Community UCC Lectionary Study

Our last week

2011-03-11T17:23:00.000-05:00

This is our last week of the winter online lectionary study. Thank you to all of you who have joined me, either with your posts (Jeanne), or by lurking in Spirit. Because you have held me accountable to be here each week, I have had the opportunity to be strengthened.
If you would like us to consider doing this again next winter, please contact the church office so they can relay the message to me. Or post here if you have posting privileges.

2011-03-09T14:06:00.001-05:00

Very well said, Jane. Thank you and peace be with you.

What if this story weren't there?

2011-03-07T14:51:00.000-05:00

What if we didn't have this story - what wouldn't we know about Jesus?

In the Biblical accounts, Jesus always seems to know exactly what to do and say. What real person looks at a hungry crowd of thousands and says, "Gee, I think I'll feed all of them?" Or knows that today I'm compassionate toward this Pharisee and tomorrow I chew that one out? Or waits a few days so he can bring his friend back from death? Jesus is just too perfect.

Then I read the temptation story and I begin to suspect Jesus was winging it. When you are hungry, isolated, questioning who you are - those aren't the times you are likely to act deliberatively. Instead, they are the moments when you go with your gut, rely on what you know without doubt, leap from inspiration.

What the temptation tells us (maybe?) is that Jesus just plain "knew" that:
- food for the body without food for the soul wasn't enough for any of us
- just because he was God's beloved didn't mean that somehow he was exempt from being human
- he might be the Messiah, but he wasn't the king.

Maybe if you know all of that without having to think twice, maybe then you stand a better chance of knowing what to do when faced with a hungry crowd or an annoying Pharisee or a dying friend.

Without this story, Jesus might seem the master tactician, the thoughtful sage. With it, ...

Talking about near-God experiences

2011-02-28T09:56:00.000-05:00

Kate Huey wrote: "No matter what the disciples are about to witness and experience, this glimpse is something so powerful that they can hold onto it and the truth it imparts about the true identity of Jesus...."
What are the experiences of God that you tend lovingly, with steady, gentle breath on the ember - those experiences which sustain you in your most vulnerable moments?
I realized in asking this question that I am reluctant to put mine to print in such a public place, without being able to read your faces. Funny, I have had no problem posting my doubts and shortcomings, but trusting you without being with you with what is sacred joy for me seems insurmountable.
So, if you feel comfortable answering my question in this public place, I would be honored to read your answer. But if you, too, find it hard to put to print, perhaps we can find a quiet time together to swap stories of the moments of God which sustain us through the dark days. I wonder if this is why Jesus told them not to tell what they had seen until after his resurrection?

Spring in the northern hemisphere

2011-02-28T09:36:00.002-05:00

Today, yet again, I am grateful for warm weather after cold winters. Thank you, God.

Live each day...

2011-02-25T14:31:00.000-05:00

Thanks for the reminder, Jeanne. Why is it so hard to remember that we are surrounded by God's love? One would think that God's love would be so amazing we could never forget, not for an instant. But that isn't the way love is (love from God, or from family & friends). Yet another question to ask God some day....

Worry robs me of Joy

2011-02-25T13:49:00.002-05:00

. . .and most of my worries are centered around my children's lives (even now that they are grown). Worries about their happiness, their relationship with each other, etc.

I often say, it is useless to worry about circumstances that are out of my control and to want to have control over them. Pray instead of worry. Trust in God; think positively; breathe deeply and cherish all good moments. Live each day knowing the promise of Jesus' love.

Worry - and perspective

2011-02-21T11:45:00.000-05:00

Do you think that when Jesus taught from the "mount" the weather was as glorious as today's?
These days I'm driven by a project clown who keeps throwing tasks in front of me like bowling pins skidding across the floor. I slip and dodge and leap from one task to the next. Not good.
For me it is always a matter of perspective: am I looking at those bowling pins or am I wowed by the face of God?
Someone told me that the way to carry a full cup of tea without spilling it is to look at the person to whom you are bringing it and not at the cup. Surprise, surprise - it is true. (Try this at home, folks.)
So, to refocus my gaze, I pray the benediction Steve often uses (my favorite). It is my "good word" to you today.
Jesus said, "You ought always to pray and not faint."
Do not pray for easy lives; pray to be stronger women and men.
Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers, but for powers equal to your tasks.
Then, the doing of your work will be no miracle- you will be the miracle.
Every day you will wonder at yourself and the richness of life which has come to you by the grace of God.
So be it.

"Give to everyone who begs from you."

2011-02-14T08:09:00.000-05:00

I tried to read the commentary, but kept coming back to this line from Jesus.
Last Thursday as I was leaving the Women's Center, a couple approached me on the sidewalk saying they had a flat tire and needed money for a tire patch so they could get home; they were not homeless. The "husband" said the "wife" was pregnant and, skinny as she was, it did seem possible. The day was cold and windy and it was beginning to get dark.
Instantly, my brain begins a million calculations. First, I have just spent all day overhearing homeless women - their courage, their honesty, their half-truths, and their manipulativeness. Second, I was within sight of the Salvation Army and Raleigh Rescue Mission; both serve homeless people and my guess is they would not have provided money for the patch. Third, I knew I had some money, not sure exactly how much, but certainly enough to cover a tire patch. Opening my wallet on a quiet street to two strangers might be a stupid move. Zing - decision made. I suspect that, broken open (rock metaphor of meditation) by the day I had had, I decided - why not? So, asking the husband (by now in my head I had decided I'd believe him) to hold my stuff (my arms were full of things), I burrowed into my purse for $10.00 - surely more than enough for a tire patch kit. Taking my things back and ready to go on my way, I was stopped by the husband who said, "The tire patch is $14.95."
Oh, darn, not done here. At this moment I was no longer coping. I knew I had no five (that would have been easy) - nope, I had only a $20. Do I swap my 20 for the 10? Do I walk away? All of my suspicions came roaring back. A tire patch for $14.95? That seemed way too expensive. Yet it was a specific number. But specific numbers are what motivate people to give and are often used by manipulators to get what they want.
To my regret, I confess that I decided to walk away. My rock simply wasn't that cracked open yet.
As always, I'm left chewing on this interaction. Why did I act as I did? Why did I feel out of my depth? What could make it easier for me to act - one way or another - without this gnawing self analysis? After all, I know myself well enough to know that if I had done the $20.00 swap, I would still be thinking about that.
So here is what I think so far. I wasn't coping because I had no relationship with these folks and it didn't occur to me that I could take the time to think this through. No relationship, no time - bad combo for me. After all, if one of you had said the same thing, I'd have dug in my purse, even gone to a Teller with you, until I had the money to give you. Why? Because we have a relationship. And what would have happened if I had come clean to these folks? "Wow, you've thrown me here. Could we sit on this bench for a minute while I think this out? To be honest, I don't know if you are feeding me a line. And, I'm not even sure if that matters. I just need a minute to get my bearings." I mean, would the world have come to an end if I had said that?
I also realize that I don't get lots of practice with this. If folks were asking me for tire patch money every day, I'd have figured out what to do through habit and experience.
So, what is my take-home here? First, I certainly wasn't free (For freedom, Christ has set you free), so Christ promises us a better way. Second, next time I'll look for that bench and we'll sit down together. I'll try to be honest about what is in my head, and I'll build enough of a relationship to let the person help me figure out what to do. Who knows, maybe we'll even pray together if I'm really stumped. Wouldn't that be outrageous? I know I'll feel like an idiot, and I hope I can actually try this. But I'm guessing it has to be a better idea than the way I handled things on Thursday.

Personal action as a problem for the community

2011-02-07T08:17:00.000-05:00

I never thought of these sayings within the context of what these broken relationships mean for the community. They seemed like teachings for the individual - don't do these things, instead behave this way. I suppose I assumed that someone had asked Jesus for advice,"What should I do in this circumstance in my life?"
Yet Matthew was writing for a community. And it certainly is true that when two people are at odds in a community, the whole community struggles. What should we do? Is this any of our business? Do we just let them sort it out, ignore what is happening? We're not supposed to judge, but what are we supposed to do?
I don't see that Jesus is talking to the community, giving us directions. But certainly if I read these sayings, they give me clues about how to advise someone, how to support. They remind me that the relationships are more important than the "right" answer.
I'm going to have to ponder this more...

