Resurrection Life

This post is by Rev. Dr. Liza Klein, San Rafael First UMC:

Christ is Risen! Or, at least in the experience of Mary Magdalene, Joanna and Mary the mother of James on that first morning, the tomb is empty, and two men, or angels, are there to tell them Christ is risen. The women return to the 11 apostles and the others in the upper room. But to the apostles, their words, “seemed to them an idle tale.”

If he is the Messiah, why does life seem the same to them? The disciples huddle in fear behind locked doors. Even though Jesus had told them before he died that he would rise on the third day, the shock of Jesus’ crucifixion was too great for the disciples to know anything beyond their fear and confusion. Resurrection is a hard thing to comprehend, though in the Bible we are told that Lazarus had already been brought back from the dead, and the disciples had seen him, so that is not the only issue for them. They must have been confused about the issue of power, for the Messiah in Jewish tradition is one who will come with power to uplift the Jewish people from domination to independence.

If he is risen, why does life seem the same to us? It is usual for us to live out our faith in a place of unknowing. We have not seen Lazarus or Jesus risen. We plod ahead day-by-day, step-by-step, not expecting change, trying to keep our lives together, not expecting anything radically new to happen.

Easter with its enthusiasm and joy is an invitation to a deeper experience of God, to a stronger connection with God, other human beings and all of creation.

You are invited to experiment with resurrection living: Suspend your disbelief. Put aside your practical atheism.

“The Christ [who knocks] at that door has the power to change us on the inside, in the inwardness of our soul. We share who we are with him, and he shares with us who he is. This is the nature of God. His intentions become ours, and we become one with the totality of creation. This is something we could not ourselves achieve. Open the door.” (N. Gordon Cosby, “Believing the Big Story,” in Conspire, March 2013).

Our human response to trouble is often to huddle, to be numbed, to despair. To be resurrected from terrible life experiences, we must find a way to open our minds and our hearts enough to let God in. To be resurrected, we must be willing to let go of the past, knowing that a better past is not possible, and to open to the possibility of new life, of a future with hope, for us. Commitment to a spiritual community and our own spiritual formation is critical to move beyond the cultural norm of personal prowess and achievement and to trust your life to God, and to live your life deeply with others.

This is not an idle tale! Resurrection living means that we live free from fear of death, physical death, or the metaphorical deaths of failure, loss, sickness, and other human struggles. Do not be afraid! Come, live in the light, shine with the joy and the love of the Lord, for He is Risen, and draws near.

From Grief to Life

This post is by Gayle Shearman, Member of Novato UMC & Conference Co-Lay Leader:

Mark 15: 33-47 

This is the day that the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad in it. ~ Psalms 118:24

These words of scripture from the Psalms were words my mom said to herself every morning as she attempted to live into them each day. She would often say these words as she looked out at the view of Mt Shasta—framed in her dining room window—as she enjoyed her morning cup of tea.

Mom passed away, at the age of 90, early in Lent this year. The blessing for me is that I was asked to come earlier than planned to do her care giving for a few days. I arrived the evening of Shrove Tuesday, and we began Lent, fighting her latest health challenge together. As she became aware she was not going to overcome that challenge and started to pass, I had the privilege to share with her the things that were special to her. I recalled how she had some months earlier made sure I remembered what she would like included in her memorial service. 

Today is Holy Saturday, a day of realization of death and grief for Jesus’s followers. Imagine the family and friends gathered to comfort one another, trying to grab hold of the memories to fill the emptiness that must have consumed them in that time before they would go to the tomb on Easter Sunday morning. I’m sure they shared stories of what to that point in time had been an exceptional journey for a savior among all peoples in the lands through which he had traveled.

Holy Saturday is the day in the Christian Year that for us most epitomizes grief – the full day in the three where Jesus was among the dead. It is an especially important day for me this year – as my Lenten journey has been one of death and life, grief and hope. I have not lost sight of the fact that it began, with my mom, on Shrove Tuesday. I have lived each day on my journey through Lent, appreciating the stories of family, friends and faith that shaped my mother’s life. As she joined the company of saints who surround us, I was all the more keenly aware of the Easter which is coming for every one of us.

These last years and this Lenten season have been a journey for me in love and grace, formed and shaped by the holy waters which flow in, and around and through me.

In this Holy Saturday as we live in that space between life and death and life, from Good Friday to Easter, I pray each of you remember the stories of family, friends, faith and a savior that have shaped your life and will continue to nurture you in the days to come.

In Life, In Death, In Life Beyond Death – God is With Us – We Are Not Alone – Thanks be to God.

Reflections on Lent

This post is by Anna Mullins, a member of Aldersgate UMC:

For many years, Lent has been a time for me to pause in this busy world and reflect on my faith journey. I was blessed to be born into a Christian family and my grandparents were among the pillars of a Methodist church in rural Kentucky. As I read the scriptures for Easter Sunday, I was taken back to one of my earliest memories of my faith. I was five years old and sitting on the front porch swing with my grandparents. They were telling Bible stories. I remember asking “what do I have to do to get Jesus to love me?” My grandfather said: “He already loves you and always will. He is a loving God who brought you into this world and has plans for you”. I asked: “how do I know what it is that He wants me to do”? They told me to pray every day, love Him, and be faithful to His Ten Commandments, which they recited to me. He will lead you.

