Pastor’s Word

by Rev. Dale Azevedo, Sr. Minister

“I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” – The Apostle Paul (Rom. 7:15)

Making healthy decisions is hard. Or, at the very least, acting on them is. Generally, I would argue that most of us know what the right thing to do is in any given circumstance. The problem is that we don’t do it!

Now, this isn’t entirely accurate. I’d like to think that most of us know what is right AND do it most of the time. But it’s the rest of the time that I’m talking about. That, maybe, 10-20% of the time when we really want to do the right thing, but don’t.

This is why I have always loved this quote from the Apostle Paul. Here is Paul, likely the greatest evangelist of the first century and certainly one of the greatest of all time, the same one who wrote most of the New Testament, confessing that even he cannot do what is right when it really counts. Paul doesn’t get into details in his letter the Romans (where he makes this confession) and it is probably good that he doesn’t. Some confessions are best kept out of a public sermon. But he does go on to say that in his mind, he knows what the right thing to do is. Only he cannot seem to make his body do it.

The other day I wasn’t feeling great. I had a bit of an upset stomach. Did that stop me from having a bowl of ice cream with chocolate sauce AND whipped cream as I settled in to watch TV? Heck no! Did the ice cream make me feel better? Did it settle my stomach? Did it bring my body the nutrients it needed? No to all of those! Fortunately, though, that was a minor transgression that did not lead to major consequences.

That’s not the case with all the decisions we make. Sometimes the ramifications of our poor decisions are significant. This can be the case with both major AND minor decisions. Minor decisions may take longer for the consequences to come to bear, and they may or may not be less extreme, but they can have significant consequences for us, those we love, our broader communities, and even the world.

This is a big reason why God provided the commandments, not just the ten we hear about, but all 613 that are found through the first five books of the Bible. Frankly, God looked at what God had created and saw that it was no longer “good.”¹ People needed direction because from the very moment of creation they made bad decisions, from Adam and Eve to Cain to Noah’s sons to Lot’s wife, to Abraham, to Joseph’s brothers…all the way down to Moses; where God said, “If you can’t figure it out yourselves, I’ll put it in black and white. I’ll make abundantly clear what is right and wrong!” And even then, we couldn’t figure it out and do what was right.

All of this brings me back to Paul, who goes on in his letter to the Romans to talk about the solution to this dilemma: God’s grace, through Christ, sets us free. And this freedom comes in two forms.

1. The first freedom is forgiveness. God understands the dilemma and our weakness. God understands that, ultimately, we are not capable of perfection on our own. We will sin. Therefore, God provides forgiveness to allow us back into God’s “good graces” and a hope for our future.
2. The second freedom is freedom from sin: That, through the power of the Holy Spirit we are offered the strength that we need to change, to not only know what is right and wrong, but also have the ability to follow through. Because often following through on what is right takes tremendous will and faith.

So how about it? Where are you struggling to do what is right these days? How are you finding it difficult to make healthy decisions about your life and your actions? Where are you falling short?

Are you aware that God offers you grace? That God forgives your transgressions? And, in the same breath, God calls you to grow, to improve, to change your ways? And not only that, but offers to help you do so?

Try to think of one area in your life this week that you would like to bring about change and make the conscious decision to find the help you need (within or outside yourself) to make that a reality.

¹ The other, and often cited as primary, reason that God created the commandments was to set the Hebrews apart from the rest of the world’s population. Anyone could look at them and their actions and know they were different. They were doubly blessed. Blessed because they were chosen as an example and blessed because the benefits of following the law (i.e., making good decisions) was a healthy life and society.

by Rev. Racquel Ray

Assoc. Minister of Congregational Life

The day is new each morning. The year is new each January. In these cycles of renewal, God’s revelations unfold before us and we become co-creators of the newness. I am not normally one who makes New Year’s resolutions. But, this year I have committed myself to continue the journey toward wellness that I wrote about and preached about last spring.

The Apostle Paul wrote, in Corinthians 6:12, “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are beneficial. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be dominated by anything.” The verse is titled ‘Glorify God in Body and Spirit’. I’ve often felt this verse should be cross-stitched, framed and hung in the kitchen as a reminder to make healthy food choices. Perhaps the version from The Message is clear, “Just because something is technically legal doesn’t mean that it’s spiritually appropriate. If I went around doing whatever I thought I could get by with, I’d be a slave to my whims.”

As I recover from covid and its lasting symptoms, I’ve returned to what I know to be true for my wellness. I have gone ‘back to basics’ for my own self-care: hydration, nutrition, rest, movement, sunshine, and fresh air. Years ago, I made a wellness ‘first aid kit’; a list of the things I need to feel and be healthy. When I face a health challenge, I return to that basic list and begin [again] with step one resetting to basic health. Step one always involves basic nutrition and chopping vegetables. So, I have a wellness mantra, ‘Time to chop vegetables’ when I don’t feel well.

