Rev. Peter M Preble – Page 56 – Open-Minded, Open-Hearted Minister & Soul Friend

First Sunday of Advent – Hope

Posted on November 27, 2016 by Fr. Peter

For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. Isaiah 60:2

We begin this season with the call from the Prophet Isaiah that darkness shall cover the earth. The prophet here is speaking of a spiritual darkness a time of turning away and a time when people will be bereft of all hope. But as people of faith we know that this is not the end of the story and that the darkness with turn to light and that light will bring much joy.

The First Sunday of Advent focuses on the Old Testament Patriarchs and Prophets who were the ancestors of Jesus and who would announce his birth and ministry here on earth. Their prophetic message was a message of hope and a message of light in a world that had gone dark to all things spiritual.

We need more prophets in the world today. We need more prophets that will shout the good news that God loves all of creation and we all have a place in the world. The prophets were persecuted for what they said but the message continued on. Being a prophet requires courage and that courage comes from God.

I am praying for prophets as we begin this Advent/Christmas Season.

Let us pray:

O God, we thank you that Jesus brought hope into our world. By the good news of the Bible you are still bringing hope to the people. Help us to be ready to welcome Jesus Christ so that we may think good thoughts and do good deeds and so that we may be a people of hope in our world. Amen. (UCC Book of Worship)

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Advent and Christmas Meditations 2016

Posted on November 25, 2016 by Fr. Peter

This Advent and Christmas Season I am undertaking a new writing project of short, daily meditations. My goal is to provide a short, daily mediation based on scripture, a prayer, something from history, or just something I am thinking about all around the theme of Advent and the Christmas Season. My prayer is that these meditations will help you during this season of expectation, waiting, and preparation, for the coming of the Christ Child.

If you would like to have the meditations sent to your inbox each day, sign up using this link. Or you may follow the blog in any of the popular blog reading services like feedburner or Feedly.

I pray that the Advent and Christmas season may bring you much health, happiness, hope, and joy.

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A Prayer for Thanksgiving

Posted on November 24, 2016 by Fr. Peter

O Lord our God and heavenly Father, which of Thy unspeakable mercy towards us, hast provided meate and drinke for the nourishment of our weake bodies. Grant us peace to use them reverently, as from Thy hands, with thankful hearts: let Thy blessing rest upon these Thy good creatures, to our comfort and sustentation: and grant we humbly beseech Thee, good Lord, that as we doe hunger and thirst for this food of our bodies, so our soules may earnestly long after the food of eternal life, through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, Amen.

George Webb, “Short direction for the daily exercise of the Christian,”
London 1625. Courtesy of Plimoth Plantation

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Presidential Proclamation — Thanksgiving Day, 2016

Posted on November 24, 2016 by Fr. Peter

THANKSGIVING DAY, 2016
– – – – – – –
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION

Nearly 400 years ago, a small band of Pilgrims fled persecution and violence and came to this land as refugees in search of opportunity and the freedom to practice their faith. Though the journey was rough and their first winter harsh, the friendly embrace of an indigenous people, the Wampanoag — who offered gracious lessons in agriculture and crop production — led to their successful first harvest. The Pilgrims were grateful they could rely on the generosity of the Wampanoag people, without whom they would not have survived their first year in the new land, and together they celebrated this bounty with a festival that lasted for days and prompted the tradition of an annual day of giving thanks.

This history teaches us that the American instinct has never been to seek isolation in opposite corners; it is to find strength in our common creed and forge unity from our great diversity. On that very first thanksgiving celebration, these same ideals brought together people of different backgrounds and beliefs, and every year since, with enduring confidence in the power of faith, love, gratitude, and optimism, this force of unity has sustained us as a people. It has guided us through times of great challenge and change and allowed us to see ourselves in those who come to our shores in search of a safer, better future for themselves and their families.

