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
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
To All the Saints in the Making-February, the Cruelest Month?
February 4, 2011
I have learned that a number of folks have declared war on T. S. Eliot, who boldly proclaimed April to be “the cruelest month.” February’s “cruelty” is Eliot’s, and thus April’s, leading contender. But who knows what this February will bring?
Lately, I referenced one of my all time favorite movies (not quite a “film”), Groundhog Day. Resolved to use every mysteriously repeated day to the fullest, for the good of others but also his own, a somewhat repentant Phil Conners says this (to the amazement of all who know him):
When Chekhov saw the long winter, he saw a winter bleak and dark and bereft of hope. Yet we know that winter is just another step in the cycle of life. But standing here among the people of Punxsutawney and basking in the warmth of their hearths and hearts, I couldn’t imagine a better fate than a long and lustrous winter. (emphasis added)
Our winter, cold but not severe (so far!), has had it’s own luster: we’ve renewed our faith, witnessed baptism, were blessed by the Martin Luther King, Jr, All Children’s Choir, celebrated with the Fairmont Gospel Revue (13 years!), ate well and did good, helping to “adopt an apt,” to feed hungry people (Stop Hunger Now) and support the Raleigh Wesley Foundation–a lustrous month!
The Season of Epiphany, the season after Christmas no one’s sure what to do with, is longer than usual, maybe longer than ever. Did you know that Easter is April 24? It can be as late as April 25, but hasn’t been in our memories. (It can also be March 22, which it was in 1818!) That gives us a little longer than usual to settle in after the full tilt celebration of Christmas and, well, “prepare” for the next season of preparation– Lent.
Our Lent is always marked by several events, from Ash Wednesday to Palm Sunday, then to Maundy Thursday’s “Seder” and Good Friday’s “Tenebrae.” Because they are repetitive, I fear they are beginning to be regarded as “same ol’ same ol’,” as if they had grown merely “long” and lost their “luster.” So I invite, nay, verily I urge you to dig out your personal calendars now and set aside evenings March 8, 9, April 17, 21, 22, 24. Important stuff!
For now, in our “winter,” we continue in the Season of Epiphany. In it, we are called to witness the several manifestations of Jesus in the world. He is met and accompanied by Magi, by John the Baptist, by Disciples and finally by Elijah and Moses. That’s pretty good company!
In this season that is both winter and Epiphany, may we enjoy both its length and luster, and look forward together to Lent. Although Lent bears its own wintry marks, it leads with certainty, with inevitability, to Easter!
Pastor Steve
To All The Saints In The Making… All Things New
January 7, 2011
In the Book of Revelation, John the seer reports this:
And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” (Revelation 21:5)
It’s as if he captured the prophetic vision of Isaiah, who says of God,
Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am about
to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? (Isaiah 43:18-19)
Not to dispute the Prophet, but to recognize the new, it seems good to “consider” things past– the recent past. Each of the things listed here might be thought of as “launch platforms” for our mission yet to come!
We Ate Well, We Did Good!
Our Sunday Luncheons offer fellowship, food, fun, and funds. A summary is in the Mission UPdate. Outreach will lead the next luncheon on January 9.
We Walked, We Ran!
… at the Race of Grace (April), at the NAMI Walk on Dorothea Dix campus (May), at the CROP Walk for Hunger (October). A special thanks to Fairmont Faithful Fitness for ROG and CROP support.
We Advocated!
… for people with mental illnesses facing loss of state support, for students and educators experiencing turmoil, for a strengthened environment, we hosted a NC Council of Churches “Immigration” event at which our NC Conference Bishop Al Gwinn spoke.
We Worked!
… with 21 families at Christmas, with food and gift cards
… and put together “a load” of gifts for our neighbors at the Robeson County Church & Community Center Christmas Store (as we have for decades)
… to raise over $10,000 for our neighbors in Haiti, and packaged thousands of meals through Stop Hunger Now to relieve suffering, as United Methodist Women went to MERCI in Goldsboro for a work day, as did another team assembling kits for Haiti relief
… with Urban Ministries, raising over $1,000 in direct assistance and thousands more in non-perishable food items (we did “bring our cans to church!”)
