THIS SUNDAY: Third Sunday of Easter, April 26, 2020, Zoom; Contact Pastor Brett Webb-Mitchell (919) 444-9111; brettwebbmitchell@gmail.com
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Dear Pilgrims of the Risen One,
I just cut down some lilac blossoms from the blooming trees in the backyard, and the aroma is now filling the house. Amid COVID 19 warnings and the “shelter-in-place” orders in Oregon, while watching and reading about others acting irresponsibly in wanting to over-turn such orders for various, and I would add dubious, reasons, signs of spring growth inspires hope. Let us celebrate the signs and symbols of hope for a better world as we explore whatever the “new normal” is going to be in the coming days and weeks.
The Scriptural focus this week is a key pilgrimage story from Luke 24:13-35. Whenever I lead an actual pilgrimage or workshop on pilgrimage, I use this story as a key story or “jumping off” point to talk about pilgrimage and it’s biblical roots. In this story, two disciples—Cleopas and the unknown other, which could’ve been male or female—are running away from Jerusalem to Emmaus, which was roughly 7-8 miles away. No doubt, the talk in Jerusalem must have been about the many appearances of the risen Jesus to the disciples and friends of the crucified now resurrected rabbi from Nazareth. Why is this a pilgrimage story? Because of the following characteristics, which are basic to all pilgrimages: First, this story involves physical, emotional, and spiritual movement of people, from one place to another. The two friends walked with the stranger, and they all shared stories along the way. There was the story told by Cleopas, and then the Stranger interpreted another story, in which they were all talking about what had happened in the last few days. Second, they all stopped at the end of the pilgrimage—7-8 miles could take a good, long afternoon—and shared a meal together. They reached a destination. The friends then practiced hospitality with the Stranger, breaking bread. You could almost hear the words of the Stranger, “take, eat, this is my body broken for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” Third: an epiphany! While the friends’ minds were engaged at the beginning of the passage, the friends didn’t discern who the Stranger was with them. “Their eyes were kept from recognizing him,” which is another way of saying, that their inability to tap into the faith, unable to see or believe because of their fear of what just happened. It is when they opened up their hearts in sharing bread together with the Stranger, extending a gift of food, that their faith recognized the person who was with them: none other than the resurrected Christ. It happened at the end of the pilgrimage, when they looked back through the rear-view mirror of faith and grace that they knew they were with none other than the risen Christ. Time and again on pilgrimage, I have lived in that same fantastic “Aha!” moment, recognizing the grace-filled moment after I experienced a moment of encountering a Christ-like inspired activity. At first, I was unaware of the grace-filled presence of Christ until after the moment was over. Then, in hindsight, my eyes were open. This has happened so often I have come to expect the grace filled “Aha!” moments nowadays on pilgrimage, which is why I so enjoy going on pilgrimage every year, which makes it possible for me to appreciate the “Aha!” moments when they happen throughout the rest of the year. So, what is your “Aha!” moment of grace? Join us Sunday on Zoom as we all share our grace-filled “Aha!” moments with one another over the last few weeks!
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Requests and Opportunities
Keep collecting clothes! 40 items of clothing for Lent, in which, when the pandemic “shelter in place” order will be lifted, and we can take these items to SnowCap.
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While we are not meeting in person, the Community of Pilgrims will still welcome your financial contribution. Please make a check out to Community of Pilgrims, and mail it to Brett Webb-Mitchell, 9460 SW Martha St., Tigard, OR 97224. Many thanks!
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For those who want to volunteer some more in the Portland-metro area, here’s a list of volunteer opportunities: https://www.opb.org/news/article/coronavirus-help-oregon-washington-volunteer-donate-give-blood/. And here’s a neat calligraphy project that Lorinda Moholt participated in, with proceeds to Oregon Food Bank: https://give.oregonfoodbank.org/CCC
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If anyone is in need of food or any other provision of daily life at this time, even a 6 foot social distance “hello,” let us know!
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Events!
April 26, Gather, Devotion, & Zoom!
May 3, Gather, Devotion, & Zoom!
May 10, Gather, Devotion, & Zoom!
May 17, Gather, Devotion, & Zoom!
May 24, Gather, Devotion & Zoom! Or TBD!
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Prayers of Celebration and Concern
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Poem
Blessing that Does Not End, by Jan Richardson
From the moment
It first laid eyes
On you,
This blessing loved you.
This blessing
Knew you
From the start.
It cannot explain how.
It just knows
That the first time
It sat down beside you,
It entered into a conversation
That had already been going on
Forever.
Believe this conversation
Has not stopped.
Believe this love
Still lives—
The love that crossed
An impossible distance
To reach you,
To find you,
To take your face
Into its hands
And bless you.
Believe this
Does not end—
That the gesture,
Once enacted,
Endures
Believe this love
Goes on—
That it still
Takes your face
Into its hands,
That it presses
Its forehead to yours
As it speaks to you
In undying words,
That it has never ceased
To gather your heart
Into its heart.
Believe this blessing
Abides.
Believe it goes with you
Always.
Believe it knows you
Still.
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Buen Camino!
Pastors Brett & Chris
Rev. Dr. Brett Webb-Mitchell (919) 444-9111; brettwebbmitchell@gmail.com Rev. Chris Dungan chrisdungan1@msn.com