Grief

This past Sunday, there were visible, audible signs of GRIEF. It was obvious that members of LCM were suffering. Beginning with the loss of a sister or a brother, or LCM’s own Dale Newell, or a cat named “Missy,” clearly, an accumulation of losses needed to be poured out. I was touched by the love in the room, the hugs exchanged, the tears released, and the words “peace be with you” spoken.

Sheri wrote a poem in 2019 for Easter Sunday about GRIEF. Her focus was upon the women who visited Christ’s tomb early that morning, as recorded in the Gospel of Luke, “women, whose own bodies bore the crush of grief.” She likened the spices the women brought to the tomb as “memories they wanted to preserve, only to find that everything that once meant everything is missing” (empty tomb).

The poem is entitled ‘The Long Pause’ of the women who sat in an empty tomb uncertain about the future, about the traumatic unknown of “who they are now.” It is within this long pause that the women wonder if “life will rise in them again.” Sheri confesses that she camped out in the empty tomb for a long time. “I ignored various angels in varying attire who tried to reach me. Wouldn’t life be easier if the guides who show up now and again wore dazzling clothing or carried signs or something? Maybe I’m denser than most, but I rarely recognize the angels or the guides in the moment, only in hindsight, only when I am looking back at the empty tomb, grateful to no longer inhabit it. What I mean to say is: I know the empty tomb well.”

EASTER SUNDAY arrives on April 20th. For over 2,000 years, believers have gathered around the mystery of Christ’s resurrection, having been drawn into the worship space to sing once again, Jesus Christ is Risen Today. But many of us are in the middle of a “long pause,” stuck with our GRIEF in the empty tomb “where you go when God is missing. When you are there – or when you suffer with someone who is – you can’t believe, won’t believe, don’t have the energy to believe … or imagine … that anything new or good or even worth getting-up-in-the-morning-for could ever, EVER come of this. When you’re there – at the empty tomb – when you can’t sing Alleluia, you’ve got to trust someone else is singing Alleluia for you. You’ve got to trust that. With your life.”

Watch for the final segment of her poem in a future Thursday Thought. I write this monthly word with a humble invitation for you to join me on Easter Sunday and sing Alleluia one more time. And to know that those of us who can sing are singing for those who can’t just yet. Blessings!

Mapping the Future

Last Sunday’s “Mapping the Future” workshop. To begin, Louise introduced us to the Strategic Planning process. She mentioned this is not a quick, get it done today process, but could take months, even a year. Over the course of that time, it is hoped that a plan about the future will come into view. It is hoped that this plan will provide some confidence among the members about the future. You might say the fears and concerns about the future will gradually give way to the hopes and dreams of the members. She likes the word “workshop” because this process will take effort (monthly meetings), plus the intentional sharing of your real fears, honest hopes, and boldest ideas. On Sunday, after the group of 30 were divided into small groups, the work began.

Thanks to Val, Diane, Leslie and Louise for their capable leadership of each group. Next week, every member of the congregation will receive a summary of last Sunday’s conversations. The next workshop is scheduled for March 30th.

Sunday’s workshop reminded me of Richard Rohr’s five stages of change. These stages take place in all religious and cultural institutions. I think they reflect

the history of any church. These stages assume the presence of a mission field and God’s presence calling people to gather.

Stage 1 – All things begin small, usually one person. Let’s celebrate Rev. Karl Schmidt.

Stage 2 – The Holy Spirit blows creative energy into this stage. It is an exciting movement.

Stage 3 – Humans take control of the energy, and they unfortunately create an institution.

Stage 4 – The original vision for taking risks is gone and the church becomes a monument.

Stage 5 – Preserving the monument turns what was once a great adventure into a memory.

Let’s pray that the monthly workshops might lead

to a renewed sense of Stage 2.

Separation of Church and State.

I think it is time to discuss the separation of church and state. Would you please pull up a chair. This past month has presented several opportunities to clarify this precious distinction. When Episcopal Bishop Mariann Budde urged President Trump to “have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now,” she raised the need for a distinction to a new level. She went on to specifically mention LGBTQ children and migrant workers. In her sermon she invoked biblical teachings about being merciful and loving toward others. She opened the door to a necessary discussion. What do you think? Was it right for her to request the President to show mercy and compassion?



Our national ELCA Bishop Elizabeth Eaton thinks so. She reminded the Church in her 1/28 email that we must always pay attention to the impact of government policies on our neighbors. Do those actions by our government “affirm the dignity of every person, protect their well-being, and stand against actions that demean or exclude?” She reminded Lutherans of their one simple but all-encompassing question: Is the neighbor being served? In closing, “Let us be bold in our witness to the gospel, steadfast in our prayers for those in authority, and tireless in our efforts to seek justice for all.”

Bishop Budde’s words sparked much criticism, condemnation and government pushback. She has been asked to apologize to the President. Some sought a congressional resolution to condemn the sermon. Others called for the government to seize the Washington National Cathedral from the Episcopalians. It is clear to some she ought to be deported. She’s received death threats.

Last Sunday, in response to the inauguration prayer service, many preachers across the nation, and perhaps the world, stood in solidarity with her (not all for sure). I have several summaries of sermons in front of me. I choose to quote a Bishop Andrew Doyle of an Episcopal Diocese in TX. “I believe in religious freedom from the government. Our allegiance is to God’s kingdom, not to the state – that is always secondary. In Christ, there are no borders, no superior races, no earthly rulers who can claim ultimate authority.”

It is rare to have such a vivid, real-life event so explicitly speak to the relationship between “Church and State.” As followers of Christ, we are not shaped by Democratic or Republican agendas, not bound by any political ideology. If in your claiming your God-given identity, you ruffle some feathers, just know you are in some pretty good company. Yes, in the face of authoritarianism, “You Christians can be so annoying.”

I admire her faithfulness to the teachings of Jesus. I was going to ask you to pray for her safety, but I recently heard her say, “I am well supported and well protected, please pray for those who aren’t.”