|
|
-
This month much attention will be directed toward Beijing and the 2008 Summer Olympics. One of the media advertisements proclaimed, it will be the site of “triumph and defeat; the disappointment of dreams and hopes realized.”
I tend to see things from the perspective of a “half full cup” rather than empty which is what prompts me to believe the accomplishment of participating in an event such as this is a triumph and the realization of many dreams, hopes and as such a victory in itself.
Praise God that our faith is not subject to the stark reality of either victory or defeat. In the crucifixion of our Lord the ultimate sacrifice has been made. The battle has been won in Christ’s victory over death. In his glorious resurrection, HOPE has been fulfilled! God in Christ is triumphant now and forever ! Paul writes in Romans 5: “Since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God.”
We are not only the victors but we are blessed with sharing the glory, however the glory we share is not of this world. It does not mean, “basking in the sun” or celebrity status. I John 3 says, “Christ gave his life for us. We too, then, ought to give our lives for our brothers and sisters! Our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action.” (TEV)
This month we will be sharing with you displays in the narthex about the many and varied mission ministries of Mt. Zion. Mission is God’s Garden of Love and we are called to be God’s seed planters, sowing the triumphant and victorious seeds of resurrection power, hope, love and peace in our families, at work, in our community and in the world. Join us as we put God’s love into action!
In Christian love,
Pastor Cathy
|
-
Throughout this summer, the common lectionary readings for worship and study include the Genesis stories-the beginnings of the relationship between God, God's creation, and those God called to be God's people.
"Whenever you begin something new, read Genesis," I was advised years ago, "for Genesis tells the story of God's own dealing with all things new." At the time, I thought the Book of Genesis was nothing but old--old stories, old history, about an old world-old stuff I had learned in Sunday School.
And then I began to experience new things, like moving from home and things familiar, choosing new friends, falling in love, making new promises. New experiences brought new challenges, and new challenges brought new emotions and exciting promise. With so much new and so much changing, the Book of Genesis came alive for me in a very different way. I began to realize that God's will to love and to create brought great depth and beauty into being in the world, but also brought conflicted and complex problems for God as well.
Think of all the new stuff God has to deal with. After giving a garden and certain instructions, what can God do when the garden is not tended to? After creating family, what happens when the brothers fight? Can God "do over" if things get too awful? Will those whom God blesses keep everything only for themselves? Can God "favor" just a few, and forget all the rest?
The stories from Genesis for this summer have to do with some very big human issues. Chaos and order, obedience and judgment, free will and covenantal relationship, trust and promise. These stories tell us a great deal about what it is to be human. And these stories tell and reveal a great deal about God learning to be holy and divine.
Several things to remember. 1) Most of our culture knows that the Book of Genesis tells about the creation of the world; but we in the church must remember that in Genesis God also creates a special people-a special community people who are blessed to be a blessing. 2) In the book God creates, and the way God creates is by speaking and calling. Our UCC Statement of Faith proclaims that God calls the world into being, and also that God calls us into God's church." God is still speaking says the banner facing out from our church to the world beyond ourselves.
Finally, remember that God does not speak to us from history, but God calls us into the future. It is not what God did then, it is what God promises that is most important for us now.
Pastor Brad Rentzel
|
-
“Ground that drinks up the rain falling on it repeatedly, and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God.”
Hebrews 6:7
As I write this message, we have probably experienced one of the rainiest springs that I can recall for a long time. It is however, wonderful to drive past Lake Redman and see the water brimming up and over the shoreline for a change. Indeed, the ground that was so very dry last fall is repeatedly drinking up and absorbing as much rain, as it will hold, hopefully penetrating down to the water table to restore it as well.
A steady, gentle rain is necessary for the ground to “drink up the rain.” It is that same steady, repeated reminder of our baptism into Christ Jesus that enables us to bear fruit. Through the water of baptism, Paul writes, “He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3: 4-7)
As faithful disciples of Jesus Christ, like a gentle rain falling down upon us to provide life upon barren soil, God’s grace rains down upon us anew every morning. We love because he first loved us (I John 4.19) and we forgive one another, as God in Christ has forgiven us (Eph. 4:32). Just as we have been told we need to drink several glasses of water each day to stay healthy, we need to drink up God’s love and forgiveness so that we can bear the fruits God intends and so cultivate God’s world to bring healing, renewal, reconciliation, and peace.
