Community

Last week I mentioned how many people are looking for a community, and a place where they can make a difference in the world.

I'm always amazed at how much good people do even in their busy lives: Young moms who work and lead Girl scout troops. Retired folks who babysit their grandchildren, volunteer at the food pantry, Senior Center, library, Historical Society and all sorts of other places! At church, too. I sometimes hesitate to invite them to church because I know they are already doing so much. Maybe they just need a day to sleep in or not have to rush to get their kids dressed and out of the house in time. And, church is so often associated with guilt: "I know I should be going to church but..." That's the last thing I want to do: Make someone feel guilty!

But then I think about what we have to offer as a church... A community. A place where you come together with people of different ages and backgrounds to pray and sing. A place where you can laugh and cry, where you can talk about your struggles and your joys. Where we learn and grow in our faith together because none of us have it all figured out. Where we are inspired to make this world a better place. And I think about times when members of the church had surgery and others did not hesitate to offer meals, rides, and other ways of lending a helping hand and showing that they care.

That's what people miss out on if they're not part of a church.

I was at a conference last weekend and heard a shocking statistic about loneliness: 25% of those surveyed have no one in their lives that they can talk to about meaningful things. Only 8% have a neighbor they can turn to in a time of need. Can you imagine? Loneliness is a sad, painful experience.

Our world is getting more and more connected on a technical and global level, and more and more isolated on an interpersonal level.

That's why I invite people to Trinity Church. We're a good place to start if you're feeling lonely, or if the people you have in your lives are not willing or able to have the kind of deep, meaningful conversations that you long for. We're a good place to talk about your faith, and your questions and your doubts. We're a good place to experience that you are not alone.

If you have found this, whether at Trinity Church or somewhere else (this blog is out there for all the world to read, after all) - please invite your co-workers, your neighbors, your or your kids' friends. It may be exactly what they are longing for, without even knowing it. It doesn't hurt to ask. If they say "no," that is their right. If they say "maybe," ask again later. If they say "yes," you may have given them the best gift they have received in a long time: a community.

Being a Christian

As I am preparing a group of people for membership here at Trinity, I'm thinking about how best to explain to them who we are and what we stand for. And I don't have ten hours! 

Last night I attended an interfaith where a brief overview of Christianity was given, from one particular denomination's perspective. There are so many theological and structural differences between the various Christian churches. It must be very confusing to people of others faiths - and to people who adhere to the Christian faith as well! 

A decline in denominational identity was mentioned: People don't care so much what particular "brand" of Christianity a local congregation belongs to. They want to be part of a community that helps them make a difference in the world. I've seen and heard this myself.

While some may find this trend regrettable I celebrate it. We don't need Baptists or Congregationalists or Presbyterians. We need disciples of Jesus Christ! How and where they affiliate should be an individual's free choice.

So that's one thing that we as Trinity Church stand for: That each individual has a right to their own set of beliefs. We read the Bible, we teach what Jesus taught, and we try to live the way Jesus tells us to. But we don't make anyone go through a checklist of theological concepts and ask them to sign off on them. For example:

- the virgin birth

- the healing and feeding miracles

- the resurrection

- the Trinity

Some of these are theological constructs created by human beings to try to make sense of a mysterious God. Some are interpretations of a text that was originally written in Greek or Hebrew, in a very different cultural context. And all of them are stories told about God or Jesus by human beings. 

None of us know for sure. None of us believe everything that is in the Bible. I certainly don't! At least not literally. And that's okay. I can be a disciple of Jesus and interpret Biblical stories and church traditions in my own way. 

So can you. You don't need to be a Biblical scholar or theologian to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. All you need to be is yourself: a person who longs for a connection with God and with other people. A person who wants to live a deep and meaningful life. A person who wants to have a purpose and make a difference.

We, here at Trinity Church, believe Jesus is the way to that life. But we know and fully respect that there are other ways. 

If you want to know more about Jesus and how you can follow him, you are welcome with us. If you have all kinds of doubts and questions, you are welcome with us. If you've had a negative experience with church and are not sure if you even want to be part of any organized religion, you are welcome with us. 

