Pastor’s Paragraph - November 25, 2020

The season of Advent is beginning, dear ones. In this season of confession, repentance, and preparation, we have an opportunity to open ourselves once again to the inbreaking of God’s love anew. How will we spend this Advent?

On the first Sunday of Advent, we focus on hope. In these days of global pandemics, where are you finding hope? How are you living and sharing hope?

When I sat down to reflect on hope, I searched a book for a quote on hope and the shadow of hope because this fall the concept of the shadow of hope had caught me in my tracks. In her book I’m Still Here, Austin Channing Brown shares these words about hope, “This is the shadow of hope. Knowing that we may never see the realization of our dreams, and yet still showing up” (p. 180). Austin Channing Brown reminds me in powerful ways that we are called to keep stepping out in the faith of Jesus. We are to keep unlearning and learning. We are to keep confessing and receiving grace. We are to keep loving. We are to keep our lives fixed on God’s call and vision that all God’s creatures live with equity and deep peace and justice.

May we spend time with God in order to receive the strength and mercy to follow God’s Spirit and respond to God’s call. If your hope is waning, please feel free to reach out. God designs us for community. We need one another. We are not alone. You are loved. You are cared for. You have purpose. We have a Creator who offers us hope while we wait in the shadow of hope. May we live with compassion and find courage in the care of our Maker this Advent.

For God alone my soul waits in silence,
for my hope is from God.
God alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be shaken.

Psalm 62:5-6

Pastor’s Paragraph - November 19, 2020

Several years ago, a couple from Greenwood began visiting at Friedens. It did not take long to understand what a blessing they were bringing to our family of faith. Their names, Don and Pam Taylor.

Don jumped in using his gifts in music to become a member of the chancel choir and a cantor for the liturgical service. Pam brought the gift of a deep and discerning spirit to enrich our spiritual life as a congregation.

Over time, Pam felt a sense of call to ministry. She believed that she could bring her social work and counseling training and careers, with enrichment from her spiritual life, to become a pastoral counselor. Together we explored the options for authorized ministry in the United Church of Christ. It became clear that the right path forward for Pam was the process for becoming a Licensed Minister of Pastoral Counseling. Pam worked with the Southeast Association’s Committee on Ministry to become a Licensed Minister. Friedens’ Personnel Ministry Team and Pastoral Relations Committee took the necessary steps to extend a call to Pam to become our Licensed Minister of Pastoral Calling. In addition, Pam took training at the Shalem Center to become a Spiritual Director.

As a result, Pam has served Christ at Friedens Church adding a dimension of devotion and discernment to personal relationships and growth in discipleship through practices of the Spirit. From book studies to confidential counseling, from the rite of anointing to experiences of prayer and meditation, Pam has served us with wisdom and compassion. She has also been a trusted and valued member of the church staff.

We offer our very best to Pam as she has retired from her duties as our Licensed Minister of Pastoral Counseling and begins a new chapter of life and discipleship. Thank you for joining me in showing your appreciation to Pam for her faithful service.

I know you will be happy to hear that Pam and Don will continue their active

membership at Friedens Church. We will continue to journey together on the path of faith and service. May we all be inspired by Pam to use our God-given gifts to their fullest potential in service to Christ and his church.

God be with you,

~Marc

P.S. Thank you for the many kind expressions of pastoral appreciation in recent days. It is an honor to serve with you as ambassadors for Christ.

Pastor’s Paragraph - November 12, 2020

The Spiritual Journey

The spiritual journey is a way to seek and follow God’s will for our lives. Prayer is the way of grace to respond to Jesus’ invitation to ask, seek, and enter into our real (spiritual) lives. Prayer is the doorway to the continued journey. Even when we don’t think we are receiving an answer prayer sustains our relationship with God and keeps the conversation going. During this very unique period of time my sacrifice of face-to-face time has been enriched by a more intense desire for the friendship of God - also for my friendships with people through their books and even from Facebook. While I miss you all I have chosen to give thanks for each one of you, pray for you, and appreciate your unique contributions to my life.

