MINISTERIAL MUSINGS
I’ve often thought that humor is a very Godly thing. After all, it’s said humans are the only animals who laugh, and we’re made in God’s image! Yes, there is humor that’s cruel and blatantly un-Godly (ridicule, racist slurs, jokes that serve bigotry or pride).
But often, someone who’s made to look a fool actually needs to be brought down a peg. People who take themselves too seriously are usually those who don’t take loving God and one’s neighbor seriously enough. When they (ahem, we) are humbled a bit, Christians can sing with Mary that such fun is the divine result of a God who… “scatters the proud in the imagination of their hearts…, pulls down the mighty from their thrones and exalts those of low degree” (Luke 1:51-52).
One great source of humor is that which puts us in our place. The Bible says it has that in common with justice, which occurs when God puts all of us in our place, when the first end up last, and the last move up to the front, and all lives aren’t just supposed to matter, but DO matter!
It should be admitted that, while the lowest are glad to be brought up to level, it may take the highest (who thought they were above it all) a while to realize the benefit of “coming down” to that same level. But being “just” another of the un-deservedly loved is where the joy of being God’s family is experienced.
Revolutionaries and tyrants are noted for their humorlessness. The tyrant can’t tolerate any suggestion he or she is neither invincible nor omnipotent. The revolutionary can’t stand the notion that perhaps, just perhaps, their revolution is filled with mixed motives and could easily lead to a tranny as bad as the one they want to overthrow.
We need to learn to laugh at ourselves and our pretentions — pretensions like wallowing in self-pity when the whole world is suffering from a pandemic. For our mental health, we should see ourselves as we are: more clowns and fools than heroes and saints. And for our spiritual health, it’s good to remember Jesus’ critics were religious, seriously devout people with rigid checklists who knew they were right and pure. If we fall into that trap, we may wear our Savior’s cross, but we’ll be secretly convinced we don’t need saving. …And then the joke’s on us. –Dave
Outdoor Service Continues at Least Thru September
Our elders have decided to extend the 7:30 outdoor service at least through September. As always, if the weather doesn’t cooperate, we’ll move indoors to the Faith Connection Center. We’ll also continue to feature guest speakers. Social distancing and masks will be required. Speaking of which…
Our COVID Response
…In light of the recent uptick in COVID-19 cases, FCC will no longer ask people to wear a mask and observe social distance. Instead, we must insist on it — not only for worship, but for any events that happen on our grounds. If you are helping with such an event, please let your people know that we believe this “no exceptions policy” is necessary if we are to truly love our neighbor. Thanks!
Summer Online Event
Plans are in the works for a relevant and spiritually insightful event. Although originally planned for August, it is now going to be in early September. Kathy Light, Minister of Spiritual Care, is developing it around the theme, “Living Loved.” This means: living my life like a person who is really loved.
It changes us and it changes the people around us. So often we lose sight of how greatly we are loved, and we tend to see the gray skies of life as the strongest force affecting how we live. Let’s face it: these are “gray-sky times.” The stress of this pandemic is a second health hazard affecting us all. How do we choose to live in the midst of it? This event will help us learn to connect our faith with our daily lives.
Kathy will be joined by some familiar FCC faces including Sue Ann Benham and Denise Murray. Look for personal story sharing, art, music, and an onsite “pilgrimage” on the grounds of FCC.
We are asking you to register. It’s free, but we’d like to know who is joining us online (via YouTube). Once you register and before the event, we will send or deliver a package with materials to help make your experience more meaningful.
To register, please email Kathy (farmretreat@gmail.com) or call her, (219) 508-0418. Please include your name, address, and phone number. Thanks!
A Loving Response To Racism
On August 9th, a small group made up of several FCC elders and Rev. Dave met with George Terrell and Rev. Greg Jones with the Northwest Indiana Alliance of African Americans along with two other members of NWIAAA who joined us via Zoom. We began a discussion of the need for information and guidance in recognizing racism and how to deal with it within ourselves and others.
Retired attorney, George Terrell, has offered to guide us. We will take the next step by reading White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin Diangelo. The church owns a few copies; and as they are read, they will be returned to the church library. You may also purchase a copy for yourself.
The next gathering date has not been established yet. If you are interested in joining in on that session, please let me know so I can notify you of the date.
Kathy Light
OUR NEXT
RED CROSS
BLOOD DRIVE IS
WEDNESDAY,
SEPTEMBER 30TH
1:30-6:30 PM