Stumbling upon God's Grace ...

In the quiet moments ...

What a week it has been ... Monday we got a dump of snow that was cumulatively as much as we got almost ALL winter ... Tuesday was a snow day here, but for the rest of the province a grey and rainy day, leaving us feeling like some geographic oddity ... Then Wednesday broke clear and sunny but cold while I dashed here and there for coffee with the Mens' Group in Eugenia then Communion with the folks at Grey Gables ... and the last two days have been days of planning, preparation, administration, catching up and looking forward ...

All in all, it has been a busy week but a good week ... and it has been a week of firsts as well as I've stumbled into revelations of God's Grace in quiet unexpected and quiet moments: 

This Sunday for the first time in almost 20 years of ministry I will be presiding at a Baptism Service for a Child of the Congregation who has been part of the Congregation and who was born while I was here. In some respects it is simultaneously sad and exciting.

Exciting because the young child being Baptised is such an important and cherished part of our faith community, but sad because something that once was so common has become a special event because of shifting and changing demographics. 

And on Wednesday as we celebrated Communion I helped some of the residents at Grey Gables with getting the bread and the juice to their lips ... it was a quiet very intimate spiritual moment as I held the elements to their lips and spoke the words "The Body and Blood of Christ" as they partook of this holiest of gestures. It was a humbling and powerful moment ... one I had never encountered so directly before in my journey through ministry ...

There is something profound holding the juice to the lips of an elder and waiting as they sipped ...
eyes meeting eyes ...
their shaking hands holding yours ...
the spoken promises that this moment is the very Gift of God, for a Child of God ...

... the quiet of that moment reminds us that we are ALL children of God and that we are ALL recipients of this gift of Grace that transforms us and sends us into the world to proclaim the power and majesty of God's Love for All.

In the quiet moments we find glimmers of Grace and are blessed ...

It's a 'Walter' kind of day ...

I went to bed last night feeling grumpy ... I woke up today feeling grumpy ... and the last couple of hours, including coffee hasn't helped my mood very much ...

I'm having a Walter kind of day!!! (for those unfamiliar with the mug pictured above, Walter is a comedic creation of ventriliquist Jeff Dunham.)

And today I feel more like Walter than I care to admit ...

The reasons for my mood are wide ranging and diverse ... and I know the only solution is time ...

But it doesn't make it any easier.

The last 18 months of my life have been marked with a variety of struggles and losses that in turn have given rise to grief and sorrow that has left me in an interesting and fascinating place. I can see intellectually WHY I am suffering from various moods and feelings, I can even identify resources that record EXACTLY what it is that I'm feeling and some of the possible reasons for it - but where my intellect fails miserably, is in recognizing that affairs of the heart and soul are things we must live through regardless of what the brain is saying ...

So I can see what's going on, and as I've observed a thousand times in the last year and a half - I can't do a sweet damned thing about it, except hang on and ride the wave!!!

While part of me wishes I could simply skip over ALL of this, another part of me knows that I must journey through this and from that journey I will not only find wholeness and healing, I will be stronger and better equipped to face whatever life may toss my way ... I want to skip over this stuff because it is SO hard some days, and I really do hate having a "Walter" kind of day ...

Alas, such is the vagaries of life ... and fortunately tomorrow is another day ...

Reflections on Silence ...

There must be something in the air ...

This morning as I sat in the quiet of the morning, I watched the tendrils of steam rise from my coffee and float upwards my mind wandered to think about the prayer concerns that are rolling over and through our community right now ... too many souls have been lost for our comfort ... illness and other challenges gripping some of our blessed saints ... worries about health, well being and a myriad of other concerns and stresses for neighbours and members of our circle ...

In the quiet of the morning faces and names and the crises large and small they are facing floated through my heart and mind as I watched the vapours rise and dissipate from my coffee mug.