As I reflect on Lent, Christ’s journey and His teachings, I am reminded of that day on the porch swing and the fact that God gave us the gift of free will – the freedom to choose. When I sat in that swing as a young girl, I wondered why God didn’t just make everyone be good. Free will is a hard concept to grasp, but we have to make the decision whether to invite the ultimate guest into our lives. With the hope and promise of Easter, now is the time to invite Him into our hearts and into our lives.

Thoughts on Self Denial

This post is by Rev. Jim Currant, a retired pastor at Novato UMC:

“Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Matthew 16:24 (NRSV)

Preachers love to tell stories. Sometimes they are true. A colleague once told me that he had seen a banner outside of a restaurant that read: “LENTEN SPECIAL: All You Can Eat Buffet!” I wonder how many who saw that notice caught the irony. An “All You Can Eat Buffet” is clearly in step with the times. Lent clearly isn’t. Lent is a self-denying season in a self-indulgent world.

If that sounds somewhat medieval to you, you are not alone. United Methodists aren’t really into a “whip and nails” theology. We believe there is a place for self denial, but the aim of this denial is wider than making life leaner. The purpose is to sweep away some of the clutter in our lives to make room for the abundance only Christ can provide.

“What have you given up for Lent?” It’s a good question, but it should be followed up with another: “What have you taken on for Lent?” The words of Jesus from Matthew’s Gospel read loud and clear: self denial is only the first step on our journey with him. Along the way we are to pour out our lives demonstrating our love for him and our love for the world.

This sobering season is soon coming to its dramatic climax, but there is still time to make good on our promises to God. There is still time to do good for heaven’s sake. There is still time to take on something for Lent!

Psalm 31

This post is two prints done by Ellen Cassell, a member of Aldersgate UMC:

Yoga for Christians

This post is by Melissa Thorne, a member of Novato UMC and a certified yoga instructor:

As we are guided through this Lenten season, we muse over Jesus's last days, visions so vivid the Bible springs to life. But are you finding that between Sundays you become too caught up in life to think about the Lord? Are you finding that Sunday is the only time for a deeper connection? Trying to hold on to that connection throughout the week is the true challenge in our lives as Christians, especially when the frustrations of daily living are so prevalent from day to day. From the daily grind at work, to bills in the mailbox, sick kids, and high gas prices, where does the suffering end?

Well certainly our suffering is no where near what our Lord experienced, but to us it can become overbearing...simply too much to handle. Sunday becomes our reprieve, our time to offer up our praise to God and ask Him to take away all the pain; but what if you could have that chance throughout the week? I'm not just speaking of prayers before bed, although prayer is a powerful tool to utilize to become closer with God. However, everyone needs specific time set aside to connect with their inner being in order to gain a fundamental relationship with self and God.

I would like you to think of your body as your temple which can either be built on sand or bedrock. Of course you want the bedrock so you don't crumble under duress; so nurturing that foundation to keep all of the bricks stacked evenly to prevent them from toppling is the real challenge. Now I'm not talking about weight lifting to get huge bulging muscles to keep your temple strong in order to connect with God on a deeper level. Yet, there is a way through the practice of yoga, to keep your mind and body strong and interconnected as one in order to have a deeper understanding with self and Lord.

I am sure many questions have entered your mind, first of which, twisting into a pretzel is not a necessary requirement! There are many types of yoga offered today, and no it is not a religious cult movement. In fact, most classes offered today are specifically geared toward exercise, not religion. There are some, however, where you will find chanting and singing in Sanskrit to Hindu gods, breathing exercises, and strange poses. If you find your way into one of these classes do not be alarmed, no harm will come to you.

So how does yoga give you a deeper connection to self and God? Well it is a simple formula, strong body + open nurtured mind= deeper relationship with God. Your temple will become strong through your yoga practice, your mind will become open and supple to the ideas and teachings from God, your heart will become softened and filled with love, and your inner light will shine as you come to realize how your relationship with God has blossomed. Yoga can be an excellent avenue to help guide you to a stronger deeper relationship with yourself and God.

So if you are looking for a way to have a deeper connection, to find strength inside and out, to find a little peace in a maddening world, try yoga. It could be your way to find that missing link in life. If you are interested, I offer a gentle yoga class on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the Novato United Methodist Church from 12 Noon to 1:00 PM and free for all! Everyone is welcome with open hearts and open minds. Namaste'.

Water in the wilderness: Finding ways to find hope, strength or courage in the hard times

This post is by Eli and Amaya, youth members of San Rafael First UMC:

Eli’s Story

I had lots of trouble when I moved from San Rafael to Auburn last year. I argued with my parents a lot and I still wish we hadn’t gone. It was hard to be away from anyone I knew, and far away from so many people. When I first got there I was really upset but I was able to make the best of it. I tried to have fun in whatever we were doing. I got a new perspective on life, and can appreciate it more, I took a step back.

Being away helped me appreciate all that I have here. I’m now grateful for my friends in my neighborhood, my school, and have been able to reach out and make even more new friends.