Light, beauty, joy

2011-02-01T09:16:00.000-05:00

Jeanne, your comments/quotations are a terrific foretaste of Kate Huey's discussion this week on being salt and light. Today I wish we were in a room together because this conversation could go in so many directions and I'd love to be part of that synergy.
Making do with our online conversation, I'll start by saying that I have loved the Maryann Williamson quotation since the first time I heard it.
Maryanne Williamson, 21st century (quotation used by Nelson Mandela in his 1994 inaugural speech)

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

Some reflections

2011-01-25T10:39:00.005-05:00

I particularly liked this reference that was in Reflection.
Walk humbly with God: to abandon all self-sufficiency, to acknowledge in daily attitude and act that life is indeed derived from the reality of God" (Walter Brueggeman et al).
The "vision beautiful" in Micah calls Israel to be with God in the world, living out God's desires for a community of justice and faithful love.

Also thought of the last verse of All Things Bright and Beautiful
"He gave us eyes to see them,
And lips that we might tell
How great is God Almighty,
Who has made all things well.
Chorus:
All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all.

Do you have this book?

2011-01-24T11:17:00.002-05:00

Do any of you have this? I'd love to read the rest of the beatitudes.
Provoking the Gospel of Matthew: A Storyteller's Commentary, Year A By: Richard W. Swanson
I'll ask Drew if they have it in the Campbell library.

Hope

2011-01-24T11:16:00.000-05:00

As per the Weekly Seeds commentary, quoting Richard Swanson's translation of the beatitudes: "Godlike in their happiness, the mourners: they shall be called as witnesses." This jumps out at me today because of my friend's surgery.
So often I find that people who have been through deep mourning - practical, no-nonsense, not even remotely mystical people - are the most amazing witnesses to mysteries of hope and wholeness. Their "Vision Beautiful" is something they have seen/experienced - not some way-out, gee-wouldn't-it-be-nice imagined future. It is here and now and embodied. When I was in seminary, I did a word study on the Greek and Hebrew words for hope in the Bible. My big learning? That hope was often in parallel with rock. Rarely was the word used as a whispy, futuristic thing: "I hope the world is peaceful someday." Instead it was, "God is my hope, my rock," the one thing I can count on, the one thing that is true and real, I can build on this it is so solid/absolutely true. Hope says, "The world is already peaceful by nature; God made it that way. We just have to clean off the rust so that the peace is visible and functional." As Matthew Fox would say, original blessing rather than original sin.
The sad/hard/recurring question for me is, why do I spend so little of my life acting as if I didn't know this stuff?

Prayer request

2011-01-24T10:56:00.000-05:00

Please pray for my friend, Keith. He began surgery this morning at 8am UK time (3am here) and will be in surgery for 11 hours. This is a high risk operation. Pray also for his wife and daughter.

Center of balance

2011-01-17T09:00:00.000-05:00

Saturday, in order to reach something in our skylight, I was standing on the step on our ladder that is clearly marked "Do not stand on this step." I hate standing on that step and have probably only done it one or two other times in all of my years of painting and construction. I have a highly developed sense of my center of balance and that step puts my center of balance floating in the air without a net.
Something about that experience made me think of "church." "Church" - that gathering of flawed, faith-filled Christ-followers. For as long as I can remember, church is my center of balance. When I am actively connected to a church, my life center of balance is in a secure place and I can do all kinds of things which seem way beyond my abilities, interests, and hopes. It is church which keeps me practical, helps me be less self-centered, widens my understanding of the God-beyond-what-I-can-imagine. Meditation, study, action - they get too "Jane-ish" unless they are part of a community of people who will push back in love. That has been true for me for as long as I can remember. And the few times I have been at odds with my church I have been miserable, truly miserable - adrift, off-kilter, not myself.
What does this have to do with this week's readings? Jesus called people into relationship. He modeled church. Folks were in each other's pockets: they lived together, ate together, traveled together, risked together, mourned together, were amazed together. There is something about being a Christ-follower which seems to be intrinsically communal.
I am intrigued by Christ-followers who live their lives without deep connections to a specific group of people. They might come to worship weekly, but that is all. Or they have no faith-community with which they meet regularly. I don't judge them - who am to say their journey is "wrong?" But I wonder where their center of balance is. What would they not be themselves without? So, if you are a Christ-follower whose center of balance is not church, tell me about where your center of balance is and how that influences how you live what you know/discover. Thanks.

2011-01-13T11:32:00.002-05:00

Jane, I'm posting part of what I described last year.
As a 9 year old Baptist who had been nurtured by many; family, SS teachers, camp counselors --- The significance of cleansing/forgiveness was very clear to me. My sins were going to be “washed away” and I was expressing publicly that I accepted God’s grace and would follow Christ’s teachings. It was a very emotional experience and significant. I like to think of myself at that time as a little child of God and now as a growing child of God.
I enjoyed Bill Lamb's post regarding Bert's baptism and you all might want to read it again.
Isn't it wonderful that each experience is unique to the person(s) who are bonded in Christ's love.

Do we [know how to] speak the good news?

2011-01-10T08:14:00.000-05:00

Yesterday we adopted a renewed covenant to become more fully a congregation which welcomes into our whole life people of all orientations, gender identities, etc. During the discussion, F. asked "How will we get the word out?"
Today's lectionary readings seem to me to extend the same challenge, "Are we telling the good news of what God has done in our lives?"
Such a hard question for a bunch of introverts, many of whom have been bludgeoned with Chrisitianity, all of whom respect deeply the integrity of each person's faith journey. How do we speak of God in our lives?
Many of us (myself included) are inclined to hope our actions speak loudly enough. I know I'm happy to respond if someone else says something about God, but I'm not going to start a conversation by saying "The most amazing thing happened this week and I believe God was behind it." Somehow that second clause gets omitted.
I take this week's readings as a challenge to me to speak. After all, our denominational catch phrase is "God is still speaking," not "God is still acting" (which of course, is true, but not the only important thing to say).
From Psalm 40
"I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation;
lo, I have not restrained my lips, as thou knowest, O Lord.
I have not hid thy saving help within my heart, I have spoken of thy faithfulness and thy salvation;
I have not concealed thy steadfast love and they faithfulness from the great congregation."
So, I'll begin here, in this public place, with a story.
Last Friday we took A. back to school after a wonderful, long Christmas break. I was feeling a bit blue when I opened the mail to find a rare letter from my mother's cousin describing some recent stresses in her life. Since my mom isn't around to "do the family thing," I did something rare for me: I gave her a call. While my intent was to provide support to her, I was surprised to find how much our call healed me. An hour spent hearing the familiar cadences of my childhood was like a love letter from my grandmother, my mom, and all of my maternal great aunts. It was only the mail which comes every day and a choice to act in family responsibility. But I sense behind it the loving call of God. And so I give thanks!

Beginning with baptism

2011-01-06T09:45:00.000-05:00

For me one of the richnesses of the Christian life is that we simultaneously hold death and life in one hand - not as opposite poles, but as one thing. And so, as Kate Huey's commentary says in many different ways, baptism is love/purifyng fire+drowning, embrace of the Father/servanthood to the Father, coming home/ going out into the desert. For me, life is like that - both security and disaster all in one moment.
My question to you: what do you remember of your baptism? I was baptised as an infant, so have no memories. Yet I know I was wanted, loved, and welcomed by a congregation and by my extended family (a first grandchild on both sides). Baptism is being cuddled, smiled at, protected, at home. At the same time, I understand Huey's call to remember in hard times that I was baptised - that I am already accepted, sent, in service, over the hump of "the big decision." A good thing on bad days, remembering that in some ways for me the kingdom of God is already here.
A call for stories: What do you remember of your baptism? How do you remember your baptism?

[If you'd like to add a post to this discussion and aren't yet signed in, call the church office 919-787-6422 and they'll get word to me. Jane]

We begin this Thursday, January 6

2011-01-03T15:25:00.000-05:00

I'll post Thursday with my thoughts on the lectionary passage and Weekly Seeds reflections. I look forward to hearing from you. If you are new to the group and want to post comments, questions, etc., email or call Jane Smith (me) so I can send you an "invitation." You will need to join google, but there are no fee and very few questions to answer.

A word about privacy

2010-11-17T10:24:00.002-05:00

One of the remarkable things about Jesus' life was how open he was about what he did and said. People could see if his actions matched his words. Anyone who wandered by could be a witness - to teachings, to healings, to transformation. Anyone could engage. The United Church of Christ calls that "God's extravagant welcome" - no matter who you are, no matter where you are in life's journey, you're welcome here!
That extravagant welcome seems a good guide for our Bible study online. Consider this blog to be virtual holy ground.
Of course, with that visibility comes a loss of privacy. We will all need to govern our words in love. Are they hurtful? Are we exposing someone else? Are we exposing a part of ourselves which isn't ready?
I'll keep an eye on the posts. If I see something harmful, I can remove it. If you see something that concerns you, call me (I won't be checking every day). But I will trust you to know what you feel safe revealing.

