1 November 2018 Resurrection Lutheran Church and School 6170 Plank Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22407 Website: ResurrectionPeople.org Core Office Hours: M–F 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Belonging, Bartimaeus and community -- Mark 10:46-52 The one who sees nothing risks everything to be noticed by the one who sees everything. Bartimaeus raises his voice from the side of the road, from the margins of society. He cries out again and again, “Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me!” Louder. Louder. Louder. This concludes our 7-week “Be…” series based on the discipleship scriptures in Mark 8-10. 1 Alongside the Markan scriptures we’ve placed Dr. Brene Brown’s latest work on belonging and courage, Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone” and the practices that go with it. This week in particular I reference the last practice of “Strong back. Soft front. Wild heart.” Jesus is “on the way” and has been since chapter 8. It is the eve of the triumphal entry into Jerusalem and he prepares to make that final turn to Jerusalem, to the cross and resurrection. But before he does, there is on more healing to be done and that is Bartimaeus. Staff Pastor Heidi Moore 540-786-7778 [email protected]Office Staff 540-786-7778 Stephanie Anderson Donna Roberts [email protected]Music Ministry Leader Amy Burcher 540-368-2557 [email protected]Youth Activities Director Pastor Heidi Moore 540-786-7778 Preschool Director Brandalee Cooper 540-786-7778 Preschool Staff Megan Snell – Teacher Melissa Headley – Teacher Carrol Martin - Teacher
26
Embed
Braving the Wilderness - Resurrection Lutheran Church · work on belonging and courage, Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone” and
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
1
November 2018
Resurrection Lutheran Church and School
6170 Plank Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22407
Website: ResurrectionPeople.org
Core Office Hours: M–F 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Belonging, Bartimaeus and community -- Mark 10:46-52
The one who sees nothing risks everything to be noticed by the one who
sees everything. Bartimaeus raises his voice from the side of the road,
from the margins of society. He cries out again and again, “Jesus, son of
David, have mercy on me!” Louder. Louder. Louder.
This concludes our 7-week “Be…” series based on the discipleship scriptures in Mark 8-10.1 Alongside the Markan scriptures we’ve placed Dr. Brene Brown’s latest work on belonging and courage, Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone” and the practices that go with it. This week in particular I reference the last practice of “Strong back. Soft front. Wild heart.”
Jesus is “on the way” and has been since chapter 8. It is the eve of the triumphal entry into Jerusalem and he prepares to make that final turn to Jerusalem, to the cross and resurrection. But before he does, there is on more healing to be done and that is Bartimaeus.
As we embark on “Belong” we talk about the one who didn’t belong, the one who has been pushed to the edge, devalued and told to shut up.
He just won’t shut up. And the more the disciples try to shush him, the louder he gets. Bartimaeus understands what it means to be vulnerable.
His life is filled with uncertainty. He is s a beggar. He owns one possession – his cloak. He doesn’t know where or when his next meal will be. He is blind.
The one who sees nothing risks everything to be noticed by the one who sees everything. Bartimaeus raises his voice from the side of the road, from the margins of society. He cries out again and again, “Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me!” Louder. Louder. Louder.
Enormous emotional exposure comes with risk taking2, especially for Bar-Timaeus, this son of honor. The name Timaeus means honor. In the 1st century, honor is synonymous with value. This risk could leave him even more devalued and dehumanized and excluded.
With courage, Bartimaeus yells louder. In his desperation, he no longer cares what people think. He ignores the harsh and ugly commands to be quiet. Bartimaeus has a strong back.3
Jesus hears Bartimaeus’ voice cutting through the cacophony.
And he stops. Stands still. Jesus hears Bartimaeus through the chaos. Jesus hears us too through the chaos and cacophony.
Jesus says call him here.
Yes, Jesus could have walked over to him. Jesus makes a point: those who excluded Bartimaeus now are told to include him. Jesus tells us to include the excluded, to hear the voices that are being silenced.
Take heart, get up, he is calling you.
