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Newsletter # 15 INDEX:
RURAL ISSUES
● A Touring Mission Fest RURAL MINISTRY (Life and Work) ● Small Church Survival Secret ● As Our Communities Age ... ● Powers of Enslavement, Then and Now (Matt 8:28-34)
WORSHIP RESOURCES ● Feel the Thunder (Psalm 29) ● Strength Through Diversity (Acts 10:9-15) ● Prayers of Thanksgiving and Benediction
INTERNATIONAL NEW ● Inspiring Progress: Religions' Contribution to Sustainable Development Prayers of Concern for those facing on-going Australian Drought Denise Naish writes: "Farmers along the Murray and Goulburn irrigation systems in northern Victoria are facing as little as 15% water allocation. Orchardist are having to decided what trees to water to keep them alive. Dairy farmers are facing a tough decision about more debt if the spring rains do not eventuate. There is no grain or hay in reserve and water is now selling above $1000. a megalitre. Farmers across Victoria are facing a water and feed crisis. This is impacting on rural communities. I am wrestling with a recommendation to put to our Synod meeting in a fortnight. Ministers are thin on the ground maybe it is time for rural chaplaincy to be floated. Your prayers are appreciated." RURAL ISSUES Networking Between Rural and Urban Churches: A Touring Mission Fest
With this renewed vision of the church, and with the recognition that small rural communities often feel isolated from the larger church body, it was time for a new paradigm for interconnection. The idea of a Touring Mission Fest (TMF) was born. A third TMF is presently in the planning stages.
One Saturday in early spring two busloads of mission seekers board buses in the city and head out, in two different directions, to visit church communities. Most of these communities lie in the more isolated regions of the province. The hosting churches prepare a meal or a snack for their guests, as well as displays of their work "across the street and around the world." There is time for visiting, reporting, making family connections, hearing about what God is doing in their community, and exposure to new ideas for how to live as faithful Christians.
After a full day of travel and visiting, mission seekers report a day filled with much important learning and connection with other Christians. What impressed one mission seeker was "the unity of small churches... (the) simplicity of them. How they have pulled together with a minister or not - for 75 -100 years. The number of young people in the church!" Another appreciated "the amount of work the hosts went to in preparing for our visit - programming and food - very impressive. I felt honored to be there."
Those who host now reflect on their strong sense of connection with the larger church and name this as one of the more important events in their church experience. One year of TMF was missed and many asked when the next one would take place.
There is still one sector of our population that is under represented in this form of networking. Young people, and young adults are not into bus tours. When we put this reality together with the awareness that concern for the environment is a young people's issue, the above idea was modified and expanded. Plans are underway to facilitate a Green Fest. We're not exactly sure what this will look like, but it will probably involve bicycles and stops at organic farms and market gardens and church camps where ecological issues are part of the teaching agenda.
God is at work in our world. Our task is to recognize where that work is happening, and get on board with it. We work out of our own context, because God is active there. We are limited only by our own imaginations. (Written by Claire Ewert Fisher, August 2007)
Colombian Christians Visit Rural Saskatchewan On August 12, the Mennonite churches at Fiske and Herschel, Saskatchewan met together at the Fiske hall to share worship and fellowship at their annual joint church picnic. This year, a Spanish speaking church from Saskatoon was also invited. This group is made up of refugees from Colombia who have arrived in Saskatoon in the past few years, one as recently as the Thursday before the picnic.
As the rural church people gathered and waited for the Colombians to arrive, they visited and sang and prayed for the people with whom they would soon interact. They reflected on the lives of these refugees - lives torn apart by armed conflict, threat to life, confiscation of property and finally escape to a foreign land as refugees.
The worship was enriched by forty Spanish speaking Christians, half of the group were children. But this was not a problem as Laura Epp, formerly from Costa Rica and now living in Fiske, translated our words of welcome and then told the children's story in both Spanish and English. Jaime Meza, the Colombian pastor who is currently serving this ever growing Hispanic community, preached an impassioned sermon based on Luke 10:38-42. "Martha served up a fine meal, Mary sat and listened at Jesus feet, and Jesus shared his word from God. We too are called to listen, dialogue with God and then act out of that relationship," Jaime reminded us through the help of a translator.
There was much food to share and many conversations in broken English, complete with hand gestures. One woman took a visitor to her home in Fiske. They walked through the house, looking at pictures, and into the garden trying to find a point of contact. On the back deck stood some pots with begonias in full bloom. When the host said 'begonia', the visitor responded with 'begonia'. They had found a common experience in their lives.
