Seventy years ago this Sunday, General Eisenhower announced that Allied forces had successfully landed on the shores of Normandy. It became known as D-Day. Some of you, I think, have memories of that event. With it, the final push to defeat Nazi Germany began in full. Somewhere around 4,500 Allied forces died in the assault. Estimates for Germans losses range between 4,000 and 9,000. The day was as brutal as it was important.
Recently, I heard a story about the event that I’ve heard before, but it gets me every time. Apparently, General Eisenhower penned a communique for release in the event the attempted landing failed. Two features of that note, scribbled in pencil and stuffed into his pocket, are worth remembering. The first is an underline. He planned to say that the soldiers couldn’t gain a toehold in the landing area, so he withdrew the men, and ended with, “If any blame or fault attaches to the attempt- it is mine alone.” He underlined, “Mine alone,” knowing full well that he wasn’t the only person involved in the planning. He’d spent months, years even, in fractious meetings with multiple countries’ military personnel, politicians, and strategists. Ultimately, the plan was approved by many, leaving to him only the exact date the landing would commence. Weather appeared uncooperative, though, until June 5, when a break in storms seemed possible. It was either go the next day or wait another two weeks. Eisenhower decided to strike.
It’s good he did. The alternative date saw the worst storms of the summer, which would’ve rendered the English Channel crossing impossible. Nevertheless, he knew that victory wasn’t inevitable, and planned what to say if the worst did come. And rather than seek cover or others to share the blame, he underlined his responsibility. “Mine alone,” he emphasized, hoping- I’m sure- the need would never arise.
The second feature of note in that letter augments that decision. He’d originally written the second sentence as, “This particular operation at this time and place was based upon the best information available.” He subsequently crossed that out and began with, “My decision to attack at this time…” Again, the change was from distancing himself from potential negative attention to putting himself in fuller responsibility.
I can’t imagine the burden the general carried on the night he made that decision. The thousands of families whose lives would be forever changed. The hopes of nations teetering on edge. Leadership of whatever variety- in the military, of course, but so too in our churches, communities, families- requires a clear enough mind to understand a situation’s stakes, and a sturdy enough spine to shoulder the costs.
But so too does leadership require a courageous, empathetic and wise heart. I suspect that’s a critical ingredient in Eisenhower’s willingness to face the music should it have all gone wrong. The devastating guilt and loss, shame and terror that would’ve washed over his soldiers and his nation could’ve paralyzed people, unhinged countless spirits, further set back the cause for which they fought. In that tempestuous fervor, should he have deflected blame, cast dispersion across the waters, there would’ve been no holding tank for the fear that would arise, no focus or outlet for their grief. I’m glad we don’t know whether this letter, in fact, would have served as a needed pressure valve, an act of sacrificial leadership. But I suspect it would have, and am impressed by the emotional intelligence and fortitude those simple edits reveal.
Which is to say, when you think about how best to help your children, serve your church, better your community, I hope you ponder the needs and challenges within your hearts as much as your minds. There are programs to plan or strategies to adopt, surely, but so too are there fears to calm and dreams to uplift. Success will only come when you’re as attentive to those concerns as you are to resources and ideas. And just as critical, when it comes time to decide, don’t wallow in worry or look always to others. Be responsible, trusting in the One who made you to sustain you, and guide whatever may be.
Grace and Peace,
Shane
Read more!
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Breathe Deeply…
Nowadays, people talk a lot- and for good reason- about brains. Over the past century or so, we’ve learned many important things about how brains work and what they do. Much remains to understand, but we’ve got a handle on one critical fact: Our brains control our lives. When they function optimally, they allow for blood circulation, speech, memory, creativity. In other, we think brains make human life possible. By contrast, when they cease functioning properly, life diminishes. For instance, post-traumatic stress disorder, of the kind endured by some combat veterans or disaster victims, is a brain injury, we’ve learned, when something malfunctions upstairs, and the results can be sad. Altered personalities, higher rates of depression, isolation, and in extreme cases, suicide. That’s why care for people suffering PTSD is so critical, and needs to be taken seriously.
And, of course, when the brain stops working altogether, life ends completely. I imagine none of this strikes you as controversial or new. The brain is the seat of the soul, many now imagine. In previous eras, however, smart people weren’t as aware of the brain’s critical role in life. They recognized that acute head trauma could incapacitate a person or end her life, of course. But not having our advanced research techniques and imaging machines, they couldn’t peak under the skull for a fuller picture. Instead, they observed life’s outward effects, and came to an alternative conclusion. They saw that when life ended, breathing stopped. Always. We now describe that as a function of brain activity; neural connections that control the lungs and heart no longer tell those vital organs to work. But our ancestors didn’t know that. They simply noticed that breath seemed decisive. With it, life endured. Without it, life was no more.
Perhaps for that reason, the authors of Hebrew scripture made a profound (and holy) leap of imagination. Wondering how to describe the incredible, divine force of Creation and life, they turned to breath, joining the two together. We use two words: Spirit and Breath. They used one: Ruach. What that meant was that the Spirit (Ruach) of God, which they claimed in Genesis created life out nothingness, order from chaos, was nothing less than the Breath (Ruach) of God. One and the same, spirit and breath. By extension, the breath within in each of us was our own special portion of life itself- spirit/breath. And it makes a beautiful, poetic kind of sense, I think.
