January 1, 2018 NEW WORD-- THRIVE

2018         The New Year—New Word--Thrive

We know words are powerful and life giving; they can also be hurtful.  At the beginning of 2017, I encouraged the people of Ascension to choose a word that would help guide them through the year.  I know some people chose words like balance, faith, love, patience, hope.  The word I chose was commit.

At the beginning of 2017, I was still recovering from the illness that had me in the hospital for 5 days and dealing with some of the issues surrounding that.  I had realized that the pain I had been experiencing had been going on probably for weeks and I had just been ignoring and working.  I had too much to do, at least in my mind to take time out to deal with my health, or anything else.  So as I chose the word “commit” I also set my goals—which including saying yes or no as is appropriate, setting personal boundaries and not just doing what people want me to do to avoid conflict and to address some areas of leadership and focus on worship leadership.  

I also set goals relating to finances, friends and family, recreation and physical well-being.

As I reflect back on 2017, I did ok.  I didn’t fully achieve the goals I wanted, but in some ways I made some good strides.  I continue to work on them, and as I begin 2018, believe that I will continue my goals, but I’m going to change my word.

My word for 2018 will be THRIVE.  I believe life is more about thriving than surviving.  In some ways, this past year was about surviving for me, getting what needed to be done done.  But I want my life to be more than mere survival, yet I am sure there will be days that is my goal.  I want to THRIVE in life.  To exceed expectations when appropriate and when I can.  To make decisions and choices that aren’t just good ideas but truly impact whatever it is improving. 

So for my goals, I am going to work on thriving in my:

•  Physical/Spiritual and Emotional life:  getting sleep, setting boundaries, get to walking more (got to get in shape for Houston!), and eating health
•  Finances:  become debt free—which got off course when I decided to update my house last year.  Decreasing eating out and impulse shopping.  Continue to tithe or above.
•   Friends/Family:  Pay attention to these relationships.  Honor them.  Care and train for Bailey as she is in her first year of life.
•  Recreation:  Read 25 books for fun this year, take vacation, use some day offs for day trips around Michigan and enjoy this state that has much to offer.  Get back to quilting and sewing.
• Vocational with congregation:  Work on leading more than managing, continue to trust the leadership structure and keep our hope and goals always in mind, work with the four ministries to THRIVE.

What will your word be for 2018?  

 

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 

18 years reflection

As I sit in the Court Street Grill, reviewing things for tomorrow and getting things done for the coming weeks, I was just reminded that about 2 weeks ago I would have celebrated the 18th anniversary of my ordination.  I was in Lincoln, Nebraska, at my home congregation, everything I owned was in boxes and on Monday, the day after my ordination I would move to Saginaw, MI to begin a new call--not only a new congregation, a brand new call in life.

I was scared, hesitant.  What if seminary didn't teach me what I needed to know?  What if people didn't like me?  What if I really messed up?  It didn't take long to figure out that seminary didn't teach me everything I needed to know, not everyone liked me, and I could really mess up!  That was 18 years ago.

The same is true today.  I am now in my third call, serving now with the people of Ascension.  Seminary didn't teach me everything I needed to know.  Not everyone likes me or what I do all the time, and I can never live up to everyone's expectations of me.  And, I can still really mess up! 

I have learned in the 18 years about forgiveness, perseverance, and grace.  I believe when I started in my first call I had to do everything perfectly--so I did everything myself!  (we can unpack that one later).  I learned in my second call that I can't do everything, nor should I.  And in this third call, I try not to do everything, and at the same time find sometimes I just do.

Looking forward to another 18 years of this wonderful journey. 

Jesus-A refugee

Matthew 2:1-18:
The following reading is often read the Sunday after Christmas—where at Ascension we regularly do a service of hymns.  On internship, my supervisor had me preach the appointed readings on the Sunday after Christmas—known often as “The Slaughter of the Innocents.”  Sound’s uplifting.  But with the events of the days, I think it is important to read, to pray on, and to aid us in understanding the fear and rationale one might have to want/NEED to be a refugee.  

“In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, ²asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” ³When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; ⁴and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. ⁵They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: ⁶‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’” ⁷Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. ⁸Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.”