Casting aside the only thing he owns, blind Bartimaeus runs head long through the crowd, not waiting for the disciples to guide him. Now is his chance! He pushes people out of the way. He didn’t know how this encounter was going to go, but he willingly showed up – Bartimaeus has a soft front.4
3
And that wild heart? It’s showing up in vulnerability and courage. It is being both/and. It is living into the paradox that is love. It’s made possible by having a front made of love and a back made of courage.5
Bartimaeus is experiencing transformation. His faith is already making him well. He just doesn’t know it yet.
Jesus asks Bartimaeus, “what do you want from me?”
This is the savior of the world. We know Jesus knows but Jesus doesn’t assume. It is about empowerment. By asking one question Jesus empowers Bartimaeus to participate in his own healing, to once again feel the value that every human being feels.
“Let me see again.” Or “let me lift my eyes up.”
Beggars sat by the road, blind people were considered sinners, punished by God. No one wanted them around. Blind beggars have no community.
At the heart of the request is Bartimaeus is the longing to be a part of a community again.
Go. Your faith has made you well. Return to your community.
Not come and follow, I healed you, you owe me.
But Go. Your faith has made you well. Jesus describes the event as emanating from Bartimaeus’ “audacious, humble and open-hearted faith.” 6
We read this scripture as we celebrate the 501st anniversary of the Reformation.
Luther saw first hand those who were excluded by the 16th century church – precious children of God. They couldn’t pay the indulgences. They were not permitted to receive the cup. Even the language was exclusionary; they couldn’t read much less understand the Latin.
Martin Luther embarked on empowering people as he insisted that all people be able to sip the wine of salvation and not just the bread. Most importantly that they heard God’s word in a language that they could understand.
4
Luther struggled with having enough faith only to discover that he did, just like Bartimaeus. Luther rediscovered faith, a precious gift that only the Holy Spirit gives and comes with promises of absolute and complete acceptance and unconditional love.
Faith is lived in community. The promises are received in community. Total inclusion. All means all.
We need to hear again and again that we are loved and accepted – no exclusions. All means all.
500 years later, hear a voice cutting through the cacophony of voices that tell us that we aren’t enough and never will be. Just as God spoke through the voices of various prophets of old, Jesus,
Rising through the chaos of the worst crime against our Jewish brothers and sisters in the history of the United States, a young gay man finally laid to rest 20 years after his death because his parents wanted his grave to be safe from desecration, military force being used against a caravan of people fleeing from abject poverty and violence in Central America hear a voice.
Hear the voice of Jesus speaking through another as she proclaims, “This church belongs to all of us.”
Be you. Jesus loved Bartimaeus and Jesus loves us just as we are.
Be here. Bartimaeus joins the rest of the disciples as they go along the way to Jerusalem, a fully functioning member of the community. We too, are called to be fully present and part of the worshiping community that we call RLC.
Belong. Jesus didn’t send Bartimaeus away but welcomed him into the band of disciples. Jesus bids us also to welcome all – because all means all – to our table and into our hearts. True belonging doesn’t require us to change who we are, it requires us to BE who we are7, following Jesus along the way.
Blessings,
Pastor Heidi
5
Property - Capital Campaign Update - 2018
Narthex: Soon, (hopefully before Christmas), will replace the ceiling and lights in the
Narthex. Along with this we will reroute the water lines (currently in the unheated
attic) that provide water to the new building. In addition, we will run a water line to
the sacristy and also improve the condensation drains from the heating/cooling
systems in the attic. These lines were subject to freezing so rerouting them into
heated space makes sense.
Sanctuary: In early 2019 work will begin on modernizing the Sanctuary and the plan is
to have that complete by Easter (Sunday April 21, 2019). This will involve a lot of work.
Cleaning ductwork, painting the ceiling, removing and reinstalling the pews,
refinishing/re-carpeting the floor, painting walls, electrical/audio visual improvements,
etc.
HVAC Systems: There are many systems at Resurrection that heat and cool the
complex. Some of these systems are near their end of service life and will need
replacement. The Property Committee anticipates that the HVAC units in the attic
above the Narthex will be replaced in 2019.
Replacement Reserve Report/Study: What is this and why? It is a study that provides
the church with an inventory of the common community facilities and infrastructure
components (valued at $1,000 or more) that require periodic replacement. It
provides a general view of the condition of these components and it provides an
effective financial plan to fund projected periodic replacements over the next 40
years.