We will not judge you. We will not tell you what to believe or what to think. We will talk to you and listen to you, we will pray with you and do hands-on ministry with you, if you so choose. 

Please contact me if you'd like to talk about about any of this, whether you are considering membership or have been a member for a long time. We are all still on a journey, and it is more rewarding and more fun if we walk it together. 

I know God has gifted you in many ways. The world needs gifted people. Be yourself (God's beloved child), and allow the world to see God through you. 

Talking to Each Other

Whenever there's a problem between human beings, whenever feelings are hurt, things are tense or there's an outright conflict, it's usually about communication. In families, friendships, between colleagues,  teachers and students - you name it. If something is off, it's because communication is off. Once communication has broken down completely it's very hard to fix. 

Needless to say, as a pastor I deal with that a lot. I know how hard it can be, and how vital to any healthy relationship. 

I attended a mediation training earlier this year and have been reading about healthy communication quite a bit. It's fascinating how quickly things can go bad, and how it all comes down to the same issue: misunderstandings and things that were left unsaid. 

It's hard to be honest when someone hurt you or you're upset about something they did. 

It's easier to try to forget about it. At least it seems easier in the moment. In the long run, it will catch up with you. That pain or anger is not going away unless it's expressed. It will fester. And it will come out one way or another. 

Instead, let your emotions come down to a legal level. Really think through what happened. Try to see both sides of the story. And then sit down with the other person and tell them how you feel. Don't attack them with a laundry list of things they did or didn't to. Just tell them how you feel. "I feel hurt. I feel betrayed. I feel disrespected. I feel angry." Speak your truth. Allow the other person to ask questions so they can truly understand you. You may even want to ask them to repeat what they heard you say to make sure they understood. 

If the other person is willing to listen to you - give them time to calm down first, too, and make sure they are ready - then healing is possible. You'll be amazed. 

I'm not saying this is easy. It's not. And depending on the individual situation it may not always accomplish what you had hoped. But expressing your feelings, speaking from your own experience and being honest with yourself and with the other person, will allow for you to process the whole situation, and help you to move on. 

Give it a try. What have you got to lose?

Angels

This past weekend was Applefest in Northborough. There were lots of activities going on all over town, hosted by local businesses and community organizations. It was wonderful to see the town come together. Northborough is a drivers' town. I am one of the few people you see walking or riding a bike for transportation. But during Applefest weekend, crowds of people were walking up and down Route 20, from the library to the farmer's market at the future Town Common, to the Unitarian Church and the Church of the Nativity, to the street fair on Blake Street, the fire station, and to Trinity Church. 

They enjoyed food, games, music, arts and crafts, and connecting with others in the community. Long lost friends and former neighbors were reunited. Two beautiful, hot and busy days for our town!

I cannot imagine the work that went into pulling this off. I only know a little of what went on here at Trinity to get ready and offer two full days of fun and hospitality. It was also an opportunity to raise funds for the ministry of Trinity Church. But first and foremost, it was a way of showing the community that we are here, that we want to be an active part of their lives, and that we are good people.

Then the following verse from Hebrews 13:2 popped into my mind: "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it."

We showed hospitality by offering food, cold drinks, shade, a place to sit and rest, music, restrooms... And by connecting with people. Having a conversation, offering support and a kind word. I spoke to a young couple who had just moved to Northborough, and to a woman who is struggling with some issues in her life. I know many others had conversations as well. 

We may have entertained angels without knowing it. And we may have been angels to them. 

What sets us apart from local businesses and community organizations is that we are doing this because of Jesus! Because Jesus calls us to go out and bring good news to the people. That can start small, by offering food and drink, but it can grow much deeper. Jesus was here at Trinity Church this weekend, speaking and acting through us, as we showed hospitality to strangers. 

May Jesus help us to do this not only when we are here at the church building, but everywhere we go and in everything we do. Offer hospitality. Be welcoming and accepting. Be an angel. God knows the world needs them! 

