Caring for God's Creation

Almighty God, in giving us dominion over things on earth, you made us co-workers in your creation. Give us wisdom and reverence to use the resources of nature, so that no one may suffer from our abuse of them, and that generation yet to come may continue to praise you for your bounty; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

“Prayer for Natural Resources” Book of Common Worship–Daily Prayer, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

The words “giving us dominion over things on earth” is a quote from the creation story in the book of Genesis, specifically Genesis 1:28. This quote, however, is only half the story because in the second chapter of Genesis, God puts Adam in the Garden of Eden “to till and keep it.” (Gen. 2:15). In the words of the author or the prayer, “you made us co-workers in your creation.” This is how The Rev. Dr. Leah Schade opened her presentation on Caring for God’s Creation.

“78% of Americans are concerned about the environment”

Our time together focused on caring for the environment. Leah noted that in a recent survey, 78% of Americans are concerned about the environment. With that astonishing fact, she launched into her experiences in Pennsylvania with environmental issues such as mercury emissions from coal fired power plants and fracking. Working with Unitarians, Friends, Muslims, Lutherans, Presbyterians, and Jewish leaders, she continues to speak out and publish her ideas in books such as Creation-Crisis Preaching: Ecology, Theology, and the Pulpit. 

Connect with Others Who Are Doing The Work

“When you connect in your community and across denominations, that is when we can multiply our efforts!”

Leah encourages interested individuals to check out organizations that are working on environmental issues such as Blessed Tomorrow–Caring for Creation Today; Green Faith–Interfaith Partners in Action for the Earth; Poor People’s Campaign–National Call for Moral Revival; and Interfaith Power & Light. 

Additionally, connect again with others at Saint Luke to continue these discussions. Saint Luke will host a second ZOOM presentation on November 17, 2021, at 7 p.m. Interested? Check out Leah’s informative video below and tune back in for more next month. All are welcome.

Celebration of Pastor Susan Ericsson

Over the past 15 years, the impact of Pastor Sue Ericsson at Saint Luke has been undeniable. It is felt every Sunday during worship services that radiate with joy, happiness, and beloved community. It is felt as those same worship services provide space to encounter God’s grace in prayer, sacraments, and good news proclaimed. It is heard in the words “Wherever you are in your faith journey, you are welcome here. No exceptions.”

Pastor Sue’s legacy at Saint Luke goes beyond her excellent preaching, teaching, and worship leadership. It also goes beyond her excellent leadership as the first female lead pastor of a faith community on the Main Line. All of her success as a pastor and a community leader has been rooted in her skilled dedication to connecting with people one-on-one. Through countless conversations, she inspired, comforted, gained trust, and motivated people into greater love for God and neighbor. Her words of encouragement and persistence in helping people discover God’s calling in their lives has played a role in countless life decisions, career and life changes, and opportunities to serve at and beyond Saint Luke. The number of people who trace God’s work in their lives back to a conversation with Pastor Sue Ericsson cannot be contained in a sanctuary, or even a stadium!

Saint Luke was blessed beyond our wildest hopes when we called Pastor Sue to be our lead pastor in 2006. The gifts, experience, and calling that she brought with her are undeniable. They go back to the faith and confidence of a young girl who declared she would be a pastor when she grew up, even at a time that women were not yet permitted to pursue ordained ministry. Her gifts and calling were undeniable throughout her youth and by the age of 26 she graduated from Yale Divinity School and was ordained. She served for 11 years as a parish pastor in Detroit and then came to Southeastern Pennsylvania and served for 13 years as an assistant to 2 bishops with dedicated focus upon urban congregations. This distinguished background enabled Pastor Sue to equip the people and ministries of Saint Luke to change the world by proclaiming God’s amazing grace. A female student in Saint Luke’s 2021 confirmation class shared in her faith statement that she appreciates having a strong female pastor and role model to look up throughout her life—words that made Pastor Sue’s heart sing and stand as testimony to the future of her impact on our lives. 

Saint Luke gives thanks to God for Pastor Sue Ericsson and pledges our ongoing prayer as she enters retirement. We are thankful for her leadership, her creativity, her kindness and faithfulness to God and God’s people. We are thankful for her conversations, smile, laughter, and presence beside us over that past 15 years. We are thankful for her family and the relationships Saint Luke cherishes with Chase, Amani, Gabe, and June.

May God journey beside her as she discovers and enjoys retirement. May God continue to bless her to be a blessing to others and to this world that God loves.

Thank you, Pastor Sue. We love you and appreciate you. As your time as lead pastor ends, we are confident that God will continue to lead Saint Luke into new ways of being the church that are now possible because of your faithfulness.

May God bless you and keep you.

Searching for a Job During Covid-19

““Fear not, for I am with you.  Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you.” ”

—  Isaiah 41:10  

Even in the best of times, searching for a new job can be a bit daunting. Layer the stress of the pandemic and the resulting upheaval on top of a job search, and the process becomes more complicated.  

This past year brought change to all aspects of our lives, and the process for finding a job is no different.  However, by focusing on a few key areas, it is easier to understand what changes you should consider as you adapt your job search to the new reality of Covid 19.  

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START HERE

Whether you are looking for a job, or supporting someone who is looking for work, a great place to start is by watching this Zoom presentation that focuses on the specific impact of Covid 19.  Presented by Fran Arvan, a member of Saint Luke and a Certified Career Services Provider.

Quick Overview of Job Hunting During Covid 19

There are three main areas impacted by Covid 19 when it comes to finding a new position. These include:

1. While the pandemic is not over, an economic recovery is underway in many segments of the job market. However, this recovery is uneven and much less predictable than in the past. The first important step in finding a job is researching the job market for your specific position in order to understand which companies and organizations are hiring and why they are hiring. Expect more competition for most open positions, except for in high demand roles like engineering and computer science positions.

2. The role of technology is greater than ever in the hiring process. Understanding the role of algorithms and artificial intelligence in the application process is critical to success. Interviewing has changed a great deal as companies conduct the entire hiring process virtually. Knowing what to expect and preparing for this new interviewing environment is an important key to success.

3. All resume, cover letter, and social media profiles should reflect your Covid-related skills such as use of virtual meeting technologies and any job-specific impact. Whether you are a leader finding new ways to manage virtually or an agile team member, all your marketing materials should include your role in dealing with Covid 19.

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NEXT STEPS

Explore Resources

There are many wonderful resources available for those seeking employment. You may find great job leads and resources in local newspapers, social media postings, libraries, universities, etc. Check out these great resources shared in the presentation:

Reach Out For Help

As you search for a job, remember that connections with others can be a huge assistance! Don’t hesitate to reach out to others for help. If you need help, or have questions, please feel free to contact Fran Arvan. All assistance to St. Luke participants is provided free of charge.  Her contact information is available in the resource list above.

Maintain A Positive Mindset

The final key to success in finding work really has nothing to do with Covid 19, but it is worth pointing out.  Throughout the process remember to take good care of yourself, pray for guidance, and strive for a positive mindset, which isn’t always easy.  These are important intangibles and sometimes easily forgotten.  

Heavenly Father, we remember before you those who suffer want and anxiety from lack of work. Guide the people of this land so to use our public and private wealth that all may find suitable and fulfilling employment, and receive just payment for their labor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

I Am...Welcomed (Part 2)

Our “I Am…” series has been full of wonderful insights and reflections. As we continue to move through Lent, members of Saint Luke are sharing reflections about who we are in Christ here on our blog. These thoughtful prompts will also gather us together and lead us into a weekly time of connection on Zoom.

Earlier this week, we heard from Ian Roth and today Jodi Cunniffe helps us continue to reflect on being welcomed.

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I Am Welcomed

Jeremiah 31, John 12

In full transparency, I am writing this blog at the last minute. There is much going on in my life at the moment but I am so very grateful to share some of my thoughts and insights into “Being Welcomed”. I am sitting at my dining room table eating homemade chicken soup accompanied by a piece of matzoh and butter. A simple meal that reminds me of childhood seders and that Passover is coming. Ironically, or maybe not so much, John Chapter 12 begins “Six days before Passover….”  In fact, at this writing Passover is in a little over six days depending on when you count sundown.  

COVID-19 has been a blessing to me in many ways.  It is the catalyst that led me to the Saint Luke community. I was worshipping at another christian church that was “pushing in-person” worship and actively excluding other people who were not “like minded”. This was a dark time, one year ago, and I felt very isolated from community but never from God.  God led me from Judaism to Christianity and Buddhism. I prayed to God to show me the path I was to follow; knowing full well that God would lead me there. “I will be the God of all the tribes of Israel, and they shall be my people.” Jeremiah: 31-1. I knew as a child of Israel, God always had my back. Indeed, God led me to the community of Saint Luke. I remember watching my first service online and feeling such a sense of peace when I read the words, “All are welcome, No exceptions.”  Your welcoming presence and unconditional love and support for each other and individuals who are marginalized radiated across the screen each week. I am thankful to be a part of this community; you are joy bringers.

The social science definition of community is a group of people whose connections and relations are formed by their shared history, experiences, geographies and identities.  Rabbi Jonathan Sacks has observed that “religion creates community, community creates altruism, and altruism turns us away from self and toward the common good … and good neighborliness.”  Jesus characterizes altruism at its deepest core. Jesus showed us unconditional love and assured us that the love of God toward people is infinite and forgiving. Jesus always shows the community the “way” by simple yet profound messages. Prior to the death of Jesus, Jesus said to them, “The light will be among you only a little while. Walk while you have the light so that darkness may not overcome you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where [they] are going.  While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become the children of the light.” 

Jesus wants the best for us, but knows we will encounter challenges along the way. When we welcome others into our communities, families and sacred spaces, we lean toward the light. God is smiling on us.  Sister Ilia Delio teaches, “The humility of God is about God but it is also about us. It is about a God who remains faithful amidst the disorder of the world and it is about the ability to love well in a world of chaos. As Christians it is what we are called to do, to love well in a world that is often competitive, self serving and struggles for survival; to find God at the often messy centers of our lives so that we can find God hidden in the fragile faces and fragmented spaces of humanity.”  It is also about creating welcoming communities of love and healing.