I will be resigning my position as staff in our church at the end of November due to increasing inconveniences of arthritis. I am not getting around as well as I used to. It has been a joy to be called to work with the staff and members of Friedens. While I am retiring from my staff position and from counseling I will still be around to continue walking the faith journey with you as a congregations and as individuals. I want to continue in my journey of prayer and spiritual direction and hope there will continue to be opportunity to share that together.

I share this treasure with you:

Above all, trust in the slow work of God.
We are quite naturally impatient in everything to reach the end without delay.
We should like to skip the intermediate stages.
We are impatient of being on the way to something unknown, something new.
And yet it is the law of all progress
that it is made by passing through some stages of instability—
and that it may take a very long time.
And so I think it is with you;
your ideas mature gradually—let them grow,
let them shape themselves, without undue haste.
Don’t try to force them on,
as though you could be today what time
(that is to say, grace and circumstances acting on your own good will)
will make of you tomorrow.
Only God could say what this new spirit
gradually forming within you will be.
Give Our Lord the benefit of believing
that his hand is leading you,
and accept the anxiety of feeling yourself
in suspense and incomplete.

—Teilhard de Chardin

Pastor’s Paragraph - November 5, 2020

Dear Beloved Siblings of our Creator,

I miss being with you physically, but I am grateful that we are united through the gifts of prayer and connected through God's Spirit.

At Friedens we are diverse and held together by our common mission of sharing the love of Jesus, especially with children in our communities. One way we join together is working with one another to provide weekender packs to children who face food insecurity at Glenns Valley Elementary and the Early Childhood Academy.

Within Friedens United Church of Christ, we are young in years and old in years. We are non-binary, male, and female. We live alone and with others. Some of us walk, and some of us roll. Some of us go to school or work, and some of us are retired. We have different gifts, strengths, and personalities. We serve and volunteer with different ministry teams and organizations. We enjoy different hobbies. We are republican, democrat, other political parties, and unaffiliated. We are introverts and extroverts and somewhere in between. We are Black, Hispanic, Asian, biracial, multi-racial, and white. We are short and tall. We are very musically talent, not even able to clap on beat, and everywhere in between. Amongst us, we like to draw, dance, read, sew, and build. Together, we are a beautiful and varied pattern of community. Together, we are stronger. We are designed to be in relationship with God and one another. Life together in diversity offers us more space to grow, learn, and love.

With humility and deep joy, I give thanks for who we are as we seek to serve God. With the peace and the power of the Holy Spirit, may we continue to work together to respond to God’s call on each of our lives and on our lives as a collective. May we continue to breathe and move into our mission to share the love of Jesus, especially with children and youth in our communities. May we trust and find our courage in God who will never leave us or forsake.

With gratitude, prayers, and much care,

Sarah

4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good…. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it.

1 Corinthians 12:4-26

Pastor’s Paragraph - October 29, 2020

A couple of decades ago a young and ambitious college graduate named Cindy Adams visited Friedens UCC.

A native of Minnesota, she was beginning her Master’s in Philanthropy degree at IUPUI.

A lifetime United Church of Christ member, Cindy felt at home at Friedens and we were thrilled to welcome this bright, fun, faithful soul with a heartwarming and contagious smile.

It just so happened Cindy was looking for a part-time job and we were looking for a part-time youth minister. It seemed like a God-thing, and it turned out to be!

Not only did Cindy win our hearts but she also won our admiration. Cindy lived with cystic fibrosis, a progressive pulmonary disease. The ailment made Cindy more susceptible to respiratory illness and required daily breathing treatments to manage the symptoms. She took it all in stride and never let it stop her from attempting and achieving her dreams, even when frequent hospitalizations proved necessary.

Cindy was a blessing to our congregation and especially to our youth. She planned and led activities, organized mission trips and exemplified faith in action for our young disciples. Being away from home and family, a circle of our caring adults stepped in as her Hoosier family, strong ties that remain to this day.

In fact, it was an introduction by one of our active members, Angie Schultz, to her single brother, Aaron Ellis, that resulted in a friendship that budded into marriage. Cindy and Aaron were married at Friedens and we all rejoiced with this young couple we had come to love.