After all, we still believe, in some fashion, that spirit and life are intimately connected. What that has to do with our brains, how they interact, well, I won’t even begin to guess! But they matter in some conjoined way. Likewise, pre-scientific humans, who put breath above brains, simply comingled this source of life with spirit. Who can blame them? Remember that the next time you take a big breath. In comes spirit, in enters life. Your exhaling, then, is your releasing of spirit and life’s power to go beyond yourself in the world God created.
Anyway, awkward descriptions of ancient psychology/anthropology aside, I bring this up for an important reason. This summer, I’m hoping we Plymouth Creek folk will breathe deeply together all season long. A Servant Leader told me a few weeks back, “Shane, we should take the upcoming summer to explore rest. God knows I’m tired!” I get tired too, and I love the idea that we’d dig into our spiritual tradition to learn its wisdom about recreation, relaxation, Sabbath.
Turns out, there’s quite a bit for us to encounter. Not only does the Bible compare breathing to Spirit and Creation, but God even commands God’s people to think about Time as a balance between work and inactivity. Jesus retreated from teaching and healing into prayer. Few things matter more to Scripture than peace. So when you come to church this summer, expect to learn about resting and reenergizing; i.e. proper breathing. And don’t forget to breathe deeply. After all, our ancestors believed that’s the Spirit you just may be bringing in. They didn’t know about the brain’s role in all of that, obviously, but I bet they were onto something…
Grace and Peace,
Shane
Read more!
And, of course, when the brain stops working altogether, life ends completely. I imagine none of this strikes you as controversial or new. The brain is the seat of the soul, many now imagine. In previous eras, however, smart people weren’t as aware of the brain’s critical role in life. They recognized that acute head trauma could incapacitate a person or end her life, of course. But not having our advanced research techniques and imaging machines, they couldn’t peak under the skull for a fuller picture. Instead, they observed life’s outward effects, and came to an alternative conclusion. They saw that when life ended, breathing stopped. Always. We now describe that as a function of brain activity; neural connections that control the lungs and heart no longer tell those vital organs to work. But our ancestors didn’t know that. They simply noticed that breath seemed decisive. With it, life endured. Without it, life was no more.
Perhaps for that reason, the authors of Hebrew scripture made a profound (and holy) leap of imagination. Wondering how to describe the incredible, divine force of Creation and life, they turned to breath, joining the two together. We use two words: Spirit and Breath. They used one: Ruach. What that meant was that the Spirit (Ruach) of God, which they claimed in Genesis created life out nothingness, order from chaos, was nothing less than the Breath (Ruach) of God. One and the same, spirit and breath. By extension, the breath within in each of us was our own special portion of life itself- spirit/breath. And it makes a beautiful, poetic kind of sense, I think.
After all, we still believe, in some fashion, that spirit and life are intimately connected. What that has to do with our brains, how they interact, well, I won’t even begin to guess! But they matter in some conjoined way. Likewise, pre-scientific humans, who put breath above brains, simply comingled this source of life with spirit. Who can blame them? Remember that the next time you take a big breath. In comes spirit, in enters life. Your exhaling, then, is your releasing of spirit and life’s power to go beyond yourself in the world God created.
Anyway, awkward descriptions of ancient psychology/anthropology aside, I bring this up for an important reason. This summer, I’m hoping we Plymouth Creek folk will breathe deeply together all season long. A Servant Leader told me a few weeks back, “Shane, we should take the upcoming summer to explore rest. God knows I’m tired!” I get tired too, and I love the idea that we’d dig into our spiritual tradition to learn its wisdom about recreation, relaxation, Sabbath.
Turns out, there’s quite a bit for us to encounter. Not only does the Bible compare breathing to Spirit and Creation, but God even commands God’s people to think about Time as a balance between work and inactivity. Jesus retreated from teaching and healing into prayer. Few things matter more to Scripture than peace. So when you come to church this summer, expect to learn about resting and reenergizing; i.e. proper breathing. And don’t forget to breathe deeply. After all, our ancestors believed that’s the Spirit you just may be bringing in. They didn’t know about the brain’s role in all of that, obviously, but I bet they were onto something…
Grace and Peace,
Shane
Read more!
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Let them come…
If you weren’t in church Sunday, you didn’t hear the announcement Tabitha and I shared. Long story short, we’re currently in the process of becoming foster parents. It’s been in process for a while already, but we wanted to wait to let the church know until after we’d met with the social worker in charge of placing children with us. And that happened last week.
So…how cool is that?!
Here are more details, though if you’ve got questions I don’t cover, please ask. We’ve requested elementary school children since we both have full-time jobs and don’t want that to change. Given our relative youth, we presumed that middle or high school students would find better parents in another home. We’re open to a broad range of potential children for placement, including children from different ethnic backgrounds than us, LGBTQ youth, kids with behavioral challenges. Many children in foster care, of course, exhibit challenging behaviors, given the circumstances that often lead to a child’s removal. Some, however, have very special needs that we’ve asked not to take on, for now. You may know already that the foster care system’s primary goal is family reunification. Studies find that foster kids who find permanent placement in families of origin turn out better, on average, than peers who don’t. But should we foster a child (or two) for whom that isn’t an option, we’re open to being adoptive parents too.
