May 2021

As we reopen our relationships, our nation, our world, and our churches especially this year I've been thinking about how hard it has been in this past year to understand one another's differences - especially in our national debates about politics and the pandemic.

My friend Andrew DeCort is a American citizen who lives in Ethiopia and he has seen the depths of division that the differences over racism can cause. And I have been thinking as I reflect over his words that our own divisions have been worsened by the absence of a spiritual vision for the future. When we disregard anyone else who disagrees with us, we are harming our own hearts and the health of the church in this world.

His words below reflect my understanding of the biblical vision for the future of our church, our nation, and our world at every level and I trust that you will consider them prayerfully...

Ultimately, then, ethnocentrism, racism, and nationalism are war against heaven and God’s final dream for humanity: "After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb" (Revelation 7:9).

Let us prepare for heaven on earth now. Let us love others and recognize that we're together but not the same. Let us get to know people who are different than us and celebrate our shared uniqueness. Let’s ask thoughtful questions and listen. Let’s invite a neighbor out to lunch. Read books. Learn a language, and appreciate others' accents. Volunteer as a translator in your church, so more people can feel welcome and understand. Find new ways to identify yourself and tell your story in ways that make others feel connected. Speak up and defend people against stereotyping, exclusion, and oppression, even if it costs you something.

These simple habits worship God, enrich our lives, and cultivate peace. They can save lives and end wars.

“[The Creator] himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth.” Paul, Acts 17:25-26.

Hope you have a great month of May!

Pastor Steve

April 2021 newsletter article

This excerpt below has helped me to think about the next chapter of spiritual life after Covid. There is much uncertainty still to navigate as we move forward, but it does seem that something different than what we've ever done before is emerging as our new normal.

I'm hoping that your Easter will be especially meaningful this year - for all of us - whether we worship in person or online, Christ is risen - He is risen indeed!

"I really want to encourage you not to despair, not to lose faith, not to let go of God in your life, but stand in your suffering as a person who believes that (s)he is deeply loved by God. When you look inside yourself, you might sometimes be overwhelmed by all the brokenness and confusion, but when you look outside toward him who died on the cross for you, you might suddenly realize that your brokenness has been lived through for you long before you touched it yourself.

Suffering is a period in your life in which true faith can emerge, a naked faith, a faith that comes to life in the midst of great pain. The grain, indeed, has to die in order to bear fruit (John 12:24-25) and when you dare to stand in your suffering, your life will bear fruit in ways that are far beyond your own predications or understanding."  (Henri Nouwen)

March 2021

I hope your Lenten season has been meaningful for each one of you thus far. Traditionally Lent is a time of preparation for, and reflection upon the crucible of suffering and resurrection that Jesus would experience on His journey. We've also been on an uncertain path ourselves over this last year and I'm going to suggest that we begin considering how to reunite during this time of drawing closer to the Easter celebration. I know many of you have wrestled with how to handle the many "unknowns" of this pandemic. I am particularly grateful to both church boards for their thoughtfulness and support and desire to protect our membership during this crisis.

But it seems that with the vaccinations being distributed, the collective wisdom of both congregations is moving in the direction of restoring "in person" on site worship in the near future. This is going to be important for us all, to honor the different perspectives that each member may have on this process. Some will feel unsafe unless they have been vaccinated and may wish that others in their presence continue to wear masks even after vaccination.

And neither church board wants to be in the position of investigating or asking attendees about their personal medical choices. That is a matter between each individual and their family members and God. So I am going to suggest that during the month of March all those who are able and willing, might seek to secure a vaccination or at least an appointment for one (if that is your decision) and that we begin to aim at Easter Sunday, April 4th as our target date for reuniting in person for our on site worship services.

Jodi and I have planned for some time to be away for the weeks following Easter in North Carolina visiting my mom and dad and children and grandchildren which we haven't seen since Thanksgiving of 2019. So if we worship remotely on those remaining Sundays in April via the Facebook Live broadcast, then we could consider reconvening on that following first Sunday in May again as long as everyone remains healthy and we are aware of no infectious exposures that would prohibit our gathering.

This would allow us to celebrate the Lord's Supper on Easter Sunday morning in person and again on the first Sunday in May in person and we could proceed from there as the numbers and our circumstances allow. This is only my suggestion as your pastor; the boards of both churches are the ones to give final approval of these possible plans.

So what seems to me to be a prudent approach is to pray over and discuss these possibilities as church friends and spiritual family during the month of March and then feel free to communicate your ideas with me and with one another as we try to discern together what would be the wisest course of action to take as we move forward.

I believe God is preparing the way for us to enjoy a really meaningful summer season and that He is shaping our patterns of worship into something new and even better than we have previously experienced. I'm not sure what that might look like, but I do believe that God is making all things new and better than ever before - if we are willing to listen to His Spirit, His Word, and one another and hold our hopes with open hands.

May God bless us in our journey!

His peace to you,

Pastor Steve