LESSONS LEARNED

Last Sunday, I completed the sermon series "The Gospel According to Dr. Seuss." It was a fun and intriguing series. It's amazing just how much you can learn about yourself and the world in which we live from children's books. Let me recap the series and one learning I had from each story:

The Cat in the Hat Comes Back - Jesus Christ is our Savior, our God, who came into the world we messed up to collect the trash and kick it out of our lives (the power of 'Voom!').

Yertle the Turtle - Build your houses and your very lives on the rock – Jesus Christ. We do this by living in humility, by being caring instead of selfish, by pursuing justice instead of power, and by letting the light of love for others shine far and wide.

What Was I Scared Of? - Fears limit our ability to reach our full potential as individuals and as the church. While faith will not eliminate our fears, faith does give us the discipline, confidence and courage to move forward in spite of our fears.

Horton Hears a Who - "A person is a person, no matter how small." (See previous post)

The Zax - We have a choice - we can reach out and accept God's free gift of grace, or we can live like the Zax: dependent upon old patterns and habits (I did it my way...) that only lead to being stuck.

Bartholomew and the Oobleck - Two simple words, "I'm sorry," have the power to save marriages, friendships, and relationships. But the words, "I forgive you" carry even greater potential.

The Sneetches - Instead of focusing on our differences, let us celebrate those things which we have in common with all Christians: creation, calling, Christ. Proclaiming and celebrating unity in the church means learning from our differences instead of allowing them to divide us.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas - We cannot raise ourselves up by bringing people down. Even the hard-to-love need to experience love freely given. People can change...they really can!

If you weren't able to join us for this summer series, I would invite you to check out the full sermon texts on our church website: www.willmarumc.org. After you've read them, or after listening, I'm curious to know what (if anything!) you've learned from Dr. Seuss.

Let's chat!

HORTON TEACHES US ABOUT IMMIGRATION

This summer, I have been using a great resource, The Gospel According to Dr. Seuss, in worship and Sunday School. It has been great fun and the response, for the most part, has been very positive.

This past week, we looked at what Horton, the cute and compassionate elephant from Horton Hears a Who, teaches us about immigration. Here is the last part of that message:

* * * * * * *

When Horton is faced with the mocking and ridicule of his friends, he begins to wonder if it’s all worth it. He faces the dilemma I mentioned earlier - walk away from this act of justice, or stick it out amid the junk. Horton wonders our loud:

"Should I put this speck down?" Horton thought with alarm.
"If I do, these small persons may come to great harm.
I can’t put it down. And I won’t! After all
A person’s a person. No matter how small."

A person’s a person, no matter how small. It’s not difficult for me to make the leap and expand on that phrase:
Ÿ A person’s a person no matter how young…or how old
Ÿ A person’s a person no matter male or female
Ÿ A person’s a person no matter his or her sexual orientation
Ÿ A person’s a person no matter the language they speak or their country of origin
Ÿ A person’s a person no matter what kind of documentation they possess…or don’t

But again, this isn’t just my radical thought. We find a similar sentiment in the words of Jesus. In Luke chapter 12, Jesus is teaching his friends about living fearlessly. He reminds them of their importance to God with these words: “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God’s sight. But even the hairs of your head are all counted. Do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

What Jesus is saying here is that God cares for us - all of us - deeply and intimately. Jesus references the common sparrow - the most plain and ordinary and probably worthless bird in all of creation. If a person was looking for a low-budget bird, sparrows were always on sale - five for two pennies. And yet, Jesus says, God cares even for these clearance sale priced creatures. And if God can care for the lowly sparrow, how much more will God care for the human creation? It may be beyond belief, but God loves us so much…God cares for us so deeply, that even the hairs on our head are counted and known by God.

Later in the New Testament, in the book of 1 John, we are told to love one another just as God has loved us. Doesn’t it follow that if God loves us so much that even the hairs on our heads are known and numbered, that we ought to get to know one another that intimately? And if in God’s Kingdom there are no unimportant persons - no throw-aways - no second-class citizens, shouldn’t we look at all persons in that light?

At the end of Horton Hears a Who, when the tiny voices have finally been heard and the village of Whoville is saved, Horton the elephant smiles and says:

"Do you see what I mean?…
They’ve proved they ARE persons, no matter how small.
And their whole world was saved by the Smallest of All!”

And the big kangaroo, who had been Horton’s biggest critic, has an epiphany:

"How true! Yes, how true, said the big kangaroo
And, from now on, you know what I’m planning to do?…
From now on, I’m going to protect them with you!"
And the young kangaroo in her pouch said,…

"ME TOO!

From sun in the summer. From rain when it’s fall-ish
I’m going to protect them. No matter how small-ish."

May we do the same. AMEN.