Amaya’s Story 

Putting up with peer pressure or feeling left out of an act of illegal doings in teen years can be hard. Knowing everyone is out and about being ‘bad’, or as we call it, ‘having unsupervised fun’, and making the decision to sit out and watch from the side lines can be difficult. But being able to have the strength to step back and become aware of consequences that do not apply to me because of my street smarts make me thankful for my ability to make conscious decisions and create water in a place that may have been dry (or not as fun before).

Finding Our Way Home

This post is by Celinda Current, a member of Novato UMC:

Anne Lamott relates the following story in her book, Traveling Mercies.

“She told us this story just the other day: When she was about seven, her best friend got lost one day. The little girl ran up and down the streets of the big town where they lived, but she couldn’t find a single landmark. She was very frightened. Finally a policeman stopped to help her. He put her in the passenger seat of his car, and they drove around until she finally saw her church. She pointed it out to the policeman, and then she told him firmly, “You could let me out now. This is my church, and I can always find my way home from here.”

She then continues-- “And that is why I have stayed so close to mine—because no matter how bad I am feeling, how lost or lonely or frightened, when I see the faces of the people at my church, and hear their tawny voices, I can always find my way home.”

We are now traveling through Lent. Lent is a time for searching. Lent is a journey.

“Traveling Mercies”

Love is Supreme

This post is by Ruth Elizabeth, a member of Aldersgate UMC:

Love is supreme. At this time of Lent, let us open the door and welcome God into our lives, feel His love and share it with others.

The Lord has made

 our beautiful world

 and we, His people,

 as well.

 We love Him,

 we praise Him,

 but we don’t always do

 what He’d like us to do.

 His Son

 gave his life for us

and we love

 His sacrifice.

 We need to strive

 to champion love

 to give it freely to

 each other and God.

"Fear Not, for I Have Redeemed You"

This post is by Rick Sapp from San Rafael First UMC:

My wife, Cynthia, feeds the birds. For years, every morning she distributes handfuls of sunflower chips on the concrete patio surrounding the swimming pool. This has resulted in a grateful gathering of birds including Goldfinch, Housefinch, Sparrows, Juncos, Brown Towhee, the occasional Rufous-Sided Towhee, Doves, Titmouse Chickadees and California Quail. In addition, there is a peanut butter feeder for the Downy and Nuttall’s Woodpeckers hanging from a roof beam outside the kitchen window. There are also four hummingbird feeders spread around the yard leading to almost constant territorial spats that can be most amusing to observe. We find the antics of the birds to be very entertaining and they bring us much joy and pleasure that we have come to take for granted.

About two months ago our patio was demolished and the swimming pool’s surface was removed. It left a mess of mud and gravel. Cynthia immediately began to fret about the birds, worrying that they would be so undone by the mess and the lack of a secure place to put out the sunflower seeds that they would stop coming to our backyard. But she was able to find places to put the seeds and the birds quickly accommodated and their numbers never diminished. In fact, they seemed to like and enjoy the scene of destruction. The Sparrows, Towhees and Juncos found more places to scratch and hunt for bugs and seeds. As the ground dried, the quail found new places to dust and before long there were many dusting beds where once there was concrete.

It seems to me that the behavior of the birds is something akin to the message Isaiah is telling the people of Israel. Despite the destruction and mayhem that they have created in their lives and how they have lost their connection to God, that God is still with them and on their side. Is 43: 1 “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” But they must adapt. Is 43:19 “ Behold, I am doing a new thing: now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?”

Lenten Disciplines

This post is by the Rev. Aniko Olah, pastor of Novato UMC:

Dear Lenten Pilgrims,

Greetings to you all in this growing season of Lent.

In one of my former churches I inherited a list of suggested Lenten Disciplines. Although the author of the list is unknown to me, I am very thankful for finding it in the files. We used these suggested Disciplines in the Lenten season at the Novato UMC last year, and we also talked about them in our Ash Wednesday service this year. You might find it helpful to pick one (or even a few) suggestions for the remaining weeks of Lent, so I am gladly sharing them with you (below). I wish you all a blessed Lent and a joyful Easter!

Inward and Personal Disciplines

1: Spend time in solitude each day.
2: Use a devotional reading.
3: Read through the Gospel of Mark and/ or the Gospel of John.
4: Begin (or continue) to keep a journal of prayers, questions, insights.
5: Focus on thanksgiving in prayer rather than asking.
6: Make a list of people with whom you need to be reconciled. Pray for them and let Jesus guide your thinking and feeling about them.
7: Go to all the Holy Week worship services as an act of love and waiting for Jesus.

Outward and Social Disciplines

1: Write a letter of affirmation once a week to a person who touched your life.
2: Give blood and recall the cross.
3: Say "NO" to something that is a waste of time or money.
4: Go through your closets, your home, garage, storage rooms and sort out all the items you don't really need. Give them away to a local organization of you choice.
5: Plan a weekly visit to a shut in neighbor, friend or church member.
6: Donate canned food every week to your local Food Bank.

Lenten Experiences

This post is by Bettye Kray, a member of Aldersgate UMC:

I remember when I was a child my friends and I would talk lots about what we were giving up for Lent. I don’t know how much we fully understood what it represented, but we knew we had to do it.

