ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
December 31, 2023
If all religions want peace, then why are we having such a difficult time achieving it? I would like to suggest that religions do not want peace. Almost all of the people who inspired the major religions of the world wanted peace, but once they became religions, they also became institutions. Institutions are wired to protect themselves at any cost, and whatever the original values might have been, they are set aside for the sake of the primary objective, which is the survival of the institution. Sorry to be the pessimist once again, yet the church’s primary metaphor was not based on any modern-day school of organization. Instead, the image the Apostle Paul used was that of a body. It was a very organic image, and the purpose of this body was (and is) to love. If you think about it, love is a rather immeasurable concept that does not fit the qualifiable markers that institutions seek to achieve. In the church, a group of people striving to be the Body of Christ, faithfulness expressed in love is the primary purpose or function. It is sort of impossible to say, “We’ve had a 30% increase in love this year.” But those who are following Jesus, if they are serious about the work, are constantly striving to grow in their capacity to love as Jesus loved. And even when it appears as if that love is making little or no difference in the world, we keep on doing what we have been called to do.

O God of Love, O Giver of Goodness and Grace, we have too often taken the message you embodied in a body and created rules and bureaucracy in the strange belief that we can manufacture the Christian product better than what you called forth through your Spirit. Not that a little structure and organization are bad things, but we pray for the capacity to toss away anything we might have established in the greater pursuit of sharing love with the world. Amen.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
December 30, 2023
Today is the day that Donna and I celebrate the anniversary of our wedding ceremony. Though we will celebrate without much fanfare today (we are going on a cruise later in January as our official hoopla), it remains a day filled with memory and immeasurable joy. As I often say, it is ONLY by the grace of God that another human being has put up with me all these years. Along with our anniversary, December 30 is the day in the Christian calendar when we celebrate the Holy Family—Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. Tomorrow in worship, we will look at one of the few passages that provides us with any information about this family in their earliest days/weeks. It’s interesting how they did the usual stuff as required by their faith tradition, including a trip to the temple. And there at the temple, people were waiting to celebrate. Now please understand that I am not attempting to draw a correlation between my family and the Holy Family. Yet I think it is wonderful that we find Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus doing what ordinary people would have done—they went to the temple for a blessing and an offering of gratitude. It sort of feels as if that wasn’t necessary for them, yet I want to believe that what made them the Holy Family was their lives being an intersection of the sacred and the ordinary. And then, if I can take it one more step and say that I believe this moment in scripture does not, in fact, reveal something out of the ordinary, but is a window through which we are able to see every family and relationship as sacred, whether a marriage, friendship, mentorship, etc. Don’t get me wrong—I still hold in great respect the original Holy Family, yet I think part of their purpose was to remove the divide that religion has often imposed between “the sacred and the profane.” As I look at the message of Jesus, from his birth to his death, I find a God who is present in every moment and every situation. Recognizing that Holy Presence in what we might call the mundane requires a new set of lenses and a very different perspective, yet I sort of believe the birth of Jesus and his first few weeks of life help give us the new vision that suggest that all is sacred.

Holy and Magnificent God, give me eyes to see and a heart made available to an understanding of life that you have brought to us. Even where the world has said that something is unholy and beyond redemption, the Jesus story tells me that you are already present in ways that I need to be able to name. Help me with my capacity to see. Amen.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
December 29, 2023
In just a few days, our lives will forever change. We will make dramatic resolutions that will shift the trajectory of our individual lives, and then we’ll see the world change around us. And a day or two later, most of us will find ourselves slipping back into our old habits and long-held practices. Ok, some of you are thinking that I’m being a bit too pessimistic, and I hope you are right. But studies show that New Year's Resolutions are a significant challenge. 25% of resolutions are forgotten within one week of the new year, and less than 10% are still committed 60 days into the new year. It is tough, but I believe Psalm 37 offers something for us to ponder. It says, “Commit your way to the Lord! Trust in the Lord, and know that God will act…” Instead of waiting for January 1st, I encourage people to begin with small things on any day of the year. At the same time, choose goals that help you become the person you believe God created you to be, and I believe that when they align with God’s hope for our lives, then God will help us make a way. So maybe in the days ahead, spend some time pondering what change in your life God might be suggesting. I started this prayerful thought a few days ago, and though it is only a coincidence that it is occurring around New Year's, it is a prayerful question I have asked myself many times over the years. I don’t want to pretend that it’s brought dramatic change each time, but I have noticed shifts in my life that I believe honored the ways of God and, in some small ways, helped me to live a little more in the ways of Jesus.