A local farmer took some of the men out to his farm. The Colombian farmers raised sheep and fish, the local farmer raised cattle and grew grain crops. But this was a time for bridging the cultural and geographic barriers between them.
After an afternoon of games and conversations, it was time to eat again. But first one of the refugee women offered us some Colombian music, tunes from her home country. Unable to remain still, several couples got up and demonstrated their Salsa dance moves. This was accepted by the hosts as a thank you for the time shared together.
What are the benefits of this time shared together? It was a time to enter into another reality, all be it, a very difficult one. The curiosity and openness and safety of that time together was a good reminder of Martha's hospitality, of Mary's bending forward to hear and understand, and best of all, Jesus was in their midst.
(Written by Claire Ewert Fisher, August 2007) RURAL MINISTRY (Life and Work)
Small Church Survival Secrets Christine O'Reilly's discussion with the Senators after she'd made her Report on Rural Poverty (see last month's CRCN Newsletter) triggered an "Ah-ha" in my mind.
Her Report sketched a careful picture of what the people in her parish are doing to help strengthen the fabric of their communities. Everything from delivering meals-on-wheels, to mentoring young people, to serving as volunteer firefighters was mentioned. All of these volunteers, it seemed, were proud to put their spiritual values to work in this way.
The Senators, who have been working very hard to assess issues of rural poverty across Canada, were amazed to hear about this kind of grass-roots work being done by volunteers. "Maybe there is a place where Church and State can work together", one of them mused as they looked at the list of every-day activities named. They talked with Christine about the need to reduce red-tape when rural groups apply for support assistance, and they talked about the need to receive funding for basic program needs so volunteers don't burn out doing fund-raising.
"Ah-ha"! Until now rural churches have defined themselves in terms of what happens on Sunday, and what the minister does through the week. Could the survival secret of these same churches be better told by describing how the people put their faith into action through the week, even though some participants may or may not make it to worship on Sunday? (Written by Joyce Sasse, Sept 2007) As Our Communities Age ... "Farmers are Getting Older". Add the fact that the bulge of the Baby Boom Generation is now pushing sixty-plus, and that more city folk are retiring to smaller communities ... and you have an obvious picture of small-town demographics for the next quarter century.
I particularly think bells should ring for church communities. We have Finance Committees, Property Committees, Social Committees, and maybe even a struggling Youth Committee, but I seldom hear mention of a Congregational Care Committee. Caring does happen in its own way - by the minister when there's a crisis (or if s/he has time), and by congregational members who keep informed through the social network. But many persons in need of support silently slip through the cracks. Willing care-givers offer rides, bring tasty tidbits, and make thoughtful calls, but they are hesitant when challenged to consider the "spiritual needs" of those they wish to help. Most don't understand what "spiritual care" means. I applaud Roman Catholics who have trained congregational members to offer specific forms of ministry. The Eucharistic team, after receiving special training, carry the sacred elements to individuals confined in retirement home, hospital rooms, and private homes. The services they offer nurtures both body and spirit. After preparation, other Catholics are designated to offer the ministry of Pastoral Care. When there is a crisis within the family or community, these visitors are among the first to arrive and offer whatever support seems appropriate. Among them, some are also specially prepared to offer Palliative Care (by the bedside of one who is dying). We can never have too many people who are willing and able to help us move through our times of darkness. Theirs is a special ministry (Written by Joyce Sasse, Sept. 2007) Powers of Enslavement, Then and Now (Matt. 8:28-34) Fear builds when people are bullied, and fear causes paralysis of the spirit. Remember the story about Jesus driving the demonic spirits out of two raving men? The evil spirits entred a herd of swine, and they drowned themselves. When the people from the area heard what happened, they begged Jesus "to leave the territory". Why? Theologian Cam Harder gives us background to the story. Josephus, the ancient historian, told how Roman soldiers invaded this pastoral region to the southeast from Galilee. They ransacked, plundered, raped and enslaved the people and the land. Then they forced the people to produce food for the Empire. The two deranged men who met Jesus were victims of that brutality. They could no longer make a living for their families. They'd lost the right to speak out as responsible citizens. All of this drove them to madness. With authority Jesus challenged the demons and drove them out of the men. Witnesses quickly told what happened. But, instead of being grateful for the healing gesture, everyone cowered in fear. What if the Romans got wind of this? Would their punishment be even more severe this time? Because of the cloud of fear, they were certain it was better to remain as obedient slaves of the Empire. I appreciate Harder explaining this difficult scripture passage. But I wish he and the story had gone on.What did Jesus do next? What fears grip and immobilize us? Can we see how corporate powers have over-taken our communities and our lives? How they bombard us with advertising propaganda and compel us to buy everything in sight? Does this forced compulsion cause us to close our ears to any who might show us a better way? There is much to ponder in this story. (Written by Joyce Sasse, September 2007) WORSHIP RESOURCES