AWED...AND ODD

Last week I was at Annual Conference and listened to (among other things) our Bishop, Sally Dyck. It’s not easy being a Bishop, especially at the time of the Annual Conference session. Along with having to run the “business” part of the meetings (think Parliamentary Procedure, Robert’s Rules of Order, and a whole host of other technicalities…), the Bishop preaches at least twice – at the opening worship (which is really called the Episcopal Address) and at the Service of Ordination. Both of her messages this year were quite memorable; her Ordination sermon spoke to me personally, and her opening message presented a challenge to the church.

In her Episcopal Address, Bishop Dyck spoke about being awed. Have you been awed by God lately? Do you live your live with a sense of awe and wonder?

Awe is the emotion described in the opening verse of the great old hymn “How Great Thou Art:”
O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
consider all the worlds thy hands have made
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Awe is also the emotion poured out by the psalmist when he considered God as the creator in Psalm 33:
By the word of the Lord the heavens were made,
And all their host by the breath of his mouth.
He gathered the waters of the sea as in a bottle;
He put the deeps in storehouses.
Let all the earth fear the Lord;
Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.
For he spoke, and it came to be;
He commanded, and it stood firm.

When was the last time you were awed by God?

But that word – awed – is pronounced just like another word with a completely different meaning – odd. Are you odd for God?

In today’s world, we seem to be complacent with the disasters that happen around us. Another oil spill, another tornado or hurricane, another war. We can get just as complacent about the more ‘personal’ disasters happening to the people around us: hunger, violence, homelessness, racism, poverty, and the list goes on. In today’s world, it is considered odd to care, to take a stand, to perform not just acts of charity, but also acts of justice.

It is odd to live the words of the prophet Isaiah in chapter 58:
Is not this the fast I choose: To loose the bonds of injustice,
To undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
And bring the homeless poor into your house;
When you see the naked, to cover them,
And not to hide yourself from your own kin?

Being awed by God ought to lead to being odd for God.

Are you being awed?

Are you being odd?

Let's chat!

Charity and Justice

Within the church (and even outside of the church), there are a number of opportunities to 'do good' for others. We can make a serve a meal, visit someone in the hospital or prison, assist with rent or mortgage payments, or facilitate medical treatment. There are just a few of the acts that would fall into the category of charity.

Charity is doing the 'good works' that are needed to assist people with an immediate need. Anyone who has time or money or energy can participate in acts of charity.

Working for justice is a bit different. Justice work involves contacting legislators, lobbying local and national elected leaders, marching in a rally, or supporting a local community organization that empowers low-income people to address issues that impact them.

Charity and justice are different...and yet they are the same. Because hopefully both produce the same or a similar result - to right a wrong, to eradicate injustice and oppression, and to comfort the afflicted. We need both - charity and justice - to be Jesus in the world today.

Charity meets the immediate needs of persons and families; but charity alone does not change social structures that attack human dignity, oppress people, and contribute to poverty. Pursuing social justice helps us change oppressive social structures; but we cannot ignore the urgent needs of persons while we work for social change.

As Americans with our emphasis on "me, me, me," we tend to emphasize charity over justice. We know that we should be doing something (because "the Bible tells me so"), and so we pull out our wallet or checkbook or credit card and we give. That's easy for us. That's comfortable. And in some cases, that's all that is needed. But in many more cases, a greater action is called for. This action cannot be fully effective unless it is a communal effort. But when carried out, it has the power and ability to transform institutional policies, societal laws, and unjust social situations.

Charity and justice - may we work not just to recognize both, but to do both.

Let's chat!

Ages and Stages

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.”
-Ecclesiastes 3:1

As pastors, we have the wonderful privilege of seeing the entire life cycle in the people with whom we serve. We see babies shortly after they are born, and then have the opportunity to baptize them, welcoming them into the family of God. We see children in Sunday School and Vacation Bible School as they expand their knowledge and love of God. We am blessed to be able to present third graders with what for many is their first Bible.

We see youth as they move into Middle School and youth group. We get to teach Confirmation to these students, and then celebrate with them as they finish that part of their journey. We have the wonderful opportunity of helping these youth celebrate their graduations from high school and college, congratulating them on the completion of this step of their journey and offering a blessing for the next steps.

As these young people grow older, some will choose their life partner, and we am invited to help prepare for and officiate at their wedding. Some of these couples will have children, and the cycle for that infant begins. For the adults the journey continues.

We am invited into hospital rooms when injury or illness occurs, and when death is imminent, we are often called upon. We gather with families to care for the grieving and plan a funeral. And in the midst of death, we celebrate life.

Sometimes these events are spread out over the course of a year; other times they come quickly. This month has been one of those periods. We’ll celebrate two baptisms, the end of the Sunday School year, graduation, Confirmation, and a funeral. And I wonder why events pile up the way they do. But then I remember, it’s not my plan, not my schedule – it’s God’s.

“He [God] has made everything suitable for its time”
-Ecclesiastes 1:11

I continue to cherish the opportunity to experience birth and death and all of the events in between. I give thanks that God has called me and offered me the privilege of walking life’s journey – the full circle of life – with folks. And I give thanks that at every stage of life – of my life and the lives of others – God is there, too.