In the meantime, we’re waiting, and aren’t entirely sure what that will bring or when the waiting will end. We’ve asked to begin with one child- we’re new parents, after all!- but the county’s needs are great, and many foster children have siblings. Maintaining those relationships matter, so perhaps we’ll find ourselves with two elementary age children (three is too many for our house). It could be in early July or August; we’re not quite sure. Probably before summer’s out is the most we know.
And that could mean, Plymouth Creek friends, you’ll soon have another child or two in your midst. That’s not certain, please be aware. Foster parents have different rights and responsibilities than birth parents. The main focus, of course, is on the well-being of these kiddos who’ve just experienced the trauma of leaving their homes. They might be confused over why, feel guilty, miss their parents, their siblings, their friends. Part of our job will be maintaining for them as much continuity as possible. In some cases, that might mean keeping the kids connected with a church (or synagogue, or mosque) they already attend. In fact, the county believes- and I wholly agree- the children have rights to practice religion as they see fit. We’ll invite them to join us at our church, of course, but if that’s not appropriate, we’ll be understanding, and I thank you for being so too.
But should the children we foster become active Plymouth Creekers for a time, that will be neat as well. Indeed, it helps me see our church with a new set of eyes; not just as pastor, but as potential dad. I like what I see in many respects, though I echo the sadness many of you (especially our parents) express about the slightness of our child population. We shouldn’t feel bad about that, but we could explore together what we have that might change this situation.
And the best opportunity I see is a community of potential, additional grandparents and aunts and uncles, available to assist modern young families, often overworked and living far from home. You could, then, play with a child at the back of the sanctuary, while her parent leads worship or simply wants to take a break (for once!). A group could babysit some evening while parents go out for dinner to enjoy one another without kids. Jesus said, “Let the children come unto me; for such as these belong God’s Kingdom.” If you’re willing to be extended family for young families so desperately needing that in these fast-moving, uprooting days, they might come unto us, and we’d be glad to respond. In any case, I look forward to you playing that role for my soon-to-expand family!
Grace and Peace,
Shane Read more!
So…how cool is that?!
Here are more details, though if you’ve got questions I don’t cover, please ask. We’ve requested elementary school children since we both have full-time jobs and don’t want that to change. Given our relative youth, we presumed that middle or high school students would find better parents in another home. We’re open to a broad range of potential children for placement, including children from different ethnic backgrounds than us, LGBTQ youth, kids with behavioral challenges. Many children in foster care, of course, exhibit challenging behaviors, given the circumstances that often lead to a child’s removal. Some, however, have very special needs that we’ve asked not to take on, for now. You may know already that the foster care system’s primary goal is family reunification. Studies find that foster kids who find permanent placement in families of origin turn out better, on average, than peers who don’t. But should we foster a child (or two) for whom that isn’t an option, we’re open to being adoptive parents too.
In the meantime, we’re waiting, and aren’t entirely sure what that will bring or when the waiting will end. We’ve asked to begin with one child- we’re new parents, after all!- but the county’s needs are great, and many foster children have siblings. Maintaining those relationships matter, so perhaps we’ll find ourselves with two elementary age children (three is too many for our house). It could be in early July or August; we’re not quite sure. Probably before summer’s out is the most we know.
And that could mean, Plymouth Creek friends, you’ll soon have another child or two in your midst. That’s not certain, please be aware. Foster parents have different rights and responsibilities than birth parents. The main focus, of course, is on the well-being of these kiddos who’ve just experienced the trauma of leaving their homes. They might be confused over why, feel guilty, miss their parents, their siblings, their friends. Part of our job will be maintaining for them as much continuity as possible. In some cases, that might mean keeping the kids connected with a church (or synagogue, or mosque) they already attend. In fact, the county believes- and I wholly agree- the children have rights to practice religion as they see fit. We’ll invite them to join us at our church, of course, but if that’s not appropriate, we’ll be understanding, and I thank you for being so too.
But should the children we foster become active Plymouth Creekers for a time, that will be neat as well. Indeed, it helps me see our church with a new set of eyes; not just as pastor, but as potential dad. I like what I see in many respects, though I echo the sadness many of you (especially our parents) express about the slightness of our child population. We shouldn’t feel bad about that, but we could explore together what we have that might change this situation.
And the best opportunity I see is a community of potential, additional grandparents and aunts and uncles, available to assist modern young families, often overworked and living far from home. You could, then, play with a child at the back of the sanctuary, while her parent leads worship or simply wants to take a break (for once!). A group could babysit some evening while parents go out for dinner to enjoy one another without kids. Jesus said, “Let the children come unto me; for such as these belong God’s Kingdom.” If you’re willing to be extended family for young families so desperately needing that in these fast-moving, uprooting days, they might come unto us, and we’d be glad to respond. In any case, I look forward to you playing that role for my soon-to-expand family!
Grace and Peace,
Shane Read more!