Heavenly Father, we come to the close of another day. Thank you for the bountiful blessings and protection upon each day.  We love you Lord for all the amazing things you do for us each day. Continue to surround us with your grace and protection and help us rest completely in your unfailing love. Help us to follow our own star of light and let us learn from the darkness. Give us peaceful sleep till the breaking of a new day. We pray this in Jesus name, Amen

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When have you felt most welcomed?

 When did you feel you were in a dark place and leaned toward the light?

I Am...Welcomed

Our lenten “I Am…” series has helped us explore our identity in Christ. Each week members of Saint Luke have been sharing reflections here on our blog. Today’s reflection includes thoughtful insights from Ian Roth. They are sure to make you think and to help us have an interesting discussion together on Wednesday evening via Zoom.

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I Am Welcomed

Jeremiah 31

In my job as a middle school Social Studies teacher, I am lucky to get to teach seventh grade students about Ancient Civilizations. The year of study with my students is filled with a lot of fun and engaging topics, interesting historical figures, and impactful cultural legacies. For my seventh-grade students, this is the first time in their K-12 experience that they have a class during their day that is devoted to the study of history. I get the amazing opportunity of helping to foster historical curiosity and analyzation skills that will benefit them for the rest of their lives. Throughout the year, I stress the importance that history is not necessarily about the “what”, but more importantly about the “why”. While we do engage with the “what” (facts, dates, people, etc.), I challenge my students to seek and understand “why” what we are studying from ancient cultures is important, and how it might apply to our current lives today.

One of my favorite units in our year of study, and one that I think my students really enjoy as well, is our unit on Religion. Over the course of about six weeks, we learn together about the five major world religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. We study each religion from a historical lens, and strive to gain a basic understanding of each religion’s origins, beliefs, and practices.  While the religions each have their differences, the really cool thing to see students realize is how many similarities these religions have. Buddhism, for instance, stemmed off of Hinduism; Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are considered the three Abrahamic religions. It is always fun to see the reaction of students, many of whom identify as Christian, when they realize “wait…Jesus was Jewish? Not Christian?” At the end of the six weeks, students have a much broader understanding of the major religions of the world. They also get to hear a recap of what they’ve learned from my alter-ego, DJ Rothington, in a parody song called “Five Major World Religions” (to the tune of “We Didn’t Start the Fire” by Billy Joel”).

At the beginning of our unit, I revisit the question of “why” with my students, and ask them to tell me “why” they think we study Religion together in 7th Grade Social Studies class. They often share ideas with me that reflect the following goals: 

1. Gaining a better understanding of the beliefs in our world. 

2. Understanding how interconnected our world really is. 

I really got to see these two goals come to fruition during a moment this year when we were learning about Islam. During class, I take my students on a virtual field trip to mosques around the world. The goal of this lesson is to get a basic understanding of the ideas and beliefs practiced in a mosque, make comparisons to other religious buildings (temples, synoguauges, churches, etc.), and explore the importance of mosques to individuals who are Muslim. I also take some time to show them local mosques in our area on Google Maps. For many students in my class, this is their first experience learning about and seeing the inside of a mosque. 

For one student, however, this experience was a moment of welcoming. 

I have a student in my class who came to our school about halfway through the year. Being a new student in middle school, especially during a year in which you alternate between being “in-school” one day and “on Zoom” the next, is challenging. During the virtual field trip lesson, one of my students asked a question, about the clothing attire at mosques, that I didn’t know the answer to. When I get questions that I don’t know the answer to, I normally tell my students “I will have to look into that and get back to you.” 

What proceeded to develop after this was truly amazing. 

The newer student, who is generally quiet and reserved during class, messaged me in the Zoom chat saying they were Muslim and provided an answer to their classmate’s question. I messaged back thanking the student for providing their knowledge, and encouraged them to share more throughout the lesson if they were comfortable. Throughout the rest of the lesson, the student began to unmute and chime in frequently, providing insights from their personal worship experiences at a mosque. The other students in the class were very intrigued, and began to ask their newer classmate questions so that they could have a deeper understanding of Islam. It was truly remarkable and heart-warming to see. 

Jeremiah 31 speaks of a similar type of welcoming that God’s New Covenant will bring to the world. “I will put the law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people...And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me” 

In reflecting and researching on this passage, I found Jeremiah 31 connected very well to what transpired in my classroom that day. On this day, the student became the teacher, and I could tell this experience had a positive impact on their feeling of welcoming into our school community. This Old Testament passage implies there will be no privileged class to teach. There will be no distinction, even the distinction of religion, I would argue, that restricts people from having a relationship with God. As Christians, we believe that Jesus came to validate the prophecy that God’s love has no boundaries. 

Studying Religion with my students, who are each uniquely different in terms of their own faith, is always a valuable experience for me as a human. What transpired this year during that lesson on mosques was a great reminder that God’s world is more connected than we think, and when we strive to understand His world more we can create a spirit of welcoming for ALL people.

May we welcome one another with the same radical welcome that Christ extends to us. Amen

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How do you see God’s welcoming play out in your everyday moments?

I Am...Healed (Part 2)

Our “I Am…” series has already been off to a wonderful start. We have explored our identity as being rescued, named, formed, and healed by God! As we move through Lent, members of Saint Luke will continue to share reflections about who we are in Christ here on our blog. These thoughtful prompts will also gather us together and lead us into a weekly time of connection on Zoom.

Sparky Lok continues our series with his reflections on being healed by God.

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I Am Healed

Numbers 21, John 3

What comes to mind when we consider Jesus’ ministry on earth?  Along with preaching, teaching and miracles, healing those sick or injured in body or mind was a great part of Jesus’ ministry. Illness and early death were facts of life in first-century Palestine, and the stories of miraculous physical healing by the man from Nazareth surely helped to attract the crowds that gathered whenever He and the disciples stopped to rest. The New Testament has many accounts of Jesus restoring sight to the blind, making the crippled walk or ridding tortured souls from the demons of mental illness. We think of the ailments that Jesus healed as injuries or diseases of one kind or another.  

At the base of Christian faith is the assurance that Jesus suffered and died to redeem us from sin. I confess that until this Lenten season, I had regarded Jesus’ great act of redemption as altogether separate from His acts of healing. But in my reflections this week, it seemed more and more fitting to imagine sin as a chronic, incapacitating and even fatal disease and Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross as His ultimate act of healing.  Like many diseases, sin debilitates.  It keeps us from being who we want to be and from acting as we should.  Like Peter in Romans 7, we lament that “The good I would do, I do not, but the evil I would not, that I do.”  Sick people long to be well, to be whole again and to be who they were meant to be.  Viewed in that light, sin is a disease for which we desperately need healing.

Our lessons for this week refer to symbolic or sacrificial acts of atonement that saved sinners. The first takes place when the people of Israel were nearing the end of their wandering in the wilderness and their entry into the promised land. They were weary and afraid.  As they often did at such times, they were grumbling and near the point of rebellion against their leader Moses and their God. In keeping with Peter’s letter to the Romans where he preaches that “the wages of sin is death”, Numbers records that God sent a plague of poisonous snakes to punish the people for their sinful rebellion, noting that many were bitten and died. Many of us share an innate dread of snakes and so this punishment, among all the trials of the Israelites, seems particularly horrifying.  It must’ve been so to Moses’ followers, for they quickly repented and begged forgiveness.  On hearing this, Moses had a snake of brass made and placed on a pole that was elevated so that all the people in the camp could see it. Moses told the people that they had only to look at the brazen snake and they would be healed from the fatal effects of the snake bites.  As Pastor Karl would say, “And so it was”! It’s noteworthy that from antiquity to the present, the image of a snake coiled on a staff (the Aesculapion of the ancient Greeks) has become a symbol of the healing professions. 

Our New Testament scripture from John 3 records Jesus’ conversion of the Pharisee Nicodemus.  This passage is rich in meaning for Christians, containing as it does Jesus’ admonition that we must be born again of water and spirit and the beloved passage, John 3:16.  This week we reflect on later verses where Jesus connected with Nicodemus by quoting the Torah from Numbers 21 recounting the lifting up of the brass serpent.  Certainly Nicodemus would have known these passages by heart.  Jesus goes on to foretell that He, the Son of Man, would also be lifted up as a means of expiating the sins of all humankind.  Thus, the ancient symbol of healing was brought forward to presage Jesus on the Cross.  It is searing in this light to imagine the scene recorded in John 19 where the little group of mourners clustered around the foot of the cross have their eyes upturned to Jesus, who is lifted above them.   How right it seems then to regard Jesus sacrifice as His ultimate act of healing. Through this we are truly “Healed from Sin”.

My faith looks up to thee, thou Lamb of Calvary, Savior divine:
now hear me while I pray, take all my guilt away,
O let me from this day be wholly thine. Amen

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To whom do you look up for healing?

I Am...Healed

As we move through Lent, we are exploring our identity in Christ. Each week members of Saint Luke have been sharing reflections here on our blog. We’ve been challenged and encouraged already by the thoughts shared and this week is no different. Enjoy today’s reflection by Bob Mitchell & return back on Wednesday evening to discuss it with us on Zoom.

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I Am Healed

Numbers 21:4-9, John 3: 14-15

As a child, I remember seeing a garter snake slithering along our backyard. I remember I ran away scared, and despite my mother calmly telling me that it was harmless, I wasn’t convinced. To this day I dislike snakes. I dislike them almost as much as I dislike spiders, tornadoes, and lima beans! 

What do snakes have to do with this week’s Lenten Lesson? 

In Numbers 21:4-9, the Israelites were walking from Mount Hor to the Red Sea on their journey to the Promised Land. They were complaining and saying some pretty nasty things about God and Moses. God had had enough. He sent venomous snakes down to the people. The snakes bit the Israelites, and some of the people died. Then the people cried to Moses, “We sinned when we spoke against God and you. Pray that God will take the snakes away from us.” Moses prayed for the people. Then God told Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” So, Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. When anyone was bitten by a snake, they looked up at the bronze snake on the pole and lived.

