Reassurance, I hope, I promise!
By Beth Fultz, Director of Christian Education
As we travel these difficult times collectively, I wonder what we have to offer each other to build up the body of Christ? With economic challenges, jobs at a premium, political polarity, families torn by divorce, children pulled between parents, loved ones seriously ill, demands by employers or coaches or sports leaders or teachers or church leaders…how do we find contentment? Reassurance. Love and respect each another.
Reassurance. That’s what I can give, I hope, to you. You are a child of God, beloved by the Almighty. We are loved despite our weaknesses, our sins, our choices, our mistakes, our lives. Can you feel it? Yes, I’m more the “emotionally-connected” Christian than my counterparts who are the “intellectual-scientific-historical-fact finding” Christians or agnostics. It’s important that we “coexist” together as it is imperative that St. Stephen Presbyterian Church continues its oft quoted faith statement, “We are an intentionally inclusive community of believers!” I admire the group of people who originated both the “intentionally inclusive…” moniker and the “Co-exist” movement.
This inclusivity means more than the current fashion of gender, don’t you think? It means that that we understand differences like: those who prefer global warming theories over those wary of those findings; those who prefer tattoos versus those who can’t fathom the need; those who like the way we style our worship at St. Stephen over those who would prefer hands in the air worship. Reassurance. Our differences make us colorful.
The more personal conversations that occur between church members, visitors and I, the more compatibility I find with each. Our current American culture is so focused on “versus”, “winning”, “losing the prize”, or “kicking someone out” than tolerance. How horrible that we participate in such viewing of television or internet or popular trends. So many of us are hurting for reasons unknown that we need the support of each other with conversation, attention, and non-judgemental companionship. Reassurance. We are hearing each other.
Do you have a story to share with a deacon, staff member, a Sunday School Class, a group of friends in the church? Shall we cry together? Sing? Discuss opposite points of view? Hold one another? Suffer together? I’ll be one to volunteer for such duty. I’m not scared of our differences or points of views or pain.
Reassurance. We’ll be available for each other.
Have you been to church lately and marveled in the aplomb of the children of St. Stephen during the Children Sabbath worship services in September? Did you attend the Blessing of the Animals on the Lawn? Horses, a goat, dogs of every breed and mix, a cat or two, friends and strangers celebrating the love of all God’s creatures. What about the Latino sound of CANTA during the World Communion worship services? Smooth and silky, I wanted to dance during the entire worship service. Do you agree? If not, let’s talk about it. St. Stephen is challenging our norm. Reassurance. Things will change, but we can proceed hand in hand.
Your intellect, my emotion; your tears, my laughter; your scholarly view, my practical view. I promise that I’ll try to be there for you. I hope that this reassurance is helpful, and that we as a church body, build each other up, care for one another, celebrate our differences, and marvel how God’s quirky shuffling of humanity brought us together.
I hope, (I promise to hope), that we collectively treat one another with respect, love, and understanding in the everlasting love of Jesus Christ. I hope that your intellect will accept my emotional plea. Want to join me in this pledge? Reassurance. Let’s dance.