If we are to truly glorify God in our bodies and spirits, we need a wellness mindset. If we take Paul’s advice we would understand that not all things are good for us. Though we are capable of doing great things and accomplishing great feats, should we?

I’ve been asking myself this question since Christmas. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, I remember saying to my family each night, ‘just one more event/meeting/email/service…’ then I can rest. And, day after day, the list kept growing. By Christmas Day, I was exhausted. And though we cannot always prevent ourselves from being exposed to illness, we can take steps to keep ourselves from being rundown when we do cross paths with a contagious virus.

The Southern New England Conference has been studying clergy wellness over the past year and has found that most clergy members are rundown. Many are retiring or changing roles. Many are exhausted and seeking extra medical and mental health support. Some are resetting their wellness routines. Some are falling flat and struggling. The conference has suggested that churches encourage their clergy to take an EXTRA two weeks of renewal in 2023; time to rest – just rest.

I know that community exhaustion is not limited to clergy! We’re all tired! Parents who have juggled distance learning, covid pauses, teacher absences, child care center closures, working from home, and caregiving for their families are tired. Spouses whose loved ones are at high-risk for illness due to underlying health conditions and are the person who gets the groceries and does the public facing chores and errands are tired. Those of us who are grieving the loss of loved ones are tired. Healthcare workers, educators, hospitality, small-business owners, and care givers are tired. We are all tired.

So, as God reveals what we will co-create for 2023, let us remember that though we are capable of ‘doing it all’ we do not have to. Though we can make it to one more meeting it may not be beneficial for us. Though it may be possible it may not be profitable to our wellness. Beloved, this year, take time to rest. Take time to chop vegetables. Take time to renew, take a walk, breathe, drink water. And let us commit to one another to make space for each other to rest, glorifying God in Body and Spirit.

by Rev. Dale Azevedo, Sr. Minister

What is your favorite Christmas carol or Christmas hymn? There are so many good ones out there. And, I suppose what makes them “good” depends on so many different things. For some of us it is the musicality of the hymn. For others, the words and the message. For others still, it is the memories they invoke. For me, it is often the emotion that they bring to bear when I hear them or sing them.

If I had to pick one, it would likely be “What Child Is This?”

What child is this, who, laid to rest
On Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
While shepherds watch are keeping?

This hymn nearly always brings tears to my eyes. I’m not quite sure why. I didn’t grow up hearing it or singing it. In fact, my family never went to church on Christmas Eve or during the holidays (except for that one year…). We never went to church at all, so the emotion that these hymns bring up in me are all later on in life. Maybe I fell in love with “What Child Is This?” when Elizabeth and I were having children? Maybe I recall singing it while holding one of my precious children in my arms one Christmas? I can’t say for sure. But it always brings me to that tender place of love, warmth, and comfort.

Another one I love is “Joy to the World.” This is because for 25 of the last 27 years I have picked it as the final hymn of the Christmas Eve Service of Lessons and Carols. Yup…It’s my go to hymn to sing after reading John’s proclamation that “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness does not overcome it!” This is a joyous moment for me because it means two things: 1) Jesus has come into the world to redeem us; and 2) the Christmas Eve services are almost over and I will soon be able to go home and start celebrating Christmas with my family.

Of course, the closing hymn of the lessons and carols service is always “Silent Night.” There is something special about the quietness of that moment, after I have just shared my Christmas reflection, while the light is slowly being spread around the darkness of the sanctuary, and we begin to softly sing that beloved melody. In my first church we were blessed to have a member of the choir who was German. A few special years, she started the song off with a solo, singing the first verse in its original tongue. It was beautiful!

Then there is “Deck the Halls.” I wouldn’t mind never singing that one again. I think it is because I find it too hard to sing. Some of those fa-la-la-la-la‘s are just too high for me. Either that, or there are just too many of them.

And what about “Pat-a-pan?” My kids can’t stand it. That’s because they felt it seemed to haunt them wherever they went every Christmas. They either had to play it in band, or Jesse and her dear friend Sam would play it in church as a flute-harp duet, or it was non-stop on the radio or in the mall. Me, I love it! I’m perfectly happy finding a long version of it on Spotify and playing it on repeat, over and over. Huh…maybe that’s why the kids can’t stand it…what do you think?

Finally, I’ll mention Noel, by Joan Baez. This isn’t a song or carol, but an album. It is a collection of classic Christmas carols and they each hold a dear spot in my heart. I think it was my first adult Christmas album (actually a CD). I probably bought it 30 years ago during my first Christmas with Elizabeth. Maybe I even bought it in college. Anyway, my mother was a big Joan Baez fan so this album brings together Christmas, faith, my mother, my childhood, and my wife. Can you get any better than that?