In time, Cindy and Aaron relocated to Minnesota to be closer to Cindy’s family, where they made their family complete with the addition of a daughter, Lillie. We watched and cheered from afar as this young family established a home and a life. We added our prayers as Cindy qualified for and underwent lung transplant surgery. It was a grueling recovery, and it was not a cure, but it did provide additional years for Cindy to enjoy life and her family, who stood by her side with constant love and support.

Sadly, Cindy’s earthly journey ended October 19. She made the peaceful transition from this life to the next encircled by Aaron and her mother and her sister. Friends and family gathered to say their farewell and celebrate Cindy’s good life on October 24. Our presence was made known with flowers and many warm wishes and prayers.

Cindy lives on in the healing and restoring presence of her Creator and in the hearts of all who loved her. We are invited to add to her legacy with a memorial gift in her honor to continue the research in the treatment of cystic fibrosis. If you wish to make a donation please visit www.cff.org. Click on Donate and follow the prompts to identify your gift in memory of Cindy Adams Ellis. Thank you.

May God’s comfort soothe our mourning,

Marc

Pastor’s Paragraph - October 22, 2020

Being a Follower of Christ

I recently read an entry on Facebook that inspired me: "I am a Christian because the character of Jesus Christ is so compelling to me that I want to spend my life chasing it, embodying it, and sharing it". Isn’t the word ‘compelling’ lovely? I not only identified with this statement but was also inspired by it to think more about what my faith means to me.

I believe that to live a life as a follower of Jesus Christ brings me into connection and communion with something more vast and mysterious than myself. I do love a good mystery. Following Christ connects us with a history of salvation of which we become a part. Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us (Hebrews 12:1). 

And, as is written by Henri Nouwen, “Our lives can be healed by the memory of the incarnation and the story of salvation”. For me this is the great healing. My pains and joys are no longer mine but part of “the plan” for chasing, embodying, and sharing the life of Christ. I pray that this may be a beautiful reflection for you all, dear friends!

Blessings for your week!

Pastor’s Paragraph - October 15, 2020

Dear Friends,

Are there smells and flavors you most enjoy in autumn? Do you have favorite autumn activities?

What do you see in the brilliant oranges, reds, and yellows of autumn? Do you see a marvelous painting? The bright bushes remind me of God’s call to Moses and the Pentecost flames connecting all of us through God’s Spirit. I am grateful for stories that ground me in the midst of so much shifting. 

The changing of the leaves usually reminds me most of the constancy that I find in God. Everything changes except God’s love which endures forever. God’s compassion never fails. I find my hope and strength in this, dear friends. Where do you find your hope and strength in these days of pandemics?

This year I’ve also been asked – what do I need to let go of? What do I need to release? As I watch the leaves fall to the ground, are there things that I need to surrender to God, or things that I need to surrender to God again because I’ve let them go and then picked them back up?

There so many changes and questions in these times. May you find comfort in knowing that we are not alone. It is okay to feel whatever you are feeling. May we take time to breathe, to seek God, and to share God’s love with others. 

“O give thanks to the Lord, for God is good, for God’s steadfast love endures forever.” 

Psalm 136:1

Pastor’s Paragraph - October 8, 2020

Howard Thurman writes, It is no ordinary matter to foster a growing relationship with God that keeps watch over all the days and the nights of all the years.

On the one hand, this quote reminds me of a song I learned as a child in Vacation Bible School. The verses were cautionary: Oh, be careful little hands what you do. Why? Because God is watching! The notion of God’s abiding presence can be used to demand obedience to one who is always looking over our shoulder, keeping track of rights and wrongs. I would describe this as a misuse of Divine omni-presence.

On the other hand, the chorus of this children’s song is its saving grace. For the Father up above is looking down with love. That’s better! It is not just that God loves us but that God is love! The essence of the Divine being is grace—unmerited, unconditional love. Thankfully, it is not a tally of rights and wrongs that determines God’s love for us. If it were, the scale would not tip in our favor. It is grace that saves. It is love that creates forgiveness. It is grateful response to love that motivates our desire to do what is right.

It is this grace that prompts Rev. Thurman to conclude his meditation with these words: As I go to sleep tonight and when I awake on tomorrow, I am comforted immeasurably by the knowledge that God will in no way fail me, neither will God in any way forsake me.

