Our theme for Lent this year is “Practicing Awareness,” and we will begin to explore what this means during our Ash Wednesday service this evening at 7p in the sanctuary.  This will be a short service that will include not only the usual scripture reading, prayer, and singing but also plenty of time for silence and stillness.  We will put ashes on each other’s forehead and say the words, “Remember that you are dust and to dust you will return.”  These words are a way of practicing awareness of our own mortality, but they are also a reminder that it is within and through these mortal bodies that we are being blessed by God.  We came from dust and we will someday return to dust, but God continues to do amazing, beautiful, holy things with dust.  During Lent we are called to become aware of what things are leading us

“I am one with the source insofar as I act as a source, by making everything I have received flow again—just like Jesus.” -Raimon Panikkar, Christophany I love this line from today’s Inward/Outward Together daily quote.  It fits well with our stewardship series.  It’s a good image – to think of our time, talents, and treasure as things that flow.  They are things we have received flowing towards us from the Source. We have choices about whether we allow them to dam up and create our own personal reservoir, or whether we let them flow through us.  Reservoirs actually aren’t so bad an idea.  Good planning involves reservoirs.  They provide sustenance in dry times.  Significant amounts of water, when released strategically, can create hydro-electric power that empowers others.  The shadow side of this is that large reservoirs can destroy sensitive surrounding habitat.  And how much is enough to collect before it’s

If you were at the congregational meeting in November (or if you read the minutes, which I’m sure everyone does), you will remember hearing that I have decided to move forward with pursuing ordination.  Many within the congregation either assume that I am already ordained, or they don’t have a clear sense about what that even means.  Honestly, one of the reasons I have not started this process earlier is because I, too, have been trying to figure it all out. What does it mean to be ordained in a tradition with a strong emphasis on the “priesthood of all believers?”  In the next few months there will be a lot of paperwork that I will have to do to help me figure out how to answer that question, but as part of that process, it is important to make sure the congregation also has a good understanding of what

First, a couple updates: 1)     As of yesterday, the 24/7 vigil at the Bethel church in The Hague is no longer necessary.  The Dutch ruling coalition has agreed to review hundreds of children’s asylum applications, including those of the Tamrazyan family who had been sheltered in the church.  This is a powerful example of people of goodwill having moral influence toward public officials.  If you haven’t heard it, PRI’s The World covered our participation in the vigil on MLK Day.    2)     Edith’s 500th day in Sanctuary at CMC falls on February 14th, Valentine’s Day.  Keep your eyes open for a creative opportunity to invite friends, family, and networks to share the love with Edith and family by donating toward their needs. —————- Monday of last week was dedicated to the non-stop vigil in the Bethel church in The Hague.  On Tuesday and Wednesday our hosts showed us around.  Part of our tour included visiting two historic Mennonite “hidden churches.”  Both

Austin McCabe Juhnke and I arrived in the Netherlands yesterday.  We ended up leaving Columbus a day early to avoid airport weather delays.  We are being hosted by a couple who attends the Mennonite church in The Haag.  They live near the Bethel church which is hosting the round the clock vigil to protect the Tamrazyan family.  They have been in the country nine years, are political refugees, and are living in the church to avoid being deported to Armenia.  Government officials will not enter the building as long as there is a religious service in progress. Interestingly, our visit coincides with a significant political development here.  One of the country’s four parties has changed their position on child asylum and now supports a more generous law.  This was front page national news today, which included a picture of the Bethel church action, and mention of two Americans from Ohio coming