It struck me as I sat in the quiet, how prayer is often like those weaving, dancing and floating vapours ... it is not always a solid thing, but often is a subtle tenuous thing that we stumble over and find ourselves involved in without even realizing it ... as I thought about the faces and the names of those around me who need and deserve to be remembered in prayer I suddenly found myself deeply involved in a prayerful conversation ...

In the quiet of the morning I didn't set out to find God's presence or God's Holiness, but I suddenly found myself standing there feeling the Holy Fullness of God's presence and care ... the faces and names drifted upwards and the concern and worry were no longer mine alone to bear.

Quietly my prayers were offered and heard and answered ... wordlessly the gift of Holiness was found, experienced, shared and celebrated ... sometimes the gift of Holiness arrives quietly and envelopes us without our realizing it ...

... in the quiet of the morning, my prayers were wordlessly offered, quietly heard, and wordlessly answered.

The gift of silence sometimes is the very presence of God offered in abundance.

(click here to share the prayer for today)

Rest in Peace ...

Tonight as I was reading about St Benedict Joseph Labre, and preparing the posting about him that follows, my phone rang and I received the news that a congregation member and friend had died ...

Donnie was a gentle and caring soul with a good heart.

He had an awkwardness about him that was endearing, and could at times be frustrating, but there was such a warmth about him, that you knew there was no maliciousness or deception in his being ... Donnie was just Donnie.

There is an ironic appropriateness that I was reading about the patron saint of the marginalized, homeless and others who linger on the fringes of society when the news came that Donnie had died ... I hope that St Benedict Joseph Labre is amongst those welcoming Donnie into Paradise tonight ... we will miss him, but his struggles have ended, and he has been rewarded with the gift of Shalom now and forever ...

Rest well my friend ...

A Feast Day for the Homeless ...

Today is April 15th - today (or tomorrow depending on the calendar) is the Feast Day for St Benedict Joseph Labre, who is the patron saint of those suffering from mental illness, those who are rejected, and the homeless.

I learned about St Benedict Joseph Labre this past week as I was reading a book about Saints and the relics they have left behind.

The life story of St Benedict Joseph is fascinating. He was born into a large French family and as a teenager tried to join several different Religious Orders, only to be rejected because it was felt he was unsuited to communal life.

From what I've read and what later commentators have written about Joseph, it seems evident that he was suffering from some form of Mental Illness.

Having been rejected by Religious Orders and feeling marginalized by society, Joseph was inspired to become a wandering ascetic, and took on the life of a nomadic beggar who depended upon the generosity of others to sustain him.

The Holy Man became a Homeless beggar!

Joseph wandered from Catholic Shrine to Catholic Shrine, sleeping where he was welcomed whether it was out in the open, in a corner or just on the floor. Joseph was known for the muddy, dirty, ragged and patched garments that covered his emaciated frame. The rags he wore along with a death mask are now preserved as relics of the life of this unlikely Saint.

The tradition and stories about him include being turned away and driven out of churches and shrines, and being forced to live on the margins of communities until he eventually made his way to Rome where he lived in the Collosseum and became know for being a "fool for Christ".

On April 17th 1783, Joseph Labre died of malnutrition during Holy Week and he was laid to rest in Rome within the shrine that was his personal favourite.

The path to Sainthood began almost immediately with his canonization granted in 1881 by Pope Leo XIII.

I am fascinated by the figure of St Benedict Joseph Labre, and think he needs to be lifted up and shared in broader circles so that we may be more mindful of the ministry he embodied, the struggles he endured, and more importantly, the legacy he has left for all of us both within and beyond the Catholic Church ... St Benedict Joseph Labre is a reminder to all of us of the radical and inclusive nature of God's love for ALL of us!!!