In John 3: 14-15, we read that just as Moses lifted the snake up on a pole, God’s Son must also be lifted up in order that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life. John sees the story from Numbers as a parable about Jesus. In Numbers, the snake was lifted up; people looked at it, their faith returned to God, and they were healed. John says that Jesus also must be lifted up, and when people turn to him, they will be healed and will have eternal life.

The lifted-up reference in John has two meanings:

1. Jesus being lifted up on the Cross, and

2. Jesus lifted into glory, after his death and when he ascended into heaven

For Jesus, the Cross was the way to glory. He, first, refused it. He’d taken steps to evade it. And, he tried to escape the Cross, and if he had done so, there would have been no glory. 

It’s the same for us. We can refuse the cross, but if we do, we miss the glory that follows. It’s through faith that we are healed. 

God cares and loves us so much! God wants to forgive us and heal us from our sin. 

The lifting up of the snake and the lifting up of Christ, both lead to the healing of God’s people. In Numbers, when the people looked up at the snake and had faith, they were healed.  So, too, Jesus took our sin with him when he was lifted up on the Cross. And through his Love for us, we are healed. 

Thanks Be to God!

God of all mercy and consolation, come to the help of your people, turning us from our sin to live for you alone. Give us the power of your Holy Spirit that we may confess our sin, receive your forgiveness, and grow into the fullness of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

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How do we overlook Christ’s Cross in our daily lives?

How have you been healed from sin by having faith and trusting in God?

I Am...Formed (Part 2)

Our “I Am…” series has already been off to a wonderful start. We have explored our identity as being rescued and named by God! As we move through Lent, members of Saint Luke will continue to share reflections about who we are in Christ here on our blog. These thoughtful prompts will also gather us together and lead us into a weekly time of connection on Zoom.

Earlier this week, we heard from Liz Harmon and today Amanda Heintzelman helps us continue to dive into the idea of being formed by God.

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I Am Formed

John 2:13-22

John’s account of the story of Jesus cleansing the temple was not the gospel passage that immediately came to mind when I considered the theme of being formed by God’s law. In fact, when I first agreed to blog about the theme, I recognized immediately that the old testament reading was the ten commandments, and I assumed the gospel passage would be where Jesus tells everyone that he has not come to “abolish the law but to fulfill it.” Let’s just say I got a little nervous when I finally got around to reading John 2:13-22, and I immediately realized this was not going to be a neat, tidy, obvious moral to the story kind of reflection. This passage gives us the story of Jesus unleashing his righteous indignation on the money-changers and animal sacrifice salesmen at the temple with a handmade whip, overturned tables, and verbal confrontation with the temple authorities and other Jewish worshippers. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great, if not startling, story with a ton of potential sermons and lessons, but what on earth does it have to do with being formed by God’s law? It took me days of reading commentary after commentary, and it wasn’t until I consulted the great theologian, Calvin and Hobbes, that I finally saw a connection. 

What provoked Jesus anger? The same thing that caused Calvin’s mom to lose her patience. She didn’t send Calvin to the tub to go through the motions of taking a bath; she sent him to be cleansed by soap and water. Calvin’s interpretation of the letter of the law missed the point entirely. I think when Jesus went into the temple he saw a huge discrepancy between the letter of the law being followed and the spirit of the law being honored. The temple was supposed to be the meeting place between God and God’s people. There were rules for entering this space, and Jesus would not have been surprised or upset by these. It wasn’t paying the temple tax or obtaining animals for sacrifice that made Jesus angry, it was going through the motions and the rituals without regard for the true purpose of purification and entering a holy place where human life and divine blessing could meet. Jesus was mad that they were following the letter of the law with complete disregard for the spirit of the law. They allowed worship to become business as usual. It was transactional instead of relational. It was playing church instead of encountering and being transformed by the true, living God. Jesus looked around and realized he needed to dramatically interrupt “business as usual”. 

Business as usual can happen anywhere: in relationships, careers, church. Business as usual is insidious because its predictable and familiar and provides an illusion of security. We are often all too willing to trade authenticity and realness and struggle and growth for the security of going through the motions, crossing our Ts and dotting our Is. Following the letter of the law can feel so much less complicated than the work necessary to fulfill the spirit of the law. But Jesus barges into the temple of our lives and says, “no more walking your faith journey on auto-pilot. I don’t want you to just follow God’s law. I want you to recognize that you are FORMED by God’s law.”

Dear God,  Thank you for forming us by your law. Help us to recognize the importance of honoring both the letter AND the spirit of that law. Give us the courage to interrupt “business as usual” in our lives and in our faith. Teach us what it means to worship you “in spirit and truth”. Amen.

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What “tables need overturned” in your life to interrupt business as usual?

I Am...Formed

Our “I Am…” series has already been off to a wonderful start. We have explored our identity as being rescued and named by God! As we move through Lent, members of Saint Luke will continue to share reflections about who we are in Christ here on our blog. These thoughtful prompts will also gather us together and lead us into a weekly time of connection on Zoom.

Liz Harmon continues our series with her reflections on being formed by God.

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I am Formed By God’s Law

I’ve heard that learning (or building a life) is based on a structure or perhaps a ladder.  The lower rung, the foundation stone is the most important!  It has to be solid to support the rest of the structure.  In school, first we learn letters, then sounds, and then how they work together for make words that we learn to read.  With that basic structure, we can learn from reading.  

Could we look at the 10 commandments as a structure intended by God for how we might form our lives in ways that are best for us and for our neighbors?

So, there is the base block, “I am your God”.  This is the first commandment, on which rest all the law and the prophets:  You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind.  

The second; “You shall have no other gods before me” focuses on the centrality of the first.  

Setting aside a day to God, as in the 3rd Commandment, also underscores the centrality of having a Lord, your God and says that time, effort, and attention are needed to achieve a right relationship with this God.

Perhaps the other commandments are what we need to live as individuals in community.  We care for our neighbor and for our place within the neighborhood with these commandments.

They are given in the “shalt not” framework in order to protect our neighbor and perhaps to protect ourselves from our neighbors.  In the affirmative version is a vision of how-to live-in peace with our neighbor, in the kingdom of God.

This song illustrates building in a lovely way.

So how am I shaped by the Commandments?  Each time I encounter them, as now, I find something new.   Something more comes to mind.  This time I’m reminded of Luther’s thoughts on ‘Thou Shalt not Kill’ and ‘Thou shall not Steal’.   Not only ‘Thou shall not kill’, but not hurt . . . but help him in all his physical needs.  And ‘Thou shalt not steal’ but help his neighbor to improve and protect his property.  Luther does not note ‘Christian’ or deserving neighbors, just neighbors who are to be helped and protected.   I’m also reminded that we Christians often have a problem with God’s unlimited, amazing mercy.  The 10 Commandments are now just Two:  Love God, Love Neighbor.  And we trust God to help and guide us.  

Dear God, let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me. Amen

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How do the Commandments form you to Fear, Love, and Trust God?  

What is the hardest commandment for you to be formed by? 

I Am...Named

Who are you? What is your true identity? Each week during Lent, members of Saint Luke will share reflections about who we are in Christ here on our blog. These writings will serve to stimulate our own personal reflections and prayers throughout the lenten season. They’ll also bring us together and propel us into a weekly time of discussion on Zoom as we journey towards Easter.

We continue our series with an insightful reflection from our Councilor of Worship, Jodi Donohue.

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I Am Named

Genesis 17, Isaiah 43:1

I am named.  My name is Jodi.  It’s the label that my mother gave me at birth, that appears on legal documents concerning me, and that people, who want to communicate with me, use in addressing me.  But it is not me.  Names are arbitrary labels, used to identify one person from another, but they do not reflect our intrinsic qualities. 

Sometimes we change our names.  The change usually comes about as a result of some event in our lives.  Some people change their last name in marriage, and back again after a divorce. Some people receive a new name at confirmation, adding a Saints name as a middle name, for example.  Some people choose a stage name, or nom de plume as a professional name.

Some people’s names were changed as a result of emigrating to another country.  My own great-great grandfathers last name was changed from Schollkopf to Schell when he entered the country.  Others change their names to reflect their true gender identity.  

Sometimes our names are changed for us, as in when we are given nicknames.  When I was a freshman in high school, a new girl moved into the neighborhood.  Her name was Ragnhildur.  Ragnhildur was from Iceland and hardly spoke a word of English.  Ragnhildur walked home from school every day with me and a few other girls and the nervousness of trying to communicate with no words in common was compounded by our adolescent insecurities of social situations in general.  

It was especially frustrating for Ragnhildur and us that we couldn’t say her name.  We tried and tried again but our American tongues didn’t cooperate.  Someone came up with the idea for a nickname and Ragnhildur was willing to try.  We started with close names like Rocky and Hilda, but neither name seemed to fit this glorious, golden-haired Nordic girl.  We settled on Rikki, a name that was easy to say and adorably cute as well, and, according to my search on Facebook, a name that she uses today.

But I do wonder how Ragnhildur felt at her change of name.  If names are just arbitrary labels, why is it a momentous occasion, either good or bad, when our names are changed?

Names can never reflect our true selves.  They can sometimes help others further define us, male or female, married or not, etc.  But they can never capture our true being.  And yet we, or others who know us, may remain attached to our names when we change them.

God’s renaming of Abram and Sarai in Genesis 17 is symbolic in its capture of what Gods purpose was for them.  Abram, meaning “exalted father” was changed to Abraham “father of multitudes”. And Sarai, meaning “my princess” was changed to “mother of nations”.  It was a naming born of a promise that God was giving to Abraham in Genesis 13:16: “I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted.”  It was foreshadowing of events to come.

We say that we are “named” as a member of God’s family in baptism.  Like Abraham and Sarah, God gives us a new identity in our baptism.  In our baptism ceremony our names are proclaimed for the congregation to hear, and the congregation welcomes us by that name.  However, it isn’t this identifier that is important in the baptism ceremony.  

In Isaiah 43:1 it says:  But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.”  God’s calling us by our name is not just a recognition of a title, it is his promise that we belong to Him, that He knows us, He sees us and He understands us.  

God calls to us in baptism to recognize our soul, our true being, our true self one on one with Him.  In baptism we are welcomed into God’s family as ourselves, whoever that self is, wholly and entirely.  God names us in baptism as His own child, not with an arbitrary label, but with a deep and unbreakable love that He alone knows us, knows us completely, and loves us more than we can hope to love ourselves.

