Dear Friends,

The Spirit in me greets the Spirit in you.

As a young girl my family never really observed this season nor did my church for that matter. It was a foreign thought to me to give something up, which I didn’t understand at the time, or to dwell on what I was lacking in my spiritual life. But I have always had a sense of God’s presence and knowledge of whose I belong to.

Now many years later I understand Lent to be a gift, a gift of in-between-time. Which I think is interesting, for such a time as this, because we certainly find ourselves in an in-between-time right now. All humanity seems to be in a place of uncertainty and waiting. 

Lent last forty days, a long time, because we need a good stretch of time to step back from our usual routine, to be neither here nor there. We need this time to stop our old ways of doing things and live in-between, not yet knowing what the new ways of doing things will be. Living in-between can be scary. But taking the full forty days, and beyond, of Lent is important; not to do so would be like denying ourselves a spiritual adventure, which is the gift of in-between time.

In this in-between time you might be feeling anxious and life around you seem chaotic, may I remind you of the Genesis story that out of chaos God created the heavens and the earth, there became order out of chaos. May I encourage you to find a spiritual rhythm in your day of taking time to read scripture and a quiet moment for prayer. Find comfort and peace in knowing that “You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, “my refuge and my fortress; my God in whom I trust.” And he will cover you with his love and under his wing you will find refuge. Ps 91:1-2,4

In closing I will leave you with this as a Lenten thought to dwell and or to journal on; In what ways and areas in your life have you found God to be your refuge and strength?

Comforting God, guide us during these days of unknowing and set a spirit of peace upon your people. Lead us into a journey that will bring us to a place of deeper love. Show us ways to be a comfort to those around us and bind us together in the shelter of your love. Amen.

May God bless you in the in-between and always.

Brenda Spencer

Our everyday hustle and bustle of taking our kids to school, sports, scouts, and piano lessons, which can sometimes be all in one day, or running from our jobs to the gym and then the grocery store to quickly pick up something for dinner before we have to run off for a meeting or other commitment has come to an abrupt halt. At first, it might seem like a curse or a hardship but maybe not. What if we do like Lynn Ungar suggests and look at it differently? What if we look at this time as a Sabbath?

Pandemic

What if you thought of it
as the Jews consider the Sabbath—
the most sacred of times?
Cease from travel.
Cease from buying and selling.
Give up, just for now,
on trying to make the world
different than it is.
Sing. Pray. Touch only those
to whom you commit your life.
Center down.
 
And when your body has become still,
reach out with your heart.
Know that we are connected
in ways that are terrifying and beautiful.
(You could hardly deny it now.)
Know that our lives
are in one another’s hands.
(Surely, that has come clear.)
Do not reach out your hands.
Reach out your heart.
Reach out your words.
Reach out all the tendrils
of compassion that move, invisibly,
where we cannot touch.

Promise this world your love–
for better or for worse,
in sickness and in health,
so long as we all shall live.

Lynn Ungar

What if we use this time to be still and to listen to what God is saying to us? What if we use this time to sit and observe where God is working in our lives and in the world?  What if we use this time to become reconnected with ourselves and the gifts that God has given us so that when it is time to go out into the world again we will be able to reach out in renewed love to others?

My hope for us is that we can slow down and be still during this time of unknowns, fears and anxiety so that we can hear God’s calming voice and lean on God who is always with us. 
 

Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in God. God alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken.  Psalm 62:5-6
 

Loving God, please be with us during this time of uncertainty. Help us to see this time away from our busy schedules and social lives as an opportunity to reflect and grow rather than a burden to bear.  Help us to be still so that we can reconnect with you and ourselves. We give thanks for your never-ending strength for us to draw from.  May we leave this time of unknowns renewed so that we can be the tendrils of compassion for your people.  Amen.

Marty 

With God’s Grace, our faith, and a healthy dose of good humor, we will get through this!