So what about you? What songs speak to you at Christmas? Why are they important to you? Or why do they move you? If you want, and you have a minute, let me know. Send me a quick text or email and let me know what carols you love. I’d love to hear from you and get to know you better in this little, but intimate, way.

Merry Christmas to you!

This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
Haste, haste to bring him laud
The babe, the son of Mary

by Rev. Racquel Ray,
Assoc. Minister of Congregational Life

Water dripped from my soaked hair, coat soaked through, shoes sloshing, and glasses covered with rain droplets as I fumbled with my keys to open the church door. The rain and wind had kicked up, gale warnings and downpours threatened the Wednesday night commute. Why had we decided to have church so late in the evening? And mid-week at that! For a time, I thought no one would come out in this weather.

Entering the church and turning on lights I could hear the wind pelting the old steeple. Creaking timbers and rattling windows sending sounds of age and history. How many storms? How many Advent and Christmas seasons has this old church weathered? How many Baptisms and Funerals? I dried my hair with the freshly purified air from one of our air filter machines. Pealing off wet layers, I wondered who would be offended if I were barefoot during the service – my shoes were wet and cold. I crawled under the huge Frasier fir tree recently added to the chancel to plug in the lights; the smell of evergreen filling my senses and needles stuck to my wet clothes and hair.

The window candles lit the sanctuary through the shadows of the Norfolk Island pines so carefully curated and decorated along the windowsills. Ambient light from the iconic flood lights which light outside of the church cast shadows of tidy squares along the pale grey walls from the old wooden sashes. I began to breathe deeply of evergreen and ambient sacred stillness.

I wondered about the Christmas Story we were about to share. Gabriel’s announcement to such a young girl, no older than our youth group kids. Mary’s assent to Gabriel’s message that she would bear the Messiah. Mary, Theotokos – the God Bearer. How did she trust so easily? How was she so brave?

As others arrived, we turned on the lights and set them to just bright enough to see and traverse the sanctuary safely. One by one, wet and wind-blown, people gathered in the stillness of sacred space. On the Advent wreath, one candle was lit for the first week of the season of preparation for the Nativity of our Saviour. Seven-set candelabras flanked the ministers’ Windsor chairs giving just enough light to read by as we gathered in quiet. “Thank You for coming out in this weather” I say to guests with warming affection in my Spirit. How blessed we are to gather in this sacred space.

The church; the Body of Christ. The babe announced by Gabriel’s visit. The Messiah foretold by ancient prophets, by John the wilderness voice, and by Elizabeth the first evangelist to recognize and proclaim the presence of the God within Mary’s womb. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your body!

And yet we, here in the body of Christ – the church are each facing the challenges of humanity in this season. Many of our members are in the midst of agonizing grief wondering how a loving God could allow so much pain. Many are facing impossible physical and mental wellness barriers. Some are in the middle of final and exams. Many are facing struggles to fund heating bills and grocery bills. And now ‘Christmas’?! We learn someone is in the emergency department as we gather. And someone is in the intensive care unit. And yet, here we have gathered in the stillness of the sanctuary to hear from the Sacred. Where are you God? Where is the promised Emmanuel – God with us – in our pain?

We settle into the quiet stillness of the service. Breathing in, breathing out. Centering and becoming present. As soft music plays we breathe and realize God is here. God is in the tempest. God is in the storm, the wind, the rain, the swirling leaves, and yes, even in the grief, the cancer, the depression, the anxiety, the budget, the exams, the hospital, and in the stillness. Emmanuel. God is with us. Jesus entered the human timeline through the consent of a young woman and remains within us still.

God is here with us in history, in future, and in present. Even in our tempest. Even in our stillness. God is present. And in the impossible, in the season of busy-ness and of requests for our ‘end of year donations’, our attention, our resources of time, talent, and treasure, we are called to turn to that presence. We are called to find ways to find God. Emmanuel – God is with us. The Messiah, the Saviour, love itself came to us in the midst of our travails. As Mary labored and angels descended, love came. LOVE is here. Love is with us. Emmanuel – God is with us.

by Rev. Dr. Dale Azevedo, Sr. Minister,

with assistance from Rev. Racquel Ray,

Assoc. Minister of Congregational Life

A month or so ago, we had a veteran visiting us in worship. He quickly noticed that our sanctuary flags were not following proper U.S. flag etiquette. Our American flag stood tall adjacent to the pulpit while the “Christian” flag hung above the piano. According to the US Code, the American flag is supposed to be placed “behind the speaker” and “to the speaker’s right.” Ours was to the left.

This gentleman brought his concern to a few of our members who eventually raised it to Racquel and me. Racquel and I shared a few good discussions on the issue and quickly realized that, although we weren’t too far off on our responses, we approached the issue from different perspectives. Therefore, we thought it might be fun to share these perspectives with you in a joint blog having each of us share our own thoughts in turn.

