These are truly challenging times. It takes a special kind of courage just to read the morning paper or listen to the evening news. Who would have thought? I remember sitting by the cistern with my grandpa on summer evenings. His generation had experienced the effect of the Great Depression. Yet, he and my grandma were married in 1929. They faced the future together, started a family and made a life amid that depressing and tumultuous time in our economic history. Grandpa often wished out loud that we would never again see such a time. He hoped his family--in generations yet to come--would never have to experience a similar trouble. I wonder what my grandpa would have said about our trouble . . . .
Last evening the Conference Council met for its monthly meeting. The Council is the governing body of the this church in which I serve as Conference Minister. It was a long session, as we faced some very hard news. Our cash will run short (probably run out) in early 2012, with our current rate of spending and current level of contribution from the local churches. Added to that news, we received a budget proposal for 2012 from a group of leaders who have worked diligently over the past five months to prepare it. That budget has a $62,000 deficit as its bottom line. There was deep concern because the members who sit at the Council table have a commitment to the health and vitality of the Conference and the ministries that it provides to so many others. The discussion also held proclamations of hopefulness and expressions of faith in our God, who still provides in great abundance and calls us to be faithful in the midst of challenging times.
This morning I am wondering: What is the one thing . . . the essential thing . . . that I can do right now to make a positive difference in the New Hampshire Conference? My meditation turns to Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38ff. Mary, as she sat attentively listening at Jesus' feet, was commended for choosing "the better part." Rather than becoming distracted with too much serving, with too much trouble, with too much bad news--it is time to sit and listen. "Be still, and know," that amid the cataclysmic changes of earth our God is still exalted in the midst of it it all (Psalm 46).
A memory springs forth of white-robed confirmands kneeling on the chancel steps. Hands are placed on their heads in blessing. A community prays in fervent hope for their life as disciples of Jesus Christ. And, in the end, leaders' hands are extended in support as a word of commission is spoken, "Rise and serve in the name of our Lord." It is the holy rhythm. Service is born in the kneeling. Proclamation grows in the listening. Courage comes with in a blessing that is prayed over us.
Today is my day to kneel anew . . . .
Come and join me.
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