Pastor’s Corner – June 2009

As we read about the life of the early church, we hear about persecutions, hardships due to poverty, and an average life span was in the 40’s to 50’s.  Today’s news is full of dread as well.  Financial crises in business, homes, and even in churches are an accepted part of the current news.  Retirement plans are drying up, children returning home, parents moving in with children and jobs becoming a premium add to the stress we all feel.  Now we face concerns about our world and environment.

How do we respond to all of this as Christians?  We respond as the early church did.  They responded as compassionate brothers and sisters seeking to offer care and support to the best of their abilities.  We, as did the early Christians, recognize that we are all in the same situation, and that real peace and security is something only accomplished by everyone working together.

This is true for financial as well as environmental concerns.  It doesn’t really matter who is to blame, it is only important to learn the lessons from past mistakes and not repeat them in the future.  It doesn’t matter whether global warming is real or exaggerated, we are stewards for God’s creation and are thus responsible for the care and protection of that which God has made.  We know that we cannot continue to operate as we have for decades because we have more and more demands upon the resources we have taken for granted.  We need to think communally, what would best serve everyone, especially the ones with the least voice in the decision-making.  Recovery should be for everyone, not just those who have always been on top of the heap.

“When you did it for one of the least of these, you did it for me.”  These words of Jesus should sing in our hearts and every effort made to heal not only our financial situation, but our global environmental situation as well.  There will come a time when God asks us what have we done with the resources he loaned to us.  How will we answer?

Shalom,  Darrell

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Pastor’s Corner – May 2009

Two hundred years ago in the panhandle of what was to become West Virginia, a minister and his congregation prepared a statement to their denominational leadership explaining their vision for ministry in this frontier region of the nation.

The minister’s son, newly arrived from overseas, read and endorsed his father’s words.  On August 17, 1809 the congregation in Buffaloe, VA declared their intention to form a new religious association composed of people from various denominations centered upon the priesthood of all believers, the practice of believer’s baptism and the open and free Table of the Lord.  They called the document the Declaration and Address.  It is one of our founding documents.

One hundred years ago in Pittsburg, PA, about an hour from Bethany, WV (formerly known as Buffaloe, VA), Disciples gathered from all around the country to celebrate the 100th anniversary of this document. On July 29-Aug. 2, Disciples will gather from around the world in Indianapolis, IN to mark not only the General Assembly of our denomination, but also to celebrate 200 years of our history since the Declaration and Address was read.

In those early days, the first Disciples of Christ wanted to celebrate and worship together without all the divisions that existed for Christians of different faith backgrounds.  In a world where education played second string to forging a life on the frontier in order to survive, necessity dictated less distinction between those who were educated and those who were not and our founders believed in educating people so that they could better understand and read the Bible for themselves and thus become better Christians as citizens of this nation.  They welcomed all believers to the table and even though they practiced baptism by immersion, they did not demean any other form of baptism. They strove for simplicity in the practice of the faith so that more people would feel welcome.  All of this was built around the centrality of Communion open to everybody without tests or requirements.

Was the world simpler then?  Were there fewer complications and distractions then?  Why do we seem to get so caught up in the demands and pressures of our world that we build walls for our own protection and in the process push others away?

Surely, with all the threats faced by those living on America’s frontiers, they knew fear from threats to life and health.  They knew people who were dangerous and strange.  Yet the call of our church founders was for welcome, acceptance, and sharing of the promises they had discovered in the life of a Disciple of Christ.  I grant that they had some problems with acceptance of African Americans as equals, and Native peoples as potential friends rather than savages, but the words that have passed through time to each of us need to speak anew and afresh in our hearts and minds.  We need to apply them to our decisions and our fears.  We need to trust that God’s word is indeed for everyone and that God’s love is also to be shared with everyone.

We are called to be witnesses to the love of God that knows no boundaries.  A love that is visible in the weekly practice of communion.  A love that is offered instead of judgment and the assessment of guilt.  In Christ we have been set free and challenged to show that freedom to others and invite them to discover it for themselves and rejoice.  It isn’t rocket science; it is love poured out for all who seek to receive it.  Come to the table, taste, and see how Great God is.

Shalom,  Darrell

Pastor Darrell Gets Peeped

Years ago I mentioned my enjoyment of Peeps, the marshmallow treats in a variety of shapes depending on the holiday. Since that time, I have never had to purchase another Peep. I should have seen the potential danger.

Throughout the year, packages would appear on my desk, on the pulpit, or both. Some holidays, some appeared months after Peep appropriate holidays. After all it takes quite a while for a Peep to go bad. I am not entirely sure which has a long life span Twinkies or Peeps, but my money is on the Peep.

This year I made comments about how pleased I was to have not been buried with Peeps during Easter. Members of the congregation indicated that I should not speak too soon as they would be sold at half price after Easter Sunday. More dire words have not been spoken.

Beth Bickley and Ann Von Almen are diligent, hard working deacons and ministry leaders of our church. They also have devious senses of humor. They live up to my mantra with my wife, “she never gets even, she gets ahead.”

Two weeks ago they began their plot by taking quick and surreptitious measurements of my Ford Escort. They needed to know how many Peeps would be needed for their plan. I have no idea how long it took to gather the needed marshmallow arsenal, but last Sunday they thought themselves well prepared.

Their plan was based on a TV reality show called “Trick My Truck”, they planned to “Peep my Ride.” But I didn’t play as expected. Rather than driving my Escort, I took my wife to work at the hospital and then drove our Prius to the church. The Prius has a larger windshield and surface area than the Escort. They didn’t have enough Peep power. Not to be thwarted by my actions, they visited Walgreens next door and struck a deal with the manager to buy ALL his to see pictures of what they were going to do.

Ann and Beth slipped out of the Sanctuary, during my sermon to begin their work.

Beth’s daughter Amanda Aguilar arrived to assist in the plan. As I went to the entrance to greet those who attended church, and actually stayed to listen to the sermon, “What is Sin,” I noticed a poster board on the outside of the sanctuary door. It read, “You have heard of the show ‘Trick My Truck’ how about ‘Peep My Ride.’ They’re here!”

I knew I was in trouble and did not want to see what awaited me around the corner of the church. After greeting the majority leaving the sanctuary, I ventured around the corner to see what had occurred. To say that I boldly went to face my future is an exaggeration, I stuck my head around the corner of the church just enough to get a peek at the peeps. Everyone was gathered around what had once been a silver Prius.

Coming of the “Just Peeped” sign were to tails made from empty Peep boxes. They were empty because I had a new sunshade for the windshield.

The sign in the front read “…And on the eighth day God made Peeps! And they were good!”

I learned how fortunate I was since the car was locked and the ladies didn’t know that the car keys were on my desk.

Since this event, I have been giving away boxes of Peeps in honor of Beth Bickley and Ann Von Almen and living in trepidation of what may happen next. These ladies are not satisfied with the status quo, they want to go one step farther. Ask not for whom the peep tolls, it tolls for thee (apologies to John Donne).

Shalom, Darrell