How Holy the Week?
March 30, 2011
As Holy Week approaches, I’m reflecting on John Wesley’s concept of “scriptural holiness.” Big on grace, Wesley understood that holiness to be living the convictions gained from scripture. He named that “sanctification.” If we recognize the same word root as “saint,” it makes sense to say we are being saint-ified, as in, sanctified. ‘Tis a life long process, which is Wesley names “going on to perfection”–nothing like raising the bar, is there?
Believe it or not, expect it or not, we are growing in scriptural holiness, we are being sanctified. I’ve been sifting through the recent days, and will wonder “aloud” to consider if Lent can intensify, or has intensified, that growth. To go all King James, “What hath Lent wrought?”
In terms we’re using in our Lenten conversations, an “act of piety” is our prayer study, one which will spill over on the whole congregation. In an “act of mercy,” we are renovating space where far more “non-church” folk will be than Fairmont folk. Acts of piety and mercy are Wesleyan “means of grace.”
Missionally, this Focus “runneth over,” from preparations for our summer work team (Louisiana) to the Race of Grace, from the Methodist Home for Children to our Parents Morning Out. We are advocating for people with mental illnesses with the NAMI Walk, Friends Supporting Friends (see March Focus), and the Faith Connections & Mental Illness event in Chapel Hill. We are beginning to respond to the overwhelmingly painful experience of the Japanese people, thousands of miles and worlds away from us. Our neighbors have firewood and food and household supplies because of our growing in grace.
Think of this: our youth, in lovingly tending these church grounds, are exercising “creation care.” Think also of this: our Confirmation Six are meeting faithfully week by week to examine their faith and grow in grace?
Could there be more “passionate worship” than this past Sunday? Some are all a-tremble at the very thought of placing worship in the hands of the young. Ah, but they led us well, exceptionally well, with the riveting message of “Let’s Rock!” The Christian life is not a solo act…we are the body of Christ. Singing and dancing, right here in church! All for the Lord, Amen!
Now an outside group wants to come inside to join with us, meeting our joy both in glorious music and in significant mission. The Raleigh Flute Choir asked to have their annual benefit concert here, all for Stop Hunger Now (Thursday, April 14, 7:30 pm).
Yes, we’re moving toward Holy Week, but it has also been a Holy Lent. Gathering with palms’ praise procession, holy communion, the reading of Christ’s passion, the rising up early to celebrate Jesus’ own rising–all that contributes to our holiness, our sanctification.
May we join the joy…for he lives!
Pastor Steve
Day in the Life…the Gift
March 30, 2011
Our Lenten conversations have revolved around such weighty matters as grace and the “means of grace,” so named by John Wesley. There is a wondrous array of ways God reaches us, even through barriers of our own construction. One of those “means of grace” is the gift we receive today, holy communion.
Did you know – our communion liturgies adhere to both the traditions of the church and to the scripture texts of the day? As we grow more familiar with the liturgies,* we begin to memorize, internalize them–don’t we? Watch yourself today, and sense how the words reecho that which we have shared before.
Here’s something I had not thought much about, but several of you have raised the point–that’s one of my indicators to stop and think something through! When we receive the bread, and with it, we hear, “This is the body of Christ,” how do we receive it? As one who serves communion, I see a wide range of receiving styles–there’s the overhand grip, the sideways grip, the underhand grip, thumb and forefinger, five finger… you get the idea. Many, however, hold out their hand or hands, palms upward, as if ready to receive that bread as the gift that it is.
I’ve decided I like that, so much so that I want to advocate for that. The liturgy serves to ready us in our spirits, right? We begin by “cleaning house,” confessing our sin before God and one another, boldly claiming the forgiveness so freely offered. Furthermore, there is a rich language of thanks and praise and goodness and joy, all reminders of the marvel in our midst, Jesus our Lord. We move forward in our liturgy, rehearsing or repeating the drama of Jesus’ meal with the disciples “on the night he was betrayed.” This is heavy stuff!
Do this and remember, do this and remember. We do it, and we remember.
We pray once again that God will pour out the fullness of the God-essence, the very Holy Spirit, touching not only these signs of Christ’s own body and blood, broken and poured out for us, but also us. Then we pray as Jesus taught us, saying, “Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name…”
One could make the case that we are thus prepared within. As the invitation is given, as we approach the communion table, we have taken more steps in that preparation. And here is the last step: as we have opened our hearts, we open our hands to receive the gift.