Feel the Thunder (Psalm 29) As you watch a thunderstorm build, go to the edge of the hillside and read Psalm 29 out loud. Shout it out against the wind. Some call this Psalm "Lord of the Seven Thunders". Seven times the phrase "the voice of the Lord" is used, better spoken with the guttural Hebrew sound "Koal Yahweh", by way of suggesting seven resounding peals of thunder. It is with this poetic imagery that we can imagine the thunder, lightening, wind and rain summoning us to worship the Creator-King. The expression of God's glory builds as the thunder echoes across the waters, as it twists and breaks great trees, as it forces the animals to take shelter, as it shakes the wilderness and strips the leaves from the forest. It declares "the Lord is full of majesty", the God who is enthroned over all things. But, at the same time, in calling us to worship this Mighty One, it clearly states this is a God who is worthy of our worship for this is the benevolent One who also blesses the people with peace and well-being. James Taylor, in his book Everyday Psalms, writes this paraphrase. "Trust God - don't pin your faith on human potential ... Only God is worthy of lasting worship ... The wind whirls in; waves crash on your comfortable shore ... mighty empires are uprooted ... You stand alone before the power of God, as naked and helpless as the day you were born ... All that you depended on is stripped away, like the last leaves from autumn... Nothing can save you - except God. Only God is greater than any human crisis." So the Psalmist invites us to sing, "May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace!' So be it. Amen! (Written by Joyce Sasse, June 2007)
Peruvian farmers are again planting according to tradition. Instead of following the advise of agronomists as to which single variety of potato seed would be most lucrative, most farmers now plant as many as 50 varieties in their tiny fields, as did their forefathers. Experience has taught that in any one year some varieties will produce better than others depending on the constantly changing climatic conditions. Crop diversity makes their farms sustainable.
After Jesus death, Peter became a respected teacher among the Jewish people. With his feet firmly planted in Jewish law and tradition, he preached Christ's message. But the issue was whether or not non-Jews (Gentiles) had to adhere to Jewish laws before becoming Christian.
The voice said, "Do not declare unclean what God has declared clean." This was a pivotal moment in Christian tradition as the disciples began to understand the breadth of Jesus' teaching. God's love was for everyone: Jew and Greek, free and slave, men and women. Peter confessed, "I now realize that it is true that God treats everyone on the same basis", no matter what their background. Thus "the Holy Spirit came upon all who were listening". The message is as modern as today. In a world where faith and cultural traditions intermingle as never before, we need to be reminded that diversity can be a great source of strength in agriculture and in community. "God has shown", Peter concluded, "that I cannot consider any person ritually unclean nor defiled." (Written by Joyce Sasse, June 2007) Prayers of Thanksgiving and Benediction L: Thank you for the beauty of the country communities in our land. Thank you for the people who grow and fish the food that sustains us, for those who harvest the wood and mine the minerals out of which we build our homes and tools, for those who preserve places of recreation. All: Thank you gracious God. L: Thank you for the rural church and its unique role in these communities. A: For its smallness ... B: ... in a world governed by "bigger is better." A: For its caring community ... B: ... where every member matters. A: For its traditions ... B: ... rooted and grounded in a heritage of family, community, work and church. A: For its closeness ... B: ... that makes us involved in and concerned for the life of every member. A: For its will to survive ... B: ... which keeps it going in spite of financial struggles and small membership. A: For its open doors ... B: ... that serve as a meeting place and gathering centre for the community. A: For the simple beauty of its sanctuary ... B: ... which sets the mood for close, real, joyful worship. All: For these gifts of rural church we thank you God. L: God, we know that with these gifts we also recognize its struggles and weaknesses: A: A conservatism that hangs on to things that matter... B: ... but may find it hard to accept change and new things. A: The struggle to survive ... B: ... which sometimes curves us in on ourselves, forgetting the needs of our community. A: For comfort and satisfaction ... B: ... which sometimes keeps us from new ventures. A: For limited vision ... B: ... which fails to see the wealth of resources God has given us. All: Give us grace to recognize your ability to work through us, to see the gifts you have given us, and to offer our weaknesses to your transforming grace. Amen Benediction: L: It began with small things ... ... one breath of life, a tongue of fire within a bush ... one small stone in a shepherd boy's hand ... a teenage girl who said "yes" ... a small point of light in an eastern sky ... a little cup of wine, a crumb of bread ... a rusty nail ... a shout of joy in the early morning. Small things, but they have turned the world upside down. Humble things hide the power of God. Let us go to work to discover the presence of God in our local communities. All: Thanks be to God! (Written by Cam Harder for inaugural meeting of the Centre for Leadership and Rural Ministry, Aug. 2007) INTERNATIONAL NEWS Inspiring Progress: Religions' Contributions to Sustainable Development by Gary T. Gardner (2006) People of faith are essential to building a world of sustainability, declares Gary Gardner, Director of Research at the Worldwatch Institutes (www.worldwatch.org ). His book "Inspiring Progress" gives us a window into initiatives led by Jews and Muslims, Buddhists and Hindus, Confucians and Christians and members of the Baha'i Faith.
