NEWTONVILLE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
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Palm Sunday Power

3/31/2020

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“What we often call the triumphal entry was actually an anti-imperial, anti-triumphal one, a deliberate lampoon of the conquering emperor entering a city on horseback through gates opened in abject submission.” –John Dominic Crossan on Palm Sunday
 
We are approaching the end of our Lenten journey, which one Facebook meme describes as the “Lentiest Lent we’ve ever Lented.” This time of isolation, of insecurity and fear, of suffering, has aligned somewhat appropriately with this season of the church. It has forced us to pause, to reflect on our priorities, to face questions of life and death. Now, however, as Holy Week draws near, we begin to anticipate Easter and the dawning realization that this will not be like any celebration of the resurrection that most of us have experienced.
 
Before we get there, however, we must pass through Palm Sunday and its account of Jesus entering Jerusalem through the east gate on a donkey to the triumphant cheers of gathered crowds. This procession stood in stark contrast to events at the western gate where the Roman procurator, Pontius Pilate, would have been entering with the full pomp of Caesar’s imperial representative. Where Pilate’s entourage would have carried royal banners and shown every bit of Caesar’s worldly power, Jesus’ humble entry was very much its opposite.
 
At times such as the current pandemic we depend very much on the structures and authority of government to organize medical care, to advise us on best health and welfare practices, to distribute resources where they are needed most. That is government’s purpose. As we come upon Palm Sunday, however, we remember that Jesus embodies a very different, and far greater, power and purpose. This Palm Sunday power that Jesus represents is lived out through faith, embodied in self-sacrifice, enabled by hope, restorative at its core.
 
As the secular structures of our society live out their roles, we as the church must stay true to ours. That begins with maintaining an active prayer life, because our discipleship is birthed and sustained through our relationship with God. We must maintain relationships with one another in whatever way possible – by telephone, text, email, online. Offering hope while staying rooted in the reality of our context, demanding justice for those most deeply affected, giving generously in support of our neighbors near and far – this is Palm Sunday power.
 
We may not be together again through physical community for some time. Our spiritual community, however, is where our real strength lies, and this is our opportunity to remember and recapture that. I am learning new ways of being in ministry, like gathering the Faith Village children over the internet through a Zoom conference and designing worship to be entirely online. While we will eventually gather back together in one place, we are also increasing lasting opportunities for community. May your faith, also, grow in lasting ways in the days ahead.
 
Peace for the journey,
Pastor Steve  
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Singing Our Song

3/26/2020

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“Alongside Babylon’s streams, there we sat down, crying because we remembered Zion.  We hung our lyres up in the trees there because that’s where our captors asked us to sing; our tormentors requested songs of joy: ‘Sing us a song about Zion!’ they said. But how could we possibly sing the Lord’s song on foreign soil?” Psalm 137:1-4 (CEB)
 
I have recently read several articles naming something that we are all navigating in our own way – grief. Whether it’s because of something that has already been lost or those things we fear losing in the face of immense uncertainty, we are all experiencing a collective form of grief. For some, this may be compounding a recent loss. For others, there may be underlying traumas that have never really been resolved. Grief is a complicated mix of emotions and responses that is inherently human.
 
The people of Judah knew the grief of loss and separation well, as they lived for generations in exile. Perhaps you can identify with the sense of loss and despair as the Psalmist laments, “How could we possibly sing the Lord’s song on foreign soil?” As the church, we are seeking and learning new ways of being in community. Something like online worship which might have seemed a substitute for the real thing has now become a primary way of maintaining our connection as the Body of Christ.
 
If you read the remainder of Psalm 137, you’ll find that there is no resolution and not much hope in its words. Instead it speaks of retribution and revenge, expressing a deep anger in response to suffering. Look ahead to Psalm 138, however, and you’ll find these words of hope: “On the day I cried out, you answered me. You encouraged me with inner strength.” (v. 3) Here is an invitation to cry out – to claim your grief and name your despair – and a promise of God’s response.
 
In the midst of our uncertainty and in the face of our fear there are signs of strength and acts of hope. When I contact members of our congregation, I find that others have been in touch with them as well. People ask for addresses and phone numbers so that they can reach out to offer comfort and support. Many people were able to participate in worship online, while others read scripture and prayed on their own. Together, each in our own ways, we are singing the Lord’s song.
 
Please continue to connect with one another. Reach out to people you know – and even people you don’t – to maintain Christian community. Join us for online worship if you’re able to; if you’re not, continue your personal study and prayer. If you are able, continue to make an offering to the church by mail (or if you would like to sign up for electronic giving call or email and we will have Kathy Franklin contact you). We will not stop being the church. We will keep singing the Lord’s song. 
 
Please know that I pray for you every day, and I appreciate your prayers for me. I truly believe that when we cry out to God we are heard, and God answers. That is my hope. That is my song.
 
Peace for the journey,
Pastor Steve  
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Separately Together

3/19/2020

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“We were saved in hope. If we see what we hope for, that isn’t hope. Who hopes for what they already see? But if we hope for what we don’t see, we wait for it with patience. In the same way, the Spirit comes to help our weakness. We don’t know what we should pray, but the Spirit herself pleads our case with unexpressed groans.” Romans 8:24-26
 
Methodism has always been an outside-the-box faith. When John Wesley wasn’t welcomed in churches, he preached at mines and on street corners. He gathered people in classes for spiritual support. He authorized lay people, including women, to preach. And when he saw that people in the American colonies weren’t being cared for, he charged Thomas Coke to ordain Francis Asbury, setting them both apart as superintendents of a new form of Christian connexion.
 
We are now at an unprecedented time in the modern church. When tragedies or obstacles have confronted us in the past we have drawn together in gathered community to pray and share our burdens together. This time we can’t do that. This time we have to remain physically apart from one another. This time, however, is an opportunity for us to remember who we are – an outside-the-box faith. We were made for such a time as this.
 
Newtonville will not be gathering in person for worship until further notice. We have closed the building to outside groups, and will not be holding any church meetings in person. This obviously creates some significant challenges. We will continue to offer a livestreamed worship on the internet for those with access. For those without, we’ll send reflections out in the mail. If church teams need to meet, we will use electronic meeting formats like Zoom.
 
We are also asking people to check in on each other. That means, of course, those who live alone, those who are at higher risk (the elderly, people with lower immunity, those with respiratory issues). I also invite you, however to check in on any and all members of our congregation. Parents with children at home, people who are out of work, those who work in healthcare, first responders, pastors – there are many who will be isolated and under stress.
 
If you are able to continue your financial commitment we encourage you to do so. For those who do not use electronic giving, please mail your contributions to the church office attn.: Kathy Franklin. If you would like to begin electronic giving please email the church office and we will put Kathy in touch with you. Also, office hours for now will change to mornings 9-12, and office days will continue to be Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.
 
The Good News is this – we are still the church, God is still God, and the Spirit is still at work in our world. We will be frightened, we will be frustrated, we will be confused. We will grieve, we will struggle, we will wait. Even when we don’t know what to pray, the Spirit prays for us and God knows our deepest needs. We can’t see it, maybe can’t imagine or even feel it. That, however, is our hope. Not our wish, but our deepest belief. God is with us.
 
Peace for the journey,
Pastor Steve  

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    Occasional notes from the pastor with seasonal emphases or about current issues.

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