On this holiday, we count our blessings and renew our commitment to giving back. We give thanks for our troops and our veterans — and their families — who give of themselves to protect the values we cherish; for the first responders, teachers, and engaged Americans who serve their communities; and for the chance to live in a country founded on the belief that all of us are created equal. But on this day of gratitude, we are also reminded that securing these freedoms and opportunities for all our people is an unfinished task. We must reflect on all we have been afforded while continuing the work of ensuring no one is left out or left behind because of who they are or where they come from.

For generations, our Nation’s progress has been carried forward by those who act on the obligations we have to one another. Each year on Thanksgiving, the selflessness and decency of the American people surface in food banks and shelters across our country, in time spent caring for the sick and the stranger, and in efforts to empathize with those with whom we disagree and to recognize that every individual is worthy of compassion and care. As we gather in the company of our friends, families, and communities — just as the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag did centuries ago — let us strive to lift up others, promote tolerance and inclusiveness, and give thanks for the joy and love that surround all of us.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 24, 2016, as a National Day of Thanksgiving. I encourage the people of the United States to join together — whether in our homes, places of worship, community centers, or any place of fellowship for friends and neighbors — and give thanks for all we have received in the past year, express appreciation to those whose lives enrich our own, and share our bounty with others.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twenty-third day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand sixteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-first.

BARACK OBAMA

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The Season of Advent

Posted on November 23, 2016 by Fr. Peter

I have always been one who believes holidays should be celebrated on the day they were intended to be observed. I do not think moving holidays so that we can have a three day weekend is what was intended by those who advocated for the special celebration. When we do this, we tend to reduce them down to just another three day weekend.

I feel the same way about the liturgical season we are about to enter, that is the season of Advent. Advent runs from the 27th of November until the 24th of December and is a season that is set apart from the Christmas season that begins with the celebration of Christ’s birth on the 25th of December and continues until January 9th the feast of the Epiphany.

The season of Advent has been truncated or removed from our line of sight altogether. Sure we have the Advent Wreath in the church and take a few moments at the start of the service each Sunday to light one of the candles but do we understand what this season is all about?

It ‘s hard to set the exact date as to when the church took up this celebration, but church historians tend to agree that there is evidence of it as early AD 480. Each of the Sundays of Advent has a theme that relates to the lectionary readings chosen for that Sunday. The first Sunday focuses on the Old Testament Patriarchs who were the ancestors of Christ. The theme is that of hope as they announce the coming of the Christ child.

The story continues on the Second Sunday, and we read about the birth of Jesus in the Manger, and we hear the long list of, what I like to call the begats. This is the list of the ancestors of Jesus that begins with Abraham and continues to Joseph. This list was included in the Gospel of Matthew as a way to show the lineage and the Kingship of Jesus and that he come from the line of Abraham. This second Sunday is called Bethlehem Sunday since the focus is on the birth narrative.

We then come to the mid-point in Advent and the theme is Joy. We are introduced to the character of John the Baptist with the readings of his birth and the prophecy of what he would accomplish as the herald that announces the start of the earthly ministry of Jesus. John the Baptist is often reduced to just that guy in the strange clothes and the strange diet. John had an important message of hope for the people, and his is an important story.

Passing the mid-point on the final Sunday of Advent we hear the story of the Annunciation of the birth of Jesus to Mary by the Angel Gabriel. This Sunday is often known as Angel Sunday to give attention to the Angel that brought tidings of great joy to Mary. The importance of this story is that a young woman, Mary, said yes to the Angel of God who was asking her to do something that she just could not understand but so deep was her faith and trust in God that she simply said yes.

And that brings us to the end of Advent. Advent is the season of preparation and expectation, and we should not gloss over it and move right to Christmas. We all enjoy the festivities of Christmas, and they should continue until the 9th of January, but we have to go through the time of Advent first. One does not sit down to the meal without a little bit of preparation. Slow down and take some time during the next four weeks to focus on what is coming.