Remember, God is looking down with love.

May the grace of Christ be with you, my friends.

~Marc

Pastor’s Paragraph - October 1, 2020

Order, Disorder, Reorder

Richard Rohr recently published a book entitled "The Wisdom Pattern, Order, Disorder, Reorder." Rohr points out that our culture tends to impose on us positive values on order, progress, and success. An underlying message with these concepts is that the lack of order, progress, and success often leaves us with despair. Rohr goes on to point out that knowing the pattern of order, disorder, and reorder allows us to trust each step, including disorder. As we can know that reorder will come, we learn to trust that each step reveals meaning and character.

The Pandemic may seem like the most disordered time we have known and we may label the disorder as negative. This is different from the disorder of positive events such as graduating from school, marriage, having children and so on. The difference is the labeling of good and bad. Lots of questions, lots of disappointments, lots of changes. It seems that we are going backward from order to disorder. We are seeing the cup half full or half empty. When we see the cup half empty we are more likely to feel a jarring of our faith. The truth is that this is just part of the journey. We, as followers of Jesus, are carrying the cross.

I listened to a video of author Elizabeth Gilbert who said that our spiritual disciplines are made for times such as these. She likened the pandemic to a marathon. Bill Plotkin of adventure journeys calls it a “survival dance.” We can remind ourselves that the survival dance can turn to a “sacred dance.” That is the inspiration of Jesus in our lives, growing toward love, union, salvation, wisdom, and enlightenment. We can do this through awareness or mindfulness - pondering the change and looking at the spiritual meaning for our lives.

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
  And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God. 

(Micah 6:8)

Pastor’s Paragraph - September 24, 2020

Dear Beloved Siblings,

I frequently ask you how you are and tell you that I miss you because you continue to be in my heart, mind, and prayers. I thank God for you. As I continue to reflect on the idea of living with an open heart or tender heart or living from the core, I invite you to pause. Sometime today or tomorrow, I hope you can take time to find a comfortable position and roll your shoulders back.  Feel your chest open up. Take time to breathe deeply from way down in your being. Feel God's living, moving, creating, restoring Spirit connecting you to God, to God's children near and far, and to God's dreams for the world.

This summer I have been grateful for people who have helped me think more deeply about healing. As a pastor's kid, athlete, and occupational therapist, healing is something that I've thought about in many ways. This summer the desire to live with a fully open heart has led me to focus on God's gifts of healing in new ways. Our hearts need healing individually and collectively, and we were created with the potential to mend and grow. God offers us healing through grace. It is free, but that does not mean it is easy. Healing can be difficult. Healing may not come in the ways we imagine or hope for. Healing has many layers and forms. As I think about healing, I hear Jesus asking, "Do you want to be well?" in the gospel stories. I also hear him asking, "What do you want from me?" Friends, may we seek God's healing of our broken hearts that we may live in ways that create space and opportunities for all people to live and breathe fully. Jesus was about the work of healing. How might we share the love of Jesus with others through the spiritual practice of allowing our Creator to heal and open our own hearts? We are not alone. God will never leave or forsake us. I leave you with this quote. May it be a blessing to you!  May we breathe God's healing love in and out~

"Healing is a practice. It's not a one-time thing or an idea. If I get up and do a bunch of exercises and repeat them, over time my muscles will get stronger.  Healing is a practice just like that."  

Marnita Schroedl, (P. 151 My Grandmother's Hands by Resmaa Menakem)

With gratitude for you,

Sarah

31 The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!" 32 Jesus stopped and called them. "What do you want me to do for you?" he asked. 33 "Lord," they answered, "we want our sight."  Matthew 20:31-33

Pastor’s Paragraph - September 17, 2020

In the midst of the pandemic we are also enduring hurricanes and wildfires. Many have suffered illness, death, displacement, the loss of property and the emotional toll that catastrophe entails. Our hearts and prayers go out to those suffering.

The faith and mission of Friedens Church steadies us and gives us something helpful to do.

• Our trust in a God who is present in our sufferings brings an abiding sense of peace and strength.