How will we do this online study?

2010-11-17T10:22:00.002-05:00

1) At a time convenient to you during each week, read Rev. Kate Huey's reflection on the United Church of Christ lectionary readings for that week. You can find this by clicking on Weekly Seeds at the left.

2) Ponder prayerfully what you have read. Here are some questions to consider. What jumps out at you? Does the reading or her reflection remind you of another resource you'd like to share with the group? Do you have a question about the reading - maybe something about the historical background or a specific word? Did something you read connect to a dilemma you are facing, or perhaps a joy you are celebrating? Is there an action or a change for yourself or for Community UCC that your insight might inspire? Did something happen during the week that you see in a new light having read the readings or reflection?

3) Engage in our conversation. Remember that anything you post can be read by anyone in the world with internet access. There are two ways to converse. For both of these you need to be an Author and to log onto the blog.

a) Start a new topic of conversation by writing a New Post with your insight, question, reference....

b) Add to an ongoing conversation by writing a Comment on a post from someone else.

Sign up now for Winter Lectionary Study 2011

2010-11-17T10:20:00.001-05:00

We begin our 2011 study at Epiphany, January 6, and will continue until Ash Wednesday, March 9.
Things to do to get ready:

1) Decide whether you want to just read or to have the option to contribute to the conversation. If the latter, you need to ask Jane to give you "permission" to write - an easy process. Not sure if you signed up last year? Contact Jane.
2) Decide whether you want to go to the UCC website each week to read the lectionary reflection, or you would prefer to have an email sent to you automatically each week. If the latter, sign up.
3) Practice. Whatever level of participation you choose, practice. Make sure you know how to find the lectionary reading (or are succesfully receiving it by email). Type a message for the group to be sure you know how to "post." If you run into any trouble, call Jane. Abby will be home mid-December, so I'll have more time to help you in late November, early December.

Isaiah passage

2010-03-05T10:37:00.002-05:00

I enjoyed Kate Huey's Reflection this week regarding prophets and God's promises.
Over the past several weeks I have read from The Good Book(Peter J. Gomes). It's subtitle is reading the bible with mind and heart. (right on)
He has a section on use and abuse of the Bible and I realize that Kate's thoughts on "being taken captive against our will by forces beyond our control, like racism, sexism, and materialism" being a "predicament" are so true. I encourage you to read her article.
How great our God is; to pardon us, have mercy on us and to love everyone! Peace be with you.

The Devil as sidekick

2010-02-18T15:49:00.005-05:00

Jeanne, I love your snowmen. Two very different snowfalls recently. On Feb. 6 a cold, dry snow followed by sleet. And then a week later, a soft, wet snow just right for snowmen.

I just took a stab at the Luke 4:1-11 lectionary passage, and what I came away with was how "benign" all the devil's temptations are. Each of them looks like something that somebody on a mission (Jesus? me?) would find useful. And nowadays we're all so goal-oriented and project-driven, anything that helps us toward a goal seems like it could be exactly what God intended for us.

It's a big temptation to devise some projects and think that somehow if I complete them I'm living out my purpose in life. This devil guy in Luke would be a great sidekick for that kind of life. Hmmmm ... Maybe it's time to reconsider.

Snow

2010-02-18T12:37:00.002-05:00

Just want to share-----My joyful response to snow

Peace be with you.

Dinner cancelled

2010-02-16T16:52:00.002-05:00

With only three of us able to attend dinnner tomorrow (Wednesday night), I'm cancelling our meal together.

A new week...

2010-02-15T15:20:00.000-05:00

Our final official week of this study. Don't quit yet ... we're still "together" through Ash Wednesday.
So far I have heard that Steve can come Wednesday night for soup, but Tim, Mary, Bill, and Lavon cannot. Please let me know by tomorrow (Tuesday) morning so I know how big a pot of soup to prepare.
After Wednesday, I'll pull together a summary of comments from the participants, so even if you can't come Wednesday night, be sure to send me your ideas and thoughts.
Meanwhile, a couple of folks have requested that we leave the Lectionary blog running. They have found that being able to drop in is a good thing for them and perhaps might be for others. While I won't be "leading" in any particular way, we should all feel free to continue to participate and to invite others. And, at some point in the future, any of us is welcome to convene a focused few weeks when we might be more intentional about "gathering."
Bill suggests that those of you who haven't used the "subscribe" function on the left do that. You would get an email each day that someone posts an entry and wouldn't have to remember to check. Call me if you have questions about subscribing.

Pastor Steve's spin on Luke 9:28-36

2010-02-14T14:59:00.004-05:00

Pastor Steve Halsted used this week's Luke 9:28-36 passage for his lead-in to the "Climate Change Preach-In" on Valentines Day. Here's what Steve had to say ...

The Good Book

2010-02-13T08:08:00.004-05:00

Personally, this has been a trying week for me. I read passages early in the week, but didn't spend enough time with them to absorb what they mean to me. I have been "under the weather"; winter is hard for me. I resist feeling the joy that snow can bring, this morning I feel blessed with the beautiful wonder of it.

Reading from The Good Book by Peter J. Gomes; not cover to cover but choosing chapters that appeal to me. In his chapter on The Bible and Joy he spends time reflecting on Moses' experiences with God. It is in periods of doubt and struggle, for Moses "a task, a burden, a responsibility for which he may well be unfit, but God made an offer that he cannot refuse. . . Moses accepts it, but not with joy."
those feelings of unworthiness and "how can it be" erased by his "mountain top" experiences with God, that brought him joy that made him glow. It seems that most of my religious life I felt joy and that special glow should just come naturally if you are a Christian.
How often do we sing the songs focused on joy when the last thing we are feeling is joy? I fake it sometimes and that resistance leaves, often a phrase in a verse will reach me in that joyless place--God comes to me when I didn't expect Him to.
Gomes says "Joy is a response and not an initiation, and it comes at those moments of encounter with thin places, when we see more than we have reason to believe. . . .I wish simply to claim joy as one of the elements of religious experience by which people make sense and meaning out of undeserved happiness that bubbles up to the surface in thanksgiving."
Thank you, God for this wintry day. Jeanne

Moses' Shining Face

2010-02-12T11:50:00.000-05:00

I didn't get past the Exodus passage today - got stuck on Moses' shining face.
When I was in college I was a chemistry major, but was also fascinated by ideas. By the midpoint of my junior year I had finally dispensed with enough basic stuff that I had free hours to take some philosophy classes - and wow did I love those. It was like coming home. One day we had an outside lecturer, and philosophy students were told to show up (or else!). I don't remember what he discussed, but I remember being so happy just listening to the ideas. It was like coming home to myself to a place better than I could imagine. Later, one of the professors told me that the speaker had asked who the girl was who was beaming during the lecture - and it was me. I glowed so much a total stranger noticed.
I suddenly remembered that story when reading about Moses. Now I've always thought of this story as implying that Moses had some divine glow that rubbed off every time he visited God, and maybe that is what the story means. But today I wonder, was Moses glowing because the time spent with God was like coming home to a place better than he could imagine? Think about what he had been through. Here is this stuttering guy, a Hebrew kid raised by Pharoah's household, bi-cultural Hebrew and Egyptian, which sometimes feels like no one claims him. He has chosen sides, facing down one family to lead the other family, and now the family he has chosen does nothing but kvetch. How exhausted. How overwhelmed. How scared. How responsible and yet beyond responsible. So he trots up the mountain in desperation and God bails him out - commandments: something clear, definitive, implementable. No more guessing or sticks striking rocks to get water or manna. Clear, concise rules. And not only that, but God keeps showing up every time he needs advice and heads to the tabernacle. After-care for the exhausted. No wonder his face glowed!
We're doing okay at our house despite some major life changes, but some days I could use some answers instead of more questions or vague hints from God. A nicely inscribed list of 10 commandments, one per finger, in stone. And the promise of follow-up visits while I try to figure out how to implement them.
Today I feel very happy for Moses, that he had those moments in his life, that he got the detailed instructions and the after-care. And I pray for those throughout the world who are just as desperate as he must have been, more overwhelmed than I am today.
God, please give a break to all those who are wandering in the wilderness, dragging the weight of a people/a life/a calling; give them their chance to experience a home within themselves that is better than anywhere they could imagine. Give them some time with you that is clear and definite and makes their faces glow.

spend your dash at dinner - RSVP, please

2010-02-08T07:41:00.000-05:00

Please RSVP whether you will be able to attend our concluding soup supper on Wedesday, Feb. 17, at 6:00pm (immediately prior to Ash Wednesday worship). Family members are welcome to join us; just give me a #. Also, let me know if you have any dietary restrictions. Everyone who signed onto the study is invited - I want to know what worked for you, what blocked your participation, what might make the study more effective. This was an experiment and every "data point" (you!) is important. Besides, isn't it always nice to have a night when you don't have to cook?