Dear God, Thank you for knowing us, no matter what we are named.  Help us to know that you love our true selves, and that we are worthy of your love each and every day.

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PONDER & SHARE

How do you feel knowing you are known by God?

I Am...Rescued

Who are you? What is your true identity? Each week during Lent, members of Saint Luke will share reflections about who we are in Christ here on our blog. These writings will serve to stimulate our own personal reflections and prayers throughout the lenten season. They’ll also bring us together and propel us into a weekly time of discussion on Zoom as we journey towards Easter.

Kicking us off is Marty Meyer. Enjoy her thoughtful reflection on being rescued.

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I Am Rescued

Genesis 9; Mark 1

The warm water enveloped me as I walked down steps into the baptistry toward my pastor. He asked if I believed in Jesus as my Savior. And when I said yes, he clasped my hands and said, “I baptize you in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost.” Then he gently immersed me in the water.

What are your memories of being baptized? Many Lutherans rely on parents and family for their memories. Perhaps someone took pictures of you and your family at the baptismal font. Maybe you have a video of the moments when the pastor held you, sprinkled you with water and said, “I baptize you in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost.” Later when your confirmation drew near, everyone had a story from that special time in your life.

It may seem odd that I would want to write about baptism to Lutherans. Our experiences are different so I was curious to see baptism from another perspective and to read Luther’s Catechism on baptism.

Luther starts with the basis for baptism: Jesus’ command “to make disciples and baptize them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit" (Matt 28:19). Then he cites Mark 16:16 “whoever believes and is baptized will be saved.” To become a disciple of Christ, a person must believe in Jesus Christ as Savior and be baptized.

Where does the idea of baptism with water come from? In Gen. 6-9 God tells Noah that He will cleanse the world of its evil with a great flood. He promises to protect Noah and his family. Noah builds an ark, fills it with mating animals and his family, and they safely ride out God’s great flood. The flood “washes” away evil.  God’s protection of Noah and the animals gives new life to the earth. 

One day, Jesus, a carpenter from Nazareth, walked to the river Jordan to find John the Baptist.  John had been preaching repentance and baptizing people. Jesus asked John to baptize him.  After Jesus was baptized, the Spirit of God descended on him, “like a dove.”  A voice from the heavens said,

“This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased,” (Mark 1:9-11).  

Wow! With his own baptism, Jesus takes things to a new level. The old image of flood waters and God’s rainbow promise takes on a new dimension. Baptism becomes an act of repentance and the beginning of a new life. It becomes a sacrament because, as Luther explains, “…the word of God (is) in and with the water…”(Gen 1:2) that washes away the old life and begins our new life in Christ.

 Titus writes, “He (Jesus) saved us…through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5-8). That is the strength and beauty of being baptized. Our sins are washed away. We are filled with the Spirit of God and given new life in Christ.

Thanks be to God!

Thank you, God, for keeping us firmly in your love. Help us daily to seek forgiveness and to be renewed by your grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen

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PONDER & SHARE

When you are in lockdown, swamped by worry and problems, what do you hold on to?

Grace around the Table: Reeds

Summer is winding down and we are preparing for another school year. For many households this fall will be different than any other, at least temporarily due to Covid-19. School, work, extracurriculars, and church are all potentially different than we previously knew it. It has been a trying time and as with any major changes, growing pains are sure to follow. Despite the challenges, many families are making the most of their time at home together. One major change and unforeseen blessing is that many families have reconnected around the dinner table more frequently.

According to a recent survey, over 54% of households are cooking more during this pandemic. These home-cooked meals shared around the family dinner table provide an opportunity for families to connect in new ways, emotionally, relationally, and spiritually.

Mealtime is a common time for families to pray together or “say grace” before they dig in. This summer we have been featuring various Saint Luke families and how they say grace together. We will also have the chance to get to know them better and hear about some of their household mealtime traditions. Earlier this summer we heard from the Wahler family and the Schulz. Let’s dive in and hear from today’s featured family, the Reeds!

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MEET THE REED FAMILY

Tell us about your household/family: Our household is Me (Sarah), my husband Brian (who is not a "member" of Saint Luke, but does come with us to services when it is important to me, like Christmas, Easter, Mother's Day, near my birthday - and he has also been in the room most weeks when we are doing at home worship, so he has probably heard more services since staying at home than in the past few years combined!) and my son Caleb, age 8.

How long have you been a part of Saint Luke?: I first came to Saint Luke Christmas Eve 2007. I joined a few months later. Caleb was baptized at Saint Luke in 2012.

How did you find Saint Luke? We had gotten married that fall and were living in Wayne. I had tried a few churches since moving to the area that summer but hadn't found a church "home." I was raised Lutheran but thought I would try some other denominations when church "shopping". When I went to Saint Luke that Christmas Eve it just felt right. That Christmas Eve we had actually tried to go to another church earlier in the evening. It was a popular church, and we got there closer to the start of the service than we probably should have. So when we got there, the main sanctuary was full and we were directed in to an overflow room. There was only one other family in the overflow room. A few minutes after sitting down, an usher came in and went up to the other family. He told them he found room for them up in the main Sanctuary and escorted them out, leaving Brian and I all alone in this room full of chairs pretty cut off from where the service was actually going on (there wasn't a video monitor, only audio being pumped in). So sitting in a large room all alone on Christmas Eve made me really sad. Christmas Eve was a HUGE deal in my family growing up. We always had a huge party with a ton of families coming, and then we would all go together to church so it was already hard for me being on Christmas Eve just the two of us without family or friends. Then being in this room alone was just too much for me. I told Brian we were leaving. No one even acknowledged that we walked out. When I got back to our apartment I was really upset and said that I absolutely had to find a place to go to church that evening or I wouldn't feel right, but it was already late. Saint Luke had the 11:30 service and it turned out it was a 2 minute drive from our apartment, but I had just never checked it out. When we went to the service that night it was so welcoming!

What is your favorite thing about Saint Luke? I love being part of the music ministry at Saint Luke, playing in the handbell choir, playing flute a few times a year, and joining in with the choir when I can. It has been great getting to be a part of the music ministry even while worshiping at home. We have been so lucky to have John Rea and his editing talents during this! I also love the children's ministry at Saint Luke. I know Caleb has learned a lot over the years in Sunday School and with VBS. Having the 2 year old Parent and Child class taught by the amazing Mrs. Seaton was such a blessing during a time when parenting can be a challenge (2-3 year olds are not easy) and I am glad Caleb has grown with the program over the years, having wonderful Sunday School teachers every year

Favorite way to spend time as a family during the pandemic: Pre-pandemic, Caleb and I went on a lot of "adventures" as we would call them. Lots of day trips to museums and playgrounds and other interesting places, or overnight to places like DC and NYC. In the past few years we have been to over 125 different playgrounds, and last year we went to 25 museums. We were off to a good start with 10 museums and 20 playgrounds from January through the beginning of March and then everything changed. So, once it felt safe enough, we shifted to visiting outdoor places other than playgrounds. We've made it to 25 different local places with trails to explore. Caleb's favorites by far are the ones with creeks to get in. My favorites are the ones that are empty enough that I don't have to feel like I need to worry each minute about social distancing. I love it when we go somewhere and there are no other cars in the parking lot.

Favorite memory as a family during this season: Exploring the outdoors has been so wonderful. We spent a lot of time outside before all of this, but there is certainly a difference between being on a playground and being in nature and really seeing all of the beauty that God has created. Not that I don't still love playgrounds, but I have been so happy that this helped us get out an explore so many of the really awesome preserves and parks that are nearby. 

What is something you have been learning during this season?: My husband has always been a bit more content to spend time at home, but Caleb and I have always been very go go go when it comes to "adventures." Some days we went to more than one museum in a day! Or we may explore three different playgrounds in one day. We have definitely learned to appreciate slowing down a bit and finding ways to have fun at home. Caleb has been doing a lot of drawing (he follows tutorials on youtube and loves it) and I have cooked and baked more in the last few months than in the rest of my life combined. I never thought I liked doing much in the kitchen, but it has actually been relaxing for me. 

Any family mealtime traditions:  Since Caleb was about 4 we have played card games during meals a few times a week. It started with just Caleb and I as something to pass the time during lunch on days I wasn't working, and it bled in to dinners with all three of us playing. We don't play every meal, but probably at least 50% of the time. Uno and "Monopoly Deal" are two of our favorites. Right now we have a Harry Potter version of Uno that is in high rotation. We also have a tradition of "Friday Pizza Movie Night" which is pretty much just like it sounds by the name. We eat Pizza (take out or frozen) and get to sit in front of the tv and watch a movie while eating. Caleb says it is something he looks forward to every week

Favorite family meal: Our Friday night pizza is certainly a favorite for Caleb. Other than that, homemade meatballs is probably the meal that is most enjoyed by all three of us. Sometimes we will have them with pasta, sometimes with rice, and sometimes just meatballs with a side of veggie and no sauce. I tend to not have a specific recipe I use every time. I am the type to just google "baked meatballs" and see which recipe currently has the highest star rating.

Share one or two of your favorite mealtime prayers:  Most nights we say "God is Great, Good is Good. Now we thank Him for our food. By His hands we all are fed. Give us Lord our daily bread. Amen." This is the meal prayer I learned growing up, and it was easy to teach to Caleb when he was young. When I was growing up there was a point in time when we transitioned away from that to doing more "free form" prayers at meal time. I always started with "Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this wonderful food…" and went on from there. I don't know if we will move to that now that Caleb is getting older. When we have Holiday meals with my extended family, usually a longer blessing will be given that isn't a memorized prayer. 

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Thanks for sharing, Reed family! Use the special printable coloring sheet as a way to learn one of their family mealtime prayers. Give it a whirl at your next family meal.

Grace around the Table: Schulz

Has the current pandemic changed things for your family? Maybe you are working from home or not working currently. Perhaps you have more time together at home than ever before. Did you tackle a home improvement project or hone your cooking skills during this unprecedented season? Many busy households slowed, at least temporarily, as Covid-19 shut down life as we previously knew it. While it has been undeniably difficult for so many, we seek to find the good that has come out of this challenging time. Many families have reconnected around the dinner table more frequently than ever before, sharing stories, laughing together, and savoring one another’s company.

