God Moments

Good Morning All,

It’s been a while since I’ve put a musing in print; though hardly any day goes by without some spark of spiritual insight igniting my soul. Reflecting on the 3+ hours on most Sundays, I find myself laughing or at the very least smiling or perhaps even holding back a tear or two; at the various events, observations and conversations that always bring a “spark to my soul.” These are what I call, “God moments” that keep me going in the days ahead. And last Sunday was no exception…

First off, I was on the lookout for a family who had spoken with Mary Lou earlier in the week who were seeking a community of faith. She shared about the 2 services; childcare and morning classes, including Disciples 101 class and invited them to attend. They came to the 9a Gathering and remained for the Education Hour.

Right before I began Disciples 101, the class members were getting acquainted and I learned that they are from Billings, MT. I told them that we had 2 other households from Billings who were actively involved here--referring to the Swanser households. And just as I finished that statement, in walks Judy Swanser and Kole Swanser. And as I observed them making “home” connections with each other, I smiled knowing that even strangers who come from the same home town can instantly feel like long lost friends. “Six Degrees of Separation” is alive and well at Covenant!

And each Sunday without fail, there are the Acolytes who approach their responsibilities with such serious concentration. They bring such joy to me and to so many of you. I am always amazed at how the younger children who are not much taller than the Communion Table are able to make wick and flame ignite; reminding us of the Light of Christ in our presence.

Later that day, one by one, on a crisp Fall afternoon, cars and trucks began to arrive in the parking lot, filled with owners and families , accompanied by a variety of dogs; and one brave cat who came to be blessed. Just before we were about to begin, I saw a couple sitting in their truck watching all the activity. When I greeted them I learned that their dog died last year and their cat, just a few months ago; and they simply were there to celebrate all pets & their owners and to remember the wonderful memories that their own pets had brought to their lives…a convergence of healing and joy…

Another woman from the community arrived with her dog, Baxter; as did another couple from the community with their 3 large dogs, Bruiser, Ripkin & Emmie. What fun to see the true welcoming spirit of Covenant, as all were warmly greeted by friendly barks and jumping paws by Covenant pets: Hans, Heidi, Diego, Chloe, Tucker, Boone, Hurricane, Casey & Polly. As we prepared for the time of blessing all the pets were curiously checking each other out; and the children could be heard introducing their pet to another. All were then blessed and received a commemorative medal and treats!

While we were all enjoying human treats of hot apple cider, animal cookies, apples and lively conversations, some of the younger children were off by themselves being quite busy. I watched Tess Rutledge take a full pitcher of water from a card table taller than she as she very carefully filled the 4 water bowls at the Canine Corner. And a few of us also watched Seth Baldwin, as he lifted his cat in her carrier, step by step up the ladder of the slide on the playground…waiting to see if Chloe was about to have the ride of her life! But Seth decided otherwise… :)

In the midst of the “f(l)urry of activity” I met a man named Tracy, who had recently returned to Cary after 20 years living elsewhere; and when I asked his last name, I couldn’t believe it. Turns out he is one of founding era members of Covenant! What fun it was to make that connection and to share Covenant stories together…

So, with a smile in my heart, I bask in the many memories of just this one day and paws (pause) to remember that each one of us experiences so much of life on any given day…and as we make our way through, we can choose to affirm that God is in the midst of it all providing us with many unexpected joys and satisfactions…or we can choose to move headlong, full steam ahead, elbowing our way from sunrise to sunset, totally oblivious to all there is to celebrate…May we move through this day and every day, in the words of Jesus, with “eyes to see and ears to hear…” As well as minds to think and be aware, accompanied by hearts that feel...May it be so…may it be so…

Blessings, Joanne

Humor with a Message

Good Morning All,

Hopefully as one spends even just a little bit of time around Covenant, it becomes increasingly clear that humor and laughter play an important part in our life together as this community of faith. Humor is a gift from God and when appropriately used, can greatly diffuse anger or defensiveness and overall, humor has the ability to “cure whatever ails us!”