Today we begin another our next to last week of study...

Giving up everything

2010-02-04T20:33:00.000-05:00

I struggle with what the "everything" is that I'm supposed to give up.
When I was in grad school (before Gary), I thought Jesus meant to give up stuff and the priviledges that come with wealth. I struggled with feeling guilty about what I had when compared with people who were starving. It would have been a giving up out of guilt, but also a freeing from feeling like I wasn't being a true disciple. In the midst of my wrestling, I met Gary. His views were different and I was pretty sure that I'd have to give up the option of giving up everything. How hard it was to let go of that answer, to risk having more stuff than I needed, more priviledge, more security. Then later when we decided to have Abby, I was giving up a view of myself - professional, in control, productive. Another hard thing to leave behind. Over these years of motherhood I think the challenge has been to give up time - the freedom to choose what I do with it, to luxuriate in it. Each giving up has provided wonderful blessings far outweighing what I lost. I wonder if the fishermen would have said the same?
I've still never completely let go of the idea that Jesus was being pretty literal about giving up stuff. And yet I do see that maybe stuff hasn't been my idol. Maybe my idols have been literalism, a view of myself, and time.

Casting Nets ...

2010-02-04T09:04:00.005-05:00

Jo was scheduled to fly to China last Saturday, but she saw the snow forecast and left on Friday. After returning home from the trip to RDU Friday morning, I drove only 3 miles between then and yesterday. So I've been a home body. Lots of walks in the snow (including buying groceries) and also more cross country skiing than I've done in NC for years. So the past 5 days have been sort of a winter retreat for me.

As for the passage, the focus for me is Simon's response, "Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets." We live in an age of cost-benefit analysis and efficiency studies. We like to do things that bring results. I'm one of those who has a hard time simply taking the first step and leaving the results up to God. But that's what Simon did. He wasn't asked to go out and change the world. Just let down the nets. Sounds simple enough.

A few weeks ago I had a nice chat with two Jehovah Witness callers at my house (middle aged white woman and young African-American woman). They have a tough row to hoe in my neighborhood. But they do it cheerfully and with a lot of grace. I can learn from them.

True Believers

2010-02-03T20:24:00.002-05:00

Jane, I agree that this week, with school off three days in a row has at really messed with my rythmn also.

I recently read a book (I must admit that, I don't remember either the title or the author...sorry) about one man's journey from a non-Christian to a very dedicated Christian and back again to a non believer. He was a religion reporter for the Los Angeles Times and his book consisted largely of many of the stories that he had written over the years. One of these stories was about a group of missionaires that had essentially given up everything they had, all of there eartly possesions to work among the poor and homeless and follow Christ. The author lived with these people for several days, and came to call them the True Believers. At the time I had questioned myself to see if I could actually do as these people had done, give up everything. I am not sure that I could. In this weeks passage, a group of fisherman give up everything that they have to follow Christ. While they had the demonstration of the power of Christ as shown by the miracle of the fish in the net, I suspect that it was a much bigger deal for them to give up their lively hood, to leave their home and to follow Christ where ever he went. Obviously they were true believers. I wonder...if given a similar demonstration...if my boat was filled with fish...what would I do?

Power Follows Obedience

2010-02-03T20:07:00.005-05:00

Have you heard this statement? As I began flipping through a journal, I came across this with no reference to where I heard it. Those three words is all that is written.
Simon, James and John seem to be awestruck by what happens at the lake and have such conviction--no fear--to give up even their livelihood and obey Jesus. And to think of the powerful things that happened as a result in their lives.

Jane, your thoughts about trusting in order to be led to people--I wish I could just get past fear I have if I "let go and let God". Always a struggle for me.

footnote: the best snowfall has huge fluffy flakes that melts when it reaches the ground. I did get caught up on small chores and cooked a lot. David and I (well mostly me) ate a pan of brownies in 3 days

Snow Day Brain

2010-02-02T08:38:00.000-05:00

Today I woke up and realized it is Tuesday. The snow day yesterday was a sabbatical at our house - even Gary went to work late. So I begin our week today, wondering how you spent the snowy weekend...
Thanks, Lavon, for posting the link to the play. Heart-breaking. The commentary on this week's passage points out that the fish weren't caught until Jesus pointed out where to go fishing. That is the place I don't trust enough...that God will put before me the people who might need whatever I have to offer. Much like our earlier discussion about being alert to the reading of scripture, I suppose this is also a matter of being alert to the stage direction: "Go fishing over there."

With Appreciation

2010-01-29T13:19:00.003-05:00

Yes! Thanks be to God for all of you, for the inspiration and the support.

Hope and dare to find out...

2010-01-29T11:21:00.000-05:00

Those words went straight to my heart, Jeanne. For me, that is what church is - a gathering of people who hold me accountable and also help me feel safe enough to risk finding out what God knows about me and is calling me toward.
Today I am grateful for the people in this study. By your presence (posting or just reading) you are sustaining me as God is doing a renovation on my soul. Right now I'm swirling with drywall dust and have a dumpster filled for the landfill (and maybe a few bits for the Habitat Reuse Store), but going through the renovation with all of you makes it more hopeful than scary. Thanks.

Call and Commission

2010-01-28T21:26:00.006-05:00

Lavon, I listened to your reading early this am (at work).

I read the Jeremiah passage while waiting to get my hair cut this evening.

Puati, I thought. Pastor has heard God's word and is following the expectations God surely has for him.

As Lavon has asked "what about me?" What are God's expectations of me? I must be still; invest time listening to God if I hope and dare to find out.

Jeremiah's Call

2010-01-28T11:37:00.002-05:00

Rarely does the weekly lectionary contain two passages that are so familiar to us as happens this week. The 1 Corinthians 13 passage has such a ring of familiarity that we almost know it by heart.

But the Jeremiah passage is the one I'm going to choose in belatedly accepting Jeanne's invitation several days ago to add another "reading" to the blog this week. The radical proposition that God not only knows Jeremiah before he is born but sets him apart as well is food for a lot of thought. What about me? Did God know me before I was born? If so, what are God's expectations? And for what purpose was I "set apart"?

More on Age

2010-01-28T09:08:00.006-05:00

Jane, your reflection on "Age" brings to mind the old adage attributed to Winston Churchill ...

"Show me a young conservative and I'll show you a man without a heart. Show me an old liberal and I'll show you a man without a brain."

I sometimes look back on at my past and marvel at how clear issues looked in the context of the innocence (and sometimes ignorance) of youth. We need that innocence, and the ferment that it brings.

I enjoyed the YouTube video. Last month I filmed a 90-minute production by the youth and children of my daughter's church. (One of them wrote the script.) The first 10 minutes or so of the opening scene portrays the barrier that a young and lost youth encounters from a closed and judgmental church. Pretty scary. Our youth are our future.

Age

2010-01-27T08:39:00.001-05:00

In reading the four passages I was surprised at the role youth, maturity, stages, and community respect played in each. Jeremiah and Jesus, both starting their ministries, are young - maybe 20's-30's. Paul considers himself to be mature, but he was certainly a young rabble-rouser who knew it all in his "stone the Christians" days. The psalmist, too, is looking back - "I have trusted in you since I was young."
I'm in the Paul/psalmist age range so found myself trying to recall what it was like to be young, passionate, edgy - everything is clear cut and a crisis, no time to waste, the "kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe the Good News." So on a whim a googled Jeremiah's response to God, "I am only a youth." I expected to find that hard, edgy rush to justice - and perhaps a wariness that the older generation won't respect what I have to say. Instead I found this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thFpyHth0S8.
I had forgotten how vulnerable I felt as a young person. I was just beginning to trust myself and walked that thin line between needing a community and going it alone. Even in my early 30's I remember being awed by elders in the struggle whom I met at peace gatherings and conferences. What could I possibly add? And yet there was a self-confidence in my "outsider" status - I could clearly see the immediate need, the urgency of God's call to act NOW. The older folks took so much TIME to do everything.
Did Jesus feel that vulnerability when he began to read in the synagogue? Did his heart yearn for the elders to say, "Yes, Jesus, we understand. You aren't crazy. We're with you." Did he have that energy, that self-confidence and loner passion of youth? How much of the response of his community was an age conflict? The "young" can be upsetting and dangerous. Would Jesus have been the Jesus we know, willing to give up everything, if his call to ministry had begun at age 50? As a congregation, do we go out of our way to let younger people know we invite their edginess and passion? They don't have to slow down to our pace and we hope they will push us into action NOW.

