From the Pastor

Dec. 05 - Saint Columba

Oct. 05 - Playing with the impossible ...

Sep. 05 - Trust

Jun. 05 - Summertime

May 05 - Signs

Apr. 05 - Authenticity

Mar. 05 - Life, Hope and Happiness

Feb. 05 - A New Look

Nov. 05.- Walk a New Way

One God - Three Ways

Mar. 07 - How to Forgive

June 06 - Down by the Riverside

Apr. 07 - Improbable Surprises

From the Pastor,
Rev. Brett P. Morgan, D. Min.

FEBRUARY 2008

Dear Friends,

Lent is a season when we turn to God (isn't it amazing how quickly it's arriving, with Ash Wednesday being on February 6th ?) when we turn toward God and think about how our lives need to change. It's also a time to remember our own baptism, and how that gift gives us a new start every day! The color for Lent is purple, symbolizing repentance. It lasts 40 days, from Ash Wednesday to the Saturday before Easter Day. The choice of how we recognize and do the spiritual work of Lent is, of course, every one's choice. But let me suggest this year that we consider the work of Peace and Justice to be a prime candidate.

Knowing that good works are the result - not the cause - of salvation, Presbyterians have a long and extraordinary record of working for economic justice and relief around the world. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, ranks among the nation's most active aid organizations, working nationally and inter-nationally with other religious aid groups. Presbyterian congregations around the globe also set justice as one of their highest priorities, giving time and money both locally and globally. As followers of Jesus Christ, each individual Christian is linked to Jesus' compassion to work tirelessly on their behalf, as he did.

So, how might we work for peace and justice - year ?round, of course, but especially this Lent - on behalf people who are poor and oppressed?

1) Include people who are poor and oppressed in your daily prayers. Keep the needs of others in mind, especially people who suffer as a result of economic inequality, political oppression, or natural disaster. Name specific situations in your prayers, and use specific place names and people's names when-ever possible. If necessary, keep the newspaper on your lap as you pray.

2) Include people who are poor and oppressed in your personal or household budget. Dedicate some of your personal giving to economic-aid organizations. This should include our own congregation, of course, but it need not end there. If you already tithe (give 10% of your income to the church), make sure a part of that goes to the mission budget, or earmark a part of whatever percentage you give (if not all to and through the church) to go directly to other relief organizations of your own choosing.

3) Pay close attention to economic and political conditions in other nations. You can't help as effectively as you might like if you don't know what's really going on. Resolve to be a well-informed person who listens to a variety of points of view and who tests the worldview in the news to the worldview in the Bible. Use the Internet to locate independent and alternative new sources with unique, on-the-spot perspectives.

4) Get to know organizations that work for justice locally. Ashland Church already organizes in several ways to do justice work both locally and globally. Support them and stay aware of what is going on, and if you sense a tug to involve yourself even a little bit more, consider carefully Who it is Who might be tugging.

5) Make working for justice part of your weekly or monthly routine. Devote a portion of your time regularly to a specific activity that personally connects you to people who are poor and disenfranchised. There's no substitute for personal contact - and it requires only a warm and willing heart, open ears with which to listen, and open eyes to help you recognize your brothers and sisters in Christ in the eyes of others.

6) Vote your conscience. If you are of voting age, remember that nations will be judged by the way they treat people who are disadvantaged. That's a message from the Bible that ranks right up there with the steadfast love, and the unmerited forgiveness, mercy and grace of God in terms of clarity and certainty. And finally:

7) Advocate for a cause in which you believe, one that has meaning for you personally.

May you have a pleasant February and blessed Lent.

Peace,
Brett

December/January 2007-08

Dear Friends,

"To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, in you I trust?Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long. Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love, for they have been from of old?Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way" (Psalm 25:1-9 selections NRSV).

A seminary student at an alma mater of mine, sharing Advent thoughts with us alumni, tells what seems to be universal (at least in the U.S.) in this season: "The Advent season is a busy time, no doubt. There's shopping and decorating to be done. There are extra services at church, office Christmas parties, and school plays to attend. Students are scrambling to finish up with another semester of school, while workers are scrambling to complete their tasks by year's end. Advent is a busy time, no doubt about it."

Yep. Still, as in the above selection, the Psalmist reminds us that even in the midst of so much frantic activity, hustle and bustle and so forth, we need to take time to ask for God's guidance. It's true. We can get so caught up in the spirit of the moment, in what we're doing, that we "mighty gates" (so to speak) forget to "lift up our heads" and take a good look around.

The Psalmist's prayer/request is a very wise one: "Teach me your paths." Naturally, we ask ourselves what it means to walk in the paths of God this season - and, as with so many things like this - there is not a single answer. Walking God's path can and does involve seeking justice for everyone in one's local community. Walking God's path can and does involve practicing concrete acts of compassion toward one's fellow human beings. Walking God's path can and does involve standing in solidarity with those whom society has forgotten. I could go on.

The point is we needn't allow ourselves to get caught up in the frantic details of this blessed season. God can help us live the blessed lives that come from the one Blessed Life that Advent prepares us to welcome once again. So "lift up your heads." Take a look around. And walk God's path this season. Have a Blessed and Merry Christmas - and a Happy New Year!

Peace - on earth, and good will to all,
Brett

photo from iStock photos (c) Leigh Schindler