May you be a blessing to others as God has blessed you.
Pastor Cathy
|
-
“If I can, I’ll get one new thing for us every year.” So said Papa, according to my father’s story. I can only guess that the year was 1920, more or less.
The first “new thing” was a mechanical manure spreader, perhaps one made by New Idea, the patented name chosen by a father and son-in-law from Ohio who got this “new idea” for cleaning out the barn and nourishing the earth. They sold their first mechanical spreader in 1899.
As our story was told, the next year Papa bought a used, upright piano. My father recounted that they should have bought a bigger model, since his fingers too often hit two keys at one time. Only my aunt learned to play on that piano.
The third year Papa bought a used Model T Ford, which did not make Grandma very happy. Our grandparents farmed with horses, tended market, visited family and friends, and always went to church—by horse and buggy. Grandma was against buying an automobile. What did they need with “that thing”?
Come Sunday, Papa left the horse and buggy in the barn and started the Model T. Grandma never missed church, but that Sunday Grandma refused to ride in “that thing” to church. So Papa and the rest of the family went to Sunday School and church, without Grandma. She didn’t go to church for a month.
‘Mabel,” said our Papa, “the boys are getting bigger, the horse is getting older, and the road up the hill to the church ain’t changing. If you want to go to church, you will have to get in the car.” As I learned a long time later, Grandma loved her family and she loved her church, and Grandma was really stubborn. She must have ‘worked it out.’
We all have stories to share about the unique traditions and firm foundations of our families, communities, and churches. Some of our stories are rather funny, others are deeply sad, and most are touching and revealing about who we are and how we have been molded.
For the same reasons, I hope you have found the recent discussions about beliefs, values, and visions concerning Mt. Zion UCC not only interesting, but most important as well.
As Christians we are known as people of “the Way,” the way of Jesus Christ--the way Jesus reveals the Eternal God as merciful and caring, compassionate and forgiving, creative and communal.
Our grandparents spoke both German and English, back then. Now I’m one of the few in my family to still own a manure spreader. We all own and drive “things” like cars. And we play more on computers than on pianos. Yet we still are “people of the way” of Jesus Christ. Thank God!
Pastor Rentzel
|
-
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead . . ." I Peter 1:3(NRSV)
Do you feel spring in the air? The days are brighter, each day is a little longer and we in the church continue the celebration of renewal, hope and new life. Calvary is behind us; Easter is the here, now and forever!
In The Message, by Eugene Peterson, Peter writes, "Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we’ve been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven – and the future starts now!" The resurrection of Jesus is not just a past event or some future hope. Through our risen Lord who is present with us, the resurrection is rooted in our being to take shape and form in everyday in our daily lives.
One of the Easter cards I received included this sentiment: "Easter is a promise God renews to us each spring!" Indeed, how true that is! God renews his promise that nothing, especially death or sin, can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.
During the season of Lent we traveled a journey that began with the recognition of our own mortality, we traveled the dark paths of sin, and we climbed the trail of suffering to the cross. At the cross of Jesus Christ we affirm that in our endings there can also be new beginnings. Jesus does not end the journey at the cross nor at the empty tomb.
Over the next several weeks, we will hear in our scripture lessons that the reality of the resurrection was yet to be seen by many of Jesus’ followers as he appeared to them after the resurrection behind closed doors, along the shore while fishing and on the road to Emmaus. Just as Easter became real to them, it can become real to us along the roads of life we will travel. During the season of Easter we are to savor and celebrate the gift of new life. Open your heart to the spirit and the promise of Easter. Hear Jesus’ words, "And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age" to give you strength, peace and hope!
May the power and promise of Easter be with you,
Cathy
|
-
The Easter season comes quite early this year. So early in the spring that many of the signs of new growth, the songs of returning birds, and the smell of a fresh world that we associate with Easter might not be awaken by the fourth Sunday of March. Our world might not be ready for Easter.
