If Not Here, Then Where?

If Not Here, Then Where?

Jun 29, 2020 | Pastor Jim's Blog

Today’s Word from Pastor Jim…  

“We are to fear and love God, so that we do not tell lies about our neighbors, betray or slander them, or destroy their reputations. Instead, we are to come to their defense, speak well of them, and interpret everything they do in the best possible light.” Martin Luther’s explanation of the Eighth Commandment.

For the past 30 years I have had the privilege of working with TLC Minister of Music, Karl Olsen. Karl is a rare combination of talent, sensitivity, compassion, humility, gentleness, flexibility, and sincerity. He is an exceptional songwriter and performer. Karl has a passion for peace and justice, and a caring pastoral heart. We have shared a creative, prophetic, and pastoral ministry for 30 years. Don’t get me wrong, Karl is no saint! You see, sometimes he disagrees with me. On occasion, he pushes me harder than I want to be pushed.

One of our members told me recently that she was going to read one of my missives to her mostly grown children at dinner. There had been lots of heated discussions in her home revolving around protests, anarchy, racism, and the place of police officers. She said, “I am going to read this missive to them and tell them that if we cannot talk about this civilly as a family then how can we hope to make progress in the world. If not here, then where?”

The reality is, it is a very difficult time to engage in civil discourse. If I had a nickel for everyone who had talked to me about this, I would have at least a dollar by now. Countless times our members have expressed their exasperation, frustration, and outrage over the political opinions of their family members or friends. Facebook posts lead to Facebook arguments, name calling, hurt feelings, and finally to, “I am going to block you.” People say things to friends and strangers on social media that they would never say “face to face.”

Karl is no saint! Sometimes he has a different opinion than I do. For 30 years we have shared a creative, prophetic, and pastoral ministry together. He has been, and continues to be, a trusted friend, mentor, and colleague. Karl is a gift to TLC and to me. We have had many disagreements, but I don’t ever remember a single cross word. We have agreed, and we have agreed to disagree. We have questioned each other’s views, and yet continued to respect the opinion of the other. We have never aired our disagreements on Facebook.

It is a very difficult time to engage in civil discourse. Everyone thinks that they are right. They read the feeds that support their views and spar with those who think differently. Very few are “liberal” enough to have an open mind and to really listen to opinions that differ from their own. If we can’t talk about this civilly as a family, then how can we hope to make progress in the world? If not here, then where?

The 8th Commandment is broken every day (in a thousand different ways) on social media platforms. It is forbidden to tell lies, to libel or slander. It is imperative that we try to understand our neighbor, and explain their actions in the kindest possible way. You are not going to change anyone’s mind on Facebook, so perhaps it would be best just to listen, pray for them, and respect their right to have their wrong opinion.

Karl is no saint! Pastor Jim is even further down the continuum of sainthood. But we respect each other and we are united in a common mission. We listen when the other speaks. He moves me a little closer to justice, and I get him to sing silly songs for worship. We love each other and we have for 30 years.

It is a difficult time to engage in civil discourse. Help us Lord to work toward solutions, not to add to the problem. May we listen respectfully, may we speak the truth in love. Can we model civil discourse? Can we agree to disagree without holding anger in our hearts?

I am hopeful that the labor pains our country is experiencing are moving us toward a new birth of justice and peace. I am hopeful, and we are one day closer.

Much love,
Pastor Jim

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Thank You

Thank You

Jun 27, 2020 | Pastor Jim's Blog

Today’s Word from Pastor Jim…  

“I thank my God in every remembrance of you.” Philippians 1:3

I want to just pause and say, “thank you.” I am quite sure that I don’t say thank you nearly enough. We have been in this crisis for more than 100 days and you have been inspirational. For more than 100 days now, you have read our daily musings, watched our Sunday Services, taken part in trivia contests and food drives. You have sent cards and letters, baked cookies and sewn masks. For more than 100 days you have held your church staff in prayer and carried us along the way. We miss you! We miss seeing you! We are so very thankful for you.

For more than 100 days you have sent in checks, made gifts online, or set up automatic payments through your bank. Your generosity has allowed us to keep paying our staff and to keep money moving to our neighbors in need. TLC is the rare non-profit who gives money to non-profits. We have given more than $50,000 in the last 100 days to non-profits like Good Cheer, Gifts from the Heart, Helping Hand, and Senior Services of Island County. Without your support, we could not make these contributions. Contributions that put food on the tables of financially distressed neighbors, pay light bills, and help people to stay in their homes.

