Lately you may have been hearing about a group at Deep River Friends called the "Joel Committee". This is a committee that was set up by Ministry and Counsel and approved by Monthly Meeting for the specific purpose of engaging the meeting in a process of long range planning and dreaming. The term "Joel Committee" is based on the Scripture passage in the book of Joel where we read:
"I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions. In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on servants - men and women alike." (Joel 2:28-29, NLT)
We see this verse come up again in the Book of Acts on the Day of Pentecost. It's a recognition that God's Spirit dwells in everyone and is available to all - men and women, old and young. We have called this committee the Joel Committee because we want to underscore the idea that God's Spirit comes to all of us - young and old, men and women - and fills us in such a way that we can "dream dreams". The Joel Committee is not just a "long range planning committee" but a group of folks committed listening to God and dreaming about our future together.
This committee has met three times and in those three times has brainstormed ideas in five key areas. These areas are: Finances, Faith Formation, Friendly Presence(our Quaker identity), Facilities, and Fellowship. The ideas that this committee has generated is on newsprint which can be seen in the Fellowship Hall. The next step is for the rest of the congregation to offer their ideas and input.
We have left the newsprint with the ideas for each of these areas on tables. On the tables are also blank pieces of newsprint and markers. What the Joel Committee would like for you to do is for you to give your input and ideas. The papers and pens will be left there for the next two to three weeks. Feel free to put down your idea or to say anything about all the other ideas. The committee values your input.
The next step will be to take these ideas and begin to discern a theme. Our most important question ultimately is, "Who is God calling Deep River Friends to be?" We are praying that this calling will begin to emerge from the themes that are discerned from the various ideas and input that is offered. Out of these, we hope to have a direction to head in that will give us short-term, mid-range, and long-term goals. We will still journey forth in faith but at least we will know what direction we are headed in one year from now, three years from now, five years from now, and ten years from now.
So, take some time and give us your ideas. Jot them down on the newsprint. Share with us your dream for Deep River Friends Meeting.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Founders Day Message - "Carrying the Fire Forward" (Jeremiah 20:7-9) by Scott Wagoner
The young man was tired. He was tired of preaching the same message over and over again. Little did he know that he would end up preaching it for 23 years before his listeners would actually get it. But he kept preaching. He kept sharing his heart. It wasn’t always an easy message to give. It wasn’t an easy one to hear. It basically predicted that if his listeners didn’t take notice of their lives – the duplicity in which they were living – they would experience destruction both in their souls and as a nation. He was ridiculed and scorned all the time. When the people didn’t like what they heard, they would find a preacher that would say what they wanted to hear – and there were plenty of them. And what preacher turned prophet can take that over a long period of time? You preach what’s on your heart and you get ridiculed and scorned. You share what you believe is the word of God and you get the “deer in the headlights” look and then they leave and go find someone that will share a message that will go down just a bit easier. The young preacher turned prophet was about ready to give up. But just when he would have those moments of feeling as if he couldn’t do it anymore – those moments when he would convince himself to never again speak in God’s name, he would feel something deep within his soul stirring, something deep within his soul burning, something that would not leave him alone, and he would write in his journal: “…then your message is like a fire burning deep within me. I try my best to hold it in, but can no longer keep it back.”
This “fire in the bones” – this “fire burning deep within me” is what we might call passion. Jeremiah had it – or, maybe a better way to put it is that it had Jeremiah! The passion that burned within him was that of the message of God and the presence of the living God. It was that force within him that caused him to proclaim God’s message even when it wasn’t popular or readily accepted. It was the force that defined his ministry. Even though his message remained pretty much the same for 23 years – this “fire “within gave him the courage and the resilience to keep on preaching it, living it, witnessing to it, and proclaiming it even when it wasn’t popular or understood. That’s what passion will do for a person.
The early Quakers had passion. In fact, they were probably the corporate embodiment of Jeremiah. In other words, they were ridiculed and scorned. They were thrown in prison for their beliefs and the faith they chose to live out. They were persecuted for living out their experience that the Living Christ is real, present, and has come to teach and guide his people. They challenged government and religious authorities. They came alongside the oppressed and the marginalized. They chose conviction over comfort and convenience. They could have said with Jeremiah, “…your message is like a fire burning deep within me. I try my best to hold it in, but can no longer keep it back.” The message of early Friends burned white hot. It radiated out from their souls and warmed those they served with the love and power of God. As Thomas Kelly writes: “A great light and spiritual power blazed out in England, beginning about 1650, which shook thousands of their complacent formalism, which kindled men and women with radiant fires of divine glory and holy joy. It sent them out into the market places and the churches, ablaze with the message of the greatness and the nearness of God, His ready guidance and His enfolding love.”
