Beloved,
It’s a cold week here in Winterville. Your warm reception to us weary Mexico Missioners last Sunday gave way quickly to the dull damp chill of Febrmarch. Just 6 days ago, we sat in a quiet, grassy, sun-dappled courtyard in Guadalajara, kindled with the desire to alleviate suffering among the children of the Casa going forward, kindled with a passion to keep our newfound connections alive, on fire with an awareness of God that seemed deeper, stronger, realer to us than She has been for years, perhaps ever.
Then, Febrmarch. Throughout our lives, we come close to the fire, feel our joints melting, our flesh thawing, the heat on our faces. Inevitably, warmed, we fall asleep near the fire, and when we wake, most of the time, the fire’s gone out. How do we keep the fire alive? How do we maintain our connection to God, our passion and commitment for the poor, when all along our own needs and normativity call us back into sameness and self-absorption? How do we keep moving forward on this journey, so we don’t die of cold in the wilderness? It was a real question for the Israelites in Exodus, from whom we draw wisdom this Sabbath (Exodus 13:17-22). It is a real question for us.
14 of the 17 missioners will lead worship this Sunday. Keisa waves from Kentucky; Jen and Matthew will skype in by sound from his mom’s home in Alabama. The rest of us will be present to try to communicate, using words if necessary, what happened last week at the Casa San Jose orphanage, how you were a part of it, how you can be a part of it, what it might mean for your life and faith. Our liturgist is Liz, our preachers are Pete, Jamie, Becca. Melissa. will take the offering. Erica and Rafe will offer a time for children. Owen, Sophia, Jen , Andrea and Gary will read. Pete, Steve H. and I will reprise our Casa pickup band of trumpet, recorder and uke.
You will taste and see, something of what we tasted and saw. We hope you will take credit for it, you who made it possible, you Body of Christ. We pray you will catch fire and not rest until you have gone for yourselves, until you too have felt those warm, small arms around you, and known the touch of God.
After church: a lunch for those discerning the future of re/New, begins at 11:45; Cantata rehearsal at 12:30, and mission team redux at 2:15p to keep the fire alive.
Christlove
Molly
Dear Beloved,
Last Sunday morning, Christy Z. preached a great sermon about moving from indebtedness to becoming debt-free. She gave some wonderful simple shift tips to help.
“Here are some other tips you may have heard but are definitely worth repeating:
• If you have debt, pay off the highest interest rate first.
• Call periodically to try to get your rates lowered.
• Pay cash.
• Freeze your assets (put your cc in water and freeze it in the freezer. If it is worth buying, it is worth waiting for the card to melt).
• Always pay your bills on time.
• Consider becoming a one-car household or a no-car household – We became a 1 car household and saved not only in car payment, insurance & gas, but on all the things that we DIDN’T buy because we didn’t have the 2nd car.
• Contribute to your 401k or pension plan (Especially if you employer matches) Do this EVEN IF YOU HAVE DEBT otherwise you will be leaving money on the table.
• If you receive an unexpected monetary gift, put some toward your debt and some to your savings.
• Give back – try % based giving, even if you are in debt.
• Practice an attitude of gratitude.
• Open a high-interest savings account.
• Pay more on your mortgage each month to shave off years.
• Track your spending (write everything down for a week/month/during Lent).
• If you have a CC, get a dividend card that gives cash back and always pay the balance in full.
• Go one day without spending any money.
• Go one week without using your credit card.
• Go one month without eating out.
• Create a 6-month savings reserve.
• Set a SMART goal around money (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely).
• Remember, you didn’t get in debt over night, so don’t expect to get out of debt overnight either – simple shifts.
• Find a buddy in church to help you keep you accountable.
• Think before you do.”
Today, our Deacons and the family and friends of Opal Gray laid her to rest. Our service was honored Opal. May she rest in peace.
Tomorrow, some of us will gather at the Balestrieri’s to rehearse, then to sing at the nursing home on Highland Ave. We’d love it if you wanted to join us, young and old, at the Balestrieri’s at 12:30 PM for rehearsal. Then at 2:30, we’ll walk to the nursing home. Please send Maria a note if you can come.
On Sunday, Christy Zuzelo will preach. Her sermon is WONDERFUL. Come receive wisdom, and add your own to the possibility of making the Simple Shift from indebtedness to being debt free. Marc Lefebvre will be our liturgist.
On Sunday night, we will gather for the first of two Lenten re/New services. The theme this week is, “From Dust (Earth) You Came and to Dust (Earth) You Shall Return.” We will celebrate our connection to the earth.
Lastly, our choir will begin rehearsals this Sunday afternoon, from 12:30-2 PM, for our Palm Sunday Cantata. This year we will sing gospel! Wahoo! You know how wonderful and gentle our Thom Whittemore is as a musical director. Why not come join us as we make music together?!
Love,
Laura Ruth
Dear Beloved,
This Sunday evening, we will gather for our ne/New Service. Our them is “From Dust (Earth) We Came, and to Dust (Earth) We Shall Return. We will think together about the ways we are a part of this earth, how we are related to the earth. We will sing, build our Lenten Intentions, hear the wisdom of the ancient church. We’d be so glad if you were to join us.
Our service will be in Duhamel Hall.
Love,
Laura Ruth
Beloved,
It’s Friday afternoon, and it feels like sabbath is starting early, like people are taking an easy pace. The streets are quiet. Ian and I just welcomed Latoris Shepherd, who flew in from Urban Farming in Detroit, to scope our land out as a location for a new community garden. The seed is there, deep in the frozen soil.
There’s no snow this year for a snow labyrinth on our retreat, but 40+ of us will gather in a few hours to make our way to the middle of something, nonetheless, to go deep under the soil. The heart of a community, undiscovered secrets and spiritual longings in our souls, the word of God in our midst. I can’t wait to be with you.
We’ll be back tomorrow night–pray for us, those who stay here! We’ll pray for you too, for soil-stirring.
Sunday morning, we’ll all gather in worship. It’s not yet Lent, but Epiphany is well established. We’re on the cusp of a new thing. Lent starts a week from Wednesday, with our Ash Wednesday service. As old Lenten disciplines of “giving things up” seem to have fallen into disfavor, I’m preaching this Sunday on “what good is Lent?” so that we might prepare for ourselves spiritual disciplines and practices, instead of getting taken by surprise. Jennifer B. will be our able liturgist. Laura Ruth will lead us in prayer, and bless our 17 Mexico Missioners on our way. We’ll celebrate communion together.
After worship: Rooftop People, people in caregiving professions, gather to go the mile and share the load, reflecting on scripture and their callings. All are welcome. Donations for the Casa will begin to take shape in duffel bags to head first to JFK next Saturday, then Guadalajara, then finally Colima, Mexico! Thank you for your generosity. We’ll take lots of pictures so you can see the children’s joy.
By the way, I had a great day away preaching among the Unitarians last Sunday, and am so glad you welcomed Rev. Hank warmly–but I hope you know how glad I am that we’re each others’ people. There’s just nothing like First Church, for me.
blessings
Molly