Friday, May 16, 2014
Our Future…
I’ve had the earth on my mind as of late. Our community garden will open soon. A member donated a new dishwasher to us so we can waste less and care for Creation more. To do that, by the way, we all must bring coffee cups to church, which we’ll use during fellowship (instead of Styrofoam). And to make that happen, we’re setting a fun goal for June 1, that every Plymouth Creeker brings an “ugly mug” to worship. Whomever’s submission is deemed the most wonderfully “ugly mug” gets a free bag of coffee or box of tea from our earth-friendly, free-trade Equal Exchange store. We’ll then hang the mugs on our coat rack and place in the dishwasher after using. The child care center will replace for us once clean, and our waste will decline, and the earth will say, Wahoo!
And not only our waste will decline, but so too has waste from the child care center already. They’re daily making use of it, lowering our facility’s environmental impact dramatically. It also lowers their operating costs, ensuring they can focus better on their kids and teachers. When the church is a good partner with God’s Creation and our neighbors, we do God’s work. Simple as that.
Which brings me to another way I’ve been thinking about the earth: the church’s long-term relationship with our child care center tenant. As you know, Yellow Brick Road has operated in our facility over the past seven years. During that time, their business has grown and improved, as has their working relationship with us. It’s a mutually beneficial relationship. YBR keeps costs for families well below their competitors because they rent with us. That allows some families who otherwise can’t find quality, affordable early learning to do exactly that! At the same time, PCCC could not sustain our current budget without YBR’s contribution. That means the worship, choir, small groups, outreach, fellowship, funerals, etc. wouldn’t take place if not for our YBR friends.
But the relationship comes with costs as well as benefits, which understand better now than ever. We each have growth pressures we struggle to meet with the other in our spaces. PCCC incurs significant facility depreciation costs as 40+ young ones joyfully run around daily. In a couple years, their lease will end, so we’re thinking about the future now. And as that’s occurred, a solution has emerged that I wanted to share with you.
Namely, we need to build; a new wing for primarily child care center use. It will be available for church use when necessary, but will mostly house YBR’s operations. The Board considered this idea at its March retreat, and it appeared good stewardship of God’s gifts and mission to us. Plans are still under discussion; a buildings team is working with YBR to achieve what’s best for both entities. FYI, some of the current arrangement will remain, like the nursery and toddler classroom.
But gone will the Sunday slog of chairs and tables out of the sanctuary into fellowship hall. Gone will be kids daily running up and down our main hallway and narthex. Gone will be our rarely scheduling weekday/night activities for not having enough space. Bathrooms will be cleaner. Clutter will decrease. And we’ll build something as green as we can make it.
Financially, you’ll want to know that YBR intends to pay for the expansion, if we take out the loan. This is risky for both sides, so will include a 15+ year agreement to be good partners together. And that’s a positive thing! When good ministry is happening, we should sustain and grow it, be that quality early learning for kids in need, or loving, free-thinking, open-tabled church. Indeed, that’s the main thing I learn as I ponder the earth- When we have a chance to enhance its long-term good, we take it. That betters the world. It’s responsible. It serves God!
Grace and Peace,
Shane
P.S. - And, of course, I want to hear your thoughts as we go about this process. It’s still very early on, which is why I’m bringing it up now, so our collective wisdom can make it the best it can be! Read more!
And not only our waste will decline, but so too has waste from the child care center already. They’re daily making use of it, lowering our facility’s environmental impact dramatically. It also lowers their operating costs, ensuring they can focus better on their kids and teachers. When the church is a good partner with God’s Creation and our neighbors, we do God’s work. Simple as that.
Which brings me to another way I’ve been thinking about the earth: the church’s long-term relationship with our child care center tenant. As you know, Yellow Brick Road has operated in our facility over the past seven years. During that time, their business has grown and improved, as has their working relationship with us. It’s a mutually beneficial relationship. YBR keeps costs for families well below their competitors because they rent with us. That allows some families who otherwise can’t find quality, affordable early learning to do exactly that! At the same time, PCCC could not sustain our current budget without YBR’s contribution. That means the worship, choir, small groups, outreach, fellowship, funerals, etc. wouldn’t take place if not for our YBR friends.
But the relationship comes with costs as well as benefits, which understand better now than ever. We each have growth pressures we struggle to meet with the other in our spaces. PCCC incurs significant facility depreciation costs as 40+ young ones joyfully run around daily. In a couple years, their lease will end, so we’re thinking about the future now. And as that’s occurred, a solution has emerged that I wanted to share with you.
Namely, we need to build; a new wing for primarily child care center use. It will be available for church use when necessary, but will mostly house YBR’s operations. The Board considered this idea at its March retreat, and it appeared good stewardship of God’s gifts and mission to us. Plans are still under discussion; a buildings team is working with YBR to achieve what’s best for both entities. FYI, some of the current arrangement will remain, like the nursery and toddler classroom.
But gone will the Sunday slog of chairs and tables out of the sanctuary into fellowship hall. Gone will be kids daily running up and down our main hallway and narthex. Gone will be our rarely scheduling weekday/night activities for not having enough space. Bathrooms will be cleaner. Clutter will decrease. And we’ll build something as green as we can make it.
