Time with Sharon: We Are One

March 2009

“ As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer males and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. ”

Galatians 3:27-8

In the month of March, we will be celebrating another Confirmation class at LPUMC. The confirmation experience is a process of growth and introspection...a time of learning about God, about ourselves, and about Christianity as it is expressed through the United Methodist tradition. Most generally, a Confirmation Class is composed of young people in their junior high or early high school years. This year's Adult Confirmation Class has yielded folks from many faith traditions, or noneall, some who have already made their first confirmation journey many years ago in another church or denomination, and some who have never attended a religious class before in their life. Together, all have laughed, questioned, made new discoveries (and friends), and thought about whatmeans to be a follower of Christ, and more particularly, to be a United Methodist Christian.

During our time together, we have explored the early roots of the Methodist revival planted by John and Charles Wesley in England and cultivated by the Circuit Riders crossing the frontier of the American colonies. We have learned how the Methodist movement has been characterized by Wesley's unique understanding of God's Grace,connectional system, and the deep value of holy conferencing. We've discussed the pro's and con's of the itinerancy system, the beauty of apportionment model, and how each member of the church has the potential of effecting change at the General Conference level. We have shared precious conversations about the sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion, and pulled the Social Principles apart and put them back together again, looking for the truths that we each hold dear. Finally, we have celebrated that this is a church body that holds each person to be uniquely and wonderfully made, inviting all persons to the Lord's Table of Grace.

On March 29th, we will celebrate the conclusion of our Confirmation experience by honoring those who have completed their study. Some may make the decision to wed their spiritual journey with Lafayette Park United Methodist Church by becoming members. All will be acknowledged for their presence with us and their desire to seek deeper understanding of a life lived in Christ through faith. I know you will join me in celebrating their hunger to (re)connect anew with God in a meaningful way.

It has bee thrilling to watch God's Spirit weave together the hearts of these folks who are from such diverse paths into a caring group. There is "no longer Jew or Greek,... slave or free,...male or female". God's Spirit has drawn us together for purposes of learning, sharing, and ultimately serving. That's what the Holy Spirit does so well. As our spirits are touched by God's, we become One in Christ Jesus. It's amazing grace.

Peace,
Sharon

From the Wilder View - February 2009

So did you make a New Year’s resolution? How are you doing on keeping it? I have to admit that I have given up making New Year resolutions. It seems that I always have lofty goals; lose weight, start exercising, spend more time reading, do more of this or more of that, and on and on. But somehow in just a couple days into the new year and somehow my best of intentions would be blown away. So I am going to work on longer term goals rather than the traditional New Year’s resolutions with the hope that maybe one day I will be successful in my personal transformation hopes.

As I think about long term goals I am reminded of a poem and a song. The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock by T. S. Elliott is about a man who evaluates his life using images of his life being measured by coffee spoons and wondering if they dare disturb the universe. He looks at the end of his life with regret that there were moments that he could have made a significant difference in the world, but possibly didn’t have the courage to stand up or speak out in that moment, and thus his life is measured by coffee spoons. The song that I hold in contrast is called “Everything Possible” by Fred Small and sung by The Flirtations. It ends with this phrase, “But the only measure of your words and your deeds will be the love you’ve left behind when you’re gone.” Where the poem and the song come together for me is that each day we are presented with many opportunities to heroically love in this world. Each moment of our life we are given the opportunity to make a decision to transform the world around us with love. We can demonstrate love through speaking out, standing in protest, humbly serving others, or just listening to someone. The question is, will we make the effort to love and risk disturbing the universe, or will we sit back and not engage. Will our words and deeds create love or will they perpetuate the status quo?

Perhaps if I am focused on my words and deeds, sharing the love of God with those around me, my life might be measured in something more important than coffee spoons. Perhaps my life resolution should be to be intentional that each day my words and deeds communicate God’s love for the world. I would hazard to guess that living out God’s love might just change the universe, and hopefully, my personal transformation might also help God transform a little corner of the world.

My hope for you this New Year and for the years to come is that we all might live our lives filled with words and deeds that communicate the love of God.

Happy Loving!

Pastor Kathleen

Time with Sharon: A New Adventure!

February 2009

* This is a day of new beginnings,
time to remember and move on,
time to believe what love is bringing,
laying to rest the pain that’s gone.

Most people consider January 1st the beginning of the new year, where all things are fresh and new. Time to forgive and forget, time to start over, to zero the counters and see where we can go from here.For a lot of businesses, the fiscal year is July 1. After having closed out their books, and counted their inventory, they give each other a bonus and go to Florida for a little R and R.

But in the church, the Liturgical year begins right after Thanksgiving with Advent. All through the four Sundays before Christmas, we prepare to receive Emmanuel, God with Us, in the form of a baby-child. By the time January 1st rolls around, we have celebrated the birth of the Christ Child, and heard the scriptural story of Baby Jesus being consecrated at the Temple, ending with verse 40 in the second chapter of Luke: “The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.” Jesus was getting ready for ministry. He was preparing for the adventure of his life.

