Reflection for Friday, April 3 from Pastor Brad

A prayer

Gracious One…..

We wake to this day, and may we know the way your Spirit now wakes up in us.

As our muscles and bodies gently alert us to being in the mystery of this moment, may we sense how you are moving to gently stretch our spirits from the core of our hearts and lovingly warm us up for being in this day….

That we may care well for the hope in our own hearts.

That we may share signs of blessings with other hearts that we encounter.

That we may know our lives are always upon the ground of your love; even -- and especially -- when the shadows of life seem to be long and deep.

Though we are closed in more these days, encourage us always not to close ourselves off.

But let us find the simple delights of your presence and your love that beckon us to share generously the treasures you have given us…..in this moment…...and in the next…..and for this day that you have made.

Amen.

Reflection for Thursday, April 2 from Pastor Brad

In our Spiritual Practices class this week, our virtual guide Shane Claiborne said that, when it comes to generosity, “we were made for this.” It’s true that there is plenty of evidence to the contrary in our world, but we are made for being generous -- blessing one another with the unique gifts and resources that we can share; opening our heart to our neighbors and stretching our lives to help make the world more just and whole; yes, we were made to be generous.

In the last couple of weeks, I’ve heard a little more than just a handful of stories from church folk about the creative ways they have seen generousity or they have lived generously in these unusual days. That’s not even counting those sorts of stories and images from media that I’ve seen, and I heard even more inspiring tales of generosity in our Lent class last night. All are reminders to me that we are made for being generous, and the Spirit is moving wondrously to help us grow in living generous lives -- even, maybe especially, through these trying days.

What a difference it makes when we practice generosity in our lives. May you know the way you already are generous with the resources you have - in little and big ways, and may you know the leading of the Spirit that continues to guide your life on the creative and joyful pathways of sharing that are ahead.

Reflection for Wednesday, April 1 from Pastor Brad

Several years ago, Carondelet UCC received a financial gift from an unexpected source. The gift was sizeable; that mattered and it still does insofar as it goes for making that gift stand out in my mind. But the most amazing thing about that gift was the place from where it came. Upon her death, the giver shared some of her financial resources with the church and other community and educational service providers. She, as far as I can tell, had no real connection to Carondelet UCC herself in the span of her life, but the church had made such a difference in her father’s life when he was growing up and that she wished to support its ministry with her gift.

That gift gave me a whole new wrinkle in how I would think and talk about signs of grace. Out of nowhere, this gracious gift came. It was received as a blessing, which it was -- it made the elevator in the building possible. But it was more than that; it was an invitation to respond and to imagine how we might live graciously and creatively and with love after receiving such a loving gift.

That’s one example. But you know, those grace notes from the resources we are led to share are played all the time - every service where folks give faithfully to sustain ministry in our congregations and the community it builds; every time folks contribute to those who help neighbors make the ends meet or who are bending our society to be more just; every time we share from our resources to build up goodness in the world.

We never quite know the ripple effects of generosity and how the Spirit may use it for good, but may we simply trust that the Holy One will do “more than we can ask for or imagine.” (Ephesians 3:20)

Reflection for Tuesday, March 31 from Pastor Brad

“And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying…”

-Luke 12:29

“Don’t worry?!” Much of the economy is grinding to a halt, the stock market has gone down, our own financial futures might seem at least a little more uncertain and even more, the economic conditions have slammed even further many of our neighbors who are wondering where the next source of material livelihood might be coming from. And Jesus says…..“Don’t worry??”

In this moment when folks like you and me might be carrying around a bit of the weight of worry, this extended teaching of Jesus in Luke’s 12th chapter about not worrying is a bit puzzling on its face. After all, as those of us who might do some worrying know, it’s not simply a matter of “snapping out of it” or “bucking up” or “looking on the brighter side” that absolves worry within our hearts or in the heart of our communities.

Jesus doesn’t think it’s just a matter of these things, either. As much as it may be anything else, Jesus’ counsel not to worry is an invitation to us to remember the ultimate things: We belong to God and are gifted by God. We are all loved more than we can ever imagine. That love binds us together in the human family, and those bonds find their strength in how we respond generously to it and to one one another. When we remember these ultimate things and when we practice living generously in love toward one another, Jesus might be telling us that the worry takes care of itself because we know we are in God together and we can lift each other up, too.

In what can be a worrisome time, I know God is at work; bringing up lights of generous living in each of our hearts and the hearts of our communities and neighborhoods -- local and global. As you find those lights, may they be beacons for your journey through these days.

Reflection for Monday, March 30 from Pastor Brad

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”

-Luke 12:34 (NRSV)

The above is a simple observation that Jesus makes in the Gospel according to Luke, and it’s one that I had never given much mind. Then, several years back, the United Church of Christ used this passage as an anchor for the annual stewardship packet it offered to local congregations. I remember that one of the reflections in the packet flipped this sentence of scripture; instead of “where your treasure is, there your heart will be,” the reflection invited readers to think of the sentence this way: “where your heart is, there your treasure will be.”

