My heart here in Chicago is focused on Gather (The Covenant Annual Meeting) about to convene in Anaheim California. As always, there are stresses and strains, and decisions to be made. At its heart a vote will be taken to dismiss a church over theological matters. We are more aware of those challenges in recent years than ever we have been.

I simply want to share a word and a prayer from two of our past sages, as if to remind us who we are, or at least who we were in our formed life and spirit. May their thought and spirit prevail this week.

First a bidding word from the itinerant and traveling preacher C.J. Nyvall (1829-1904), who said:

“I would like to say a few words, beloved friends, regarding the strife which at present persists among us: about the right conception of the gospel on the one hand and the common church life on the other, or rather about our own attitudes toward each other when we are unable to think alike on these matters. Oh, how important it is to heed the Lord’s admonition and see to it “that we are not mutually devoured!”

Beloved friends, you who have had your eyes opened to the dear gospel somewhat more than others, remember that even those who do not see things exactly as you do may yet live the life in Christ. Watch out that you do not judge as slaves of the law those whom God counts as his children. It would be a truly evangelical conduct and it fits in poorly with your confession…No, my dear friends, the life of grace in others is a condition which we cannot always evaluate, partly because of our own inadequacy and partly because of varying circumstances among the children of grace. This ought to make us not only cautious but thankful to the Lord that he has not set us as judges over others. May we instead judge ourselves, test ourselves, and see if we ourselves are in the faith.

Therefore the real children of God have peace among themselves, something that is so highly necessary that without it everything else is a sham, and we, with all our zeal for the kingdom of God, disgrace the gospel of peace and bring condemnation upon ourselves…. Peace within the group does not mean that all think alike and interpret all things alike, each wishing to see, as it were, his (sic) own self in another, but it does mean that each one recognizes his brother in Christ, whatever else the condition may be. It is not identity in thought and comprehension of all possible particulars that constitutes the perfect bond by which we love one another; that bond, rather, is the mutual filial condition to which we are born from above.

May the Lord open our eyes to this blessedness on the one hand and not to the deceit of the devil on the other so that we be not caught in the snare. Cease to bear arms against brethren and thank God for the dear gospel which he in great mercy and faithfulness has committed to us, and use your war energy to the end that many more may become partakers of the same gospel and be blessed. (89-90)

Second, a prayer offered by my late uncle Zenos Hawkinson at the Covenant Ministerium meeting in 1978:

Our Father, we give you glad thanks for this unbelievable, imperishable, unmerited fellowship. help us to continue to enjoy each other as we pasture in your meadows, in places that have been made available to us through your grace, because you love us– not because we earned it, but because you love us, because you are who you are. And help us thus to love each other even when we disagree, even when we see things differently, but understanding that we are sheep of the same shepherd, even our Lord Jesus Christ. Help that whatever is said or understood among us may suffer the winnowing of your good sense, that what is good seed may fall into good ground, and what is nonsense may dry up quickly, blow away, and be forgotten. For we pray it in Jesus’ name. Amen. (595)

(quotes from Glad Hearts: the Joys of Believing and the Challenges of Belonging, compiled and edited by James R. Hawkinson, Covenant Publications, 2003)

Before long, beginning July 15, our Saturday morning men’s group is going to begin reading our next book together. It will be What is the Church and Why Does it Exist? (2021, Harold Press) by David Fitch. Jason Mohn will be guiding us along; David is his teacher at Northern Seminary in Lombard. Yesterday Jason handed me the little book and I just couldn’t wait, so have jumped right in and am marking it all up!

As I continue to search for language to help understand the times we are living in as the church, and upcoming denominational annual meetings filled with trials and potential dismissals, these words from Fitch are helpful:

“The church began a significant shift at the council of Nicaea — a shift from focus on practices to a focus on right belief. The church’s modus operandi shifted from practicing a way of life together to organizing itself through hierarchical power. The church became less focused on being a local gathering practicing a way of life together and more focused on large organization enforcing orthodoxy.”

