Month: August 2014

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Why Church? – by Roberta LaHue Brown

In my years of attending church, I have had many wonderful relationships.  Some have been friends, some have been mentors, some teachers, others family, some all of these things in one.  I met my husband in church.  My children attend church with me and are learning about and praising God right beside me.  But my biggest reason for going to church is that attending devotes time to my relationship with God and the others I encounter.  Being intentional keeps me focused on the purpose of all this.  Intentional means ‘done with purpose.’  Forming ‘intentional relationships’ is one of the reasons I go to church. I go to church to remind myself to look at Him, to thank Him, to praise Him, to let Him embrace and heal me, to make me whole.   It is through finding this wholeness that I am able to extend that amazing love to others.  Others who are seeking wholeness extend amazing love to me.  And in spreading and receiving that cultivated love in our relationships, something amazing happens.   A moment that takes your breath away.  Makes your heart skip a beat.  That instant might be filled with joy, it  might be filled with sorrow.  Sometimes the miraculous juncture is so fleeting that you aern’t even sure in hindsight if it actually happened.   Many times we are exposed to these touchstone moments and blessings through our interactions in intentional relationships that are formed by living in Christian Community.

Today, August 13th,  is one of those touchstone days for me as I bid ‘adios’ to Emily and Andrew (TCC’s former co-pastors).  These dear friends of mine are embarking on the international portion of their Peace Corps adventure.  In all reality, they are probably frantically gathering their bags from the hotel room in DC right now so that they can catch a flight from there to Nicargua. They’ll be spending the next 2 years immersed in a new culture and in new relationships.  In this day, and in this moment, I am filled with joy and sadness, tears and smiles, thoughts of past and future…and I am feeling blessed to have such wonderful people in my life.   And because I simply can’t put into adequate words what I’m feeling as we say farewell, I decided to let Emily do the talking.   Sometimes things are best said by another and we just need to listen.    I’m posting Emily’s blog entitled ‘Blessed to be a Blessing‘ here.  Emily posted this testimony on her and Andrew’s Peace Corps Blog (www.maywesuggest.com) the Sunday that we said our official congregational goodbye last month.

So, Emily and Andrew, as you leave this ‘land that you love,’ my prayer is that you will love the new land that you are in and it will love you back, and that through this adventure you continue to be intentional and let your blessings flow on.
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Thank you for your love, light, kindness, wisdom and friendship.  I (and all of us at Tuality Community of Christ) will miss you.  God be with you until we meet again.

Blessings, Roberta

co-pastor Tuality Community of Christ

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“The Kingdom of God Is Near”- By Roberta LaHue Brown

 

In my life, I’ve been enjoying a book entitled ‘An Altar in the World.’  In this book, Barbara Brown Taylor points out the importance of recognizing that it is in the ‘ordinary’ of life that we connect with God.  Also, at Tuality Community of Christ we’ve been exploring the text of Matthew.  Specifically, through July we’ve touched on verses in chapter 13, where Jesus uses parables, a method of teaching that draws parallels between the ‘ordinary’ of everyday life, to bring understanding about God.  On July 27th, I presided and planned a service where we explored the scriptures and parables found in Matthew 13: 31-52.  In these parables, Jesus begins several parables with ‘The kingdom of God is like…’

One of the phrases that stands out to me in this particular section of scripture is Matthew 43, where Jesus says ‘Are you listening to this? Really listening?’ (Matthew 13:43, The Message (MSG)). In response to that question, the congregation was lead in a responsive prayer (based on Matthew : 13: 51-52, MSG)

Leader: In telling of these parables Jesus asked, “Are you starting to get a handle on all this?”

Congregation: Then the people said “Yes.”

Leader: Then Jesus said, “Then you see how every student well-trained in God’s kingdom is like the owner of a general store who can put his hands on anything you need, old or new, exactly when you need it.”

Congregation: We are listening, God.  We are getting a handle on all this.   Thank you for your teaching and bringing an example through Christ.  Amen

Also in response to the teachings found through the scriptures we were dwelling on, the congregation was asked to draw on some of their own experiences and observations.  To draw parallels between the ‘ordinary’ and the kingdom of God.  Some of those responses are shared here:

The kingdom of God is like…

…A family reunion.  Everyone is related to everyone else.

…A Meer cat colony

…Family helping strangers in need.  Support from family and friends.

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…People paying forward the blessings they have received to others

…Peace, love, togetherness

…Children creating and coloring with vibrant and beautiful colors.  Not always staying within the lines, resulting in creations beautiful in their uniqueness. 

…A big hug from family and friends

…A climb to the top of a mountain.  To get there you must trust your guide, keep track and look after everyone.  Be willing to endure hardship and challenges, and keep your eyes focused on reaching the summit

 

These statements were written on slips of paper, that were joined together to form a paper chain, with observations and understandings of the kingdom of God.  One member wrote…’The chain links us together in common cause.  It binds us into meeting common needs and brings us into experiencing the kingdom of God.’

In conclusion, I leave you with this thought written by a member during our community’s worship experience: ‘As Above, so Below.  We can create Heaven on earth by matching our will with God’s will.  When we are awake and aware of the messages of God in all life, we move closer to creating Heaven on earth.’

What a blessing to be a part of a faith community that recognizes the Divine in the everyday interactions with each other, may you be blessed with ‘The Kingdom’ today.

-Roberta LaHue Brown

Co-pastor, Tuality Community of Christ