Pastor's Letters

The Pastor and the Faithful should not deceive themselves into thinking that they are a religious society, which has to do with certain themes; they live in the world. We still need — according to my old formulation — the Bible and the Newspaper. (Karl Barth, 1966)

I generally enjoy reading and watching the news. I like to know what is happening in our country and around the world. I believe being informed about local and national politics is not only my duty as a responsible citizen but also my duty as a follower of Christ. The call to care for the poor, the widow, the orphan, and “the least of these” is not only something I do by volunteering or donating money; it is also something I do by using my voice and vote to craft a city, county, state, and nation that cares for the poor, the widow, the orphan, and “the least of these.”  

Recently, though, I have often turned off the television frustrated with the news I was hearing. More specifically, I have been frustrated with the deep partisanship of our leaders and the apparent deadlock over many important issues. As the debates become more polarized and less friendly, I am tempted to stop listening and worse, to stop participating in the conversation.

Remembering the words of Karl Barth and the ministry of Jesus (which often challenged the political realities of the day), I repent of growing cynicism and apathy.

I also remember that as a Presbyterian, I am not a lone voice. When I feel powerless in the face of a big government and powerful politicians, I remember that as a member of the Presbyterian Church, I am part of a wider voice seeking to make God’s justice a reality in the world. Did you know that the PC(USA) maintains an office in Washington, D.C., to advocate the interests of the church to the men and women who govern our nation? The Washington Office talks to our leaders about health care, energy use, trade justice, education, criminal justice, immigration, and other key issues. In many ways, the Washington Office serves as the collective voice of Presbyterians. It reminds me that I am not alone and encourages me to keep reading both the Bible and the newspaper. It reminds me that when I might feel powerless to make a change in the world, the Spirit of God is working through God’s people, collectively, to inaugurate God’s Kingdom on earth. It empowers me to add my voice to the holy chorus.

Learn more about the PC(USA) Washington Office at www.pcusa.org/washington.

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second one is like it: you shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. – Matthew 22:37-40

August has always seemed like a paradox to me. This month holds the hottest days of the year.
But right in the middle of those “dog days of summer,” school supplies start appearing in stores and we prepare to shift our schedules back into a more regular rhythm. Even if years have passed since you last studied in a classroom or hurried your own children to school each morning, the start of a new school year seems to mark a change of pace. I never feel quite ready for summer to end, though as a child I always looked forward to the start of a new school year. I loved shopping for school supplies and picking my outfit to wear on the first day of school. My mom always photographed my sister and me standing with our backpacks and lunch-boxes, ready for a new year of friends and learning.
This year, as children return to school and adults begin to feel the pace of life increase, I hope you will set love of God and neighbor as the drumbeat to which you march through the changing of the seasons. The fast-paced, self-centered rhythm of the world around us can be distracting and even overwhelming. One way that we tune into God’s rhythm is to engage in the life of the faith community and surround ourselves with others who seek to march to God’s drumbeat.

On Sept. 11, Eliot will throw a “Back-to-School Celebration” to help you and your family start the year off right. We will worship in South Common with a “blessing of the backpacks” for our children and youth. Leaders from the congregation will be sharing about opportunities for spiritual growth and service. There will be a potluck lunch, plenty of time for fellowship, and maybe even a pick-up soccer match. We are inviting our neighbors to join us, so you might even meet a new friend!

I hope you will come to the Back-to-School Celebration on Sept.11 to discover the many ways of being connected at Eliot Church and learn where God might be leading you in the year to come. Meet some of your neighbors in the pew and make a new friend or two. And go ahead, put on your best “first day of school” outfit. You might even find an excuse to buy a new Bible or a pack of multi-colored ink pens!