To know Christ, grow in Christ, and share Christ's love.

Merrill's Article for the March Word

Lent is Sacred Time

We are in the season of Lent.  Lent is a time for introspective thinking, a discipline that I fear is becoming extinct in our culture.  I admit that though I desperately want to maintain a pattern of contemplation, that is, Christian action and service cleanly coupled with daily private prayer and silence with God (the pattern of the ministry of Jesus), that is becoming an illusion for me.

 Busyness

I am in chains to a different model, the discipline of busyness.  Scurrying.  Staying behind.   I am more aware of what is not getting done than what is being accomplished, even when it is accomplished by grace alone.  In her book "Leaving Church," Episcopal priest Barbara Brown Taylor laments her gradual recognition that the daily life of work and ministry and stress caused her to lose her vision of seeing God at work in the simple things of daily life.  I am not describing a condition afflicting the ordained alone.  I sense that many of us are caught up in this "busyness" - and deep down we fear that it is leading us nowhere but to the next day, the next night, the next day, the next night and on and on. 

Another Way

Lent is a prophetic season.  A time of truth-telling.  A season that helps us learn how to be faithful to our vows to Christ.  I invite you to keep a Holy Lent.  I invite you to slow down whenever you can - to slow down and think and feel your surroundings, trusting in the sure presence of Christ.  In that vein I have recommitted myself to the disciplines of exercise and contemplative prayer, making space for health which readies me to better serve you, relax to pray and to see God's hand at work in the world around me.  I look forward to another retreat at Cedar Brake Retreat Center with Jim Williams, my pastor and friend, March 12 -14.

Perspective - A Noble and Worthy Cause

We have begun a noble adventure together as a parish.  Our Capital Stewardship Program is underway and I truly believe that God is our inspiration.  A new Youth Center and a refurbishment of much of our campus will make a dramatic impact on our present and future ministry to children and youth.  The Youth Center will be a "base camp" for our mission work and our campus will be better able to serve all our needs and the needs of the community.  

Our gatherings for classes and meals will be enhanced.  Our music can reach a new level with a pipe organ worthy of you and our superb organist, Jean Fuller.  

This past Tuesday night we gathered for the annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper.  We remembered John Harvey.  Thank you Dan Henshaw for your admiring words about John.  John's widow, Lilas Harvey, graced us with her presence.  Milt Williams and his band of faithful pancake servants outdid themselves one more time, feeding around 250 people.  Our consultant from Cargill Associates, Kim Bishop, gave us a thorough vision of what is coming in the Capital Stewardship Campaign.  Many who were present signed up to participate in various aspects of the Campaign.  Here is my perspective - this time of Lent can prepare us to make decisions about giving to the church in a more contemplative mindset.  Stewardship is, at the heart of it, a spiritual issue.  The capacity to give largely for the sake of future generations is rooted in joy and freedom.  I believe that as our process unfolds, we will rise as one to make this a very fruitful time for this church.  We are blessed with A Sure Foundation - the ministry of Christ, this wonderful 7 acres of abundance, the many people who have labored in this vineyard and continue to bless us with their presence as well as those who have gone to God and the next life.  They are, as well, our Sure Foundation.  We are blessed and we are not sitting still.  Pray about your place in this Capital Stewardship Campaign.  We will be commissioning our Capital Stewardship Leaders in church on Sunday, March 11.  As this common work makes demands on our time and talent and energy, please be assured that I will do all in my power to remain focused on the good outcome, that we can better "know Christ, grow in Christ and share Christ's love." 

God bless you one and all.

Merrill