Financially, you’ll want to know that YBR intends to pay for the expansion, if we take out the loan. This is risky for both sides, so will include a 15+ year agreement to be good partners together. And that’s a positive thing! When good ministry is happening, we should sustain and grow it, be that quality early learning for kids in need, or loving, free-thinking, open-tabled church. Indeed, that’s the main thing I learn as I ponder the earth- When we have a chance to enhance its long-term good, we take it. That betters the world. It’s responsible. It serves God!
Grace and Peace,
Shane
P.S. - And, of course, I want to hear your thoughts as we go about this process. It’s still very early on, which is why I’m bringing it up now, so our collective wisdom can make it the best it can be! Read more!
Friday, May 9, 2014
Intern-al Communications
I have some reflections as your intern
“They sing of a life free and simple, with time for one another, and for people’s needs, based on the dignity of the human person, at one with nature’s beauty, crowned by poetry. If that dream dies, all our struggles die with it.”
In the early church community, where diversity of religions and peoples were common, all within the confines of the Roman culture of assimilation, the followers of Jesus responded to the invitation to be different. Different than those being forced to live under the Roman way of culture, philosophy and way of being.
These followers of Jesus were free to be people, loved by a God who came down, died, resurrected, and had invited them to a new way of life. This life was free from the confines of Greek or Jew, free or slave, male or female. All were to be welcomed into the Kingdom of God, through Jesus the Christ. In this freeing experience, the followers of Jesus were invited to see this truth within each person they encountered. All are invited into this relationship with God and community.
“They sing of a life free and simple, with time for one another, and for people’s needs, based on the dignity of the human person, at one with nature’s beauty, crowned by poetry. If that dream dies, all our struggles die with it.”
In the early church community, where diversity of religions and peoples were common, all within the confines of the Roman culture of assimilation, the followers of Jesus responded to the invitation to be different. Different than those being forced to live under the Roman way of culture, philosophy and way of being.
These followers of Jesus were free to be people, loved by a God who came down, died, resurrected, and had invited them to a new way of life. This life was free from the confines of Greek or Jew, free or slave, male or female. All were to be welcomed into the Kingdom of God, through Jesus the Christ. In this freeing experience, the followers of Jesus were invited to see this truth within each person they encountered. All are invited into this relationship with God and community.
We express this same truth every Sunday, when we as Disciples invite people in to share our lives with each other in this Great news! To be known and loved because God has first loved us. Our faith journey requires us to resolve to be tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant with the weak and lost…because we know that we ourselves have been all of these within our own lives.
I have some reflections as your intern, which you have privileged me to be over this last year, realizing that and being grateful for that. Only because you showed up and I was here could we have spent this year the way we did. You all have offered many hours of your life in my presence as your intern. I respect, admire, and love you for that. To be in your company and learn from you has been phenomenal as well as a privilege.
I wish to quote from Medard Laz from his book Love Adds a Little Chocolate.
I gave you life, but I cannot live it for you.
I can teach you things, but I cannot make you learn.
I can give you directions, but I cannot be there to lead you.
I can allow you freedom, but I cannot account for it.
I can take you to church, but I cannot make you believe.
I can teach you right from wrong, but I cannot always decide for you.
I can buy you beautiful things, but I cannot make you beautiful inside.
I can offer you advice, but I cannot accept it for you.
I can give you my love, but I cannot force it upon you
I can teach you to be a friend, but I cannot make one for you.
I can teach you to share, but I cannot make you unselfish.
I can teach you respect, but I cannot make you show honor.
I can advise you about friends, but I cannot choose them for you.
I can tell you lofty ideas, but I cannot achieve them for you.
I can teach you about kindness, but I cannot force you to be gracious.
I can warn you about sin, but I cannot make you moral.
I can pray for you, but I cannot make you walk with God.
I can tell you how to live, but I cannot give you eternal life.
I can love you with unconditional love all of my life, and I will!
I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart, for your inviting me into your community, to share what I know and who I am, and to learn from you all that you know and who you are as well. I have been very blessed by your life stories, witnessing God’s love manifested in all of you.
Because of your invitation and blessing me so much, I leave here secure and confident to go into my ministry, working with those transitioning from this life to the next.
Humbly, your servant in Christ Jesus,
Lyle
Read more!
“They sing of a life free and simple, with time for one another, and for people’s needs, based on the dignity of the human person, at one with nature’s beauty, crowned by poetry. If that dream dies, all our struggles die with it.”
In the early church community, where diversity of religions and peoples were common, all within the confines of the Roman culture of assimilation, the followers of Jesus responded to the invitation to be different. Different than those being forced to live under the Roman way of culture, philosophy and way of being.
These followers of Jesus were free to be people, loved by a God who came down, died, resurrected, and had invited them to a new way of life. This life was free from the confines of Greek or Jew, free or slave, male or female. All were to be welcomed into the Kingdom of God, through Jesus the Christ. In this freeing experience, the followers of Jesus were invited to see this truth within each person they encountered. All are invited into this relationship with God and community.
“They sing of a life free and simple, with time for one another, and for people’s needs, based on the dignity of the human person, at one with nature’s beauty, crowned by poetry. If that dream dies, all our struggles die with it.”