Our church year follows a pattern not unlike the movement of the seasons of the natural world. We prepare during Lent and Advent, for something unusual and wonderful to happen—the birth of Jesus at Christmas and Christ’s resurrection at Easter. After the joyful celebrations—the twelve days of Christmas and the fifty days of Easter—come seasons of growth in the faith, Epiphany and Pentecost. The colors of the two growing seasons are green. Each year the Christian church follows two cycles, or patterns, of the seasons of preparation, celebration, and growth.
For some years my work as crop and cattle farmer paralleled the similar patterns as the church year. The fields were plowed and prepared for planting and new growth. We breathed a sigh of relief, even celebrated when the new growth emerged from the ground, or when the spring calves were born. The growing season became rich with the color of green and the sound of hungry and growing calves.
We all live in a much different world now. We observe, even celebrate, our seasons and holidays in much different ways. The seasons our culture observes tend to be seasons marked by professional sports, like football and baseball seasons; the celebrations have to do with the endings of seasons, which are marked by winning, or losing. And we watch as others play and struggle, win or lose.
The seasons of the Christian year are so very different. When our faith communities gather to worship, we are always preparing, or celebrating, or growing in our spiritual journey. And all God’s children are invited to participate. We are always getting ready for something good to happen in our lives, in our world. We are always telling stories, and gather with others in the telling of the story of God’s activity with humankind: a new and renewable creation, the calling of a people to be blessed and to become a blessing, a liberation from slavery, the return from exile, the sending of the Son of God to be a Savior in and of the world, the birth of new communities called the Christian church.
The world has never been ready for Easter. There was no room in the inn. The Holy family had to escape to Egypt. The leaders of the temple and the kings in the palaces both feared and rejected God’s ultimate gift to humankind. They nailed Jesus down and hung Jesus up. The Easter season comes quite early this year. You might not be ready. But if you are expecting your/our world to be refreshed, if you believe that new possibilities can happen in your/our world, if you have hope that God’s gift to your/our world can transform our relationships with God and one another, then you are ready for Easter. Christ is alive.
Welcome spring, but live Easter.
Pastor Brad Rentzel
Rev. Bradley Rentzel grew up in Mount Wolf and studied at Lebanon Valley College and Union Theological Seminary in New York City. Baptized in the United Brethren Church, confirmed in the Evangelical United Brethren Church, ordained a Deacon in the United Methodist Church, Brad was ordained in the United Church of Christ in 1996, while serving as Parish Pastor at Trinity UCC in Hanover. Brad served Trinity Church for sixteen years. He is married to Cathy Buckwalter, who is the Director of The Early Learning Center in York. They live on a farm outside of Mount Wolf, where they raised calves and crops during the 1980’s. They are the parents of Sarah Rentzel Jones, who is the Associate Pastor at St. John’s UCC in Red Lion, and Rebecca, who will be married in May.
|
-
“Let us lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith who for the sake of the joy set before him, endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1a-2(NRSV)
Lent is a season that is rich! It is rich in humility and simplicity. It is pure and austere, a “no-frills” season in contrast to the seasons that precede it. It is a season, set apart, between the celebrations of Christmas and Easter, but more than a change of seasons, it calls for a change of heart. The Word has become flesh and dwelt among us. Fully human and fully divine, Lent is a time to recognize Jesus in our midst, and allow his presence to permeate our personal lives as well as our life together as a people of faith. Paul reminds us in Philippians 2, how Jesus lived a selfless life, setting aside any thought of privilege or favor. As the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, the life he lived exemplified what he taught, that those who deny themselves and follow him, would gain their life. His ministry was about healing and restoration. We embark upon a journey of forty days with Jesus that begins in the wilderness where Satan tempted him. It was there that prayer sustained him and it is through the stories of those trials, we have the assurance that there is no trial we may face that he cannot empathize with. May the simple richness of our Lord Jesus Christ, found in prayer, obedience and self-less giving be with you this Lenten season and may it be a season of peace and tranquility in your spirit, with Jesus as your traveling companion.
In the peace and joy Christ brings, Cathy
|
-
“And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 (NRSV)
The holiday edition of the magazine proclaims, “Simplify the Holidays!” I appreciate those words and the sentiments they convey but when I walk into a store that has a blinking light reminding me there are 30 days left until Christmas, the images of simplicity are quickly replaced by the rhythm of the pounding countdown. I leave the store and it seems as though even my heartbeat is now synchronized with the countdown.
