Expanding the Circle

We began our last class with a Circle.  The Circle gives us opportunity to practice the ways of peace with one another.
--Everyone is respected
--Everyone gets a chance to talk without interruption
--Everyone has a chance to be heard
--Participants explain ourselves by telling our own stories
--Everyone is equal; no one person is more important than anyone else
--Values and principles are  celebrated
--Dialogue and learning are fostered
--Differences are explored rather than conquered
--Everyone is accountable to one another and to the process
In response to a prompt, each of us shared thoughts and reflections on the impact of the death of Freddie Gray in Baltimore, the community's demonstrations and calls for justice, and subsequent rioting  that was then covered extensively by the news media.  There were a number of responses and thoughts shared, questions raised.We listened carefully to one another.  A number of the earlier reflections focused on the riots seen on tv; over time, there was more attention given to Mr. Gray, the pain of the community, the need for healing of relationships and careful listening to the stories of people who have not been heard; the establishment of new history not bound by the repeated patterns of the past, in Baltimore and throughout our country. The people of Sandtown and other neighborhoods in Baltimore, families, those protesting, the police, and members of the wider community were humanized.  Attention was also drawn to the plight of people in Nepal after the earthquake there and the need for engaged, compassionate response,
One of our class members had been in Baltimore last week and had witnessed a large, nonviolent demonstration that articulated the pain and grief of the community assertively, calling for justice without responding to violence with violence. It was enlightening to have this first-person account of a response to tragedy that predated any violence and further destruction.  As we listened to each other, we pondered important issues and needs in-- hopefully--a broader and more mutual sense.
As we went on to explore what role we might have in addressing the issues and processes of healing in Baltimore and throughout our society, we went back to our fruitful discussion from two weeks ago about peacemaking in the manner of Jesus.  We recalled the points that the working groups in the class had brought forth:

Learning
Listening
Being honest
Practicing Forgiveness
Being Generous and Other-Centered
Joining with people where they are
Sharing not only food but a better way of living
Interrupt violence, violent patterns

We added:
Leadership
Accountability
Compassion
Not being judgmental

It was suggested that churches could take the lead in providing space for dialogue and listening.
Faith communities can model engagement, inclusion, accountability, desire for truth to be told and heard, willingness to learn and to be part of the change we would want to see in establishing a more just society.
What would you add?
 

The New Community

Acts Chapter 2, verses 42 through 47 described life in the new community born in the wake of Jesus' resurrection.  This community was called The Way.  Today we call it the Church.

(a) Many people were joining the faith
(b) The community was characterized by sharing.
(c)  People were divesting themselves of personal resources and investing benefits in the lives of others.
(d) Teaching and Learning were central to life together.  Followers of Jesus learned about:
--Forgiveness
--What it meant to walk in Jesus' footsteps
-- Love as an action, a way of life
--Healing
(e)  They broke bread together, and ate with glad and generous hearts.
(f)  They were a community of prayer.

In what ways are these qualities reflected in our church today?

Blessed are the Peacemakers

"Peace be with you.  As the Father has sent me, so I send you."  --John 20:21

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." --Matthew 5:9

What is the peace that Jesus offers his disciples, then sends them out to share with the world?
When we considered the story of Jesus and his "locked-up" followers in the Gospel of John last week (John 20:19-31), you said:
--"Don't be afraid."
--"I am with you.'
--"Face what's outside."
--"Take a deep breath."

In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), Jesus declares peace-makers as the "blessed" who will be known and recognized as the "children of God."
Jesus comes forth from a faith community that refers to peace in terms of shalom.  The concept of shalom is that:
"All of creation is one, every creature in community with every other, living in harmony and security toward the joy and well-being of every other creature."  *

We broke into small groups and responded to two questions:
1)  How did Jesus practice peace?
2)  What would it mean for us to be peacemakers?

In answer to the first question, members of the class said that Jesus practiced peace by:
--learning
--listening
--being honest
--practicing forgiveness
--being generous and other-centered
--joining with people where they were
--sharing, not only food but a "better way to live"

In answer to the second question, folks said that if we were to be peacemakers we would:
--practice forgiveness
--refuse to fight, offering alternatives
--"be the change (the difference) that we want to see in the world"
--be honest
--be self-giving, generous
--would live "unmasked," and our way of living would urge others to put down their "masks' as well
--be willing to assume leadership in this new way of life
--be committed to awareness

What qualities and characteristics might be added to these two lists?

It was noted that people can be trained as peacemakers, just as people in the world have often been trained for war.  For many years, we at St. Andrew's had a ministry called Teens Acting for Peace (TAP), which trained teenagers in the ways of peace and prepared them to be peace educators for elementary-age children.  The Pledge that our TAP teens made had seven points, each with a curriculum to learn.