“But in the context of mission in post-christendom, what we are saying no longer makes sense to people who are not Christians. Beliefs when separated from practices, have over time become rote for Christians…but beliefs cannot make sense to people outside the church without seeing the belief lived in practice. For instance, we can only truly know and share what the atoning work of Christ means for our forgiveness by practicing that forgiveness with someone who has harmed us. We cannot just preach about forgiveness. We must do forgiveness.”

“History shows that whenever the church lives comfortably in a Christendom world it tends to organize itself as a hierarchy. However, when the church is not aligned with the world’s powers, and is living as a minority people, it tends to organize itself in mutuality.”

After Constantine, A coercive form of leadership took root in the church. Rather than conflicts over beliefs being worked out in communities of practice and mutual conversation, the church moved toward requiring its members to assent to specific beliefs. There is a certain power over people in this approach. Whenever a belief is challenged, even today we find ourselves answering with the words “we believe this because” rather than “we do this because we believe”…If people have questions, or worse, dare to challenge the church’s beliefs, they are accused of heresy by leaders in the church and possibly even removed from the church. The church has become focused on enforcing orthodoxy instead of working out mutually among a people. This approach works well in holding the church together in Christendom, but it does not work in the same way when Christendom culture no longer exists. Today, as the culture has shifted, and the Christian’s beliefs are challenged, churches are tempted to enforce orthodoxy as if it still held Christendom-like power….When beliefs are separated from practices, coercion sneaks in and beliefs lose their currency. In the process, why those beliefs were important gets lost.”

And so, it is more important than ever for the churches to work out their life together mutually in the very presence of Jesus…the gifts of the Spirit must be set free to lead…,.we must submit ourselves to one another out of love for Christ…”

“We do not enforce our beliefs on people; we work out our beliefs together…we eat together, are present to one another, allow all the gifted ones around the table to present the issues and contribute their wisdom. We hear all voioces, and we dialogue in and through the mutuality of gifts. We become less defensive, more inclusive.”

Ultimately, hierarchy is not God’s way….Jesus instructs the disciples, after they ask him one more time for worldly power (Mark 10:37), “You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. But it shall not be among you; whoever would be great among you must be your servant.”

What do you think?

Love from here!

PETER HAWKINSON

I was hoping to get a blog post out this morning – but, if I’m honest, it has taken me this long to get anywhere close to organizing my thoughts.

I am thrilled, delighted, relieved, and proud that the US government has finally, finally made Juneteenth a federal holiday.

I am also not quite sure how to spend it, as a white person.

I’ve heard some really good arguments, which I think I agree with, that this is not a day for white people to celebrate. This is a day for the black community to spend however its people might choose – celebration, grief, remembrance, etc.

But what I’ve heard less of is alternative suggestions of how white people should spend the day. Certainly, I think, if we can manage not to let it slip by like any other day, that’s a start.

Education, perhaps.

Remembrance, too, I think. But also grief. And reflection.

While I’m almost positive that no one reading this blog is a slaveowner, that doesn’t absolve us from the problems surrounding race in our country. Regardless of what our ancestors did or didn’t do, certainly, as white Americans, we are part of and benefit from the ongoing injustices based on race in America – personal prejudices and systemic contributions alike.

Perhaps today we can spend thinking not about the part we don’t play, but the part we do. The things we can control. The places we can start to take action.

Looking at this summer’s AntiRacism Challenge materials is a good start for all that reflection.

But here are a few more places to begin:

Podcast on the History and Meaning of Juneteenth

Podcast of poetry on What Juneteenth Means To Me

Podcast from Code Switch: On Food, Mattress Sales and Juneteenth

I hope you might learn something from these short listens. I hope you might ask some really good questions.

I hope you might join me in being uncomfortable today, and in being okay with that. Discomfort can be a sign of growth, and certainly that’s as good a goal as any.

Yours,

Pastor Jen

Welcome to guest blogger Sam Paravonian.

I remember my mother as a pious, smart, nurturant, efficient and loving woman who came to the United States in 1926. She had become a widow (with a one-year old daughter) in 1915 when the Ottoman Turks killed her first husband during the Armenian genocide. As a refugee she then walked from central Turkey to Aleppo Syria, from there going to Beirut, Lebanon. As far as I know, my father, whose first family lived in a village in central Turkey, was conscripted by the Turks for their army before World War I, shortly thereafter went AWOL and fled through eastern Europe, finally ending up in the Waukegan, IL. He later learned that his home village including his family were “wiped out” during the genocide.