Most of my friends would give up candies, cookies, chewing gum, sodas, etc. Since I don’t have a sweet tooth, it was difficult for me to decide. My favorite food was butter. How do give up butter? It is in so many things.

As we grew older, I remember my Pastor talking about giving up something that was a favorite of yours. Something that was special to you. Right away I thought of my bicycle. A light went off. I really loved my bike. I would take off riding, falling, riding, falling, riding all over the neighborhood, as well as other neighborhoods. This often worried my Parents, particularly my Mother. Problem child that I was I did it anyway. So, here’s this maybe ten, eleven, twelve year old giving up her bicycle for Lent. Most of my family and friends thought this was really strange. My Mother thought I had found Jesus.

Let’s move forward some years. Ok, many years. Ok, many, many years to today. I had open lung surgery on February 1st of this year. I am still in recovery mode, but doing very well. However, I cannot go to church yet. My goal is to be able to go to church on Easter Sunday. Thanks to the glories of technology however, our services have been recorded, and I have been able to watch them at home, whenever I want. 

In one service our Pastor Mark was talking about celebrating Lent as possibly not just giving something up, but doing something special for the season. Interesting thought to me, yeah, I like that. Then, he went on to talk about breaths and breathing. Talk about getting my attention, given my current condition. Pastor Mark gave us the idea of breathing in God’s love, and breathing out God’s praise, for Lent. What a wonderful idea! Now remember, I am dealing with pulmonary experts who are telling me how to breathe properly, that is, smell the roses and blow out the candle.

I am truly enjoying my new breathing exercises, and doing my best to live, “Breathing in God’s love and Breathing out God’s praise”. I don’t know how often we breathe. However, I am thinking this whenever I consciously breath. I feel closer to God with every breath. I will continue long after the Lenten season is over.

Blessings to you all.
-Bettye

Confession

This post is by Christ Klein, a member of San Rafael First UMC:

"....Lent?"
"Mind you," I say, rather sheepishly (metaphor intended), "this is my best one yet."
"How so?"
"My iStaff."
"Your....?" (Wrinkled forehead, one brow down.)

"It reminds me every morning. At eight thirty. 'It is Lent, you dummy, quit stuffing yourself. Reflect. Pray for E and S.' .. I just added the 'dummy,' but you get what I mean."
"And this ... is Lent...?"
"Compared to my normal...I actually am eating ..a bit...less."
"And the ...?" (Slowly.)
"Reflection and prayers? Twitters. Mental. But they happen, and some days more than once. Without my Staff ...helpless." (Shakes head...self-conscious smile. Knows this ain't much.)
"I thought you were supposed to, like, seriously fast, or give up your TV hoops games. Pine for something. Suffer a bit, groan. ... Penance?"

"Compared to the normal me, this is flyin'."
"Whose wings? Yours or the phone's?"
"God's, I hope."
"Maybe ... paragliding?"
"Good image!" (Smiles again, softly.) "Strapped in the sling. Under the wing ... In the shadows."
"Great views! ... Is it ... scary?"
"Sometimes ... yes."

Prayer and Mindfulness

This post is by Judy White, a member of Mt. Tamalpais UMC:

I was driving to work the other morning thinking of Kyle's very good sermon on last week's scripture and trying to change my praying and to be mindful. Suddenly 3 birds in trinity formation flew in front of my windshield. "Father, Son and Holy Spirit", I thought. Then I saw a bird - probably a hawk - soaring almost straight up - the way our spirits soar when God touches our hearts. Last I looked up to my right to switch lanes and glimpsed a cross on the hill. It turned out to be an old telephone pole but looked to me like the cross!

I can see God every day in many things if I am constantly mindful of His Spirit.

Finding God in Nature

This post is by Melissa Thorne, Novato UMC.

One spring morning I awoke to the sun's rays streaking through my blinds, filtering the warm glow over my face and sheets. The warmth so inviting beckoning me to rise, yet sleep still enveloping me, dreams so vivid and clear. Soon a beautiful song, one I had never heard before floated like a cloud in the sky through my window. As the dreams began slipping away I opened my eyes and rose to see which one of God's creatures was singing. Realizing that at this very moment it was as if I were listening for the first time, as if all other sounds in nature had fallen on deaf ears. Sweet sound filling my room like God's angels singing softly in heaven. Slowly I tugged with gentle motion on the string, the blinds folding like an accordion glide up the window toward the heavens. As I peered out the window my gaze was drawn to the live oak over shadowing the backyard: where are you my feathered friend? Thick was the tree with branch and leaf only song could be heard, filtered light flecking onto the soft green grass. Where are you ? I asked once again as if I were expecting an answer from someone who evidently was not there.

What beauty all around! Tulips in rainbow colors, daisies in white with sweet yellow centers, golden poppies and yellow daffodils mixing and mingling around the bird bath. As I became lost in the warmth of the sun and the beauty surrounding me I closed my eyes and listened. Suddenly it dawned on me that I have been not only deaf but blind to the good Lord's creations. All around me was pure love made by God's hands, and until this moment I had not really noticed. Oh sure I had been camping and hiking I always considered myself an outdoors girl, but honestly for whatever reason I never had a connection to God like this before. I knew then that I had been touched by the grace of God.

