When There Are No Words

Sometimes I cannot find words to express myself. Usually this is when my feelings are the deepest and most intense, whether positive or negative. As I've read and listened to the news commemorating the anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks, I notice that others have had the same experience. "There are no words for how I feel," many people said.

I am comfortable with the language of "no words." Sometimes less is more. When tragedy strikes, I sit in stunned silence; when I am surprised by joy, I beam wordlessly. Communication is happening, it's just not out loud. I call this kind of communication, "prayer." It's my favorite kind of prayer because it's the most authentic; it's straight from my heart to God's ears. It doesn't have to make sense, it doesn't have to have the right syntax, there is no screening of thoughts and feelings. My prayer is just out there and it's fine.

Maybe you have had the same kind of experience in the last few days as you've considered the tragedy of 10 years ago. Don't worry if you can't find words, you don't need them. Use the language of "no words," and trust me, God will hear you as clearly as if you spoke the words with the most eloquent language.

The Great Blue Heron

I have an outdoor fish pond, and am very familiar with predators arriving for an easy meal. Owls, Raccoons, Kingfishers and Great Blue Herons have all come to hunt. More than once, I have returned home to find a Heron standing in a tree close to my pond. (That's right, Herons will stand or roost up in trees!)

On the advice of a local pet store owner, I purchased a life-sized plastic Heron decoy and placed it close to my pond. The theory is that if a real Heron flies over the pond and sees what it thinks is a fellow bird, it will not come in for a meal. However, if it sees more than one, it will join the flock.

Fortunately, God is not a Heron! He will "fly in" for the one person or the many. Christians are not Herons, either. We also "fly in" for the one and the many, sharing nourishment for soul and body, sharing the good news of God's love. (photo courtesy flickr/jokerswild1963)

Consciously Choosing Elderhood

I recently made a trip to Mt. Shasta for a week long retreat. Six "young elders," all of us over 60, gathered to contemplate moving into the last one-third of our lives. We wanted to make a conscious choice about this transition from middle age to Elder.

What does it mean to be an Elder? How will I handle being retired and a senior citizen? What is God calling me to do or be when I can't do or be what I was as a younger person? (Darn it, where are my glasses, where did all my energy go, who made the newspaper print so small, and what the heck is a Blackberry?! You make jam out of blackberries, right?)

We shared our stories, made decisions about what we wanted to let go or leave behind us: outdated attitudes, dreams, fantasies, old ways of thinking about who we are. We dreamed new dreams about who we want to be as wise elders, sharing our life experiences and wisdom with those coming along behind us. We spent a quiet day near the mountain, listening for God's voice and praying for direction.

We returned refreshed, renewed, and a bit wiser about ourselves and where we want to be as we grow older. We stated our intentions to each other, sharing our witness, and our love. We're not old! We're Elders, just not as young as we used to be.

Grace Church is over 100 years old, already a wise Elder. Now, she is at a cross roads and choices must be made regarding her next several years of life. We, as her people, have an opportunity to make wise, conscious, and God centered decisions about the future. Who are we? What is God calling us to be or do in our community? Where do we want to be in ten years? Who, besides God, will help us in this endeavor?

Stay tuned! More to come after a short break!!

Blueberry Prayers

It's no secret that planting, growing and harvesting food is very satisfying. There is something special about working the earth, examining plants for blossoms and fruit and eating the fresh produce. I like how connected it makes me feel to the earth, its inhabitants and the one who created it all.

Recently I picked blueberries at a local farm and almost without realizing it, began to pray. As I picked I breathed in, when the berries hit the bucket, I breathed out. Inhale, exhale: thank you, God, for breath. Breathe in, breathe out: thank you God for the fresh, early-morning air. It seemed to me that all the pickers had this same sense of quiet rhythm. Berries. Bucket. Breath.

Thank you God for my fellow pickers who got up early to pick and pray. Bless them and bless all who will be nourished by this fruit from your earth. Bless pickers of fruit and vegetables everywhere, some working under extremely harsh conditions: long hours, hard work, scorching weather, and low pay. Bless the migrant workers, the farmers struggling to keep their farm and people like me, who simply enjoy their hobby because it connects them to the earth, its inhabitants and You, who created it all. Oh yes, and thank you for sweet, beautiful blueberries. Amen.

Thank You, Phyllis

I recently attended a memorial service for someone from church. It was a happy time. Lots of stories were shared by friends and family; some made us laugh, others brought tears to our eyes. What I liked about this service was that it was an authentic tribute to an authentic woman. Phyllis was strong, stubborn, funny and resourceful. She was not perfect. She was deeply loved.

It's wonderful when a community of friends and family can love like that. It's really a reflection of God's love for all people. God loves us because God created us. We are not loved because we are perfect or even because we are always pleasant. God loves us because...well, because.

It was a blessing to honor Phyllis with our memories, to witness the love others had for her and to know, once again, the unconditional love of God for all people. Thank you Phyllis; thank you, God.

Don't Be Afaid!