How much longer? We don’t know. No one knows how long we will endure this season of isolation, loss, illness, and death. What is very clear is that we will continue to be the church together, though we are apart. We will continue to be the church of Jesus; feeding the hungry, offering water to the thirsty, and sharing grace with parched souls. We will continue to be the church, and for that I give thanks.

It has been 115 days since we canceled worship and closed our campus. How long, Lord, will we have to wander in uncertainty? No one knows, but everyone knows that we are one day closer to the end of this season of contagion.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for staying on the road with me, for reminding me that I am not alone, for being the church together.

Much love,
Pastor Jim

A special shout-out thank you to Rocky Knickerbocker and Pat McBiles who installed the newest addition to our columbarium. It looks fantastic. Get your space now, this is one trip that you know will happen.

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Juneuary

Juneuary

Jun 26, 2020 | Pastor Jim's Blog, Uncategorized

Today’s Word from Rev. David Bieniek…  

Growing up in Texas, I had never heard of Juneuary. In fact, in Texas June seldom had anything in common with January. It was usually the first month that temperatures would hit greater than 100 degrees! Here in the Pacific Northwest, Juneuary may last well into July. We moved here at the end of June ten years ago. We were excited to be invited to a Fourth of July party. We showed up in shorts and t-shirts; it was summer at the beach, but soon we were huddled under blankets close to a fire. That is when we learned that summer does not start here until July 5th!

It seems to me that this year, Juneuary has been mercifully lenient with us, several nice days – even some sunny days from time to time. But summer is still hiding out most of the time. I feel like that is how our world is going these days. Glimmers of hope but generally gloomy, cool, and sometimes wet, may reflect both our weather and the state of our culture.

Juneuary teaches us many things about life, about patience, and about growth. Juneuary, like its namesake, January, is a period when nature is taking her time. In late winter, bulbs are beginning to awaken, buds begin to appear on trees, and animals begin to wake up from their winter slumbers. Juneuary is also a season of preparation. Spring has sprung, but the cool moist days allow young animals to graze and meander, flowers can grow tall in the heavy dew even while they soak up the filtered sunlight, and our bodies slowly adjust to longer days and mornings that begin with loud birdsong as baby birds clamor for abundant morning worms.

Yes Juneuary, this year especially, can also teach us. It teaches us to slow down, to count blessings, to appreciate new life, to marvel as the sun peaks out, and to celebrate the longer days. It is also a reminder to us that better days are coming. We just have to keep the faith. Soon after the fireworks of 4th of July, summer begins. And it won’t be long before we might be griping about how hot it is.

How do you get through Juneuary? How do you get through the days when the sun is still out until late, but it’s too chilly to dance in its sunset? How do you stay focused on that July 5th summer that is still coming? How do you hold out?

Remember that our God walks with us through all the seasons of life, not just the difficult or happy ones. Our God is a God of transition. Jesus taught us that God looks for lost things – a lost coin, one lost sheep, a lost child. Juneuary may seem like a lost season, but it is one full of promise and delight. Enjoy it while it is still here!

Rev. Dave Bieniek

To make a donation to Trinity, follow this link: https://trinitylutheranfreeland.org/give/

 
It Could Be Worse

It Could Be Worse

Jun 25, 2020 | Pastor Jim's Blog

Today’s Word from Pastor Jim…  

I had an Aunt who always used to say, “It could be worse.” It was a way of staying positive in the midst of circumstances that were not positive; perhaps even disruptive or painful. Look on the bright side. The house and its contents have been consumed by the fire, but fires provide job security for firefighters. Keep your chin up Jim; it is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.

It could be worse. Of course, it could always be worse. If we look around, we can always find someone who is worse off, and we can find someone who is better off. Saying that “it could be worse” is helpful, to a point. It does put current challenges and circumstances in perspective, but it does not really acknowledge the grief and disappointment that is present.

On March 13th we decided that it was no longer safe to gather for corporate worship. But it could be worse. At least the church would remain open for Bible Study and fellowship. By March 18th we had entirely closed our campus. All church groups and community groups were canceled because of Covid-19. Schools were closed; young people missed their friends, and college students came home. But it could be worse. Just think where we would be without ZOOM. But it could be worse. At least people were working and the economy was good. No worries, the President said that we would be back in worship by Easter – we weren’t. But it could be worse. We had May 17th circled on our calendars. That Sunday has long passed, and we are still not worshiping together. After years of very little family time, families quarantined and everyone stayed home. It has been interesting realizing that we are related to these people. But there was an upside of quarantine; we were all in it together, people smiled more. Until the masks came out and then the smiles were gone. There was an upside of quarantine; the price of gas went down, the environment was happy, the animals came back, there was no traffic through Seattle, the streets were empty. The streets were empty until they were full of protesters, rioters, looters, law enforcement, and the national guard. But it could have been worse, right?