That is why I am so thankful for the church and the season of Advent as a time to prepare our spirits and our hearts. In contrast to the magazine cover, some of the Advent devotionals I have been reading include phrases such as “cultivate stillness” or “rest in the oasis of Advent.” Those images, I really appreciate! The question is how?
One of the Advent devotionals suggests that we begin by making a list, not of things to do, but of the people we love. Then we are to carry them in our hearts and make time to remember and give thanks for them in a special way. (That list will keep me from being further exposed to the blinking light!) Another suggests that God gifts us with these days to give love, share fellowship and urges us not take the “richness” of all these for granted. Many times we can get so caught up in the preparation that we are too tired to enjoy the celebration!
One of the things I love most about Christmas Eve is how the world seems to simply shut down and for a brief time the hustle and bustle stops. The thoughts in the Advent writings suggest that we don’t need to wait until Christmas for that sense of peace and calm but can begin cultivating them now. In this instance it seems in not preparing adequately, we risk not feeling the fullness intended by the celebration and the peace and calm we feel may be fleeting.
Jesus Christ, the true light, which enlightens everyone has come into the world (John 1:9). As we prepare to celebrate His coming AND to live it out in the season of Epiphany, may we remember indeed that in and through Jesus, all is calm and all is bright, not just for a day but always. May you and your family prepare to savor the goodness of God this holy season!
In the peace of Christ,
Cathy
Advent Devotionals referred to include: "Simply Wait", by Pamela C. Hawkins; "Hurry Less, Worry Less at Christmastime", by Judy Pace Christie.
|
-
As I sit down to write this editorial, my mind is racing in a dozen different directions. August is coming and that means planning for another year while attending to the things of summer as well. We at Mt. Zion are in a time of transition with the addition to our staff of Mrs. Sherri Keller as Senior High Youth Coordinator and Mr. John McGuire as Custodian, plus the impending retirement of Jim & Winnie. Lastly, on a personal note, things I want to do in preparation for my son’s wedding in August are running through my mind. Perhaps simply the thought of staying seated in one place long enough to complete this task has been cause enough for the procrastination. It is time to calm the racing thoughts, to center and to focus on our still-speaking God.
The old, familiar hymn proclaims, “The Church’s one Foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord.” We at Mt. Zion have sung that hymn at dedications, groundbreaking services, corner stone laying and other significant events in the life of this congregation. It might be considered a corner stone of our communal faith.
In 2001, we celebrated our 150th anniversary and this year we celebrate our 50th anniversary at this site. The Stewardship Committee has created a marvelous banner to mark milestones over the past fifty years. They include baptisms, marriages, confirmations and God and Church awards through scouting. There are notes reflecting the growth in membership of this congregation. Structural changes such as the addition of the stained glass windows, the first kitchen refurbishing (Anyone remember where the old senior high room was?), the construction of the pavilion and many, many more! Mission work, programs and ministries initiated by this congregation are listed there. The list is really growing. Please take some time to read the markers that have been added and add some for yourself.
It is an incredible witness to the ministry of this congregation and if everything were listed, we would surely run out of room! It is also a testimony that, “mid toil and tribulation” Mt. Zion’s one foundation has been Jesus Christ her Lord. Paul prays for the church of Ephesus saying, “I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power.”
When our thoughts are racing, it is time to pause and remember where God has taken us, to listen for God’s voice, and to trust that God will continue to lead, for the sake of His Son who is head of the church!
Grace, peace and love,
Cathy
|
-
June 10th was a bittersweet day for me. It was the day I announced my plan to “downshift” or retire. After 31 years as pastor of Mt. Zion Church, I have VERY mixed emotions about this decision. Many of you have confirmed what God has told me—“You’ll KNOW when its time!” and indeed God HAS told me that it is time. I celebrated my 65th birthday June 16th, and that of course makes me eligible to “annuitize” my pension and to collect a slightly reduced Social Security payment each month, but that is not my primary reason for electing to retire at this time, that just makes it possible. I’m tired. I graduated Lancaster Theological Seminary June 2, 1969, was ordained into the Christian ministry in the United Church of Christ June 8, 1969, and installed as Pastor of Grace United Church of Christ June 15, 1969. I’ve served as pastor of two wonderful congregations—7 ½ years at Grace Church, Richland, PA, and when I administer Holy Communion on World Communion Sunday, October 7, 2007 it will complete 31 years at Mt. Zion Church. (I began my ministry among you October 10, 1976, which that year was the Sunday after World Communion Sunday.) That’s 38 ½ years of ministry.