The risk, though, is – and it’s a great one – that the farther away you are from the original fires the greater the risk of things cooling off. Let me quote Thomas Kelly again: “You and I exist today as paled-out remnants of the movement which sprang out of that discovery and that light. Those fires of 1650 and 1660 flicker low. We are for the most part respectable, complacent, comfortable, with a respectable past, proud of our birthright membership in the Society of Friends which guarantees us entrance, if not into heaven, at least into very earthly society. The blazing, burning fires of three centuries ago are too generally sunk in us to a genial, mellow glow of historical sweetness and innocence and gentle beauty.”
This morning we celebrate Founders Day –the “founding” of this meeting called Deep River Friends. We celebrate the vision of those that came before us and the legacy that they have left. We realize today that all we do is simply build on the foundations of those that have gone before us. And as we celebrate this Founders Day, we also look forward to the future realizing that we have a legacy to continue. And it is a rich and treasured legacy. Our forefathers and foremothers of Deep River Friends have given us some wonderful gifts – a great location, a rich spiritual heritage in which many of you have experience through Sunday School and other classes, a wonderful relationship and connection with the surrounding community, and continuity of leadership through families that have served as well as a wonderful welcoming spirit that invites new people to sink their roots and life deep into the soil of this meeting’s love and grace. But let’s heed the warning of Thomas Kelly – now is not the time to rest on our spiritual and historical laurels. Maybe this Founders Day can be our moment of re-dedicating ourselves to this passionate living faith that once burned brightly with early Friends and our own forefathers and foremothers – and can so with you and I.
Quick story – In the early days of the Tennessee Valley Authority a log home had to be abandoned to make room for lake behind the dam. A new home on the hillside had already been built for the cabin’s poor Appalachian family, but they refused to move into their beautiful split-level ranch home. The day of the flooding arrive but still the family refused to move. As the bulldozers were brought in, the family brought out their shotguns. No amount of legal papers or bulldozers would budge this family from their cabin.
Then someone from the Tennessee Valley Authority decided one last-ditch effort to end the stalemate. They called in a social worker to talk with the family and find out what their problem was. “We ain’t goin’ anywhere” the family announced to the social worker. “Nobody can make us. We’re not budging no matter how many threats you make or how rundown our li’l cabin may look to you!” The social worker pleaded, “Help me to explain to the authorities why you won’t move into your beautiful new home.”
“See that fire over there?” the man asked, pointing to a blazing fire in the primitive fire place of the log cottage. “My grandpa built that fire over a hundred years ago,” the man explained. “He never let it go out, for he had no matches and it was a long way to a neighbor’s. Then my pa tended the fire and since he died, I’ve tended it. None of us ever let it die, and I ain’t a-going to move away now and let grandpa’s fire go out!”
This gave the social worker an idea. She arranged for a large apple butter kettle to be delivered to the home. She explained to the family that they could scoop up the live coals from the fire and carry them to the new home where they would then be poured out and fresh kindling added. In this way, grandpa’s fire need never go out. Would this be acceptable? This Appalachian family huddled, and then agreed to move from their shack in the hollow to the new home on the hillside. But they wouldn’t budge – until they could take with them the fire of their ancestors.
We have a building. We have furniture. We have other historical artifacts. But more importantly, let us take with us into the future the fire, the passion, of our ancestors. Not just our ancestors at Deep River Friends Meeting but the ancestors for our faith – both our living Quaker faith and the faith in Jesus Christ – the “crowd of witnesses” as the book of Hebrews describes them. Thomas Kelly writes: “But the blazing discovery which Quakers made, long ago, is rediscovered again and again by individuals, and sometimes by groups. The embers flare up, the light becomes glorious. There is no reason why it cannot break out again, today, with blazing power. The world needs it desperately. It is in the hope that you and I, today, may rediscover this flaming center of religion that those words are written – not in an historical interest in a charming past.”
We take with us the fire of a living faith – a faith that is not fixed to a creed or a belief statement but a faith that is connected to a living person – the Living Christ. A faith that is based on a relationship with a person – Christ – and not propositions and fixed ideas. This is a “living faith” that sustains us in the hard times and gives us power in the challenging times. We take with us the fire of a serving faith – a faith that is seen and not just heard. We continue that legacy here as we serve at Open Door shelter, Leslies House, Peacemaker program, our serving in the schools, gifts to Hospice..and much more. It is a faith that follows the life of Jesus by exercising downward mobility and becoming a servant. We take with us the fire of genuine faith – a faith that is real, a faith that is authentic, a faith that expresses our personal relationship with Christ and our personal journey. A motto for us at Deep River Friends needs to be, “Making God’s Love Real.” How can it become real for you and I in such a way that our lives and our spiritual journey feels real to those around us. We take with us the fire of a courageous faith – a faith that is willing to advocate for the oppressed and poor, a faith that is willing to speak out against injustice, a faith that is willing to speak God’s message into a world that often lives by other messages, a faith that is willing to love the ones that other would rather not touch, see, or even acknowledge. We take with us the fire of a connected faith – a faith that connects us with one another through acts of kindness, love, encouragement and even accountability. A faith that offers hospitality to one another and is willing to “see that of God” in each other – one where we recognize and affirm each other’s gifts. And we take with us the fire of a transforming faith – a faith that not only transforms our lives and restores our hearts but a faith that transforms our community and world as well. It has been written of the early Friends that they were changed people before they went about to change others.
