Resting in Hope

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Every Advent I reflect on this poem by Wendell Berry:

The seed is in the ground.

Now may we rest in hope

While darkness does its work.

Paul Nixon, Christian pastor and author, once said, "God does her best work just after midnight." Our culture often makes darkness out to be something scary or negative. And it can be, at times, yet it can also be a renewing time, a time of quiet and introspection, where seeds that are deeply buried can be nurtured and cared for and brought to birth. 

Growing up in the South, we didn't really have 4 seasons - I liked to say that Houston had 3 seasons - hot, scorching hot, and warm! I didn't really understand the changing of the seasons like we experience them here, particularly the darkness of the end of the year. In the church year, it seems fitting to me that Advent, the beginning of the year, is the darkest time. It's the middle of the night, growing darker before it grows lighter, an opportunity for dormant things to come to life.

This Advent, I hope you will find some ways to rest in hope, while darkness does its work. Join with us as a community - there are many opportunities listed below, including Friday's Christmas crafts and spaghetti dinner and next Monday's worship and soup supper. Let's rest in hope, together.

Blessings and peace,

Manda

Challenging CS Lewis

Is it okay to talk about sex in church? In my childhood congregation, it was often only done in hushed whispers or with a hint of scandal. When I was a teenager, our youth minister apparently thought we needed to learn something about sex, so he had us watch James Dobson videos. Yes, that James Dobson! And rather than learning about healthy, whole sexuality, I took away an idea that the body and bodily desires were not holy, and that to be spiritual meant denying the body.


Many Christians, like those in my childhood, are uncomfortable talking about our bodies in the context of faith. And they're not alone, for many of the people who shaped Christian doctrines and theology struggled with the relationship between body and spirit. There was a quote going around Facebook for a while from CS Lewis: "You don't have a soul. You are a soul. You have a body." At first glance, this might sound inspirational, but I would submit that CS Lewis, and others, miss the point of the incarnation of Christ. God thought the human body was worth dwelling in, so why don't we? You are a soul, and you are a body. We would not be fully human if not for our bodies, and being fully human means being created in the image of God.


This Sunday, I hope all adults and youth will join us for the Afterword, where we'll have some conversation about faith and sexuality, and how our whole lives are important to God. Have a blessed week!

Manda

The Spirituality of Autumn (9/20/11)

The signs are all around us – a slight chill in the air, squirrels and chipmunks gathering acorns, leaves beginning to change, an abundance of apples, active school zones, busses full of children, animals getting their thicker coats. My favorite season is about to arrive! Autumn is an invitation to cuddle with loved ones, warm ourselves with hearty soups for the body and soul, curl up by the fire, and prepare for winter.

I came across an article titled, “Autumn: Reflections on the Season,” by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat. They suggest 3 spiritual lessons and practices for the season: 

         (1) Balancing Darkness with Night. Part of preparing for winter, I think, is recognizing that there is value in darkness. It could be the darkness of turning off the television or computer, or getting up in the middle of the night to see the stars made visible by the lack of other light. Autumn provides an opportunity to notice the shifting balance of darkness and light. 

One of my favorite poems is by Wendell Berry:

The seed is in the ground.

Now may we rest in hope

while darkness does its work.

(2) Letting Go. Leaves begin to take a break from producing chlorophyll, revealing the vibrant colors underneath. Eventually the trees drop their leaves, revealing the intricate branches underneath. As we embrace times of rest and let go of things that aren’t needed for this season, we reveal the beauty that was there all along, and we make room for God’s Spirit to create something new.

(3) Acknowledging Impermanence. Some have said that the only constant is that life is constantly changing, and autumn is a reminder that “the grass withers and the flowers fade,” as the Psalmist says. When we acknowledge our own impermanence, we open ourselves to more fully embracing each moment as it comes, for life is a gift to be cherished. And, it means that no matter what happened yesterday, we have an opportunity to start fresh today and create a better tomorrow. Acknowledging our impermanence is also a reminder that God is not impermanent, that God’s spirit always breathes within us, in the ups and downs and cycles of life.

As we move toward Autumn, I invite you to find ways to engage in spiritual practices – individually and together – and to embrace the gifts of the season. There are plenty of ways to get involved in the life of this community, and you are always welcome. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Blessings and peace,

Manda