• The message of our Leader, Jesus, that we are the loved and loving children of God reminds us of who we are and whose we are.

• The mission of sharing Christ's love helps us affirm we are one human family and empowers us to lend a helping hand to our sisters and brothers. We are in this together and we need each other.

• The reservoir of spiritual practices in our tradition is a source of calm in the storm, a way to discover peace when anxiety unsettles us.

Here is a spiritual practice Julie, Ashley and I are following, and I encourage your household to try. It is based on this invitation from our sacred and ancient tradition: cast your cares on God, for God cares for you.

It is a simple two step practice:

1. Each day name a specific care, worry, concern or burden you are feeling.

2. Ask God to help carry that worry or burden.

This simple practice is a way to acknowledge that we are never alone and we never need to shoulder all of life's burdens by ourselves. We are in this together with Christ our Leader, Friend and Helper.

May the peace of Christ be with you,

Marc

Pastor’s Paragraph - September 10, 2020

Exploring Prayer

All things in our lives change, even our prayers. Over time I have explored new ways of prayer, some of which have enriched my spiritual life temporarily and some for longer term. One of the things I have tried over a longer period of time is starting prayer with some self-examining questions. I often like to take a few notes on my answers. I start by asking myself:  how do I feel? This helps me to keep in touch with what is going on in my life that I might need to give to prayer. I might feel tired, drained, anxious, happy. How I feel may be a clue to something that I am not taking time to recognize in my daily life.

I also ask myself:  what are my thoughts? What am I thinking about and what is on my mind that might need discernment or prayer. It is also a good time to let go of thoughts to be more focused on prayer. I ask myself:  what is my intention for prayer - What do I need right now - love, comfort, discernment?
Because this prayer time is contemplative I ask myself what word I want to bring to prayer to help me stay focused on God's Presence. Sometime I use the word peace and sometimes the peace of Christ. At this point I might ask myself how I will transition into silent resting and healing in the Presence of God. Sometimes I transition by cleansing breaths and sometimes by intercessory prayer for the needs of someone or something which comes to mind.

Then I enter into the process of silent awareness, waiting, healing, and feeling God's love. The awareness of God's Presence reminds me that there is nothing more I need, that I can give time to God and let go of the busyness in my mind. Some say that God is in the silence.

Afterward I ponder my quiet time thinking about how I feel and is this different than when I began. I think about what kind of things distracted me and what insight I received from the time with God. I end with recognizing the result of this time which is often awe or thankfulness, and sometimes amazement that I lasted through the quiet time.

I hope you will consider trying to have a quiet time with God. It does not have to be long. I also hope you will try asking yourself some questions about how you are coming to and going from your prayer time. I would like to hear what questions come to your mind.

Be still, and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10)

Pastor’s Paragraph - September 3, 2020

In my last note to you in the e-news, I shared that I had been hearing about tender-hearted living very regularly. I also shared that the spiritual practice of examen, which involves reflecting on each day, is something that helps me in my desire to live with an open and courageous heart. Another spiritual practice that supports me in seeking to live with a tender heart is connecting with God's creation. Spending time enjoying and giving thanks for the beauty and wonder of that which God has made slows me down. Admiring and reflecting upon God's majesty and nearness revealed in creation offers me healing and space to be curious, imaginative, and calmer. Are there aspects of God's creation that offer you encouragement, healing, rest, and nourishment? What are your favorite ways to connect with God's creation and/or God's creative and creating Spirit? Are there stories in the Bible that connect you with an experience of awe, gratitude, or humility as we feel the power and grace of God? God's covenant symbolized in a rainbow, the parting of the Red Sea, the provision of quail and manna, the calming of the sea, the trembling of the earth in the stories of Jesus' death and resurrection, the tree of life....also invite me to pause in amazement of God's work and gift of our interconnectedness and dependency on God's world. 

May you find time - even a few moments or breaths at a time - to soak in the compassion and grace of the Creator, renewing us and strengthening us to go forth as loved and loving children of God. 

With gratitude and prayers,

Sarah

317-709-5857 pastorsarah.friedensucc@outlook.com.

"Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him."