In the early church community, where diversity of religions and peoples were common, all within the confines of the Roman culture of assimilation, the followers of Jesus responded to the invitation to be different. Different than those being forced to live under the Roman way of culture, philosophy and way of being.
These followers of Jesus were free to be people, loved by a God who came down, died, resurrected, and had invited them to a new way of life. This life was free from the confines of Greek or Jew, free or slave, male or female. All were to be welcomed into the Kingdom of God, through Jesus the Christ. In this freeing experience, the followers of Jesus were invited to see this truth within each person they encountered. All are invited into this relationship with God and community.
We express this same truth every Sunday, when we as Disciples invite people in to share our lives with each other in this Great news! To be known and loved because God has first loved us. Our faith journey requires us to resolve to be tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant with the weak and lost…because we know that we ourselves have been all of these within our own lives.
I have some reflections as your intern, which you have privileged me to be over this last year, realizing that and being grateful for that. Only because you showed up and I was here could we have spent this year the way we did. You all have offered many hours of your life in my presence as your intern. I respect, admire, and love you for that. To be in your company and learn from you has been phenomenal as well as a privilege.
I wish to quote from Medard Laz from his book Love Adds a Little Chocolate.
I gave you life, but I cannot live it for you.
I can teach you things, but I cannot make you learn.
I can give you directions, but I cannot be there to lead you.
I can allow you freedom, but I cannot account for it.
I can take you to church, but I cannot make you believe.
I can teach you right from wrong, but I cannot always decide for you.
I can buy you beautiful things, but I cannot make you beautiful inside.
I can offer you advice, but I cannot accept it for you.
I can give you my love, but I cannot force it upon you
I can teach you to be a friend, but I cannot make one for you.
I can teach you to share, but I cannot make you unselfish.
I can teach you respect, but I cannot make you show honor.
I can advise you about friends, but I cannot choose them for you.
I can tell you lofty ideas, but I cannot achieve them for you.
I can teach you about kindness, but I cannot force you to be gracious.
I can warn you about sin, but I cannot make you moral.
I can pray for you, but I cannot make you walk with God.
I can tell you how to live, but I cannot give you eternal life.
I can love you with unconditional love all of my life, and I will!
I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart, for your inviting me into your community, to share what I know and who I am, and to learn from you all that you know and who you are as well. I have been very blessed by your life stories, witnessing God’s love manifested in all of you.
Because of your invitation and blessing me so much, I leave here secure and confident to go into my ministry, working with those transitioning from this life to the next.
Humbly, your servant in Christ Jesus,
Lyle
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Thursday, May 1, 2014
Giving our values,
Mine was a church-going family growing up. To be specific, we attended the Episcopal Church. Or perhaps I should that we went to several Episcopal churches, as the family moved and life changed. You’d think I’d have been disoriented worshiping at that those different congregations, but that’s the thing about the Episcopal Church. The music and priest changes from congregation to congregation, but they all do much of the same things.
Specifically, they commonly use the Book of Common Prayer, which offers the same prayers, calls and responses, beautiful words repeated weekly at the Communion Table. Which meant that growing up, I had a lot of memorizing to do! Sure, we had the books in our pews to read from, but to participate fully it was best if you knew the expectations by heart. And by the time I was a youth, I had it down cold. I could walk into any old St. Timothy’s anywhere in America and know when to stand, when to kneel, when to cross myself, when to bow my head, when to say “And also with you” and “Thanks be to God!” Sometimes, it felt like we were just going through the motions, but that wasn’t usually the case. After all, the Book of Common Prayer is a deep well of spiritual well-being. Indeed, it fostered a sense of comfort, familiarity, even love to know I could show up in a new place and feel already part of the community, once I’d learned how to “do church”, Episcopal style.
I suspect all congregations are like that. We may have fewer dedicated prayers, more variety in our Communion. But we too have established traditions and, most importantly, specific values that guide our worship and work together. And one thing we share the Episcopal Church- perhaps with all Christian churches- is a moment during our service when we give money to support the ministry. I learned how to do that too growing up, and I’m glad my parents taught me. When the collection plate went by, Mom or Dad would often give me a dollar to drop in. It made me feel as adult and important as anything else we did, I’ll have you know. I’d throw that bill into the plate with gusto and a huge smile on my face! That it wasn’t my money probably helped that joy along, but the feeling has stuck with me. Anytime now I give my family’s check (Tabitha usually does it since I have other things on my mind most Sundays), I still feel that childlike exuberance bubble up, and it helps my give.
The thing that’s changed, however, is I’ve since learned more about why I give what I give. Faith formation doesn’t end once you’ve grown out of youth group and children sermons. Now I understand better that giving money isn’t just about making Mom or God happy. It’s a tangible expression of the values I hold, and an investment in the values our church stands for.
Every year, around this time, Plymouth Creek asks people to think about their giving. Our fiscal year ends on May 31, so we need to set a budget for the coming year. That happens best, of course, if we know what our people plan to give. So we ask that you consider your financial situation, what you’re able and willing to share. But more importantly, I hope you’ll take time to reconsider the values that inspire your church participation, those we hope to teach each other and use to serve our neighbors. After all, that’s the investment you’re making with your giving; not just into buildings and salaries, but to values and God’s mission. It takes resources for that good work to happen, and I’m grateful you share yours.