The Reverend Lydia Gruchy - without a doubt she was a Preacher

The Reverend Lydia Gruchy was the first woman ordained in the United Church of Canada. In November 1936 she was ordained and began what would be a long and rewarding ministry in many corners of the Church, and she opened the door forever for a change in the Order of Ministry in this denomination. (to learn more about Rev. Gruchy click here)

This morning on my facebook from a friend and colleague in BC came the following notice, along with the request to spread the news far and wide:

Reverend Patricia Wotton of Winnipeg has written a biography of Rev. Lydia Gruchy and her impact on Canadian society, as well as the obvious impact on The United Church of Canada.

"With love, Lydia" is available directly from Wotton at dpwotton@shaw.ca or 204.897.0172.

Rev. Gruchy's "Golden years" at First United (White Rock) 1962-1992 are recounted, incl. her funeral service 22 April 1992 at First United.

This is a fascinating and "must" read for anyone who values the impact Rev. Lydia Gruchy had.... which actually cannot be overstated...

Please distribute this far and wide.

(CLICK HERE to visit the web page about Pat's Book and learn more about Lydia)

I'll be ordering mine shortly!!

A promise made is a promise to be kept ...

In 1968, the fourth Denominational Partner in the United Church of Canada came into the Union when The Canada Conference of the Evangelical United Brethren Church joined the fray.

According to the official history on January 10th 1968 through a formal Union inauguration held in Kitchener Ontario, we brought in (my background is proudly EUB), about 10 000 members, 58 congregations, 40 ministers and TWO FINE camp sites.

Since my days as a student at Queens' I have unrelentingly said "we are MORE than two fine camp sites" when it comes to the role and legacy of the EUB to and within the United Church of Canada.

Now with the imminent meeting of General Council this coming summer, it would seem the legacy of the EUB Church is about to be pushed farther out of our collective conscience as the United Church of Canada considers a proposal to alter the Church crest by including the four colours of yellow, red, black and white to reflect the First Nations' input to the United Church.

While I don't have any objection to the altering of the Crest to include the First People. I DO however, wonder why the FOURTH Denomination in partnership is still NOT represented on the Church Crest.

According to my sources (who unfortunately are no longer with us) one of whom was part of the team that negotiated the Church Union of 1968, there was a promise made to alter the United Church Crest by including the clasped hands (pictured above), which was and is the symbol of the EUB Church at the bottom of the crest. The Alpha and Omega symbol that is currently there was to be dropped and the clasping hand place there in its place. This would mean ALL FOUR partner denominations that comprise this United Church of Canada, would be represented on our crest.

We're STILL WAITING for that promise to be fulfilled.

It's been 44 years and the crest has been altered several times in the years since, but there has nary been a word offered about including the EUB symbol. AND now they are looking at yet another alteration to include the First Nations.

A good move I say - but let's make it a better move by INCLUDING the EUB symbol too!!

Afterall, a few years ago the Crest was altered to be bilingual to reflect the reality of Canada's heritage of French AND English speaking Churches, and now if we're going to include the First Nations, it is high time to ALSO include the Evangelical United Brethren Church, who brought far more to the United Church than just two fine camp sites.

We brought 10 000 members who continue to live and minister within this United Church, and even though some of our Congregations have closed up, any of the EUB'ers I've met (or that I'm related to), we remain proud of our heritage and our history, and we're STILL wanting that promise fulfilled !!!!

(Click here for The EUB Church on wikipedia)

Journeying with Judas and Jesus ...

I've always wondered what was going through Jesus' mind in the hours leading up to what we call "The Last Supper."

Given the events that unfold in the hours following ... the abandonment ... the loneliness ... the suffering ... the pain ... the rejection ... and then finally the dying ... I wonder what rolled through Jesus' heart and mind as he prepared himself for what was ahead.

To me, the coming events of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and the long wait through Saturday until the breaking of dawn on Easter Sunday are remarkable opportunities to reflect on the breadth and depth of life, and what it offers.

