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Open Arms Metropolitan Community Church Rochester, New York
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E-Link Archive of Past E-Link Edition's Highlights from the This Weeks edition:
If you would like to subscribe to the Open Arms MCC weekly e-link newsletter.. CLICK HERE
Deacon's Corner:
Yo God:
As I sit here
with the Saturday morning sun flooding through the window,
Yo God, thank you
for this sunshine and its warmth this Saturday morning. Amen- Deacon Debbie
Pastor's Reflection:
I've been watching TV over the last few days and have enjoyed the coverage of Mardi Gras. In the “old” days, the very old days, the day before Lent was called Mardi Gras – Fat Tuesday. It was a day when people ate the best meals they could afford, including as much meat, fat meat, as they could because for the 40 days of Lent, they would have no meat at all. Mardi Gras in our times is not about fasting or abstaining from meat. It's just an excuse to party. And party hearty. And then party some more. It has become synonymous with excess.
Human nature is a constant. We humans are given to excess. As Mae West said many years ago “too much of a good thing is WONDERFUL!” That's our human attitude, that's our tendency. Too much food (do you remember the old Alka Seltzer commercial “I can't believe I ate the whole thing.”), too much drink, too much partying, too much spending, too much gambling, too much chocolate, too much just about anything.
Lent, traditionally, is about self-denial. It has gone too far in the other direction: it suggests that we should give up anything we like – totally – for the sake of building up our spiritual life.
We humans are creatures of extremes. Perhaps this Lent, we could practice moderation rather than self-denial. Too much of anything usually lead to problems for us. Just the right amount is just right. What about these ashes on Ash Wednesday. In the old days, the ashes were a sign of repentance and a sign of our sinfulness and need for redemption; a sign that for at least 40 days, we would pay attention to our souls instead of to our bodies. We come from a different place and time. We rejoice in our spiritual nature and we rejoice in our bodies and in our sexualities. God made us the way we are.
Let's let Lent this year be about paying attention to relationships, all our relationships: to self, to others, to God. Let the ashes of Ash Wednesday be a sign to us, not of deep sinfulness, but of our past, our weaknesses, our baggage. Let's let the ashes this year be a sign of casting off the “old” self and putting on the new – in Christ. Let's cast of negative self-image, feelings of worthlessness, bad teachings we've received, other's people's expectations – let's cast off all the old stuff that holds us back.
Let Ash Wednesday and Lent truly bring us to a place of resurrection: the resurrection of Christ AND the renewal of ourselves. With Love, Rev. Jim =========================================================== Ash Wednesday Today, Wednesday, March 1 is Ash Wednesday There will be a service at 7pm including the imposition of ashes =========================================================== Paul and Deb M. have been coordinating the Artsy Fartsy Film group since its beginning. They plan to retire from this ministry at the end of May. We need two people who are willing to take over this ministry which runs from September through May each year. Please see Paul or Deb M. or the pastor ============================================================ ============================================================ A note from Sherri, Leader of External Capital Campaign
I'm forwarding you a note I received from MCC Lubbock today. We also received a basket from an MCC church in Arkansas & a handcarved Aboriginal boomerang from an MCC church in Australia. Perhaps you'd like to include the following letter in an e-link or a church bulletin:
February 28, 2006
Dear Sherri,
I am emailing this
letter to you, but also putting it in the box in which these items are being
sent. I just wanted you to be on the lookout for a box from UPS from our
church, MCC Lubbock, Texas.
Also from Sherri:
Here is a really fun way to help with the Capital Campaign!
On March 18, we are going to have a "Bodacious Boot Scootin' Western Jamboree Dance!"
All proceeds will benefit the Capital Campaign. At the dance, we are going to have a huge raffle and we need items to be raffled off.
That's where the FUN comes in! You can contribute in several ways: • Create 1-2 themed gift baskets • Create a hand-crafted item (ie: a quilt, a wreathe, a cross-stitch, a hand-painted item, etc.) • Ask friends/acquaintances outside the congregation to create 1-2 gift baskets or hand-crafted items (many people who will not give a monetary donation to the CC would love to contribute in this way!) • Ask your favorite retailer to donate a gift certificate
All gift baskets and items can be brought to church anytime from now until Mar. 12. Please drop them off at the "Capital Campaign/Special Events" table in the sanctuary after the service. Thank you, and have fun creating! ============================================================
See our Website: http://www.frontiernet.net/~oamcc for the calendar listings. You can print the calendar if you wish. The Terry's are working on this year’s Church Directory. If you would like to be in it, please see Terry K. to get your picture taken before or after worship and to fill out an information form.