Racquel – A Veteran’s Perspective

Jesus says, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:12-13) The call to service in the United States armed forces was rooted in this theological praxis. It still informs my ministry to this day.

I am not a pacifist. As Christians we have a spectrum of examples of peace and war. Jesus advised Peter to drop his sword and advised his followers to turn the other cheek. And yet, Jesus also set an example of active resistance to temple business practices. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. exemplified passive resistance and yet preached justice in the face of violence. I am of the theological mindset that I am compelled toward service even if that means facing violence. Many times, my service has called me to be afraid and do it anyway. Whether military service, chaplain during a pandemic, or greeting a protester outside of the church, I feel strongly about being there for others even in the face of fear.

The call to serve in the face of fear permeates many military members’ mindset. The idea that Christianity mandates pacifism creates a dynamic of leaving military service to non-Christians. In a world where war exists, to me, it seems unreasonable to leave military service to all of our siblings of other belief systems. I chose to serve because I am a Christian and felt it was my duty and my honor to do so.

Military service members swear an oath when they enter service. The oath includes a vow to support and defend the Constitution of the United States and obey the orders of those appointed over them. As part of the basic training indoctrination process, they learn flag etiquette and are required to salute during the National Anthem, the playing of Taps, and at the raising and lowering of the American Flag. Service members are not required to recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag as their service Oath is a higher pledge. The memorial flag presented at a Veteran’s funeral is earned on behalf of a ‘grateful nation’. The symbols of the United States: The American flag, the eagle, patriotic songs are all representations of the nation but are not the focus of the American service member’s oath.

So, the flag is a symbol of the nation and a memorial for service members. It represents the ideals of the nation which ought to include liberation, freedom,

justice and the pursuit of happiness. We are reminded, in church, of the right to freedom of assembly, speech, public assembly, religion, and hopefully the pursuit of happiness.

We recently learned that our flags’ positions in the church needed to be reversed. According to the current flag etiquette protocols, the American flag ought to be to the speaker’s right in a place of prominence and the denominational flag needed to be to the speaker’s left.

I have ministered in churches where placement, movement, or the absence of flags in the church were divisive. Some congregations do not want flags. Some do. I appreciate the flag in church in honor of the loved ones lost in service to this nation, in honor of the sacrifices made, and the memorials that each veteran, family, and service member holds in sacred remembrance. And if we display a flag in church, beloved, we ought to place it correctly.

Dale- A Minister’s Perspective

Oh, I’ve been down this road before! It often isn’t pretty. Placement of the American flag in worship can be a passionate and contentious issue. Given how divided and tense our country is right now, I’m not sure I would choose to address this issue at all. However, as it has been brought up, it certainly requires a reflective and compassionate response.

On the surface, the US Flag code seems unequivocal in its position: in a public forum, the flag is to be placed behind and to the right of a speaker. However, as I have researched this topic before, there are some arguments for an alternate interpretation. The flag code also states that the flag ought to be placed in the “the place of honor”, then lifts “to the right of the speaker” as a clarification. However, one could argue that having the flag place adjacent to the pulpit is a place of greater honor than on the other side of the chancel behind the piano. This could be a matter of interpretation.

Additionally, the US Naval code states that while onboard a ship and during a service of worship the “Christian or Jewish pennant” may stand in the place of prominence to the right of the American flag. This, again, opens the door for some manner of interpretation of the proper placement of the American flag in a sacred space (while one must also recognize that we are neither in the US Navy nor aboard ship!).

It is also worth pointing out that in many Christian traditions, Roman Catholicism being the most prominent one, the American flag (or any national flag for that matter) is never allowed in worship at all. In the Roman Catholic tradition this is because the land in which a Roman Catholic church stands is considered an extension of the Vatican and not of the nation in which it resides. In protestant circles this tradition often carries because, according to scripture, we, as Christians, are reminded that we are members of a greater kingdom, the Kingdom of God.

Of course, that latter point is potentially moot, as we are not discussing whether the flags should be removed, but rather where they ought to be placed. However, it does raise the question of whether a Biblical perspective might also be relevant when discussing the placement of flags in a place of worship.

All this leads me to the final crux of my argument. What is the will of the congregation in this matter? What does their faith lead them to decide when it comes to placing the American and “Christian” flags in their sanctuary?

It is possible that the flags were in their present location for specific reasons. Perhaps the congregation has discussed and debated this issue in the past, and the present location was the determination of the body that this was the best expression of their faith.

Or perhaps the flags were just placed as they are by mistake. Who knows?

For me, this decision is one that ought to be made intentionally by the congregation with clear knowledge of the US flag code AND an understanding of their faith as it pertains to one’s allegiance with their nation in respect to their allegiance to God. Fortunately, in this country, we have the freedom to answer this question as we choose. And as Congregationalists, we further have the freedom to do as we will in our own space.

