september 20, 2009

Anna Blaedel
First UMC, Osage
09.20.09
With Rev. Ted Lyddon Hatten, Iowa Conference Artist
“One Year Anniversary”/Open House Celebration
John 1:1-5/Romans 13:8-10/Luke 17:20-21/Romans 12:9-13

“The reign of God is not coming…In fact, the kin-dom of God is already among you.”

Faith—NT “pistis”—not “belief” but “trust.” Faith—trust—relational words. Cannot do it on your own. Trust and truth are closely related words. The Hebrew word “truth” used in the Hebrew Bible, the Christian First Testament, means “faithfulness” or “trustworthiness.”

Trust—the truth of relationships. Trusting relationships enough to be true with one another, faithful to our relationships with one another. Faithful in the messiness, in the beauty, in the mystery, in the unfolding of our lives.
True with God, trusting God, and God’s promise of coaxing love and relationship where there was none. God’s promise of going with us, even when, especially when we have never ventured there before.

We know something of this, no? Going where we haven’t gone before? Because of the relationships. Me, venturing into Northeast Iowa, into Osage, into Lutheran territory, into small town living, into pastoring a church, this church. You, receiving a new pastor, one moving from California, no less, who walks everywhere and cooks with quinoa, who doesn’t know how to can and knows very little about wrestling and had never been to a tractor pull…though I’ve now remedied that!
Me, that “new young woman pastor over at the Methodist church.” You, already in community, faithful, expectant. Seated, it might seem or some might say, across from each other. Not enemies, but different. A bit strange to one another, perhaps.

Strange. Full of contrast. Possibility. And, there is beauty in the contrast, is there not? In the coming together? In the stretching and growing and risking and trusting? Trusting that our relationships spark the Divine Spirit. Holy Mystery. Sacred Power. “The reign of God is not coming…In fact, the kin-dom of God is already among you.” Among us.

Truth. Knowing. To know one another is to begin living God’s truth of relationship. Koinonia. Communion. There are many things that I now know, that I didn’t know a year ago.

I had never heard of a Platt book before moving here, let alone how to use it. (Thank you, John.)

I had never heard of deep frying green beans (Teluwut) or deep frying bacon (hats off to you, Brian!)

I have learned…so much from you.

That “the” 4 mile corner is the intersection four miles East of town, even though there is an intersection 4 miles West of town, too...

That Mason City can simply be called Mason, that “going to rehab” means “Cardiac rehab” and that my sheer excitement in planting and picking vegetables in the garden shows I’m not from around here...

I’ve learned that an Oliver is a tractor, and that Wayne and his brothers restored a ’66 for their dad...

I’ve learned that Ardelys will never stop surprising me, and that Church Basement Ladies know how to have a good time...

That Rozanne and Andrea can make just about any space beautiful…and are willing to answer my embarrassingly ignorant questions about the flowers they plant, and tend...

That Jean’s raspberries delight my tastebuds and sooth my soul…

That Fern might not talk much, but that she’s wise. And funny!

That Frances ministers to this community through her cards and letters, remembering those otherwise forgotten, and that while she says she just shows up for the food, she models life long learning…

That Jackie can always be counted on to show up, and be ready to serve, and to be the face of Christ to “the least of these.”

That Penney’s letters to the editor, while not always popular, are very often prophetic…

That Galen and Ramona will tend to the details, faithfully, and with loving care…

That much of the beautiful wood in this church, and in my office, and in the parsonage, has been carved and shaped by Lorne. That Lorne will hand over the keys of his car when it’s raining, and when I’m on foot. That this kind of generosity runs keep in this community…

That the children of this church are incredible artists. That creativity is sacred. That questions and awe point us toward the Holy One…

That Bonnie reads the Upper Room every morning, and prays every day, and would do anything for this church…

That Althea prays her devotionals every afternoon, and has all of her Sunday School pins for years of regular attendance…

That Sam will play a few bars of Charlie Brown’s Christmas in the middle of Amazing Grace, and make it sounds good!

That Cal can be counted on. Period. To preach and pray and vision and teach and care and reach out…

That Chip really doesn’t need a microphone when he sings, and that making a joyful noise gives glory to God...

That Brian and Bill will show up—to put up the sign, or replace a broken refrigerator with a new one, even if it doesn’t fit quite right, or when I’ve locked myself out of the parsonage not once but twice in two weeks, and help me laugh, and get me inside, and leave me feeling a little less stupid. That this is part of small town living—knowing others will help; knowing you’re not alone…

That Sarah shares the gift of music, and patience, and avocados…

That Ila is always willing to fold more bulletins, and be in a good spirit about it…

That Dave’s pizza is to die for…

That the women of this church are some of the best cooks in the world….

That Bryce will remember it’s Noisy Change Sunday even when I forget…

That you sit there, and you sit there, and you sit there, and you sit there…

That Cynthia is great at making sure vestments and pictures and banners and clothes are hung even…

That Kortney is looking for and finding ways to change the world…

That you will notice if a car is parked in my driveway overnight, and you will respond, Larry, by bringing even more tomatoes…

I could go on and on, with each one of you, and I will, but not now, because I’ve also learned you like it when I keep things short…

Hear these words again, from Romans. This was the lectionary text for our first Sunday together, one year ago…

“Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. All the other commandments are summed up in this word, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does not wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.”

The gospel truth. Faith. Trust. Faithfulness and trustworthiness—lived out in relationship. In community. In love. In Osage.
Following Jesus’ way—not of forming theological doctrine or solidifying right belief, but of building relationships. Gathering at table. Pulling up a char, getting to know each other, and knowing this is sacred. The reign of God is not coming…The kin-dom of God is already among us. May it be so. Thanks be to God. And amen.