1) Respect Self and Others
2) Communicate Better
3) Listen Carefully
4) Forgive
5) Respect Nature
6) Play Creatively and Nonviolently
7) Act Courageously

Who might be interested in learning these ways now?  If God's children made these kinds of commitments, and were willing to do all of the good learning, it would make an enormous impact in the world




* definition from Peace by Walter Brueggemann, Chalice Press, 2001, p. 13.

Easter Continues

On Wednesday evening we considered the story in John 20:19-31.  It is set on the evening of Easter, and even though Jesus has risen from the tomb, his disciples are still locked up tight in a room of fear.  They are afraid of dying, of  facing the kind of rejection and crucifixion that Jesus received at the hands of the mob and the authorities. Someone observed that maybe they are also afraid of facing their own failure.  If they have to face Jesus, they will have to face judgment for their failure to stand by him.
But Jesus comes, penetrating the locked doors and standing among them, and saying."Peace be with you."  What does peace mean in this circumstance?, we asked.  Our answers:
--"Don't be afraid"
--"I am with you"
--"Face what's outside"
--"Take a deep breath".
"Jesus unlocks the most difficult doors" in life, someone said.  This is the nature of forgiveness.
Jesus' actions are defined by his love for them and his commitment to them; they are not a reaction to what the disciples did wrong.
He shows them the wounds in his hands and side.  He rises to new life even as he carries the wounds.
He offers his peace again.  Then, remarkably, he commissions them to go forth and do the kind of ministry that he has done in the world: "As the father has sent me, so now I send you."  
They will take the message of forgiveness to everyone.  And as people who themselves have been forgiven, they will know what they are talking about!

Resurrection!

Good Friday

Jesus lived the nonviolent, self-giving love of God to the fullest.  He never compromised that love, even in the face of ridicule, punishment, and the cross.  When he calls out, "It is accomplished," he is announcing the wholeness of that life.  In a way, it is the completion of God's original creation of the human being, because Jesus has fulfilled the life God has intended for all of us "from the beginning,"
and opened a path of fulfillment for us as well.  This is why we call Holy Friday "Good."  

Maundy Thursday

"To allow Jesus to cleanse our feet is to remove all that prevents us from using our feet to follow him, to scrub away our insecurities, to wash away our weariness, and to buff off our bitterness."
                                                                                                ---Alyce McKenzie

Sanctuary Search

We began our last class in the sanctuary of St. Andrew's church.  What did we say that "sanctuary"meant?  And what is its role in the life of the church?
Here are pictures of some of the things we saw and talked about.  How many of them do you remember?  What is the significance of each one?

Worship

Worship.  What is it?  What is involved?
This is what we said:

--Praising the Lord!
--Prayer
--Expressing our hopes
--Learning about the relationship between God and disciples
--Asking for our needs to be met
--Confessing our sin and our deep need of God
--Forgiveness of Sins/ Assurance of Pardon
--Sharing our thoughts
--Singing
--Reading to the Scriptures (The Hebrew Scriptures and the Christian Scriptures)
   Stories of God and God's people that relate to our life stories and journeys with God
--The Sermon, which proclaims the Word and involves Teaching
--Children's Sermon/Chat
--Sharing of the Peace
--Lighting Candles
--Offering (of monetary gifts, and more deeply, ourselves)
--Sharing of Joys and Concerns
--Baptism
--Breaking the Bread and Sharing the Cup
--Commission and Benediction

Who is it that worships?
--The People Worship!!
--Pastor and Leaders direct/lead

Here is a way of thinking about the worship service:
WE GATHER
WE LISTEN
WE RESPOND
WE GO FORTH

Do we ever worship outside of the "service?"
Yes!  Our lives, how we live them and praise God with them, are forms of worship.  And many of the elements we listed above (Praise, Prayer, Listening, Singing, Studying and Learning, Offering) are activities that are part of our everyday lives.

We concluded the class with the "Choir" leading us in singing, Jesus Loves Me!
We will begin next weeks class in the Sanctuary.

Now that you have had more time to think and reflect, are there things you would add to our worship list and our understanding of it?
What is most important to your worship?  When do you actively participate?

Turning Points and Times of Decision

"In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.  And as he was coming out of the water immediately he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending upon him like a dove.  And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, the beloved; with you I am well pleased . . . Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the good news of God  and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the gospel."  --Mark 1:9-11. 14-15

