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January 2008
I understand that while I was on Vacation after Christmas, Ron
Minkinistry preached a sermon on prayer. That has been a topic that
has also been on my heart at the close of 2007. In November there was
a documentary presented by the John Templeton Foundation and Iowa
Public Television highlighting the impact of prayer in the life of
America.Happy New Year!www.prayerinamerica.org/ This was based on a book by American Historian James P. Moore, Jr. called ?One Nation Under God: The History of Prayer in America? published by Doubleday. (The audio version of the book includes the voices of Actor Ben Vereen and Senator John McCain among many others!) Jim Moore suggests that prayer has historically, and through to the present day, been a significant influence on the political, cultural and economic development of the United States. www.1nug.com The Documentary film asks the question, What role has prayer played in shaping the development and history of America? The two-part documentary explores contemporary debates about the role of prayer through the lens of history. By asking rhetorically, "How did we get here?" the show examines the ways in which prayer has contributed to and continues to shape the American experience. I recognize that at First Presbyterian, we all come from a variety of faith backgrounds with different traditions and understandings of many areas of faith, let alone prayer. For this reason we too often to not talk about it for fear of being misunderstood, or for seeming more ignorant or less faithful than someone else. But prayer is a key aspect of our relationship with God that we should seek to develop and encourage graciously and gently with each other. In 2008 I hope to explore prayer with you all more intentionally. I hope that the Prayer in America film might be a meaningful exploration in our upcoming Lenten season. Please look for opportunities we will provide to do that. Please also seek to share prayers with and for each other this year! In this complex and troubled world we need such a solid connection to God and each other! Peace, Aaron |
February 2008
Were you aware that we have such a thing at First Presbyterian? If you pay attention to the financial reports each year you have seen its figures at the annual meeting. You may also have heard it mentioned at the Christmas Eve services, because all the otherwise un-designated offering that comes in the plate at that service goes towards this fund. These monies are available to me to distribute as needed for minor emergencies that community members come to us with. All the churches in Brockport are approached on a regular basis for aid and ours is no exception. You might not be aware of the real need that exists in our community and the time that Marilyn Goodberlet and I spend sorting out requests for help during the year. In 2007 I granted 14 requests for aid, from at least 20 different requests. The Pastor's Discretionary Fund - Your Ministry, Your Resource!There is generally about $5-600 available for the whole year, so Session has approved some guidelines for its use and accountability. The funds are held in a separate checking account at First Niagara Bank. Cash is never kept on hand, and small checks are only written to third parties - never to the individuals benefiting from them. Assistance is also limited to once every six months per individual or family unit. We do this to prevent dependency on the fund, ensure that the aid goes to what it is needed for and to help a greater number of people. Sometimes it is not possible to write a check, and I occasionally accompany someone to a retail location to purchase what is needed. Summer and early winter are the heaviest times of the year for requests. I report to Session each month the total of disbursements I make and keep track of all transactions in the checkbook. Our ecumenical friends on Main Street have similar funds and we frequently communicate with each other about the needs that are coming to us. We can often identify individuals with significant needs that can be helped better in coordination, and avoid some situations of unhealthy dependence. Most often we encounter needs for gasoline and grocery vouchers. I have also used the fund to provide bus tokens, night's hotel lodging, car parts, prescriptions, health supplies, infant supplies, partial relief of utility or rent bills, and car registration fees. Christmas Eve is not the only time that this fund receives income. There is no expectation for repayment but we have had money repaid by recipients. Congregation members have also responded with mid-year gifts when I have indicated a need. (It's disheartening to turn people away during the Christmas holidays!) If you ever receive money unexpectedly, please consider tithing a portion of it to the Discretionary Fund as a way of "paying it forward" and benefiting another individual. Occasionally people have needs that go beyond the scope of the Pastor's Discretionary Fund. We