That very morning whence I awoke God had opened my eyes and ears to the world around me like I had never known. Nature and all things in it are sacred gifts from God that we should all cherish, respect, and love. Mindfulness is kindness.

I never heard that bird song again, nor did I ever see the beauty who sang into my window. God truly works in mysterious ways.

Repentance

This post is by Rev. Mark Zier, Pastor at Aldersgate UMC

It seems that one of the constants of Christian preaching throughout the centuries has been the admonition to “flee the wrath that is to come!” Years ago I was asked to “perform” Jonathan Edwards’ sermon, “Sinners in the Hand of an Angry God”. It is an unrelenting diatribe against the presumption of the wicked that they might somehow avoid the eternal pains of hell. Wikipedia notes that it was “preached to his own congregation in Northampton to unknown effect.” About 30 minutes into my delivery, I really got into it: shouting, pounding the pulpit, etc. I can tell you its effect on me was exhausting (it took the better part of an hour to deliver the whole thing). But as I reflected on the text, I couldn’t help but think that Edwards had resorted to this exaggerated, vivid imagery out of desperation, knowing that no one was really listening. Perhaps the image of an angry God, ready to whack anyone who steps over the line, is more the product of a whole succession of frustrated preachers than the gospel of the God of love.

A group of us from San Rafael First and Aldersgate have been reading Brian McClaren’s recent book, Naked Spirituality, as part of our Lenten journey together. The book is an attempt to show the way to a deeper relationship with God, stripped of all the pretensions and assumptions that we have about ourselves and about God. I heartily recommend it. McClaren’s starting point is a God that is utterly and faithfully in love with each one of us. As with any loving partner, God might not always be happy with us or what we’ve done; but God never gives up on us. From this perspective, repentance isn’t so much a turning to God out of fear of what might happen to us if we don’t, sackcloth and ashes and all that; but rather more like making up with our lover after a spat, with an offering of flowers and candy. It’s reconciliation. It’s the first step to new life.

God, I can barely get my head around how much you love me. And I love you, too. I’m grateful for all that you’ve done for me and the meaning you’ve given to my life, and I’m thrilled by the prospect of what you want for the whole world. But I know I’ve disappointed you, probably more often than I’d care to admit. I’m sorry. I’m coming to you now, Lord, with tokens of my love for you. Can we get back together to share again the intimacy we’ve had in the past? Thank you, God.

Watching for God in the Ordinary

This post is by Norma Jean Powell, San Rafael First UMC

Psalm 63: 1-8 “My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast, and my mouth praises you with joyful lips when I think of you on my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night;”

While we were in silent prayer during worship on the First Sunday of Lent, my eyes happened upon the deep purple fabric covering the worship table, the shiny material luminescent with sworls of light. In the dark, contemplative season of Lent, when we carefully drape our worship environment in purples and greys, the light of God’s love will find a way in. Perhaps the intent of using dark colors or of giving up a pleasure we love, or of adopting a special spiritual practice during lent is to encourage us to watch for the evidence of God’s presence in our lives, not just in this sanctuary but in the mundane, the ordinary, even the dark places. 

Early Japanese poets relied on a concept called “wabi”. Wabi conveys the beauty of the most ordinary circumstances and objects, so one might write of the steam rising from a cup of tea or a flower with it’s stem bent and muddied by the rain. The 17th century poet-master, Basho, wrote:
          spring rain –
          roof leak drizzling
          through a hanging wasps’ nest
Basho also wrote several poems in the last days of his life, even as he knew that his illness was final, finding peace in savoring the small sights and circumstances around him: birds flying against a cloud, a white flower with dust specks on it, autumn-dry fields.

The psalmist writes: “…for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I sing for joy.”

In these days of Lent I watch each day, even each moment, for the shadow of God’s wing spreading over me; watching for the small, the mundane, the ordinary that sings of God’s presence. Awakening in the early hours of the morning with much time before dawn, unable to sleep again, we often let the worries of our subconscious drive us to despair. But now the words of the psalmist remind me to spend that time praising God. And then I hear the owl that has taken up residence in the tree outside my bedroom calling, and I think again of the small wonders of creation; soon a peace settles over the room and sleep returns. Scent of plum blossoms, the moon reflected in the white blooming plum trees, the wind purring through the eucalyptus grove, crows screaming a warning of perceived danger, and robins exclaiming their delight at finding a few last holly berries, the dark shadow of evening creeping across the mountain. Each day when I enter the gifts God has given I sense the deep peace a satisfaction that the psalmist sings of, and the peace of the creator surrounds me as though I were sheltered under God’s wings.

More About Praying

This submission is from Susan Trumbull, member of the Novato UMC.

Praying

It doesn't have to be
the blue iris, it could be
weeds in a vacant lot, or a few
small stones; just
pay attention, then patch

a few words together and don't try
to make them elaborate, this isn'ta contest, but the doorway

into thanks, and a silence in which
another voice may speak.