This week, we considered the story of Jesus' baptism once again. We noted that this was a momentous decision that Jesus was making, leaving Nazareth for the long journey to the Jordan (a similar passage to the one Mary and Joseph made to Bethlehem for Jesus' birth) to join the large crowds of people being baptized by John. His life was taking a powerful turn; though he would eventually come back to Galilee, it was not to resume his old activity.  Instead, his ministry would begin and his life would take on new shape and purpose.
We remembered that Jesus was around 30 when he was baptized.  Eighteen years have passed since the scene of twelve-year-old Jesus in the Temple with the teachers.  What has he been doing all of this time?  Perhaps:
--working with Joseph in the carpentry business.
--serving as a carpenter himself.  He may have helped rebuild Sepphoris, a nearby city destroyed by the Roman army after a revolt.
--continuing to grow and mature in his faith and his humanity.
What do you think moved Jesus at this particular time to take such a turn in his life?  Was he exploring God's path, plan for his life?  Did he go to join himself to the rest of God's people; to be in relationship with others? Did he know when he went to the Jordan that he would soon begin his ministry?
We discussed some of the ways and times that our lives can take on new direction (see the picture above).
Among the similarities are:
--Jesus engages a deeper sense of purpose and vocation.
--He makes a decision to develop new relationships.
--He "leaves home" as he has known it.
--He decides he will live a different lifestyle, with new priorities.
-- He dedicates his time and attention in ways that impact the lives of others and often put them first.

Growing With Jesus

"And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in divine and human favor."  --Luke 2:52

Tucked at the end of the second chapter of Luke's gospel, extending from the narrative of Jesus' birth, is the one account we have of Jesus growing from a child into an adult.  He is twelve years old and accompanies his family on the yearly pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover, the celebration of the Exodus journey of salvation.  The people remembered when God released God's people from slavery to the Egyptians, so that they would be free to follow God's path to the Promised Land and live fully in God's ways.
Going to Jerusalem would be an enormous undertaking for the humble people of Jesus' extended family, taking off work for more than a week to travel many miles.  Yet they did it each year; the practice was at the heart of their faith and self-understanding.
In class we discussed what kinds of Christian holidays or festivals might have a similar quality; practices that are central to our faith, where everyone participates. We identified Christmas and Easter worship as two such times.  Pentecost was also mentioned, marking the gift of the Holy Spirit, and the birthday of the Christian Church.  Pentecost is also when we will celebrate the Rite of Confirmation!
At age twelve, Jesus is at the cusp of adulthood in their culture.  This would be a time for him to take on his own religious practices and responsibilities, to become an adult in his faith, not unlike the time of Confirmation for our class members.
When Jesus' family returns to Nazareth after the festival, Jesus remains in Jerusalem.  A full day's travel takes place before Mary and Joseph realize that Jesus in not among them.  Members of our class wondered how this was possible.  It was speculated that since the larger family (uncles, cousins, etc.) would be travelling together, along with other people from Nazareth, it was possible that his parents assumed Jesus was travelling among familiar people and loved ones, as he always had.
At any rate, Mary and Joseph return anxiously to Jerusalem to look for Jesus.  They search three days for him before finding Jesus in Temple!  He is sitting among the teachers, "listening and asking them questions."  The people around him are said to be amazed at the understanding and perspectives he demonstrates. In those days the teachers sat and the students stood, so having Jesus sit among the teachers is a sign that, even though he is a student, he has great wisdom as well.
His mother is both relieved and furious: "Child, why have you treated us like this?"  But Jesus responds, essentially, "Why were you searching for me for three days?  Didn't you know that I must be in my Father's House?"  This is a powerful moment in the story. Normally, when someone referred to "the Father's house," it meant the family home. But Jesus is clearly talking about God's realm.  He may have been born to Mary (and Joseph), whom he loves, but ultimately he belongs to God. There is a sense that his own development is taking him beyond what his parents have taught him, even if they have done a great job.  His mother, Mary, winds up "treasuring these things in her heart," even though she was upset at first.
We discussed the story and reflected on its meaning.  One person said that now Jesus had really started his education.  He was engaging this relationship with God and the important teachings of the faith for himself.  Jesus is growing,  "becoming," right before everyone's eyes.   "Maturing" is another good way of describing this, another person suggested.  Jesus is no longer attending worship or religious education just because his parents do or because he is "supposed to."    He is taking his own learning and development seriously.
It was noted that (a) listening and (b) asking good questions are two critical skills for each of us to develop.  Doing this well enables young Jesus to dialogue, and to take the teachings and apply them to everyday life in the world.  His questions lead the conversation deeper.
Listening and asking good questions have become two important parts of our class time together.
Members of the Confirmation Class, you are a similar age to Jesus in this story (perhaps a year or so older).
--How are you claiming your own relationship with God?  In what ways are you committed to your own learning and growing in the Christian faith?  Be specific.
--Are there ways that you see yourself like Jesus?  Can you identify with him?
--How are listening and asking good questions an important part of your own journey?
--It seems to me that we are constantly learning from one another; that wisdom comes forth from everyone in our class.  What do you think?
--In what ways do you want to "increase in wisdom and stature, in divine and human favor?" 

Nativity

Here are some artistic renderings of Jesus' birth in Bethlehem.  Which ones stir your imagination?