Lord Jesus, provide me with an awareness of where some change might be needed in my life, and I believe you will help me every step of the way, loving me when I succeed and when I falter. With that kind of grace, I know change can happen. Amen.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
December 28, 2023
Open mouth—insert foot! Recently, I had a real doozy. On December 17, our newest ministry venture, the Anti-Racism/Pro-Reconciling group, met for lunch immediately after worship. If you remember, we received a grant from the Reconciliation Ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Over lunch, around 20 people gathered for an initial conversation that we hope to expand to more and more people, both folks who attend Cypress Creek and those in the larger community. Like always, I was running late as we had first-time visitors in worship, and I wanted to spend some time talking. When I arrived, the room was divided into two sections, with four tables in a square on both sides of the room. Everyone else was eating, and John Basel asked me a simple question: Which side would you like to be on? My filter, especially when I am tired, can sometimes move into my boyhood filter. I was and still am a Star Wars freak, and I immediately pounced on the word “side” and connected it to Darth Vader. I said, “I’ll choose the dark side.” Take a moment and let what I said soak in. Remember, I am entering a space where the focus of this committed group of people is to explore both the explicit and implicit racism in our culture. And I just said that I wanted to sit on the “dark” side. I don’t believe anyone thought I was being intentionally insensitive in the moment, but I wonder how often I have tried to be funny, yet my lack of awareness or sheer stupidity has brought injury to others. In such moments, as I did that afternoon, I apologized and tried to use it as a learning experience. Insensitivity, even when it was unintentional, needs to be named and an apology offered. When we name our faux pas, it says to someone who might have been hurt, “I see you, and I will try to be more mindful.” Change comes through awareness and grace from others.

Provide me ears to hear, Merciful God, as I need to listen ever-so-carefully to my own words. Help me as I do the hard work of becoming more compassionate and understanding in a world where disrespect and hate seem to find approval from those in power. I wish for my life to offer an alternative, a vision of who you are, Gracious God. Amen.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
December 27, 2023
So often, I wake up on Christmas morning in a sort of fog from the Christmas Eve experience. There have been years where I didn’t remember things very clearly, but this year was very different. Though we had four services and I preached three separate sermons, I felt more present in the experience than most years. Quite often, we clergy need to worship outside of the services where we are preaching and leading, as we are too focused on what comes next. Yet Sunday evening, at both services (very different services), I felt as if I were in the moment, even having worshipful experiences where I was unaware (for a few minutes) of what came next. The good part was that I did not have one of those moments where I was looking around wondering who was to speak next, only to realize that I was the one who missed my cue. I share this because, in retrospect, it sort of seemed to fit with the theme around unexpected happenings. As I shared at the 8pm service, we have made the unexpected feel very expected, even routine. Yet, let’s sit with the words from Luke 2:9: “The Lord’s angel stood before the shepherds, the Lord’s glory shone around them, and they were terrified.” I don’t know about you, but I have been known to read those words like I’m reading a grocery list. “Let’s look here—we need four shepherds, some sheep, an angel, and some good ripe glory. I think that’s it.” Of course, the unexpected brought fear to the shepherds, while my unexpected brought both peace and joy. I guess I should not assume to know what to expect from the unexpected.

Your gospel of immeasurable and unconditional love, O God, is beyond unprecedented, yet we have too often confined it and reshaped it to fit a very measurable and conditional definition of love. Forgive us, and let us relinquish whatever anxiousness keeps us from being caught off guard, even stunned by the gifts you give. Amen.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
December 26, 2023
Let me begin by giving a big thank you to those who were guest Etching writers last week: James Seymour, Chip Bettis, Paula Byrd, Marilyn Lewellen, Paula Gembala, and Robert Neunkirch. I loved how each of them was very unique, sharing a personal experience that spoke to the moment. And to be honest, it was a gift to me beyond enjoying what they wrote. I got a break from writing, and it was a good time to focus my energy elsewhere. 

