Bringing People Together

The moon is shining bright outside as I write this tonight. I am thinking about the Red Sox, and the night they won the World Series in 2004, right during an eclipse of the moon, reversing the curse of not winning since 1918. They are playing the series again, and though I don't watch baseball very often, I can feel the energy in the air. Collective hope, fear, passion, elation? It's funny how sports have become the venues that bring the most people together into one focus.

In our own way, our church also brings people together—at least some of the time, some of the people. Competing with shopping, television, school activities, sports, concerts—so many options exist today for how we spend our time. Why do we choose church? What are we looking for here that we can't find anywhere else? Perhaps it is something about connecting with each other deeply, and connecting with our own deepest selves—a chance for intimacy of spirit, and a chance to give attention to what matters most. We show up, we hope for a little light to shine in our hearts. We hope for a circle of light, like the full moon on a clear night.

It isn't easy or automatic. We need to help each other find the way. When we help each other, we call that our shared ministry. It happens when we listen, really listen to each other. It happens when we smile, when we invite each other to talk, to lunch, to sing. It happens when we take a risk to share from our hearts. It happens in our spiritual enrichment groups, the mens group, the elderism salon, RE groups, visits with elders. It happens in worship, and in coffee hour sometime. Do you come to church hungry for this?

What we need are people who are catalysts of ministry—who are willing to ask the next questions, listen to “how are you really?” We need people who step out of their comfort zone to talk to someone they don't know, invite them to connect. We need people who spread kindness. We have a lot of those people by the way. I am humbled by the depth of caring and light that shines in our midst. And we always need one more person to be one of those lights. There are a lot of needs. Right now I am thinking of some people who would love visitors because they can't get out much anymore. I am thinking of newcomers who can feel the energy of love in our church, but don't know how to access it yet. If you have some room in your heart for something like that, please let me know. Ask me about our Pastoral Visitors, or our Member Connections group.

Church is an ever evolving process, and it is hard sometimes and messy sometimes. Be the light! Sometimes there are little celebrations too. Did you know that in 2001, we purchased the woods that lies over the little bridge near the sanctuary? It was about to be developed, and some very smart people in our church, led by then president Jack Berman, convinced the developers to change their plans and sell us 2 and a half acres. This month we paid off the mortgage for that land. Take a walk over there if you can, to the lovely rock formations. We wouldn't have that woods if people in our church hadn't given their time and energy to bring this light to our community. That's how it works. Jack has Alzheimer's now, but he remembers getting that land, and I think it would be great if as many of us as possible thanked him during this month. We'll have a celebration on November 17th as well, at worship. Moments of light and joy.

Thanks to the light you bring! Rev. Myke