Then minister to the university Will Willimon (now bishop in Alabama) said of holy communion on his Duke campus that it was the most radical thing that happened there all week: by the hundreds, students and faculty and community members opened their hearts and hands to receive a bit of bread, naming it “the body of Christ, broken for you.” I like that, too.
May we thus prepare each time to receive this remarkable gift offered for us.
Pastor Steve
* liturgy is sometimes defined as “the work of the people.”
A Day in the Life…One Great Hour Revisited
March 23, 2011
By now, because of our annual “hour,” there are some things I’m guessing you already know about the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR):
- UMCOR receives no “World Service” funds or any other church wide funding.
- Each year, our gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing underwrite UMCOR’s cost of doing business.
- That frees 100% of every gift designated for UMCOR programs to go to the programs–not to administrative necessities (admin = necessary!).
- Broad support across this “connected” church allows us to do that.
UMCOR is an excellent steward of God’s gifts. Any of the One Great Hour gifts beyond what is needed for operating expenses also goes to those who need it most, the world’s most vulnerable people.
The Fourth Sunday in Lent (April 3 in 2011) gives our community the singular opportunity to join with others in this extraordinary offering. When catastrophes cause suffering, our church, impelled by Jesus’ love and compassion, is in the lead to bring healing, hope and a place of refuge. Because of that generosity in 2010 and years past…
- HAITI: CORAIL CAMP SCHOOLS INAUGURATED. On Jan. 26, a large group of Haitian and international representatives gathered in Corail resettlement camp to inaugurate the opening of a transitional school built last year. More than 700 students are already registered to begin classes, and 13 teachers have been contracted. The construction of the school was implemented by UMCOR in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Project Services and funded by Emergency Relief Response Fund, managed by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
- SRI LANKA: UMCOR PROVIDES FLOOD RELIEF. Heavier than usual monsoon rains have created life-threatening conditions for hundreds of thousands of Sri Lankans in the country’s Eastern Province. About a million people have been affected by severe flooding, including 200,000 who have been displaced from their homes. UMCOR’s field office in Batticaloa has mobilized to bring aid to residents from the 16 villages where it runs a sustainable livelihoods project. UMCOR is coordinating its relief efforts with the Disaster Management Center, United Nations Development Program, United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, and the Methodist Church of Sri Lanka.
- In Japan, since the emergency triggered by a massive, 9.0-magnitude earthquake and the resulting tsunami and nuclear radiation threat in Japan on March 11, United Methodists and other people of goodwill have been anxious to help. In a letter, the Rev. Cynthia Fierro Harvey, head of the UMCOR, praised the outpouring of solidarity and also explained in detail the organization’s response to this emergency. “We have received thousands of phone calls, emails, Facebook posts, and donations from people whose hearts are aching for the people of Japan and who are looking for meaningful ways to respond,” the letter says. “I want to share with you how we are responding on your behalf to the great needs.”
I know pride is one of the seven deadly sins, and “goeth before a fall,” but I will dare to join you in being proud of our United Methodist Church, always there when disaster strikes. Long may we minister together in Jesus’ name!
Pastor Steve
A Day In The Life…What's In A Room?
March 18, 2011
Our old friend William Shakespeare said it well:
What’s in a name?
That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet.
But a room…what’s in its name? Many’s the homeowner who has “that room.” It may be otherwise nameless, but it’s where three legged furniture goes to await repair, only to await the last day; where that new set of curtains rests in perpetuity–they didn’t fit after all, and they were going to be returned; where sundry detritus continues to grow, mushroom like in damp darkness, which accrual I’m going to sort through and organize, really, some day. That room. We don’t know what else to call it.
We have a room in the church nearly that forgotten, largely avoided, but not because of the buildup of indecipherable possessions. It’s main feature has been, well, “dinge.” Dinge is that quality where everything takes on the same color–yes, you recognize it. It is not a color you would want to match at the paint store. However, ours is an amazing room, remarkable for what goes on there–which brings me to the room’s name…what do we call it?
It’s on the upper level, the end of the hall near the fire escape, easy to overlook. It’s where ten or more groups meet each week. That’s right, ten plus. Some are dealing with addictions, others with behaviors, still more with matters of the spirit. What binds together such diversity is that they all use “that room.” It was once an important classroom, large and roomy–the old chalk and bulletin boards testify to that legacy. It was crucial to our “hospitality” weeks, providing sleeping space for our overnight volunteers. But here I must confess–we just plain let it go. If anyone wants to test “chaos theory,” that room, at home or here, would be a good case study.