Upcoming Events:
March 5 Guest Preacher: Rev. Gary Leenhouts who will be coming fired up from a pentecostal conference. The clothing ministry, has begun it is coordinated by Deacon Debbie, 2nd Thursday of the month at 6:30. See Deacon Debbie for details. March 9th At Asbury Church Keep the date: Boot Scootin’ Country Western Jamboree and Dance on March 18.
March 19 Guest Preacher: Jim Delaney from the Refugee Resettlement Project of Catholic Family Center will talk to us about Touching The World.
The Artsy-Fartsy Film Group next outing on March 25 a matinee, We will meet on Saturday at the Little Theater 20 minutes prior to the matinee. To read more about the film's, go to www.little-theatre.com and click on the Coming Soon link. If you have questions, please email Paul or Deb M. All are welcome to attend. **** please note this is a Date Change .. not the usual 3rd Saturday of the Month ****
Deacon's Corner:
Yo God:
Brother Gary was right on Sunday.
Amen- Deacon Debbie
Pastor's Reflection:
When I was a Jesuit, the ideal proposed to me was to be “omnia omnibus” “all things to all people (we said ‘to all men’ in those days). I used to think it meant that whatever anyone needed, I had to be that. It didn’t take me long to figure out that the danger of being all things to all people is that I learned to put everyone else’s needs above my own. I thought it meant that what I wanted and needed was far less important than others’ needs and wants. I learned that it was not only impossible to live like that, it was also self-destructive.
As I have gotten older, I have learned a different interpretation of being omnia omnibus. It doesn’t mean that I have to fulfill the image and expectations of everyone. Sometimes, as pastor, I feel like I am constantly disappointing people by not being to them what they think a pastor should be. Just this week, one person wanted me to be their father-figure; one wanted me involved in every single activity of the church; another wanted me to be her best friend and confidant. It goes on and on. Not only can I not be all those things, I really can’t be any of them. To be all things to all people perhaps means meeting each person where they are, without imposing my expectations, judgments or needs on them. Perhaps by meeting each person where they are, I can really be present to them. Perhaps by being really present to them, I can have the opportunity to help raise them to a better place – and be raised in return.
Expectations and judgments are killers in a church community. Add to that the fact that everyone seems to expect you (or me) to be able to read their minds. When I am expected to offer help or support to someone who hasn’t even told me that something is going on (because I’m “supposed to” know what’s going on), I cannot do anything but fail. I can certainly not be all things to all people in that sense – and neither can you.
On Sunday, during the offering call, we heard our beloved brother, Steve, talk about adult faith. Recognizing our own limitations is part of that; recognizing our need to take care of ourselves is part of that; recognizing that we don’t have to meet everyone else’s expectations of us is part of that. Giving each other the benefit of the doubt and not rushing to negative judgments is part of that. Struggle to know people rather than writing them off is part of that. Welcoming newcomers, nurturing regulars, forgiving and asking forgiveness, and so on and so on and so on, is part of that. Throwing ourselves whole-heartedly into the Capital Campaign is part of that.
Lent is for self-reflection and leaving the old self behind. Lent is for taking the hand of God in our hands and walking with Jesus toward the Promised Land. Perhaps, in the final analysis, being all things to all people is about each of us growing up and assuming our proper place in the Body of Christ. Whether you’re a hand or a foot or a mouth, the part you are is needed in the Body of Christ – just as you are and not as someone else wants you to be. With Love, Rev. Jim Your part in the Capital Campaign Each person who is a member or regular attendee of Open Arms MCC is needed to participate in the Capital Campaign. You can contribute in a number of ways. Many have already made their pledges. Others have found that asking family, acquaintances, and businesses for a contribution has been fruitful. It is a sign of readiness and growth and participation to ask anyone close to you or your business/professional contacts to support our exciting adventure in faith. Apart from financial participation, there is the important daily task of prayer for our venture. Also, there are volunteers needed in just about every aspect of fundraising. Please pray over this. None of us are uninvolved bystanders when the life and future of our church is involved.
The Board of Directors is sponsoring a Lottery Ticket Tree as a fund raiser for the Boot Scootin’ Jamboree Dance on March 18. If you would like to bring a lotto ticket to add to this terrific raffle, please bring it on Sunday.