Conclusion

In the end, Racquel and I decided to inquire of both the Church Council and some long-time members of the congregation if there was any known reason or tradition behind the placement of flags in our sanctuary. What we discovered in our brief research is that 1) no one was really aware of which flag was  placed where, 2) no one had given it any thought, and 3) no one could recall any reason for the flags’ current placements. So, this week Racquel and I decided to swap the flags to reflect the US flag code out of respect for those who expressed concern. This actually provides the American flag its place of honor to the right of the speaker and the “Christian” flag its place of honor adjacent to the pulpit.

Ironically, after all of this, when Racquel placed the American flag behind the piano, she noticed that there was cord hanging from its pole as well as a hook placed in the wall at the same relative height as the cord. This hook apparently helps to keep the flag upright when placed in the holder, suggesting that this is the intended placement of the American flag all along! We have no idea when, how, or why they were switched. Our only guess is that it happened the last time the sanctuary was painted…

Go figure!

Note: I have placed the word Christian in quotation marks in reference to the “Christian” flag as there actually is no official Christian flag. The flag we use was apparently created in the 1800’s for a Sunday School program in Pennsylvania and has since been adopted by many churches around the country as the “Christian” flag.

by Rev. Racquel Ray,
Assoc. Minister of Congregational Life

I’ve been thinking a lot about the food we eat. In the spring of this year, I preached about the need for wellness as we restore our communities past the covid pandemic. Our discussions around wellness resulted in this summer’s walking group. Spending early mornings in nature with friends was delightful to the soul.

There is a principle in the wellness journey of connecting actions, thoughts, and feelings. The more we do an activity, the more we think about it, and the more we process our feelings. These three are connected in a cycle. The more we feel the more we think. And the more we think and feel, the more we act.

Over the past several months, I have wondered how this applies to the other aspects of wellness: financial, spiritual, relational, emotional, and physical. The adage ‘fake it till you make it’ presents aspects of challenging mental heal implications. But, it does ring true for stopping behaviors that do not serve our wellbeing and adding activities that do. Taking a walk leads to thinking about the benefits of walking and the feelings of wellness, strength, vitality. Going to church leads to thinking about the benefits of being surrounded by a loving community of believers and the feelings of belonging, welcome, and purpose.

I wonder how this applies to nutrition and our local food systems. As grocery prices continue to soar, we turned to growing more of our own food in the backyard garden. We have been deliberate about harvest and preserving our bounty. I have spent some time returning to local farms to fill in what we have not grown. Local bakeries, local butchers, local dairies, and local orchards are of interest. To accompany my thoughts, actions, and feelings around our local food systems, I’m also reading The Omnivores Dilemma by Michael Pollan. (Pollan, 2007)

It seems the dilemmas we face beyond shopping politically are practical. How can we afford to feed our families and what will they eat? How can folks with modest income afford groceries? How can food and nutrition affect our health and wellness: thoughts, feelings, and actions?

I am reminded of Genesis 2:    “Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. A river watering the garden flowed from Eden; from there it was separated into four headwaters…The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it…The Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him’…Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.” (Genesis Ch. 2 paraphrased)

The Genesis story is familiar to most of us. And yet, if we take a close look, we can see ribbons of action, thoughts, feelings running through God’s provision and Adam’s process. Adam was present in the garden with every tree that was pleasing to the eye and good for food and fresh water. Adam’s action was to tend the garden. As Adam tended the garden, Adam thought he was lonely and God provided a helper. Adam and Eve worked together in the garden and felt no shame.

It seems that as humans, we are provided every plant for our nourishment and fresh water. We are to care for our environments which provide that food and drink. And, our environments are both pleasing to the eye and good for our bodies. And when we do that in partnership with each other we feel no shame. In fact, when we are attentive to the world around us and the provisions around us we find community and contentment.

Looking toward our own community’s food systems we see a few local farms and a few farm stands. We can meet our farmers and may even be able to pick our own food. We can grow food in our yards or in pots or planters. We can even grow food on our windowsills! At our local farms and farmer’s markets we can meet other people who share our concerns for the local foods systems. We can feel a sense of connection with both the earth and the community; as though we are a part of that cycle. The food we eat is one part of our connectedness to God, Neighbor, and Self.

2.20.1.13

James 1:13

“No one, when tempted, should say, ‘I am being tempted by God,’ for God cannot be tempted by evil and [God] tempts no one.”

THAT is an interesting passage.

The deacons have seen me do this before. When I’m stumped, when I really have no internal nudging on where to go or what to say, I use a random number generator to pick a passage of scripture and see what it has to say to me. It’s kinda like a modern version of casting lots.

