the winds . . . they are a changin'

october has arrived, and as they say, "the winds . . . they are a changin'!" or, perhaps, it is just arriving home from the winds of kansas...i could see how dorothy could have been swept away to the land of oz!

the leadership institute was an experience. positive in many ways, and i am so grateful that six others from our congregation were able to participate. we came back with loads of information, and a keen awareness that there are things we need to be doing more effectively in our community of faith. this actually came as no surprise, since the reason we went was to become more aware, but none-the-less, our suitcases and heads were fuller than when we left!

one of the areas that continues to be a struggle for many within the church in general, is to 'how to be for others' rather than focusing on our wants/desires/needs. there are, at times, the need for personal focus: prayers for respite/wisdom/a spiritual infusion of grace/healing and forgiveness. however, the church, in general, has moved toward an inward focus that has left us disconnected with those whom we are to serve. we prayer for others but not with others. our language, our 'assigned pews', and services that meet 'our needs' do not always translate into a welcome for the "non-religious and nominally religious people (part of church of the resurrection's purpose statement)" of our communities.

i concluded our presentation during sunday's worship with this reflection from a church e-newsletter that was passed along from a 'church member' to someone who is 'non-religious or nominally religious'; i believe this speaks to our struggle with the church of yesteryear living today. just to help you understand better, our bible passage was from matthew 21:33-46, based on the landowner who planted a vineyard and then just left, leaving the tenants/workers to deal with all the work. we also offered the meal of new life; communion, the lord's supper; the meal adam hamilton says is the united methodist altar call -- the invitation to journey with jesus and others who have found forgiveness of misdeeds and the opportunity to live beyond ourselves through the love and grace of god.

the e-newsletter announced that 'next sunday the church would celebrate the lord's supper'. the new christian who read this notice asked two questions about this 'supper thing'; "am i invited and how much will it cost?"

truly, non-church people who are not privileged to be 'in the know' of how church works, begin to ask questions. 'can i come? how much will this supper cost?' how we good church people answer those questions determines our status as faithful tenants/workers. if we, as good church people are able to remember that the table is not ours, that we just work here, and that the vineyard belongs to god, others might join us as we "work the harvest". perhaps we wouldn't be seen as redundant, to use a british term. after all, we could use all the help we can get to share the love of jesus, no?

i'm hoping that we can find a bible passage that speaks to us and our community of merced about what god is calling us to be and do. we are not called to hold onto the story of faith as if it would a good secret meant just for us. we're invited to share the richness that god has shared with us; the harvest. there is plenty. and sharing makes the story of faith, plentiful!

some words of wisdom that came from our kansas trip, that may guide us all in the coming months....'slow down, choose carefully, trust god, and simplify my life; so that i might see clearly, listen carefully, think deeply, enjoy life fully, and serve god effectively.' why not write this phrase down on a sticky note, and place it on your mirror where you can see it every day?! why not use this as your mantra; your prayer; your slowing-down-and-living words of wisdom. i'm going to!