Today I think about the morning, a year after the fire in Minnedosa when I began the Worship Service, a service held in the borrowed sanctuary of the local Catholic congregation who had graciously and lovingly welcomed us in. On the table before the assembled congregation was a picture of the old Building we had lost, an a small assortment of items salvaged from the ashes a year earlier ... I greeted the congregation with the words:

"It's been a helluva year hasn't it?!?"

In that moment I became a Judas that needed to be removed from the midst of the 'good and faithful people' to maintain the peace ... some couldn't handle their Preacher uttering a curse word - offering it in the Sanctuary made it an unpardonable sin in their opinion ... and so the machinations to remove me began to grind forward in earnest that day ... and the end result was being cast out like Judas from the community of the "faithful".

Looking back, I have no regrets on my choice of language. I uttered a truth in the language I had heard day in and day out throughout our community. I've long chosen to speak the language I grew up speaking and not to wrap myself in an uncomfortable and insincere veil that says "Gosh" or "Golly" when my conscience is shouting out OTHER words.

I do guard my tongue and only swear like a sailor when I am in a relatively 'safe' place. But I DO swear and I can probably make a sailor blush, especially when he would consider my role as Pastor or Padre.

Having said that, my remembrance of that day not that long ago comes to mind as I consider the profound and debilitating abandonment that we are about to commemorate in the events of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday ... when I was formally removed from the Covenant of Ministry with Minnedosa, I truly became a person non gratia in the United Church of Western Manitoba ... I was offered only a couple of opportunities to engage in pulpit supply while I had no means of full time employment to keep food on my table ... and the reaction of folks who for nine previous years has been considered friends through the various Church Courts was appalling at the best, pathetic at worse.

Have you ever been walking through a mall and up a head see someone you have sat in a Presbytery meeting for NINE YEARS, only to see them recognize you and DIVE into the nearest store to avoid you?

Or when you make eye contact and smile and greet them, have your friendliness met only with a stony glare and the obvious turning of their head and gaze away from you?

The only thing worse than that Judas moment, was the complete denial of it happening by the colleagues in ministries who dared to speak with you ... they would helpfully suggest that I 'let it go' and 'move on' and they would out and out deny that anyone would do such things ...

The rejection was complete ... I had become a Judas who dared to BETRAY Jesus and his Church, and I was to be treated accordingly ...

I have mused elsewhere about my thoughts about Judas. I echo the sentiment of William Klassen, a Mennonite trained pastor and professor who in time meandered his way to the United Church of Canada, and who has authored several very tight scholarly works that revisit and revision Judas' role in the life and ministry of Jesus and in the early Church.

In short - Judas is NOT the villan we make him out to be.

Today as I break bread and pour out the cup in worship to mark the events of Maundy Thursday and to begin the dark shadowy journey into the coming days, I will be acutely reminded of the storm of feelings and experiences that come in this Holy Time.

I've lived the sting of abandonment.

I've endured the pain of rejection.

I've had my life and ministry torn apart and left in tatters on the floor.

I know first hand what the Church is capable of, and give thanks that in the modern era physical torture and suffering unto death is not an option for the righteous Inquisitors.

This Easter as I stand before my Congregation I will say inwardly "It's been a HELLUVA journey hasn't it?" when I proclaim the eternal message - HE IS RISEN!!!

The dark shadowy places and the lingering presence of suffering and death have never frightened me ... instead, during this Holy journey into the events of the week, what frightens me is the ability of the Church to repeatedly reenact the events of Holy Week without realizing that instead of following the footsteps of Jesus, we often follow the footsteps of those who abandoned, rejected, and condemned Jesus and Judas.

That failure to see what is really happening is both sad and shocking ... but fortunately, despite our propensity to follow the WRONG path, God will still offer the transformative power of the Resurrection to those who need it ...

Today, perhaps for the first time in almost 7 years, I approach Holy Week knowing first hand the power of the Resurrection in my life ... there are still shadows and dark corners lurking, but the sting of rejection and the hypocrisy I've experienced has faded away ...

Oh Dear God ... when will it STOP????

