July 23rd, 2008 What does the Bible Say about… Hope, Homosexuality, and Hospitality? OR

What does the Spirit say through the Bible to you for others about our Gay and Lesbian sisters and brothers?

Bishop Dave’s Bible study became another defining moment in Creator’s RIC discernment process, like Pastor Christian's talk at the end of spring together with the other events that have been part of this process. There was clarity in Bishop Dave's thoughts and his approachs on the material and personal meditations he shared with us.

The Bishop began with "What does the Bible say about . . ." and first discussed other topics like marriage, slavery, leprosy, and lending money. He made a distinction about what the Bible says about faith & doctrine and about community & care.


He contends that, regarding the laws and boundaries of community & care, we all need to be selective about what in the Bible we take to heart and follow. The Bible allows for multiple wives with one husband, upholds laws regarding slavery, and clearly states money must be loaned without interest. He felt in these matters the Bible is one voice but not the only voice.

He then addressed the texts in the Bible addressing homosexuality. The sin of Sodom and Gomorrah, for example, is the sin of inhospitality. Bishop Dave quoted Ezekiel 16:48 -50 which describes the sin of those two cities as being inhospitable. The depth of his analysis of each of the passages should be experienced. I would encourage you to link to the presentation at http://www.oregonsynod.org/bookoffaith/hhh/ and do just that.

The title of this blog entry comes from what Bishop Dave proposed we should have asked him rather than what we did ask: What the Bible says about homosexuality. The more faithful and Lutheran question he thought was: What does the Spirit say through the Bible to you for others about our Gay and Lesbian sisters and brothers? A different question and a place to start discussions where those on either side ofthe homosexuality debate aren't simply talking at each other.

Most in the audience found the evening sincere, intellectually and spiritually satisfying and the Bishop handled many concerns with laughter and self-deprecating Lutheran humour. There were representatives from many congregations, those who are already RIC, who were thinking about starting the process or those who are engaged.

The talk moved those who were there powerfully. There was a strong sense of identity that was shared by the audience regardless of the position they took on the issue.

Afterwards I have shared the link with some people who are against accepting GLBT in the church. There were people I could not talk to about this issue. We knew we were simply not going to change the other's mind and our words moved to anger. Yet after they saw this presentation we found ourselves in discussion with one another and communicating our true concerns and fears.

Our next RIC activity will be working with the congregation on the language of the Affirmation of Welcome we will put to a vote in January, 2009.

July 20th, 2008 – Grace Happens

Lisa asked the children during Children’s time what they pray for. This was to prepare them and the congregation for getting back into allowing time for people to speak or inwardly think about individual prayer intercessions during the Prayers of the People.

There was a focus on Grace Happens during the service today. Rev. Mary Peterson presided this Sunday and she talked about how she would like this as a bumper sticker. We certainly felt it today. Phil announced to the congregation that his cancer was in complete remission.

David was on piano and Grant was on drums for several songs. David was excellent as usual and Grant's drum playing was fantastic. His muscial talent is very strong and it is easy to perform along with him. I played guitar and led singing with Kelly. Kelly performed a touching Beautiful Savior during offering. We followed the African American liturgy today and the additional musicians for much of the music gave the pieces a different energy today.

Today’s gospel was the parable of the wheat and tares (weeds). Rev. Mary preached on many ideas around the text; that the parables being mysteries that must be experienced rather than explained and that letting the wheat and weeds grow together allows us not to fret and judge what is wheat or not. It allows us to thank god that God judges.

Attendance is staying healthy over the summer. The one service allows early and late service goers time to get reacquainted. Fellowship this week was very animated and there were many great conversations that many people were engaged in as they caught up on what is going on in their lives.

There was also a meeting of the Finance Task force. I will be interested in hearing the ideas and suggestions that come from today’s meeting.

July 13th, 2008 – Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

The service began with prayer and reflection for many. We learned that Eileen’s mother passed away this morning. Eileen’s mother and the family had been in prayer for many of us during the past week.