According to a recent survey, over 54% of households are cooking more during this pandemic. These home-cooked meals shared around the family dinner table provide an opportunity for families to connect in new ways, emotionally, relationally, and spiritually.

Mealtime is a common time for families to pray together or “say grace” before they dig in. This summer we are featuring various Saint Luke families and how they say grace together. We will also have the chance to get to know them better and hear about some of their household mealtime traditions. Earlier this summer we heard from the Wahler family. Today, we get to the opportunity to know the Schulz family!

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MEET THE SCHULZ FAMILY

Tell us about your household/family: We are a family of four. Fred, Cindy, Noah (14) and Siena (12). We have three cats, a dog, and a chameleon.

How long have you been a part of Saint Luke?: We have been apart of Saint Luke for 5 years.

How did you find Saint Luke? After moving here from Florida in 2013, we googled Lutheran churches and found Saint Luke.

What is your favorite thing about Saint Luke? We loved how welcoming everyone is, beginning with our very first visit. Siena & Noah also look forward to the treats between services.

Favorite way to spend time as a family during the pandemic: Our favorite ways to spend time during the pandemic have been playing board games, swimming, and family movie nights.

Favorite memory as a family during this season: Binge watching all nine seasons of The Office and seeing creativity bloom in all of us.

What is something you have been learning during this season?: We've been learning together about the benefits of a plant-based diet and continue to try new recipes, many made with items from our own garden.

Any family mealtime traditions:  We feel it's important to eat every meal as a family, if we're together, and everyone helps. Siena's fluffy omelets are fabulous, and Noah kneads a mean sourdough bread.

Favorite family meal: We're finding it difficult to come up with a favorite meal because we're always trying new recipes. We like to be adventurous.

Share one or two of your favorite mealtime prayers:  "Come Lord Jesus, be our guest, and let these gifts to us be blessed."

This is the table prayer Fred's family said at each meal when he was a child. Noah and Siena know that this has been passed down to them and we share it with guests who dine with us also asking that they share their mealtime prayer.

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Thanks for sharing, Schulz family! Use the special printable coloring sheet as a way to learn their family mealtime prayer and try it out next time you gather around your table.

Grace around the Table: Wahlers

While the current pandemic has been devastating in so many ways, there have been blessings hidden amidst this challenging season. Many parents are working from home, spending less time commuting and more time with their loved ones. Children are spending countless hours riding bikes and drawing with sidewalk chalk in the fresh air. Busy household agendas once bursting with scheduled obligations are now more open with space for leisurely strolls after dinner and longer bedtime stories.

For many households, meals have been changed dramatically due to Covid-19. Instead of swinging through a fast-food drive-thru on the way to scheduled activities or appointments, families are enjoying cooking together and gathering around their own dinner table. According to a recent survey, over 54% of households are cooking more during this pandemic. These home-cooked meals shared around the family dinner table provide an opportunity for families to connect in new ways, emotionally, relationally, and spiritually.

Mealtime is a common time for families to pray together or “say grace” before they dig in. Whether you have prayed together hundreds of times or are exploring what it means to integrate faith into your family’s daily life, this blog series is for you. This summer we will feature various Saint Luke families and how they say grace together. We will also have the chance to get to know them better and hear about some of their household mealtime traditions.

Kicking off our series is the Wahler family!

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MEET THE WAHLERS

Tell us about your household/family: Our household consists of parents Chris and Jaclyn, children Brendan (13), Liana (11) and Greta (7), and our dog Libby (3).

How long have you been a part of Saint Luke?: We have been members at Saint Luke since 2013, and our youngest child Greta was baptized that year also.  We attended worship here for a year or so prior to becoming members.

How did you find Saint Luke? We decided to start worshipping at Saint Luke Lutheran Church when we realized it was nice and close to our house.  Our previous church was just not convenient anymore (about a 25-minute drive) and so we were looking for a Lutheran church closer to home.  Saint Luke was it!

What is your favorite thing about Saint Luke? A survey of our family revealed our favorite things about Saint Luke include Sunday School, donuts before the service, and the kind, inviting pastors.

Favorite way to spend time as a family during the pandemic: Our favorite ways to spend time during the pandemic have been going on neighborhood walks with the dog, swimming in our pool, and playing games together.

Favorite memory as a family during this season: Our favorite memory as a household this year has been the 2 ½ months that all five of us were home together without anyone going to work or school- although it is not something we wished for, it will likely never happen again and it was nice to spend the time together.

What is something you have been learning during this season?: Without much contact with friends, the children have learned to get along with each other much better than they did previously.

Any family mealtime traditions:  We try to eat together at the dinner table as a family as much as possible.  We never have TV or phones/tablets out during the meal.  And we each try to share a story about our day with the rest of the family.

Favorite family meal: We have many favorite meals including homemade pizza, quesadillas, and anything grilled!

Share one or two of your favorite mealtime prayers:  We usually use this “generic” grace before meals: 

God is great, God is good,

Let us thank him for our food, Amen.

Both Chris and Jaclyn said this prayer growing up.  We like it because it is simple yet meaningful.  Our extended families also say this prayer before meals, so we can use it at family gatherings also.

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Thanks for sharing, Wahler family! Try out their family favorite mealtime prayer the next time you gather around your table. Enjoy the special printable coloring sheet as a way to learn it as a family.

Radical Welcome: Gender & Sexuality

Together during lent, we are taking a closer look at the various ways that Jesus extended radical welcome to various groups of people and how we can follow His example. He was constantly crossing over all kinds of human-made lines and boundaries! Each week we will explore a new demographic, learning both from Jesus’ example as well as hearing personal stories from members of the Saint Luke community. Together, we have taken a look at the ways that Jesus crosses over socioeconomic lines, family structures, age, and even physical and intellectual abilities.

Today we wrap up our series with the help of friends, Karen and Jen Lehman. The Lehmans will be joining Saint Luke for a special event on this important topic over the summer. We are so grateful that they are willing to get us thinking ahead of time.

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Members of Saint Luke, it is wonderful that your congregation is reaching out to the LGBTQIA community and we look forward to sharing our story of identity and gender diversity with you during your upcoming event on identity this summer.  In this blog post, we would like to share with you our experience of what happened when we shared our story a few years ago…

A TYPICAL STORYBOOK FAMILY

Before we get to our story, we’d like to give you a little background on who we are.  We are Jen and Karen and have been married for 35 years.  We are college sweethearts, have lived in King of Prussia for 34 years and have a daughter who recently became engaged and a son who has been married for six years and has a 3-year old daughter.  Oh, and Jen is a transgender woman and for the first 52 years of her life presented as a male.  Other than that, we are pretty much a typical storybook family.   

Jen transitioned to living as a woman almost 7 years ago.  To say the least, this transition was rather disruptive to our family and world as we knew it - and one that we did not enter into lightly.  In 2015, about 2 years after Jen socially transitioned, she was asked by the Reconciling Works for Lutheran organization to write about how her transition affected her faith. In the piece she wrote, she described the despair and anguish that she felt prior to transitioning and the joyous feelings that she had after transitioning and being able to live an authentic life. 

We plan to share this story with you when we are together.  However, this blog is about when we told our story at the Market Square Presbyterian Church in Harrisburg, PA as part of our advocacy and work for the transgender community.  In November 2015, we shared our transition story to members of the congregation during the education hour.  A young woman, Rebekah, was in the audience.  Unbeknownst to us, she apparently was moved by what we said and in the following months wrote a poem entitled “Beloved” and created a painting depicting a “Contemporary Crucifixion of Christ”, which was a tribute to ending violence to transgender people.  

In March 2016, during Lent, we took a small group of attendees from the Keystone Transgender Conference in Harrisburg to the Sunday Service at Market Square Presbyterian Church.  For some of the attendees, this was the first church service that they had attended as their authentic self.  Rebekah presented her painting as a tribute for the attendees during the welcoming session.  We know of no better way to end this blog than in Rebekah’s words that day:

“Beloved. We are all beloved. Through Christ. 

We are. Known. Claimed. Loved.”

“…As we move through the season of Lent towards the cross we focus on Jesus and Christ’s presence in all people.  As humans we have a need to define and label and distinguish ourselves.  As a world, a nation, a community, a church, we are too often driven to divide and separate, oppress and silence, exclude and drive out people that are not like us.  However, in the image of Christ, the whole of humanity is reflected.  In Christ there is no “other,” only us, beloved children of God.  When we fail to invite and welcome people, we fail to invite and welcome Christ.  When we fail to feed and clothe people, we fail to feed and clothe Christ.  When we build up walls to keep people out, we build up walls to keep out Christ.  When we fail to stand up for the people of the Transgender community who face violence every day, we fail to stand up for Christ.  When we fail to acknowledge the beloved worth of every person in the Transgender community, we fail to acknowledge Christ.    

The only way to put an end to the violence Transgender people face every day is to call it out, bring it into the light, name it, and to acknowledge and uphold the names of the beloved Transgender people in our world.  As part of an art installation that will be used for our Good Friday service, “Contemporary Crucifixions of Christ,” you are invited to contribute names of Transgender people you know and love, to be added to the installation so we as a church community can collectively claim the belovedness of all people.”

It was a powerful experience for the Keystone attendees, Rebekah, Market Square and us.  

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TAKE A STEP

There are many ways to explore Jesus’ radical welcome to all regardless of gender and sexuality. Specifically, as you explore how to radically welcome those that are transgender, consider taking one or more of the following steps.

1. Uphold the names of Transgender people you know and love- You can add the names in the comments below and we as a larger church community can collectively claim the belovedness of all people, keeping them in our prayers. Another option is to perhaps place their name in a significant place this lenten season as a reminder to continue to uphold them in prayer.

2. Explore the resources provided by Reconciling Works, an organization of Lutherans for full participation. As we continue to learn, both our minds and hearts expand.

3. Join us this summer for the Love a Little Louder event focused on identity. The Lehmans along with other speakers will help us explore this topic even more.

