Reflections from our Co-Pastors
July 13, 2020
Ambiguity: Transformation
Ambiguity and transformation seem to go hand in hand for me. Mary of Magdala says that Jesus message is about transformation. “I came that you might have life, and have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)
I can feel my past moments/days/years of intensely fighting ambiguity and denying transformation. I think we can always be in a state of being transformed (I like the verb form) if we can be open and let go of fear.
The window to my right is open to the North. The wind is whipping over the foothills, blowing dirt across the wheat fields behind my house. The shade strings, blowing in all four directions, are banging against the wall. I open myself to take the wild wind into my body. Maybe more of my wildness will be loosened, unlocked a little more. I intuit that this wildness is God.
I am reminded of a transforming moment. It was the early 80s; we had moved from San Antonio, TX to Morristown, NJ. Our family of 5 was transitioning (not transforming) and I decided to get a job. I worked in a small shop of about 10 people. I had not worked in 12 years, since the birth of my first baby, and I was stressed. I became friendly with a young woman co-worker, Penny. It was winter and we decided to go for a quick lunch (everything is quick in NJ). The weather was cold and windy, and of course, damp. I turned up my coat collar, folded my arms, put my head down, and with a grimace went forward with Penny. She had already told me her family’s struggling immigrant story and I felt how she had suffered and how she was a survivor. You need to know this to appreciate the impact her words had on me that day. In her gentle voice she said: “Look at you. You are hunched over and tucked in. You are afraid of the wind. Stand up
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straight, open your arms, let the wind in. Don’t be afraid.”
At her word I did just that. Why was I afraid? I opened up to the wind. It didn’t hurt. The wind filled me, I took it in. I didn’t realize it then but it’s strength began to transform me and I allowed it; I wanted it. It felt good; it felt empowering. I embraced a cold wet wind that earlier had frightened me because of its great power. Penny helped me find my courage and I began to be transformed.
I was filled with strong wind. I became part of the wind and the wind became part of me. Penny helped me moved closer to power and the acceptance of the power that is of life. Jesus said: “I came to give you life, and to have it more abundantly.”
I didn’t know it then but it was the beginning of acceptance of ambiguity. The beginning of an interior life change that had its own trajectory. The window to my right is open to the North. The wind is whipping over the foothills, blowing dirt across the wheat fields behind my house. The shade strings, blowing in all four directions, are banging against the wall. I open myself to take the wild wind into my body. Maybe more of my wildness will be loosened, unlocked, because of this wind. I intuit that this wildness is God.
Can you remember a past experience that was challenging and brought about a transformation? Is there similarity in your life today? Where are you being pressed by ambiguity to move into transformation? Can you let it in? Jesus said, “I came that you might have life, and have it more abundantly.”
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Discovery and Perspective
An open discussion of this
week's scripture
Thursday, July 16 at 9:00 am
Join in conversation and connection this week with Pastor Jane
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Scripture to be discussed will be the previous Sunday's readings and Gospel.
All are welcomed!
Zoom Phone Link
+1 669 900 6833
/ Meeting ID:
930 8604 8248
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Our Service Recordings
and More
Also available is Deacon Rosean's
homily
from Sunday's service.
For all bulletins, reflections, Sunday recordings during our hiatus from celebrating together, visit our
webpage
and other videos are located
here.
Please contact us with questions, concerns and ideas for better connection
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Community Prayer Requests
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Please pray for -
Courtney, daughter of Jean and Tom Christen. Kerrie Anderson's sister Hilde Kraft and family after the death of Hilde's husband.
And for Jennifer Pfeister and family for the passing of her father, Bill McClellan.
Michael Keefe, son of member Yvonne Keefe.
For the continued recovery of Linda Joyce. The Kent family whose Mother Teri (community member) and Father recently passed.
Kris, wife of Scott Jenkins (retired regional ECC priest). Dona Bosse - community member. Joanne Gallagher, offers prayers of thanksgiving for the success of her surgery and gratitude to our community for prayerful support.
Julie Schoenbauer and family for the passing of her father and for the family of Edwin White, brother-in-law of Pastor Jane. .
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For the peaceful repose of the souls of Bill, Greg, and Calvin - friends of Deacon Rosean. For the continued recovery of Father Don Sutton - ECC Priest
.
For Rosemary - Fr Michael's mother. For Dani - Niece of the Cloyds. Mary Crosby – parishioner. For Chris Bachman, friend of Lisa Jones and Ruth Parker, sister of Dori Carroll. For Lynne Barnes and family.
John Nystrom and family. The Dunn Family. Leo Six – father of Michael Six, Mike Gudim, Margie Weitz, Suzanne King, Robert Browell.
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