While our excellent Capital Campaign Council (chaired by Cindy Wetz) executed Church Extension’s plan for congregational building fund-raising, I spent much of April celebrating the lives and ministries of some extraordinary elders of the Christian faith even as I learned their lessons and drew inspiration from them to carry on the witness for justice and peace. First, in Indiana at the fourth session of Women Touched by Grace, we experienced depths of silence interspersed with wise words from Rev. Margaret Guenther, an Episcopal priest, author and spiritual director. A woman in her seventies, she reflected on a variety of conversations that Jesus had with a wide range of people, from the woman at the well to the man by the pool at Bethsaida to Mary and Martha in their home to Peter at that breakfast on the beach. Being able to dwell on our speaker’s ponderings in the silence of the monastery helped us to “dive deep” into those conversations and receive some guidance for the questions we would bring to Jesus. I then traveled to Connecticut to celebrate my mentor’s 70th birthday as well as her life and work. It was incredible to be gathered with so many who have been shaped by Professor Margaret Farley’s teaching of ethics and embodiment of a favorite theme (and book title),Compassionate Respect. Panel discussions provoked much debate. Only two weeks later, I returned for another celebration of the life and work of the better known Rev. William Sloan Coffin, now 81 years old but as prophetic as ever. As Peter and Paul sang all the old favorites like Where Have All the Flowers Gone? and Blowin’ in the Wind (Mary was excused due to bone marrow transplant operation that day), we were reminded by speeches and panel discussions that when Coffin became the first white minister to join the FreedomRiders and when he led protests against the Vietnam war, these were prophetic but hugely unpopular stands. AND they were faithful, gospel-based responses. AND his witness made a difference. Sitting at the feet of these inspiring elders and contemplating their respective witnesses has strengthened my resolve to search for the faithful response to each challenge (whether spiritual, ethical or political) and pray for the courage to persevere, whatever conventional wisdom and popular opinion may say. That’s what our congregation has done consistently over the years, even in our building project. Thanks be to God! Shalom, Maureen |
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Pastor's Corner