Family Filled Fun– Beach Blanket Bingo! Sunday, March 1 directly after the 10:45 service. Afternoon filled with summertime fun–Dress in summery clothes and join your Crawford friends for beach games, sandwiches, milkshakes and more! It might be cold and dark outside but it’ll be hot and sunny in Gifford Hall! Bring a friend, everyone is welcome!
Today I spent time with my spiritual director who left me to consider this scripture passage, “Where your treasure is, there your heart is also” (Matthew 6:21). Given that this week ends with the heart holiday, the irony of her request was not lost on me.
When I take time to think about this passage, I think first about my heart and then about my treasure. Where are the places my heart is open? Where is my heart closed? At what times does my heart feel free; when does it feel broken? In those times, when my heart is open or closed, free or broken, what things do I value, what do I hold as treasure? Is my heart filled with joy, curiosity, hope and wonder? Is my heart holding frustration, anger, vengeance, dread? What is the treasure I hold and what does this say about my heart?
Have you ever thought about your heart and your treasure? When you do, what do you find? Is there wholeness and hope? Do you find family and friends? Do you find treasured experience and joy-filled accomplishments? Do you notice community and connections? When you notice your heart and your treasure, where is God?
In my work with the Open Spirit Task Force, as we struggle toward understanding whether and how a new expression of Methodism can be born from our New England roots, I have found myself delighted and heart-sick, joyful and heart-broken. But as we move quickly toward a different Methodism, I pray that we will discover in our hearts a treasurer beyond denomination, beyond institution. I pray that we will discover the greatest treasure of all: The Body of Christ alive, loving one and all. That is where my heart is and my treasure too. What about you?
See you in church,
Hope
Friends, it has been a week. With all the chaos in our country and in our denomination, yesterday I found myself on my way to church praying for understanding, compassion and wisdom. Not a great psychic or spiritual space from which to move into a jam packed day of ministry.
With my hands and heart full, I walked from my car to the church door and was met with two smiling children from United Methodist Nursery School (UMNS). They greeted me with, “Hello, Pastor Hope.” As they held the door for their classmates, each giving exuberant high-fives to their friends, they told me about their day. I didn’t think I would/could get out of my funk, but there they were evangelists of God’s presence and love.
At the beginning of worship each week, I ask where you have seen or experienced God. Each week, I am blessed to hear about your experience of God in the beauty of creation, playing with grandchildren, sitting with a grieving friend, meeting immigrant neighbors for a cup of coffee and listening to stories of struggle and hope. Each week in church, your God moments feed my soul.
So, here’s my moment: yesterday, God met me in two four year old children who welcomed me with unforced grace and exuberant love. Thanks be to God.
See you in church,
Hope
When I first meet with people, I am often asked what a typical day in the life of a minister is like. After chuckling, I reply that there is no typical day. Things need to always be fluid and flexible. Nothing is ever set in stone … not even worship.
Last week, my sister Effie was telling me about how someone arrived on the doorstep of the church she serves. It was Sunday morning and a few minutes before worship. The young man was in a terrible state. He was homeless and had walked twelve miles from a detention center to the church. A complication was that he was an immigrant, with very little spoken English and was struggling with his mental health because he had not been able to get his medication.
With a few hand signals to the leadership of her church, Effie sat with this young man who she learned was from Columbia. After phoning a parishioner who was a native Spanish speaker, Effie was able to help him out of the cold and into a safe, welcoming place. All of this occurred as worship was happening. Instead of a sermon, her congregation had an impromptu hymn sing, readings and prayers. What a wonderful witness of a community working and worshiping together, helping and praying for the stranger in their midst.
As I’ve been reflecting on the ever-changing reality of life, I’m more aware of being called in all times and all places to share the good news of God’s love, especially when there is no plan. I’m even more aware of how important it is to remember that worship can happen with or without the ordained person, on Sunday or any other day of the week, in the church building or on the train or in the office or on the playground. Because God is always with us, we can respond (even when we don’t know how or can’t speak the language or feel totally incompetent) with love for anyone and anything that comes our way.
In our lives of faith, just like in the vocation of ministry, there is no typical day. Thanks be to God.
See you in church,
Hope
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with your Crawford friends! Kids of all ages, come and help make Valentine’s cards to send to our Crawford friends on Sunday, February 2 and 9. Then on Sunday, February 9 join us for a special Valentine’s themed coffee hour! Lots of sweet treats to love!!!