In his most recent book Outlive Your Life prolific author Max Lucado shares this story:
“Unfavorable winds blow the ship off course and when they do, the sailors spot uncharted islands. They see half a dozen mounds rising out of the blue South Seas waters. The captain orders the men to drop anchor and goes ashore. He is a robust man with a barrel chest, full beard, and curious soul.
On the first island he sees nothing but sadness. Underfed children. Tribes in conflict. No farming or food development, no treatment for the sick, and no schools. Just simple needy people. The second and following islands reveal more of the same. The captain sighs at what he sees. “This is no life for these people.” But what can he do.
Then he stops onto the last and largest island. The people are healthy and well fed. Irrigation systems nourish their fields, and road connect the village. The children have bright eyes and strong bodies. The captain asks the chief for an explanation. How has this island moved so far ahead of the others? The chief who is smaller than the captain but every bit his equal in confidence, gives a quick response: “Father Benjamin. He educated us in everything from agriculture to health. He built schools and clinics and dug wells. The captain asks, “Can you take me to see him?”
The chief nods and signals for two tribesmen to join him. They guide the captain over a jungle ridge to a simple, expansive medical clinic. It is equipped with clean beds and staffed with trained caretakers. They show the captain the shelves of medicine and introduce him to the staff. The captain, though impressed, sees nothing of Father Benjamin. He repeats his request, “I would like to see Father Benjamin. Can you take me to where he lives?”
The three natives look puzzled. They confer among themselves. After several minutes the chief invites, “Follow us to the other wised of the island.” They walk along the shoreline until they reach a series of fishponds. Canals connect the ponds to the ocean. As the tide rises, fish pass from the ocean into the ponds. The islanders then lower canal gates and trap the fish for harvest. Again the captain is amazed. He meets fisherman and workers, gatekeepers and net casters. Be he sees nothing of Father Benjamin. He wonders if he is making himself clear. “I don’t see Father Benjamin. Please take me to where he lives.”
The trio talks alone again. After some discussion the chief offers, “Let’s go up to the mountain.” They lead the captain up a steep, narrow path. After many twists and turns the path deposits them in front of a grass-roofed chapel. The voice of the chief is soft and earnest. “He has taught us about God.” He escorts the captain inside and shows him the altar, a large wooden cross, several rows of benches, and a Bible.
“Is this where Father Benjamin lives?” the captain asks. The men nod and smile. “May I talk to him?” Their faces grow suddenly serious. “Oh that would be impossible.?” “Why” the captain asks? “He died many years ago.” The bewildered captain stares at the men. “I asked to see him, and you showed me a clinic, some fish farms, and this chapel. You said nothing of his death.”
“You didn’t ask about his death,” the chief explains. “You asked to see where he lives. We showed you.”
On this Founders Day, let us rededicate ourselves as individuals – and as a meeting – to outliving our lives. Years from now, when someone asks, “Show us Deep River Friends”, maybe they will show them…
A person working for peace who attended Florence Elementary
A person attending church on a regular basis who remembers learning about the Bible and about God while attending here as a child
A marriage that is now flourishing because they found hope and healing at Deep River Friends
A family involved in serving their community because they learned a servants mentality while at Deep River Friends
A person serving in the ministry full-time because while at Deep River Friends they heard God’s call on their heart
A person who has found joy and peace in life because, when they needed acceptance and grace the most, they found it here.
A person who lives life with intent, purpose, and passion because when they were floundering and had no direction, they discovered their life had meaning while here at Deep River.
A person who has found life in a relationship with Jesus Christ because when they were here, it was the most important thing we could offer them.
May we carry the fire of a living faith forward into the future…and may we outlive our lives both individually and corporately.
Amen.
This “fire in the bones” – this “fire burning deep within me” is what we might call passion. Jeremiah had it – or, maybe a better way to put it is that it had Jeremiah! The passion that burned within him was that of the message of God and the presence of the living God. It was that force within him that caused him to proclaim God’s message even when it wasn’t popular or readily accepted. It was the force that defined his ministry. Even though his message remained pretty much the same for 23 years – this “fire “within gave him the courage and the resilience to keep on preaching it, living it, witnessing to it, and proclaiming it even when it wasn’t popular or understood. That’s what passion will do for a person.