Ah, but if you want to see it in all its decrepitude, you’re too late! Several Saturdays ago, our trustee-led team began to renovate that room. Vintage (!) curtains, down. Vinyl room divider, gone. Plastering, done. Painting, well begun. Window treatments, planned for. Carpet squares, coming soon–with your help! It will be professionally laid, but it is the greatest expense (apart from our several Saturday’s hard labor). Will you help? $10? $100? Anything? Thank you!
In a few days, that room will once again resonate with the sounds of recovery, support, and spiritual growth. In addition, it will once more be a Sunday School class room, and will offer meeting space for in house church groups–when it’s available! Who would have thought “that room” could be so revived that it will deliver a message of Fairmont’s penchant for hospitality? For years, we were content to give access, that is, to keep the doors open. But I claim this is an important step into radical hospitality, where we’re sharing of our best to these who bring their brokenness in hopes of help and even healing.
Maybe the best name for a room where there is learning, support, recovery, spiritual counsel, and meetings of many kinds is best kept unnamed, yay, verily, “anonymous.” May “that room’s” dinge never recur – or only in memory!
Pastor Steve
A Day In The Life…An Alcohol Free Lent?
March 11, 2011
Pastor Steve! Easy for you to say–you’re alcohol-free all the time! True enough. Although I never “took the pledge” of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU), my dad did. Sometimes I think I live like this in honor of him, other times I’m not so sure, but here I am.
Myers Park United Methodist Church, in which we were married lo, these 37.51 years ago (but who’s counting?) has established a project for an alcohol free Lent “and it’s caused quite a stir. It began with five young people being treated for alcohol poisoning, having been at a fund raising dance at that church. A sobering (!) event, the congregation began to reflect on what that meant. The key question they raised was around how they were inadvertently harming their children.
The Rev. Cynthia Abrams (General Board of Church and Society) writes, “The United Church’s Social Principles affirm the denomination’s long-standing support of abstinence from alcohol as a faithful witness to God’s liberating and redeeming love for persons. Problematic use of alcohol is a major factor in crime, disease, death and family dysfunction. Therefore, our Social Principles support education programs as well as other prevention strategies to encourage abstinence and/or deliberate, intentional restraint from alcohol use, with scripture as a guide.”
Did you know “we” have a building on Capitol Hill? It was built in large measure as part of the Temperance movement which ultimately resulted in Prohibition. Many now regard that entire effort as “quaint,” but surely they faithfully “lit a candle” against the darkness as they experienced it. The numbers of people with alcohol-related problems is vastly greater now, mainly because there are more of us.
As recently as fifty years ago, says Abrams, Methodist clergy signed a pledge that they would not use alcohol. Now it’s more of a “suggestion” (compare Pirates of the Caribbean, where the pirates’ “code” is more like “guidelines.”), so there you go.
Myers Park is a remarkable church, about 5,000 members. Their rather creative response to the above crisis was to establish an “Alcohol Free Lent.” For the forty days of Lent, members were invited to commit what they would have spent on alcohol to a “Spirit Fund”–I like the name–which in turn was donated to ministries and programs addressing people with alcohol problems. They raised over $25,000. (All such Spirit Fund donations will be welcome, and directed to the Healing Places for Men and Women in Wake County!)
That kind of proposal reportedly made lots of people nervous, although I’m not sure why. No one policed anyone’s response, and I’m pretty sure no one monitored the local watering holes and sports bars. It hit a nerve.
The witness of that one church has now been shared around the world, stimulating a conversation about alcohol, and I hope it will do the same among us. John Wesley was concerned (really concerned) about what alcohol was doing to the poor of his England. He also made the connection between rum and the slave trade, and believed weakening the market for rum would also damage slavery. We might connect some dots about alcohol advertising that has saturated our society, seeming to encourage underage alcohol use in a way similar to that of the tobacco industry (remember tobacco advertising?) as it urged our youth to join the ranks of smokers.
If you’ve read this far, you may be among those who say I’ve quit preachin’ and gone to meddlin’. And?
Pastor Steve
A Day in the Life…Healing Prayer
March 4, 2011
Faithful readers (and you are legion!) of the Fairmont Focus will recall an article in the February edition, “A Healing Ministry.” In part, it said,
Healing is not always “curing,” but always invites the fullness of God’s Spirit to
address our areas of pain, whether physical, emotional, spiritual, or social.
