September 18, 2024

Wednesday Word:  Faithful

I am part of a program that works to support and strengthen clergy for the challenges we face.  My group has clergy from Virginia, Alabama, Wisconsin, New York (near Buffalo!), and Nebraska.  None of that is important, other than to say that clergy in vastly different settings tend to share the same issues.

I met with my group facilitator last week and she talked about her time in Burundi, Africa.  While there the bishop of the Anglican Church made a trip to England and Wales.  When he returned, she asked him, “What was it like to be in those English cathedrals or churches where you only had a handful of worshipers compared to the several hundred you regularly have here?”

After thinking about it for a moment, she said, he replied, “I was amazed at the faithfulness of those few people.”

I attended a Resolution Committee hearing on Sunday as we reviewed several resolutions that will be brought before the Convention.  The one that got the most attention and discussion was a resolution about how we spend our money at the diocesan level.  One of the speakers was bemoaning the fact that church numbers were dwindling and if we didn’t address that, there was no point in arguing about how a shuttered church will spend its money.

And while there is a decline in church membership across all denominations, if we focus on trying to get people to attend and pledge so we can keep the doors open and lights on, we will be focusing on the wrong thing.  The mission of the Church isn’t to pay the electric bill.  The mission of the Church is to “restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ” through “prayer, worship, evangelism, and the promotion of justice, peace, and love.”

There is something about the Episcopal Church at large, and Saint Luke’s in particular, that continues to draw people in.  We have a particular message to proclaim and a particular way of living out our faith.  It is this faith and hope in the midst of widely publicized despair that we live and move and have our being. 

Numbers aren’t the only indicator of a vital church.  Do we serve others?  Do we publicly proclaim the gospel?  Do we provide love and support?  There are other indicators, but you get the idea.  The point is this:  Yes, numbers are helpful, but what is more important than simple numbers is whether or not we are being faithful to the gospel and our mission.  It will be that faithfulness that grounds you and encourages you, and it will be that lived faithfulness that will attract and draw people in. 

Our challenge, as it always has been, is to remain faithful even in the face of despair.

Blessings,

September 11, 2024

Wednesday Word:  Thank you

Sometimes saying, “Thank you,” conveys everything you want it to mean.  When you get a birthday or anniversary call or text, saying thank you is good.  When someone puts an unexpected piece of pie on your desk, saying thank you is good.  When someone with a grocery cart full of stuff lets you in front because you only have a couple of things, saying thank you is good.

And sometimes saying thank you doesn’t even begin to cover it, but it’s the only phrase we have.

This past Sunday was the annual Harvest Hoedown.  The event had some good music, good food, good conversations, many good items up for auction, and a good spirit.  It was a huge effort by many, many people:  from the Committee who organized and planned it, to all those who set up and tore down, to those who cooked the meal, to those who donated items for both the silent and live auctions, to everyone who sold dinner and raffle tickets, it took the efforts of many people and the extra hard work of a few people.

Early reports are that this may have been the most successful Hoedown to date, and I think a good reason for that, besides the work of the planning committee, was the decision to give 25 percent of the proceeds to fire relief.

“Thank you” doesn’t seem to begin to cover all of what needs to be said; but it’s also the only phrase I have.

So . . . Thank you to everyone involved in this amazing event.  You are greatly appreciated.

Blessings,

September 4, 2024

Wednesday Word:  988

We all seem to be under more stress than usual.  Whether it’s fretting about politics, trying to figure out the aftermath of the recent fires, jobs, grades, difficult or harmful interactions with other people, or whatever the case may be, we all at one time or another have to deal with more stress than we normally do.

That additional stress can be fleeting.  Other times it lasts for a long time.  And sometimes it resurfaces later in life, being triggered by a word, a smell, a place, or who knows what.  The phrase associated with the latter is “Post Traumatic Stress,” and it can wreak havoc on a life.

Sometimes, when we are going through a difficult time, people will tell us (or we might think this), “God won’t give us more than we can handle.”

First off, God never says that.  That statement is very bad theology wrapped up in a bow and presented as words of wisdom and comfort.  The truth of the matter is that there are people who are dealing with way more than they can handle, and they may be holding on to life and sanity by a thread.

Second, despite what is depicted in the Book of Job, God is not playing with our lives as if he’s some kind of psychotic stage director looking for more and more burdens to drop on people.

And third, it implies that we can, in fact, handle everything in our lives on our own.  The reality, though, is that we might be so overwhelmed that we need help.

If you are struggling with a difficult situation, and ESPECIALLY if you are to the point where you think it would be better if you weren’t around, pick up your phone and call 988.  There are people who staff that number and are trained to help people who are having suicidal thoughts.

Additionally, if you know of someone who is struggling, you can call 988 on their behalf and work on getting them help.

Wyoming consistently ranks in the top three states for suicide deaths.  This is something we can help prevent.  It’s something we all need to be aware of.  And it’s something that has a lifeline.

We all go through a lot at one time or another.  Know you aren’t alone and know 988 is there.

Blessings,