Revelation 22:1-3      

Pastor’s Paragraph - August 27, 2020

A recent theme in worship has to do with waiting, an apt topic for this time. We are eagerly awaiting the end of the pandemic. We yearn for the peace of loving, just and respectful relationships.

But there is more to waiting than getting through the current season of adversity. Waiting is part of the life of faith. We trust God to do what we cannot. We affirm that God's ways are beyond ours. We acknowledge that God's timing is different from ours. We wait with expectation. We wait while giving ourselves to Divine values of justice, kindness and humility. We do our part while waiting for the ultimate fulfillment of God's intention for Shalom, comprehensive well-being for all of creation.

The ancient prophet put it this way: Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not grow weary, they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)

A contemporary prophet, named Howard Thurman, expresses the challenge of this scriptural promise, writing: I want to wait upon the Lord but somehow I cannot bring myself to it. For so long, I have depended upon my own efforts that I must be taught trust...This is a discipline. And yet it does not have the elements of discipline in it. Discipline means effort at times, self-control, a certain mastery of self or the situation. But the discipline of trust is a putting down, an easing up, a releasing of tension, an intense relaxation of spirit. Somehow this release is identified in my mind with failure, with weakness of which something within me is afraid and ashamed.

The Rev. Thurman articulates the trouble with waiting. Waiting requires we set aside our own agenda, plans and timing in exchange for trusting the agenda, plans and timing of God. That is a tall order. We like being in charge! The trouble is, so much of life is quite beyond us and our control. What to do?

We can try waiting for the Lord. We can admit our limitations and shortcomings. We can give control to the One who can handle it. We can be liberated from the anxiety of pretending to be more than we are. We can trust that Divine life and love prevail. The gap of our weakness can be filled by the strength of God. We can know true meaning and purpose by waiting for the Lord.

Pastors Sarah, Pam and I are here to support your life in faith. Are you feeling frustrated or afraid and ready to try waiting on the Lord? Reach out, we can point you in the right direction.

In Christ's love,

Marc

Pastor’s Paragraph - August 20, 2020

Joy is Fruit of the Spirit

I recently completed auditing a course from Yale University called The Science of Happiness. It was based on a lot of research, part of which was the basis for a book The Science of Happier Spending by Elizabeth Dunn. You can get a quick highlight of her ideas on her Ted Talk. All of this reminded me of the Christian concepts set out by Richard Foster. Foster claims that one of the disciplines of the Christian is choosing simplicity for our lives.

In a nutshell the science of happiness states that we often expect happiness to come from making more money, having more things, and advancing in a career. These, of course, are not bad achievements but In reality, according to huge amounts of research, these accomplishments provide shorter lived happiness. Not only are these accomplishments less fulfilling but our minds reinforce these false happiness beliefs with unreliable predictions that success gives the greater happiness.

One study in particular measured the happiness people received when they were given money but told they had to give it away. The pleasure they received from giving away money was significant in intensity as well as being long lasting. Foster also mentions the habit of giving things away as a key to simplicity. 

One way we can intentionally transition to more fulfilling accomplishments is through habit formation. So, according to the research, we need to:  seek and invest in experiences that include character strength, morals, kindness, connections, and compassion. We also need to reinforce these desires by savoring the experiences and being aware of our gratitude for them. 

I find great spiritual peace in finding that psychological research often is in agreement with spiritual wisdom. The difference between the two is that we are seeking and experiencing joy for Christ-likeness rather than for personal fulfillment.

Gal. 5: 22-3: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Pastor’s Paragraph - August 13, 2020

In the last few weeks, I have heard a number of conversations about tender-hearted living, courageous living, or living from our core in many different places and circles.  What does tender-hearted living, courageous living, or living from your core mean to you?  If you'd like to share what it means to you and/or how you experience it, I'd be excited to hear from you.  Please feel free to email me at the new email - pastorsarah.friedensucc@outlook.com.

When I think of courage and tender-hearted living, two Bible passages come to mind:

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh."  Ezekiel 36:26

And

"Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."  Joshua 1:9

Knowing that God is with me wherever we go, helps me to trust in God and rest in God.  In being grounded and rooted in God's faithfulness and steadfast love, we can open our hearts.  We can ask God to continue to create tender hearts within us.  Are there spiritual practices that help you lean into the beautiful possibilities of tender-hearted living that God offers us in each moment? 

