September 2016
Some years ago on a trip to
the Philadelphia Museum of Art, I learned a lot about an artist whose work I
had long admired: 20th century Russian painter, Marc Chagall. Among
the many things I have carried with me since that visit is that upon moving to
France, Chagall stayed in a building filled with many small rooms that were
home and studio to many other artists who would one day become famous. Because
of its strange, rounded shape and many occupants and small chambers, the place
became known as “La Ruche,” The Beehive.
I don’t know why that stuck
with me over the years, but I’ve thought about it regularly since, and now it
has taken on new meaning for me. This place, well-known for always having an
extra bowl of soup to share, and extra space for someone to sleep, has become
the image of what this corner of God’s Kingdom on earth has looked like, and
could look like into the future.
Imagine a place in the middle
of a bustling city, full of space and not afraid to share it. You might have
meals for the downtrodden once a day, or several times a week. There are
doctors and nurses and other health providers, seeing anyone who is in need.
Once people slept there; now they find refuge from the cold there. For over
two-and-a-half centuries, people have
worshiped in different ways and different tongues. This is a place known for
hospitality and welcome.
And this, St. Paul's, is the
place you see when you look in the mirror. What would it be like to be all
that ̶
and more?
Last year, when Bishop Zeiser
asked your Council and me to consider the experiment of my three-year
appointment as pastor, it was not to see what happens when a Presbyterian
serves a Lutheran congregation. It was to see if together we could turn the
fortunes of a congregation that has been vital to this community for so long,
but has seen stronger days when it comes to membership and finances.
When human bodies suffer an
injury, the blood flow is restricted to vital organs until the danger passes.
When people are scared beyond measure, it is not uncommon to curl up into a
ball, “the fetal position,” until they feel it is safe. These are natural human responses.
But the body that is Christ’s
church is different. To be the church is not to curl up or shut down; to be the
church is to be out and about. The word ecclesiastical (“relating to the
Christian church”) comes from ekklesia,
to be called out ̶ by
God! In this time when there aren’t as many members or dollars as there
used to be, what if we tried to expand on what already happens here? What if we
invited more partners to offer more hospitality, more welcome, more care ̶
until all of our little rooms and big rooms are buzzing with activity.
When you are so used to
something, it is easy to take it for granted. Many churches are barely used
beyond Sunday morning. Many churches are disconnected from their immediate
surroundings. St. Paul's is in use nearly every day of the week, days and
evenings alike. Sometimes many things are happening at once, often just one or
two. But, as much as is already happening, there is always room for more:
always one more bowl of soup, always one more seat in a safe place.
If the Great Commandment is
to love God and love neighbor, this is certainly happening. If the Great
Commission is to share the Good News, we may just find that there are people in
the city who want to be part of a church that cares so much. In fact, studies
show that younger persons want to be involved, want to contribute, want to
change the world. Perhaps God can provide that opportunity, through St. Paul's.
On October 16th, your Council has scheduled a congregational meeting
to discuss several important matters, one of which is to share more details on
The Beehive and get your thoughts on this initiative. Your church Council is
ready to move forward, but we want to make sure all of your questions and
comments are heard.
For what God has done and for
what God is doing, let us give thanks that
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