What I do is this:

• • I start by asking my computer to give me a random number. If it is odd, I start with the Old Testament. If it is even, the New.
  • Then I generate a second number based on the number of books in that section. (Hint: 39 For the O.T. and 27 for the N.T.)
  • Then I generate a third number taken from the number of chapters present in the selected book.
  • Finally, I generate a number indicating the verse within that chapter.
  • Therefore…

2…20…1…13

James 1:13

“No one, when tempted, should say, ‘I am being tempted by God,’ for God cannot be tempted by evil and [God] tempts no one.”

*One caveat on this method of selecting scripture: You can end up with really wonky passages AND you have to be very sure to explore any passages selected this way within the larger context of the Bible and Christian faith. It is far too easy to misinterpret the meaning of a passage when it is not understood within the greater context of our faith.

Now, on to the passage…

What a fascinating passage this is.

My first reaction upon reading it was to push back against it. I asked myself, “But…doesn’t God test people in the Bible? What about Jesus in the wilderness? What about Job? What about others? What about the Lord’s prayer? Where we say, ‘Lead us not into temptation’?” However, when I stopped and thought about it, I couldn’t come up with an obvious example of God tempting people. It is ha-satan (Heb), the “adversary” or “accuser”, who tempts Job. It is the diabolos (Gk), the “false accuser” or “slanderer” who tempts Jesus. And as far as the Lord’s Prayer goes, it never states that God does tempt us, only that God not lead us into the path of temptation. (People have debated for millennia about what that might mean!)

As I went on and read the broader context of this passage, it became clear that James is writing to people who are wrestling with some temptation. He wants to reassure them that this temptation does not come from God, but rather comes from within, and that we must be careful to remain strong in the face of temptation as giving into temptation leads to “death.” This death James holds in contrast to “the crown of life” which comes from God. So, the death of which James speaks is not mortal death, but the absence of eternal life. So, this warning about blaming God for our temptations is actually a warning about giving into temptation, staying true to the faith during hard times, and in-so-doing receiving the final reward of eternal life.

Taking that passage, then, into an even broader context of faith leads me to recognize two more points: strength and forgiveness.

Strength. We believe that through the Holy Spirit God gives us the grace that we need to overcome our temptations. We are not alone in any of our struggles, but God is with us. As Christ turned down all the gifts of the devil during his temptation in the wilderness, we too have that ability. It isn’t easy, but with God’s help we CAN resist temptation.

Of course, we don’t always. Which leads us to…

Forgiveness. We are blessed that God understands our human frailty. God understands that even with the resources of the Holy Spirit at our disposal, we still give in to temptation. And since God is a God of love, God does not want us to suffer. Therefore, God offers us grace and forgives our failures (at least when we recognize them and repent).

And back to James…

So, since God offers us forgiveness, should we just give into temptation and live boldly in sin trusting in God’s grace? Of course not! Going back to our passage from James, he warns that giving into temptation leads to “death.” I previously stated that he is speaking of death in an eternal sense. But he is also speaking of death in a spiritual sense. Temptation and sin separate us from God. They undermine our spiritual foundations. They impact the quality of our lives. Which, in effect, is a death in and of itself. By giving into temptation, we fail to live in the fullness of life. We sacrifice the wholeness and goodness of life for instant gratification and simple rewards. By living fully and faithfully in God, we experience all the richness that this life has to offer and live into the promise of the next life as well!

Thank you, James.

Thank you, casting of lots.

Thank you, Holy Spirit, for guiding me in this blog today.

Amen.

by Rev. Racquel Ray,
Assoc. Minister of Congregational Life

Over the past two years, Barrington Congregational Church, UCC has been in the process of discerning the right candidate for the role of settled Associate Minister of Congregational Life. As your newly called said Associate Minister of Congregational Life I explore the question of What is a Minister of Congregational Life anyway?

There are many types of ministers and roles. Theologian, poet, and parson George Herbert (1593-1633) wrote that a pastor is always a person but is only a minister in the context of their congregation and community. It is in the specific place of congregation and community where the pastor has an identity and role (Sheldrade, 2009). There are Associate Pastors of Youth Ministry, Adult Formation, Elder Ministries, Wellness Ministries, and Children’s Ministries. There are Associate Ministers of Worship and Music. There are Associate Ministers of Outreach and Mission and Justice. An Associate Minister for Congregational Life is a minister to the congregation members from birth to grave and to the community wherein they minister.

It is my role to support our Senior Minister, Rev. Dale, in the pastoral roles of Christian work and worship. It is also my role to support and strengthen our connections with our children, youth, and families. I also help develop adult formation and fellowship, visit our homebound members, attend to the dying, and support families through the bereavement process.

Our call letter together says, “The Associate Minister of Congregational Life shall, under the direction of the Senior Minister, be responsible for the full spectrum of ministry for and to the congregation of this church and serve as preacher, teacher, and counselor for the congregation in all aspects of the life of the church. With a focus primarily on the congregational life of the Church, this minister shall be responsible to nurture all members and groups of our community so they may feel embraced by God’s love, welcome in our community, engaged in Christian fellowship, moved to explore their faith, and inspired to do God’s work within our community and out in the world.”