The spiritual practice of examen helps me to work towards tender-hearted living.  For me, the spiritual practice of examen involves asking God's Spirit to help me reflect upon the day or part of the day.  Taking time to reflect, opens opportunities for me to express gratitude for experiences that I may have overlooked in the moment, and it creates space for me to see and feel places where my ego got in the way of my heart.  Examen helps me humbly confess my own sins and my need for God's transforming grace.  Sometimes this practice happens for me in the quiet and other times on the move.  Thanks be to God that God's mercies are always present.  We can rejoice in the unconditional love of God!  May you feel this love holding you, surrounding you, filling you, encouraging you, and moving you as we journey together.  You are prayed for.  You are loved!

With gratitude for you,

Sarah 

317-709-5857, pastorsarah.friedensucc@outlook.com 

Pastor’s Paragraph - August 6, 2020

Charles de Foucauld is a saint of the church who lived from 1858-1916. Born into a wealthy French family he lost his way as a young man when his parents died, leaving him with great sadness, no firm direction and too many resources at his disposal. A life pursuing self-centered desires brought him to a place of emptiness. Not knowing what else to do, he joined the French Army, which offered some desperately needed structure and discipline. His military career took him to Algeria, where he discovered a call to faith in the devotion and purpose he witnessed in the Moslem people of that region. Charles left the military and while exploring Morocco had a mystical experience of Christ that focused his life on discipleship. Over time he became a priest devoted to contemplative prayer and a simple life serving the poor in imitation of Christ.

The sense of belonging, meaning and purpose he found so elusive as a young man in a life of wealth and pleasure was finally fulfilled in devotion to loving God by loving others. Charles is remembered for a simple prayer that was the foundation of his spiritual life:

O God, I abandon myself into your hands, do with me what you will. Whatever you may do, I thank you; I am ready for all, I accept all. Let only your will be done in me, and in all your creatures. I wish no more than this, O Lord. Into your hands I commend my soul; I offer it to you with all the love of my heart, for I love you, Lord, and so need to give myself, to surrender myself into your hands without reserve, and with boundless confidence, for you are my Savior. Amen.

What a brave expression of commitment!

I wonder what changes we might experience if we made this our daily prayer?

I wonder what sense of purpose and meaning we might discover in our lives with a deeper commitment to loving God by loving others?

Might this be a path toward healing in our divided world?

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Marc

Pastor’s Paragraph - July 30, 2020

The Dark Night of the Soul and Hope

The dark night of the soul describes a spiritual change or crisis in the faith journey. This idea was taken from a very long poem written by St. John of the Cross in the 1500's. Philosophers and other religious writers have also written on this concept. Some people describe this crisis as losing faith while others experience it more as not being able to "get in touch" with their faith. Their faith is there but it kind of sits over to the side.

I have read a similar idea as expressed by David Brooks, a sociologist and Richard Rohr, a priest and religious writer. They both describe "living on the edge of the inside." They both describe groups of: 1. people who are in leadership (insiders) in organizations and churches, 2. people who are outsiders, and 3. those on the "edge of the inside." Although it sounds like these people might be wishy-washy, this is not what they are describing. They are describing people who recognize that their organizations or churches don't have all the answers for them and they become more fluid in their beliefs while not losing their faith. At times they become critical thinkers and integrate the faith from different perspectives. Richard Rohr actually names prophets in this group.

The lesson of these writings is that we are all fluid in our beliefs and faith. I would not be surprised if the pandemic influences our spiritual "place" now and then. Jesus' good news is that when we hold on to His Father's gift of love we move around in beliefs with an open heart and remain in His love. We may experience cleansing, healing, and growth in this movement and come to appreciate other's places of faith more. Hopefully we might be motivated by God's expansive love to be more open to sharing and listening to differences.

Perhaps we might be encouraged to suffer the wandering child in our own heart and hang in there for our own continual coming home - even when home looks a little different and continues to change. So as we go through the many emotions of isolation the dark night of the soul arises into a morning. Crucifixion arises into resurrection. Love yourself as God loves you and know that you are never locked into the final experience of faith. Faith dances!