Penetrating the fog ...

2010-01-26T15:53:00.002-05:00

Often I hear or stare at a Bible passage and my mind goes numb. The words just don't penetrate. It's like I have ADD. But sometimes things actually click. That happened at the Taizé service Sunday morning when Susan Lane read the Luke lectionary passage that we were chatting about last week. So that was about my 4th encounter with that passage within a 4-day period. Maybe that's what I need, just more exposure and a little concentration. I guess that's one of the purposes of Bible Study.

Rain...

2010-01-25T07:26:00.000-05:00

With the cleansing and watering of rain we begin the fourth week of the lectionary study.

How is your week going? Ours started abruptly at 4:30am when the airline called to say Abby and Gary's flight to visit Philadelphia today (college visit) had been canceled. So we began the waits on hold, the series of details, the tedium through sleep-fogged brains of making new reservations. A new flight was found and, as I write, they are eating breakfast preparing for the trip to the airport. And it is raining...

May you find blessings amid the tedious details, the sleep-fogged moments of this week.

Looking forward to your posts.

Let the words of my mouth ...

2010-01-24T14:45:00.002-05:00

Ah, Jeanne ... You jogged some memories with your recollections of singing that scripture. Music is the all powerful medium to me, and I remember being transfixed by the sound of that passage being sung by Linda Ronstadt almost 40 years ago ...

Psalms

2010-01-23T17:26:00.003-05:00

Singing scripture songs with friends in college--special spiritual experiences--one of my favorites,
Psalm 19:14
"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord my rock and my redeemer."
I believe most if not all came from KJ translation.
Jane, you have inspired me to try to find my Good News Bible.

Listening to Scripture

2010-01-22T14:50:00.000-05:00

Thanks, Dave, for the info on the Jesus Seminar.

I've been thinking more about when scripture is transformative for me and the examples I remember are all times when I heard the scripture in a context. Perhaps it was a special worship service with a theme so I was listening through the filter of that theme. Or maybe it was following discussion with someone so there was a direct connection between something else happening in my brain and the scripture. Or this week's passages and the constant and moving news about Haiti. In other words, I think I have to be prepared to hear - my dirt needs tilled before the seed can be planted and grow.

Any thoughts, anyone?

jesus seminar

2010-01-21T16:07:00.002-05:00

To answer your question, the jesus seminar, is a study group,of various
theologians and writers who endevor to determine what quates attributed to jesus
are certain from those that may be a bit "interpreted ".
Marcus Borg among others is mentioned on their web site. ask.com, is my source.

Scripture Readings

2010-01-21T13:16:00.002-05:00

Most of the time during the readings of scripture--I watch the reader and listen. I read that brain research shows we don't hear as well, can lose focus if we are reading along with a speaker.
Lavon, if you want to read a passage to us next week from the lectionary that would be welcome.

Thank you Lavon

2010-01-20T21:49:00.002-05:00

Lavon, thank you for your thoughts. I so often think of Jesus as perfection, never having a dark moment etc. but when you draw a picture of Jesus as one who is finding his way, it makes it much more personal, something I can understand.

The rest of the story

2010-01-20T09:31:00.006-05:00

This morning when I read the Luke passage, I found myself plagued with images from my TV screen. As a political junkie, I sat glued to my TV last evening watching election returns from Massachusetts, and the speeches of the winner and the loser. The unthinkable had happened. A political party had gone from resounding celebration and delusions of grandeur just 14 months ago, to loss of perhaps the most unlosable Senate seat in the country.

We all go through such passages. Our "highs" frequently are not as permanent as we hope they will be. We eventually return from the lofty perch and realize that we've barely begun. There's still work to do.

The Luke passage doesn't get to "the rest of the story" (as Paul Harvey used to say). It tells of Jesus being "praised by everyone". He goes to the synagogue, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah is given to him. He begins to read, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me." And as he continues to read from Isaiah, it sounds as if Jesus is laying out his agenda (bringing good news to the poor, releasing the captives, recovering the sight of the blind, letting the oppressed go free). (Fast forward to last January when President Obama was standing in front of an adoring crowd laying out his agenda to a joint session of Congress.)

But this week's passage doesn't tell the whole story. Before the end of the chapter, "all in the synagogue were filled with rage. They got up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they might hurl him off the cliff."

Of course, for Jesus this wasn't the end of the story either. The end comes much later with the cross and the resurrection. To put it mildly, Jesus' popularity and successes in this week's Luke passage set the stage for hard work and some dark nights of the soul that come later. I suspect it's inevitably going to be that way with us most of the time as well. And last night demonstrated it's sure true for political parties.

Ellen was ahead of us...

2010-01-20T08:12:00.000-05:00

Was anyone else struck by how Ellen Beidler's Children's Time message foreshadowed Kate Huey's commentary? Ellen talked to the children about how Dr. King told stories that had power, and that those stories are ones he learned in church. Kate Huey, too, talks about transformative stories. Consider reading the Nehemiah passage without skipping any verses and imagine the scene - what an amazing movie that would make! A bit of background that might help: Nehemiah had been with the conquered Israelites who had been dragged years before into exile to Persia. Visitors arrive from the home country and he asks them how things are at home. The visitors report that everyone is in desperate trouble, the walls of the city obliterated and the gates burned. Nehemiah weeps, and mourns and fasts for days. He confesses Israel's sin and begs God for help. Then Nehemiah uses his position as cupbearer to the king of Persia to get permission to go on leave to rebuild Jerusalem. He returns, rallies the city, and they rebuild the walls and the temple. The reading of the Book of Moses (the 1st five books of the Bible) described in our passage is the dedication ceremony of their hard work and longing. Reminds me of Haiti, of New Orleans, of the DRC....
What stories of the Bible have had that kind of power for you?
On a personal note, I'd appreciate any advice you might have for preparing myself so that, when I hear the stories on Sunday, I am more open to "hearing," to "seeing." What works for you?

A New Week

2010-01-18T09:14:00.000-05:00

Welcome to week three of our lectionary study. If any of you are having trouble posting to the blog, please call me. I'm happy to talk you through any challenges.
May God continue to bless the reading, speaking, and doing of God's Word.

water into wine

2010-01-17T17:11:00.000-05:00

Thanks, Dave, for making the connection to the earlier text. Tell us more about the group you mentioned.
Gail, I hadn't thought much about what it signified that people "needed" the wine. I suppose the story always seemed a bit of a parlour trick - an adolescent's first venture into the muddling of the "kingdom" and family.
Which gives me a sense of relief, actually. We don't have many stories of Jesus trying to figure out how to be a good son/sibling/cousin - how to mix his growing sense of identity, calling, and God with the every day demands of living in a family. Here he gives his mother what she wants, but it is a clumsy story and the best John seems to do with it is to say it is worth retelling because it is a first.
I love my extended family, but I find that I am least subtle and understanding, most clumsy and obnoxious when trying to share with them the decisions I face trying to put my faith in action. Fortunately, I have a terrific family who puts up with my ATTITUDE and helps me laugh at myself. My sisters do a great retelling of the summer I came home from college intent on doing Bible study with them. God is definitely going to give me a hard time about this one day : )

...in God's hands

2010-01-17T17:03:00.000-05:00

Jeanne, thank you for posting the link to the prayer. My soul has been heavy, carrying within it tears for and from Haiti. The end of the prayer reminds me that I also need to release those precious tears - pour them into God's hands. For while my soul overflows with tears, I can't think well or act wisely or listen for God's whisper pointing out my next step to be of some use.
Someone today said to me, "When we have had our sadness, it is time to get angry." I wonder what would happen if all of us who are grieving alongside our Haitian sisters and brothers became prophet-stye furious at the greed and corruption and laziness which leads to earthquake-prone buildings and crippled infrastructure. I think that anger scares me more than the tears; how would my life change if I allowed myself to feel it? And while I agree with Jeanne that we are called to pray for enemies, I wonder what it would mean for me to act to counter the slander by Pat Robertson.

water to wine

2010-01-17T16:43:00.002-05:00

reading this passage about water to wine - like it says in Psalm 36 it says " drink from the fountain of life in your light we see light "- it doesn't matter is you drink water or wine - the love of the wedding spirit should be there, did they feel like they had to get drunk in order to have the glory - or was the better wine what they needed to have the love and glory.

water to wine &paying taxes to caesar

2010-01-17T16:25:00.002-05:00

In john 2-4, Jesus questions "why do you involve me? "concerning the shortage of wine.
It is a bit sarcastic,and reminds me of an earlier comment he made about paying taxes,
in mat 22-20:22, "give to caesar what is caesar's ", as if to say,its his ,so give it to him.
That comment gives me a push to research what the jesus society's thoughts might be on
just how literal a quate these lines are. Any one know of that group ?