My mother got a job in Lebanon at a boy’s orphanage as a “mother” to 100 boys which included their laundry. She also joined a church with a strict code of rules and behavior. My father got a job as a wire drawer at the American Steel and Wire Mill. His brother, who worked at the orphanage with my mother, told her and my father to correspond with each other and see if they would agree to meet. Briefly, they did meet in Havana Cuba, married and became established in Waukegan. Often families would meet to socialize by going to others’ homes and relive their experiences in both the “old country” and their new country.; many of my playmates had very similar stories of their parents and relatives. Also because of persecution and local practices many of these immigrants had no or little formal education.

Soon neighbors met my mother, learned that she had gone to school -the equivalent to our high schools – many women would come to her for some kind of help. For example, some had received a letter and wanted her to read it to them, or to write a letter for them; some wanted to learn embroidery or crochet; some wanted to learn to read; others to write; others wanted to knit – especially mittens; others wanted help with interpersonal relationships; some asked about cooking or baking; and other reasons. Many just wanted to talk. Almost always before the guest left, my mother asked them to let her read a little Scripture, make a few comments, and to pray for them. Before leaving, the women always showed gratitude not only in words but often by a hug or a kiss.

My mother’s behavior helped me learn that piety is not only reading the Bible, praying, or preaching, but also to help people in their daily and/or ordinary needs.

Sam Paravonian

For some time now, since our leadership retreat on March 4, there have been large white easel sheets of newsprint filled with church hopes and dreams taped to the courtyard windows near the parking lot entrance. I hope they have caught your eye and caused you to reflect a bit. Each of the boards and committees was asked to generate some thoughts.

Yesterday I came to work to find them rolled up and leaning against my office door, and now they are re-taped all over my office walls here. I will spend the rest of the summer with them in front of me. Lots to dream about! Much to ponder.

Some of the thoughts are already happening, or works in process…Faster internet is on the way! A multi-faceted refugee re-settlement ministry is soon to come to life: did you know this is Refugee Awareness month? More details will come as we worship together. Pickleball tape has been laid on on the gym floor and Thursday nights folks are gathering. Outdoor worship is underway, and music on the steps is returning after some years. We have a new web and social media coordinator, Zoe Larson: as I write I can hear her making plans with Susan Lofton, our recent office manager. Together they will help us work on social media witness and improved and innovative communication patterns. And we’re hearing a lot and taking advantage of new giving opportunities and options. Lots of good going on!

And some of the thoughts are out ahead of us, we have yet to work on them…Bring a friend Sundays, a community garden, sound upgrades in the upper room, an occasional food truck (mentioned the most!), new affinity groups, and a fall new member drive. Lots to plan for!

Finally, some of the thoughts are larger visions we can take as goals for the near future… Growing children, youth and family ministry, greater investment in music ministries, renewed formation energy and participation, and a staffing pattern that promotes growth and reflects our mission, vision, and goals. Plenty of big-picture visions we. can work work toward.

As I think and pray about these thoughts and plans for our life of ministry together now in our 96th year, I am filled with gratitude and hope. It’s a new time for renewal as we return from the exile of COVID-19. I open the Bible and find that little psalm 126, a pilgrim song from that holy moment when Israel remembers the joy of coming home from an exile much more severe:

It seemed like a dream, too good to be true,

when God returned Zion’s exiles.

We laughed, we sang, we couldn’t believe our good fortune.

We were the talk of the nations — “God was wonderful to them!”

God was wonderful to us; we are one happy people.

And now, God, do it again —

bring rains to our drought stricken lives

so those who planted their crops in despair will shout hurrahs at the harvest,

so those who went off with heavy hearts will come home laughing,

with armloads of blessings. (the message)

God has been, is now, and will always be with us. I hope when you’re here you’ll stop by and add to the newsprint, and also engage our leadership groups who are working on these things. Now we have a chance to come together again and engage the mission of Jesus in a renewed way, looking forward to celebrating our one hundredth year soon to come.

How blessed are we?

Peter Hawkinson