Mary Oliver
 **********
Prayers come in many guises,
Depending on when, where and from whom....
The Crux    is   TO WhomSusan Trumbull

Opening Ourselves to God

Sarah McCune—1st year seminarian at the Graduate Theological Union and Director of Children’s and Youth Ministries at Aldersgate UMC

I was baptized in a Birmingham, AL United Methodist Church on June 3, 2012 and the next day I was speaking at the West Florida annual conference about my calling to the United Methodist Church. By all accounts it was a fast discernment process, but I have been actively engaged in discerning what it means to be a faithful Christian since I was ten years old. The UMC has always been in my backyard, I grew up minutes from Epworth by the Sea on St. Simons Island, GA. However, it was not until after my baptism that I visited the Wesley Memorial on the island for the first time. A few weeks after that I was a camp counselor at a UMC affiliated summer camp in North Alabama and had a tattoo of the flame and cross healing. The kids in my camp family provided me with constant reminders as to why I feel called to the United Methodist Church. We talked about topics like if a tattoo was not treating the body like a temple, how trees reflected God’s blessings, and had an intense conversation about bullying. Each of these discussions were deeply spiritual and theological and most of the time I could ask a question like”where do you see God?” and the kids would have the most eloquent of answers.

I provide this context because all of these parts of my life happened prior to my arrival to California. I honestly was scared to move out here from Birmingham, AL to follow a calling that I could not fully articulate. At times the tattoo on my foot spoke louder than any words. I had been in my graduate program for two weeks when I applied for the Director of Children’s and Youth Ministries at Aldersgate. I knew it was where God wanted me to be, but I was fearful that perhaps I would not be an ideal candidate for I do not know all the Wesley factoids or even the best approach for teaching young people scripture. I knew that youth allowed me to open myself up to learning and that they would teach me as much as I was expected to teach them.

If I had to pick one lesson my youth have taught me in six months or so we have been together, then it would be to open myself up to learning. It is when we open ourselves up to listening for the first time that we can discern the voice of God. My youth embody the vision in Genesis 15:1, “After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, "Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great."  They teach me to not be afraid to ask questions of my faith and community, they teach me to be respectful of others, and they teach me to see the world from a young person’s eyes. They are full of hope for the future and yet know how to live in the present moment.

Indeed being a youth minister has moments of fear and doubt, but the rewards are very great.  It is my hope for this season of Lent we all find moments to be like a child and be inspired by the mysteries of God’s grace.

Living Fearlessly

This post is by Nicole Nelson, 1st United Methodist Church San Rafael:

 

Through the years, I have known people to give up all kinds of things for Lent- coffee, meat, chocolate (gasp!), facebook, even deodorant (which somehow made sense in college, I can't quite remember now why). As we approached this Lenten season, I wondered if I was feeling called to make a similar commitment that would sharpen my focus and remove some of the distractions that pull me from that deeper, joyful life that always seems to be just on the other side of my ever-growing to-do list.

 

As much as I would have just like to give up the list itself (sorry, sweetie, I'd love to take out the recycling, but it's Lent....), I couldn't really justify how living in squalor with two children would really bring anyone closer to God. And is that really what distracts me? Is it really the trips to the library, remembering preschool paperwork, a trip to Costco and cleaning the bathroom that stand in the way, or is it my thoughts, feelings and reactions to those things? If I am honest, it is the angst about fitting it all in, the fear of not doing enough and the drive to have things done 'right' are what pull me from the peace that I have known in less hectic times.

 

In this week's passage from Genesis (15:1-5), God says to Abram "Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great" and Abram answers "O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless...a slave born in my house is to be my heir."  God goes on to reassure Abram extensively and history bears that God makes good on this promise. But I wonder how many times God says to me "Nicole, I have an amazing vision for your life" and my answer is "Yes, Lord, but the laundry pile is so great and I need to make brownies for preschool right now."

 

But what if we lived fearlessly, as 'Citizens of Heaven' as Paul writes in Phillipians 3:20? How might my daily life look different? Could the trip to Costco be less about quickly getting my tasks done and instead seen as an opportunity for random acts of kindness toward stressed-out strangers? What would someone unhindered by fear tell her 3 year old about the homeless person talking to himself outside the library? Would a Citizen of Heaven hold a grudge against her spouse for not remembering to buy milk (again)? I am considering all these questions and many more. I've decided that for Lent this year, I will continue wearing deoderant and eating chocolate (thank you very much), but will be making little baby steps at living fearlessly, moment by moment.

Gather Us In

This post is by Kyle Butler, a pastor at Mt. Tamalpais UMC and Tam Abbey:

During Lent Mt. Tam UMC is doing a sermon series focused on the theme of "mindfulness" and different practices to grow in our spiritual lives. This Sunday I will be talking about prayer as a spiritual practice and after reading this week's lesson from Luke my first thought was "there is no way I can use this story to talk about prayer!" Luke's gospel tells us of a threat to Jesus' life and of Jesus' lament over the city of Jerusalem. It's a harsh and threatening text that, at least for me, doesn't place me in an attitude of prayer. I was tempted to preach on a different text, something calmer and more reassuring.

Yet, despite this initial uneasiness, these words of Christ stuck out to me, "How often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!" These words have remained with me as I reflect on this passage. How often is it that God seeks to gather me in from the chaos of my life and I am unwilling? How often do I choose to fill my time sitting on the couch watching television rather than allowing God to speak to me in a moment of reflection?