In the Spirit of Love

2010-01-16T11:45:00.002-05:00

prayer from the UMC (General Board of Discipleship) website
this excerpt causes me to feel more deeply

"Keep us from attributing this event as a heavenly reprimand, Or from a certain haughtiness that tempts the distant soul. Give us to be compassionate and gentle, servants to those in need.Remind us of your gracious love in the midst of sorrow, And your ability to work miracles when hope is faint."

Unfortunately, I respond to those who acclaim that disasters are punishment from God, such as Pat Robertson who "has blamed the devastating earthquake in Haiti on a pact between the impoverished nation's founders and the devil" with extreme anger. Lashing out in anger only causes my blood pressure to rise.
I am grateful for these words from Dr. Lightsey .
I will pray for those who place blame on God's people that suffer will find in their hearts to be compassionate.

http://www.gbod.org/worship/worship/articles.asp?act=reader&item_id=48401&loc_id=739,1112

2010-01-16T11:37:00.000-05:00

http://www.gbod.org/worship/worship/articles.asp?act=reader&item_id=48401&loc_id=739,1112

Welcome, Gray.

2010-01-14T19:10:00.002-05:00

Glad to have you with us.

Vengence and Love

2010-01-14T10:39:00.000-05:00

I appreciate your distinction between disaster brought on by bad choices and those that simply strike. I've struggled with those prophecies which connect the punishment of a whole nation with the the bad choices of some. It is hard for me to believe that the average Israelite was actively engaged in the crimes named by Isaiah. And yet they all suffered from invasion and the disruption caused by the exile of some while other family members were left behind under occupation.
Clearly there have been bad choices by some in Haiti and in the international community. Buildings weren't built to withstand a fault-line existence, corruption lined pockets, and the international community seems to take an interest only during huge disasters like this one. Did the N&O say this morning that the US has given $12 million this decade? What does one school in Wake County cost?
Somewhere deep in the complexities of Isaiah's prophecy are ideas that ring true. When callous decisions are made, people suffer - and not just the guilty ones. And in the midst of hopelessness, God is present and, through us, makes a way out of no way.

Isaiah...

2010-01-13T21:27:00.002-05:00

Jane, thank you for your words. The passage from Isaiah that you quote and modify for Hati, is one for the restoration of Israel. My memory does not serve me well, but wasn't Israel always needing delivery from the trouble it had gotten itself into by running afoul of God? This earthquake in Hati is a tradgedy, one of a string of tragedies that have hit Hati (AIDS epeidemic, extreme poverty and a corrupt goverment to name a few). I suspect that it will be said by some Chistians that Hati somehow brought this eathquake on itself as a punishment. This was certainly said about the 9/11 attacks and America. This leads to the argument for a vengeful God versus one who reaches out those in need.

I would also like to add a bit about the passage in 1st Corinthians - there are many kinds of service, but only one Spirit. I would pray that those people who are headed to Hati to give aid, have the gift of the Spirit with them as they try to help those in need.

Haiti and abundance

2010-01-13T08:15:00.000-05:00

The worst earthquake in 200 years has hit Haiti. Kate Huey's reflection calls us to ponder God's abundance. My brain can't wrap around that discord.
For me, the Psalm and reading from Isaiah speak more clearly today. I've copied verses from The Good News Bible. Please join me in being with the people of Haiti as you read these words.
Psalm 36 begins with 4 verses describing a wicked man who is so self-centered he thinks God doesn't know that he lies, plans evil and rejects good. Then the psalmist says:
Lord, your constant love reaches the heavens;
your faithfulness extends to the skies.
Your righteousness is towering like the mountains; your justice is like the depths of the sea.
Men and animals are in your care.
How precious, O God, is your constant love! We find protection under the shadow of your wings.
We feast on the abundant food you provide; you let us drink from the river of your goodness.
You are the source of all life, and because of your light we see the light.
Continue to love those who know you and to do good to those who are righteous.
Do not let proud men attack me or wicked men make me run away.
See where evil men have fallen.
There they lie, unable to rise.

Isaiah writes to the captured Jerusalem, Jerusalem in exile, but I'll change this to Haiti.
I will speak to encourage Haiti;
I wil not be silent until she is saved, And her victory shines like a torch in the night.
Haiti, the nations will see you victorious! All their kings will see your glory.
You will be called by a new name, a name given by the Lord himself.
You will be like a beautiful crown for the Lord.
No longer will you be called "Forsaken," or your land be called "The Deserted Wife."
your new name will be "God I Pleased with Her."
Your land will be called "Happily Married," because the Lord is pleased with you and will be like a husband to your land.

Today I pray for the people of Haiti, that they will experience in real and practical ways God's abundant love and will know in the midst of their despair that God loves them and will care for them as a bridegroom does his beloved bride. I also pray that I am open to anything God calls me to do to make that love concrete.

Maybe Mother does know best

2010-01-11T19:59:00.004-05:00

The story of Jesus turning water to wine at the wedding bring to mind a few thoughts, and these may not be the most obvious thoughts. First of all, Mary tells Jesus, "They have no more wine", and I love his response, "so why is that my problem" and "my time has not yet come". Could it be possible that Mary had special knowledge of her son's abilities, had he performed previous miracles that are not recorded in the Gospels? Could it be that Mary new her son's purpose, that he could perform miracles, and that she thought his time had come, so that they could be seen in public? Could this be a case of Mother knows best and that in deed his time to show himself had come?

I also found it interesting that Jesus shows his humility, that in the end, only the servants (and I assume Mary and the Apostles) know of the miracle of turning water into wine.

Thank you, God, for this new morning!

2010-01-11T07:46:00.000-05:00

We begin our next week of the study today. However, just as we would if we were meeting in person, we should all feel free to continue to comment on the previous week's writings.
Is anyone having trouble posting who has wanted to post? I'll be home most of the day today, so give me a call if that helps. Tonight I'm at Council.

My Son's Baptism

2010-01-09T14:18:00.002-05:00

Can't remember my own baptism because I was an infant. I do remember Bert's, however. He did not have an infant baptism because of the traditions Marty grew up with. So the issue of his baptism was pretty much tied up with the confirmation process. Ian Larrea was also in that class and the Larreas were in the same boat. So it was not just baptism to think about, it was what kind of baptism. Those in this class decided to elect baptism by immersion which presented Cally and Dave with an interesting challenge. While they both understood well the intellectual and theological underpinnings of baptism, neither had been involved with a baptism where the principle went all the way under the water. To make the challenge even more interesting, they decided to do the deed in the pond behind Rand House rather than in an indoor baptistery of a church willing to help us out. Within the congregational churches in the area, Cally and Dave got advice from some of our more traditional congregations, primarily African-American. It was a beautiful day; Cally and Dave were decked out in waders with suspenders over their shoulders; Marty and Marion had traditional Baptist baptism hymns copied; and the kids were "dunked." What I remember most was a bird flying from behind the pines and over the water just as the ceremony started. I would love to say it was a dove, but I know better. Don't know the bird exactly but to me it will always represent the spirit at work in our lives and in the lives of those young people.

Do any of the rest of you remember your baptism?

2010-01-09T13:59:00.000-05:00

My college friends had been baptized in their elementary or middle years and they told me all kinds of stories. I marveled at my first sight of the baptism pool and laughed with them at their stories of the see through wet robes (it is amazing they didn't drown with the layers of white clothing underneath). They taught me about altar calls (I still think those a pretty cool). I felt so priviledged hearing their "witness" of the events leading up to their baptisms. Sacred memories.
I was baptised as an infant, and I think that probably suited me. I liked growing up knowing that for as long as I had been (just about) I was a part of the Family. But I do think I missed something equally wonderful by not having to make the choice myself. So, thanks, Jeanne for sharing a bit of your story.