The words of a newer hymn, “I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry,” remind us of that. It’s as if God sings to us:

“I was there to hear your borning cry, I’ll be there when you are old.
I rejoiced the day you were baptized, to see your life unfold.”

Let's Chat!

Why Immigration?

As many of you know, I have become involved in the immigration reform "movement." In addition to my role as a pastor, I serve on our Annual Conference Church and Society Ministry Team with a specific role as the Refugee/Immigration Coordinator (RIMCOR).

People often ask me why I have chosen this area of advocacy and my first response is "I didn't - God chose it for me." You see, for 15 years I served in local churches that were 100% white. Even in a suburb of Minneapolis/St. Paul, the congregation I served was homogeneous.

Then, 3 1/2 years ago, I was appointed to serve the Willmar United Methodist Church. My initial thought was rural, county seat community = homogeneity (another all white community). That thought was quickly dispelled.

Moving here, I learned of the great diversity present. I was told that approximately 20% of the population was Latino, about 5% Somali, and a smaller percentage of a number of other ethnic backgrounds. When our daughter started kindergarten, her class was 50% white and 50% "non-native."

At the same time we moved here, a Spanish-language ministry had begun meeting in the church. The ministry, led by a man named Tomas, was enthusiastically teaching the gospel through bi-lingual songs, prayers, readings, and a sermon.

Tomas quickly became a friend. He and his wife and their four children made quite an impression on our family, and we talked often. One morning - a weekday morning when Tomas should have been at work and the children in school - Tomas and his entire family showed up at my office. I invited them in and they anxiously told me about the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid that had taken place in Willmar the previous day. Some of their friends, including two people from their ministry (one who was an accomplished musician and led music for their service) had been detained and their whereabouts was unknown. Many others from the Latino community had gone into hiding - afraid to show up at work or school for fear that ICE was still in the area. Tomas and his family had left their mobile home and spent the night at a friend's home in the city, where they felt safer. Throughout the community, there was a noticeable absence of Latinos.

I had listened to their story of fear and feelings of intimidation. In addition, I knew that the scriptures of Christians and Jews, the Bible, have a lot to say about "resident aliens," "foreigners in your midst," "sojourners and strangers among you." How a society treats strangers, foreigners and resident aliens is arguably a major focus, even preoccupation, of the Bible. I knew then that I could not sit idly and do nothing.

Since that time, I have written a piece of legislation for our Annual Conference. I have attended training sessions and workshops in New York, Chicago, and Washington D.C. I have spoken at events, assisted in leading workshops, and participated in both a march on the Capital Mall and a local Interfaith Prayer Vigil. I have sat in the offices of my Senators and Representative in DC, and communicated with politicians at the state and city level.

For me, all of this boils down to one simple understanding - all persons are created in the image of God, and all persons are deserving of worth and respect. Some will argue, "But they're illegal," or accuse me of supporting "the illegals." But to me, no human being is illegal (undocumented, maybe, but certainly not illegal). And until something happens that allows my friends like Tomas to come out of the shadows, I will continue the fight.

Care to join me? Let's chat!

Always Be a Child

This past Sunday, I was privileged to share in the sacrament of baptism. At the conclusion of that baptism, as is my tradition, I walked up and down the center aisle of the church singing to Raelynn. The song I sang on Sunday, as requested by the parents, was “Always Be a Child.”

I’ve sung that song literally hundreds of times (counting all the rehearsals and singing in the shower), but I’ve never had quite the same feeling as I did on Sunday. Let me try to explain.

As I walked and sang, I could see the baby's eyes growing heavier and heavier. She was obviously very relaxed and enjoying every moment. As I watched her eyes finally close, I listened to the words that I was singing:

“You will always be a child in my eyes.
And when you need some love, my arms are open wide.
And even when you’re growing old, I hope you’ll realize
You will always be a child in my eyes.”

I couldn’t help but connect the message of the words from the song with the actions of this tiny infant. It was almost as if she was saying (without saying anything at all):
As a child of God, I am happy
As a child of God, I am content
As a child of God, I am at peace

And therein lies the message for all of us. As children of God, we have been given some pretty awesome promises. God promises to never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). God promises to prosper us, and offers us a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). God tells us as God told Paul in a dream, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not be silent; for I am with you, and no one will lay a hand on you to harm you” (Acts 18:9-10). God even promises blessings to those who are poor in spirit, those who mourn, those who are meek, those who hunger for righteousness, those who are merciful, those who are pure in heart, or those who strive for peace. Theirs, God says, will be the kingdom of heaven.

Do we believe these promises? Do we live our lives as if we have already received these promises? Are we actively seeking out these and other promises from God?

If we are, then I am quite sure that we, too, will be happy;
If we are, then we, too, will be content;
If we are, then we, too, will live in peace, for we are all children of God.

Let's chat!