Miller Dodson of Annapolis, MD was selected as our contractor to prepare this report
for us. In August the contractor evaluated the infrastructure of RLC and prepared a
detailed draft report that the Property Committee is evaluating and will receive the
final report shortly. The final report will be made available to all and there will be a
presentation on the report in early 2019.
Fortunately, the draft report confirms that RLC is focusing on the correct
replacements for the beginning of our Capital Campaign. However, the reserve
study also advises that we focus on a parking lot repair effort and replacement of the
front door exterior canopy in the near future.
6
Are you planning to spend the holidays alone?
Do you know of someone in our congregation who might be alone for Thanksgiving Day or
Christmas Day? While we all agree that holidays are best shared with family, in these days of
families spread out at great distances, some members might not be able to gather with their
family for a special day. The Hospitality Team would like to assist those who might be debating
roasting a turkey for one (or two)! If this might be of interest to you, either as a host or as a guest,
please see the “Holiday Gathering” sign-up sheet in the narthex. If there is an interest, we will
meet to discuss and decide on a plan.
Music News Dear RLC Family and Friends, As November arrives, we start our month with our "All Saints" service which also happens to be "day light savings time" that day. With Thanksgiving just around the corner, our choirs are busy rehearsing our Christmas Cantata which will be presented on our first Sunday in the season of Advent. Each year, as the feel of winter takes hold and covers our days with moments of silent wonder, we are called to "reflection." The beautiful Christmas hymn "I Wonder As I Wander" is a favorite of mine and has been on my mind this week, and it has inspired me to think and pray about how to prepare music with the "heart" of worship for our services. With more opportunities to come together with holiday gatherings and added worship services, we light our candles of hope in the beginning of Advent. We read the ancient words about Christ entering the world as a baby and sing the jubilant hymns about peace and love. The cantata choir will present "Sing a Song of Christmas," telling the story of Christmas using music and narration of scriptures and prayers on December 2nd at our 10:00 service. My prayer for all of us is that while singing our beloved hymns, we may allow ourselves to put away all of life's burdens and distractions to find moments of peace and joy through song. May you capture the warmth and sparkle of Christmas and be awakened to truth, as well as the mystery and miracle of our true gift. That gift is "grace".....and it came wrapped in a baby named Jesus! Invite your family and friends to join us in about 4 weeks to hear this cantata, enjoy some lunch, make ornaments, and decorate. I look forward to sharing in song together as we enter this new season. Love, Amy
7
October at RLC in pictures
Oktoberfest
8
9
Pet Blessing
10
New Roof over the Sanctuary
Sight and Sound Theater
11
“Jesus Live”
12
13
Trunk or Treat Winning Trunk!
14
15
16
Thank you to
everyone who
submitted pictures
from all the events
in October.
More pictures are
available on our
Facebook page.
17
Preschool News
The Preschool welcomed Fall with several activities In October. The beginning of the month started
with a field trip to Round Hill Farm. The pictures below highlight the fun – pumpkins, a hay ride and
the corn box! The corn box was a school favorite – so much so that Ms. Melissa and Ms. Megan
switched their sensory table fillers to corn the following week!
The 2-day class hosted a Parent’s Morning where parents attended class and participated with their
student. The parents helped their child with crafts, play in different centers and with classroom jobs.
The month ended with an invitation to participate in the RLC Trunk or Treat. Several families enjoyed
the hot dog bar, crafts, games and, of course, visiting all of the decorated trunks!
18
NIFTY AFTER FIFTY (NAF) LUNCHEON
Tuesday, November 13th at 12 Noon
Place: Durango Grill
4256 Plank Road
Fredericksburg, VA
(540) 322-1552
Menu: See Bulletin Board. You can order from the menu including lunchtime
meals and sandwiches.
Directions: Durango Grill is located in the former UKROP shopping center, just off
Route 3.
Please sign up at the NAF bulletin board no later than November 8th.
Sue Merna and Emily Slunt, Host
Theology Pub November 18
BJs Restaurant and Brewhouse
Central Park
6:00 p.m.
Come be a part of this low-key fellowship that enjoys conversation,
questions, and the occasional cold one! For more information contact