As I reflected on those Etchings, I had a sort of epiphany in regard to Christmas. Christmas is a date on the calendar, a central part of the Christian story, and something for which most people could provide a dictionary definition. Yet, in reading the thoughts of these seven people, the distinctiveness of each experience and their insight began to broaden the potential explanations of Christmas. Scientists are always trying to view things objectively, seeking to identify bias and perceived notions so as to not blur the results of an experiment. This is a good thing in the world of science. Yet in the world of faith, our convictions are inseparably tied to emotion, nostalgia, and life-shifting events. So often, religion believes it is capable of creating a sterile and unambiguous definition of a sacred mystery like Christmas, and because religion is so proud of its definitions, it seeks to impose them and declare anything sounding antithetical to be heretical. Maybe instead of trying to impose structure on something like Christmas, we should make space for the Spirit to touch a person’s heart in light of that individual’s own set of experience-shaped lenses.

Thank you, Amazing God, for the beautiful and sacred mysteries that define my most strongly held beliefs. As I name my own, help me to listen carefully to others, seeking to understand them to the best of my ability. Amen.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
December 25, 2023
Guest Writer: Robert Neunkirch 
Five years ago, our little Emmalina came into the world facing more challenges than anyone should ever have to endure.  Our baby girl was a fighter from Day 1 and had no desire to stay in the hospital any longer than necessary.  She was expected to be in the NICU for some time.  We were hopeful she could come home by New Years.  Imagine our surprise when we went to see her the morning of Christmas Eve and the doctors said she had improved more than anyone could have anticipated.  They started talking about sending her home that day.  And that’s exactly what they did.  Every doctor and specialist that needed to sign off on her release, made it happen.  We were blessed that she was well and forever thankful that all of the doctors took the time to make her release possible, despite the holiday.  The first time our little angel woke up in her own bed was Christmas morning!

I’m positive the Christmas meal wasn’t perfect that year and there were probably fewer presents than normal.  I honestly don’t remember many details of that Christmas Day.  I know without a doubt though, that it was the best Christmas we ever had!

Father, thank you for teaching us perspective.  Only you can take the most trying of times and turn them into beautiful miracles.  As we thank you for the miracles in our own lives, we also remember the miracle of Jesus in a manger.  All is truly possible through Christ.  Amen.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
December 24, 2023
Guest Writer: Rev. Paula Gembala 
I grew up in a large family, there were 6 of us kids, and our parents.  When we were younger, our parents used to give  each of us a set amount of money for us to go out and buy Christmas gifts for each other.  It wasn’t a lot of money so it really took some thinking and searching for just the right gifts to buy.  Each of us went on a different day and would return home to get the wrapping paper, ribbon and bows to wrap and decorate our gifts.  By the time each of us had done our shopping and put the wrapped gifts under the tree, we were all amazed at how many gifts there were!  We knew we couldn’t pick up the gifts so we would just sit and try to guess what might be in each box!  I don’t think any of us ever guessed right!  It was still fun dreaming and wondering if we were right!  

One of my favorite Christmas memories was back in the late 70’s when all of us kids came home with our kids and spent Christmas all together with our parents, which didn’t happen very often.  All the women would be in the kitchen day after day making Christmas goodies.  We had so much fun working together!  I don’t know how we all fit in that kitchen together with all our babies, but we did!  The men were in charge of the toddlers and older kids, keeping them occupied and having fun!

On Christmas Eve we all gathered around in the living room, the kids were so excited as they knew they were going to open their gifts.  We sang Christmas carols and told stories until the children couldn’t wait another second.  They each took turns opening their gifts.  They were so excited and filled to the brim with joy.  This particular year, for some reason I really noticed my Dad.  He had the biggest smile on his face as he watched each of his grandchildren opening the gifts.  This went on and on as we all opened our gifts but my Dad waited to the last.  I don’t remember the exact gift he opened but I do recall his surprise and that smile grew even bigger!  I treasure this memory so much as I believe it was the last Christmas that all of us were together.