God’s humor was evident during Holy Week, even on the most somber of nights when we gathered for worship on Maundy Thursday…it was April 1st…April Fool’s Day…what irony when you stop to think about it…The scriptures remind us of how Peter was so insistent with his words and assumed attitude regarding his undying loyalty to Jesus as recorded in John 13, as Jesus was sharing the Passover Feast with his friends; telling them that he will only be with them a little while longer; and then giving them the new commandment to love one another.

Peter, genuinely being caught up in the moment, declares that he REALLY wants to go with Jesus, wherever he’s going…

”No matter where, Lord…I will lay down my life for you, Lord…”

“Really, Peter? Hmmmmm….”I tell you this, before the rooster crows, you will have denied me 3 times…”

“Oh no, not me Lord…You’ll see…I’m gonna go with you, Lord…hide and watch… Hmmmmm…April Fool’s, Lord…April Fool’s…

We’ve heard it said that laughter truly is the best medicine. And Frederick Beuchner reminds us that laughter comes from as deep a place as tears; and in a way, I believe it is the same place, deep within our very souls. As much as tears do, laughter comes out of the darkness of the world; the shadows of life. Because of laughter & shadows occupying the same place within us, the shadows of life are not ever totally eliminated.

And here we are, just a few days out from Easter Sunday and aware of it or not, anyone who celebrated God’s great miracle of Christ’s resurrection has also celebrated God’s biggest joke accomplished in the face of evil. Having said this then, it’s obvious right from the start, that God’s sense of humor and God’s ability for joke telling doesn’t bear much resemblance to the kind of humor we readily recognize in our everyday world.

God’s humor is probably more appropriately viewed as irony—public scrutiny of either a vice or some kind of foolishness with no attempt to be cruel or harmful to another. It’s a story about a particular situation or a person or group of people that evokes some kind of subtle insight. There is always something to be learned from irony. It’s humor with a message. This is what God’s humor is.

And while it may be a stretch or at the very least, uncomfortable or disrespectful to think that God has a sense of humor, yet alone dare to link God’s humor with Jesus’ resurrection; there are several examples of God’s humor found throughout both the Hebrew Testament and the New Testament. All we have to do is to begin by reading the Creation stories and then pause to look in the mirror for confirmation of God’s humor! :)

Each day, as we celebrate God’s love for all of Creation, our love for God and for those with whom we share life, we are reminded over and over again of the outlandish, extravagant, prodigal God we worship…the God who does the impossible, the highly improbable with the impossible and the highly improbable.

We know and believe the miracle of Christ’s resurrection to be God’s finest hour of sharing humor with a skeptical and cynical world. God has played the trump card and God indeed has had the last laugh. God’s love has triumphed over evil and over death. Thanks be to God!
Blessings, Joanne

Makeovers

Good Morning Lenten Trekkers,

I have been spending some time this week as a participant in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Black Ministers’ Retreat in Goldsboro . It’s been quite a warm and welcoming experience as well a challenging time filled with great preaching, worship and forums to help us better understand the history of the Black Disciples congregations and the Assemblies Churches unique to NC/VA & northward to NJ. All of us come out of the same history; separated during years of segregation due to racial prejudice and bigotry, aka fear and ignorance. How refreshing it is to know that many of us are committed to breaking down these barriers and how discouraging at times to realize how slowly the drum beats for all of us.

