Dear SCNC
Friends,
I just clicked on the fancy
electronic greeting card messages-which happen to be
very meaningful as well as 'fancy'--- from the UCC
national collegium (if you didn't get it, I'm sure it's
on the ucc.org website, click on all the little
snowflakes). Very cool! But technodwebe that I am,
I don't even know how to put a fancy frame around this
Christmas message. Nevertheless, I have been
thinking for several days what small gospel gift I might
offer to you all who are kind enough to read these
little pieces of mine. So please read this with
your imagination---see stars and glitter surrounding
it!
I've had a dilemma in trying to
write to you who will be leading or sitting in
congregations in worship tomorrow night. The ministry of
our congregations with the good news of Jesus Christ
could not be more vital in a time when EVERYone is
struggling in some way or another in what we have come
to speak of as 'these times'. Loss of jobs or
homes or worry and fear about those happening is
spreading like a plague. There is so much bad news
even news junkies can hardly bear to tune in or pick up
a paper or go to a website. So I have been praying
and pondering what little word from me might offer some
comfort or care to those of you who are offering
ministry to those struggling---not to mention, perhaps,
struggling yourselves. And I was clueless
until my prayer walk this morning.
When I walk, my prayer is often singing
treasured old or new hymns (in my head, where I am a
very fine singer!). I have some 'standards' but
mostly just see what comes. This morning my spirit was
suddenly filled with singing from Angels We Have Heard
on High:
"G-l-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-ria!" Over
and over and over again. When I tried to think or pray
in another direction, the angel song persisted:
GLORIA!
It was as if the angels were telling
me: enough of the worry and angst for the world, take
these days and just give God GLORY. I know
it sounds corny and simplistic. But if the
baby-bare basic gift of Christmas is that God is with us
in all times, then GLORIA! If God is indeed
overturning the powerful, filling the hungry and sending
the rich away empty, then GLORIA! If there is any
impossible possibility of peace on earth good will to
all, then GLORIA! If there is light to shine
in the shadows of the collapsing global economy, then
GLORIA!
Beloved ones, this week,
even in these times, just go for the GLORIA.
Let's sing our hearts out and immerse ourselves in the
story of hope and possibility and joy. GLORIA and GLORIA again.
God is with
us.
It is enough for 'these
times'.
In Joy Beyond
Belief,
Jane
