Dear Caldwell,
The ebb and flow of congregations is always a wonder to me, Caldwell in particular, of course. Congregations balance their inward ministries of self-care, growth and development with their outward-directed ministries to build the Kingdom of God and bear witness to it on Earth. Through different seasons in their lives, congregations balance their inward- and outward-facing initiatives in different ways, but no church family is complete without both.
As you know, we are in the midst of re-focusing our outward-facing missions and justice ministries through the 3D vision effort. From my vantage point, it seems many of you are taking this time to feed and strengthen yourselves through study, small group fellowship and sharing. The range and number of our learning and spiritual development offerings is flourishing. That’s especially well timed in this season of Lent, when we seek a closer walk with our Creator. If you are still looking for a small group study opportunity, for Lent or longer, let me remind you of what’s available:
- Each Lenten Wednesday at noon, the churches of the Elizabeth Communities of Faith worship at noon at Hawthorne Lane United Methodist Church. We’re following the theme of “There and Back Again” as we think about how God meets and nurtures us in the “wilderness” places of our lives.
- The Sacred Relationships small group study (Wednesdays 6:00-7:00 p.m. in the youth lounge of the Price Building) begins a new track tomorrow night called “Becoming the Beloved.” This follows our over-arching Lenten theme in worship at Caldwell of the same name. Peg Robarchek will lead a study of a wonderful book by spiritual writer Henri Nouwen titled Life of the Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular World. Come tomorrow night for the organizational meeting. Copies of the book will be available. You may want to ‘practice’ Lent by also coming by the prayer room for some quiet contemplation time before this class. It’s open Wednesdays 3:45-6 p.m. during Lent.
- The Adult Christian Education Class (Sundays at 9:45 a.m.) is also beginning a new “read” for Lent titled Gospelled Lives: Encounters with Jesus. This oopen, interactive group loves to laugh and take their study seriously.
- For something more directly focused on mission and justice, our denomination’s Office of Public Witness is offering a new resource focused on “Advocacy as Discipleship.” This guide will help you think about the links between Christ’s witness and our own call to be advocates as disciples for God’s justice in the world. It is designed as a four-week, daily reflection guide. Jump in with a complete guide available on the office’s blog at http://officeofpublicwitness.blogspot.com/2014/03/a-people-called-to-witness-lenten.html
- In addition, you can seek your own inner peace and health through our Yoga class Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. in Upper Price or join the gang every other Tuesday at Theology on Tap (meets a week from today at Leroy Fox at 7 p.m.)
I have no doubt that this time of inward study and examination is preparing us for “big and bold” ministry in and for our community, in addition to the ongoing regular missions and justice efforts. But for now I am grateful that we have this chance to deepen our faith and renew our hearts and minds.
As we travel from Sunday to Sunday this week in particular, we move from last Sunday’s story of God’s calling Jesus’ into the wilderness. There, as Evie said, we can, with Christ, “stand on the word of God” as a source of identity and purpose. This Sunday, we take up another story of how God called a different a servant leader on a defining journey. Genesis 12:1-4 tells the story of God’s call to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your family’s house to a place I will show you ….” And, Abram went.
As with Jesus in the wilderness, this journey required Abram to go somewhere he’d never been. The same can be true for us in this season of self-examination and drawing close to God. Is there somewhere in your life with God that you’ve “never been?” Not a physical place but an aspect of your relationship with the Divine and others? Might you endeavor to “go to that place” in these weeks that lead us to Holy Week and Easter?
Whatever journey you take up, small or large, easy or difficult, familiar or altogether new, I commend you to the care of the One who always goes ahead of us.
See you soon.
In Christ,
John