offering you do not desire, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required. Then I said, "Here I am; in the scroll of the book it is written of me. I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart."
I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; see, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O Lord. I have not hidden your saving help within my heart, I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation.
Do not, O Lord, withhold your mercy from me; let your steadfast love and your faithfulness keep me safe forever. For evils have encompassed me without number; my iniquities have overtaken me, until I cannot see; they are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails me.
Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me; O Lord, make haste to help me. Let all those be put to shame and confusion who seek to snatch away my life; let those be turned back and brought to dishonor who desire my hurt. Let those be appalled because of their shame who say to me, "Aha, Aha!"
But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation say continually, "Great is the Lord!" As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God."

I would also encourage you to listen to the song "Forty" by U2. It is based on this Psalm.
Karen