Jumping In
I was grateful for Acts of Reconciliation resources provided by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
My heart is hurting and my spirit is stirred by the cries of black and brown people who are facing the crushing weight of structural racism. And not only those who are featured in television interviews and news articles, but also those I know personally: friends, colleagues, and siblings in Christ.
I’m listening. I’m learning. I’m praying. I’m sitting with the discomfort and dis-ease. I’m opening myself to God’s leading and healing.
As I mentioned in the sermon, Colors of Christ (yes, it’s finally released now), the book Raising White Kids by Jennifer Harvey caught my eye thanks to the resources provided by our denominational Reconciliation Ministry. And instead of browsing on and moving on… I bought it.
That’s what it takes, sometimes. Just jumping in. Even (especially!) if we aren’t really sure where to start…
Have you jumped in? What are you learning from the stories, experiences, and wisdom of people exposing and confronting the ugly, sinful reality of racial injustice in our world? I’d love to know how the Spirit is stirring you.
See you Sunday,
PS – Already over 100 people have RSVP’d for worship this Sunday in the “backyard” of South Elkhorn. If you haven’t already signed up, you can (it helps us plan for parking and more).
You can worship in three ways at 10:30 AM:
- Bring a blanket or lawn chair(s) and sit on the lawn in socially distanced locations. Masks are strongly encouraged.
- Remain in your car and tune in to 91.1 FM.
- Watch the livestream of the service while you are healthy at home. (We are correcting the malfunction from last week which cut off the livestream after the first minute–our apologies).
Remember to use the restroom beforehand, bring communion from home, and you can give online, by mobile app, mailing check/cash to church, or dropping off your tithes and offerings at the “donation station” on Sunday for worship.
Yes, there will be a children’s moment. Yes, the service will be bladder-sensitive (~35 minutes). Yes, I will be overjoyed to see you and smiling widely beneath my mask!
PPS – Men’s bible study begins a new study in Revelation on Tuesdays at 9:30 AM via Zoom, starting June 16, 2020. I’m excited to share in conversation with Dr. Jeremy Paden, who is helping navigate this rich and eye-opening discussion on an intimidating, neglected and often wildly misunderstood book of the Bible. We’ll explore the surprising symbolism of beasts, dragons, horsemen and more.
Let me know if you are interested in learning more or joining in.
Meet Jim
I’m so excited to welcome Rev. Dr. Jim Abernathy to South Elkhorn! The Cabinet (South Elkhorn’s governing board), with recommendation from the Sabbatical Team and Personnel, unanimously voted to call Jim as Interim Sabbatical Minister for this summer (June 1 – August 31). He will be joining us for worship on May 22 and I can’t wait for you to meet him!
How Long is Compassion?
It’s long-lasting and long-reaching. Week of Compassion is the relief, refugee, and development mission fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Learn how your gifts make a difference.
Surprise!
During that vacation, in two final conversations with my grandmother before her death, when words were hard and fraught, I found comfort in the words of Jesus. In the gospels, Jesus teaches us by his own example to pray. But he doesn’t leave us there. He also teaches us how to pray. And then, as if knowing that sometimes prayer is just too much: he gives us words to pray. Words that can carry us.
Words that carry us
During that vacation, in two final conversations with my grandmother before her death, when words were hard and fraught, I found comfort in the words of Jesus. In the gospels, Jesus teaches us by his own example to pray. But he doesn’t leave us there. He also teaches us how to pray. And then, as if knowing that sometimes prayer is just too much: he gives us words to pray. Words that can carry us.
Unfair
It seems everyone wants to be more authentic. Jesus points to a challenging counter-intuitive path with a surprising detour through denial.
Living in Denial
Holy ground hurts. Sandals don’t stay on when you sprint. I didn’t expect actual flames.
Holy Ground Hurts
Holy ground hurts. Sandals don’t stay on when you sprint. I didn’t expect actual flames.
The Colors of Christ
Growing up, "whiteness" was mostly invisible to me. I knew that I was white, that others were not, but I mostly didn't think about race. And if I'm honest, when I did think about it, it made me really uncomfortable. I quickly retreated to "colorblindness" (choosing not to see race, and pretending race had no impact on how I treated people). Maybe that's why I still remember when I was shocked by "whiteness"... it was when [...]
