by Crawford UMC | Apr 24, 2020 | Conversations
Who saw the incredible light on Tuesday night after the rain? Gilding the sky with warmth, radiance and hope, the light was a sight to behold.
Each day, I try to spend time outside and whenever I do, I experience hope and grace. To notice the flowers in bloom, the budding trees, the fox free to roam, I find peace and light. When I cannot get outside, I struggle to find the same freedom, and struggle to appreciate the gifts of creation, the gifts of God all around me.
If nature inspires me, what inspires you? Where in the midst of this pandemic are you finding hope and light, peace and grace? Where are you seeing and experiencing God?
It is a lot to hold. There so much change that it is hard to take all of it in. It is even harder to stay at home and “do nothing.” But when we take a moment and notice, we may find that in our prayer, in our nothing, there is life and light and God.
To share this experience with others, would you send me a note or a picture or a story about where you have seen and found God in the last six weeks? I would love to share this with others, spread a little hope and share even more of God-with-us in it all.
In honor of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day and the gift that creation is to me, here is a prayer:
Let us pray …
for trees, plants, crops, and forests
for water, oceans, rivers, streams and ponds
for air, wind, climate and weather
for sun, clean energy and the reversal of global warning
for animals, especially endangered species
for humanity learning new ways of being in the world
for recycling and consciously limiting our personal consumption
for proper use of chemicals and disposal of toxic waste
for the gift of your Earth and unity among your children
Life-giving God, we thank you for the gift of creation. We ask your forgiveness where we have failed to be just stewards. And we now ask for your guidance in restoring the Earth. May we learn to live in harmony, safety and justice. May we graciously grow in sharing resources among all so that we become more fully your kindom here on Earth. Amen.
“See” you on Sunday,
Hope
by Crawford UMC | Apr 16, 2020 | Conversations
From Hope’s friend David:
Years ago, the Seattle Symphony was doing Beethoven’s Ninth under the baton of Milton Katims. At this point, you must understand two things:
- There’s a long segment in this symphony where the bass violins don’t have a thing to do. Nothing. Not a single note for page after page
- There used to be a tavern called Dez’s 400 right across the street from the Seattle Opera House, favored by local musicians.
It was decided that during this performance, after the bass players had played their parts they’d quietly lay down their instruments and leave the stage rather than sit on their stools looking (and feeling) dumb for twenty minutes.
Well, once they got backstage, someone suggested that they trot across the street and have a few brews. After they had downed the first couple rounds, one said, “Shouldn’t we be getting back? It’d be awfully embarrassing if we were late.”
Another, presumably the one who suggested this excursion in the first place, replied, “Oh, I anticipated we could use a little more time, so I tied a string around the last pages of the conductor’s score. When he gets down to there, Milton’s going to have to slow the tempo way down while he waves the baton with one hand and fumbles with the string with the other.”
So they had another round and finally returned to the Opera House, a little tipsy by now. However, as they came back on stage, one look at their conductor’s face told them they were in serious trouble. Katims was furious! And why not? After all (get ready, here it comes)…
It was the bottom of the Ninth, the score was tied, and the basses were loaded.
If you liked this joke, then you will love the worship service on Sunday. Taking up our Eastern Orthodox Christian siblings liturgical designation for the Second Sunday of Easter as Bright Sunday or Holy Humor Sunday, we will celebrate risus paschalis (the Easter laugh) that acknowledges that Easter was God’s supreme joke played on death. So this Sunday is a time for us to tell jokes and to have fun at church!
Which reminds me … You can either have a nice day or you can help your child with their math homework. You can’t have both. — Coronalations 3:30
“See” you on Sunday,
Hope
by Crawford UMC | Apr 9, 2020 | Conversations
For weeks, people have been debating about whether or not Easter will be canceled. A little like wondering if Christmas will come this year, the Easter celebration of life over death, love triumphing over hate, hope overcoming despair, Easter arrives.
You see, Easter happens every Sunday. That is why Christians worship on Sunday, instead of on the Sabbath. Because every Sunday Christ is Risen. Easter can’t be canceled—it can’t be stopped from happening every week. But the feeling that missing out on the special music, the brass quintet, the Alleluia’s and the Lilies and Tulips seem to mean we are missing Easter. The loss is real.
Although we may not be together on Sunday, especially in this time of physical distancing, of caring for our neighbors by staying apart, of struggling to figure out how to gather, worship, and connect through the internet, we still have an opportunity to identify what is essential to be church. The short answer is Easter, resurrection, and proclaiming this amazingly good news.
To be the church we must go out and Easter the world around us—sharing the bounty of God’s love with the world. While we stay safely in our homes, we can Easter by calling one another, sending notes and cards, bringing extra food to the church for the Food Pantry and by spending time with God in prayer.
Whether we are gathered in the Crawford sanctuary this Easter or not, the rest of the world will know about Easter if we live out the good news. When we say “Christ is Risen. Christ is Risen, indeed. Alleluia!” we mean that in the midst of this pandemic there is good news for all including those who are homeless, hungry, sick, for those that are in prison, in violent relationships, living with addictions and mental health challenges.
Because God offers us hope, we offer have the opportunity at Easter to share our hope with friends, neighbors and strangers alike. During this season of Easter (50 days long), let’s spread the spirit of hope and life and love with everyone God brings to mind and all those who cross our paths. That will really be Easter!
“See” you on Sunday,
Hope
by Crawford UMC | Apr 3, 2020 | Conversations
As we move into Holy Week, I cannot get this blessing out of my heart. Some of you may recognize it as a piece from Fiddler on the Roof; some may be hearing the blessing for the first time. My friend and former pastor, Joanne Engquist, shared it on her Facebook page. It is a blessing from the Kaufman family who will miss a beloved Bar Mitzvah due to the stay-at-home order. They share this beautiful blessing with these words: No matter your faith or your beliefs, I think we can all agree we hope our children feel safe and loved in this world.
This week begins another part of our journey of faith — a triumphant entry into Jerusalem, a struggle for justice and for love, a crucifixion, a death and ultimately a resurrection. The last of these is where we find our faith, it is the source out of which we grow strong.
Shelter us in these days, O God, bless us with connection and grace, love and life everlasting. Amen.
“See” you on Sunday,
Hope
by Crawford UMC | Apr 3, 2020 | News
In response to the Governor’s requirements and following the best available advice from knowledgeable medical professionals, the Trustees have decided to close the church building. We take this action to do our part to reduce the chance of COVID-19 infection among our congregation, staff and visitors.
We know this “stay at home” situation is a challenge for all of us. Some of the things we think of as important or of a minor duration can still lead to spread of the infection. We are all committed to doing whatever we can to find “work-arounds” that will allow us to keep up our electronic connections, prepare and deliver remote-access services, and continue to support each other.
Thank you all for your understanding, patience, and respect for this decision.