Jesus was an excellent communicator. He had empathy, charm, and genuine charisma (after all, Charis is the Greek word for Grace). He spoke with confidence, clarity, and gentleness. He spoke to people with illustrations from their own experience, explaining what he meant to those who asked. And he employed humor to make his point.

I am not saying that Jesus wasn’t serious. Nor am I saying that he was a pratfall comic. But in our day as in many days of the past, comedians often serve as prophets and truth-tellers. Consider Mort Sahl, Lenny Bruce, Robin Williams, Sarah Silverman, and Trevor Noah. Whether it is a spoonful of sugar or an over-the-top impression, humor helps us know the truth.

Much of the humor of Jesus does not translate well. We are often confused by his word play. (A “camel through the eye of a needle” seems a bit obtuse, until we learn of a city gate designed so that it was impossible for such animals to enter, or until we learn that in the language Jesus spoke, the word for camel and the word for rope are very similar). But one part of his gift of humor rings with us today – if we would let it – exaggeration:
“’Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbor, “Let me take the speck out of your eye”, while the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye.’” (Matthew 7:3-5)

OK, to explain humor is to ruin it. But picture us all walking around with logs sticking out of our eyes. Imagine how ridiculous that would have sounded. Now picture Jesus smiling as he says it, and the people laughing… as he points out their hypocrisy. It makes it so much easier for the people he is speaking to and about to say “OK, yes, I see myself there (as much as I can see around this log!).”

One of the things that has made my life easier in the past week has been humor. People sharing their experiences in funny ways. One of my former youth group members wrote this on Facebook: “We are only a few days in and I’m already ordering weird stuff on Amazon. I thought I’d get in at least a week of quarantine before I decided things like I HAD to have a scope to see inside my ear.”

So many others have written new words to old songs to share the pain our new reality with humor. You may have seen that Neil Diamond has updated “Sweet Caroline” to include: “Hands, washing hands, reaching out, don’t touch me, I won’t touch you!”

I have asked James to prepare to play for us next Sunday another song, which could use a little updating. At first the thought of the song title made me laugh, but as I read the words again it makes me cry with compassion, stand strong with hope and smile in confidence at what God is doing:

“From a distance we all have enough
And no one is in need
And there are no guns, no bombs and no disease
No hungry mouths to feed.

From a distance we are instruments,
Marching in a common band.
Playing songs of hope, playing songs of peace.
They’re the songs of every (one).
God is watching us. God is watching us.
God is watching us from a distance.”
(Bette Midler, “From a Distance,” from the album “Experience the Divine.”)

Of course, at this time when we all must be in contact with one another from a distance, the one who is not distant is God. “God is our refuge and our strength, a very present help in time of need.” (Psalm 46:1)

O God our hope, be with us now. Help us to feel your presence, your touch, your embrace, even as we must be physically distant from one another. Move through the hearts, minds, and hands of those who are accomplishing your work of healing and sustaining life at this time. Fill us all with a vision of what might be; not just a return to what was, but what we can yet become. Allow this time in the wilderness to make us even more prepared to make your reign on earth resemble that which is above. This we pray through Jesus, our Savior and our smiling friend. Amen. 

Pastor George

Around the year 1440 Johannes Gutenberg created a printing press with moveable type. This technology changed the world. The press broke the monopoly of knowledge held by an elite few, and began the democratization of information. I feel that this led directly to the Reformation of the Church. Eventually we began to understand that the word of God is for all people. Along with that came the understanding that ministry is in our hands.  Instead of going to one person as the fount of all knowledge about God, we could discover God for ourselves, in the Word, in practice, and in a community of equals before God.