have two other sources of financial help: One is the Good Samaritan Fund, available to community members who need financial help up to $500 due to a medical emergency or condition. A letter of request is required and should be sent to my attention at the church. The other is the Tooley Fund. This was left behind by Arthur Tooley for church and community needs and is managed by the Trustees. A description of this fund and application can be obtained from the church office. Grants from the Good Samaritan Fund and the Tooley Fund are limited to the interest earned each year and are generally for unique requests only. Financial hardship hits us in a very private and prideful area of our lives. it is so hard to ask for help, and can be a morally or socially complex issue for those who would like to provide help. I have spoken to people of all walks of life through the ministry of this fund. People of all walks of life both provide and receive help in this way. Jesus Christ asks us to serve each other. We recognize that a hand up is also more desirable than a hand out. If you or someone you know has a financial crisis, please approach me confidentially and we can find a solution for you. Let this also be part of your ministry - either by contributing, or by referring others. IT IS YOUR MINISTRY AND YOUR RESOURCE. Aaron |
March 2008 This essay was shared by Alice Sykes as an opening devotion for Session. Since I have promoted this cause before, I felt it was important for another voice to be heard. Well done, Alice! We need to get more people on board! May this be a meaningful Lent and a Happy Easter for you! Aaron A Reflection from Your Clerk of SessionShortly after the holidays, I watched a program on PBS regarding global warming. It focused on the Artic and Antarctic and the drastic effects that global warming is having on the environment and the animal habitats there. So much of the snow and ice have melted that many species are threatened, among them the polar bears and the penguins. A few weeks later I watched 60 Minutes, had a segment on the vast number of bee colonies which are simply disappearing. Scientists are investigating this problem, but have no conclusive answers yet. One of the avenues being investigated is the current insecticides and sprays being used. To many of us, bees are just a pesky insect that can hurt if stung. But to the fruit farmers, they are an absolute necessity. Just ask George Lamont if you would like about his dependence upon them. He actually rents bee hives in the spring to do the job of pollinating because there just aren't enough "wild" bees to accomplish the job. In fact, all of the fruit farmers in the area, state and country are extremely concerned about this dilemma. No pollination equals no fruit, and no fruit or very little fruit means total disaster to their farms.While I was in St. Paul visiting my son and his family, we went to an indoor zoo one day. At many of the displays were lists of endangered animals around the world. I did not know many of the ones listed, but some I did and again I was struck with the sadness of it. As I was walking around the zoo a song popped into my head. I do not know the singer or the title. I know it was popular during the 60s. The first couple of lines are: Let me tell you about the birds and the bees,/ And the flowers and the trees,/ And a thing called love. As Christians, we all understand that God expects us to take care of his world as well as his people and animals. Frankly, we are failing miserably. It is my contention that until all of the powers that be - world wide, as well as industires world wide - take the bull by the horn and work together to solve the problems, we can never halt the entire problem. However, until that time when man is willing to actually work together, rather than trying to destroy each olther, we each in our own way must do something to help. If everyone who possibly can contributes one small way of helping, it will grow into a very substantial amount toward easing the problem. Obviously, we are all aware of this problem. This is just a reminder to keep working toward the goal of helping to clean up our environment. Please just try to think of one more way to help and institute the effort in your household, street or community. Every bit that each of us can do will definitely contribute towards the solution. We may not see the actual effect, but we have to know that it will help. We HAVE to do this for ourselves, our children, and our grandchildren. Most importantly, however, we have to do this for GOD. He has given us so much to be grateful for. Surely, we can extend ourselves to be better caretakers. Alice Sykes, Clerk of Session |
April 2008
By this time next month, Rachel and I will be proud parents of a second daughter! Our lives are reeling in many (mostly) wonderful ways. We are very grateful for so many of you other parents who show us that two can indeed be managed. We are still overawed by parents like Bryan and Vicky Allison who have 4. You are amazing!