The early Quakers had passion. In fact, they were probably the corporate embodiment of Jeremiah. In other words, they were ridiculed and scorned. They were thrown in prison for their beliefs and the faith they chose to live out. They were persecuted for living out their experience that the Living Christ is real, present, and has come to teach and guide his people. They challenged government and religious authorities. They came alongside the oppressed and the marginalized. They chose conviction over comfort and convenience. They could have said with Jeremiah, “…your message is like a fire burning deep within me. I try my best to hold it in, but can no longer keep it back.” The message of early Friends burned white hot. It radiated out from their souls and warmed those they served with the love and power of God. As Thomas Kelly writes: “A great light and spiritual power blazed out in England, beginning about 1650, which shook thousands of their complacent formalism, which kindled men and women with radiant fires of divine glory and holy joy. It sent them out into the market places and the churches, ablaze with the message of the greatness and the nearness of God, His ready guidance and His enfolding love.”
The risk, though, is – and it’s a great one – that the farther away you are from the original fires the greater the risk of things cooling off. Let me quote Thomas Kelly again: “You and I exist today as paled-out remnants of the movement which sprang out of that discovery and that light. Those fires of 1650 and 1660 flicker low. We are for the most part respectable, complacent, comfortable, with a respectable past, proud of our birthright membership in the Society of Friends which guarantees us entrance, if not into heaven, at least into very earthly society. The blazing, burning fires of three centuries ago are too generally sunk in us to a genial, mellow glow of historical sweetness and innocence and gentle beauty.”
This morning we celebrate Founders Day –the “founding” of this meeting called Deep River Friends. We celebrate the vision of those that came before us and the legacy that they have left. We realize today that all we do is simply build on the foundations of those that have gone before us. And as we celebrate this Founders Day, we also look forward to the future realizing that we have a legacy to continue. And it is a rich and treasured legacy. Our forefathers and foremothers of Deep River Friends have given us some wonderful gifts – a great location, a rich spiritual heritage in which many of you have experience through Sunday School and other classes, a wonderful relationship and connection with the surrounding community, and continuity of leadership through families that have served as well as a wonderful welcoming spirit that invites new people to sink their roots and life deep into the soil of this meeting’s love and grace. But let’s heed the warning of Thomas Kelly – now is not the time to rest on our spiritual and historical laurels. Maybe this Founders Day can be our moment of re-dedicating ourselves to this passionate living faith that once burned brightly with early Friends and our own forefathers and foremothers – and can so with you and I.
Quick story – In the early days of the Tennessee Valley Authority a log home had to be abandoned to make room for lake behind the dam. A new home on the hillside had already been built for the cabin’s poor Appalachian family, but they refused to move into their beautiful split-level ranch home. The day of the flooding arrive but still the family refused to move. As the bulldozers were brought in, the family brought out their shotguns. No amount of legal papers or bulldozers would budge this family from their cabin.
Then someone from the Tennessee Valley Authority decided one last-ditch effort to end the stalemate. They called in a social worker to talk with the family and find out what their problem was. “We ain’t goin’ anywhere” the family announced to the social worker. “Nobody can make us. We’re not budging no matter how many threats you make or how rundown our li’l cabin may look to you!” The social worker pleaded, “Help me to explain to the authorities why you won’t move into your beautiful new home.”
“See that fire over there?” the man asked, pointing to a blazing fire in the primitive fire place of the log cottage. “My grandpa built that fire over a hundred years ago,” the man explained. “He never let it go out, for he had no matches and it was a long way to a neighbor’s. Then my pa tended the fire and since he died, I’ve tended it. None of us ever let it die, and I ain’t a-going to move away now and let grandpa’s fire go out!”
This gave the social worker an idea. She arranged for a large apple butter kettle to be delivered to the home. She explained to the family that they could scoop up the live coals from the fire and carry them to the new home where they would then be poured out and fresh kindling added. In this way, grandpa’s fire need never go out. Would this be acceptable? This Appalachian family huddled, and then agreed to move from their shack in the hollow to the new home on the hillside. But they wouldn’t budge – until they could take with them the fire of their ancestors.
We have a building. We have furniture. We have other historical artifacts. But more importantly, let us take with us into the future the fire, the passion, of our ancestors. Not just our ancestors at Deep River Friends Meeting but the ancestors for our faith – both our living Quaker faith and the faith in Jesus Christ – the “crowd of witnesses” as the book of Hebrews describes them. Thomas Kelly writes: “But the blazing discovery which Quakers made, long ago, is rediscovered again and again by individuals, and sometimes by groups. The embers flare up, the light becomes glorious. There is no reason why it cannot break out again, today, with blazing power. The world needs it desperately. It is in the hope that you and I, today, may rediscover this flaming center of religion that those words are written – not in an historical interest in a charming past.”