As I have described it, the Associate Minister of Congregational Life translates the vertical vision of the senior minister into the horizontal ministry of the congregation. If Rev. Dale has a vision for the direction of our ministry, he and I collaborate to curate programming, worship, or events to embody that vision. And, because we are a congregational community in covenant, If I have of vision for the direction of our ministry, Rev. Dale and I collaborate in the implementation as well.

How we embody God’s call to our congregation manifests in our ministries. Last week’s Blog from Rev. Dale asked us to boldly envision what ministry we could do. He said, “Think wild. Think crazy. Think big impact.” The results of that listening experiment will bring us new ideas like Wellness Ministries, using our education building for a private Christian K-8 Day School, adding solar panels to the education building to cool the church in the summer, adding electric vehicle charging stations to the commuter parking lot, or weaving our ministries into partnership with local cultural programs in the black community.

My role is to listen to those wild, crazy, big ideas and create the supporting ministries and community connections to try it. Sometimes that means that a ministry idea will not work. Sometimes it means it will not be successful at first but needs more time. And there are times when a wild, crazy, and big idea launches beautifully into its own spiritual blossom (like last year’s Christmas Story Stroll).

An Associate Minister of Congregational Life is a servant leader with a thick skin and a prophetic spirit. They are able to fail without feeling like a failure. They are able to soar without becoming untethered. They are dauntless in energy and ideas. They are anchored by prayer, filled with joy and love for the congregation. They will listen. They will hear. They will help.

So, think wild, crazy, and big ideas. Share them with us. Join us in the Christian work of ministry as we embody the new Ministry of Congregational Life at BCCUCC. We’re all in!!

by Rev. Dale Azevedo, Sr. Minister

Take a moment and get comfortable.

Before you read any further, make sure that you have 15 minutes to proceed. Or proceed, and then come back again when you have more time.

Also, make sure that you have a piece of paper and a writing utensil. I prefer a pencil.

Now, again, get comfortable, take a moment, and breath.

Then, read on.

Imagine there are no limits,

no financial constraints,

plenty of volunteers and time,

and all the expertise you would need…

…what ministry would you have the church undertake?

Think wild. Think crazy. Think big impact. What could we possibly accomplish under those circumstances?

Take a moment now and write down your ministry idea, your crazy thought. In fact, don’t just write down one idea, write down three. Right now, find a piece of paper and write down three large-ambition ministry ideas that would change the world (or at least change the lives of those directly engaged by it). And, be sure to leave some space underneath or next to each idea. Remember, finances, volunteers, time, and expertise are all not an issue. List three new impactful ministries would you have us undertake?

Did you do that? Did you write down three crazy ideas?

Now, next to each of those three ideas write down who will be served by each of them. What community or group of people, will be impacted by each of your ministry ideas? Write that down next to each ministry.

After you’ve done that, think about the immediate impact this program will have on the lives of the group you identified. What will be the intermediate impact? And what will be the long-term impact. Will that ministry make a noticeable difference in the lives of the community or group you identified above? Write that down, too. Write down the immediate, mid-range, and long-term impacts of each ministry idea you have. Do that now.

Now, you have a choice. You can either continue working with all three ministry ideas you started with or pick the one that is speaking the most to you right now. Decide which path you are going to take: one idea…or all three?

Whether you have singled out one idea or are going to continue to work with all three, take a moment and brainstorm all the different skill sets that might be necessary to carry out that ministry. Remember, there are plenty of volunteers and experienced people in this dream. So, think about what types of people endowed with what essential skills are necessary for this ministry to be successful? Write those people/skills down. Whether it is one person with one skill or 20 people with 20 different skillsets, write them all down. Be as specific as possible.

I hope you left a lot of space at the beginning, because we have one more thing to write down. Think about what groups or organizations might be able to help with your crazy idea. These can be inside or outside the church. Are there other groups or organizations that someone could partner with, to carry out this ministry? Maybe providing some of the skills you listed above? Write these organizations down.

Finally, there is one last thing that is missing…you. Look back over all that you have written down. Where do you fit in? What large or small part might you be able to play in this ministry? Remember, time and resources aren’t an issue. You’ll have plenty. So where do you fit in this picture? Because you are essential to making it all work. That’s why God is working through you right now as you write all this down. Because you can help make this happen. So, write down what your role is in this hairbrained, whacky, awesome ministry idea that you have come up with. Write, “I can help by…” and complete the sentence.

Now, if you trust God enough to live on the edge, to make a difference in the world or in your life, take this piece of paper and send it to me. Email it to me. Snail-mail it to the office (461 County Rd. Barrington, RI 02806). Or bring to the church yourself and hand-deliver it to me. I’d love to see it. I’d love to see what God is saying to me, to us, through you. Would you do that? Can you do that?