Baby Time ChangesThe big date is May 7th. Because of complications with Rachel's last delivery we have a 'C-section' scheduled then. Her parents are coming into town, again, that week to help out. I will also take off that week and be away from the pulpit on Mother's Day. (What a coincidence is that?) I will then be back on pastoral duty the following week while Rachel's folks are around to help out and take a second week of leave when they return south at the end of the month. Pastor Kit from the United Methodist church will help cover church emergencies during these weeks. As Rachel and I have planned for our new arrival, we have considered doing a few things differently with baby number #2 as a result of some of our Lenten devotional study. We were influenced initially by viewing an interview with Laura Vandenburg PhD of Tufts U. School of Medicine and the Forsyth Center for Regenerative and Developmental Biology. (Laura is also a '99 grad of Brockport High school and was Commissioned at our church!). She spoke about her research into human exposure to a chemical additive in plastics called Bisphenol A (BPA). BPA is added to harden plastics for durability. It is an artificial estrogen that has been found to cause reproductive cancer in lab animals. Industry studies are inconclusive as to the effects of exposure levels in humans, but Laura is convinced that harmful levels of BPA have been found in humans and in many plastic products we use. It was a disturbing piece of news. Unfortunately the interviewer did not seek to identify the kinds of plastics that were of concern. This led Rachel and I to investigate more, and our Lenten journey included prayer and research into the chemical safety of our household and our general stewardship of the earth (home energy and disposable diaper use!) We took note of several news specials (such as this morning's TODAY show) and a couple books. One book we would highly recommend is Green Housekeeping by Ellen Sandbeck. In a nutshell, we found that it is not good to heat ANYTHING in plastic of any kind, but certain common plastics are otherwise OK if they are not reused to the point where they are cloudy and worn out. Polyethylene and Polypropylene are OK. These are numbers 1, 2, 4 and 5 on the resin code - the little numbers in the triangle on the bottom of bottles. Common products are soda bottles and table ware. PVC, Polystyrene and Polycarbonate contain BPA (numbers 3, 6 and 7) and we will no longer use these. Unfortunately, this means we will be recycling our Nalgene water bottles and many of Robyn's old baby bottles. We also read that it takes 500 years for a disposable diaper to break down. There was a fun article in the April Parent’s magazine that talked about green diaper alternatives. We will be trying out a new brand of ecologically friendly diapers on the new baby. (Robyn has been resistant to the change.) Finally we have replaced our household surface cleaners with simple cider vinegar and baking soda and are trying out Castile soaps. All of this is an effort to be healthier in our lifestyle and contribute less harm to our environment. We hope to report that these steps make a difference for us in the long run, and we hope that we can encourage others to consider similar lifestyle changes. It is a form of prayer that we can undertake together, and I think part of what Jesus might do in this modern age. Talk to us about our journey, and pray for us this month! With love, Aaron |
May 2008
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June 2008 A Summer Collage of Conversations!9 a.m. in July and August (July 6th to 31st ) Session approved a motion in June for a 9 a.m. summer worship time change based upon a vast majority of positive feedback from a bulletin insert survey and many individual conversations. We do apologize to those for whom this will be an inconvenience. Our sanctuary will be cooler at this earlier hour. High volume pedestal fans have also been purchased by the Memorial Committee to aid in cooling our worship space. If heat has been a problem for you in the past, please come worship with us this summer and see if these two things make a difference. The earlier worship time should also give families more of the day to get to other activities. As always, you may talk to Tom Bowdler, Chair of Worship, Music and Sacraments committee, Vicky Miner, Minister of Music, or myself with your feedback. Children and Summer Worship Since Sunday Church School is on break for the summer, the order of the service is simplified a bit and I make the sermon time more interactive rather than having a separate children's message. Last summer this included some props and object lessons, as well as some Bible Stories told dramatically. The choir does not sing, so there is often special music of various kinds. I always enjoyed hearing only one or two people sing when I was a kid. It made it more intimate and easier to concentrate on the words sung. I also enjoyed hearing different musical instruments! August 17th will be our outdoor worship date for the summer on the church lawn. This is a great time to bring a blanket and enjoy a more laid back worship atmosphere with your kids. Communion on July 6th and August 3rd are also great opportunities for kids to see and/or participate in the sacrament. Kids also like receiving communion via intinction (‘rip and dip’) style. Have them walk up the isle with you regardless of their participation and let them smell the bread and juice as they see what is happening up close. These are special times to share with your young ones. Come with the kids dressed for the beach if necessary, but bring the kids to church in the summer! Summer Pastoral Activity Summer is a great time for me to take my study leave. June 23 to July 6th will be my study time this year. The first week I will spend reading scripture and other books ahead in preparation for preaching preparation for preaching and worship planning for the upcoming program year. I will travel with Rachel and the girls to do this in Sparta, NC, at a home owned by Rachel's family. Her parents will meet us there to spend time with all the girls so that I may have more time at the coffee shop and library! For the second week, I will do some continuing education at the Montreat Conference Center in NC, attending the Church Unbound event, which is about pastoral and congregational revitalization.