Note that Herod tells them to search diligently and bring word back to him when they have found the child—to pay homage.  (If you haven’t figured that out, Herod was lying to the wise men, or telling a half-truth!)

⁹When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. ¹⁰When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. ¹¹On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. ¹²And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

They were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they knew that Herod had alternative plans, and homage was not part of that plan!

¹³Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” ¹⁴Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, ¹⁵and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, “Out of Egypt I have called my son.”
¹⁶When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. ¹⁷Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: ¹⁸“A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.”

Jesus, with Mary and Joseph fled in fear of the life of Jesus.  They were forewarned in a dream that Herod had plans to kill the child.  So they fled their homeland (where they had originally gone to register for the census), and they fled to Egypt.  They became REFUGEES. 

Yes, there are concerns in our country, and in every country about safety and security.  But what if Egypt had said no refugees? 

With the flight/travel restrictions, and the issue of the wall, refugees are held in their homeland where they are at risk.  A few months ago we heard and watched a video about those who flee primarily Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador for issues related to violence—this initiative is part of Lutheran Immigration Services and called AMMPARO.  I pray that we can see these neighbors as people, children of God.  It is complex and I want to believe there is a simple answer.  As a parent, what would you do if your child had a chance at a surgery that only someone in the United States would do?  Or if your child was at risk of gang violence and can’t go to school or go outside?  There is not a simple answer, because it is complex.  However, we must not forget that we are called to love our neighbors as ourselves.  And that our Lord was a refugee.   (http://elca.org/en/Resources/AMMPARO)

Encouragement with the New

Beginning January 1, our congregation began to "function" with a new leadership structure.  Instead of the election of vestry members, people who would serve on committees, we elected a council only.  These nine elected leaders plus the pastor serve as the board of Ascension Lutheran Church.  This is not a decision that came about quickly, but was recommended by the Long Range Planning team a couple years ago.  The purpose is to strategically put us in a place to move forward in mission. 

In addition, the work of the congregation, the management will be lead by the council, but the workers will be the disciples of the congregation acting on their passions and utilizing their spiritual gifts.  This concerns some, because in the past it has assured people will be on the committees to do the work.  However, sometimes people just knew we needed someone and said they would do it, without having a real passion.  This leads to burnout.  Plus it was a system put in place to maintain things, not so much dream and move forward in mission.

As a council, we plan to listen to the congregation, community, and God to discern direction.  We can't continue to do everything well all at once.  We want to use the resources we have-time, talent and financial, to provide what God intends for our mission. 

We know we will face challenges, and one of those is the reality that we don't have a set plan on how everything will work.  This is also an opportunity, because we can try things and get into place a procedure that works.  It will also likely help us discern what things are not necessary to the mission of the church.  My prayer is that the congregation will be patient, prayerful, and understanding.  We need to be nimble, adaptable--and keep our vision on boldly making Christ's vision known. 

Radical Love in the midst of terror

Yesterday people in Orlando experienced one of the most hateful and evil acts of humankind.  There is no justification for what happened—no matter how hard we try to figure out why.

There is no justification for what happened. Nothing will make this understandable.  Presumably the victims were Latin and gay, male and female.  One person made the determination to act and put human beings through hours of terror that will last their lifetimes.  

In the meantime, the candidates for president of both parties are using this as a talking point—finding the opportunity to take another stand against their opponents.  In one interview a candidate said that we need to stop immigrants from Syria—the shooter was born in New York, and his parents were born in Afghanistan.  One candidate is upset because the other won’t call it radical Islam and the other is accusing the other because they won’t call it a hate crime.

The reality is, 50 people lost their lives and 50 plus were physically injured.  Countless are emotionally and spiritually changed forever.  One person took it upon themselves to cause this kind of pain.  

In the midst of the nightmare of evil, God’s grace and kingdom continue to shine.  We saw lines on TV of people standing in line for over 5 hours in order to donate blood.  Islamic leaders of Orlando clarified that this act is not in accord with the love taught by the Islamic faith.  Families are comforting other families. I ask myself what I can do.