We take with us the fire of a living faith – a faith that is not fixed to a creed or a belief statement but a faith that is connected to a living person – the Living Christ. A faith that is based on a relationship with a person – Christ – and not propositions and fixed ideas. This is a “living faith” that sustains us in the hard times and gives us power in the challenging times. We take with us the fire of a serving faith – a faith that is seen and not just heard. We continue that legacy here as we serve at Open Door shelter, Leslies House, Peacemaker program, our serving in the schools, gifts to Hospice..and much more. It is a faith that follows the life of Jesus by exercising downward mobility and becoming a servant. We take with us the fire of genuine faith – a faith that is real, a faith that is authentic, a faith that expresses our personal relationship with Christ and our personal journey. A motto for us at Deep River Friends needs to be, “Making God’s Love Real.” How can it become real for you and I in such a way that our lives and our spiritual journey feels real to those around us. We take with us the fire of a courageous faith – a faith that is willing to advocate for the oppressed and poor, a faith that is willing to speak out against injustice, a faith that is willing to speak God’s message into a world that often lives by other messages, a faith that is willing to love the ones that other would rather not touch, see, or even acknowledge. We take with us the fire of a connected faith – a faith that connects us with one another through acts of kindness, love, encouragement and even accountability. A faith that offers hospitality to one another and is willing to “see that of God” in each other – one where we recognize and affirm each other’s gifts. And we take with us the fire of a transforming faith – a faith that not only transforms our lives and restores our hearts but a faith that transforms our community and world as well. It has been written of the early Friends that they were changed people before they went about to change others.
In his most recent book Outlive Your Life prolific author Max Lucado shares this story:
“Unfavorable winds blow the ship off course and when they do, the sailors spot uncharted islands. They see half a dozen mounds rising out of the blue South Seas waters. The captain orders the men to drop anchor and goes ashore. He is a robust man with a barrel chest, full beard, and curious soul.
On the first island he sees nothing but sadness. Underfed children. Tribes in conflict. No farming or food development, no treatment for the sick, and no schools. Just simple needy people. The second and following islands reveal more of the same. The captain sighs at what he sees. “This is no life for these people.” But what can he do.
Then he stops onto the last and largest island. The people are healthy and well fed. Irrigation systems nourish their fields, and road connect the village. The children have bright eyes and strong bodies. The captain asks the chief for an explanation. How has this island moved so far ahead of the others? The chief who is smaller than the captain but every bit his equal in confidence, gives a quick response: “Father Benjamin. He educated us in everything from agriculture to health. He built schools and clinics and dug wells. The captain asks, “Can you take me to see him?”
The chief nods and signals for two tribesmen to join him. They guide the captain over a jungle ridge to a simple, expansive medical clinic. It is equipped with clean beds and staffed with trained caretakers. They show the captain the shelves of medicine and introduce him to the staff. The captain, though impressed, sees nothing of Father Benjamin. He repeats his request, “I would like to see Father Benjamin. Can you take me to where he lives?”
The three natives look puzzled. They confer among themselves. After several minutes the chief invites, “Follow us to the other wised of the island.” They walk along the shoreline until they reach a series of fishponds. Canals connect the ponds to the ocean. As the tide rises, fish pass from the ocean into the ponds. The islanders then lower canal gates and trap the fish for harvest. Again the captain is amazed. He meets fisherman and workers, gatekeepers and net casters. Be he sees nothing of Father Benjamin. He wonders if he is making himself clear. “I don’t see Father Benjamin. Please take me to where he lives.”
The trio talks alone again. After some discussion the chief offers, “Let’s go up to the mountain.” They lead the captain up a steep, narrow path. After many twists and turns the path deposits them in front of a grass-roofed chapel. The voice of the chief is soft and earnest. “He has taught us about God.” He escorts the captain inside and shows him the altar, a large wooden cross, several rows of benches, and a Bible.
“Is this where Father Benjamin lives?” the captain asks. The men nod and smile. “May I talk to him?” Their faces grow suddenly serious. “Oh that would be impossible.?” “Why” the captain asks? “He died many years ago.” The bewildered captain stares at the men. “I asked to see him, and you showed me a clinic, some fish farms, and this chapel. You said nothing of his death.”
“You didn’t ask about his death,” the chief explains. “You asked to see where he lives. We showed you.”
On this Founders Day, let us rededicate ourselves as individuals – and as a meeting – to outliving our lives. Years from now, when someone asks, “Show us Deep River Friends”, maybe they will show them…
A person working for peace who attended Florence Elementary
A person attending church on a regular basis who remembers learning about the Bible and about God while attending here as a child
A marriage that is now flourishing because they found hope and healing at Deep River Friends
A family involved in serving their community because they learned a servants mentality while at Deep River Friends
A person serving in the ministry full-time because while at Deep River Friends they heard God’s call on their heart
A person who has found joy and peace in life because, when they needed acceptance and grace the most, they found it here.