That flip clicked something for me; the passage found its way into me like it hadn’t before. For what, frankly, ended up being all too short a time, that little inversion led to me ask with some intention about where the things of my heart were directed. Where am I committing my heart’s energies? What really matters and gives my life a sense of purpose and direction to things beyond only myself? Do my heart’s commitments align with the way in which I use my material or financial resources? These weren’t anxious or worrisome questions; they didn’t seem to come up for me with implied judgment. They were simply the Spirit’s invitation to observe and take a bit of inventory about where I was in living a directed life.

As we share our Deeper Lent journey through Spiritual Practice, we’ll reflect a bit together this week about stewardship, and perhaps especially stewarding our financial and material resources. Many of us are spending more time in our living spaces in these extraordinary days and perhaps taking some of that time to do some inventory -- what do we have? How does what we have serve our space? What value do our things have for us?

If those sorts of inventories are happening at your house these days, I hope they are fruitful :-). I hope, too, the ongoing, daily inventories of the heart to which God invites us are full of grace for you as you discern the good things God is doing and will do for the common good through the synergies of our hearts’ purpose and the resources of the treasures that we steward for a time.

Reflection for Friday, March 27 from Pastor Wes

It’s Friday! The weekend is almost here! I know, I know...all the days are running together now. It is funny how that happens. Yesterday I was leaving a voicemail for a friend, and I was trying to say what day and time it was when I called. I ended up spending a good 30 seconds of my voicemail debating with myself about whether it was Wednesday or Thursday!

Even if Friday or the coming weekend don’t bring the normal level of excitement or anticipation, we can still find ways to look forward to the things we have to do today or tomorrow. I am excited by the warmer weather we have been having and by the sunny days that are forecasted for Sunday and Monday. I am excited about gathering for worship again on Sunday. Even though we are doing the services all online, I am enjoying the process of learning new ways to worship. I am excited about the trees that are blooming and the fresh cut green grass in my yard. (No, I don’t have allergies...sorry for those of you that do!) I hope you are thinking of your own things to look forward to this weekend.

As we close this week’s devotional emails today, I want to leave you with one of the lectionary readings for this Sunday. These readings were selected by church leaders hundreds and hundreds of years ago, and yet they truly speak to the moment we are in now. That, to me, is a sign of God’s care for us...just the right passage, at just the right time. The text is the story of Lazarus becoming ill, then dying, then rising from the dead. Since the story is familiar, I want to share a modernized version of it. So, enjoy this reading of John 11:1-45 about Lazarus (Larry) taken from “Good As New: A Radical Retelling of the Scriptures,” by John Henson.

(11:1) Larry was taken ill. He lived in Dategrove with his sisters, Mary and Martha. (Mary is best known as the one who gave Jesus a foot massage with scented oil and used her hair as a towel.) The sisters sent a message to Jesus, “Dear Leader, the friend you love is very ill.” When Jesus got the message he said, “This illness isn’t fatal. It’s another opportunity for us to see how wonderful God is. It will be a good advert for God’s Likeness too.” So, although Jesus loved Martha and her sister, and Larry, he seemed to take no notice of the news that Larry was ill, and stayed put for another two days. Only then did Jesus say to his friends, “Let’s go back to Judea!” They said, “Teacher, last time we were there, people wanted to throw stones at you. Surely you can’t risk going back again?” Jesus said, “There are only so many hours of daylight. People who walk during the day don’t bump into anything, because the light from the sun shows them where they’re going. Those who walk at night bump into things, because there’s not enough light for them to see the way clearly. Our friend Larry has gone to sleep, but I’m going to wake him up!” The friends said, “Leader, a good sleep will do him good!” They thought Jesus meant natural sleep, not that Larry had died. So Jesus put it clearly, “Larry is dead. I’m pleased I wasn’t there, for your sake. It will teach you to trust me. It’s time we paid Larry a visit!” Twin said to the others, “Come on, let’s go. We’ll probably end up dead, like Larry!”

(17) When Jesus arrived, he found that Larry had been buried four days before. Since Dategrove was only two miles away from Jerusalem, many people had come out to visit Mary and Martha to offer sympathy on the loss of their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was on the way, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. Martha said to Jesus, “Leader, if you’d been here, my brother wouldn’t have died! Even now I know that God will do whatever you ask.” Jesus said, “Your brother will live again.” Martha replied, “I know he’ll come to life when everyone else does, at the end of time.” Jesus said, “I’m in charge of bringing people to life. Anyone who trusts me will live, even if they have to die first. Those who are living now, and put their trust in me, will never really die. Do you trust me?” Martha said, “Yes, dear Leader, I trust you. You are God’s Likeness, the one the world’s been waiting for.”