Luke played piano for Creator Praise and during offering he performed “Go Light Your World”. The service volunteers were part of Team Hope.

For Children’s Time two leaders from Camp Lutherwood and Stephanie joined with Josh on guitar and taught the congregation a camp song. Also for Children’s Time Rev. Mary gave out seeds hope, fun, joy, energy etc… to link in with the Gospel and sermon theme

Rev. Mary gave a sermon today about the gospel lesson, the parable of the sower. She stressed the extravagance of the how the seed was flung everywhere. This type of planting is an act that comes out of abundance. Where we might plant where seed is likely to sprout, or the places most beneficial this is not the way God sows.

In her sermon, Rev. Mary found two words came out for her – hearing and understanding. She preached about both of these words being part of community; in particular that community is central to understanding. Understand means to bring together and through her sermon Rev. Mary made it plain that the normal use of the word (where we focus on the individual’s knowledge) is not the most important part of what it is to understand. It is what brought together in community and their knowledge that makes significant change.

There was a congregational gathering after the service where we talked about abundance and scarcity and how we live our lives. Do we live as if there is abundance or scarcity in our community? This was, in part, spurred by a concern over Creator’s current financial picture.

There was no conclusion but Rev. Mary did point out that people stayed for the conversation and they do deeply care about Creator.

July 6th, 2008 – Bearing Others’ Burdens

Father Al preached again this Sunday. Team Praise provided the volunteers.

For the Children’s time Father Al brought a heavy pack filled with weights to the altar and asked if any of the children wanted to carry the pack. The children wisely refused.

From there Al talked about the weight we sometimes feel like we have to carry; worry, fear, guilt, the feeling of not being good enough. As he talked about theses weights he would ask a child to volunteer to take one of the weights. Most of the children were carrying weights in the end and the pack was empty.

It was a simple demonstration but it worked. During the sermon Father Al made suggestions of what we should have in our packs; humility, scripture and grace. It was a sermon with imagery and reflections of the time he spent celebrating Independence Day. He communicated a beautiful image of red trumpet flowers among a field of lupines that he and his dog experienced. They were natural fireworks of a sort to him.

Geoff played viola for the offering. It was a moment of music that built into something amazing, particularly coming after this sermon of lifting each other’s burdens. Geoff’s playing lifted the burden of someone in the congregation, whose face was transformed while the piece was played.

The Holy Family Episcopal families came to the service today. Worshipping together with them had me thinking about all the intricate bonds that are developed while God’s presence is acknowledged in our lives.

June 29th, 2008 – Coming Down from the Mountain

Father Al was the presiding minister today. David led the music with Kim and Spiritworks Team Grace performed the volunteer work.

Obviously is a selection in what to write with each entry about worship. The natural tendency is to choose what is unique. As I look back on the current entries since Pastor Dayle’s sabbatical there is a more focus on the sermons than usual.

Father Al’s sermon today celebrated the humanness of Peter and Paul and what the faith and belief has accomplished in the course of the church’s history with those who are part of the church. He mentioned current headline stories, the Mississippi overrunning, wildfires in California and the problems with the election in Zimbabwe and a local boy missing on the Sandy River.

Such news could overwhelm us with futility but Father Al reminded us millions have joined together to fight the floods, firemen and volunteers are fighting fires and many nations are working to force change in Zimbabwe while still finding ways to help those in need in the country.

Father Al encouraged us to tell our stories, to work with our Spiritworks teams to draw closer together and to work in community rather than isolation.

It was a strong sermon that made me reflect on how the ways God’s work is done in the world. The relationship between community and the individual is complex. I write this alone but I also write to you as a community. Does that make it a communal activity because of my intended audience? Should I share more of myself or try to keep as objective a record as I can of what took place in worship?

Father Al seemed to struggle with this a bit behind the words of his sermon as well. He had just come down from the mountain of his family cabin where he had worked alone to prepare for a celebration where many would be invited.

I look forward to his next sermon.