Now is not the time to get started…because our adventure with Jesus has already begun. But it is a time to evaluate, get fresh perspective, and seek new possibilities…and then to begin again. To risk, to pray, to stretch, to grow. Now is a time to be readying ourselves to carry on Christ’s ministry on earth.

Then let us, with the spirit’s daring,
Step from the past and leave behind
Our disappointment, guilt, and grieving,
Seeking new paths, and sure to find.

Look behind you…what have you been doing this past year that uses your gifts and talents to help Christ love people? Now look ahead…what can you do that you have never done before (with that ministry or a new one) that will reach someone new, or in a new way? What do you need to know? Who do you need to talk to? What extra resources will you need? Who might join you in your adventure? Now is a good time to assess what we’re doing, and figure out how we can do it better, smarter, with greater love, and to invite others to join us.

Christ is alive, and goes before us
To show and share what love can do.
This is a day of new beginnings,
Our God is making all things new!

I look forward to hearing about your adventures,
Pastor Sharon

From the Wilder View - December 2008

As I write this article Thanksgiving is still a few days away. Yet, it has already begun in my home. Has it started in yours? If you have children, you know what I am talking about. “Mom, I know what I want for Christmas.” “Could I have a (insert fantasy gift here) for Christmas?” “Mom, I just have to have a … for Christmas.” And on and on it goes. It isn’t even Thanksgiving yet and the Christmas wish list is already growing very long!

In a matter of days, the rush of our materialistic world will come crashing in on us and we will start the quest to find the perfect Christmas gift for everyone we care about. The stress of the current economic situation in our world will become magnified. We just have to find the perfect gift!!! I’d like to suggest an idea for this year. Take a moment and give your heart to those you care about. Write them a letter, or sing them a song, or make a special dish. Do we really need one more thing that eventually will end up in the church’s boutique? (Of course the UMW ladies will gladly receive all unwanted gifts for their rummage sale scheduled for January 31st.)

I am reminded of a Christmas Carol, “In the bleak midwinter.” It is one of my favorite carols, but it isn’t sung very often.

When I was a younger woman at Centenary it seemed that whenever this hymn was scheduled to be sung in worship we would have a horrible snow storm and only a very few people would make it to church that day. It isn’t that I am superstitious but, I have to admit that I am somewhat reluctant to schedule it for us sing, just in case it really does cause blizzards. The third verse in the carol is my favorite. “What shall I give him, poor as l am? If I were a shepherd I would bring a lamb. If I were a wise man, I would do my part. What I can, I give him; give him my heart.”

And that is exactly what I think is on God’s wish list for this Christmas…not the fancy new games, or toys, or jewelry, or gift cards. Just something simple that each of us can give no matter the status of our bank account. God would just like our heart.

May this Advent season be full of the giving of your heart to God and to those you love. I bet that you will find it to be one of your best Advent seasons ever.

Blessings on your journey.
Pastor Kathleen

Time with Sharon: The Drama of Advent

The Drama of Advent, What are we waiting for?
December 2008

This year, the Season of Advent begins November 30th. Similar to how businesses start their fiscal years on January 1st, Advent is the theological start of the Church Year for most churches in the Western tradition. It runs for four Sundays before Christmas Day, and ends at midnight on Christmas Eve.

Advent is marked by a spirit of expectation, of preparation…and of longing, not unlike getting ready for the arrival of a cherished, long-awaited visitor to your home. Spiritually, there is a yearning for deliverance from the evils of the world, first expressed by Israelite slaves in Egypt over 3000 years ago as they cried out from their bitter oppression. It is grounded in the hope that was once anticipated by our Hebrew ancestors, and now experienced anew in our day, of the reign of an Anointed One, a Messiah, who will bring peace and justice to the world. Today, we still long for God’s Kingdom to come, when God’s will shall be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Through the four Sundays of Advent, the excitement builds as our anticipation grows for the coming of the Christ Child. We traditionally begin the First Sunday with the Hanging of the Green, decorating the Sanctuary with evergreen wreaths, boughs, and a tree twinkling with lights that help to symbolize the new and everlasting life brought through Jesus the Christ. Each Sunday, a candle of the Advent Wreath is lit, and the emphasis moves from hope, to peace, joy, and then love. On Christmas Eve, the Christ Candle is lit, and the light of Christ breaks through the darkness to bring new light to the world!

Just as we prepare the Sanctuary, the experience of each week in worship is important in our soul’s preparation. Together, we will study the ancient scriptures, share the music of the season, and eat lots of Christmas cookies. All are invited to give the Christ Child gifts of warm hats and mittens shared with our neighbors, gifts of clothes and toys for the families of the south city through Kingdom House, and a delicious meal for the ladies of Shalom House. If you miss even one week, you will miss out on the joy of learning, decorating, sharing, munching, and giving that are the hallmarks of this special season of the year. I challenge you to make it your Advent gift to yourself and others to be present in worship every Sunday during Advent and to participate in the sharing the light of the world during our Christmas Eve Worship Service.

What are we waiting for? We’re waiting for God. Be there.

Peace be with you,
Pastor Sharon