This essay originally appeared in The Beacon, the Church Newsletter of Bethany Congregational Church, UCC

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The Sermon I was not allowed to Preach

Posted on November 21, 2016 by Fr. Peter

gettysburg-1913

In my previous post, I related an incident where and invitation to pray and to preach had been withdrawn. The invitation was to pray at breakfast and to preach at the Sunday service during the Remembrance Day commemorations in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. It is ironic that the theme of the sermon was from Psalm 133 “Behold how good it is when brother dwells together in unity.” Here is the sermon that was never preached.

Brothers (and sisters) living in unity.

I am truly honored to be standing here before you and bringing you some meditative thoughts on Psalm 133. I am reminded of the photo taken at one of the reunions of the soldiers, from both sides that fought here on these sacred grounds. In the picture, two elderly gentlemen, one in blue and one in gray, reach across a stone wall, at the high water mark of the battle, and shake hands. Previously these men had been enemies, and now, in the photo, they were uniting as brothers.

I do not know who these two men are and perhaps their names are lost to history. I do not know what units they served with or what ranks they held during their time of service, all I know is they came together, as brothers, on that day in 1938 and shook hands as brothers and as Americans. Perhaps the war had lived on for these two gentlemen after the last shot had been fired and this handshake was truly the end of the war for them. By this handshake, they began to live together in unity, and their personal healing perhaps commenced on that day at that moment.

The writer of the Psalm reminds us that it is pleasing to God and humanity when we all live together in unity. But unity among brethren, whether civil or religious, is productive both of profit and pleasure. Of profit, because it benefits the welfare and security of every society; of pleasure because mutual love is the source of delight and the happiness of one becomes, in that case, the happiness of all. We are commanded to love our neighbor, and we accomplish this by living in unity. When the people of God come together in unity behind a shared vision or goal, it is a beautiful and powerful thing.

Remembrance Day is that time when we get together, North and South, East and West to commemorate those who died here not only at Gettysburg but all of those who dies during the time of the, in the words of President Lincoln, “the Great Civil War.” The records indicate that almost 51,000 men perished during those three days of battle in July of 1863 many of whom are buried not far from this place. We come not to glorify war, but we come to honor the sacrifice of those who gave their “last full measure of devotion” and to pray for peace not only in our world but in our own lives.

On that November day of 1863, President Abraham Lincoln reminded us of our task, our duty as the living and how we can honor the lives lost here on the battlefield.”

“It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

“We take increased devotion to the cause for which they gave their last full measure.” That cause was union, that cause was freedom for all people, and that cause is ours today and every day. We owe it to those who fought here, and we owe it to those who died here that we fight the good fight and that we continue to struggle for that unity that the writer of Psalm envisioned for all people.

How good it is when brothers (and sisters) live together in unity.

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Uninvited to Pray

Posted on November 17, 2016 by Fr. Peter

Well, I guess it has started, I have been uninvited to pray at an event due to my opinions freely expressed on Facebook and other Social Media platforms.

I am a proud member of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War an organization that exists to honor the sacrifices of those who came before us who fought during the Civil War. I joined several years ago to honor my great, great grandfather William Henry Preble of the State of Maine. Every time I would pin the emblem of the organization on my jacket it would give me a sense of pride that I was honoring him for his service, but now that medal has been tarnished.

Several weeks ago I emailed National Chaplain Jerome W. Kowalski of Elmhurst, Illinois and offered him my assistance. I serve as Department Chaplain for the Department of Massachusetts, that’s the state level of the organization, and though it would be a nice gesture to reach out to offer my help if needed. He took up my offer and asked me to write, on occasion, for our national magazine The Banner and the website where he was putting together a “Chaplain Page” to offer the membership some meditations. He also inquired if I would be attending the Remembrance Day activities in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. I told him that I would be in attendance and he asked me to assist him at several of the ceremonies. I was to preach on Sunday morning, and Chaplain Jerry invited me to preach from one of the Psalms about brotherhood. I chose Psalm 133, “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!”