I've always loved what the late comedic genius Bill Hicks said about American TV in the late 80's and early 90's when he observed that much of the programming was obviously designed to put consumers to sleep so they won't notice what is really happening in the world ... this was the era of the American Gladiator, and LONG before shows like Survivor or the other "reality" shows turned up ... then a few short years ago another comedic genius, this time Robin Williams pondered if Caligula, the hedonistic Roman Empire would look at our current culture and say: "WTF people?" at what he was witnessing ...

Today, with the launch of "The Real Housewives of Vancouver" I can only hope we've scraped the absolute BOTTOM of the barrel, and our tv network executives will finally abandon the foolishness that fills our screens and STOP using self-absorbed bimbos as programming fodder for a society that has lost its way.

I have some respect for shows like "Til Debt Do Us Part" and "Princess" where the intent is to help people deal with thier financial woes by addressing the root causes of the problems they are facing. Often the overspending is caused by an unrealistic and unchecked sense of entitlement that has arisen because the word NO has never passed the lips of those who don't understand what it means to work and save for something ... That air of entitlement though, has so deeply permeated our culture that we have come to regard the Real Housewives shows as something worth watching.

I will admit I have watched some of the other Real Housewives shows for brief periods from time to time, but the attitude and world view of these divas turns my stomach ... what I would like to see, rather than shows that highlight out of control spending, is a show that highlights the struggles of REAL people who are struggling with under employment and living cheque to cheque ... people who know what it means to live on minimum wage and struggle to put a roof over their head and food on the table.

Instead of watching the super wealth flaunt their riches and preen around showing us how much they can spend, let's have programmes that show us HOW TO SURVIVE in a world that has lost its way ...

As I watch what the various tv networks have to offer, I can't help but wonder what Marshall McLulhan would say of the media and the message it continues to puke up all over our screens, and how we could possibly sit and continue to watch this tripe.

My empassioned prayer today is for programming that is worthwhile for a change ...

I would rather watch Hoarders and see people struggling with real life and make positive and live altering changes, then EVER watch ANY of the Real Housewives programmes with people so out of touch with reality that they can't see it ...

Sad is all I can offer - just profoundly sad!!

Curiouser and Curiouser ...

In ALL the turmoil and tumult I journeyed through several years ago, one of the BEST resources that was placed in my hands was Rabbi Friedman's book "Generation unto Generation" that explores the profound dysfunction found within Institutions like the Church.

In the depths of this blog are several postings that celebrate the insights gleaned from this amazing book, and the moments I've experienced first hand the very processes that Friedman reveals.

What has struck me though, is the resistance on the part of my colleagues to read Friedman much less listen to him.

I recall on conversation where I cited an example of Friedman's interpretation of Church's scapegoating the 'outsider' to maintain a precarious peace ... I noted the dynamics that Friedman highlighted and pointed to a very clear example of this very process at work in a Church ... the response on the part of my colleague was to poo-poo Friedman, deny the scapegoating at work, and to question my 'amateurish' interpretation of Friedman and Church polity ... I had over 15 years of ministry to their 4!!??!!

It has long bothered me why the reaction to using Friedman to explain a toxic situation was so vigorous and so biased AGAINST Friedman ... this weekend I think I inadvertently stumbled across the reason for this resistance to Friedman and his straight and blunt talk about the Church.

The reason is simple and straightforward. It is motivated by FEAR.

It is NOT a fear we can easily identify.

Instead it is a fear that undergirds an anxiety that most people are unaware they even experience.

We live in a very anxious time with anxiety and stress at astounding levels all around us.

In the Church this anxiety has lead us to seek peace at ALL COSTS. Even if that cost is no longer seeing the reality of what is around us ...

We've lost the courage AND the ability to see dysfunction and toxicity in our midst as communities of faith ... we've whole-heartedly (even if we're unaware of it) bought into the very process that Friedman explores in his second book "A Failure of Nerve".

