Letter from Lindy Jan 3

Pilgrims,

“First-century Christians weren’t prepared for what a truly radical and radically inclusive figure Jesus was, and neither are today’s Christians. We want to tame and domesticate who he was, but Jesus’ life and ministry don’t really allow for it. He shattered barrier after barrier.”

How are you on the cusp of this new year? With a grateful heart, I have been reflecting on Peter Wehner’s article in the New York Times, “The Forgotten Radicalism of Jesus Christ,” along with Kate Bartlett and Chuck Darsie, who also sent it my way after pondering Wehner’s question whether first-century Christians were prepared for what a truly inclusive figure Jesus was, and perhaps what was true then may still be true today? I invite you to give it a read and share your thoughts with me.

I am also grateful for those who responded pre-Christmas to the New Yorker article about how the church might be called in this moment as we usher in a new year. Your words have been my walking partner as I imagine how we prepare. Prepare to move through a difficult winter, as the medical experts have cautioned. Prepare to roll (or not roll) up our sleeves for a vaccination. Prepare to wait a bit longer until we know it is safe to gather. And then, prepare to gather anew. When will that be? We do not yet know, but advent has prepared us to be alert, awake, anticipatory in our waiting and watching. We will do so together. Regardless of when we gather in person, God continues to seek our witness in the world. A great light for a hurting people, walking in darkness.

As I invoke, the prophet Isaiah, I pray that your Christmas celebrations, muted though they may have been, were filled with the promises of Incarnation. I am humbled and deeply thankful for your generosity in my Christmas love offering. It brought tears to my eyes. Why is it so hard to receive the outpouring of gratitude and love from those who share the Way? I trust that God is teaching me to do so with grace through you. Thank you! And for those who brought special tokens of love: cookies, amaryllis, christmas cacti, each gift birthed a abiding joy for us all. Again, thank you!

When we gather next, we will have crossed over to 2021. We will have closed 2020’s final chapter. As much as we want to say goodbye (and perhaps good riddance) to this painful year, there is much in what we have learned that continues to command our attention as people of faith. As Wehner reminds, “Jesus’ teachings are so challenging, so distinct from normal human reactions and behaviors, that we constantly have to renew our commitment to them. Every generation of Christians need to think through how his example applies to the times in which they live. We need our sensibilities to align more with his. Otherwise, we drift into self-righteousness and legalism, even to the point that we corrupt the very institution, the church, which was created to worship him and to love others.” A great exercise to begin this new year.

So as to not confuse, even though it is the first Sunday of the month, we will worship in webinar mode this Sunday. I want to give us some time to think through how best to show gracious hospitality to any and all who want to join in worship and also prepare for unexpected interruption. Thank you for your understanding.

Peace and hope,

Pastor Lindy