The “old” model of a pastor’s job was based on the fact that Genesis tells us God labored 6 days in Creation, and rested 1 day – so pastors should work 6 days and rest 1 day. And since God is ALWAYS with us, pastors should ALWAYS be available. I believed in that model, and I tried to follow it. My “call” to Mt. Zion Church included the very wise benefit of a sabbatical leave of 3 months every 10 years. I took one sabbatical, the year after our building addition, which was completed in 1987. I was eligible for another leave in 1997, and could have taken one this year. Because of negative feedback from members following the one I did take in 1987, I didn’t take the additional leaves. I should have. (And I pray that you will both offer, and INSIST that your future pastor(s) TAKE sabbatical leave(s). Most of our members work 5 days each week and have weekends to recreate, rest, visit friends and family, and relax. I never knew that pace in the 38 years of my professional life, it would have been nice I think, to have had 50 additional days each year (10 work weeks) to call “my own”. Ministry requires creativity, energy, understanding, and relationships – ALL of which are demanding, and tiring.
Another way in which God has indicated to me “it is time” is in the way I currently see Mt. Zion Church. Our worship attendance has been falling off each year since 2001. Each year we experience increasing difficulty making our budget. Each year it becomes more difficult to recruit members to be involved in the ministry of Mt. Zion Church by teaching, singing/playing, serving on committees, volunteering, etc. I don’t know how to reverse those trends, I feel unable to inspire people so they will WANT to share in the ministry. I’ve done what I can do as your pastor. AND, I also feel NOW is a pregnant time for
Mt. Zion, perhaps a “kairos moment”. There is opportunity—our culture NEEDS the Church today, and God is calling people out to BE THE CHURCH. The Church of tomorrow may be a whole lot different from what we’ve ever known! It is a good time for this congregation to take a very serious look at itself, to ask “who are we now”, and “what is God calling us to BE and to DO in this place, in this time, with the resources God has provided”. And I have great confidence in our Moderator, Jim Groff, and Vice Moderator, Anne Wantz. They will lead you, you must help them by supporting and following their leadership. The transition MAY lead to a desire to restructure the whole church, including the staff. Mt. Zion Church NEEDS this transition in order to prosper, and to continue being a vibrant and faithful congregation. “It is time!”
Penn Central Conference, in the person of Rev. Dr. Karen Elizabeth King, our Area Conference Minister, and the Committee on Ministry of the York Association, will assist you and guide you in this time of transition. I beg you, I plead with you to be patient, and NOT RUSH to a decision.
I am so very thankful that God brought us together 31 years ago. If it had not been a “good fit” between pastor and congregation it wouldn’t have lasted this long. I’m thankful and appreciative as I remember all the births and baptisms, confirmations and graduations, the weddings and funerals, the hard times and the good times shared, and all of our life together. I recall with thanks, those who have served as Church Council Presidents, and others who have served on Council and in other positions of leadership. Thank you for inviting us to be part of YOUR family—and your families.
I’m VERY appreciative of the longevity of our staff: working 20 years with Pat Cooper as our secretary, 6 ½ years with Paula Beever, and now 4 years with Kris Ort. It’s been 24 years in which I knew I could rely and depend on Ruth Ann Burke to lead us from the console of our organ and to resource us with worshipful ideas. Before Ruth Ann, it was Norma Dermota who led our hymn singing and played preludes, offertories, and postludes in our worship. I believe it was something like 23 years that we enjoyed the excellent, caring work of Ken Hogue as our sexton, and Barry Kohler for the past 2+ years. What a true privilege and joy it has been to work with Cathy Sherry—first as her pastor, then as mentor and “boss”, then as her senior partner in ministry, and ultimately as her colleague and co-pastor. She is a caring and wonderful person who has amazing and creative gifts for ministry. And of course it has also been a real blessing to me to share my ministry with my wife, Winnie as our choir director and Director of Music for 30+ years. Her choice of anthems, preparation and “grooming” of the Senior Choir, and her training of our children to learn our faith and to SING about it in front of the congregation has been a powerful asset to me and to the families of Mt. Zion Church.