Baptism

2010-01-09T09:49:00.003-05:00

Great to have insights from you --the background on the ritual of washing/cleansing--the significance of Jesus' baptism
K. Huey's article posed some questions, one being "How does one remember one's baptism?"
I was a 9 year old Baptist who had been nurtured by many; family, SS teachers, camp counselors. The significance of cleansing/forgiveness was very clear to me. My sins were going to be washed away and I was expressing publicly that I accepted God's grace and would follow Christ's teachings.
Won't go into a lot of detail about emotions, revelations, etc. but it was very significant

Jane, I regret not talking to my children more about the ritual of baptism. Maybe I will have the opportunity to talk to my adult children about what this meant to me as a "little" child of God and now as a "growing" child of God. Time to focus on growth; time to shake the twinge of uncertainty and press publish post

Importance of the spirit and the voice

2010-01-09T08:56:00.228-05:00

Thanks, Tim, for giving me a chance to play with my Greek books again. I agree with Tim that the fact that this story shows up in all four gospels must mean it is important. This may be TMI, but here is my take on whether the stories actually are very similar and what the differences might tell us.
I took a look at my Gospel Parallels in Greek; this is a nifty book that runs all four gospels side by side so you can catch the nuances. Sometimes there is no deviation, sometimes dramatic deviation, and sometimes just a word here and there. It is from the differences that scholars like to draw conclusions about the intent and audiences of the authors (someday we'll ask the authors, who have no doubt been laughing hard for two millenia).
Anyway, I focused on verse 22 and was surprised by how different the passages are compared to some places in the gospels where there is no difference.   I expected to see that Matthew and Luke had copied Mark or that they had used a common source totally different from Mark's (the Q source, perhaps). And if it were really an issue of core belief or a formulaic phrase (like our "Peace be with you. And also with you."), John might use the same words, too.
Instead, I found most words differed between the four versions. Here's the list of shared words for verse 22:
and, spirit (incl. J), descending (Mt, M, J)/to descend (L), dove, on (Mt, L, J), him (incl. J), and voice, out of the (Mt, Mk)/out of (Lk), heavens (Mt, Mk)/heaven (L), came into existence (M, L - although different grammatical forms and places in the sentence), my son (Mt, M L)/son of God (J), the one I love (Mt, M), in (Mt, M), I am pleased (Mt, M, maybe Luke)
So, if you look for what is common to all three synoptics (Mt, M, L), you get:
and spirit descend(ing) him, and voice out of heaven(s), my son.
It also looks like Matthew relied on Mark (lots of text in common), but Luke did some serious editing. What did he change and why might he have done that? Here a Lukan choices.
1) Mark= "spirit"
Matthew = "spirit of God"
Luke = "the spirit, the Holy One" (a noun, so Holy becomes more like a name than an adjective). Luke generally calls the spirit "The Spirit, the Holy One" or "the Holy Spirit."
2) Another Lukism: God is in "heaven", not "heavens."
3) Luke adds something here; when the spirit came, it came in bodily form: somatiko. The root is soma - body; "having the bodily form of." Luke wanted to make the point that there was something physical there. This wasn't a vision, but an actual physical thing. He goes on to say "with the formal appearance of, the shape of" (idos) "like" (os) a dove. Luke uses idos one other time: in the transfiguration story (9:29) to describe how Jesus' face appeared. Tradition says that Luke was a physician. Perhaps he felt the need to make this clarification because of the scientist in him, the observer of bodies and of nature. "Something physical was there, it looked like a dove, but we couldn't check the DNA - who knows?"
4) Isn't it interesting that for all three the voice was out of heaven?  People didn't observe a talking bird thingy; they saw a bird thingy and heard a different voice while looking at this guy, Jesus. A first trinitarian sighting?
5) The RSV translates that the voice "came" - a bland translation choice for a WOW word. Mark and Luke use forms of the word "ginomai" - an evocative choice, not the simple "to come." Something "comes into existence, begins, arises out of nature, comes to pass, appears in history, is finished." This word is a frequent New Testament word, which makes sense because the authors were trying to describe life changing events. So think drum rolls, the big bang, the change of everything as we know it, the end of the world.
6) What does the voice say?
Mark: You are my son, the Beloved One." - a declaration of love for a unique son?
Matthew: "This is my son, the Beloved One" - a birth announcement?
Luke: "My son you are." - I adopt you? I claim you? Yoda was speaking?
John: "the voice said that this is the son of God." - a report, not a quotation
7) What else did the voice say? Here is an interesting puzzle. Many manuscripts say Luke added the same tag as Mt and Mk; God was "favorably inclined toward Jesus"; eudokeo is the verb. I took a look at the list of manuscripts and they are some of the core ones used by translators.
But there are significant manuscripts with an alternate reading. God says, " I, today, I am begetting you." Verb= gennao. This is the root of our generations, generate, Genesis. Most properly, the word means that a father begets a son and, yes, it is the word Matthew uses to introduce that long list of begats. The word can be used metaphorically to mean something is engendered, arises.
Some scribe somewhere made a change when he copied a manuscript and that change appears in quite a few significant copies. But which is the Lukan original? Did Luke actually write that God was claiming paternity and wants to be involved in the child's life (I am begetting you), then some tired scribe inadvertanly mixed up Luke with Mt and Mk when he did his copy of the day OR did Luke copy Mark, then later an inspired scribe took his cue from ginomai to go cosmic on us, having heard the reading from Psalm 2:7 at Matins that morning (a exact quotation)?

Huck and Greeven who pulled together the Gospel Parallels voted for Luke continuing to use his own word choice; it seems most translators (RSV, Jerusalem, etc.) vote for Luke having quoted Mark. So take your choice...
Matthew: "In the one I am favorably inclined, take pleasure in" - very formal, courtly the verb is eudokeo
Mark: "In you I a take pleasure" - personal - eudokeo
Luke: "I, today, I am begetting you." - or "In you I take pleasure."

Having wound my way through this analysis, so what?
I'd say Luke didn't just repeat what he had read; he filtered through his experience and he shaped the story to make this point:  "We all know that after Jesus, EVERYTHING was different forever. But I want you to be assured that we aren't just talking metaphor here.  Real, physical, observable things happened.  Bird thingies, and voices, and paternity. And, oh, the world will never be the same again."
Again, if Luke was a physician, he knew about nature and he knew that what he was writing about was crazy talk. Yes, science then wasn't science now, but it was about bodies and bodily functions and meds and splints. You don't heal people with spit and you don't feed a crowd with a picnic lunch. And you sure don't walk around after they crucify you! Maybe he needed to keep reminding himself that this is real, and worth building his life on. Or maybe he was giving his readers the best data he could to could in which to ground the risks they would take.

So, what does it say to our 21st century brains that Luke, possibly a man of science, wants us to understand that this stuff happened? If we believe that, does that rock our world?

Baptism of Jesus in the other Gospels

2010-01-07T20:30:00.004-05:00

In reading of the Baptism of Jesus in the other Gospels (Matthew 3:13 to 17 and Mark 1:9-11), I am stuck by how identical the passages are. The passage "You are my son, and with you I am wll pleased" is prety much the same in all three - at least in the NIV version (my prefered translation). Isn't it rare to have such a similar passage in all three Gospels? In my mind, this stresses how important this event, the baptism of Jesus, his recieving of the Holy and of course the proclamation that he is the Son of God.

Imaging Jesus and John the Baptist

2010-01-07T18:57:00.003-05:00

The picture that Tim paints of John the Baptist (beginning of 2nd paragraph of his post) resonates with me. Nine years ago our interim pastor asked me to disrupt Sunday morning worship by entering the sanctuary from the rear and portraying John the Baptist much as Tim describes him. Her purpose in designing this skit was to impress the congregation with the notion that John the Baptist was not your ordinary Joe.

Two years ago I offered a Lenten Film Series on the way that Jesus is portrayed in film. And the Frontline series From Jesus to Christ (referred to by Tim) was one of the prime resources for the series. It's available from Netflix and runs for 4 hours as I recall.

Welcome, Tim

2010-01-07T18:10:00.000-05:00

Your comments about Jesus's baptism being a way to distinguish him from the powers-that-be makes sense to me. Some scholars think John was adapting the Qumran community's baptism of repentance/forgiveness and Qumran was constantly in trouble for their criticism of the Jewish establishment. "We're clean, you're not. God might save us, but you're toast." Hence the comments about winnowing - very Qumran. There are also some scholars who think Jesus might have spent some time in Qumran himself. Maybe baptism was Jesus going public, saying which "side" he was on in the theological debate.
I often struggled with how we talk about baptism to our children. Whether done on a child's behalf or chosen by a teen at confirmation - are we clear about communicating this idea of a cleansing/forgiveness which is also a crossing of a line, a taking sides? I think that might be something teens would understand intuitively. ???