Male, female, intersex. Lesbian, gay, straight, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, queer, questioning, asexual, ally, and pansexual. All are precious in your sight. You love us all and call us beloved. We celebrate that we are known, claimed, and loved by you. Amen.

Karen and Jen Lehman are active in their local Lutheran ELCA church. They have presented workshops on gender transition at various conferences, local churches and high schools. We look forward to having them join us this summer at Saint Luke!

Radical Welcome: Physical & Intellectual Ability

Jesus was famous for extending a radical welcome to everyone he met, crossing over all kinds of human-made lines and boundaries. Having received Jesus’ radical welcome ourselves, we seek to extend that same welcome to all people.

At Saint Luke, every person’s identity is recognized and celebrated as a gift from God –no exceptions!  Whatever your race, culture or color, you are welcome here. Whatever your marital status or family structure, you are welcome here. Whatever your gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, physical or intellectual ability, you are welcome here.

Together during lent, we have been looking at the various ways that Jesus extended radical welcome to various groups of people and how we can follow His example. Each week we explore a new demographic, learning both from Jesus’ example as well as hearing personal stories from members of the Saint Luke community.

This week we take a look at how Jesus interacted with those of varying levels of physical and intellectual ability. Journey with us!

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JESUS SETS THE EXAMPLE

“For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.” -John 13:15.

When it comes to varying abilities physically and intellectually, Jesus interacted with all people. This is good news for the estimated 48.9 million people in the US alone who have a disability of some kind! Jesus does not shy away from any type of need, expect people to come to him in “good” shape, or refuse to touch those that otherwise may have been isolated from community. In fact, he interacted with all abilities with radical welcome and grace. He is the embodiment of full accessibility, engaging each person with respect and dignity.

According to author Joni Tada, an international advocate for those with disabilities, 25 of the 34 miracles recorded in the Gospels involve Jesus interacting with people with disabilities! He radically broke the social norms and touched a man with leprosy, asked a blind man what he wanted rather than just assuming, and saw a paralyzed man as more than his disability. He was constantly surprising people with how he radically welcomed all. As a church community, we have not always followed in His footsteps. At times we have deeply wounded those different than us through our actions. However, when we follow God’s lead amazing things can happen. Today’s guest, Laura Binner has experienced God’s radical welcome to those of all abilities and it has impacted her in significant ways.

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ALL SPIRITS REJOICE

The fourth Sunday of each month, Saint Luke has an opportunity to reach out to the special needs community, their care givers, and families. The Rejoicing Spirits service is a national ministry whose goal is to enrich the faith lives of people in the disability community. Saint Luke joined this national ministry over ten years ago. 

This service provides an opportunity for the special needs community to experience their faith and express themselves in an atmosphere that is warm and welcoming.  The person with special needs can walk into our sanctuary and be themselves, in a no-judgement zone, where they are seen for their abilities and not their disabilities. 

As a parent of an adult child with special needs, I can testify to the gratitude you feel when your differently-abled loved one is warmly welcomed to church. We all react positively to a warm welcome. Now picture yourself with multiple disabilities. It’s human nature to stare and feel uncomfortable with a situation that is new. Imagine being the recipient of constant stars and avoidance. Now imagine how you would feel to have a group of people greet you with a smile, kind words, and an extended hand. 

 Saint Luke’s youth band, 2 Copper Coins, play music and sing throughout the service. The band provides a celebratory atmosphere that magnifies the joyfulness of the service. They have an appreciative audience that may have never experienced live music before. The band members reflect Jesus’ love with their devotion to the service and willingness to be there every month for our special needs community. 

“...we’re all more the same than different...”

There is a time set aside in each service  where the pastors ask for prayer requests. This is the most touching part of the service and the time where I feel God’s love fill the sanctuary. One of the pastors, or a volunteer, will ask people to raise their hands if they have a prayer request. People in the audience raise their hands and wait for the microphone. There are people who have difficulty expressing themselves, people who can’t speak but can make audible sounds, there are people who can’t see, but wait for the acknowledgement of the microphone. Each and every person has an opportunity to express their thoughts for prayer. This is the time where the disability becomes invisible and the abilities shine through. There are prayers for  sick parents, prayers for safe travel, prayers for world events, prayers of thanks for their care-givers, and humming sounds that carry a thick spiritual tone. It’s a time where your heart expands and you realize that we’re all more the same than different. It’s truly beautiful and touching. I am always left with a sense of awe in the abilities of the people who seem the most disabled. 

Rejoicing Spirits is well named. It is a time to rejoice in Jesus’ love for everyone. It provides an opportunity for a radical welcome: to leave your comfort zone and attend to a group of people that are new to your experience. It is in these radical welcomes, and new experiences, where we grow together.  

Jesus’ love knows no limitations.  Radical! 

TAKE A STEP

Following Jesus’ lead, we too can extend radical welcome to others with varying abilities. Here are a few things you can try as you seek to follow in His footsteps.

1. Remember that we are all more the same than different. Jesus saw beyond abilities. We too can seek to view one another as whole individuals, rather than make judgements based on one aspect of ourselves. When we do so, we have the capacity to observe and appreciate the many things we have in common with one another, rather than simply our differences. When we recognize that we are more alike, we can feel more confident to engage with those we previously saw as “different.”

2. Learn more about varying abilities. Perhaps this means picking up a book or having a conversation with a friend. We often find that as we learn more about those with differing experiences, the more admiration and compassion we have for one another.

3. Seek out a Rejoicing Spirits gathering near you. Rejoicing Spirits is an innovative ministry that works to enrich the faith lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families and friends and other supportive community members. There are gatherings all across the United States. If you are local to Devon, PA, feel free to consider joining us at Saint Luke. For those living in other areas, check out the other gatherings.

God, we lift up to you all who are disabled - in hearing, in sight, in limb or in mind. Save them from bitterness and frustration, and give them joy in the midst of their limitations. May they find peace and fulfillment in knowing you and discovering your will for their lives. We pray for special grace for those who care for them. Give them your love and kindness and understanding of the real needs of those they look after. For Jesus' sake, amen.

-Mary Batchelor; from 1000 World Prayers

Laura’s family joined Saint Luke in 2006. The warm welcome and unconditional kindness and support their disabled son received on their first visit made it an easy decision! She’s worked on the Rejoicing Spirits committee since its inception in 2009.

Radical Welcome: Age

Together during lent, we are taking a closer look at the various ways that Jesus extended radical welcome to various groups of people and how we can follow His example. He was constantly crossing over all kinds of human-made lines and boundaries! Each week we will explore a new demographic, learning both from Jesus’ example as well as hearing personal stories from members of the Saint Luke community. Thus far, we have explored the ways that Jesus crosses over socioeconomic lines, as well as across family structures.

Today we continue our series by exploring the topic of age, with the help of teenager Lily Thompson and senior Marie Lambeck. Journey with us!

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There are many negative stereotypes associated with age. When you are young, you may hear that kids now a days are always up to no good, only care about themselves, and are lazy or disrespectful. On the other extreme, seniors may hear that they are out of touch with reality, senile, or cranky all the time. It seems like regardless of your age, young and old alike often feel misjudged, unwelcome, and pushed aside. Sadly, this can even be true within churches.

Kids and teenagers may be viewed more as a distraction or nuisance rather than valuable contributing members. Instead of being treated like a blessing or reward, we can be quick to treat children and teenagers as less than, not truly listening to their ideas or welcoming them to fully share their gifts with the faith community. Instead of radically welcoming and embracing them the way Jesus did, they can be held at arms length. We might mean well but we can be tempted to look at them as the future of the church, rather than notice all they are in the present.

Similarly, in our hustle and bustle, senior citizens can feel like they are a burden, slowing us down and getting in the way, rather than being valued as a wealth of wisdom that we can learn from. Instead of embracing gray hair as a crown of splendor, we seem to fight against aging, fearful of what it may entail. Sadly, this fear and our own impatience can cause us as people of faith to miss out on the incredible insight of those that have journeyed farther than us over the years. Like elders Simeon and Anna who noticed the child Jesus among them in a unique way, seniors in our churches too can help us see in different ways. We just need to slow down enough to ask and listen.

At Saint Luke, we aim to radically welcome people of all ages. We do not always get it perfect, but we see that each generation adds something special to the body of Christ. Check out what special guests from different generations had to say about them each experiencing Jesus’ radical welcome regardless of age.

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A TEENAGER’S PERSPECTIVE

When it comes to church, I find it as a second home for me. Saint Luke’s has brought me so many different opportunities that I wouldn’t have been able to get anywhere else. They are such a welcoming environment that always brightens up my day whenever I get the chance to go. Jesus is an important figure in my life. He welcomes everyone, no matter their race, gender, sexual orientation, age, etc. 

“I haven’t really ever felt looked down on while being at this church. However, I have been to other churches where I didn’t feel as welcomed or accepted, like I do at Saint Luke’s. I think that people view me as a person who loves being apart of the congregation, and as someone who is always willing to help out in any way.”

When it comes to being a warm and welcoming place, Saint Luke’s have been nothing but perfect for me. They always know how to bring joy and light to so many peoples faces. Also, I think that being a somewhat new member at this church, I feel like I have made so many new friends already. The congregation is so friendly, kind, and accepting. I love how warm and welcoming everyone is. 

During my time at Saint Luke, I have gotten the experience to help out in so many different ways. For example, I was able to be a counselor at their week summer camp, which was an awesome experience. Also, I was able to go a handful of trip to Silver Springs to hang out with the kids there. I also got the opportunity to be Baptized and Confirmed while becoming a member.

Saint Luke’s has become such an amazing and important part of my life and I am so grateful that I get the opportunity to be apart of the congregation. 

A SENIOR’S PERSPECTIVE

Jesus’ welcome to all people certainly included folks whom today we call “seniors.” Following His lead, we seniors at Saint Luke enjoy being an active part in all aspects of our church community’s life.

Yes, you’ll find us everywhere! Altar guild, choir, Needles & Pins, Women’s Circle, Feast Incarnate, Stephen Ministry, Sunday school, Nifty-Fifty, VBS, and of course, we’re active participants on Sunday and other worship opportunities.