One parting item. After my resignation is official, I must sever my active relationship as pastor of Mt. Zion Church. That means that I cannot perform ANY pastoral duties for members of this congregation. I’m sure I will WANT to, but professional ethics requires that I refuse any invitations to visit you in the hospital, perform weddings, baptisms, funerals, etc. Please help me to enforce this ethic by not asking. I will still be your friend, but not your pastor.
My plan is to “save” my vacation time (5/6 of it since I will be your pastor only 10 months of 2007), and use it during October. So my last active Sunday as your pastor will be World Communion Sunday, October 7th, I will be on vacation October 8-31, and my official retirement date will be November 1,2007.
With my most sincere gratitude, appreciation, love, and a big HUG!
Jim
|
-
“ But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15
Last month, Jim and I attended a conference at Johns Hopkins, entitled “Prescription for a Healthy Family.” One of the keynote speakers shared the statistic that 3 % of the population represents the “historical” nuclear family many of us grew up with known as, “Ozzie and Harriet” or “Father Knows Best.”*
Here in York County, a 2006 report from York Counts identifies the number of single parent families from a range of 47.6% in the city to a low of 11.3 % in the southeastern part of the county.
While the nature of family may change, the function or role remains the same yet as one presenter at the conference noted, there is an increasing trend in society today to relinquish the tasks of “family” to other institutions or structures.
Perhaps it was due to this focus on the family that I particularly noted the emphasis on family or households, in our recent lectionary texts from Acts 16 where we read about the conversion of Lydia, the dealer in purple cloth from Thyatira, and a jailer, who was responsible for Paul and Silas. In both conversion stories, it was not only these two individuals who came to faith; scripture tells us their whole household was baptized or saved.
What do you see as the role of family? Some thoughts that came to mind for me were: family is a framework of mutual support for one another; it is the crucible of life where we experience and extend unconditional love to one another; it is the classroom of living where we learn respect, accountability and responsibility; and somewhere within the family unit, there is a “tie” that binds us together. One of the key roles of family is to be a household of faith, regardless of its composition. In Deuteronomy 6, God commands us to love God with all our heart, with all our soul and with all our might; to keep these words in our hearts; to recite them to our children and talk about them at home; and to inscribe them as a mantel above our doors for all who enter and leave our abodes.
Lydia and the jailer shared their faith within their households. Paul writes of Timothy’s faith that was “kindled” by his grandmother and mother. Family and faith just go together. Faith is a necessary ingredient for unconditional love and respect to flourish. It is the essential glue that holds together the framework of mutual support in difficult times. May we praise God for the gift of family, whether nuclear, extended or family of faith. May we give thanks for family members who have shared their faith with us and may the Holy Spirit lead us in ways to kindle the spark of faith in those we love.
In Christian love,
Cathy
|
-
Many of us remember the song we learned in Sunday school, "This Little Light of Mine." In that song, we not only proclaim we are going to let it shine, but in the 2nd stanza we sing out that we will let it shine EVERYWHERE we go! Of course, before the song was ever written, it was Jesus who, in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5:16), told his followers they were to let their light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to God.
Let Your Light Shine is the theme this year as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the United Church of Christ. The logo on the UCC website proclaims "The UCC is 50 years bold!" Our denomination has not lost sight of the second part of Jesus' command nor the 2nd stanza of that Sunday school favorite. The U.C.C. has endeavored to let the light of the One who is the Light of the World shine EVERYWHERE, knowing it is not necessarily to our own advantage or our own aggrandizement, but ultimately to the glory of God.
Anniversaries are always occasions for celebration and thanksgiving however in this instance we cannot simply rest upon where the light of Christ has shone in the past. Now, more than ever the people of God and the church need to let that light shine! We need to be people of "evangelical courage" as Rev. John Thomas, General Minister of the UCC said.