… to raise over $1500 for Blanket Sunday and Tools of Hope
… the Fairmont Work Team raised $7,000 to travel to and work through the
Hinton Rural Life Center, Hayesville, NC
We Grew!
Fourteen new members, we witnessed six baptisms. Our Lenten “home” meetings found new life in the fall with our in-home “financial round table” discussions. Parents’ Morning Out, Stop Hunger Now, Raleigh Wesley Foundation all carried out remarkable ministry!
We Learned!
Vacation Bible School – We walked like Egyptians (sort of), we learned more Bible, we took up the bishops’ call to address pandemic poverty and disease, environmental degradation, and the proliferation of weapons and violence–and began our response.
We Worshiped!
This is where it all begins. We sang, rang, prayed, played, week by week, morning and night, and in the high days of Lent and Advent.
Imagine that when God does make all things new, even those most wondrous things will be surpassed. Lord, we are in your hands! Bless us one and all.
Pastor Steve
To All the Saints in the Making–Lists
December 3, 2010
There are lots of things to which we might say, ‘Tis the season. One is the time honored practice of making lists. I remember looking forward to a mere two (2!) Christmas catalogs, Montgomery Ward and Sears & Roebuck. In each of them were some serious toy sections, volunteering the very kind of guidance I needed to make my Christmas “wish” list. How else was I going to know what I wanted unless I saw it first?? Many years would pass before I saw the flaw in that “ointment” pretty slick, they knew their craft, just how to warmly invite us to want more than need!
But I love lists, I love making lists and some of my favorite people are list makers. In the “season” of making lists, this very newsletter is filled with lists: Advent worship events, Advent missional opportunities, Advent gifts to the church (see the Trustee “wish” list), and more.
In the unending quest to look afresh at the Bible’s texts for this season, I am looking at several characters, that is, “listing” them. While Matthew and Luke both have genealogies of Jesus (now those are lists!), Luke’s listing of characters is the more thorough. Each character has her/his own “list”:
Zecheriah-Priest, order of Abijah, righteous, blameless before God.
Elizabeth-wife of Zecheriah, descendant of Aaron, also righteous and blameless before God
Zecheriah & Elizabeth-faithful and childless, both “getting on in years”
Zecheriah-duty in Temple, sees angel, is terrified, cannot receive word that he and Elizabeth will have a son, loses his voice
Elizabeth-meets Zecheriah back home, knows something’s up, he can’t tell her, she finds out exactly what when she becomes pregnant: she has been able to receive the unexpected promise of God.
My second list is of two more of God’s faithful:
Mary-a virgin of Nazareth, engaged (betrothed) to Joseph, of the house of David, meets angel Gabriel, is terrified, at first resists but then receives the word that she will bear a son, Jesus, The Son of the Most High
Joseph-a man of Nazareth, engaged (betrothed) to Mary, David is his ancestor, he learns of Mary’s pregnancy (Matthew) and determines to divorce her but quietly, is able to receive God’s word in a dream.
Mary & Joseph-travel to Bethlehem, his home town, where there is no room to stay but in a makeshift barn, Jesus is born there.
Mary-ponders the wonders in her heart, and treasures them.
Joseph-seems to be on standby, but God speaks again in dreams, and he saves his family from death.
Luke has more characters, maybe that’s one list: King Herod, Mary and Elizabeth together, and there had to be an inn keeper, right? And shepherds and a heavenly host–the stuff of story and song, and hallowed candle light and holy communion–which all go on the Fairmont List for Christmas Eve. I’ll see you there.
Pastor Steve
To All the Saints in the Making…Sun & Moon
October 1, 2010
I am occasionally accused of rampant enthusiasm. How can I not be excited when it comes to the life of Fairmont United Methodist Church?! We have entered a most eventful time of year–event-filled. To be maximally effective, each event takes thorough planning, staffing, publicity, and most especially–you!