Tim's first entry....just diving in.

2010-01-06T20:24:00.000-05:00

I find it difficult to comment, or even think on these different passages at one time, they bring so many different thoughts to mind and I find them so different in meaning and in tone. I will limit my thoughts to the baptism of Jesus.

I always think of John the Baptist as the crazy man, wearing furs, eating whatever food he can find and proclaiming the end of the world. The image of one who marches on the street corner with a sign reading “The End is Near” comes to mind. Based on this reading, this is obviously a mistaken image. John the Baptist has a following of people, how big we are uncertain, but it is certainly large enough that It caught the attention of Herod, who had him arrested for what he said (the verses 19 and 20 that were omitted from the reading refer to this). This leads me to the image of a strong John the Baptists, who must of in some way posed a threat to the establishment, the government of the time, that he would be arrested for his proclamations. John is baptizing people, certainly something that I would not associate with a political type statement. A little search led me to the FRONTLINE site (a PBS news show) and the series they did on from Jesus to Christ. A couple of scholars refer to baptism or other ritual washing that was practiced among other groups during that time, though little is known of these groups. They also suggest that these baptisms were a cleansing against some of the practices of those that ran the temple at the time. I like the way this fits with the image of separating the wheat from the chaff that is referred to in the passage, as a threat to those in charge of the temple and its practices at the time. This brings me to a question. Was it necessary to baptize Jesus, so that it showed he was different from those that ruled in the temple , that he was purified and clean and not of the establishment?

Welcome, Jeanne.

2010-01-06T15:22:00.001-05:00

Glad you made it!

How do I live with the edge in this story?

2010-01-06T15:21:00.000-05:00

John's proclamation of the winnowing, the Psalmists' declaration that "the voice of the Lord makes the lightning flash. His voice makes the desert shake" - these metaphors give the story of the coming of the Spirit a rough edge that I find hard to keep in sight. And when I lose my awareness of the power of God implicit in baptism and the conquering of death, I find I also set my sights way too low for what God might be calling to me to do and to be.
Gary and I went to see Invictus last night and I had read the book over Christmas. There is a scene when Nelson Mandela meets the rugby captain for tea, hoping to win him to a vision of the Rainbow Nation. Mandela is cordial, friendly, grandfatherly even. But he doesn't offer the captain a vision of harmony. Instead he talks about the difficulties they both face as leaders and how hard it is to motivate people to do better than they think they can. Mandela connects not in the sweet and easy places of their shared humanity or a joyful vision, but in the painful struggles of their shared smallness in the face of a barely possible task. And because he honors the captain with the truth of their deepest longings and sacrifices, the captain trusts him and becomes more than he thought he could be. Neither of them is as alone as they were before. (I do recommend the movie, by the way.)
When I think about myself as a Christian, and about our congregation as the Body of Christ, I fear I usually seek the sweet and easy picture, not the one with deep longings and sacrifice. I don't want to scare myself or others away from the Love at the core. But I suspect I need to trust God more and stop sugar coating things. Love that is greater than death doesn't need me to smooth the edges.
Does this make sense to anyone else? How do you live with the edge in this story?

Christ's grace and peace to you

2010-01-06T06:58:00.000-05:00

Good morning and welcome to the first week of our lectionary study group.
Thank you, Lavon, for getting us off to a good start with one of the readings. Mary, glad you have joined us. I'm off to work and will see you later today.
May the words of our keyboards and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O God, our strength and our redeemer.

Reading the Lectionary

2010-01-05T13:43:00.000-05:00

CUCC has for many years had a Bible study group that meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesday evenings of each month. The most common practice has been to study the week's lectionary passages. And we would always begin by taking turns reading the passages out loud. Frequently we would be attending the sessions with varying translations of the Bible, so comparison of translations was inevitable.

As a creature of habit, I'll toss that practice into the hat here and begin the dialog this week with a reading of the featured lectionary passage as it appears in the New Jerusalem Bible.

Welcome, Dawn

2010-01-03T14:19:00.000-05:00

Glad to see you were able to join us. Why not try posting a message to make sure everything is working well before we begin on Wednesday?

Good morning from CUCC Fellowship Time

2010-01-03T11:36:00.001-05:00

I'm coming to you live from our celebration of the 2009 babies, Jesse and Ruth Ann! You're missing some yummy cake!

2010-01-02T17:21:00.001-05:00

looking forward to reading and sharing - will get Dave on it -I hope!!! thanks Gale
Happy New Year

May 2010 be a year of peace for all creation!

2010-01-01T19:37:00.000-05:00

Just a reminder that we begin our lectionary study this Wednesday, January 6. Log in any time from the 6th through the 10th to comment on the readings for that week and to respond to the comments of others in our study.

Welcome, Steve

2009-11-19T08:44:00.001-05:00

Glad to hear posting your first entry was easy.

Hello

2009-11-18T14:13:00.000-05:00

Hello to all my fellow lectionary friends! I've just signed up today and it was a breeze to do. Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Steve Halsted

Welcome, Gale.

2009-11-16T09:57:00.000-05:00

Great to see your name. Why don't you try posting a message so you are sure you are comfortable?

Successful Test

2009-11-11T21:46:00.000-05:00

I subscribed and received the confirmation email from BlogAlert.

If others subscribe, please let us know if you have any difficulties.

Testing E-mail Notification

2009-11-11T10:46:00.000-05:00

This is a test post to determine if the fix I just made to the E-mail Notification box at the left works properly now.

Welcome

2009-11-09T20:16:00.001-05:00

Welcome, Bill. Good to see your name.

How to post on this blog

2009-11-08T22:00:00.001-05:00

Here are step by step instructions for those who have never tried blogging. Let me know if you have any questions - I'm new to explaining this process and would welcome your comments.

A word about privacy

2009-10-18T08:07:00.000-04:00

One of the remarkable things about Jesus' life was how open he was about what he did and said. People could see if his actions matched his words. Anyone who wandered by could be a witness - to teachings, to healings, to transformation. Anyone could engage. The United Church of Christ calls that God's extravagant welcome - no matter who you are, no matter where you are in life's journey, you're welcome here!

That extravagant welcome seems a good guide for our Bible study online. Consider this blog to be virtual holy ground.

Of course, with that visibility comes a loss of privacy. We will all need to govern our words in love. Are they hurtful? Are we exposing someone else? Are we exposing a part of ourselves which isn't ready?

I'll keep an eye on the posts. If I see something harmful, I can remove it. If you see something that concerns you, call me (I won't be checking every day). But I will trust you to know what you feel safe revealing.

How will we do this online study?

2009-10-18T07:53:00.000-04:00

This online study is an experiment. We'll adapt our "meetings" as we learn what works best for us.
1) At a time convenient to you during each week, read Rev. Kate Huey's reflection on the United Church of Christ lectionary readings for that week. You can find this by clicking on Weekly Seeds at the left.
2) Ponder prayerfully what you have read. Here are some questions to consider. What jumps out at you? Does the reading or her reflection remind you of another resource you'd like to share with the group? Do you have a question about the reading - maybe something about the historical background or a specific word? Did something you read connect to a dilemma you are facing, or perhaps a joy you are celebrating? Is there an action or a change for yourself or for Community UCC that your insight might inspire? Did something happen during the week that you see in a new light having read the readings or reflection?
3) Engage in our conversation. Remember that anything you post can be read by anyone in the world with internet access. There are two ways to converse. For both of these you need to be an Author and to log onto the blog.
a) Start a new topic of conversation by writing a New Post with your insight, question, reference....
b) Add to an ongoing conversation by writing a Comment on a post from someone else.

Six Week Lectionary Study to Begin January 6, 2010

2009-10-18T07:30:00.000-04:00

Now is the time to contact the church office with your request to join the group as a participating Author. While anyone can read the blog, Authors can post their thoughts and questions. Call Jane if you have questions about how to use a blog.

Consider commiting to participating for the six weeks from Epiphany (January 6) to Ash Wednesday (February 17).

Mark your calendar for a soup supper before Ash Wednesday (Feb. 17) evening worship. We'll meet face-to-face to reflect on our experiences in this virtual study and decide whether to continue. Then we can conclude this series by joining the rest of the congregation for Ash Wednesday worship.