On Easter morning, when the women left the tomb after having spoken with the Angel, they encountered the risen Jesus. His first words to them were, "Don't be afraid." Perhaps someone should count all the times recorded in the Bible where we are told, "Don't be afraid." Over and over, when the unusual is encountered, we read, "Don't be afraid." What is it about an encounter with an Angel or Jesus or God a frightful thing?

Over and over we hear that our God is the God of love. Over and Over both Jesus and Paul tell us of God's love for us. Perhaps we should be counting all the times the Bible tells us this! Maybe both numbers will help us remember to be strong in our faith.

God is with us, walking with us through any situation, carrying us through the dark or shadowy times. God is with us during illness and does not abandon us in death. God is with us, multiplying our joys and dividing our sorrows. Don't be afraid!

Christ Is Risen!

Bible Reading: Matthew 28:1-10

After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

Think about this: The tomb is a place of death, but it could not hold Jesus. By the power of God, he was raised into new life and God promises the same for our life. What "tombs" threaten to diminish your life? Do you believe that the power of God can draw you out of that "tomb" and give you the power to experience new life?

Prayer: Loving God, thank you for the gift of the risen Jesus, in whom we find new life and freedom from the tomb. Amen.

Saturday of Holy Week

Bible Reading: Matthew 27:57-66

When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb. The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, “Sir, we remember what that impostor said while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ Therefore command the tomb to be made secure until the third day; otherwise his disciples may go and steal him away, and tell the people, ‘He has been raised from the dead,’ and the last deception would be worse than the first.” Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers; go, make it as secure as you can.” So they went with the guard and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone.

Think about this: What needs resurrecting in your life? What makes it hard to turn this over to God and trust that God will bring you, too, through death to new life?

Prayer: Lord God, remind us of your presence with us when we stumble, suffer, or are afraid in any way. Give us strength, courage, and peace, and help us to be an encouragement and sign of life to others. Amen.

You are invited to celebrate Easter at Grace United Methodist Church, 1520 Pleasant Street; Walla Walla, Washington.
10:00 Coffee and pastries
10:30 Worship
11:45 Easter Egg Hunt

Good Friday (the day we recall Jesus' crucifixion)

Bible Reading: Matthew 27:32-56

As they went out, they came upon a man from Cyrene named Simon; they compelled this man to carry his cross.

And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall; but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. And when they had crucified him, they divided his clothes among themselves by casting lots; then they sat down there and kept watch over him. Over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” Then two bandits were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking him, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he wants to; for he said, ‘I am God’s Son.’” The bandits who were crucified with him also taunted him in the same way. From noon on, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And about three o”clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, “This man is calling for Elijah.” At once one of them ran and got a sponge, filled it with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink.But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.”

Then Jesus cried again with a loud voice and breathed his last. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. After his resurrection they came out of the tombs and entered the holy city and appeared to many. Now when the centurion and those with him, who were keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were terrified and said, “Truly this man was God’s Son!” Many women were also there, looking on from a distance; they had followed Jesus from Galilee and had provided for him. Among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

Think about this: How does Jesus' death tell the truth about our lives and world? How does it give us hope? Where do you see God still at work to redeem and preserve creation? Where do you long to see God?

Prayer: Lord God, on the cross you suffered the very depths of our human life, even to the point of death. When we see the cross, let us remember that you become one of us and endured all elements of life to show us your great love and to give us hope. Amen.

Thursday of Holy Week

Bible Reading: Matthew 27:1-31

When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people conferred together against Jesus in order to bring about his death. They bound him, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate the governor. When Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he repented and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. He said, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” Throwing down the pieces of silver in the temple, he departed; and he went and hanged himself. But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since they are blood money.” After conferring together, they used them to buy the potter’s field as a place to bury foreigners. For this reason that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of the one on whom a price had been set, on whom some of the people of Israel had set a price, and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.”

Now Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You say so.” But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he did not answer. Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many accusations they make against you?” But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed. Now at the festival the governor was accustomed to release a prisoner for the crowd, anyone whom they wanted. At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Jesus Barabbas. So after they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you, Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” For he realized that it was out of jealousy that they had handed him over. While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for today I have suffered a great deal because of a dream about him.” Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus killed. The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” Pilate said to them, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” All of them said, “Let him be crucified!” Then he asked, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!” So when Pilate saw that he could do nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took some water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” Then the people as a whole answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!”

So he released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified. Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters, and they gathered the whole cohort around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on his head. They put a reed in his right hand and knelt before him and mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” They spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head. After mocking him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.

Think about this: Where do you see the struggle for power and the easy resort to defamation and violence in our world today? In what ways does fear poison our relationships at home and at work as well as in the larger world? What one thing would you ask God to change about your life or the world? How can you contribute to making that happen?

Prayer: Use us, Lord God, as instruments of peace in world too often broken by violence and a thirst for power. Amen.

Wednesday of Holy Week (week before Easter)

Bible Reading: Matthew 26:47-75

While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; with him was a large crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him.” At once he came up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you are here to do.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested him. Suddenly, one of those with Jesus put his hand on his sword, drew it, and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled, which say it must happen in this way?” At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But all this has taken place, so that the scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.

Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, in whose house the scribes and the elders had gathered. But Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest; and going inside, he sat with the guards in order to see how this would end. Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for false testimony against Jesus so that they might put him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward and said, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.’” The high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?” But Jesus was silent. Then the high priest said to him, “I put you under oath before the living God, tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, From now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? You have now heard his blasphemy. What is your verdict?” They answered, “He deserves death.” Then they spat in his face and struck him; and some slapped him, 68saying, “Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Who is it that struck you?”

Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant-girl came to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” But he denied it before all of them, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about.” When he went out to the porch, another servant-girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” Again he denied it with an oath, “I do not know the man.” After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you are also one of them, for your accent betrays you.” Then he began to curse, and he swore an oath, “I do not know the man!” At that moment the cock crowed. Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said: “Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

Think about this: What strengthens us to keep faith with those we care about? What tempts us to abandon them? Where have you felt abandoned? Where do you need the support of good friends? Who needs you?

Prayer: God, protect and preserve us in this world that we might keep faith with the promises and responsibilities we have undertaken, and when we feel alone remind us that you understand and are with us. Amen.

Reflections for Holy Week

Monday of Holy Week (the week before Easter)

Bible Reading: Matthew 26:1-16

When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.” Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, and they conspired to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. But they said, “Not during the festival, or there may be a riot among the people.” Now while Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment, and she poured it on his head as he sat at the table. But when the disciples saw it, they were angry and said, “Why this waste? For this ointment could have been sold for a large sum, and the money given to the poor.” But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? She has performed a good service for me. For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. By pouring this ointment on my body she has prepared me for burial. Truly I tell you, wherever this good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.” Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What will you give me if I betray him to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he began to look for an opportunity to betray him.

Think about this: Where do we see hostility and betrayal in our world? Is there anything that would be worth it to you to betray a friend? What small betrayals have we been ensnared by, and how can we make amends for them?

Prayer: Lord God, prevent us from allowing our bitterness or disappointment to lead us to harm others whether in thought or deed. Amen.

Time to Wander

A traditional metaphor for the time of Lent is "wandering in the desert".  In real life, wandering in the desert forces us to focus on the most basic physical needs.  The search for water, shelter and food drives every other thought from the mind.  There is no such thing as a trivial distraction in the scorching heat.


Our Lenten desert should force our focus on the most basic spiritual needs.  Do we thirst for prayer?  Do we hunger for quiet meditation?  Is our soul brightly lit by the journey? OK, it is possible to push the metaphor too far.

Simply put, wandering in the desert can encourage us to put down daily distractions and hold close what is really precious. There is time in every day for spiritual learning.  We just need to put aside the busy-ness and make a little space.  Time for a walk, time for prayer, time for quiet.

The desert in our modern lives doesn't have sand and sun.  It is a desert packed with activity, noise and appointments.  There is no room left for the most basic spiritual needs.  Use the final two weeks of Lent to make a tiny bit of quiet, a few moments of time.  In the Lenten desert, making time to wiggle your toes in the sand can be a spiritual journey.  (photo courtesy of flickr/sibhusky2)

Did you know?

Did you know that pews are a fairly recent addition to a church sanctuary or nave? And what is the church narthex and where is it found? What's the difference between a pulpit, lecturn, or ambo? Ambo? What on earth is an ambo? Where is the chancel?

From the top:

Originally, Christians stood for worship and in eastern churches, they still do. Placing the long, backed bench in the sanctuary (or nave) was an innovation of western medieval Christianity and Protestants borrowed the idea from the Roman Catholic Church.

In today's usage, both sanctuary and nave are terms for the area where the congregation is seated. The chancel is the area in front of the church, usually up three steps from the nave, where the pulpit, lecturn, altar and often the choir are located.

The narthex is the entryway or foyer of the church.

Some churches have two speakers stands in the front. One, usually on the left, is the pulpit where the minister stands to deliver the sermon and (historically) read the gospel lesson. The second, on the right, is called the lecturn. It is used by lay people to read the scripture lessons (but not the gospel), make announcements, or lead prayers. If there is only one speaker's stand and it is placed in the center, in front of the altar, it is called the ambo.

Strange but true:

The wall of the church behind the altar is always called the east wall, no matter which direction it is actually in. Grace Church's "east wall" is actually in the south! In the past, all churches faced east.

Every Church, Every Methodist

An important word in the United Methodist vocabulary is "connection".   We work and worship in connection with other United Methodists in surrounding communities and the region.

Our bishop, Grant Hagiya of Seattle has called all churches in our Pacific Northwest Conference to join together in a major initiative of mission outreach.  This mission is not to some far away place, it is to our brothers and sisters in the communities where we live.  The Pacific Northwest is one of the most un-churched regions of our country.  The problem is not that people are un-churched, the concern is that people have not had an opportunity to hear the message of Christ and respond in a life changing way.

We begin this initiative today, with a devotional Bible study program, continue with a special meeting of our Conference in March,  and live into plan in the coming years.  It is a really big deal for our United Methodist connection.  This Bible study, called Every Church, Every Methodist will grow us in our understanding of our missional call.  Please join together in the coming days as we prepare to do something big and new.