This memory reminds me to cherish each moment as we never know when it will be the last.  What I wouldn’t give to go back and have one more Christmas like this one, to see my parents again and my brother.  Make the most of every second you have together with your loved ones, make wonderful memories together as one day that will be all you have, the memories. 

Wonderful Counselor, Thank you for these wonderful and cherished memories we have.  Help us to always remember to make the most of every second we have together, to make memories that will live on even when we are no longer here. Amen.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
December 23, 2023
Guest Writer: Marilyn Lewellen, Elder 
It was about 20 Christmas' ago that I received the most unusual phone call.  The tremoring, aged voice in my ear asked for me by name, or at least, SOMEONE with my name.  But I didn’t recognize the caller, and I suggested he had the wrong number.

​Clearly, this unexpected caller was disturbed with my “wrong number” response.  He confirmed my phone number, insisting it's accuracy, since he had gotten it from the information operator!  Now, for the sake of this recollection, and because I can’t recollect his name, I’ll call this stranger Mr. West.  (Lack of name recall can be so frustrating...)

Mr. West went on to explain he was actually calling to speak with my mother.—Then I was really confused.  Mom had passed some three years prior.  I was certain my mother hadn’t known this man.  But he was insistent that I was her daughter.

It seemed Mr. West was calling from Idaho, still living in the same house across the street from this person he was searching for.  But this long-time neighbor and friend had moved away a number of years before. Her health was not so good due to past injuries in an auto/pedestrian accident. Mr. West believed she had moved to Spring to be with her daughter.  Her daughter’s name was Marilyn Lewellen. 

Mr. West was 86 at that time, and widowed.  There was a determination in his tired voice, something of a deep need to wish his long time friend a very Merry Christmas.

Over the years, I had heard of this Marilyn Lewellen person with whom I shared names.  Marilyn was a well-known and honored band director at Klein High School, had been for several years.  Marilyn lived in the area, and we both shopped at the same grocery.  Cashiers were Klein students. It was not unusual for one to do a double take when verifying the name on my check.  (Remember when we wrote checks rather than using credit or debit cards?)  There was also the Music Rack where my music and Marilyn’s were often switched.

​God has given me a couple of exciting and satisfying callings in life.  One of them is helping people find people.  It has been my joy to find and reunite loved ones.  In this case, it became my Christmas gift to help Mr. West find HIS Marilyn Lewellen, the daughter of his lost neighbor and friend.  And it was also time for me to meet this Marilyn, after so many years of our paths ALMOST crossing. 

Locating Marilyn was not too difficult for a genealogy hobbyist.  My phone call was greeted with…. “I AM SO GLAD TO FINALLY MEET YOU!”  Marilyn and I had a wonderful exchange,  She had definitely not forgotten her former neighbor, Mr. West, and would make it possible for him and Marilyn’s mother to reconnect.  As luck would have it, Marilyn’s mom, now well into her years, had moved back to Idaho, living not far from Mr. West.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
December 22, 2023
Guest Writer: Paula Byrd, Elder
Back in the early 1980s after I had finished college and got my first real "full time" job, I remember how hard it was for me to have to work the week of Christmas. I hadn't earned any vacation time yet so I had to work a half day on Monday, Christmas Eve, and then be back in the office on Wednesday, the 26th, and work the rest of the week.  This meant I had to work Friday, December 28th, my birthday.  It really put me in a bad mood because that was my "big time" of the year.  But, when my sister and her family showed up Christmas morning, my nephew Josh, who would be turning 4 on December 31st, was not only excited that it was Christmas morning, but his birthday was coming up and he would get to share a cake with me! That meant the world to me and got me out of my funky mood. It really put things in perspective for me. His excitement was contagious and gave me something to look forward to while working the rest of the week. It didn't matter anymore that I had to work, Josh and I would be eating birthday cake together real soon!

Gracious God,
Thank you for blessing me with the people in my life. Thank you for family. For placing a child in my life who can lift my spirits with the excitement of sharing a birthday cake with me. Amen.