I’ve noticed a lot of people putting quotation marks around the word “see” lately. While I understand that we as the church are no longer “seeing” one another the way we’re used to, I find this use of quotation marks limiting. The word “see” has a multitude of meanings: to perceive, to view, to discern, to recognize, to ascertain, to visit, to escort, to read. Although we don’t see one another during worship anymore, we can see the number of people currently worshiping with us on YouTube. Yes, it’s not the same as walking into the sanctuary and seeing familiar faces, but it is what we have right now, and it is enough. How many of you are scrunching up your faces because of what I just said? Believe me, I get it. Virtual worship and Bible study is not the same. Sharing a meal through FaceTime is not the same. Making pastoral care visits by phone or text or email is not the same. But it is what we have right now, and it is enough. How much are we not seeing because things are different? The word “see” is a verb. It requires action and engagement. It is not remotely passive. It’s why Jesus said these words in Matthew 13: “But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. Truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.” So here is my invitation to all of us: see. Let us go and see what we can see. Let us put on our spectacles and see the wonder of creation laid bare before us. Let us see the joy of human love and connection in the phone calls and texts and emails that we receive. Let us see the injustice in the world right in front of our faces. Let us see the path God continues to lay before us. Let us see each other more clearly. And let us see that what we have right now is enough.
Holding you in love, Rev. Andrew Frazier
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I’m so grateful for Rev. Frazier’s words in the last blog post; they were an invitation to listen deeply. As I sat with a cup of tea while I watched and listened to the rain this weekend, I listened. I listened to the drops hit the pavement outside. I listened to my wife typing at her computer. I listened to the small flicker of the candle that sat on the coffee table near me. I listened as I heard my dog snore softly near the front door. I listened to the rhythm of my own breathing.
Today I was reminded of this moment, this small ripple in a day filled with to-do lists, sound bites on the airwaves, and Zoom calls. I was reminded of it when I read these words from a favorite poet of mine: “Watching the wind in trees, I think of how spirit and inspiration both come from the same word: spīrāre [Latin, verb] ~ to breathe.” I hope that wherever you are, whenever you read these words, that you find space in the day to simply sit and breathe. Listen deeply, breathe deeply, and open yourself to that still, small, voice that speaks these words: You are beloved. You are enough. I find great release in poetry. Reading these honest words causes me to slow down, listen, and breathe. I invite you to check out Pádraig Ó Tuama’s podcast, Poetry Unbound (he’s the one who said those words above), where he reads some of his favorite poems and shares a few thoughts. You can find the podcast by clicking this link. Friends, you are beloved. You are enough. The Peace of Christ be with you. I hope to "see" you soon! Grace y paz, Rev. Mark Mares How deeply do you listen?
As you go about your week, I encourage you to set aside time each day to do nothing but sit and listen. Listen to your home - the buzz of the refrigerator, the creaks of settling wood, the sounds of your pet or child or partner. Listen to music, an entire album if you can - an album you love but haven’t listened to in a while or an album you’ve never heard before. Listen to the world - the wind rustling the trees and flowers, birds calling to one another, the falling rain, the rumble of thunder, the crack of lightning. Listen to your loved ones both near and far - the stories of their days, their unspoken words, the love in their voices. Listen to yourself, to your heart, to your soul. Listen to God - listen for that still, small voice. Just listen. What do you hear? Holding you in love, Rev. Andrew Frazier When I was a child, I loved working on art projects and refinishing furniture with my mother. Mom and I created all kinds of art together. Although I never went to art museums while growing up, I give thanks to my mom for developing my love of beauty in the world. The projects may have been small, but they brought joy to others. I believe that is what art does - it brings joy and deeper meaning into the mystery of our faith. When I was completing my Masters Degree in Practical Theology at Columbia Theological Seminary, I had to produce a final project of art for one of my elective classes, Worship and the Arts. As a musician, I thought about planning a hymn festival, since that was something I had done many times. I decided instead that I should stretch myself and create an art piece. I knew immediately what I was going to do. I would fold a thousand origami cranes out of red, yellow, and orange paper and hang them on a white dove-shaped wooden frame to suspend over the chancel on Pentecost Sunday. I began folding origami cranes and praying for people while I folded them. When the time came to present my project to the class, I folded a crane for each of my classmates with a written prayer on the inside of the origami paper. I now find myself in the midst of virtual church folding origami cranes and praying for the vulnerable people in our world who have been affected by Covid-19 and also for us, FPC members, friends, and staff who are separated and isolated in these days of shelter in place. As a new staff member I am very sad not to have been in community for Holy Week and Easter, one of my favorite liturgical weeks in the life of the church. So, as I continue to fold these cranes, know that I am lifting each of you in prayer as we live in this new (though hopefully temporary) “normal.” May the peace and comfort of Christ be with you. Dave VanderMeer I was talking with a friend of mine the other day. She talked about how their family was managing the disruption to their life -- navigating kids at home, while trying to work from home as well -- it’s a lot, and it is really hard. I’m sure you in some way or another have felt this struggle. My friend shared with me that earlier that day her 10-yr old daughter broke down and had a 40 minute tantrum. At the end, she went and sat on the couch and said, “I miss going to school. I miss my friends.” There’s a lot packed into those two short sentences, and the pain that came before it. Her daughter’s response may seem out of the ordinary, but the truth, is that it speaks to the emotions that not only our young people feel, but many if not most of us might be experiencing. As a youth worker, I try to help young people name their feelings, and learn how to respond in healthy ways. What are ways you “regulate” your emotions?
There is a great podcast that I have really enjoyed listening to from Brene Brown called, Unlocking Us. In a conversation with Dr. Marc Brackett, they talk about how we as a society do a pretty terrible job at navigating how we really feel (“we have been trained to fake our feelings, we mask them”). It is a really great conversation, and I invite you to listen to it. And know that it is ok to feel whatever it is your feeling. We’re living in an unprecedented moment. My prayer for you is that you are able to find some rest and care in this moment. Be gentle and have compassion with yourself. I leave you with this "mantra" from Kate Bowler. God is here. We are loved. It is enough. I hope to "see" you soon! Grace y paz, Rev. Mark Mares |
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