So I think this passage may actually have a lot to teach us about prayer. Prayer can take a lot of different forms for different people. You may like to write your prayers out in a journal. You may prefer to express your prayers in images that you draw yourself or cut from a magazine. Perhaps you pray best by just sitting in silence, going on a walk, or kneeling down and speaking to God out loud. Whatever form of prayer strikes you, I think for all of us prayer is simply the act of taking a moment to simply listen to God. Prayer is a challenge to not fill every moment with some new task, to turn off the steady stream of media pouring into our lives, and just notice all that is around us. God is already gathering us in, prayer is taking the time to notice and respond.

Practices of Prayer

This post is by Rev. Aniko Olah, pastor at Novato UMC:

Dear Lenten Pilgrims,

Greetings and blessings to you and yours!
What are you doing this year as a special Lenten discipline, I wonder? Did you "give up" something for Lent? Did you "take on" something for Lent? Maybe both? I am glad that you are part of our online group, and the Saturday gatherings at the Aroma Cafe in San Rafael will be great opportunities for fellowship.

At this time I would like to invite you to "take on" a prayer practice for a few minutes every day at Noon during Lent. At the Novato UMC this is our second annual Lenten prayer discipline: no matter where you are or what you do, you are invited to pause just for a few moments at Noon to pray.

You could imagine these few prayer moments at Noon as sending a Face book status update to God: "I am here eating lunch and I pray for all those, who are in need of food." Or you could imagine these few prayer moments at Noon as sending a tweet to God: "Just checking in, asking for guidance for this difficult conversation at work". Or you could imagine these few prayer moments at Noon as sending a text message to God: "Thanks for the great book I am reading."

You could pray the Lord's Prayer if you wish, or the Serenity Prayer. Or you could be in absolute silence... only listening... You could carry a small journal with you and write your prayers down, if you wish. How about singing a song or a hymn one day at Noon? Drawing a picture maybe?

I close with the well known and beloved Lenten commission so many of us use: "Go forth, in Christ's name, to transform existence, to bring consolation to the desperate, hope to the hungry and homeless, reconciliation to a community and world divided. And in Christ's name, find a cause you can live for, a self you can live with, and a Redeemer for whom you can die." Amen!

Holy Grounds Week 2

Thanks to all of our contributors last week, we are off to a great start! Here are the texts to reflect on this week:

Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 
Psalm 27 
Philippians 3:17-4:1 
Luke 13:31-35 

As a reminder, we will continue to meet at 10 am on Saturday mornings at the Aroma Coffee Shop in San Rafael, CA to discuss these readings and the daily reflections.

Temptation

This post is by Mark Zier, pastor at Aldersgate UMC:

Every year about this time I’m reminded of the line from Oscar Wilde: “I can resist anything but temptation.” O, how true that is for me.

When I’m hungry, I’m tempted to eat. Even when I’m not hungry, I’m tempted to eat. When I’m on the freeway, I’m often tempted to lay on the gas just a little harder. At least until I see the black and white patrol car at the side of the road (and everyone who lives in Marin knows exactly where on the side of the road!).

Other things don’t tempt me at all. I have no interest in feeding a one-arm bandit at the casino in the vain hope of hitting the jackpot. I’m not attracted at all to killing creatures for the sport of it (it would only be a sport, I suppose, if the creatures I sought to kill had the same weapons I did – and I certainly wouldn’t find that attractive).

But I am addicted to my work. Somehow I think that if I just work harder, I’ll succeed  – however I might measure that. I want my efforts to amount to something! So I work more and more and more…

When I fail, that’s the moment when I just might remember that I’m really not in charge here. That God has given me my time on this earth not to fret and worry and be consumed by the things that make for a comfortable, secure life; not to spend my time trying to turn stones into bread, or trying to impose my vision of the way the world ought to be on everybody else – making all the nasty political deals that that would take, or trying to persuade God of the correctness of my petty, personal desires and bend God to my will. God knows, it seems I spend much of my time trying to do these very things.

God, remind me that you want me to strive first for the things of the spirit: love, hope, joy, peace, forgiveness.  Remind me that without these things, everything else turns to dust. And be with me so that when I do forget, you will remind me again. Amen.

Give Us Our Daily Bread

This post is from Alison Hendley, a pastor at San Rafael First UMC:

Satan says, “Turn this stone into bread…. what harm can it do?  You have fasted for 40 days, just a little bread to give you strength, to nourish you, to fill you.  It’s an easy thing to do.”

Yet Jesus returns to God, to scripture, to the word of the one who calls him “Beloved”. Where it says, “One cannot live by bread alone.”

In the Bible bread is used again and again as a teaching:  the loaves multiplied, the disciples were told to take no bread when they went out, manna was provided in the desert to the Israelites, the bread of the Pharaoh’s dream that Joseph interpreted, the unleavened bread that those escaping from Egypt took with them, give us this day our daily bread… and on and on.  This simple form of substance becomes almost a mantra of giving life.

And then Jesus himself says, “I am the Bread of Life.”  One cannot live by bread alone….. but one can live by Bread.

The Disciple’s prayer, “Give us this day” a constant reminder that each morning as we pray the Bread of Life is giving himself to us, all we have to do is ask.  “Please, dear God, give us enough Bread, enough Life, enough Hope, enough of You for this day.  And tomorrow I will humble myself to ask once again.