Beautiful Feet

"How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace." Classical music lovers will recognize this as an aria from Handel's Messiah. Watch it here, sung like an angel by a boy soprano:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGW0JXzV9fo

Rev. Mary Miller, Executive Minister of The American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts, was our guest preacher yesterday. She spoke about Paul's letter to the Romans, chapter 10, verses 13-17, and reminded us how important it is for us as followers of Jesus to use our feet and go out into the world, preaching good news. Jesus sent his disciples from house to house and village to village, with nothing but the clothes on their backs, to offer good news to them. If people reject you, he said, move on to the next village. (Luke 10:1-11.) Jesus never told anybody to build a church and wait for people to come. But that's what Christians have been doing for decades, even centuries: They built a church, they held worship services, offered Sunday school classes for children and adults, and people came. In droves.

They don't anymore. The reasons for that are complex: people's lives are much busier. There are lots of other (more fun) things to do on Sundays. Stores and entertainment centers are open, many people have to work and school activities now happen on Sundays. And then there's the fact that people are getting along just fine without the church. They often disagree with what they think our message is. Many assume we are judgmental hypocrites and think we are "holier than thou." And for some churches that is true. 

We at Trinity Church are trying to send a different message, and people are starting to hear it: That God loves everyone, and therefore we welcome and accept everyone the way they are. This, I believe wholeheartedly, is the message our world today needs to hear, loud and clear, over and over again: God loves EVERYONE. Because God created every single human being in love. And God will not drop them from that love. Ever. 

We need to use our feet and walk into our community, spreading that unconditional love. Words are not enough. As Francis of Assisi is supposed to have said: "Preach the Gospel, and if necessary, use words." 

The world needs us. Let's go preach!

Thinking Before You Speak

One of my favorite Bible verses is Psalm 46:10: "Be still, and know that I am God."

I opened my Bible app this morning and this popped up as the verse of the day. 

I've usually seen it quoted out of context and it's been meaningful to me: Be still. Be calm. Let God be God. 

But when you read the Psalm in its entirety, this verse has a different meaning: 

"Come, behold the works of the Lord; see what desolation he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth." (Psalm 46:8-11)

"Be still" actually means: "Stop! Put down your weapons." 

God makes wars cease. Got wants us to stop fighting. 

While I wish we would take this literally in the political realm I also think it is powerful in our personal lives. "Stop! Put down your weapons." Before you blame someone for something. Before you make assumptions about their intentions. Before you criticize them for their actions: Stop. Take a moment to think. Cool down. Don't let your feelings get the best of you. We've all seen situations escalate and get ugly because people tried to solve them while they were angry. Step away. Get some perspective. Look at your own part in the situation. And then come back, calmly, openly, with compassion, and say what you need to say. 

The same is true for social media: Think before you type. Reflect before you rant. Once it's out there it cannot be taken back. 

And, before you say anything, here's a helpful acronym:

T - is it True?

H - is it Helpful?

I - is it Inspiring?

N - is it Necessary?

K - is it Kind? 

If the answer to any of them is "no" you might be wiser not to speak. 

May God help us to stop and think. May God help us to be peacemakers in this war torn world.

With You Always

Our little town of Northborough was shaken by some serious events this week: A threat of a shooting at the local high school, and a fire in the center of town.

We give thanks to God that nobody was injured and further damage was prevented.

But the effects on people's sense of safety cannot yet be measured.

What do we do to keep our children safe, and everyone who works in schools: the teachers, staff and administration? 

I think of students who graduated high school and college. They have every reason to celebrate but they also look ahead to the next, big and somewhat intimidating step. 

Families are getting ready to move, people growing older are thinking of downsizing from their beloved home to a smaller place. 

Jesus says, "Remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:20)

Jesus also says, "Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will take care of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today." (Matthew 6:34)

God will take care of tomorrow. While this doesn't free us from responsibility - we still need to work towards becoming a safe community. We still need to protect those who are most vulnerable and care for those who need us. But we don't need to succumb to anxiety, worry and fear. God is with us always. God will carry us through. 

It's hard to trust that in the face of everything that's been happening in our world. But what have we got to lose? 

May Jesus' promise make your breathing a little easier and your day a little brighter: "I am with you always, to the end of the age."