A person who lives life with intent, purpose, and passion because when they were floundering and had no direction, they discovered their life had meaning while here at Deep River.
A person who has found life in a relationship with Jesus Christ because when they were here, it was the most important thing we could offer them.
May we carry the fire of a living faith forward into the future…and may we outlive our lives both individually and corporately.
Amen.
Founders Day Prayer - Founders Day, October 24, 2010
Gracious and Loving God
On this day, our Founders Day, we give thanks…
We give thanks for those who had the original vision to see a Friends meeting gather and thrive in this location.
We give thanks for all those who have been joined to this meeting for well over 250 years and have given of their time, their talents, and their treasure.
We give thanks for lives that have been changed, transformed, renewed, and healed through the ministry of this meeting.
We give thanks for the many sacrifices and the dedicated lives that have made it possible for there to be a Deep River Friends meeting these many years.
We give thanks for every pastor that has ever served in this meeting – for their servanthood, dedication, and shepherds heart.
And we give thanks to you, O God, for being a generous God, a God who has walked with us and guided us through both the ups and the downs.
We give thanks God for the love you have for us, for the forgiveness of our sins, and for the promise and hope we have in Jesus Christ.
On this Founders Day, we pray for…
Vision for the future
Wisdom in the present
Guidance in the everyday
Love for one another
Hope in the circumstances of life
Peace in our hearts and in our world.
In Jesus Christ Name.
Amen.
On this day, our Founders Day, we give thanks…
We give thanks for those who had the original vision to see a Friends meeting gather and thrive in this location.
We give thanks for all those who have been joined to this meeting for well over 250 years and have given of their time, their talents, and their treasure.
We give thanks for lives that have been changed, transformed, renewed, and healed through the ministry of this meeting.
We give thanks for the many sacrifices and the dedicated lives that have made it possible for there to be a Deep River Friends meeting these many years.
We give thanks for every pastor that has ever served in this meeting – for their servanthood, dedication, and shepherds heart.
And we give thanks to you, O God, for being a generous God, a God who has walked with us and guided us through both the ups and the downs.
We give thanks God for the love you have for us, for the forgiveness of our sins, and for the promise and hope we have in Jesus Christ.
On this Founders Day, we pray for…
Vision for the future
Wisdom in the present
Guidance in the everyday
Love for one another
Hope in the circumstances of life
Peace in our hearts and in our world.
In Jesus Christ Name.
Amen.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Living An Authentic Spiritual Journey and Faith Life
Abraham is one of my spiritual journey heroes. His journey of faith resonates with me because it seems real. It seems authentic. It seems like the kind of spiritual journey that struggles with real life. I think some folks try to have two different lives - their "spiritual lives" and their "real life". Their "spiriual life" then becomes and escape from their "real life" and ends up having no connection with how they live, where they go, what they do, and how they grow. Abraham's faith struggles with real life on a daily basis. He leaves the comfort and security of his familiar surroundings. He has to deal with strife in his family. He gets nervous at times and wonders if God's promises will actually pan out. He doesnt understand how God is going to keep His promise because it involves he and his wife having a baby in their "retirement" years. But through all of this Abraham keeps searching, keeps hoping, keeps expecting, keeps anticipating. His faith seems real.
I want to live a spiritual journey in which my faith keeps me hoping, expecting, anticipating, dreaming, and moving foward even thought the obstacles look formidable and challenging. I want an experience of God that seems real and authentic and connected with daily life - not something that feels like an "add on" because it's the respectful thing to do. Immersing myself in Abraham's life and journey is helping me to that. I'm not there yet...but I feel I have someone I can look and show me how it's done - that being Abraham.
Eugene Peterson defines faith in this way, "...'faith' - trusting obediently in what we cannot control, living in obedient relationship to the One we cannot see, venturing obediently into a land that we know nothing about." For me, the operative term here seems to be that of "obedience." To live this life of faith is to give up my need to control and to follow in holy obedience the promptings and leadings of God. Quakers have always sought to do this - to listen for the living voice of God and follow wherever that Voice calls us to go. Abraham did. So can we.
I pray my life can be described as one in which I am trusting obediently, living obediently, and venturing obediently. I also pray that we as Deep River Friends can be a faith community that trusts obediently, lives obediently, and ventures obediently. We are on a journey together - a journey that takes a lifetime. In that journey we can individually listen to God as well as corporately listen to God. It's tempting to want to make decisions purely from a rational level but what is easy to forget is that God is speaking to us at a deeper level - the level of our heart and soul. When we hear what God is saying, we bring it to the faith community and we share our leadings with one another. In that way, we take this journey of faith together.
