What a gift it is to serve this community. It seems like such a simple thing, but as I have talked with many of you in the past week, making sure that you were safe and cared for after the storms of last week (both the physical and emotional ones), I was reminded time and time again how grateful that I am God called me to serve with and for this church. If I didn’t talk to you this past week, and you are in need in any way, please do reach out. You are a beloved part of this community. I continue to pray for each of you as we move into the fall- a time of reflection and preparation. In fact, Advent starts in just 81 days. Just typing that had me opening my calendar app and double checking. This year has sure flown by quickly and while we are not together in person as we hoped to be, continuing to do the hard thing of keeping each other safe through digital worship, we know we are always together in spirit.
I want to offer a special blessing to all of our young ones who are headed back to school, and their parents and caretakers. For our young ones - May the year ahead be filled with curiosity, wonder, and growth. May God’s love be shown to you every day and in every way. And remember when you feel stuck or have a hard day, ask for help and know that grace and patience are all part of the learning journey. You’ve got this! We are praying for you and know that God is with you in all you do. And for ourParents and Caretakers – May you know your young one is in the hands of God when they are out of your reach. May you feel heard and find support when asking questions about your child’s health and learning needs. May your young ones always be safe in their body, mind, and spirit. You’ve done what you can – they’ve got this – and it's thanks to you and the love and support you have given them from the day they came into your life. We are praying for you and know that God is with you in all you do.
This week is going to be hard for all of us as we remember the trauma of September 11th, 2001. It is one of those days that if you were old enough to know what was happening, you remember exactly where you were and all the emotions of that time. 20 years seems like both a long time ago – but the day itself seems to be much less far away. Memories, especially ones that are formed in trauma- can often transcend time in that way. I didn’t live in New York then, but I know many of you did. Many of you lost so much that day including loved ones. So, this week, I hope you will do what you need to care for yourself. Be gentle in your grief and reach out when you feel that tug of longing. I will be downtown on Saturday, offering prayers as I do every year. I will be praying for each of you as well. Traumatic anniversaries, pandemics, and violent storms all in one week is too much for any one person to process alone. Make time with your therapist, call a loved one, social distance with a friend. But always remember that you are so loved and a valued part of God’s community.
This is a lot, friends, as Don Henley sings, “In a New York Minute, everything can change,” and we have felt that in our bones this past week, these past two years, and these past 20 years. But somethings like God’s love for each of us and the love we are called to grow and care for in community are forever. May we be reminded that scripture can be a form of community love and care. Paul in his letter to the Romans that we read from today, has a message for such a time as this. A message that speaks to the vacillating and myriad of emotions that accompany life.
9 Your love must be sincere. Hate what is evil and cling to what is good.
10 Love one another with the affection of sisters and brothers. Try to outdo one another in showing respect.
11 Don’t grow slack but be fervent in spirit: the One you serve is Christ.
12 Rejoice in hope; be patient under trial; persevere in prayer.
13 Look on the needs of God’s holy people as your own; be generous in offering hospitality.
14 Bless your persecutors—bless and don’t curse them.
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Have the same attitude toward everyone.
Don’t be condescending to those who aren’t as well off as you; don’t be conceited.
17 Don’t repay evil with evil.
Be concerned with the highest ideal in the eyes of all people.
18 Do all you can to be at peace with everyone.
19 Don’t take revenge; leave room, my friends, for God’s wrath. To quote scripture, “‘Vengeance is mine, I will pay them back,’ says our God.” 20 But there is more:
“If your enemies are hungry, feed them;
if they are thirsty, give them drink.
For in doing so, you will heap burning coals
upon their heads.”
21 Don’t be overcome by evil but overcome evil by doing good.
[Romans 12:9-21 (ILB)/ Romanos 12:9-21 (NVI)]
Friends, take care of yourself this week. Rest when you can. Find joy where you can. It is normal and good to remember and reflect on the past, but don’t neglect your present, or forget that God is calling you into a future that we are all building together. A future of loving care in this beloved community. A future that is the Kindom of God’s eternal embrace.
Shalom Y'all,
Rev. Stephanie
Simple Prayer: O Holy One Draw Near. O Holy One Draw Near. O Holy One Draw Near. Amen.
Children and Youth Ministry Update
from Kelsey Creech, Resident Seminarian
Our weekly Children’s Worship meetings have resumed!
Last Sunday, our older students met at 10 AM. We spent some time in fellowship talking about our summers, then read last week’s scripture and spent a lot of time in discussion about Jesus’ insistence on people keeping his identity and the healing miracles he performed secret. From the mind of one of our young people came the comment that Jesus probably didn’t want people to know who he was because Jesus wanted to experience being a person, without the pressure of performing miracles everywhere he went. We spent time thinking about Jesus, the human, and the ways he was a flesh and blood person.
Then at 10:30, our younger students met. Our children led our time together as we spent time in fellowship, then read “Jesus Heals a Little Girl” in our Tiny Truths Illustrated Bible and talked about the story. We prayed, sang, and said goodbye with a blessing.
This Sunday, the older children will meet at 10 AM for fellowship and to read Romans 12:9-21, and the younger children will meet at 10:30 AM and read “Jesus Loves Kids” in our Tiny Truths Illustrated Bible. I’m looking forward to these conversations with our children about the many ways Love can happen, why we love, and how love is tied to justice.
Grateful for you and holding you all in prayer always.
Joyfully yours,
Kelsey Creech
Resident Seminarian
(The illustration above is from page 186 of Tiny Truths Illustrated Bible)
Well, it isn't food for your stomach (though when we are able to meet again in person, we will share a brown bag lunch right after church), but it is food — almost a banquet — for your soul.
SoulFood Fellowship is a gathering of The PARK members and friends who get together from near and far after worship on the third Sunday of each month. We engage in conversation that is bound to get you thinking and talking. We discuss and reflect on books, articles, documentary films, or plays —in light of our faith, Bible Study, and concern for social justice.
We have concluded our study of Juan Gonzalez's Harvest of Empire, and on July 18 we'll be taking up a new social justice focus—beginning with a review and commentary by one of our participants and followed by our response with regard to what God requires of us. We would love to have you join us and share your perspective, experience, hopes, and concerns.
SFF will meet next on July 18--but not in August.
For more information, please contact either Richard Sturm or Stephanie Wilson.
Pandemic of Love is a mutual aid community of care that was started in response to the COVID-19 epidemic. It humbly began on March 14th, 2020 by one person and was intended to help her own local community. But, like an epidemic, the act of love and kindness spread quickly and is now a beautiful movement helping those in need throughout the world.
What is a mutual aid community? It connects people in need with patrons who can help with that need. This is a tangible way for people to give to each other, quickly, discretely and directly.
What’s the catch? There is none. Kind people are introduced to kind people which results in an act of kindness and human connection.