It also said that we were on the eve of beginning to offer “healing prayer” during our services of holy communion. The first such occasion happened at Sunday Night LIVE! on February 20. We are grateful to Stephen Ministers Beth Jennings and Betsy Lampley for giving us leadership in this area.
Today is the day when, during this service of holy communion, we will also begin to offer “healing prayer.” Here is a bit more background from Richard Foster, in his book Prayer:
“Healing Prayer is part of the normal Christian life. It should not be elevated above any other ministry in the community of faith, nor should it be undervalued; rather, it should be kept in proper balance. It is simply a normal aspect of what it means to live under the reign of Good. This should not surprise us, for it is a clear recognition of the incarnational (or embodying) nature of our faith. God cares as much about the body as he does the soul, as much about the emotions as he does the spirit. The redemption that is in Jesus is total, involving every aspect of the person – body soul, will, mind, emotions, spirit.” (Prayer, Foster; p. 203)
Entering into such a ministry surely raises questions like these:
- Will my prayer request be kept confidential? Yes!
- May I use that time to pray for the healing of another? Yes!
- Will it seem strange? Maybe, at least at first.
- Just how will it work? Read on…
After receiving the communion elements, for many it has been our custom to kneel in prayer at the altar rail. No one knows what those prayers are about, it’s always between God and the one praying. If today you desire healing prayer, you may move from receiving the elements into the room just off the sanctuary (parlor) where our Stephen Ministers will be stationed. You’ll be offered the option of anointing with oil (a tiny drop, James 5:13–is good background), and be seated between our two pray-ers. You may or may not express to them the nature of your desire, that is up to you. When they have prayed for you, you may return to the congregation.
As this is new to us, we’re still working out the mechanics. You may use the chairs to wait your turn, or stand away from the doorway, for both privacy and room to go in and out.
It is our hope that this practice will help us experience the healing that will deepen our spirits, draw us closer to God and help us live life more abundantly. To quote Foster once more, “God cares as much about the body as he does the soul, as much about the emotions as he does the spirit.” I will be happy to discuss this with any of you, as well as meet with you for prayer. It seems good that we begin to do this on the “eve” of the season of Lent. May this also be part of our journey with Jesus.
Pastor Steve
To All the Saints in the Making…Lent
March 4, 2011
Calendars–what’s the big deal? I don’t know about you, but I’d be lost without one, or more! The odd timing of Easter has me thinking about it so much so I’m commenting about it again. You want to have some fun, noodle around on the internet and look at some of the history of when Easter falls. Before AD 325, it wasn’t always even on a Sunday! The Council of Nicea meeting that year made the bold step of declaring, “Easter is on a Sunday!” although they probably said it in Latin. Just exactly which Sunday continued to vary in different parts of the world. We get that, as Orthodox Christians and Everybody-Else-Christians can’t agree about when Christmas falls either.
About AD 532, Dionyisius Exiguus stepped up and helped regularize Easter, but Aloisius Lilius messed things up in 1576 by following the Gregorian Calendar, which was decidedly unhelpful until Pope Pius XIII decreed in 1582, “Everyone shall use the Gregorian calendar and stop messing around with Easter” (that’s a paraphrase). (Source: Marcos J. Montes on smart.net)
Easter is now the first Sunday after the paschal full moon, which can shine from March 21 until April 18. Easter could be as late as the 25th, so the 24th is close.
On the front of the March Focus are the particulars of how we enter this season of Lent. Beginning together on Ash Wednesday is more than a “nice” tradition. Sharing a simple meal and then worshiping around the theme of sacrifice help set the tone for journeying through the days. It is significant that a small group will meet throughout Lent in order to offer our whole church a plan to become “A Praying Congregation.” It is also significant that our offering at mid-Lent will be for One Great Hour of Sharing, which positions the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) to respond to crises around the world…do you realize the magnitude of being part of that?
For the eighth year, we will gather in homes to deepen our spirits–and to deepen our friendships. Sign up sheets will circulate in worship. Our thinking will be framed by John Wesley’s thought about living lives of “scriptural holiness.” His insistence on a balance of “works of piety” and “works of mercy” is a marker of the people called Methodists and one of his most momentous contributions to our Christian movement. I look forward to the involvement of many who have been unable to participate before.
While I’m going on about calendars, we Protestants usually miss The Annunciation of Mary on March 25. Think about it–the angel Gabriel “announces” to her what will be, and she says “Let it be,” and nine months later, there “be” Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us. Is it too confusing to say that’s the day we begin preparing for Christmas?
Pastor Steve