Blessings,
Scott
I want to live a spiritual journey in which my faith keeps me hoping, expecting, anticipating, dreaming, and moving foward even thought the obstacles look formidable and challenging. I want an experience of God that seems real and authentic and connected with daily life - not something that feels like an "add on" because it's the respectful thing to do. Immersing myself in Abraham's life and journey is helping me to that. I'm not there yet...but I feel I have someone I can look and show me how it's done - that being Abraham.
Eugene Peterson defines faith in this way, "...'faith' - trusting obediently in what we cannot control, living in obedient relationship to the One we cannot see, venturing obediently into a land that we know nothing about." For me, the operative term here seems to be that of "obedience." To live this life of faith is to give up my need to control and to follow in holy obedience the promptings and leadings of God. Quakers have always sought to do this - to listen for the living voice of God and follow wherever that Voice calls us to go. Abraham did. So can we.
I pray my life can be described as one in which I am trusting obediently, living obediently, and venturing obediently. I also pray that we as Deep River Friends can be a faith community that trusts obediently, lives obediently, and ventures obediently. We are on a journey together - a journey that takes a lifetime. In that journey we can individually listen to God as well as corporately listen to God. It's tempting to want to make decisions purely from a rational level but what is easy to forget is that God is speaking to us at a deeper level - the level of our heart and soul. When we hear what God is saying, we bring it to the faith community and we share our leadings with one another. In that way, we take this journey of faith together.
Blessings,
Scott
Monday, June 7, 2010
Wisdom and Lifelong Learning
Congratulations to Graduates
This past Sunday was Graduation Sunday as we honored and celebrated the 2010 graduates at Deep River Friends Meeting. We saw some great slideshows of the "growing up" years of the following grads: Erin Wagoner, Brittany Robles, Emily Venable, Megan Donaghy, Janison Dillon, Amanda Deason, Jonathon Watts, Chad Wagoner, Brittany Moore, Lauren Watts, and Hannah McMurtry. Congratulations to all of these young people and our prayers go with them as they continue their life's journey.
The Continuation of Learning
As I think about Graduation Sunday I am reminded that our learning should never stop but should be an ongoing experience. In the Adult Sunday School class that I teach we will be studying the Book of Proverbs for the Summer. This book of the Bible is one of my favorites. It has short little sayings that seem to hit the nail right on the head. I like to say that with the Book of Proverbs, you either get it or you don't. It's a book of wisdom but not wisdom in the sense of head knowlege. It's the kind of wisdom that gets translated into every day action. In other words, if we are truly being wise as God wants us to be wise, it will show forth in our daily choices. The Bible has another name for those that choose not to follow God's wisdom. They are called "fools." I have made many foolish choices in my life's journey and I seek to recommit myself to making wise choices and to live wisely.
A Proverb A Day
For that reason, I am going to engage in a little experiment. I'm going to read a chapter from Proverbs each day. There are thirty-one chapters so it will take just one month. Each day I am going to see (and hear) what God might be speaking to me through that chapter. What proverb does God seem to be impressing upon me for that day. I want to be transparent enough to share that with you and what it means for me. Maybe you would like to do this experiment as well. In fact, I would challenge you to do so.
Continual Learning
We never arrive in the spiritual journey. We are always "on the way". While we travel, God is always showing us what we need to know in order to live wisely and less foolishly.
Blessings,
Scott
This past Sunday was Graduation Sunday as we honored and celebrated the 2010 graduates at Deep River Friends Meeting. We saw some great slideshows of the "growing up" years of the following grads: Erin Wagoner, Brittany Robles, Emily Venable, Megan Donaghy, Janison Dillon, Amanda Deason, Jonathon Watts, Chad Wagoner, Brittany Moore, Lauren Watts, and Hannah McMurtry. Congratulations to all of these young people and our prayers go with them as they continue their life's journey.
The Continuation of Learning
As I think about Graduation Sunday I am reminded that our learning should never stop but should be an ongoing experience. In the Adult Sunday School class that I teach we will be studying the Book of Proverbs for the Summer. This book of the Bible is one of my favorites. It has short little sayings that seem to hit the nail right on the head. I like to say that with the Book of Proverbs, you either get it or you don't. It's a book of wisdom but not wisdom in the sense of head knowlege. It's the kind of wisdom that gets translated into every day action. In other words, if we are truly being wise as God wants us to be wise, it will show forth in our daily choices. The Bible has another name for those that choose not to follow God's wisdom. They are called "fools." I have made many foolish choices in my life's journey and I seek to recommit myself to making wise choices and to live wisely.
