This week my mom and I are at general assembly in San Jose. We have met so many people who share the same beliefs as us. I had lots of fun watching the moderator election. We didn't get to see all of the election but we found out the next day the Bruce Reyes-Chow is the new moderator.He has 3 daughter which I think is very cool because it means he is very aware of youth views.
Bruce is 38 years old( which is younger than my mom! ) and a pastor at a new church development in San Francisco. He shared with the assembly that he is a blogger on his own church website and is always looking for new material.
My mom and I have also seen many family friends like Sheila Denton, Elizabeth Norquist, and even people from our own church like Larry and Melodee Kistner and Susan Skoglund. People have flown in from all over the country to be here.
I have enjoyed my experience at GA because it has taught me alot about our religion and the people who practice it.

This week 6-12-08

Today we bid farewell to a lion, to one whose heart and faith have touched many of us.

Bill Leonard’s memorial service is today, and we will weep and laugh as we release him into the care of the God he trusted and loved.

The stories about him are sweet and funny and inspiring, stories of friendship in spite of disagreement, of generosity and loyalty, of his enormous heart. One of the great joys of his life was mentoring others, encouraging them, helping them along.

I know that I am different because of his support: more confident, more sure of myself. I know that I was more readily received by a congregation that had never in its 137 years had a woman pastor because of Bill’s unqualified support and love than I would have been otherwise. He gave advice when asked, he gave support always, and he was funny and loved to laugh. I miss him like crazy.

Last Sunday we welcomed in 7 confirmation students (Confirmands) into full membership in the church, and we baptized an 8 year old who asked her mother to arrange it- she wanted to be baptized. This church is a place where children thrive, where they find their voices, where they discover a faith that they can live. And this church is that way, in part because Bill Leonard (and others like him) have made darn sure that people of all ages care about such things. As I look at the row of these bright, thoughtful students, standing on the chancel with their sponsors behind them, I am grateful to be part of their lives, and in awe of what God may have in mind for them. It seems to me they shine like the sun.

I am deeply grateful and full of sadness today.

It is on days like this that I am most thankful for the promises of scripture,that do not depend on how I am ‘feeling’ or on my circumstances in order to be hopeful. The eternal God is our resting place, and underneath are the everlasting arms. Come to me, Jesus says, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

What a good idea. Rest. And rest in the presence of the One who loves us best.

Thanks be to God. Amen.

THIS WEEK AT FIRST PRES

6-5-08

“He touched people we don’t even know about, he made a difference in the lives of people we don’t even know.”

These were the words spoken by Duke’s son, as he reflected on his father’s life as we prepared the memorial service. His dad was a member of this church for over 40 years, sang something like 1600 anthems with our choir, and gave of himself in numerous ways. He was a leader, whose life bespoke service and patience and also childlike playfulness and curiosity. He died of complications after an auto accident. We miss him terrifically, and will likely miss him more as days go by.

His son is right of course. Not only about his dad, but about each of us: God gives us the capacity to use our lives to bless others and change the world. We will, like it or not, touch others whose names we don’t even know.

C.S. Lewis once said that every person we meet will one day be a creature so twisted that we will no longer be able to recognize their humanness; or else a creature of such indescribable beauty and holiness that we will be tempted to fall down in worship. This is the destiny of each of us.

And every interaction we have, he said, with everyone we meet, moves them a step closer to one of those destinies or the other.

Our kindnesses, our gestures of mercy or love make a difference. Similarly, our abruptness, our mean-spiritedness, and our thoughtlessness also matter. They touch and change us, and they touch and change others.

Kevin came in today to talk about the ability to see and love beauty that was still present in his mother, even 2 days before her death from cancer. He spoke of her capacity to see, cherish, and acknowledge small kindnesses; that a lifetime of training her eyes to see goodness and beauty held her in good stead as her life neared its close.

And in my conversation with our executive presbyter this afternoon, he said, “I am convinced that there are miracles going on all around us- but we walk as if we have blinders on!”

God is at work, my friends:

using our words and actions to touch others,

Offering us small miracles of grace and beauty,

Showing us that the Spirit is present.

This Sunday, we will baptize a young child and promise to raise her to see the gifts God is continually offering, to help her recognize the miracles, to help her know about following Jesus so that her life may touch others for good.

Also this Sunday, we will bless our graduates and give thanks for their presence in our midst as they have grown up. We will pray for how their lives will go on to touch others.

And we will confirm 7 young people who feel ready to choose discipleship and unite with this community of faith to join us on the journey.

It is a sacred journey we share, my friends. “In life and death we belong to God, by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. ..” May we live as people who treasure the gift of life, who know the power of our actions, who have eyes to see the miracles of grace. Amen.

P.S.- when you show up on Sunday, look carefully at the sanctuary we call home: it has a gorgeous coat of fresh paint, and looks brand-new and beautiful! a small miracle we helped make happen!