I believe that we as Christians are called to be radical—and that word does not mean violent!  I use the word radical to mean that we need to go to the extreme of our faith, beyond what is comfortable and love as Jesus loves.  The command was to love God, and love our neighbor as ourselves.  Our neighbors are defined by our Sunday School kids as everyone-it seems only when we come to adulthood that neighbor narrows.

And when we love with this radical love of Jesus, there will be no fear.  I believe that at the root of hate is fear, that of which we do not understand.  1 John speaks to love, there is no fear in love. There are those who want us to live in fear; but when we do, we can’t live in love.  

As I read “Rediscover Jesus,” I am moved to embrace the love Jesus had for people.  There was no fear.  Yes, he spoke out against behavior that was not helpful to the community, toward those who used law over love.  In the end, it is love, radical love that led Jesus to the cross for all people.  All people-I don’t read any not included in the parenthesis. 

There will continue to be acts of evil done in the name of whatever or whoever.  People will continue to do evil things even in the name of God- whether we know God as Jehovah, Elohim, Jesus, or Allah—God does not call us to hate.   We don’t combat evil with evil, we fight with love.  So I suggest we put on Christ, the armor of God, and love, radically love. 

Middle of Synod Assembly Experience

One of the great joys (that is an over exaggeration) is to attend the annual synod assembly.  This year, Tom and Sue from church joined me.  It is fun to see how they experience the church at a level that we don't often see in the congregation.  We realize, and are reminded that the church is bigger than just us; and yet we are part of the church and the witness to Jesus.

It is also a time for me to catch up with colleagues I don't see very often.  Tonight some of us sat around a table at dinner, with Sue and Tom--and I don't think they were too put off by some of the stories these church leaders shared--funny stories, not bad stories.

Our current bishop instituted one afternoon of "tracks" --so Tom and Sue went to Bethlehem church here in Grand Rapids and painted a mural.  I stayed back and went to a mission track where Living Water Ministries reviewed their past couple years with intentional and deliberate study of the mission and vision, making hard decisions, but now seeing growth.

All this said, I have some ideas roaming around in my head on how to share with the congregation what our church on the larger scale does as a witness and how we are participating in the changing of the world.

Sometimes it is just a new environment, talking to others, laughing and dreaming, and the vision comes more into focus.

Communication and the POWER of the word

Matthew 12:35-37  The good person brings good things out of a good treasure, and the evil person brings evil things out of an evil treasure. ³⁶I tell you, on the day of judgment you will have to give an account for every careless word you utter; ³⁷for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.

Tonight I was reminded of how sensitive communication in this age of social media and "talk" without being face to face can be.  In an email, I responded to another email--no intent but to acquire information and to help determine if there was anything I could think of to address the concerns. 

Tonight these questions were addressed, but I found that instead of my intent of gathering information, my questions were seen as a threat and accusing of something that I certainly did not intend.  I know that I am responsible for what I say, and in many ways responsible for what people understand me to say.  However, how can I take that responsibility when I don't know how these words are received?  I was blindsided tonight, accused of some things that I take great offense to, and now with a couple hours since it occurred calming down enough to move forward.

Email, texting, facebook conversations serve their purpose--but they don't serve every purpose.  I made a mistake of utilizing email in response to an email.  That may make sense to do, but I know better, at least I thought I did.  What I asked with little emotion but concerned was received in a totally different way.  Without tone of voice, body language, "conversation"-my email was received in a way I did not intend. 

But it is so easy to just shoot an email or a text, or post--but the follow up to the misunderstanding of said sent could take up more time and energy than it would if I had just called or scheduled a meeting. 

I am sorry for my part in this, and at the same time hurt by what was said tonight.  In part I understand, but that doesn't help with the feelings. 

So now I recommit to listening, which means I have to hear with my ears.  Not my fingers or reading between lines.  Words and tongues hurt, they can steer us in directions we do not wish to go.  This may take more time, and responses won't come as quick--but that may not be all bad.

So I ask for prayers, for forgiveness of myself and for hurt words I heard.  Begin now, and don't read anything into this or "try to figure out what I'm talking about."  Just take it as a lesson learned and shared.  And next time you consider texting, messaging, emailing--ask yourself before you hit send--how could someone else receive this--is there anyway it could be misinterpreted?  Be responsible for your words--for they can justify or condemn you!

Pastor Julie