A Proverb A Day
For that reason, I am going to engage in a little experiment. I'm going to read a chapter from Proverbs each day. There are thirty-one chapters so it will take just one month. Each day I am going to see (and hear) what God might be speaking to me through that chapter. What proverb does God seem to be impressing upon me for that day. I want to be transparent enough to share that with you and what it means for me. Maybe you would like to do this experiment as well. In fact, I would challenge you to do so.
Continual Learning
We never arrive in the spiritual journey. We are always "on the way". While we travel, God is always showing us what we need to know in order to live wisely and less foolishly.
Blessings,
Scott
Monday, May 31, 2010
A Memorial Day for the Many and for the One
Today (Memorial Day) we are invited to take time to remember and honor those who have lost their lives in service to our country. At Deep River Friends, our White Ribbon campaign has been our simple way of expressing honor. Each of the white ribbons in our front yard represent a life that has been lost in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. They also serve as a reminder to us that our deepest longing and prayer is for peace. They remind us that those who have lost their lives are not numbers or statistics but real people with real families, loved ones, and hometowns. In many ways, their lives have been cut short and our world has lost forever their potential and contribution in many ways. We do honor their sacrifice and their willingness to serve our country in this way. We also can best honor their effort by our continued work for peace. As we continue to pray for peace and work for peace we envision a day in which war will be no more and we will not have to train for war. This is not a political statement. It is a statement that the prophets of the Old Testament and Jesus himself uttered many times. God's dream for all of creation is for there to be shalom - wholeness in our lives so that our lives may flourish and all of creation can flourish. As we strive for peace and as we wage peace daily, we get closer and closer to God's dream for all of creation. Let us honor those who have fallen but let us honor them by recommiting ourselves to work for peace.
One of the ways Deep River Friends has sought to be proactive in working for peace is joining an organization called "Every Church a Peace Church" (www.ecapc.org). We have joined the national registry of churches committed to living for peace and seeking peace in our lives and in our world. Take a few moments and visit the website and see how God might be leading you to engage in acts of peace.
I also want to take a few moments and honor another individual - David Chou. On Saturday, David passed away due to complications from a perforated bowel. David and his wife Mary Ann came to Deep River Friends about five years ago. I would like to say we found them but they found us - and have blessed us ever since with their presence, gracious spirit, and hospitality. David was a very quiet person but his spirit was larger than life and he always had a kind word and a gracious word to say about everyone and anyone. Even though David could not make it to meeting for worship that much we will miss him. Our prayers go out to Mary Ann and the family as they prepare for David's Memorial service on Tuesday, June 1st.
Maybe on this Memorial Day there are many we can honor...but there are also those that have touched our lives in significant ways and we can offer a simply prayer of thanks for their presence in our life.
One of the ways Deep River Friends has sought to be proactive in working for peace is joining an organization called "Every Church a Peace Church" (www.ecapc.org). We have joined the national registry of churches committed to living for peace and seeking peace in our lives and in our world. Take a few moments and visit the website and see how God might be leading you to engage in acts of peace.
I also want to take a few moments and honor another individual - David Chou. On Saturday, David passed away due to complications from a perforated bowel. David and his wife Mary Ann came to Deep River Friends about five years ago. I would like to say we found them but they found us - and have blessed us ever since with their presence, gracious spirit, and hospitality. David was a very quiet person but his spirit was larger than life and he always had a kind word and a gracious word to say about everyone and anyone. Even though David could not make it to meeting for worship that much we will miss him. Our prayers go out to Mary Ann and the family as they prepare for David's Memorial service on Tuesday, June 1st.
Maybe on this Memorial Day there are many we can honor...but there are also those that have touched our lives in significant ways and we can offer a simply prayer of thanks for their presence in our life.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Living In The Spirit of Peace
"If we simply live in the spirit of peace, we contribute to the peace of the entire world. This is an ancient spiritual truth. If we want to participate in this transformation, we have to begin right now, this very moment, to root out the violence within us, to forgive those who have hurt us, to let go of bitterness and resentment, to reconcile with one another, and open a way for the spirit of God to move freely among us. We need to take a deep breath, turn our hearts in prayer, and receive God's gift of peace that we can then share with all of humanity and creation itself...Peace begins within each of us. It is a process of repeatedly showing mercy to ourselves, forgiving ourselves, befriending ourselves, accepting ourselves, and loving ourselves. As we learn to appreciate ourselves and accept God's gift of peace, we begin to radiate peace and love to others."
John Dear, Living Peace
As the song says, "Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me." Where does it begin with you today? Do you need to forgive yourself? Befriend yourself? Accept yourself? Appreciate yourself? How you see yourself is what the world gets. Is it getting peace?
John Dear, Living Peace
As the song says, "Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me." Where does it begin with you today? Do you need to forgive yourself? Befriend yourself? Accept yourself? Appreciate yourself? How you see yourself is what the world gets. Is it getting peace?
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