What does glitter have to do with God?
This weekend is special. You might just discover what glitter has to do with God. I'm so excited for you to experience the unique gifts of the South Elkhorn youth. The online worship service is led by youth sharing their music, song, prayer, short reflections, a children's moment, communion, and more. You can tune in on Facebook at 10:30AM on Sunday, or anytime this weekend here. Their joy, hope, and creativity lifted and elevated my spirit. I suspect [...]
You might be here
You might quickly realize where you are on the graph below. Perhaps it accurately describes your own roller coaster of emotional well-being, and maybe even our wider social situation. I don't know about you, but after a period of camaraderie and shared heroic effort, I now sense and see the disillusionment growing, circulating, deepening. Perhaps that's where you are. Maybe that's what you are sensing in others, too. Click the photo to enlarge. That disillusionment [...]
Monastic Moment
"We are all monks now." That headline stopped me in my tracks. Whatever else this moment is, what if it might be our "monastic moment"? What if "healthy at home" can be more than a pandemic precaution, but an opportunity for something more. No, this isn't the shallow cheer leading that suggests we should learn a new language, master a new skill, or build something new with a zealous discipline and loads of "free time." [...]
Sunday Morning Zoom Communion
Your invited to share Communion by Zoom on Sundays at 11:30 AM. Pause for a sacred moment to greet the church family, hear the words of institution, share bread and cup with whatever elements you have at home, and receive a blessing. To join, follow the links and use the password here.
Excarnation
You don't just have a body. You are a body. And bodies matter to God. So much so that God "became flesh" in Christ and lived among us (the "incarnation"). So much so that God raised Christ's body. So much so that when Christ was raised and appeared to the disciples and to Thomas he showed them his scarred body--his hands and his side. Bodies matter to God. And in Christ God embraces and relates to who we are [...]
A Blessing You Can’t Turn Back
My heart soared seeing so many faces yesterday. It was Maundy Thursday, and over 40 screens (filled with 70-100 people) gathered via zoom to remember Jesus' last supper, share in communion from our many different rooms and tables, and receive a blessing. If you weren't able to join, I want to share that blessing with you (at the very bottom of this email). I pray these words bless your soul as they have mine. See you (digitally) [...]
What you might be feeling…
I think it's grief. At least that's what I've noticed about myself. I'm grieving. It doesn't feel like the grief I expect when a loved one dies. But it's grief, I'm growing more sure of it every day. I've seen some powerful acknowledgment of this grief. Recently I read a beautiful one by a South Elkhorn Church and choir member and professor at Transylvania University, Jeremy Paden. Maybe you've noticed it, too, even if you have [...]
Keep Connected – email, text, and more
Keep connected with updates, encouragement, invitations, and opportunities to serve. Join the email and text messaging lists below: {{ vc_btn: title=Sign+up+for+The+Current+e-news&align=center&i_icon_fontawesome=far+fa-envelope&add_icon=true&link=url%3Ahttp%253A%252F%252Feepurl.com%252FcQRAkn%7C%7C%7C }}{{ vc_btn: title=Sign+up+for+Michael%27s+Weekly+Musings&align=center&i_icon_fontawesome=far+fa-envelope&add_icon=true&link=url%3Ahttp%253A%252F%252Feepurl.com%252FcOlOAf%7C%7C%7C }}{{ vc_btn: title=Sign+up+for+Children+and+Youth+e-news&align=center&i_icon_fontawesome=far+fa-envelope&add_icon=true&link=url%3Ahttp%253A%252F%252Feepurl.com%252Fc4pIlz%7C%7C%7C }}{{ vc_btn: title=Get+South+Elkhorn+text+messages&align=center&i_icon_fontawesome=fas+fa-mobile-alt&add_icon=true&link=url%3Ahttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.remind.com%252Fjoin%252Fsouthelk%7C%7C%7C }} Use your phone to sign up for text messages: Share your prayer concerns or prayer requests. {{ vc_btn: title=Prayer+Requests&align=center&i_icon_fontawesome=fas+fa-praying-hands&add_icon=true&link=url%3Ahttps%253A%252F%252Fforms.gle%252FSZtwxFXvUSRdwUiq9%7C%7C%7C }}