Our latest venture is called Third Act. Have you heard about it? We’re going to have it’s third get-together here at Saint Luke on Monday, March 21. Of course, you know that anything scheduled for that time frame will include lunch. They’ve been delicious so far and I’m sure this month’s menu will follow suit. An interesting speaker, friendship, and an all-around good time also served!

“We seniors at Saint Luke enjoy being an active part in all aspects of our church community’s life. ”

Seniors are also noted for caregiving activities. Just this past Sunday, five of us visited with Saint Lukans who are presently making their homes at a local assisted living community. We began our visit with a short worship service including Holy Communion, and continued it as we so often seem to do with sharing our own news updates and good conversation. You seniors out there—if I haven’t included the way you feel especially welcome at Saint Luke—be in touch!

Jesus certainly was! And we’re following His lead, right?

God of all generations, we see you across all time. In the vibrance of youth and in the wisdom of age. Help us to continue to welcome all of your people regardless of age, knowing that as we radically welcome them, we too welcome you. Amen.

Lily Thompson is a local high school student. She became a member at Saint Luke in 2019, and is especially involved in Spark Student Ministries. You’ll find her serving alongside others energetically, participating at a youth retreat, or worshipping with her family.

Marie Lambeck has been a part of Saint Luke since 1966. She has seen the passing parade and loved it all. She loves it especially now. You can find her in a variety of places such as serving on the Connectors team, volunteering in the office, updating bulletin boards, and more! 

Radical Welcome: Family Structure

Jesus was famous for extending a radical welcome to everyone he met, crossing over all kinds of human-made lines and boundaries. Together during lent, we are taking a closer look at the various ways that Jesus extended radical welcome to various groups of people and how we can follow His example. Each week we will explore a new demographic, learning both from Jesus’ example as well as hearing personal stories from members of the Saint Luke community. We kicked off the series exploring socioeconomic statuses with Howard and Betsy Friend.

Today, we take a closer look at family structures. With no two families looking exactly alike, it can leave us wondering if ours is within the reach of Jesus’ radical welcome. We may wonder if those that are married, divorced, widowed or single are all embraced as fully by Jesus and by His church. We may feel that our wiggly toddlers or expressive teenagers make our family on the outside of His welcome. Perhaps we have avoided visiting a community of faith because we were not sure if we would face judgement or shame due to our unique expression of family. Whether its blended families, half siblings, multi-generational homes, adoptions, infertility journeys, or something completely unique to one’s family and marital status, there can be insecurity about whether our version of “family” fits into God’s family. However, today, special guest and long-time Saint Luke member, Rob McCay wants to tell you otherwise.

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EVERYONE WILL BE CHANGED BY HIS RADICAL WELCOME

Have you ever been in a group setting and felt excluded because you are different from the group’s demographics?  This was the discussion topic that I experienced during a “Diversity and Inclusion” seminar I recently attended.  The discussions were lively, and the seriousness ranged from a black woman in a board room full of old, white men to another man who could no longer hunt with his brothers because of an accident that limited the use of his hand.  Everyone could identify a time that they felt excluded or different, and everyone could also empathize with the frustrations as stories were told.  Personally, I thought of two things; I am a single dad raising kids in an unconventional family, and I also recently welcomed someone new into my life.  Both situations made me uneasy at times, and both times I thought of the love that Jesus preached and the radical welcome He extended to all who fell outside human-made boundaries of social acceptance.

JESUS EMBRACES MY FAMILY

I had not always been outside the social norms; if anything, I was the definition of privilege and good fortune.  I am educated, and I am successful in my work.  I married a beautiful woman, who everyone loved. I have four children, who are smart, athletic and kind.  I felt very blessed until the day my wife died.  Suddenly a single dad, I was navigating new waters that I barely understood.  My kids demanded attention.  Professionally, I could no longer commit to some work because of the demand and time away.  Personally, I fell outside some social circles because I was now the odd-man-out.  I felt as if I was dropped in a morphed, parallel world. Despite the angst, I decided that my children are my priority.  We stumbled along the way, but we found a nice groove that worked for all of us.  Part of our groove was welcoming the community and love of Saint Luke and also recognizing that Jesus embraces my family too. We are just as special as anyone else.

My oldest son entered college last Fall, and my three teen age daughters began freshman year of high school.  I am very proud of them and their continued development into adulthood.  I am happy raising my children and helping them prepare for their future.  And truthfully, I was content in the knowledge that I will send them off into adulthood and then be able to live quietly in a little, western mountain town.

Until I unexpectedly met someone special.

There was fear and apprehension along with great excitement with my new connection.  I met a man (Yup!  A man!) whom I felt far differently for than any other male friend I have.  His name is Bryan.  I was racked with terror at times, but there was no denying my feelings for Bryan either.  It was different.  It felt cosmic or divine.  It is impossible to explain.  At the beginning it was scary.  There were moments where I thought it would be so much easier to walk away.  Just chalk it up to poor judgment, but I simply could not because our connection is so right.  

During my time with Bryan, I recalled how my family adjusted to changes years ago.  Like Jesus welcomed my new family then, he will surely offer His radical welcome for Bryan and me too.  Knowing and feeling His love, I found the confidence to move forward.  Deciding that if I’m courageous enough to express my vulnerability and fear, I should be rewarded with love.

I expressed myself to Bryan, and we immediately found a deeper connection.  Later, barely able to get the words out, I told my kids about Bryan, and with big smiles, they told me of their excitement.  They only want their dad to be happy.  Then I introduced Bryan into my tight circle of friends, and without hesitation, everyone welcomed him.  My kids and my friends recognized what was happening; I am happy.  It was not about anatomy or gender; not about speculation or whisper or gossip.  It’s about love.  It’s about seizing a great thing, feeling blessed and welcoming the love into all of our lives.

“...Knowledge that Jesus extends his welcome to everyone outside of human-made boundaries gave us all the confidence to move forward.  ”

Last summer I asked Bryan to move in with us.  Always a big step in any relationship, but this move required blending into an already atypical family, and I was very sensitive to everyone’s needs.  Prayer brings some peace, but knowledge that Jesus extends his welcome to everyone outside of human-made boundaries gave us all the confidence to move forward.  

Bryan has become an equal member in our new family.  If anything, I think our family is more blessed now with Bryan than it has been in a very long time.  He is my partner, and the kids adore him.  It is exciting to watch their interactions.  He’s more than another adult to them, he is a confidante and friend. I love the trust and care they are all forming, and I cannot be happier.

Our family is thriving in the most unconventional manner.

Over the years, we have had moments of great sadness and moments of pure joy.  Some of these instances set us apart from others.  God’s grace and Jesus’ welcome gave us all the strength to endure.  I asked Bryan and my kids to take a chance and to be courageous to express their vulnerability, knowing that no one will be judged.  This would be our path to peace and love.  

I have crossed back and forth over many social boundaries, now with confidence knowing that I will always be loved.  Jesus’ radical welcome propels me forward.  Love prevails.  

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“See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. ”

— 1 John 3:1

ALL IN GOD’S FAMILY

Jesus leads the way, showing us what radical welcome looks like to people within differing family structures. He compassionately interacts with a woman whose marriage is at a dire point. He cares for sisters who deeply mourn the death of their beloved brother. As hopeful parents bring their children to see Jesus, he warmly welcomes them into His arms. Jesus shows great respect for those living a life of singleness or celibacy. He shows a protective care for the widows who were being taken advantage of by others. To him it did not matter if you were married or not, came with children or extended relatives in tow, or if you had no earthly family to call your own.

We can follow His example and extend a loving welcome to all we come in contact with regardless of what their marital status or family structure looks like. Here are some ways to act:

1. Support the unique needs of different families: A single person new to town might miss the comforts of home and could be blessed by an invitation to a home cooked meal with their church family. A widow might love company on the anniversary of the passing of their beloved spouse. A young family may eagerly welcome an extra set of hands to rock a baby to sleep so they can catch their breath. Keep your eye out for the differing needs of families around you. There is no “one-size-fits all” approach to caring for families because each family is so beautifully unique.

2. Change up your seat: At times, families may not feel like their family has a place within the church. We can change their mind. Often it is most comfortable to stay close to our family and others in a similar life stage on Sunday mornings. We can develop an attitude of having “put in our time” juggling kids or we may prefer to hang out with all the other single young adults. Why not try sitting with someone from a different family structure this week?

3. Seek to learn from other families: No family structure or marital status is superior. In each, there are great lessons to be learned. The beauty of all being a part of God’s family is that we can learn from one another. Even if we do not walk in their shoes, we can listen and learn from those who have journeyed down a different path than us. It may surprise you what you can learn about parenting from the couple fostering or about marriage from a celibate friend. Learning from one another can make us better spouses, parents, siblings, children, and friends.

Lord, we rejoice together that there is no family too unconventional that they are outside of Your radical welcome. You welcome us all as sons and daughters into Your family regardless of our marital status, children, or household dynamics. May we too show an open embrace to each person seeking their place in Your family regardless of what their family here on earth looks like. May your kingdom come. Amen.

Rob McClay, 54, is a leader in drug development in the pharmaceutical industry.  He lives in West Chester with his three high school daughters, Erin, Jenna and Keely.  His son Aidan is studying at Clemson University.  And he lovingly welcomes Bryan into the family.  Rob has been a member of Saint Luke since 1998.

Radical Welcome: Socioeconomic Status

Jesus was famous for extending a radical welcome to everyone he met, crossing over all kinds of human-made lines and boundaries. Having received Jesus’ radical welcome ourselves, we seek to extend that same welcome to all people.

At Saint Luke, every person’s identity is recognized and celebrated as a gift from God –no exceptions!  Whatever your race, culture or color, you are welcome here. Whatever your marital status or family structure, you are welcome here. Whatever your gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, physical or intellectual ability, you are welcome here.

Together during lent, we are taking a closer look at the various ways that Jesus extended radical welcome to various groups of people and how we can follow His example. Each week we will explore a new demographic, learning both from Jesus’ example as well as hearing personal stories from members of the Saint Luke community. Journey with us this lenten season!

To kick off this special series, Betsy and Howard Friend help us explore Jesus’ radical welcome to those across various socioeconomic statuses.