Today I sat down and re-read the characteristics of Chronic Anxiety in families and in a nation-state, as laid out by Friedman ... I then wrote them out on a piece of paper and noted an example of each behaviour in the life of The Church as I've lived and experienced it ...

The list was both startling and distressing ... The Church - the very body of Christ called and commissioned to live and share The Gospel in the world - is wracked with chronic anxiety, and one of the first characteristics of this being institutionalized is the INABILITY to recognize it!!

Moreover, according to Friedman, in a Chronically Anxious family, system, structure or institution, the voices that are both able, and willing to address this anxiety, are the FIRST voices that will be silenced by that body ... the prophet is the first person flung over the cliff, to cite the example of Jesus' arrival at Capernum.

My colleagues will deny the wisdom and value of Friedman because they unknowingly are living so deeply enmeshed in the Chronic Anxiety that they no longer see nor tolerate voices that suggest there might be another solution ...

In the meantime, I will continue to read Friedman and celebrate that thanks to a trusted and valuable friend, I have in my hands resources that not only help me stay sane and healthy, but that also offer a whisper of Hope in a chronically anxious world ...

Now, if only more would find the courage to listen to that whisper ...

A Palm Sunday Epiphany !!!

Yesterday, as I lounged after a VERY long and VERY busy day I had a realization that has connected my past to my present, and is informative to my future path in ministry ...

It began with a conversation at the 80th Birthday celebration for one of our parishoners when a couple who come to our services periodically offered a very profound and humbling compliment. With a broad smile, they said "you know we really enjoy coming to your worship services because it's a good community, and you put so much into every service ..." they then went on to say that they feel that as a minister I come with a deep presence of the Spirit in all that I do, and that joy shows ...

The husband reflected that often clergy seem to be mailing in their services, and don't engage the people or make it seem like they even care ... we chatted about that sad reality in too many corners of the Church and I offered that my ministry foundations rest on the examples of Wes, Mervyn, Ross, Bob, Bill, Barrie, Margaret, and Fr. Brian, who left indelible impressions on me and what I strive to do in ministry ... each of those esteemed mentor and friends were not in this profession because it was a job, they were here because THEY WERE CALLED to the ROLE of minister, and in the process they never avoided the role of Minister as Prophet, nor were they afraid of the radical inclusivity that comes with preaching, proclaiming and celebrating the Gospel.

As a result, I approach Ministry with a deep enthusiasm and passion. I see the necessity for the Church to throw the doors wide and welcome in ALL PEOPLE, not just a select few. I value the radical welcome that we live when we step AWAY from the rules and procedure and dogmas, and let the Spirit guide us ...

Because of the examples of the folks I cited above, I really don't fit in the modern Institution called The Church ... my values are the values we speak, but NOT live ... my world view of The Church is what we find when we read the Scriptures and reflect on our history and heritage, but are NOT what is lived day in and day out in the Institution ...

BUT, yesterday I had an epiphany moment that causes me to celebrate that difference:

I was cruising the internet and visiting web pages of Congregations across Canada. I read their mission statements, newsletters and policies ... and I truly, truly, truly marvelled at the incredible disconnect between the values in the Mission statements and the restrictions found in their wedding, baptism and funeral policies.

On one hand, Churches will ALWAYS say "we are a warm and welcoming community" and stress that everyong is invited to come and join them ... but then I read policies for celebrations that stress the 'IMPORTANCE of one or both partners to be involved in the life of the Congregation.'

On the surface this seems legitimate and okay, but when you step back and really think about this you can't help but see the contradiction between the Mission statement and the PRACTICAL application of that Mission.

How can we say "all welcome", then apply an asterix that limits access to celebrations like Baptism, Weddings and Funerals??

What was more telling to me though, was reading in these congregations the struggles they were having financially ... "all welcome" hangs on the sign outside, but newcomers have to follow certain policies and expectations, and the Congregations wonders why new people aren't coming, staying and being involved? AND as a result they are struggling ...