(montreat.org/current/2008-church-unbound). I will spend my last two weeks of vacation from July 21st to August 3rd with Rachel's family in Wilmington, NC, so that her extended family may get to know Sylvia. They also have a large family reunion happening during this time, to its a great opportunity for both girls to meet family they wouldn't normally get to see. All of these week will be covered for emergencies by local Presbyterian pastors. When I am away, call the church office for any needs you have. For major emergencies on the weekends or evenings, please call Betty Schroeder (227-5121) or Anita Mault (637-8253). May your summer months be full of sunshine, and sOnshine! |
August 2007
While it means being away from my wife and daughter for another ten days this summer, I am looking forward to my study leave plans this year. On July 25th I am heading south to attend a four day silent retreat at the Abbey of Gethsemani in central Kentucky. I will be attending with a seminary classmate who has done a shorter retreat of a similar nature in the past. I had the same reaction you are probably having the first time he told me about it: why on earth would you want to do that and, more practically, how is it possible not to talk for that long? Listening to my friend's experience, however, has caused me to rethink my attitude. He says that after about two days, the noise of the the world starts to quiet down in your head. A receptivity to the spirit becomes very profound and your own internal voice begins to rise to the surface. I have found myself actually longing for this to be emptied of the world's business for a time. To be able to listen to my heart apart from agendas and schedules. To be able to listen to the still small voice of God apart from the din of life. The monastery website (www.monks.org) describes it this way: “The monastic milieu offers a place apart to entertain silence in the heart and listen for the voice of God, to pray for your own discovery. (Thomas Merton) Communing with the Lord requires a measure of solitude, a stillness and an emptiness, a waiting on and attending to the Spirit. Silence fosters and preserves the climate of prayer and is thus a fundamental part of the Gethsemani retreat experience.” The day after the retreat I will have an opportunity to debrief the experience with a small group of other Protestants who will also be there with me. My second week of leave will be to explore the Network of Biblical Storytellers at their annual festival gathering in Atlanta. This is an organization we discovered in the fall and winter workshops at Trinity Episcopal church in Greece. Dennis Dewey, one of the founders of the N.O.B.S., moved me greatly during one of these presentations. I really saw the scriptures come alive in a new way and I look forward to what this movement might offer for my preaching and for our congregation's worship participation. These Biblical Storytellers do not “memorize” scripture and other stories. Rather they make the distinction that they “internalize” the story through studying it, visualizing it in three dimensions, and then actually telling it using interpretive cues through body language and intonation. It definitely makes for an engaging scripture 'reading' in worship. I think this would make a wonderful objective for a Bible study group! On return from Atlanta I will have the great opportunity of attending my nephew's Baptism in Lancaster, NY on August 5th. Gavin Michael was born to my sister in the spring, and Robyn hardly goes a day without talking about “baby Gavin” ever since meeting him. I will be back in the church office on August 6th. It will be great to share my experiences with you when I return! With love, Aaron |
September 2007
On my silent retreat at the Abbey of Gethemani this summer, I made it a point to visit the grave of Thomas Merton. He was a monk at the Abbey who was a profound and prolific spiritual writer/activist in the 1960's. He changed the course of many lives and was largely responsible for a great swelling in the ranks of monastic orders. In my extended devotion times on this retreat, I made a point of sitting at this spiritual master's feet, in the form of his writings in the library and the abbey bookstore. One such passage from his published journals riveted me, and I read it over and over:
Pastor's Blog"In Louisville, on the corner of Fourth and Walnut, in the center of the shopping district, I was suddenly overwhelmed with the realization that I loved all these people, that they were mine and I was theirs, that we could not be alien to one another even though we were total strangers... I have the immense joy of being human, a member of the race in which God himself became incarnate. As if the sorrows and stupidities of the human condition could overwhelm me, now that I realize what we all are. If only everybody could realize this! But it cannot be explained. There is no way of telling people that they are all walking around SHINING LIKE THE SUN!" Thomas Merton, Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander, pp 156-57 Merton had this wonderful inner revelation concerning his relationship with others and what he wished he could share with people. He didn't think it could adequately be communicated, but this passage is one of his most quoted writings. Obviously it resounds with many who encounter it in spite of it's abstract sentiment. And it does with me. Here is a page of my own journal from later that day: "What do I desire to share with my congregation? What is my most earnest prayer for them? That the Joy of Faith might ignite for each one. Each individual would find meaningful purpose in their vocation and that it IS and is recognized as, a call from God suited for their particular gifts and personality. That sometimes the call follows the need – and that 'being the