If you plan to make a pledge, please fill out a card and put it in the offering plate or send it to the church office by May 25th. And whatever you give, however you give, be grateful for the values you learn by learning church, and then put into practice not simply with money on Sundays, but every day by loving your neighbors.
Grace and Peace,
Shane
Note: You may pick up a pledge card at church or contact the church office to have one sent to you.
Read more!
Specifically, they commonly use the Book of Common Prayer, which offers the same prayers, calls and responses, beautiful words repeated weekly at the Communion Table. Which meant that growing up, I had a lot of memorizing to do! Sure, we had the books in our pews to read from, but to participate fully it was best if you knew the expectations by heart. And by the time I was a youth, I had it down cold. I could walk into any old St. Timothy’s anywhere in America and know when to stand, when to kneel, when to cross myself, when to bow my head, when to say “And also with you” and “Thanks be to God!” Sometimes, it felt like we were just going through the motions, but that wasn’t usually the case. After all, the Book of Common Prayer is a deep well of spiritual well-being. Indeed, it fostered a sense of comfort, familiarity, even love to know I could show up in a new place and feel already part of the community, once I’d learned how to “do church”, Episcopal style.
I suspect all congregations are like that. We may have fewer dedicated prayers, more variety in our Communion. But we too have established traditions and, most importantly, specific values that guide our worship and work together. And one thing we share the Episcopal Church- perhaps with all Christian churches- is a moment during our service when we give money to support the ministry. I learned how to do that too growing up, and I’m glad my parents taught me. When the collection plate went by, Mom or Dad would often give me a dollar to drop in. It made me feel as adult and important as anything else we did, I’ll have you know. I’d throw that bill into the plate with gusto and a huge smile on my face! That it wasn’t my money probably helped that joy along, but the feeling has stuck with me. Anytime now I give my family’s check (Tabitha usually does it since I have other things on my mind most Sundays), I still feel that childlike exuberance bubble up, and it helps my give.
The thing that’s changed, however, is I’ve since learned more about why I give what I give. Faith formation doesn’t end once you’ve grown out of youth group and children sermons. Now I understand better that giving money isn’t just about making Mom or God happy. It’s a tangible expression of the values I hold, and an investment in the values our church stands for.
Every year, around this time, Plymouth Creek asks people to think about their giving. Our fiscal year ends on May 31, so we need to set a budget for the coming year. That happens best, of course, if we know what our people plan to give. So we ask that you consider your financial situation, what you’re able and willing to share. But more importantly, I hope you’ll take time to reconsider the values that inspire your church participation, those we hope to teach each other and use to serve our neighbors. After all, that’s the investment you’re making with your giving; not just into buildings and salaries, but to values and God’s mission. It takes resources for that good work to happen, and I’m grateful you share yours.
If you plan to make a pledge, please fill out a card and put it in the offering plate or send it to the church office by May 25th. And whatever you give, however you give, be grateful for the values you learn by learning church, and then put into practice not simply with money on Sundays, but every day by loving your neighbors.
Grace and Peace,
Shane
Note: You may pick up a pledge card at church or contact the church office to have one sent to you.
Read more!
Friday, April 25, 2014
Joyful, Joyful…
I forget when I first heard it - and an internet search didn’t reveal further information, so it’s probably nonsense- but I still enjoy the following story that once got stuck in my brain-space about something called, “Holy Hilarity Sunday”:
Long ago, an Eastern Orthodox priest lamented his church’s steep drop in attendance the Sunday after Easter. Imaging creative ways to drum up interest, he realized something new- that he could tell the Easter story not simply as the triumph of Christ and life over sin and death, but also as a cosmically-planned and guffawed-over practical joke. Indeed, he thought it may be THE greatest practical joke played in the history of EVER, in that when Satan went to God’s Son’s tomb that first Easter morn, prepared to gloat that the dark side won, the tomb was…wait for it…empty! “Fooled you, bumbling Beelzebub!” the Mighty One might’ve chortled.
Thusly the priest re-told about Easter, promising his congregation that if they showed up the following week, the entire service would be humorous and joyful, and therefore not as, well, boring as many expected. “Holy Hilarity Sunday,” it was dubbed, which then entered the ever-dynamic tradition of Christian worship possibilities. As I said, I can’t find any source confirming this story, though I enjoy believing that priest packed the house as intended!
But whatever its origin, Holy Hilarity Sunday has recently become “a thing” among some American churches. It’s not so widely accepted that you see it on printed church calendars. Nevertheless, many pastors I know practice it in their congregations year after year after Easter. For some, it’s entirely lay-driven, offering “open mic” time during worship for anyone to share her/his favorite religious-themed (and clean) jokes. For others, it’s about pastors, who worked real hard during Lent, telling nothing but corny jokes during the sermon. When I first introduced it to Plymouth Creek, I think that second option was what some feared. I heard various kinds of the following feedback, “But Shane, you already tell enough groaners every Sunday; do we really need more?!” Fair point. So we’ve tried to make this admittedly arbitrary and made-up “holiday” slightly more profound. Every year post-Easter, we explore the unique value of joy in the spiritual life. And, yes, I tell variously corny jokes.
