We are living in interesting and challenging times. In the midst of these times there can easily develop a sense of “us against the world”; a protective barrier to hold onto what we have and to fight off a chaos or collapse that seems to be lurking at the door. In the midst of it all, we can be surprised by new ideas, acts of generosity, and new possibilities to continue the journey we have already begun. It is evident to me that we are in both places, both challenging and interesting.
The bishop has called on all parishes to look creatively at their mission again, that we might rediscover our calling and be bold in living it out. This will take time, effort and most likely some wonderful and challenging times together. We will be passing around a book, Mission Based Spirituality by Susan Hope, for us all to read. I am joining with Andrew Eddy and Nick Lapham, a new member who recently moved here from Oregon, to lead our efforts and work together with other parishes in the area in these efforts.
St. Peter’s in Rockland has recently called an interim priest to begin in Lent and we hope that with this new beginning we can deepen and be surprised by God’s grace in the joint mission of the Episcopal Church in this area. We are living in the most unchurched state in the country and as such find ourselves on the front line of mission work. A hundred years ago we might have traveled to Egypt, Africa or China to be missionaries. Today, God has turned the world around and instead of calling us away, has kept us here in order to serve and share the amazing love of God with those who have never felt, or have forgotten, God’s presence in their lives.
If I were to establish a mission post, I would staff it with energetic and dynamic people who have been well trained and prepared. My ways are not necessarily God’s ways. I have come to see more and more that the only thing wider than God’s mercy is God’s sense of humor. God has instead chosen to use all aging, sometimes overwhelmed group here at St. John’s. We begin the year with a deficit budget that sends me time and again to my knees in prayer. In my panic I find that on my knees in prayer is where God wants me to be all along. Adding to our budget challenges, we hear that in the Summer of 2014, Route One in Thomaston will be torn up. This will give us the opportunity to make some long overdue structural work on our foundation and be creative in dealing with construction noise, mess and disruption.
When taking a journey with family and friends, there are times when things break down or we get lost and soon we find that the unexpected events become the lasting memories and the opportunity to deepen and discover the true depth of our relationships.
Our world has gone through some major changes in the course of the last hundred or so years, and one of them is the landscape of faith. A hundred years ago denominations were very separate and isolated. Today, completely different religions interact and seem to be a part of everyday life. A hundred years ago Europe and the United States were the center and source of Christian thought and action. Europe is now an outpost of Christianity and Africa and China are the driving powers of the faith. We, too, find the landscape of Christianity in this country to be either a longing for a past unity with the established governing forces, an empire of belief, or a chaotic assortment of people and traditions that do not always fit easily within our culture of consumption and constant change.
We are living in interesting and challenging times. We might not have chosen these times, but we have been chosen by God to live in them. Sometimes the challenge is not to run from fear but to maintain my courage to enter into the transforming joy and peace of God. In the midst of such challenging times I find myself thankful for those who invented kneelers.
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