The theme for the retreat, “Lord, Make Me Over,” is based on Jeremiah 18:1-10--kind of like a call for a spiritual “Extreme Makeover-Home Edition” …recognizing that it’s a bit more extreme for some than for others! :) Nonetheless, it is good to be among folks who aren’t afraid to admit their own flaws who also accept yours as well. It’s a great theme for Lent---Make Me Over…a time for introspection and a time to change whatever needs changing in one’s life. And so often that means a lot of hard work in the deep recesses of my soul…

I have to admit that I can only do so much “gloom and doom” and “Oh, what a worm am I” kind of meditation, prayer and soul-searching at any given time. I always need a bit of joy thrown in for good measure. Maybe that’s why Lent doesn’t include Sundays; so we can celebrate and discover the joy of God’s Resurrection Miracle and God’s miracles from day to day. And then to also find time to laugh; to enjoy God each day and to enjoy God forever.

While few among us enjoy criticism or even a little critique about who we are as a person or the work that we have done, I must admit I enjoy the banter on most given days that takes place with those who take time to comment or challenge a message I have labored over and then dared to proclaim each week during worship. It lets me know that you are out there listening and thinking and brooding about it all.

But this past Sunday was a first for me…I had shared a couple of stories to support the reading from Luke 13: 31-35 about Jesus weeping over Jerusalem because the people didn’t listen to God and yet how God still desires to gather God’s children as a mother hen gathers her brood under her wing. Through these stories my intent was to share the good news of how God always cares for us no matter what…no matter what pain or suffering comes our way. But one young person heard it quite differently.

What follows is a brief account of an exchange I had with Dane Swanser, age 9, as he, his mom, Lynn & younger brother, Gabe were leaving after the 9am worship:
Lynn: Tell Rev. Joanne some of your thoughts about her message this morning…pause…
Dane: Well, I thought worship was supposed to make you feel good…
Me: So, you don’t feel good after being here? Why is that?
Dane: Well, first you tell a story about a girl taking care of baby quails and how they got to the point where they would fly into the air and come back to her when she called them to come home…and then you tell me that a cat had come and killed them all!
Me: OK…hmmmm….
Dane: Then you went on to tell a story about how a chicken coop burned to the ground and the farmer found a burnt up chicken who died and left her 4 chicks all alone. What’s good about that? And then in the last song we sang, we were singing about death and dying…I tell you what…I’m not feeling good at all!
(Now Dane also had a twinkle in his eye during most of this exchange, so when I began to laugh, he did too)!
Me: Well, I guess you got me this time, friend. Even though you have missed the point of the gospel lesson about how God cares for us in the good times and bad…I have to tell you I so appreciate your take on all this…

First off, how wonderful it is that you were paying attention to the message and how good it is for you to take time to tell me what you’re thinkin’. And you have given me so much to think about…

You’re right, I’ve just finished telling you two pretty sad stories…I never thought about it that way…I guess I was too busy trying to get a certain message across and totally lost sight of how it could be taken otherwise. And I thank you…I really do thank you…I so enjoyed our conversation

What I did next was exactly what Jeremiah speaks about in Jeremiah 18: 3-4; how “Jeremiah goes down to the potter’s house and there he was working at his wheel. The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand and he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him…”

I quickly went to the pulpit and did an instant makeover on the 11am message! :)

May your own Lenten make-over attempts bring a smile to your face…

Blessings, Joanne

Open the Door

Good Morning All,

How many doors can you think of? I recently came across this question in a devotional book I am using during Lent entitled, Open the Door; A Journey to the True Self, by Joyce Rupp. I first thought of a screen door; revolving door; glass door; patio door; front /back door; car door; garage door; swinging door; trap door; and if you’re old enough to remember or come from an area of the country where tornadoes come calling, there are cellar doors.

It’s not much of a stretch to move from the naming these physical doors that we use almost daily to “door” as a metaphor for our spiritual lives; and to begin envisioning the door of our heart or the door of our soul…the entry into our deeper, more spiritual selves as we dare to begin a journey with God as our companion, our spiritual director and guide.

On the first Sunday in Lent we spent some time with Jesus in the wilderness and his exchange with the Tempter (aka Evil One; Devil; Lucifer, Beelzebub, et al.) There was no mention of a door or even a gate or gateway into this wilderness; the two of them were simply there.
Sometimes I guess you just find your way there, not too sure how you actually got there. But the challenge, I think, comes from exploring how one arrives or through which entryway or door one comes, to begin or to re-enter one’s spiritual journey…filled with time in the wilderness as well as “lying down in green pastures.”