Remembrance Day is the commemoration of the dedication of the Soldiers Cemetery and the address by President Abraham Lincoln on the 19th of November 1863. The country was very divided as was involved in a war and this date commemorates the almost 51,000 men that died during the three days of battle in and around the Town of Gettysburg in July of 1863. The Schedule includes a grave marking ceremony as well as a church service on Sunday morning. I was to take part in those services until last night when Chaplain Kowalski sent me to the following message via Facebook:

“I’m withdrawing my offer to let you do any part of the chaplain’s prayers and services at Gettysburg. Your FB post are too full of messages that go against the teachings of Jesus Christ, as I understand them.”

I am saddened by this and not afraid to admit that I am a little hurt by this as well. I serve as chaplain for many organizations such as this, and one of the guiding principles of chaplaincy is that we have to be chaplain to all people regardless of whether we agree with them or not. As a military chaplain, I have to be the same chaplain for the Muslim guy, as I am for the one who follows my particular faith. In the firehouse I need to be the chaplain for all of the men and women I have the honor to serve with that is just how it is done. It is not always easy, but it is in fact part of the job.

Just like that November day in 1863 our country is divided and I hope and pray it does not come to civil war. My personal feeling is that Mr. Trump represents everything that is wrong with America and there has been nothing said or done since election night that has made me change that opinion. Jesus Christ commands that we love God and we love our neighbor, and that is what I strive to do and that is what I preach. If you feel differently about that is just fine, disagreement is part of why America is already GREAT!

I find it interesting that for the last eight years conservatives have regularly stated that their voice was being shut out of the public square but us evil liberals, now it seems my voice, my voice of prayer is being kept out. I will attend the grave marking ceremony, and I will offer a prayer, although unofficial, for those who died to ensure others would be free.

I will continue to pray for our country and I ask that you do the same.

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Discernment

Posted on November 14, 2016 by Fr. Peter

discernment

He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them. Luke 21:8

It has been my experience that when a discussion reaches a point where one said has nothing left the judgment accusation gets thrown around. I cannot begin to count the number of times I have been accused of judging someone or something they said or some action they took or did not take. Well, there is a difference between judgment and discernment, and discernment is a task that we are all called to perform.

When Paul wrote to the members of the church in Thessalonica, he told them to test everything so they would know what was right and what was wrong. Failure to verify the spirit so to speak leaves us open to false teaching, and false teaching leads us to an unbiblical mindset, and this is what we have to avoid.

“But test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22

In the passage quoted above from the 21st chapter of the Gospel of Luke, Jesus is warning is followers that there will be many that come after him claiming to come in his name, we call these false prophets. But how are we to know who is and is not a false prophet? It is not always easy to distinguish because they false prophet usually comes wrapped in the mantle of some church or para-church operation.

The first test I use comes from the 12th chapter of the Gospel of Mark starting with the 30th verse:

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

If what is being professed does not show love for God or love for others than it is my discernment that what is being professed is not from God. Notice that there are no conditions associated with this command, and yes it is a command from the very lips of Jesus, love God, Love neighbor, or as I like to say love others.

This can be taken a step further by reading from the 6th chapter of the Gospel of Luke starting with the 32nd verse:

“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”

We are told that we even have to love those who do not love us back and that we are to show mercy. So if what is being professed as the word of God does not show mercy or is not in keeping with the loving those who do not love us back, it is false.

But what of our enemies, or those we perceive as our enemies? We are to love them as well. Turn to the 5th chapter of the Gospel of Matthew starting with the 43rd verse:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax-collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Calling for the destruction of those who oppose us is counter biblical. Now there is nothing that says we have to let our enemies roll over us, but we are people of peace first and foremost, and all attempts to resolve differences with love and understanding is what we are called to do.

