THIS SUNDAY: The Community of Pilgrims Presbyterian Fellowship, January 17, 2021, Second Sunday after Epiphany, Gather and Devotion on Zoom. If you have any questions, or are interested in a conversation about The Community of Pilgrim or anything else in life, please feel free to contact Pastor Brett Webb-Mitchell (919) 444-9111; brettwebbmitchell@gmail.com and visit www.communityofpilgrims.com.
_____
Dear Pilgrims of Increasing Light,
As I write this newsletter, sunlight is streaming through the windows of our home. It is expected to be 54 degrees outside today. Tuesday, northwestern Oregon experienced a rain storm that knocked out electricity, and caused many road slides throughout the area. There were wind gusts in Seattle that were strong enough to topple trees and wreak havoc with electricity. What a difference a few days make!
We are onto the second Sunday after Epiphany! The season of Epiphany is all about the opening of the spotlight on the nature of Jesus, God with us. Last week, we read of Jesus’ baptism, thanks to his relative, John, along with the divine breakthrough of the descending dove, which we identify as the Holy Spirit, and the voice of the Creator announcing that Jesus is God’s Son, “the Beloved,” with whom God is well pleased. This Sunday, we broaden the focus on Jesus, and consider the charismatic Jesus who is starting the important work of inviting people to follow him (John 1:43-51), and become his disciples. Philip eagerly welcomes the invitation from Jesus to follow him and join Andrew and Peter, and then turns around and invites his friend Nathanael. Nathanael’s response is, at first, both off-putting, straight-forward, and sarcastic: “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Not offended by the snide comment, Philip simply says, “Come and see.” When seeing Nathanael come towards him, Jesus had already intuited and summed-up the direct, no holds barred nature of Nathanael while Nathanael simply sat under a fig tree earlier in the day, much to Nathanael's amazement: “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!” All that Nathanael could respond with was a humble, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” And the rest, as they say, is history. Some of the things this story tells us is that, first, because of grace, all of us are invited to follow Jesus. In other words, we have all been chosen by God to follow Jesus. Second, grace makes it possible for us to accept the invitation to follow Jesus. And third, Jesus, knows us first, and knows us better than we know ourselves, which, in the long run, is probably a good thing, overall. Join us this Sunday as we discuss being a follower of Jesus, a "good thing" that came out of Nazareth, in this modern age, with all its joys and challenges.
**
This Monday, January 18, is Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday celebration as a nation. The Rev. Dr. Michael Barham (aka Michael) and I are asking folks from our respective congregations if they want to do a short, hour long, reading and reflection on the work of Martin Luther King, Jr., perhaps between 12-1 pm, Pacific coast time. We will talk about it this Sunday.
**
It still isn’t too late to send in a pledge form for 2021. As all of you know, we have been supported in large part by the generous gifts of the PCUSA 1001 New Worshiping Communities and the Presbytery of the Cascades New Ministries Team funds since we began in 2017. We are one of the rare new communities of faith ventures that have been granted funds from the Seed Grants, Investment Grants, and Growth Grants! At the end of 2021, we will be dependent upon the financial gifts, time, service, and talents of the membership of the Community of Pilgrims Presbyterian Fellowship, with possible help from other non-profits. Thank you for considering your gift in support of the Community of Pilgrims in 2021!
_____
Events!
Jan. 17, Gather and Devotion on Zoom.
Jan. 18, Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday
Jan. 24, Gather and Devotion on Zoom.
Jan. 31, Gather and Devotion on Zoom.
Feb. 7, Gather and Devotion on Zoom.
____
Prayers of Celebration and Concern
· Thanksgiving for Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock's wins in the Georgia Senate runoffs cementing Democrats' control of the Senate for the next two years.
· Thanksgiving that Linda's friend Marika has moved out of the hospital and is finishing up her quarantine time.
· Our nation where polarization and political violence are on the rise.
· Our messy democracy.
· Those who can continue to be a peaceful presence in our nation's capital.
· Peace and healing in Tigard where protesters gathered Thursday night after police fatally shot a man during a domestic violence call and the victim had been in a mental health crisis.
· Celebration for the life of Charlie Brown and his ministry to all of us.
· Our beloved Portland.
· Christians who are caught up on the wrong side of this moment in history.
· Safety and protection for our governors, President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris, and all those who have been called to serve.
· The health and safety of those administering the COVID vaccine and those receiving it.
· Thanksgiving that Arnold Schwarzenegger is speaking out and condemning the attack on our Capitol.
· Thanksgiving that Brett's son Parker in London has the COVID antibodies.
· Healing for Earl's granddaughter following removal of her wisdom teeth.
· Gratitude for everyone on this call and that we all appear healthy and are surviving all this.
· Chuck's kids in Norway where the government has imposed emergency measures to try and stem the spread of the virus.
_____
Poem
A Poem for Epiphany, by Coracle
O God,
who am I now?
Once, I was secure
in familiar territory
in my sense of belonging
unquestioning of
the norms of my culture
the assumptions built into my language
the values shared by my society.
But now you have called me out and away from home
and I do not know where you are leading.
I am empty, unsure, uncomfortable.
I have only a beckoning star to follow.
Journeying God,
pitch your tent with mine
so that I may not become deterred
by hardship, strangeness, doubt.
Show me the movement I must make
toward a wealth not dependent on possessions
toward a wisdom not based on books
toward a strength not bolstered by might
toward a God not confined to heaven
but scandalously earthed, poor, unrecognized…
Help me find myself
as I walk in others’ shoes.
____
Buen Camino!
Pastors Brett & Karen Cornwell Fortlander.