Does the door of your heart/soul have a sign on it? What does it say? I can think of a lot of signs that may hang on the door of my heart and I imagine that the sign on the door on any particular day and time would be different; depending on what drives us to this time of deeper spiritual exploration; the need and desire to walk and talk with God. I can see the door of my heart with a sign that says Welcome, complete with a welcome mat and a light in the window…Come on in God; you’re warmly welcome here!

And then there are times when that sign would appear in bold letters, maybe even all caps: ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK! Or DO NOT DISTURB! NO TRESPASSING! NO LONGER AT THIS ADDRESS! Whew! When this happens, just like Alexander in the children’s story, I must be having “a terrible, horrible, no good very bad day.” But I think many times when I dare to delve deeply into my spiritual being, the sign above my door says, Doorbell Broken…Please knock! I am brooding; mulling things over...not much is going all that well; but I still want to be open to God’s presence in my life.

Whenever I think about the metaphor of the door, I can see the famous painting by Warner Sallman of Jesus knocking at the door…”Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door; I will come in to you and eat with you and you with me.” (Rev. 3: 20)
Jesus is standing at the door “politely” waiting an invitation to enter your heart/life. The most intriguing part of this painting is, there is no doorknob on the outside of the door. We’re told he intentionally left it out...letting us know that the door to our heart is only opened from the inside.
So we hold the power; we choose to open the door or to keep it closed.

But when it comes to everyday life’s pushes and pulls, there are always the uninvited circumstances that swoop down and begin clobbering us and clamoring for our attention. And these uninvited occurrences or people force their way upon us…accidents; test results; diagnoses; betrayals; death of a loved one…No matter whether we willingly open the door to our heart or the uninvited circumstances force their way in with a battering ram…we are never alone…God IS always there, offering God’s hand; God’s presence; power; courage; comfort…and somehow, maybe not immediately, but eventually, we learn and grow and change in unimaginable ways…Thanks be to God…Who’s that knocking at your door?

Blessings, Joanne

The Norm Factor

Good Morning All,

Have you ever found yourself overhearing, maybe even eavesdropping on a nearby conversation? I’m not talking about a covert operation or juicy bits of gossip; nothing intentional…just simply being within earshot of people talking to one another…OK, enough of my trying to justify my own actions…:)

Well…recently I was seated outside a treatment room at my chiropractor’s office where the door is always open and if the patient has a particularly loud voice, sometimes the conversation takes over whatever else you may be doing at the moment. I was working on the morning crossword puzzle trying to think of an answer when the gist of what I heard was that the woman (patient) worked at Trader Joe’s and she made it a point to learn the names of the regular customers…back to the puzzle…A few moments later a phrase came wafting through the air and landed in my ear. I heard her say, the “Norm Factor.” So much for 37 down…I found myself mulling over that phrase, first thinking that it might refer to “the norm as in normal, factor;” perhaps meaning doing whatever in a routine or normal way.

Then it hit me…a flashback to the once popular television show, Cheers…set in a neighborhood bar in Boston , MA . One of the principal characters was a guy named Norm…always there seated at the bar engaged in conversations. I remember that his persona and role was responsible for the memorable phrase out of the show’s musical theme, “…where everybody knows your name…” Maybe you’re already ahead of me (not too difficult a task when it comes to the latest business world approaches/gimmicks/techniques).