But here’s my reasoning behind that attempt at humorous profundity. In recent years, I’ve grown disillusioned with what currently passes as “wisdom.” Namely, I see on TV and read on the internet too many snide, self-satisfied information peddlers who only critique, criticize and condemn others, then call themselves smart. Newsworthy has become synonymous with gloomy. Intelligent commentary is oftentimes only deemed trustworthy when the commentator’s negative. Therefore, when a person is happy, upbeat, excited, the chattering class ironically rolls their eyes and mutters, “How quaint…” As if earnest joy is childish, useless.
I find this trend- wherein trustworthy sources of truth are solely those that have little nice to say- an incredibly worrying, to say nothing of fundamentally misleading, development in our culture. For starters, Christians claim that The most newsworthy event we know of is Good News- Christ is risen! Death, injustice, intolerance- however terrible and sinful- don’t win in the end. Love does. Besides, as I’ve written about before, some of the world’s latest, most interesting developments are hopeful trends in global health, violence reduction, etc.. Not that you’d know any of that by watching cable news.
In other words, positivity, hope and joy aren’t fake accessories we manufacture in order to feel better amidst an ever-crumbling world. Rather, they’re critical lenses through which we must look in order to understand this world better. After all, if we listen just to the gloom masquerading as wisdom these days, we may wake up thinking, “Is it worth it, trying to make a difference?” We won’t work to make better those things that haven’t yet gotten better fast enough for enough people. That’s why every year, Plymouth Creek reflects on the power of joy in our spirituality and daily lives. Because that’s both truest and the proper response to our favorite Good News: Christ’s resurrection! Sorry that it takes some groaning jokes to remember…
Grace and Peace,
Shane
Read more!
Long ago, an Eastern Orthodox priest lamented his church’s steep drop in attendance the Sunday after Easter. Imaging creative ways to drum up interest, he realized something new- that he could tell the Easter story not simply as the triumph of Christ and life over sin and death, but also as a cosmically-planned and guffawed-over practical joke. Indeed, he thought it may be THE greatest practical joke played in the history of EVER, in that when Satan went to God’s Son’s tomb that first Easter morn, prepared to gloat that the dark side won, the tomb was…wait for it…empty! “Fooled you, bumbling Beelzebub!” the Mighty One might’ve chortled.
Thusly the priest re-told about Easter, promising his congregation that if they showed up the following week, the entire service would be humorous and joyful, and therefore not as, well, boring as many expected. “Holy Hilarity Sunday,” it was dubbed, which then entered the ever-dynamic tradition of Christian worship possibilities. As I said, I can’t find any source confirming this story, though I enjoy believing that priest packed the house as intended!
But whatever its origin, Holy Hilarity Sunday has recently become “a thing” among some American churches. It’s not so widely accepted that you see it on printed church calendars. Nevertheless, many pastors I know practice it in their congregations year after year after Easter. For some, it’s entirely lay-driven, offering “open mic” time during worship for anyone to share her/his favorite religious-themed (and clean) jokes. For others, it’s about pastors, who worked real hard during Lent, telling nothing but corny jokes during the sermon. When I first introduced it to Plymouth Creek, I think that second option was what some feared. I heard various kinds of the following feedback, “But Shane, you already tell enough groaners every Sunday; do we really need more?!” Fair point. So we’ve tried to make this admittedly arbitrary and made-up “holiday” slightly more profound. Every year post-Easter, we explore the unique value of joy in the spiritual life. And, yes, I tell variously corny jokes.
But here’s my reasoning behind that attempt at humorous profundity. In recent years, I’ve grown disillusioned with what currently passes as “wisdom.” Namely, I see on TV and read on the internet too many snide, self-satisfied information peddlers who only critique, criticize and condemn others, then call themselves smart. Newsworthy has become synonymous with gloomy. Intelligent commentary is oftentimes only deemed trustworthy when the commentator’s negative. Therefore, when a person is happy, upbeat, excited, the chattering class ironically rolls their eyes and mutters, “How quaint…” As if earnest joy is childish, useless.
I find this trend- wherein trustworthy sources of truth are solely those that have little nice to say- an incredibly worrying, to say nothing of fundamentally misleading, development in our culture. For starters, Christians claim that The most newsworthy event we know of is Good News- Christ is risen! Death, injustice, intolerance- however terrible and sinful- don’t win in the end. Love does. Besides, as I’ve written about before, some of the world’s latest, most interesting developments are hopeful trends in global health, violence reduction, etc.. Not that you’d know any of that by watching cable news.
In other words, positivity, hope and joy aren’t fake accessories we manufacture in order to feel better amidst an ever-crumbling world. Rather, they’re critical lenses through which we must look in order to understand this world better. After all, if we listen just to the gloom masquerading as wisdom these days, we may wake up thinking, “Is it worth it, trying to make a difference?” We won’t work to make better those things that haven’t yet gotten better fast enough for enough people. That’s why every year, Plymouth Creek reflects on the power of joy in our spirituality and daily lives. Because that’s both truest and the proper response to our favorite Good News: Christ’s resurrection! Sorry that it takes some groaning jokes to remember…
Grace and Peace,
Shane
Read more!
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