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“You shall be called repairers of the breach.” ~Isaiah 58:12
This verse comes from the reading for Ash Wednesday, where God lets us know that the fast acceptable is one that helps the poor, the oppressed, the captive. Verse 10 says, “if you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness…” In this time of Lent when we are seeking to renew our spiritual practices, God says very clearly these are the spiritual practices I choose for you.
We have all read and heard of the devastation of the winter storms in Texas and its neighboring states. Whenever I hear of these disasters, I give thanks that I am Presbyterian. Because I know that the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) program (which is funded through the One Great Hour of Sharing), is already reaching out through presbyteries and congregations to partner with them to helping with what will most certainly be a long-term recovery. Long after the new sources have moved on to other stories PDA is there supporting and rebuilding- “repairing the breach.”
PDA is at work wherever there is suffering. If you want to know about all the ways they are serving God’s people go to https://pda.pcusa.org and learn about the numerous efforts underway, some of which have been continuing for years. We continue to send volunteer teams long after others have gone home. PDA has a three-prong approach: GAP: Give, Act, Pray.
If it were up to only us to provide relief we could not do a great deal. But when we join with siblings in Christ we can do amazing things to bring the love of Christ to God’s people.
We will be receiving the One Great Hour of Sharing closer to Easter. Some of you received the iconic fish banks to collect money throughout Lent. We do still have a few left at church for those who want one. When we give to One Great Hour we are making sure we have resources immediately available when they are needed- not only for disaster assistance, but also for hunger and self-development programs around the world.
We are better together!
Pastor Kathy
“Do one thing every day that scares you.” Eleanor Roosevelt
Last Sunday in our children’s Sunday School class and this week in the Adult Bible Study we were studying the story of when Jesus and the disciples were in a boat and a storm came up. (Mark 4: 35-41; Matt. 8: 23-27) While the disciples were frantically trying to bail water out of the boat so that they did not drown, Jesus is in the stern of the boat…taking a nap! The disciples wake him wondering how he could sleep when they all were about to die. Jesus gets up and with a word calms the wind and water. He then asks them how they could have so little faith.
While most of us might have difficulty naming fears, we all have them. Some of them keep us safe – like fear of poisonous snakes. Others keep us from doing something stupid, like touching a hot stove. But then there are fears that can cause hurt to others and keep us from living in faith. The irrational fear of someone whose who culture or life is so different from ours that we cannot understand it or whose world view is something with which we do not agree. Our fear can cause us to say or do things that are hurtful; to criticize and judge and demean. It can lead us to exclude and discriminate.
Fear can also paralyze us from doing what we know is right. We all want to be liked, to get along with others. But sometimes doing the right thing means we are going to go against others. And that can be scary. Faithful courage is a spiritual discipline and it must be practiced. The quote from Eleanor Roosevelt helps us with this in very simple terms: “Do one thing every day that scares you.” Maybe that is calling someone with whom you’ve argued. Maybe it means reaching out to someone whose life you do not understand and taking time to listen to them or finding a common interest and pursuing it.
As we begin this season of Lent may we confess our fears and take up courage as something we will practice daily as a way of building up our faith in Jesus.
Journeying with you,
Pastor Kathy
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“For there is always light if only we’re brave enough to see it,
If only we’re brave enough to be it.” ~ Amanda Gorman, “The Hill We Climb”
If you have not heard or read the 2021 Inaugural Poem by Amanda Gorman, I commend it to you. Because what she says in it is such a wonderful reflection of who we are to be as people of faith. Understanding we are not perfect yet striving to be better; knowing that what just is, is not justice; and as the words above state, to lift our gaze to what stands before us.
It reminded me of the prophet Isaiah, who said, “Arise, shine, for your light has come.” Or Jesus who told us that we are the light of the world. God continues to speak to us in a myriad of ways, including Ms. Gorman, a 22-year-old woman and the first national youth poet laureate. Last week I wrote about the words and pictures of a young child of our congregation. Now we hear from one who has wisdom beyond her years already. God is still speaking, if we are quiet enough to listen.
As resurrection people, we are to be about bringing light into the world. What is the light we are bringing now, in this time and day? What is the hope and good news we bring in the midst of these days of difficulty and stress? I believe Ms. Gorman is right – it takes courage to be light, to bear hope. Because the world prefers the shadows, feeds on fear and despair.
Whether we take our inspiration from this poet or the prophet or our Lord, let us be the light, and bear hope to one another and our world.
Serving Christ with you,
Pastor Kathy