Popular culture once again gives us a phrase that we can incorporate into our lives in some way. Think about it. The “Norm Factor” can play an important role in so many situations: if you live in a retirement community; or an officer or member of a particular club or organization; or work teams; office staffs and colleagues; or your child’s classmates/teammates and parents; staff and faculty of schools and colleges…any and all settings that are based on welcoming others and assimilating them into a particular community or organization…

And so it goes with our community of faith…you and I have so many opportunities to put the “Norm Factor” into play by welcoming and assimilating others into life at Covenant…getting to know the people who walk through Covenant’s doors—members and guests alike as we worship, study, lead and serve together; i.e. Do you know our childcare workers? Choir members?

Today is Ash Wednesday, (worship at 7:30p) the beginning of Lent, as we journey to Jerusalem and beyond, with Easter Morning just around the next few bends in the road…some of us are called to “give up” something…usually it’s a bad habit that we can simply pick it up again after Easter. But I want to challenge each of us to “take up” something…

I want us to take up the “Norm Factor” here at Covenant…Each week I challenge you to make a concentrated effort toward meeting and welcoming someone—member or guest--that you don’t know along with the challenge of remembering his/her name…write it down on your Sunday bulletin or notepad; whatever works best for you, so that you can greet them by name the next time you see them… WEAR YOUR NAMETAG!

And…I especially challenge each of us to begin learning the names of all our children; and an even greater challenge is matching them with their parents. What a wonderful gift that keeps on giving…creating a lasting memory of being part of a church family where everybody knows your name.

Isaiah 43:1 reminds us that God names and claims us; calls us by name…and I believe, God in turn, calls us to do the same…
Cheers, my friends! Come to Covenant…where everybody knows YOUR name…Joanne

One of Us

Good Morning All,

Super Bowl XLIV may have been one for the audience viewing record books. I don’t know if you were among the estimated 106+million who watched the game and/or commercials or not, but I wonder if you were among the 38.6 million people who watched the debut of the new reality show Undercover Boss. The show features chief executives of major corporations, who for one week go undercover as entry-level workers to not only rub elbows with their employees but also to identify some of the unsung he-roes and she-roes among the workers.

While I watched this new show, mostly, I suppose, because it immediately followed the Super Bowl, I became increasingly intrigued by the show’s premise. And as I reflected on this idea of CEO’s rubbing elbows with the workers and becoming one of them, my thoughts quickly shifted to how we have been making our way along our faith journey since the Day of Epiphany on January 6; which then makes it hard to believe that it has only been a little over 6 weeks since Christmas Day!

So much has happened in our world and in our lives in such a brief period of time. So why look back? Why all the focus on a celebration that seems eons ago? All I know is that I continue to look back only so I can more fully move ahead…Christmas was not simply a few days back in December that we managed to survive. Christmas marks so much more…It was the beginning of understanding yet again, how much God loves us; how God’s timing is everything…being born as the Christ Child; reminding us of how God plunged into the darkness of a waiting world, longing to know that the Light of the World had come and any and all darkness can never extinguish it.

This is the message that has stood the test of time; a message that brings us to the here and now; a message that will accompany us into the days ahead. We dare to look back a mere 6 weeks so that we might continue to remember how God came to Earth as one of us…much more than an undercover boss mingling among us or rubbing elbows with us.

I recall the chorus of a once popular song, “If God Were One of Us;”
What if God was one of us
Just a slob like one of us
Just a stranger on the bus
Trying to make his way home

While I’m not inclined to think of God as a slob, the underlying message is that God’s very self is within every woman, man, boy & girl on this planet—not just within people we like and love; or who look and live just like us; or possess the same values; or are of the same belief; but within every last one of us…
…And that’s it, isn’t it? God is one of us…the One who relates to all aspects of our humanness; the One who continues to pitch God’s tent right in our backyard…

So, here we are, traveling together along this faith journey…There’s a bend in the road up ahead…and in a week’s time, the Spirit will once again lead us into and through the season of Lent; the time we will spend with Jesus in the wilderness of our faith; taking some “holy timeout” as we wrestle with some of life’s deepest and darkest moments of the soul; as we await the Light of Easter dawn…May we seek and sense God’s presence along the way…Blessings, Joanne