best' is not necessary for God to call. That willingness can lead to unexpected fulfillment. Joy and fulfillment are not exclusive of pain. Attention to ritual makes life more worthwhile. They would come to understand that everybody has a void. It is because we are mortal. Accept it as recognition of your need for God. Let it be what it is. They would struggle with me to be a good steward of time and money, because so much of the life of faith – joy and fulfillment – rest on our maturity in these two areas. We could learn the proper place of Scripture as one that is open and accessible, and not untouchable and unknowable upon a pedestal. Do not absolutise any one part of it. Let narrative be narrative. Listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit in your own reactions to reading it. Look for parallels between the Bible narrative and your own story. Let the story be the language of common ground between you and others." The entry ends there. It might not be a huge fount of wisdom, but I was interested in what came out in my moment of free association. Maybe you would emphasize different things? I know that just sharing a list like this isn't enough. I have to live it with you, and you with me, and us with each other. As music rehearsals begin to bustle about the building again, and programs pick up from the spring, I want you to know that I am so glad to be among you for a fourth year! Peace, Aaron |
October 2007
I normally write my own articles, but this month I want to borrow some thoughts from Jan Sullivan, Co-Director, MinistryofMoney.org. (This is not to be confused with the Ministry and Money book I hope you all are reading for our book study beginning after church on Oct. 28th.) I take this as an opportunity to promote again the work of Jan's organization to you. Pastor's October BlogAutumn Blessings, Pastor Aaron There is a movement growing around the world called The Slow Movement: http://www.slowsociety.se/eng. It encourages a slowing down in everything from cooking food to communication to transportation to careers. As I understand it, it is about making real connections instead of moving at warp speed in everything we do. I've heard that there is even a Slow Money Movement gathering steam. The connection to our money, to our daily financial transactions becomes lost in our haste. Rarely do we take a moment to consider an exchange of resources - what it is, with whom, how it might affect others, and if we in fact should be making it at all. Humans need connections, it's how we're built, it's what we're made to do – with ourselves, God and others, both near and far. It is so easy for us in the affluent world to forget this important fact, yet deep human connection is what makes travel in the Two-Thirds World so meaningful and life-giving for those with an opportunity to experience it there. Most pilgrims who take a retreat from the world return speaking about the experience of life at a slower pace, the obvious interdependence of people, the gracious hospitality shared and the spirit of generosity among people living in community. We miss it, we want it, but we seem to have forgotten how to let it happen here at home. I laughed at recent television ads showing adults buying donuts, purchasing plants or standing in line at a food court. Everything is clicking along nicely, happy music and smiling customers, when all of a sudden some backward oaf (who looks like you and me) pulls out his checkbook or cash to pay for his item instead of using a debit card. All of a sudden the snappy music stops, the clerk and other customers grimace and growl, and the quick clip of payment activity comes to a standstill. God forbid someone say "Hi, how ya doing?" to the cashier or the person beside them in line. There's no time for that kind of nonsense. Just swipe the card and move along with your purchase! There is also a new advertisement for an updated Monopoly Game. Instead of the cardboard 'bank' with the various multi-colored denominations stacked neatly in their assigned slots, the new game has an ATM-type machine in which you swipe a card to buy or make payments on properties, or to get out of jail. A quick swipe and it's done. No learning to count money. No addition or subtraction skills needed. No slowly counting your stash while pondering if you've enough to take an action. No asking to borrow a few bucks from your sister. No having to hand the bills over to the bank or another player. Swipe and go. I bet the game moves much more quickly now than when I was a kid! We've lost our physical connection to money - the flow of resources moving through our hands and into others'. We've lost the relational aspect of money, the sense of money being for our common good, the give and take that keeps us all afloat. So much of our financial dealings now happen with card swipes and online submit buttons. Money movement has become invisible, and therefore, it often happens without a lot of thought. We have enough time, you know. It's a lie from the culture that we don't. Maybe money haste is good for banks, merchants and accountants, but it's not good for those of us trying to live with any kind of intentionality. v So this month, before the holiday blitz kicks in, strive for connection. Pay in cash a few times. Cook something from scratch - with real ingredients, not pre-packaged microwavable foodstuff. Write a letter instead of sending an email. Better yet, have a face-to-face conversation. Play a board game using paper money. Ask the clerk about her day as she returns your change. |
November 2007
The faith of the Pilgrims was a faith that was firmly grounded in the Hebrew Bible. Like the ancient authors of Deuteronomy 26 and Psalm 107, they were convinced that God had heard their cries for help and looked on their hardship and delivered them from adversity and brought them safely into a kind of Promised Land. For William Bradford, the voyage on board the Mayflower and the settlement at Plymouth were a new Exodus. The first winter in the promised land was a hard and bitter time. Half the people who came over on the Mayflower did not survive the winter; Bradford himself was gravely ill for a time. But later, the Pilgrims, blessed by much assistance from the natives in the matters of gardening and hunting and fishing, and by favorable weather conditions, were beginning to enjoy a time of prosperity and security, and the land was beginning to flow in milk and honey. In Gov. Bradford's words:
