How Do We Prepare for Pentecost?

Last week I was reminded of a quote from Richard Rohr, “Humans often end up doing evil by thinking we can and must eliminate all evil, instead of holding it, suffering it ourselves, and learning from it, as Jesus does on the cross.”

As I ponder this thought I find myself curious about the 50 days between Resurrection Sunday and Pentecost. Did I, as a pastor, guide us “through” Eastertide in a way that truly prepares us for the outpouring of God’s Spirit in our lives? In our church?

Then, again, how does one fully prepare for such an outpouring?

I wonder if these 50 days went by as quickly for the disciples in the 1st Century as they have for us.

I wonder if they totally missed this time because the grief and splendor of death and resurrection were too much to comprehend and process in such a short period of time.

Can one truly prepare for such a day as Pentecost?

Ironically, Pentecost was a day they knew quite well. They prepared for it every year since the days of Moses. How amazing that the Breath of God would exhale something new and powerful into such a familiar space so that each could understand in a personal and familiar way the power of God’s love.

So maybe, just maybe, we eliminate evil, not by predicting and plotting, but by suffering and learning, and by allowing the Spirit of God to exhale something new and powerful into a day like today.

Pastor Jo

May 22, 2023

Milestones...

This past Sunday we shared in the confirmation of 5 youth. We also renewed our commitment and reaffirmed our faith. As we prepare for “Senior Sunday” we will celebrate another milestone in the lives of our graduating seniors.

What do these milestones mean to us as a community? After the birthday, the anniversary, the confirmation, the graduation — do we simply pack it all away as a memory? Is it meant to be more?

Milestone. What an interesting word! According the Webster a milestone is best seen as a milepost. A post set along the way to designate distance in miles.

For most of us milestones are events that have happened. But dare we look ahead at the markers that are ahead of us? Considering the next marker on our journey, what do we hope to gain? Who do we hope to become when we reach the next milestone?

As we prepare to gather this Sunday, Ephesians 1:17-8 stands out.

“I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you”

May we continue the journey celebrating what has been and what is yet to be, with the “eyes of our hearts enlightened.”

Blessings,

Pastor Jo

GUMBO: Creating Space for Everyone

Ki ngombo. Sunday I gave my best effort to pronounce this West African word which translates as okra. I then shared this excerpt from a 2020 article written by Nikesha Williams:

“Gumbo, in a sense, is the best part of the worst moments of our history.

It is the legacy of both make-do cabin cooking in the slave quarters

and the opulence of fine dining during parties at the plantation house.

It is the syncretism of culture, race, and class,

but most importantly, it is the lasting connection between kin.”

Okra was used as a thickener. When okra wasn't in season they borrowed from local Native Americans who taught them to use powdered sassafras leaves, better known as filé (also used as a thickening). Roux, adapted from the French, is introduced much later.

The Spaniards introduced us to the “Holy Trinity,” onion, bell pepper, and celery. There’s also a hint of Caribbean influence, and whatever your grandmother added.

Gumbo has a rich history of inclusion and a willingness to share and adapt. How does our faith community compare to gumbo? Are we adaptable? Willing to learn from one another and share from one another — even those who aren’t like us?

Throughout scripture we see Jesus creating a space for everyone. The religious leaders and the outcasts, the rising stars and the downtrodden are all invited to sit at the same table and experience the same grace and acceptance. Dare we, who claim to be followers of Jesus, be so bold?

Pastor Jo

March 15, 2023