July

This month I feel a certain need to talk about our Welcoming Statement that was voted on and approved on June 5th. I spoke in my sermon at Pentecost about this subject, but not everyone is there for every Sunday, and it was a busy day as well. Perhaps I can simply summarize my main points about this statement and what I think is important.

First: The statement is, and needs to be, explicit. It is a general welcoming statement, but in today's world we must be explicit about who we are not excluding from that welcome, specifically gay, lesbian, trans-gendered and bisexual persons. In doing this we are following the example of Paul, when he was explicit as well: In Christ there is now neither Jew nor Greek, neither male nor female, neither slave nor free. Paul could not settle for a general “All are Welcome,” and frankly neither can we. And it is an explicit welcome into full participation in the life and ministry of this congregation; one's orientation or gender identity will not be a barrier to serving in any capacity, whether serving on committees, teaching Sunday school, participating in worship or moving chairs.

Second: The statement is a public statement not a private one. This statement, as a welcoming statement, is not simply something we have agreed upon amongst ourselves. It is a statement about who we are to the broader community. It is a witness about how we understand the gospel and the abundant love of God for us all and where we are being led by the Holy Spirit. By its very definition it is not for us, but for others.

I look forward to the continuing conversation we have together as we seek to live out this new statement. I am sure we will have more to do in this area, but I also feel another tug right now....the tug of summer.

July is upon us and if you're like me the last couple of months have been busy. It seems like everyone is doing everything in the first couple weeks of June as everyone tries to get everything done before the beginning of summer. Now July stretches before us. And it kind of looks quiet(er).

Is this a chance to have some quiet before Festival? A chance to relax? A chance to reflect? A chance to take some time off, visit family, get away from it all? Maybe a chance to learn something new?

I hope to take some time off in July. I'm not sure when yet. I'm also planning on learning something new. Michelle and I are (Lord willing) learning some Spanish downtown at the JC Community Center. I also hope to spend some time reflecting and planning what the rest of this year might hold. Or even not thinking about it. I'm amazed at what I learn when I step away from something, get a good night's rest and look at it again the next day.

Take some time to breathe in July. The rain has stopped, the sun is out, the vegetables are growing. Festival is far enough away and “tomorrow's worries are enough for tomorrow.”