It could have been worse. We have been able to pass the days and nights of quarantine on Whidbey Island. We have been able to walk the beaches and see magnificent sunsets and revel in the sunshine of the longest days of the year. It could have been worse. Whidbey Island has been mostly disease-free since April, and we have been kept safe by our health care workers, first responders, and our amazing essential workers. Our church staff has switched gears and we are worshiping and sharing Holy Communion online. More people than ever before are listening, reading, and worshiping with us. More people than ever before have put themselves in the path of the Gospel. Thanks be to God. Yes, we have so much to be thankful for. We are in this together, and we will gather together again.

YES, it could have been worse – just think about it – the ferries could have stopped running on weekends!

One day closer.
Pastor Jim

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Dinner Time

Dinner Time

Jun 24, 2020 | Pastor Jim's Blog

Today’s Word from Pastor Tom Kidd…  

Maybe the most recognizable piece of Renaissance art is Da Vinci’s “The Last Supper.” It is a fresco, a mural painting in the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, Italy. I have not personally seen it. This wall painting is 180 in. by 350 in. Its creation dates from 1495 to 1498. Jokes abound about Da Vinci telling the disciples, “Hey, everyone! get on the other side of the table, I’m not painting your backs!” The chaos that everyone seems to be acting out in the mural is rooted in the context of the Biblical story; Jesus has just informed them that one of them will betray him. What we see is various degrees of anger, disgust, shock, and fear on the faces of the 12. The painting is very busy. It seems Italians, or Italian painters portraying Jews, always depicted their subjects speaking with their hands.

The chaos of Da Vinci’s scene looks vaguely like some of my memories of our family dinners. We had three children in 42 months. I remember fondly the time when one of our children complained we must be the worst parents in the universe. I immediately put CPS on speed dial for their benefit. I was certain every other family in the parish was the Cleavers and if the congregation ever found out how chaotic our family was, I would be revealed a fraud.

This past Sunday was celebrated as Father’s Day. In the 2020 TLC worship schedule, I was preaching. I was looking forward to it; another pandemic hit. In 1984, I took a study leave from the parish. I received an MS in Marriage and Family Therapy. The joke in my family was that I crammed a two-year program into three years… that thesis was a doozie. One of my favorite instructors recently died. A line of his indelibly printed in my memory reads, “One of the reasons God gives us children is so we will finish growing up.” That’s kind of an “ouch” moment. It is painfully true. Every time I have preached on Father’s Day, I have given thanks for the life lessons learned through my children. Even the painful ones.

Back to The Last Supper. Here is Jesus, breaking bread and sharing wine with new instructions (“Do this in remembrance of me”), all the while making it clear that he is fully aware one of the twelve has sold him out, and he is about to die. The pandemonium could not be any worse than if someone at the family meal just declared they brought Covid-19 to the dinner table. What kind of betrayal is that!? Who, me? All with a lot of finger pointing. There, in the midst of the chaos, is a saddened but serene Jesus, one hand palm down, one hand palm up. The twelve so aptly represent us. It’s not just Judas; we have all betrayed Jesus. We have all fallen short of God’s good intentions and we all have disappointed God, one another, and ourselves. Yet, we are the object of God’s love. I guess that’s why it’s called amazing grace.

I have made it a practice to parent by grace. Errors in parenting are made, forgiven, and moved on from. Da Vinci’s painting, though, makes me think that if I had a do-over I would change the supper seating assignments, regularly, maybe daily. Maybe I could have been a better parent if I had regularly sat in their seats, took a dinner world view from their perspective, tried to demonstrate a practical willingness to be more empathetic. Such a willingness might make it easier to be more emotionally present, in today’s world, with all those who are crying out against injustice. Jesus took a seat for all of us on the cross. From James the Lesser, to Peter, to Judas (“Go do what you have to do”), to us. Jesus has sat in our seat at the table, all the while beckoning us to look at life from his perspective… “For whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it for me” (Matthew 26:40). Dinner table advice: “Do it for Jesus.”

Pastor Tom Kidd

To make a donation to Trinity, follow this link: https://trinitylutheranfreeland.org/give/