In the midst of this milestone, the UCC has identified six key beliefs:
* We are people of extravagant welcome;
* We are one at baptism and at the table;
* We are people of covenant, a united and uniting church;
* We listen for a still speaking God;
* We thank God by working for a just and loving world;
* We belong to Christ!
How can we let our lights shine in relation to these key beliefs for the building up of the body of Christ and to the glory of God?
This year as we celebrate the UCC as 50 years bold, let us ask ourselves, "What will the church celebrate, remember and give thanks for 50 years from now?" The answer to that is up to us and if we let it shine everywhere we go!
Blessings and peace,
Pastor Cathy
|
-
Tribute to Nancy Kinard
More than 32 years ago Nancy Kinard was handed the treasurer's books of Mt. Zion Church and told that she was the new treasurer. What an ominous beginning for a long, faithful, and wonderful ministry to the congregation of Mt. Zion Church. She received no training, VERY little help?just the expectation that she would do the job and do it well. Her tenure lasted through 3 pastors and an interim pastor too, about 30 Church Council Presidents?including the LAST one and 4 church secretaries. Increasing requirements by government, insurance companies and Church Council, and additional desires and requests by the staff, as well as tremendous growth in the ministries and missions of the congregation, have multiplied the complexity and sophistication of the task. Nancy grew immensely with the demands, always bringing a desire to carry out her responsibility with integrity, accuracy, honesty, a desire to do the job well, and an understanding that her's was the work of the Lord. It was for her church!
Whenever Cathy would call and say to Nancy, "I need a check to pay for (whatever it was), Nancy was always quick to respond. Whenever I would call and say, "I need to know the balance in the Memorials Fund", Nancy always would drop what she was doing and come back with the answer. If we would ask, "How much is remaining in the budget for (whatever), Nancy always could provide accurate records?sometimes more accurate than the computer!
In worship December 17th our Stewardship Committee honored Nancy by receiving a special offering?not of money, but of love and notes of thanks. In her excellently presented comments, Katie Miles addressed the congregation with these words:
"Have you ever really given much thought about what happens to those offering plates next? Lucky for you the body keeps working smoothly. The offering is tallied and finds its way to the bank every week. The bills are paid every month and the lights stay on. The staff receives their paychecks and they keep coming to work. For the last 32 years none of us has had to worry about what happens after the offering is collected. In 32 years there are nearly 2000 services when you combine both regular and special worship opportunities. For our Treasurer that equates to 5 and a half years of continuous volunteer effort, offering time and talent to take care of our treasure. Nancy, today we THANK you for your commitment to Mt. Zion, for being an example of stewardship, for sharing the gifts that God has bestowed to you. As a toke of our appreciation, the congregation would like to present you with a gift certificate to take a vacation. A well deserved get away after years of dedicated service as Treasurer of Mt. Zion. We would also like to provide you with these wishes of love and thanks. Read them one a day or all in one sitting. Please reread them every time you need reminded of the importance of your contributions."
So December 31st Nancy is "retiring" as our treasurer, and God has raised up Gary Ronemus to assume those duties in fulfilling the ministry Nancy has done so faithfully and well for so long. We welcome Gary and thank him for stepping up to this volunteer position. Our only other alternative was to outsource our treasurer's work, and that would have cost the congregation thousands of dollars each year, dollars given for and better used for ministry and mission. Just think of how much Nancy saved us all, and how much she gave of her self, her time, her gifts, and her love to the Lord and to the church.
What a marvelous and powerful witness to her faith! Well done, good and faithful servant of the Lord.
Jim
|
-
At the recent State Pastor's Conference, Rev. Walters and I attended, our Conference Minister, Marja Coons-Torn addressed the closing luncheon. In her opening remarks she said, we are called to "restore hope." Restore hope! I hung to those words as she continued to speak.
Restore Hope! That is something gravely needed in the world today. When confidence and trust wane, hope is left clinging by a thread. Perhaps in addition to world peace, "Restoring Hope" should be at the top of our Christmas List.
My mind continued to race. "RESTORE HOPE" would be a marvelous theme for Advent, which is, after all the season of hope. During these weeks, we prepare to celebrate Christ's coming into the world long ago, but we are also aware of the ever-growing need for Jesus to come again and es-tablish God's promise of peace and justice.