"Religious people and institutions are already spearheading pieces of a new vision of progress", he writes, noting that "cultural historian Thomas Berry sees religion - along with education, business and government - as a major source of society-wide change in the world." Possibly the secular media are too focused on tragedy and sensationalism to regularly report the positive ways people of faith are taking action in environmental sustainability. But we have others ways to let people know they are part of something much bigger than themselves. Following are a few stories noted in the book: Green Patriarch of the Orthodox Church Bartholomew, Patriarch of the 250-million member Christian Orthodox Church, has been dubbed "the Green Patriarch" because of his high profile advocacy of environmental issues. Every few years, since 1996, he has organized week-long sailing seminars and invited scientists, theologians, policy makers, and journalists to join him on a chartered ship to study water-related environmental issues in a specific region. These voyages have been made on the Danube and Amazon Rivers, and on the Aegean, Black, Adriatic and Baltic seas. While sharing meals and living quarters, lectures and field trips, the participants learn about the particular body of water that is in real trouble, develop concrete initiatives to improve the situation, and build strong relationships among themselves. The initiatives these high profile groups suggest are communicated by the participating journalists and restorative environmental actions result. On the Danube trip, for example, a sense of connection was developed among the people of the river's nine host countries. Not only did divided people feel united, but they were then able to work together toward improvement of the River System. "The Patriarch's leadership is a prime example of how the moral authority of religion might be focused on building a sustainable world", Gardner writes. His hands-on style of leadership has generated an emotional commitment among the participants that leaves the people talking about what happened years after each event. State of Well-being in Columbian Community A small community on the plains of Columbia has worked for 35 years to create a different kind of economy. The people of Gaviotas have "placed a strong emphasis on Quality of life in harmony with the natural environment". First, they saw the "basic needs were met: residents pay nothing for meals, medical care, education and housing". There's a place for all adults to work: in village enterprises "that manufacture solar collectors and windmills, in organic and hydroponic agriculture, or forestry initiatives". Social needs are addressed, and "music and other cultural events are a regular part of village life". The community is known world-wide for its many inventions developed over its 35-year history. There's a village pump the children work as they ride their see-saw, windmills that work with the gentlest breeze, a pressurized solar water heater, and a pedal-powered cassava grinder ... "As a matter of principle, the villagers do not patent their inventions, (but) make them widely available." They are self-sufficient in energy and are at the centre of the largest reforestation project in Columbia. Their ingredients for well-being include full employment, no economic inequality, an economic harmony with the environment, personal security, democratic governance, and strong social interactions ... Sacred Gifts for a Living Planet is a program that encourages members of religious traditions to make environmental offerings. Some of the Gifts offered in 2005: ● "A ban on hunting snow leopards by Mongolian Buddhists, and the creation of sacred forests where logging is banned ... ● "Environmental audits of synagogues in the UK ... ● "A commitment by Zoroastrians in India to recycle flower offerings from Fire Temples in vermiculture projects ... ● "Establishment of a Centre for Islam and Ecology (in Wales) ... ● "A pledge by the Maronite Church in Lebanon to preserve the Harissa Forest ... ● "A pledge by the Jains (India) to rebuild a village that was destroyed in a 2001 earthquake ..." The Cycle of the Environment, begun in 1999, is a 300-year period that will guide Sikh activities. The Sikh custom of providing a free meal for their people requires a lot of fuel. But the (world-wide) community is now committed to outfitting their kitchens with solar electricity to make their cooking equipment more energy efficient .... (Summary notes written by Joyce Sasse, Sept. 2007) |