Hebrews 11:1 

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, 
the conviction of things not seen.

Pastor’s Paragraph - July 23, 2020

Dear Friends,

What have you been enjoying in different ways this summer? Water is something that I am experiencing differently this summer. I've been a YMCA person since the age of two, except during college, but even in college, I was lap swimming with teams for workouts a few times a week. Since COVID I have mostly adjusted to being out of the pool. A few days ago, I had one of the strong sensations that connected me to my deepest enjoyment of lap swimming - the reminder of Jesus' saving love washing over me and setting me free from my sin - I experience this in such a deep way when I feel the water of a pool cover my body. As I thought about it, a praising came from way down in my soul - God sets us free from all that keeps us captive from being the people God creates us to be. God unbinds us from the shame and fear that keeps us from living in the abundant ways of life for all, especially those who have been or are being harmed, oppressed, marginalized, and made most vulnerable. God cleanses us and renews us for ways of transforming grace and creative reimaging. God showers us with hope and nourishes us with strength to be fully alive in the everlasting mercy and unconditional love of Jesus and the courageous work of God's Spirit. In these pandemic days, I think even more about handwashing. Washing my hands reminds me to be more thankful than ever before for access to soap and clean water. This experience of water reminds me of the gift of baptism which unites us together with all God's precious children and creatures throughout the world - all in need of water and all in need of giving and receiving love. May we pray and live in ways that make it possible for everyone to have clean water to drink and clean water for hand washing. May we share the peace and hope of the Living Water.

I look forward to hearing what is refreshing your soul in these summer days, and I thank God for you. It is a blessing to serve with you.

If we confess our sins,
he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9

Pastor’s Paragraph - July 16, 2020

The stories from our sacred scriptures we study in Sunday worship provide a surplus of meaning. There are always ideas and insights yet to be explored. For instance, this past Sunday we looked at the story of Jesus walking on the water in order to come to the aid of the disciples who were facing stormy conditions. You can read this mysterious and astonishing account in 

Matthew 14:22-33.

One of the disciples, named Peter, asks to come out on the water with Jesus. Peter reveals trust and courage as he takes a few steps with his eyes fixed on his Leader. Then, he notices the wind and the waves. His focus shifts from trust and boldness in Christ to the absurdity and danger of what he is doing. Peter begins to falter and sink. He cries out for Jesus to save him. You will likely not be surprised that Jesus takes Peter by the hand immediately and safely returns him to the boat. Once aboard with the other disciples, Jesus says, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?"

This sounds like a criticism, doesn't it? I do not think it is, I think it is a statement of reality. Thankfully, possession of a great faith is not the defining quality of discipleship. In fact, in Matthew 17:20, Jesus affirms the power of a little faith. He insists that: "if you have faith the size of a mustard seed...nothing will be impossible for you." Jesus affirms that Peter has a little faith and that is sufficient. Nor is Jesus question meant to belittle Peter. Jesus does not ask, why did you think you could walk on water? No, Jesus asks, why did you doubt you could walk on water? Do you hear that important difference? What Jesus asks, opens-up the possibilities for Peter to be bold and put his little faith to work in surprising ways. When Peter steps out in faith he needs to keep his focus on Jesus and ignore the fear and any naysayers. If he can do that, "nothing will be impossible."

This is a challenging scene in the story, isn't it? After all, like Peter, we have a little faith. That little faith is sufficient. Too often we use our little faith as an excuse to stay in the boat, so to speak, to play it safe. When the truth about little faith is that it can lead to all sorts of unexpected and astonishing possibilities of receiving and sharing the love of Christ. We can learn, grow and change. We can be part of the solutions to tough problems. We can be bold and challenge the injustices that hold others back. We can trust in God's abundance and be liberated from a false narrative of scarcity and competition that pits us against one another. We can be generous and joyful in the midst of adversity.

Let's celebrate and nurture our little faith and let's boldly step out of the boat with our eyes fixed on Jesus.

Enjoy the adventure,

Pastor Marc