ALL of this goes directly against EVERYTHING the Church stands for, and that we've been celebrating in our hymns, our liturgies, our creeds and our theological studies for the last fifty years.

The need to loosen the reigns is NOT new.

It was identified in the 1980's by Gordon Turner when he wrote "Outside Looking In" and used the material gathered by dozens of Chruch researchers since the Second World War.

I've sat and read through pages and pages and pages of those previous studies, as well as the words of Turner and Bibby, who have offered a distinctly Canadian stance on Churches and faith in the modern era.

The bottom line for me is found in the evidence that we too often choose to ignore ...

This week at our Council Meeting here in Flesherton I shared the postings that I and Blake (The Laughing Pastor) have offered and shared about recent events in his ministry, and the response from the table was incredibly postive and celebratory. From a distance the folks here in Flesherton affirmed (truly) the Ministry Blake and Pleasantville are discovering together!!

In the days since, I've witnessed a community here that values opening the door and reaching out in care and love to the greater community around itself ... our Market and Bazaar this past weekend continued the intentional and welcoming outreach by offering coffee, muffins and a place to gather on a weekend afternoon ... then this weekend we acknowledged and embraced the profound sadness that has enveloped our community through the tragic events on a nearby highway ... and then over coffee, tea and all the fixings, a milestone was marked and celebrated with community and joy ...

I won't say our community here is perfect - there are no perfect churches ... but the community here accepts their faults and shortcomings and instead of engaging in an anxious defensiveness (something Rabbi Friedman has written extensively about), they in turn smile, laugh and address the issue in a positive, affirming and welcoming way ... and that shows in the orientation of the community and its involvement in the greater community.

The folks here are not afraid to reach out.

They are not afraid to welcome in the stranger or the new comer.

They are not afraid to take chances, make mistakes, and get messy !!

They are not hung up on rules and regulations and limited access to celebrations like Weddings, Baptisms and Funerals.

The folks here see the principles of OUTREACH in everything they do from the prayer circle, through the events and happenings that are part of who we are ... and that Outreach means living the values and principles of faith without hesitation.

My Epiphany moment was realizing how fortunate I am to be in ministry with the folks here at St John's and Eugenia, because they understand what it means to die and experience a Resurrection, and instead of protecting that Holy Experience, they WANT to share it with others. AND that reality shows in the day to day details of our Congregational life including our financials !!!

The Resurrection is not something that needs to be protected. It is something that needs to be shared and LIVED, and I see the evidence of a community doing just THAT every day!!!

And as Holy Week unfold, I am deeply thankful for the opportunity to be here with them living that reality EVERY DAY !!!

It's been a long road, but for the first time in almost 2 decades I really feel like I've stepped out of the wilderness ...

L'Chaim!!!

He came riding on a donkey ...

And so it begins ...
in the quiet of the breaking dawn
we hear the clip clop of approaching hooves,

you approach the city ...
a city unaware of what is about to unfold ...
a city asleep in its complacency
a city waiting for God, but unprepared ...

Your entry becomes triumphant
with waving palms,
celebrating crowds,
and shouts of HOSANNA!!!

Your disciples follow along
laughing, singing, shouting,
they feel the surge of power
they feel the Holiness
they feel the possibilities ...

But soon the Hosannas turn to horror
first come shouts of 'how dare YOU'
as tables are overturned
baskets thrown
animals set free

This is My Father's House
you dare to shout.

How Dare YOU
they chant back ...

And so the Hosannas slip away
the enthusiasm wanes
the smiles on their faces turn to scowls.

The week begins and we know where it leads ...

May we have the courage to follow
May we have the faith to endure
May we have no fear of the shadowy corners
and the dark places ...

And so it begins ... this week of remembering
this week of facing our deepest fears,
this week of a world that dared to kill its Hope ...

And so it begins ... this journey to Resurrection ...

Peace.