The Fairmont Bazaar is a case in point. With the date set months in advance, people begin both dreaming up and working on innumerable projects. It all comes together on a glorious fall day, October 9. With barely a nod to Thanksgiving, Advent will be upon us, and the full range of spiritual-physical preparations, culminating on Christmas Eve, with a stunning service and dinner for all who answer the call to, “O come, all ye faithful.”
In the midst of those fall happenings are two “global” events of such import that they are as the sun and moon around which we orbit the rest of the year.
Our fall Stewardship Campaign, in 2010 it’s “Higher Ground”
Our annual Charge Conference
May I say more? I will anyway!
You have doubtless devoured the front page story about Higher Ground and are eager for those events to unfold. I continually encounter discomfort when the subject of money is broached, as if “I” am somehow after what’s “yours.” While there may be subscribers to the old song, “Money makes the world go ’round,” I would posit that it’s not the money itself, but what the money can accomplish. Since we’re no longer on the gold standard, don’t our paper money, checks, stocks, etc., simply symbolize what we value? So the issue can shift from “Mine vs. Yours” to “What do I/we truly value?” and “What high-value good can our money do that my money could never do by itself?” Or, “Where will that value truly come alive?” Ponder these things as we move closer to “Higher Ground” Consecration Sunday, October 31.
The second experience is uniquely United Methodist, the Charge Conference. It is a time of accountability to the larger United Methodist Church, a time to set direction for the life of the church, a time to name the gifts we have shared as a church, and a time of electing leadership. Wednesday, November 3, 7:00 pm, at Wesley Memorial United Methodist, where we will also join together with congregations from Wilson Temple and Avent Ferry, with the leadership of our district superintendent, The Rev. Jon Strother.
So these are significant events- important enough to pray over, to prepare for, and to commit now to be in attendance. We are at an important juncture in our life together, where our future vitality depends upon our faithful response in the present.
Since the middle of May, I have prayed every day for God-given growth–in both our faithful stewardship and for new members of our church family. Will you join me in that prayer, day by day? How will our prayers be answered?!
Pastor Steve
Meal Time!
July 30, 2010
As you are reading, I am enjoying the mountain climes and climbs of Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. Yes, it’s my sixth sojourn, but taking the easier path of chaplaincy.
As I move into the home stretch of my six year tenure on Stop Hunger Now’s board of directors, it seems good to share with you what’s been happening, and what’s about to happen. The earthquake in Haiti revealed how Stop Hunger Now is wonderfully positioned to respond to such a tragedy and to coordinate many life-saving efforts. The meal packaging venues have boomed as people have shared the vision for ending hunger. Friends, we are part of a movement!
Through June, 10 million meals have been prepared, with millions donated to the people of Haiti and nine other nations: Honduras, Uganda, Nicaragua, Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Vietnam, and El Salvador. That’s “cookin’!”
Steve
Volunteers will package a million meals for Stop Hunger Now
More than 4,000 volunteers from area universities and colleges will join forces in late August to break the record they set last year by packaging 1 million meals for Stop Hunger Now, a Raleigh-based international hunger relief organization that coordinates the distribution of food and other life-saving aid around the world.
Last year, volunteers from North Carolina State University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, East Carolina University, Duke University, North Carolina Central University, Peace College, and University of North Carolina at Wilmington packaged a record-breaking 1,031,776 meals during the University Million Meal Week.
This year, four North Carolina universities will host University Million Meal Event. Each site will have its own packaging event where students and community volunteers work side by side in assembly lines to package meals. The week-long event begins at NCSU on August 21 and concludes at UNC-CH, ECU on August 28 and UNCW on November 13th.