Jesus knew that he could easily turn this stone to bread, but that to do so for the wrong reason would to turn away from God, from his true self, from the very Bread that he was becoming.  He knew this stone was not the one he needed to transform, but that he had to search out any hardness within himself so that he could fully be the nourishing Bread for us.

This Lenten season we too are asked to search out any hardness in ourselves, so that we may be nourished fully AND so we may be the daily bread for others.  We are commanded to humble ourselves enough to ask each morning to be fed by the Bread.  And we are reminded day after day that the Bread is real…. even as we walk to the suffering of the cross, even as we journey though our own life, even as we try to deny the pain and grief…. the Bread is here, abundant, and enough.

O God, give us each day our daily Bread!

Valentine's Day

This post is by Rev. Kim Smith, pastor at Mt. Tamalpais UMC:

Today is Valentine's Day. The day after Ash Wednesday. In all my years of ministry, I'm not sure I've ever known the two holidays to coincide so closely.It is ironic, to some degree. Valentine's Day is one of the most commercial holidays we celebrate. The number of flowers ordered or purchased for Valentine's Day is only topped by the Mother's Day purchases. Ash Wednesday, on the other hand, is one of the few traditional Christian holidays that has not been taken over by popular culture. Unlike Christmas and Easter, Ash Wednesday is one of those holidays of the church that is still a "holi-day," a "holy day." (Ever seen an Ash Wednesday card in the store?!)  Even as I still wash the ashes from my skin and out from under my nails, having anointed many people last night, I'm signing Valentine cards and creating Cupid-surprise gifts for some children in my neighborhood.

Now, that may be the connection between the two observances: bound by relationships in love.  As I create little Valentine's Day gifts, it is out of real love for those people to whom I give gifts. Last night, sitting in a circle by candlelight with my faith family, I was overwhelmed by the love I have for those people, for my church, for God who had gathered us together.  Imagine-- those folks trust me to smear a bit of ash on their foreheads, trusting that somehow in that connection, we find the Spirit of God in Jesus, in whose name we worship.  Imagine, that we are able to turn over our burdens and cares, write them on a slip of paper, watch that paper burn and have the smoke 'rise up to God.'  Those are the ashes, mingled with the ash of last year's dried palm branches, that graced our faces and hands.  All our cares and woes, ash, turned into blessing.  That is the love that will not let us go.  The love to God who gives beauty to ashes, new life from the dead.

Into the Wild

This post by Katie Trinter, a pastor and member of Tam Abbey:

Luke 4:1-13

I love the story of Jesus' 40 days in the wild. To me it is a powerful reminder that each Lent we are invited to go on our own journey into uncharted territory. The story begins with Jesus "full of the Holy Spirit," being led by the Spirit into the wilderness where he is tempted by the devil.  Today this story reminds me that our journey in God is often much different than we think it should be. The things we crave: control, power, safety, knowing what will come next-- these are often not the things we most need. Just as the Spirit led Jesus into this difficult, unsettling place, God invites us into a crazy adventure into the wild. A place of questioning,where the outcome isn't known. In one of my favorite poems, Mary Oliver writes, " All my life, I have been restless-- I have felt there is something more wonderful that gloss, than wholeness, than staying at home." This lenten journey is an opportunity to embrace our own restlessness as a spiritual practice, to let ourselves dwell in the wildness of our own questions, to step beyond what is comfortable, knowing that God is with us even, and perhaps especially, in the wilderness.

I'm sharing Mary Oliver's poem here as in invitation for all of us to go out in search of wild places and wild ideas; an urging for us to let go of what is glossy, perfect and known, so that we might meet God is a new way.

Whelks

Here are the perfect
fans of the scallops,
quahogs, and weedy mussels
still holding their orange fruit –
and here are the whelks –
whirlwinds,
each the size of a fist,
but always cracked and broken –
clearly they have been travelling
under the sky-blue waves
for a long time.
All my life
I have been restless –
I have felt there is something
more wonderful than gloss –
than wholeness –
than staying at home.
I have not been sure what it is.
But every morning on the wide shore
I pass what is perfect and shining
to look for the whelks, whose edges
have rubbed so long against the world
they have snapped and crumbled –
they have almost vanished,
with the last relinquishing
of their unrepeatable energy,
back into everything else.
When I find one
I hold it in my hand,
I look out over that shanking fire,
I shut my eyes. Not often,
but now and again there’s a moment
when the heart cries aloud:
yes, I am willing to be
that wild darkness,
that long, blue body of light.

Welcome and Week 1 Reflections

Welcome to the journey! In this space we have invited members of the four United Methodist Churches in Marin and members of the Tam Abbey ministry to share their thoughts and reflections on the weekly scripture readings.

What parts of the readings stand out to you? What experiences in your life does the text bring to mind? Does the reading challenge you to live out your faith in a new way?

Here are the readings for Week One:

Deuteronomy 26:1-11
Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16
Romans 10:8-13
Luke 4:1-13

We will gather on Saturday morning at 10:00 am at the Aroma Cafe in San Rafael to discuss these readings and reflections. Thank you for joining us and I hope that these words of scripture and reflection inspire your own faith walk in this time of Lent.

Blessings,
Kyle Butler (Pastor - Mt. Tam UMC and Tam Abbey)