Pastor's Blog"They began now to gather in the small harvest they had, and to fit up their houses and dwellings against winter, being all well recovered in health and strength, and had all things in good plenty....All the summer there was no want. And now began to come in store of [water]fowl, as winter approached....And besides waterfowl, there was great store of wild turkeys, of which they took many, besides venison, etc. Besides they had about a peck of [corn] meal a week to a person, or now since harvest, Indian corn to that proportion. Which made many afterwards write so largely of their plenty here to their friends in England, which were not feigned, but true reports." So it was that the deep poverty of their first winter was gradually transformed into abundance. So it was that they celebrated a three-day feast of thanksgiving, to which many of their native American hosts and mentors were invited. And so it was throughout their years at Plymouth Plantation that they remembered the voyage across the ocean and the bitter first winter and the blessings of fruitful fields that they later enjoyed. For the Pilgrims, thanks-giving and thanks-living were grounded in their collective memory of how they were sustained by the spirit and grace of God. There is a common thread in all these memories and stories, and that common thread is the conviction that God is with God's people, not only in times of abundance, but also in times of adversity. When the ancient Hebrews looked back on the liberation of their ancestors from slavery in Egypt, they were convinced that God had heard their prayers and seen their adversity and brought them into a land of abundance, a land flowing with milk and honey. And during the celebration of the harvest festival of thanksgiving, they recited and remembered this journey from adversity to prosperity. When William Bradford looked back on the first twenty-seven years of the settlement at :Plimoth Plantation, he was convinced that God had heard the prayers of the Pilgrims and looked on their adversity and brought them into a land of abundance. And so he recited and remembered the Pilgrims' journey from scarcity to abundance. When we as individuals or as a congregation look at our own experiences of adversity and abundance, what do we see? What do we sense? Do we sense the guiding and blessing presence of God? Do we find gratitude and thanksgiving welling up inside? And in whatever experiences of adversity or abundance that may greet us in the future, what will we sense? Will we also sense the guiding and blessing presence of God? Will we also find gratitude and thanksgiving welling up inside? The answer to these questions is, I am convinced, a resounding YES! On October 28th, we began our pledge drive for next years budget we asked for your pledges of time and talent and treasure as an offering of thanksgiving to the work of this congregation toward's God's Kingdom. Some of you who have turned in your pledges have been supporting this church for perhaps a half-century or more; some of you for a quarter-century or more; some of you made a financial and personal commitment to this church for the first time. To all of you, whether you were present then or have sent your pledges of time, talent and treasure to the office or plan to do so in the near future, I thank you. I thank you on behalf of this wonderful, challenging church, with its heritage and its hope in equal measure. Thank you for trusting and celebrating the guiding and blessing presence of God in our lives and in our midst. Thank you for giving generously of your own resources to help bring our vision and our mission to fruition. To borrow from Paul's words to the Thessalonian congregation: How can I thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that I feel before our God because of you? Amen and amen! With Love, Aaron |
December 2007
In our excavations of Christmas decorations this year we uncovered a
small collection of children's books specific to the season. One of
them has become a favorite again already this year. Its called You Are
My Miracle by Maryann Cusimano Love and Satomi Ichikawa. Here are some
selections from it:
You Are My Miracle"I am your parent; you are my child, I am your quiet place; you are my wild. I am your gingerbread; you are my frosting goo. I am your paper; you are my glitter and glue. I am your decorate; you are my tangled lights. I am your helper; you are my do-it-myself." These lines have rung particularly true this year as our daughter Robyn gets ever more involved in the 'business' of Christmas traditions. Everything takes more time for us now, from m baking cookies, to hanging lights. Even packing up out of season stuff is an exercise in separation anxiety over things that apparently might never be seen again ("NO PUT AWAY!") Isn't that the joy of Christmas as a church family however? Slowing down, telling the story. Casting the spell of Christmas through garland and lights. This is a season especially suited for our youngest members - the wonder of a crèche scene and the approachability of a little baby. We practice our rituals with intention and pride in order that the children might enter into the mystery with us. We practice hope in the form of sharing and gathering together. The extra time it takes is worth it in the reflections of their big bright wondering eyes. And this is our amazing truth: that God chooses to be God-for-Us! The audacious idea that God would enter the world to be known by creatures who have been given the gifts of individuality and free will- gifts that allow us to genuinely love each other and God! The one thing that God does not have alone is relationship. And so we are given life and the ability to be a genuine gift to God in return. Peace to you. Aaron |