Then it occurred to me, the words of Isaiah: we are to be the repairers of the breach, the restorers! Restoring hope is what we are to be about! For a change, this Advent, let's forget about waiting; let's become active Restorers of Hope.
God has fulfilled the promise of a Messiah in Christ Jesus. God himself has come to us and made himself known to us as the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Because God has been and continues to be faithful to His promises, our hope is one of conviction not mere wishful thinking. It is with that confidence that we can boldly proclaim the message of HOPE!
During this season of Advent, look around - where does HOPE need to be restored or for whom? In the midst of this wonderfully warm and festive season, let us not be passive in our waiting but instead active and steadfast in the hope that is ours in Christ
Jesus.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Rom. 15:13)
Blessings & Peace,
Cathy
|
-
The opening salutation from Paul in writing to the members of the Church in Colossae (Colossians 1:3-10) reflects how I feel about Mt. Zion Church. There we read these words: "In our prayers for you we always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. You have heard of this hope before in the word of the truth, the gospel that has come to you. Just as it is bearing fruit and growing in the whole world, so it has been bearing fruit among yourselves from the day you heard it and truly comprehended the grace of God. ?For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God's will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God." Hopefully that is every pastor's prayer. (I know it is of both Cathy and myself.)
Fruit, acts, deeds-born and done because of faith in Jesus Christ is the hallmark of the Christian Church. Mt. Zion probably best exemplifies and manifests our faith in the way we do the mission given us by the Lord himself. Always we must say that we could do better, but we do well, and I'm very pleased of the mission understanding and mindset of our congregation. It is a sign of our maturity of faith and trust in God.
BUT, or I should probably say, "AND", we have 2 very important things to do for ourselves right now. The first is a proposed re-writing of our Constitution, and the addition of By-Laws for Mt. Zion Church. Dave Firestone, Michael Maletz, Jim Groff, Jen Cooper, Jon Louis and Ed Blankenstein have worked for more than a year researching and studying documents from other churches, and determining what our congregation wants/needs in these foundational documents. With the help of attorney & friend, Jonathan Nase, (who donated many hours of time to correctly state, mold and shape our thoughts) and some minimal input from the congregation (there should have been a much greater participation in the "congregational chat" October 22nd!) this task force has created a set of fine documents for Mt. Zion. Every member should acquire a copy and read it critically. Both documents are intentionally not easy to change! And there ARE some substantive changes, most of which were aired during the "chat". These documents will be presented for adoption by the congregation during a congregational meeting Sunday, November 26th beginning at 9 a.m. IF adopted "as is" Mt. Zion Church will change radically.
The second thing we need to do for ourselves RIGHT NOW is to identify a treasurer for our church. Nancy Kinard is retiring from that position after 32+ years of voluntary ministry. (I'll deal with that issue another time.) We NEED a treasurer beginning January 1, 2007. Basically the treasurer's job is to pay the bills of the church in a timely fashion, including payroll, to keep the financial records of the church (not contributions or income), and to present reports monthly to Church Council, and annually to the congregation. We have a computer program to assist with this ministry, and we can arrange for the treasurer to work from home. The treasurer is no longer involved in the counting of our offerings each Sunday. It is estimated that this ministry might require 4 to 6 hours per month. We NEED to know who this treasurer will be by the congregational meeting November 26th so we have the month of December to make the transition. IF no member comes forward to answer this need we MAY (probably will!) be forced to outsource this portion of our ministry, and pay to have it done. That would most assuredly cost thousands of dollars that would be better invested in the mission of our church.
As of this writing (October 24th) we have neither a candidate for this position NOR money allocated in our 2007 budget to pay for the service. I'm eager to learn who God will raise up!
Please keep your church and your pastors in your prayers. Here's a closing disconnected (maybe!) thought. On the bulletin board above the computer in my office I've got this thought: "If you KNOW Jesus you will, over time become: a person with deeper faith, a person with greater love, and someone possessing a larger hope." I share that thought because faith is dynamic?ever changing, ever growing, ever challenging.
In Christ's love,
Jim
|
|
|
|