Then Martha went back to have a quiet chat with her sister Mary. Martha said, “The Teacher’s here and wants to see you.” When Mary heard that, she got up quickly and hurried out to meet Jesus. He was still where Martha had left him, outside the village. The friends from nearby who were in the house, looking after Mary, saw her jump up and rush out. They went after her, thinking she was going to the grave to cry. When Mary came face to face with Jesus, she hugged him and said, “Leader, if you’d been here, my brother wouldn’t have died.” Jesus saw that Mary was crying. So were the people who were with her. The sight of their grief disturbed and upset him. Jesus said, “Where have you laid him to rest?” They said, “This way, Sir.” Jesus broke into tears. So some said, “It’s obvious Jesus loved him very much!” But others said, “It’s a pity the one who gave the blind man his sight didn’t use his skill to keep his friend from dying!” When Jesus saw the grave he was so distressed, he snorted like an angry bull. It was a cave with a stone up against it. Jesus said, “Take the stone away.” Martha, the dead man’s sister, said to Jesus, “Leader, think about the smell – the body’s been there four days!” Jesus said, “Didn’t I tell you that if you trusted, you’d see what God can do?” So they took the stone away. Jesus looked up and said, “Loving God, thank you for listening to me. I know you always do, but I want these people to know, so they will accept me as the one you’ve sent.” Jesus’ voice sounded like a dog howling in distress as he shouted, “Larry, come on out!” Larry came out, with his hands and feet still tied by the grave clothes and a cloth over his face. Jesus said to them, “Untie him so he can move.”

(45) Many of the people who had come to visit Mary and saw what Jesus did, put their trust in him.

Reflection for Thursday, March 26 from Pastor Wes

It feels odd to me to say this: I am going to have to mow my lawn today. That statement feels odd to me for two reasons. First, it is still March...how do I already need to mow? And yet, the towering blades of grass out my window indicate that it is, indeed, time. Secondly, in our world where so many of our weekly routines have been transformed, it feels odd to actually find myself really needing to perform a “normal” activity.

As some of the initial, uncomfortable parts of the adjustment period to life during a pandemic begin to wear off, it is interesting to reflect on some of the things that this is teaching us. My lesson for today is: ‘Not everything has changed.’ The yard still needs to be mowed. Earlier this week, one of my friends who is an elementary music school teacher in Colorado also helped give this moment some perspective by sharing the following on her Facebook page:

In the year 2030...

Freshman College Student: “In history class, we learned that the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020 was really bad. What was it like?”

Parent: “Well, everything was shut down in an attempt to kill the virus, but not everyone followed the order to quarantine for 15 days, so it lasted longer than anyone expected. Many people died who shouldn't have. Grocery stores were out of everything because people were hoarding as much as they could. We were scared of economic failure for our country and for ourselves because we couldn't work. Don't you remember it? You were 8.”

Freshman: “All I remember was the school closing and being homeschooled. I remember doing scavenger hunts in our yard. I remember eating meals as a family for a change. I remember getting great sleep because I wasn't up late for homework or getting up early for school. I remember board games as a family. I remember watching our pastor on our laptop. Honestly, it was the happiest time of my childhood.”

This hypothetical future really resonated with me because of one terrible snowstorm in 1993. My family lived in the mountains of East Tennessee, and we were hit by the worst snowstorm (in that region) in a lifetime. Three feet of snow fell with drifts up to five feet...in an area far enough south to have no equipment to manage that amount of snowfall.

We were without power for a week. My entire family had to move into the living room where we had a wood-burning fireplace. We hung sheets over the entryways to the room to keep the heat from dissipating into the rest of the house. We slept on bed mats and couches and literally spent the entire seven days in one room together. Some neighbors who didn’t have fireplaces had to move in with other neighbors who did. We lived on a rural road through the woods, but folks living along the road walked through the snow to check on one another and shared firewood to ensure every family could stay warm. I don’t remember how there was enough food for everyone since there was no way to go to a grocery store, but I also don’t remember anyone going without. I was 12.

While my parents likely remember it as a stressful time, a time when their two kids drove them crazy, or a time when they worried about making sure my sister and I were taken care of, it is one of my absolute favorite childhood memories. To me, it was like a week-long camping trip in the living room! My Mom and Dad were both home all day every day and we got the entire week off school! What more could a kid want?

Obviously, this pandemic is not the same as a snowstorm. Likewise, for those fighting the disease, their experience is not characterized by time with family playing games. But for the many of us who are primarily spending time in our homes social distancing, now that you’ve had a week or so to adjust, can you begin to think of some ways that this time could be good for you? Even in the midst of trying times, it can be helpful to actively work to find a positive outlook. So I ask again, what are some ways this time could be good for you?

Good for your family?

Good for the world?

Good for the earth?

Good for your faith?

Feel free to reply and share your ideas for a more positive outlook.