For every 5 tickets for the Dance you sell, you will receive a raffle ticket for this prize!!! Sell, sell, sell. We really need this dance to bring in substantial profits for the Capital Campaign.
Paul and Deb M. have been coordinating the Artsy Fartsy Film group since its beginning. They plan to retire from this ministry at the end of May. We need two people who are willing to take over this ministry which runs from September through May each year. Please see Paul or Deb M. or the pastor ============================================================ ============================================================ A note from Sherri, Leader of External Capital Campaign
I'm forwarding you a note I received from MCC Lubbock today. We also received a basket from an MCC church in Arkansas & a handcarved Aboriginal boomerang from an MCC church in Australia. Perhaps you'd like to include the following letter in an e-link or a church bulletin:
February 28, 2006
Dear Sherri,
I am emailing this
letter to you, but also putting it in the box in which these items are being
sent. I just wanted you to be on the lookout for a box from UPS from our
church, MCC Lubbock, Texas.
Also from Sherri:
Here is a really fun way to help with the Capital Campaign!
On March 18, we are going to have a "Bodacious Boot Scootin' Western Jamboree Dance!"
All proceeds will benefit the Capital Campaign. At the dance, we are going to have a huge raffle and we need items to be raffled off.
That's where the FUN comes in! You can contribute in several ways: • Create 1-2 themed gift baskets • Create a hand-crafted item (ie: a quilt, a wreathe, a cross-stitch, a hand-painted item, etc.) • Ask friends/acquaintances outside the congregation to create 1-2 gift baskets or hand-crafted items (many people who will not give a monetary donation to the CC would love to contribute in this way!) • Ask your favorite retailer to donate a gift certificate
All gift baskets and items can be brought to church anytime from now until Mar. 12. Please drop them off at the "Capital Campaign/Special Events" table in the sanctuary after the service. Thank you, and have fun creating! ============================================================
See our Website: http://www.frontiernet.net/~oamcc for the calendar listings. You can print the calendar if you wish. The Terry's are working on this year’s Church Directory. If you would like to be in it, please see Terry K. to get your picture taken before or after worship and to fill out an information form.
Upcoming Events:
Keep the date: Boot Scootin’ Country Western Jamboree and Dance on March 18.
March 19 Guest Preacher: Jim Delaney from the Refugee Resettlement Project of Catholic Family Center will talk to us about Touching The World.
The Artsy-Fartsy Film Group next outing on March 25 a matinee, We will meet on Saturday at the Little Theater 20 minutes prior to the matinee. To read more about the film's, go to www.little-theatre.com and click on the Coming Soon link. If you have questions, please email Paul or Deb M. All are welcome to attend. **** please note this is a Date Change .. not the usual 3rd Saturday of the Month ****
Lenten Soup Suppers and Bible Study.
We will have this study if ten people will commit to all four weeks:
March 15 March 29 April 5 April 12
So far, 2 have committed. See or email Rev. Jim if you are interested.
The clothing ministry, has begun it is coordinated by Deacon Debbie, 2nd Thursday of the month at 6:30. See Deacon Debbie for details. April 13th At Asbury Church.
The Asbury Clothing Warehouse is LOW on stock.. Please Check with Deacon Debbie to confirm the date !! If you have donations let us know !!!
Action Item's:
No entries this week
....
Deacon's Corner:
Yo God:
The geese are back! Amen- Deacon Debbie
Pastor's Reflection:
Pastor’s Corner (notice I didn’t call it a reflection today)
I read incessantly and occasionally find an article I want to share. This one came to me yesterday and I think it good enough to replace my reflection this week:
The Asheville Citizen-Times, Asheville, NC www. CITIZEN-TIMES.com
Using Bible as a weapon profanes its most important messages
By Steve Runholt
March 12, 2006 6:00 am
Like many readers of the Citizen-Times, I was raised a devout Baptist. I thus grew up believing that the Bible clearly condemns homosexuality, and I held that view well into my adulthood. My experience may thus be helpful to those who wonder how a Christian pastor could condone homosexuality, and even go so far as to support the rights of gay and lesbian people to share in the blessings of legal marriage.
The starting point in my journey on this issue was not a book or an idea, but a person. One of the men in my college dorm — I’ll call him “Michael” — was gay. Michael usually remained sequestered in the closet, but he came out to me.