The final, and perhaps the most important analysis for me comes in knowing politically what is a Christian position and what is not a Christian position. Does the candidate or the legislation help or harm;

The poor

The immigrant

The hungry

The thirsty

The homeless

The widow

The orphan

Those in prison

The 25th chapter of the Gospel of Matthew tells us that nations will be judged and the separation of the sheep and the goats will take place. This judgment will not be based on how full our churches are how many copies of the Ten Commandments we have carved in stone but by how we treat the least among us. Starting with the 34th verse we read:

“Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry, and you gave me food, I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick, and you took care of me, I was in prison, and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’ Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry, and you gave me no food, I was thirsty, and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger, and you did not welcome me, naked, and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison, and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?’ Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Candidates who call for cuts in programs that help the poor, refuse to fight for a living wage, disenfranchise voters, mostly the poor ones, do not welcome the stranger among us, will be judged for their actions and those who support such actions are following a false prophet.

Religion was used a lot in this last election cycle and most of it, not for good. Many religious leaders sold their souls for political gain and became Judas to those who look to them for comfort and guidance. The role and obligation of the church are to seek to bring peace not division. If the church brings division, it is not from God! When politics and religion are mixed all, we are left with is politics.

The role and responsibility of the church is to accept those the world does not accept. To love those the world does not love. And to speak for those the world wants to silence. Unconditionally. Why? Because this is what Jesus did.

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The Fog is Lifting: Some Post-Election Thoughts

Posted on November 10, 2016 by Fr. Peter

Then Came the Morning.

I believe it was the Bill Gaither Trio that made the song that these words come from famous. It is a song about the despair that the Apostles and other followers of Jesus felt when they witnessed the crucifixion of their friend. They did not understand what had just happened and they had no idea what was going to come next, then came the morning, and the stone was rolled away, and death had been defeated. I know sappy words from a song is not what is needed right now, but it seems to fit.

I will admit that I am no supporter of Donald Trump and I will also admit that seeing him elected president of the country I love, and gave most of my adult life defending, affected me in a profound way. I was angry; I don’t think I had been that mad in a long time and that anger turned to depression and then to despair. I worry, I worry a lot about what is going to happen in the next few years. I worry for my Muslim friends who Trump has vowed to round up and deport. I worry for my LGBTQ friends who he has promised to have their marriages annulled and his Vice President who believes in shock and conversion therapy to “change them.”

I also worry about the damage this has done to the body of Christ. The white evangelical church got into bed with Trump a long time ago. I am not sure how they were able to reconcile his cheating, on two of his three wives, and all of the other comments he has made about women, immigrants, the disabled, and anyone who disagrees with him politically. I honestly believe they sold their soul, and the souls of their churches, on the promise that he will appoint judges to the Supreme Court that will roll back our country to the 1950’s when they were able to control people. But at what cost has this come?

I listened very intently to his speech on election night, and he said all of the right words and promised to unify the country, but I am not sure how he can this. During his speech, someone yelled out “Hang Obama” and all along the campaign trail there were shouts of “lock her up.” How does he walk that back? He made a promise that if he were elected, he would “lock her up.” How can unity be achieved with a man who called Senator John McCain a loser for getting captured, made fun of a disabled journalist and talks about women as if they are items that he can use and throw away?

I was in a very dark place the day after the election, and I was unable to form the words of prayer. I was genuinely surprised by my reaction, and as a community leader, I knew that people would be turning to me for answers and some signs of hope and I just did not have any, so I withdrew and I went to the woods. I took a long walk through the woods listening to music, and it helped to focus my attention on the task ahead of all of us.

When I emerged from the woods, I had a new sense of purpose. I was renewed in my spirit and ready to take on the task that is ahead of me as a Christian, as a Pastor, and as an American, and that is resistance. I accept that Donald Trump will be the President of the United States, but I do not have to like it. Is he the legitimate President, sure he won the election, will his presidency have legitimacy, I do not believe so for the reasons I stated above, and I will resist with all of my power any legislation that marginalizes people.