Let’s see what God is saying!

Blessings be with you this day.

Dale

by Rev. Racquel Ray, Assoc. Minister (Acting)

We are so blessed to be part of a church congregation that is happy, healthy, and growing! In a season of the Church when many churches are shrinking and closing, we are fortunate. Our success as a congregation is no accident. It is the result of intentional ministry and investment of time, talent and financial gifts. There is a formula for church success, and it does involve intentional hard work. It requires vision and focus. It also involves radical welcome and ministry that is responsive to the Still Speaking God in the community.

Almost every seminary professor would mention at some point in our classes, “the church is dying”. No seminarian, preparing to work in the church, wants to hear that their vocation will bring them to a dead end. One professor, out of dozens, highlighted the source of success in ministry: successful churches listen to their communities and respond to their particular contexts. Churches that are only open for a few hours on Sunday mornings are struggling. Churches that integrate their contexts and their ministries by intentionally blending congregation and community thrive.

If we really look at our current community and our particular contexts we may notice that we have many retired members, some members with physical differences who have challenges accessing the sanctuary and sitting for an hour in non air-conditioned summer heat, some members come as families, some single adults, some young adults, teens and tweens, and school-aged kids. We have a gap in young people with absolutely NO tenth graders in our congregation. Over the past few weeks, several new families have inquired about our congregation and programs and several families are rejoining in-person events and activities. We have several members who are joining worship on-line and are requesting more inclusion with bulletins, visual, and hearing accommodations.

We are part of the larger Barrington community whose main industry is children’s education and enrichment. We have a YMCA, Senior Center, recreational sports leagues, and a few local and chain retail shops and restaurants. Our neighbors include several other houses of worship which partner with our inter-faith softball league, clergy group, and occasional ecumenical services or projects.  We also have a private boarding and day school just up the road from the church, a robust public service network, a country club, a mix of single-family homes, and miles of shoreline. We are privileged to have green spaces, conservation land, parks, playgrounds, beaches, and a bike path.

You already know all of this. I only review our context to ask the question, “What is our role in the community?” I have heard people refer to BCCUCC as the ‘rainbow church’, the ‘white church’, the ‘happy church’. Our history was as the center of the community: government, religion, education, and community center. Who are we now?

As we emerge from the pandemic and recreate our church community, we have a unique opportunity in the lifetime of the church to define who we are and who we want to be. What do we want to contribute to the community? Where might we focus our attention and our intention?

Do we want to be the mission and justice church hosting justice vigils, supporting local, national, and global missions, and supporting legislative advocacy at the state house? Do we want to be the green church that raises environment awareness through solar panels, electric vehicle charging stations, compost bins, recycling, reducing, reusing, repurposing, and growing organic produce for the community? Do we want to be the rainbow church that is open and affirming to people who identify as LGBTQIA+ and engage in local, national, and global advocacy for that community? Do we want to be the healthy church that offers classes, group activities, awareness, and challenges toward the physical care of the body? Do we want to be the historical church that embraces our history and opens our doors to tours, exhibits, lectures, and programs around that history? Do we want to be the kids church where local families flock to enrich the spiritual growth of their youngest members? Do we want to be an outreach church where what we do in church informs our work with the poor, the hungry, the homeless, the naked, the thirsty, the incarcerated – what Rev. Emma Brewer-Wallin calls ‘the least of these’? If we were to choose ONE or TWO ministries to focus our ministry on, what would we choose?

If we were to focus on one area per year or one area over the course of two or three years, what might that look like and what impact will it make on the community? Not losing sight of the Gospel message of Loving God, Loving Neighbor, and Loving Self how might we direct our efforts as one body? How does the love of Christ inform that ministry? And how can we build upon the solid foundation we already have co-created?

On a recent walk through a local cemetery, I noticed that one of the gravestones had the inscription listing the birth and death dates and had calculated the years, months, and days. What struck me in this inscription is that the family of the interred counted their days. Each day of their loved one’s life mattered. It reminded me that as we re-gather in congregational community we have the option to make our days count. We have the ability to make history – or take our place in it – here in our current context.

The United Church of Christ offers certification support for congregations who want to build Wellness Programs, Green Church (environmental justice), and WISE certification (mental wellness safe space). There are national supports for becoming a private day school and offering a Christian education for elementary through high school students. There are supports for becoming a seminarian or chaplain learning facility. All of these possibilities require years of collaboration and visioning.

As a historical, justice-minded, open and affirming, safe space for cross-generational gatherings, with excellent worship, healthy and vibrant relationships, a superb staff, and large campus church in a education-minded small town how can we make our days count? How can we make our mark on history and our community? And what might our focus be?