THIS SUNDAY: The Community of Pilgrims Presbyterian Fellowship, June 6, 2021, Second Sunday after Pentecost, Gather and Devotion on Zoom. If you have any questions, or are interested in a conversation, contact Pastor Brett Webb-Mitchell (919) 444-9111; brettwebbmitchell@gmail.com and visit www.communityofpilgrims.com.
Dear Community of Pilgrims,
In an article in The Oregonian this past week, the reporter covered five or six “good things” we learned from the COVID 19 pandemic. What was fascinating was how most of the “good things” we learned had to do with relationships. If we learned anything in the last almost-year and a half is the art and practice of being in relationships. For some, new lessons were learned with our partners and spouses. For others, we learned that maintaining a relationship takes effort. Still, for others, we learned the art of establishing clear boundaries, and gave ourselves permission to forgive not only others, but sometimes, even more importantly, ourselves, when we really were our own lousiest enemy. Finally, we remembered that, now and then, we all exemplify the word, “fun” in dysfunctional in our families, among our friends, and in a Zoom meeting with complete strangers.
Good, healthy relationships are one of the pillars of a good, healthy community life. The significance of healthy relationships was central to last week’s reading from Paul’s Letter to the Romans, as well as this week’s passage from Mark 3: 20-35. In the eyes and ears of the disciples, it appears that Jesus is going off the script they had written for Jesus’ life. Concerned about his rantings, the disciples call his mom, and siblings, to come and get Jesus and take him home. But Jesus, again, off their script tells them the following: “Your mother and your brothers and sisters are outside, asking for you (say the disciples). And Jesus replied, ‘Who are my mother and my brothers?’ And looking at those who sat around him, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother’”(my emphasis; vv. 32-35). Wow! Jesus is such a trouble-maker. Mercy. Jesus puts the word “fun” in “dysfunctional” too. Imagine telling our mothers (and fathers) that whoever does the will of God is part of our household. Blood is not thicker than water in this passage, nor in the Christian life. My regrets. Jesus upsets the “apple cart” of life again. What’s down is up, and what’s up is down. Being part of the realm of God means we are related to one another in mysterious and surreal, yet real, practical, ways. Dear moms, dads, brothers, sisters, siblings in and of Christ: Join us this Sunday as we continue to explore the nature of being community with one another.
** A big shout out to all who participated in our clothes drive for SnowCap. There were between 25-27 bags of clothing, which roughly equals 205 pounds (which is what matters most in SnowCap’s mind). And a big thanks to Kathy for organizing it, and Kathy and Shu for taking the clothes over today to SnowCap. So impressive!
Bravo and brava, and THANKS!
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Events!
June 6, Gather and Devotion and Holy Communion on Zoom.
June 13, Gather and Devotion on Zoom.
June 20, Gather and Devotion on Zoom.
June 27, Gather and Devotion on Zoom.
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Prayers of Celebration and Concern
· Those who have served this country through military service, or the Peace Corps, or AmeriCorps.
· Thankfulness for safe trip by granddaughter Eliza and friend to Pasadena
· Also for Eliza’s mom and Linda’s daughter, who visited Linda and had a nice time.
· Thankfulness for increased response at Hillsdale corner where on Fridays Chuck carries a sign saying honk for peace, truth, dignity, climate protection.
· Thanks for increased availability of COVID 19 vaccinations.
· As COVID 19 restrictions subside, may people still act responsibly.
· To solve the enigmas and riddles around homelessness.
· Concern for Bend, OR, hospitals and ICUs encountering capacity from COVID 19 cases and having to transfer cases to other regions.
· For our nation, and how to study Jan. 6 demonstrations.
· Appreciation of state and city of New York investigations of justice.
· For the family of George Floyd and Tulsa Riots Remembrances.
· For all who are adopted and for those who are in foster homes.
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Poem
God of the Living, by Jan Richardson
When the wall
Between the worlds
Is too firm,
Too close.
When it seems
All solidity
And sharp edges.
When every morning
You wake as if
Flattened against it
Its forbidding presence
Fairly pressing the breath
From you
All over again.
Then may you be given
A glimpse
Of how weak the wall
And how strong what stirs
One the other side
Breathing with you
And blessing you
Still
Forever bound to you
But freeing you
Into this living
Into this world
So much wider
Than you ever knew.
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Buen Camino!
Pastors Brett & Karen Cornwell Fortlander.