Storm’s come in all shapes and sizes,
some that last a day, some that last months, years and even lifetimes.
When the storms in our lives occur, and they always do, who do we turn
to? The disciples were afraid for their lives in a small boat with Jesus
when the seas of Galilea were frothing and battering them. Jesus was
sleeping soundly in the stern of the boat, unfazed by the storm surrounding him
and his companions. When awakened, Jesus raised his arms commanding the seas
and wind to subside and then turned to his disciples saying “Do you still have
no faith?”
Today is Father’s day, and I could
talk about being a father, or even my own father, and what joy I have
experienced, but the idea of storms has been so overwhelming this week, I feel
called to talk about them. I do thank God for Brian and Scott, my late
father Tom and Amy’s dad Jarrold all of them considered a wonderful gift from
above! Happy father’s day.
Christ calls all of us to be his
light in this world, to help others when they experience storms in their
lives. A violent storm erupted this week in Charleston, SC at the Emanuel
African Methodist Episcopal Church. A ferocious storm that can only
diminished through the power of love and forgiveness. Yes, I said
forgiveness. The individual that committed this atrocity will be held
accountable to the laws of man, and ultimately sit in judgement by God.
However, Christ calls us to forgive, just as he called out to God – "Father,
forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." We need to
do our part to help heal the brokenness that created such hate. We must
look at each person as a wonderful creation of God, to sow seeds of love and
acceptance. The headline could have easily been from the City of
Rochester. To work against this type of hate, we must develop
relationships to build on the attitude that we are ALL God’s children
regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation or any other description
that attempts to segregate and create barriers to the commonality of all.
Is this a call to start a new ministry working with residents of the City of
Rochester solely based on the building of relationships?
It is indeed all about
relationships! Amy and I have been members of this church for close to 30
years, and have experienced challenges and storms in our lives, and frequently
have felt Christ’s touch through members of this, our extended family here in
this place. Our lives have become a tapestry of threads made up of all of
the people in this place, forever intertwined with us as a community of
faith. We indeed feel that Christ’s love permeates this sanctuary, these
rooms, these halls and mostly – these people in our lives. We are blessed
in spite of the storms that at times rage all around us. What can we do
to allow this mindset, this wonderful feeling to extend outward from this
place?
As you might have heard last week,
our son Scott has finished his Master’s degree and is now headed off to Lander
University to begin his career. Our prayer for him is that he finds a
church family, like we found here, an active, living, loving church family that
will help navigate and buffer the storms that will come. More than that,
we hope that he positions himself to be Christ’s light himself, wherever the
future takes him. Scott and his older brother Brian, whose love of music
is shared through his teaching in Queens at a high needs high school, both
found friends and companions on their spiritual journey here in Youth Group and
Sunday school. They participated in a variety of Youth Group programs:
Reach Workcamp, 30 Hour famine’s, Wheel’s for the world bike trips, and many
other outreach ministries, showing them firsthand the importance of sharing
with others their time and talents. Shepherded by Mark & Pam Renfro
among others, these are lessons that they now carry with them into the future.
How have you felt the touch of Christ
from this Church family? Have you been the face of Christ for
others? To be like Christ, we are called to be actively present for all
people experiencing personal storms. As you are most likely aware, our
church has a planned deficit budget this year. Without
increase in pledges, or significant reductions in expense, we anticipate another
deficit next year. We are at a crossroads, weathering a storm. It
is time to take stock of our blessings and understand what we need from, and
for, this our family of faith. Church council appointed a team in April
to develop recommendations for improving our long term forecast. You will
be receiving a more comprehensive communication regarding the team that was
formed in the next week or two. We cannot undertake this task without the
fully informed participation of the entire congregation. We need your
help to understand and hear what God’s plan is for us. We need to hear
from you directly about what it is you feel is important about this church.
2. If you could only choose one thing,
what would you change or work to improve?
3. What program, study or other aspect
of what is offered here at FUMC do you feel is most important to your spiritual
journey?
4. What can we do to attract and retain
others to this community of faith?
Please add your sheet without your
names on them, with ideas and thoughts to the offering plates that the ushers
will collect. I promise to share what we learn with you directly!
One final story about this place,
when Scott was in first grade, Amy was in Dallas Texas on a business
trip. I was with the two boys, and Scott ended up being admitted to the
hospital at 11pm. I was distraught and all alone at the hospital. An
Angel was sent in the guise of Margaret Scott. She helped focus and calm
me from the raging currents of my fears. A steady stream of family
members from FUMC continued to reach out, personifying Christ, steadying Amy
and I during this emotionally difficult time. This is just one of many
stories where so many of this family of faith intervene weekly as emissaries of
Christ. The impact of this family of faith on our lives is irreplaceable,
it was most definitely divine action that led Amy and I here to this place we consider
hallowed ground. God is good, all the time! All the time, God is
good!
Are you looking for and seeing
other’s experiencing storms? What will be your response? I ask you
to look for and be Christ’s light in the eyes of the people next to you, behind
you and in front of you and in the City of Rochester. We are all children
of a loving caring creator, and are called to be God’s presence here on
earth. Do you hear Christ’s call: “Do you still have no faith?” – Be
steadfast, be active, be generous, be grateful for all of the blessings in your
life, most of all, be not afraid of change, or evil in the world, for we are
not alone… Christ is with us, especially in Charleston South Carolina, the City
of Rochester and in Fairport.
Amen
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