More than half of the meals packaged will be distributed to earthquake victims in Haiti. “Stop Hunger Now is committed to providing aid to those in Haiti after the current crisis stops making headlines,” said Ray Buchanan, president and founder of Stop Hunger Now. “The resounding success of UMMW in the past two years assures us we can do it again. The scale of this event draws much needed attention to the war against hunger and provides life-saving meals to the world’s most destitute,” said Ray Buchanan.
Stop Hunger Now’s highly nutritious meals include rice, soy, dehydrated vegetables and a vitamin-fortified flavoring mix with 21 essential vitamins and minerals. Each meal costs 25 cents to make. Stop Hunger Now provides the ingredients with funds from sponsors, contributors and student donations.
“Our goal is to raise $250,000 to cover the cost of food and packaging materials for this huge event,” said Rod Brooks, CEO of Stop Hunger Now. “We are actively seeking support.”
Churches, civic organizations, schools, businesses or individuals interested in helping to package meals or donating to the University Million Meals event should contact Stop Hunger Now at 839-8968 or info@stophungernow.org.
Pop Quiz
June 25, 2010
You have may have heard me say that when I arrive at the Pearly Gates, I do not want to hear the following: “Take out a clean sheet of paper.” Yikes! One of the best remembered joys of summer was that for three months, there would be no “pop quizzes”–which at my school always began not with, “We’re having a pop quiz,” but rather, “Take out a clean sheet of paper.” Upon reflection, had my teachers been a bit “greener,” they would have encouraged us to use the backs of some already used paper (reuse, reduce, recycle!).
For me, the time following annual conference is a clean sheet of paper–a clean slate, a time to begin anew. As expected, I am appointed to be Fairmont’s pastor, something that happens year by year.* What will fill that sheet?
Six years ago, some will remember I took a summer-long sabbatical, working as a chaplain at Philmont Scout Ranch. (I will do that this summer, too, just five weeks.) Besides doing some alternative service at an amazing place, I used the time to inquire of the Lord about my future. The clarity came slowly, but it came: do more of what you’re doing, and go deeper. The two chief results of that were, first, my immersion in Stop Hunger Now, and second, our in depth year long self-study that resulted in the renewed vision of the church (70|07). There is a connection between them, as we marked ten years of SHN being in this building at the moment SHN was positioned to be of great service in Haiti.
Now the new page fills with many possibilities: welcoming our new director of children and youth, doing a fall study on “Greening the Church,” and digging into the work of our bishops, “God’s Renewed Creation: A Call to Action and Hope.” Those latter two are of a piece, and are brought into focus by the ongoing tragedy of the Gulf of Mexico befouled by its own oil. I suggested in a recent sermon that we can do no other than to get our minds around this and respond in our corner of the world. We can, and we will. Perhaps the bulletin’s “go green tip of the week” has helped set the stage for our next steps.
I marvel at the depths plumbed as we have together gone deeper. We hear it in our music, we see it in the rising tide of children, we witness it in our–witnesses! We experience it in becoming more public in the battles with hunger, mental health reform, and public education. Our worship takes us higher, our prayers take us to profound places. Our fellowship yields friendship, our service to others ends up enriching us more than we sought.
I’m ready, to walk with you as we do more of what we’re doing, going deeper!
Pastor Steve
* As year 21 begins, I’ve heard both , “How long, Steve?” and “How long, O Lord?”
Seasons
May 28, 2010
At the risk of calling attention to it, I can’t resist merely mentioning this twenty years at Fairmont. Lord willin’ and the creek don’t rise, at the conclusion of annual conference. I’ll be back for another. Remember, I serve under appointment by our bishop, and am appointed year by year. Twenty years is two decades. It spans five leap years, 1040 Sundays, give or take. As of this writing, 888 of them have included Sunday Night LIVE! Who’d a thunk?
But there’s another significant moment that I cannot let pass unheralded. Many of you have heard that Heather Wong will soon be Pastor Heather at Wesley Memorial United Methodist, Raleigh. Having served as our director of children and youth ministries these past four years, Heather is continuing in her pastoral calling, as she did at Englewood (Rocky Mount) and Banks (Durham District) United Methodist churches.