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ACROSS SOCIOECONOMIC STATUSES

Picture a statue of Jesus, simply looking out with tenderness and love, His arms outstretched in a broad embrace… no one outside that embrace!  An embrace that in-gathers the full, broad spectrum of the human family.  A clear call in our context of division and divisiveness, insult and sarcasm, a collapse of civility. Sometimes in churches!  Differences of opinion, morph from exchange into confrontation.  If there are “categories of welcome,” the differing socioeconomic realities of those who encountered Jesus is clearly among them.

“Jesus reached across socioeconomic realities extending radical welcome to all.”

Take a closer look at the ways Jesus interacted with those of various socioeconomic statuses:

• Among those visiting the manger were shepherds, among the unclean, so Joseph ought to have blocked their way.  They were the bottom of the social and economic ladder.

• Jesus himself was of the peasant class in a country under foreign domination.  His earliest playmates were surely of that same social level.

• A rich ruler, hearing Jesus response to his wonderful question, but unable to make the sacrifice, walked away.  It says that Jesus looked on him with compassion.

• Simon the Pharisee of the Temple hierarchy and apparently a man of means, invited Jesus to lunch and he accepted.  Ironically, sitting at table with one socially and financially above him, a “woman of the streets” entered, beginning to wash Jesus feet and dry them with her hair.  Simon seems incensed at her intrusion and Jesus’ failure to dismiss her.  Jesus addresses Simon with a penetrating question: “Simon, do you see that woman?”

Crossing Lines

This vignette of Jesus engaging both a poor woman and rich man stirs a personal experience.  We founded Karitas Foundation 25 years ago with its primary work in Cuernavaca, Mexico.  We are always in partnership with the peasant poor we serve: their hope and vision, their goals and plans, their collaboration and hard work.  We aim to work more with then for and seek financial partnership by that city’s more successful and affluent. Our most successful strategy has been inviting delegations from the latter population to visit our project sites.  After visiting, they are apt to say: “That’s what claimed my heart.” For both the struggling poor and the wealthier population direct interaction as peers is rare.  Watching them interact with respect, even affection, is so touching.

“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.”

— Luke 6:20

Jesus does not stop there. He continues to reach across socioeconomic lines, interacting with both the wealthy and the poor with love, respect, and compassion. Some additional examples include:

• What more beautiful a scene than Jesus, dismissing the rebuke of his disciples, gathering the children into his arms.  The context suggests that these were “children of the streets,” waifs, unclean, just a touch above the dogs that likely wandered nearby.

• Noticing the haughtiness of the Pharisees as they dropped their tithe into container, Jesus saw a woman adding her mite.  A lowly woman becomes a lesson from her poverty into their wealth.

• As angry as we are apt to see Jesus, whip of cords in his hands, drives the moneychangers out of the Temple overturning their tables.  It is often assumed that their offence was encroaching on the holy precinct of the Temple.  Then why would he call them a “den of thieves”?  It seems not that they are conducting economic activity there but the way they were conducting it.  In unscrupulous and unjust ways.  Beyond that, some scholars suggest that “turning over the tables” adds a challenge to an unjust economic system, in the spirit of the prophetic tradition.

• Jesus dared to “sit at table” (a most intimate act) with prostitutes and tax collectors, drawing the ire of religious leaders.  Catching Zacchaeus the tax collectors eye, Jesus invited him down from the tree, then inviting himself for lunch. 

Tell Me More

Might this be an invitation to broaden the breadth of our own embrace?  How might we do that?  Bring to mind someone with whom you have substantially different opinions or perhaps a different socioeconomic reality.  Invite them to coffee or some venue for conversation.  In words that work for you, invite them to share their thoughts and opinions.  Let your next words be simply “Tell me more.”  Typically, as another person is talking, we quietly shift to response mode and stop really listening.  Similarly, the speaker assumes you are preparing a rebuttal. Stay with “tell me more.”  It gives you a chance to know more about the other’s perspective.  It suggests a receptivity that will likely soften any tension that might have arisen. 

Some churches have initiated what are called “Courageous Conversations.”  Check out Better Angels, an organization initially committed to encouraging or hosting mixed conservative/liberal gatherings for conversation. They offer an invitation simply titled “Ask A . . .”: have you talked in depth to a Muslim . . . an African American . . . a policeman . . . a political official . . . a poor person . . . an incarcerated person   . . . a homeless person. In the last year we have been intentional about this practice, which has been enlightening and fruitful.

An invitation to Act

With socioeconomic statuses in mind, there are a variety of ways to follow the example of Christ by extending radical welcome to both those with more means and less means than ourselves.

• Have a “Tell me more” conversation with someone living a different socioeconomic reality than you. We can learn a great deal from one another and all have unique perspectives to share on how financials have influenced our lives and our families. As we listen to those in various financial situations, we can learn about God’s provision, gratitude, giving, greed, judging others, jealousy, etc.

• Unsure where to meet someone in a different socioeconomic status? For those used to having a warm place called home, perhaps interact with a homeless person. Saint Luke regularly worships with The Welcome Church, a church without walls for those experiencing homelessness in Philadelphia. Consider joining us on one of these trips.

• Pray for those with both more than you and less than you. Seek God’s direction on how you can extend Jesus’ radical welcome to people on any point of the socioeconomic spectrum. No matter how much or how little a person financially has, spiritually we all need Jesus’ love.

May we be quick to be filled with gratitude for all the blessings you have provided us. May we not forget that wealth comes in many forms and fashions. & May we see the poor, the rich and all in-between as your beloved children, deserving of radical welcome and worthy of love.

Special thanks to Howard & Betsy Friend. Rev. Dr. Howard Friend is a pastor, consultant and spiritual mentor. Betsy Friend is a pastoral psychotherapist, retreat leader and activist.  They are becoming more frequently involved at Saint Luke and are loving it!

Finding Quiet in Advent

Advent is a time of preparation, of waiting. We often find our schedules quickly filled with holiday parties, decorating, shopping, wrapping gifts, baking, etc. At times it feels like our holiday to-do lists will never end. The pace at which we work to complete all of our festive tasks can make it incredibly difficult for our hearts to take on a different pace— a slower pace, the type of pace that allows us to breathe, savor quiet, find stillness, and turn our hearts towards God with anticipation.

Perhaps you have felt the struggle this holiday season and long for a moment to be still, awake, and attentive to God. Wherever you are today, you can create that space. We invite you to go on a short evening Advent journey with us.

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Setting the Space

Before we begin, there are a few ways to create a space that will help you connect with God. Our practice together include the use of a few common household supplies that can help contribute to this special time. Consider grabbing a candle, matches, and printing off the finger labyrinth from below. If you don’t have a printer, simply use a pen and draw a spiral on a piece of blank paper. Once you have gathered your supplies, find a quiet space where you will not be interrupted. If you live with others, perhaps let them know that you will be busy for the next few minutes and request some privacy. Consider turning off your phone, silencing it or even leaving it in another room. Once you are prepare, we are ready to begin.

It Starts with a Candle

Dim the lights and take a few minutes to sit silently in the stillness of the night. If you feel comfortable and are unable to adjust lighting, simply close your eyes. In the darkness and the stillness, notice. Notice what you have brought with you into the space. Notice how you are feeling. Slow down and pause from your day in prayer.

After a few moments of silence, light your candle and enjoy the peace, quiet, and comfort of God’s presence.

“With the lighting of one candle, Advent begins.

We’ve been here before—with one candle.

A candle to offer a prayer.

A candle to remember death.

A candle to mark the passing of another year.

A candle to point the way through the darkness.

Each week we will light another candle.

Four candles call us to sit and wait.

Four candles remind us of Christ’s light.

Christ’s light taking us back to the beginning.

Taking us to the Word.

Taking us to God.

Taking us to our beginning and end.

The alpha and omega.

We light a candle and we wait.

Whether in the church building, around the dinner table, or in the silence of your room, light a candle.

Say a prayer.

Sit in the silence.

Offer yourself.

Listen.

Wait.”

-Kimberly Knowle-Zeller, ELCA Pastor

Pause in Prayer

Lord, it is night.
The night is for stillness.
Let me be still in your presence.

It is night after a long day.
What has been done is done;
what has not been done
has not been done; let it be.

The night is quiet.
Let the quietness of your peace enfold us, all who are dear to us,
and all who have no peace. Amen.

Journey through the Labyrinth

At first glance a labyrinth may appear like a maze.  However, a labyrinth is not something that one needs to solve. There is no pressure to successfully navigate one’s way through winding twists or turns. Instead, it is an ancient symbol that reminds us of the simple reality that life is a journey and invites us to thoughtfully engage with God each step of the way. There is only one way in, one way out, and no dead ends. One simply follows the path and will eventually find their way to the center, and then follows it back out. Along the path, one can learn a great deal about how they travel through life and about God.  To learn more check out our past Beginners Guide to Labyrinths.

Using a finger labyrinth, trace the path and prayerfully journey. As you enter the labyrinth, you simply let go of your anxious thoughts, cluttered to-do list, and the business of life to slip away. In the center, you wait and listen. What might God want you to hear today? As you walk the path back out, you quietly reflect on your experience.

Turn Your Attention to Your Breath

Pray slowly, breathe, repeat.

Come, Lord Jesus,

(Breathe in.)

come.

(Breathe out.)

Beloved One,

(Breathe in.)

be patient with me.

(Breathe out.)

Be still, and know that I am God.
(Breathe in.)

Be still, and know that I am.
(Breathe out.)

Be still.
(Breathe in.)

Be.
(Breathe out.)

Carry the Light with You

After you have finished your breath prayer and are ready to return back to the remainder of your day, conclude by thanking God for journeying with you. Distinguish your candle and reflect on the words of Martin Luther as you return back to whatever awaits you.

“Thus Christ has always been the Life and Light, even before his birth, from the beginning, and will ever remain so to the end. He shines at all times in all creatures, in the holy Scriptures, through his saints, prophets, and ministers, in his word and works; and he has never ceased to shine. But in whatever place he has shone, there was great darkness, and the darkness apprehended him not.” 

May we carry peace, love, stillness, and light with us during the rest of Advent as we wait. May our hearts be open and attentive to God. May we shine.