One of the first things I read after I emerged from the woods was a Facebook post by the Conference Minister of the Connecticut Conference of the United Church of Christ Rev. Kent Siladi. He wrote about the promises we make when we are ordained into the ministry. Although I serve a church in the United Church of Christ, I was not ordained in the UCC, so I did not have the opportunity to make these promises. So I took out my service book and looked them up, and there are two that caught my eye.

“Will you be zealous in maintaining both the truth of the gospel and the peace of the church, speaking the truth in love?”

“Will you seek to regard all people with equal love and concern and undertake to minister impartially to the needs of all?”

I am a progressive Christian and theologian, and as such, I have a certain biblical and word view. I believe that God is still speaking and still revealing himself in ways that we have yet to comprehend. I believe that the best way is to show love for those that Jesus taught love for, the improvised and the marginalized. I believe that we have to be the voice of those without a voice, but that we also have to show love and respect for those who disagree with us and that will be the challenge for me but one that we have to embrace.

One part of the church, namely evangelicals, got into bed with Donald Trump as a candidate and it is my belief that in the final analysis, it will burn them. All through history when the church has combined itself with politics it has turned out bad. The church needs to be the voice of opposition, and that opposition is more important today than it has ever been. But being that voice is no good if we compromise on the message of the Gospel to make that change come about and this is what I think has happened.

So where do we go from here? We become the opposition; we become the resistance. We love more, and we show respect for those we disagree with, and we become the burr under the saddle. Yes, Donald Trump is the President of the United States, and yes that makes him my president. I will pray for him, and when he is right I will say so, but when he is wrong, I will be right there to speak for those who have no voice.

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Some Words of Hope

Posted on November 9, 2016 by Fr. Peter

Love and Justice in an Age of Grief

This morning, our personal vocation and our collective calling to make God’s love and justice real is being tested like never before. All at once we find ourselves lost without a map or compass in unfamiliar and threatening territory… and we read the headlines and realize that our commission – our role – our calling – remains unchanged.

Our calling and challenge is to assure that love wins and to make real the assurance that the moral arc of the universe – while it may at this moment seem infinitely long – bends towards justice. Amidst division that has never been more plain – this is God’s calling for all of us.

Now is the time for spiritual preparation so that when opportunities for witness emerge, we will be ready to bring unfailing hearts of love along with untempered insistence on justice. Our preparation must include coming together to better understand our own white privilege, racism and classism. Our preparation must include waking up to and understanding what our country and culture are telling us. Our preparation must include a sober recognition that God’s creation – our home – is collapsing all around us. We must shed our cynicism. If despair propels us to disengage, let us instead draw upon courage to meet dysfunction with hope.

For months the media has made clear that millions are angry. If hope and change describes the mandate of 2008, anger and a longing to restore what once was is this morning’s headline. I believe that anger is rooted in grief – grief for a world that is no more; grief for a world to which we cannot return. Our God is a God of hope. Yet the prophets teach us that we get to hope only by facing reality and moving through our grief.

Join me in responding to God’s call to continue to testify to truth. Let our churches each find a way to create a safe enough space to engage “Truth and Reconciliation Conversations” so that we can leave behind the divisions and denial we are drawn to. May our confidence in God’s loving embrace allow us to welcome lamentation and grief for a world that no longer exists – for time we cannot turn back. If we find ourselves awash in fear, let us risk sharing with one another our gratitude for ordinary and extraordinary blessings until our hearts conform to a life of thanksgiving. Let us bear daily witness to the single garment of destiny that binds us together in an inescapable network of interdependence. And let us reawaken our imagination so that the new creation God is calling us to become may be awash in the love and justice we, with God’s help, will make real.

Faithfully,

The Rev. Dr. Jim Antal,

Conference Minister and President