What newer members of the church may not know is that Heather was here before I got here. I think it was 1984 when she moved here with her family–or should I say “back” here, as she was born here while daddy Chuck was working with the Raleigh Wesley Foundation. I first knew her as a rising ninth grader, and clearly among the young people here. From UMYF to sacred dance to sharing her lovely voice, she gave of herself in this place.
After college (and Appalachian State Wesley Foundation) and her sojourn in the working world, her calling to ministry took shape, and she went to seminary. During that period, she came “back” here again, working while a divinity school student. By some marvelous grace, and a leave of absence in 2006, when we needed Heather, she was able to come back–again! Who’d a thunk that?
I join you all in thanksgiving for these several seasons sojourning among us. ‘Tis a rare moment in the life of any church to have a person exhibit and exercise leadership and service spanning childhood, youth, college, seminary, and young adult (I’ll stop there!) years. Throw in marriage to Phil and the advents of Samantha and Matthew, and we’ve shared a lot.
She has touched the whole community of children and youth, from the youngest among us through college students, now serving as chair of the board for the Wesley Foundation. That is wonderful service.
I’m sure this is where as the elder brother I am to insert remarkable and sage advice to my younger (ok, much younger) colleague. But experience tells me this is where I would do well to listen to her instead.
Take note that on June 6th, Heather will preach and lead us in our service of holy communion. June 20th will be her last Sunday in worship. May all that be a time of celebrating Heather’s wonderful service to God at Fairmont. Heather, we thank God for you! Go with God’s blessing and our love.
Pastor Steve
Good News
March 26, 2010
The time from Friday until Sunday: was it just a blur? There was not an ounce of suspicion, not a particle of expectation that Sunday would be a day remembered forever. Friday, infamy. Sunday, victory. Who could know? All four gospels agree on two points: the tomb was empty, and Mary Magdalene was there. It was she who discovered that Friday did not have the last word, but Sunday did. It fell to her to share that good news. As she ran her good news cup surely ran over, spilling the glad tidings upon incredulous disciples. Good news!
The word “gospel” is old English, says Webster, for godspel, god (good) spel (tale). If a story’s any good at all, it must be told!
This Lenten season’s small group discussions centered on doing just that. We had a chance to share how we had “heard the new” in ways that both invited us to Fairmont and then kept us connected. The findings from those sessions have been assembled, and offer a wonderful testimony to the good news as lived out in our place and time. On the Sundays following Easter, our worship will focus on the ways we share our witness, observing carefully those first disciples doing the same thing.
In the course of these Lenten discussions, a number of wonderful ideas were shared. On one level, we discover that our sharings of the good news are not always read or recognized. Here are two:
+ The weekly worship bulletin includes a pastoral article and events schedule. Drawback? Must show up to get one!
+ The Fairmont Focus. Every month, an array of “experiential” faith is shared. Drawback? Must read it!
The use of the world wide web (remember that term?) allows us to do these:
+ The Flash Focus and LIVE! LINE weekly highlight what we’re about. Drawback? See Fairmont Focus.
+ The website, FairmontUMC.org. In mere days, a more user-friendly version will be in place. Drawback? Must be looked up to be enjoyed!
We’re discovering that this is the age of “social networking,” electronically speaking. One area we can use that is on the Fairmont Facebook page. There are currently 50 “members,” with unlimited potential. If you are a Facebook person, you can find “Fairmont and become a friend. If you have trouble finding it, go to http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=27109290536&ref=ts If you’re not part of the Facebook community, you might want to check it out!
Despite all those wonderful tools, the essential one has not changed since Mary Magdalene sprinted away from the empty tomb. And that is that as we share our good news, our faith, ourselves, do best face to face. Phones are fine, the web is wondrous, but they don’t come close to eye to eye–or heart to heart! There is a “Sunday” word that needs sharing. The world waits.
Pastor Steve