In July of 1999 I moved from the greater LA basin, where I had been born and raised, and where all of my friends lived. I was called to serve the Saint Andrew UMC in Santa Maria. The people of that congregation were wonderful and welcoming, and I eventually began to make friendships in town (which last to this day). But at the beginning, I felt cut off. I was hours away from my friends and social support system. I could occasionally persuade some to come and visit, but those visits were few and far between.  I thank God for the internet. Through instant messaging on the computer, I was able to be in contact with my friends and loved ones. It was not as good as a hug or a shared meal, but it filled my soul. There were some occasions where I had many windows open – many conversations – going at once. Technology saved my spirit and allowed for continuity of care in changing times.
Innovation can lead change and innovation can help us adapt to changing circumstances. 

This is where we are as believers.  The technological innovations are not leading the change, but they can be tools by which we continue to be who we are and to do what we do. This week many of us are learning new ways of teaching, sharing, providing for ourselves, and staying connected with others. It isn’t easy, but isn’t it wonderful that the brains God gave us have made these tools possible for such a time as this. The telephone isn’t particularly new technology, but we have actually been using our smartphones to talk to people on the phone (as well as text, email, Skype, Zoom, Facebook, Tweet….).

These changes may feel temporary. We look forward to being in each other’s presence again. I know that day will come. But I realize with great joy that we will learn from this experience! This will spark our imaginations and open us up to continuing to innovate, so that the many who have been left out by the way we have done things in the past will now be able to experience community in these new ways. We will be forever changed, for the good! (Go ahead, sing the song from Wicked.)

Now, I must tell you that it doesn’t feel particularly good to hear that the Governor does not consider communal worship, where we are physically gathered in one place to be essential. Not essential?!  Please notice that he is not saying that our faith is not essential to our being. Connecting with our Creator, being in community with others is very much essential to our lives. But we can do this while physically apart from each other, especially when doing so allows us to care for one-another’s well-being.

In fact, we are being given the opportunity, for a while, to do exactly what Jesus taught us:

“‘And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.’”  — Matthew 6:5-6, NRSV

Dear God, Creator of the Universe and Author of Invention, we pause now to be in prayer with you. Calm our fears of what is new and different; help us to find you in all that we see; help us to connect with you as we connect with others in new ways. Allow this time apart to make us cherish the gifts of home and community. And cause our hearts and minds to be with those on the front lines of this battle: with the health care workers and first responders, those who remain at work to provide food, shelter, power, and heat. And help us to reach out to those who have been forgotten. Move to bring healing to the ill and comfort to the grieving. This we pray in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. 

Pastor George

Proverbs 22.6

⁶Train children in the right way,
and when old, they will not stray.

This scripture can be applied to many things in life, not just following Jesus.  Many parents and grandparents are the main caregivers of children while the schools are closed.  This is a good time to focus on everyday tasks that are important for little ones’ futures.  In a time with a virus that is spreading, it is probably best to talk about cleanliness.  There are many things that can be taught at very young ages.  Maria Montessori believed that household chores are an integral part of growing up and learning.  You can even order child size versions of cleaning items such as brooms, mops, carpet sweepers, dust pans, sponges, scrubbers, etc.  Cleaning tasks will teach a child cleanliness, patience, motor skills, and a sense of reward with a job completed.  Not only will they learn to clean up after themselves, they will learn the importance of chores and keeping a clean household.  There were five children in my family.  I learned chores at a very young age.  Since I was the smallest, I was given some of the smaller chores.  I stood on a chair and did the dishes, I loaded the laundry basket from the dryer, I washed the bottom portion of the walls.  

Older children’s chores may be separated to eliminate frustration.  For example, one of my friends has two teenagers.  They split the bathroom up into three sections:  Sink and toilet, tub area, walls and floor.  They are assigned different areas weekly as to not become overwhelmed by a whole room or by one area.  When making your plan, ask for their input.  This helps to give them a sense of importance and belonging.

Dear Lord, 

I Pray that in this time of isolation you bring families closer together.  You open the hearts of children and fill them with experiences that will last a lifetime.  You replace fear with strength and self-responsibility.  You give them hope.  Thank you for your grace and mercy in all situations.  In Jesus mighty name, Amen!

Judith