And I discovered something that stunned me: he was just like me, only he was gay. In Romans, the Apostle Paul appears to come down hard on homosexuals. They are “filled with ... all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, murder, haters of God” (Romans 1:29, 30). Seems crystal clear. And yet Michael was nothing like that. Nor are Larry and Lisa and Julie and the other gay friends I’ve made since college.
Quite the contrary. Most of them are faithful churchgoers. They love God. I know this because I see it in them. They’re kind, loving and generous. They pray, they tithe, they sing in the choir. They are often better Christians than I am, an ordained minister. How, then, could I reconcile my experience of these dear, faithful people with what I thought the Bible said about them?
I went back to Scripture and began to study the matter more seriously. I discovered that the Old Testament also seems clear on this issue: If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination (Leviticus 20:13).
But in that same, long section of Leviticus (known as the Holiness Code) one sees that it is also an “abomination” to touch pigskin, to eat shellfish and to have relations with a woman during her period.
Have you ever touched a football? Eaten shrimp? Made love to your spouse during menstruation? Then you, too, have engaged in an “abomination.”
And, yes, the Bible itself uses the same word to describe all of these activities. What could be going on here? Historically, the ancient Hebrews were a small band of former slaves, surrounded by large, powerful enemies (the Egyptians and Babylonians, specifically). Some scholars thus believe the Holiness Code was developed to ensure the rapid proliferation of the Hebrew population. Eating shellfish in a hot desert climate could kill you. Sex during menstruation produced no offspring. Ditto for same-sex sexual activity. Thus, the priests deemed these practices to be an “abomination.”
But what about Romans 1? First, who are these people Paul is talking about? Whoever they are, they worshiped “birds, four-footed beasts and creeping things” (Rom 1:23).
Given that language, biblical scholars now believe Paul was referring to prostitutes whose trade was centered in Rome’s many pagan temples. Paul, a lawyer and trained rhetoritician, cites this much-reviled group by way of inciting his readers, in much the same way a recent full-page add did in the Citizen-Times on this very subject.
Having aroused the indignation of his readers, Paul then delivers a knockout punch, the point of this whole section: “You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things” (Romans 2:1).
I remember when I saw that “You, therefore,” as if for the first time. I felt like Paul was speaking directly to me. I realized this passage was not about my friend Michael. It was about me. When I judge anyone — anyone — I am the guilty party, not them.
And I realized, finally, this passage was not about my gay friends who live in faithful, loving, committed relationships. It was about prostitutes in pagan temples in ancient Rome. So what, then, does the Bible teach? Well, many things, of course. But one of its main themes is covenant faithfulness — God’s covenant faithfulness to humanity, and our call to be similarly faithful in our deepest relationships. That’s why I believe, along with a growing number of other clergy (including rabbis and ministers from other traditions), that as people of faith, as people who believe the Bible, we need we need to stop trafficking in stereotypes and stop using the Bible as a weapon in support of causes that wound good people.
We need to stop judging people, for when we judge, we are the guilty party. And we need to affirm the sanctity of committed, long-term relationships, and to help make relationships characterized by love and faithfulness possible, legal and safe, regardless of gender. Rev. Steve Runholt is the pastor of Warren Wilson Presbyterian Church and College Chapel. He also serves on the board of Christians for a United Community and is a founding member of People of Faith for Just Relationships. He can be reached for comment at srunholt@warren-wilson.edu. With Love, Rev. Jim Your part in the Capital Campaign Each person who is a member or regular attendee of Open Arms MCC is needed to participate in the Capital Campaign. You can contribute in a number of ways. Many have already made their pledges. Others have found that asking family, acquaintances, and businesses for a contribution has been fruitful. It is a sign of readiness and growth and participation to ask anyone close to you or your business/professional contacts to support our exciting adventure in faith. Apart from financial participation, there is the important daily task of prayer for our venture. Also, there are volunteers needed in just about every aspect of fundraising. Please pray over this. None of us are uninvolved bystanders when the life and future of our church is involved.
Paul and Deb M. have been coordinating the Artsy Fartsy Film group since its beginning. They plan to retire from this ministry at the end of May. We need two people who are willing to take over this ministry which runs from September through May each year. Please see Paul or Deb M. or the pastor ============================================================ See our Website: http://www.frontiernet.net/~oamcc for the calendar listings. You can print the calendar if you wish. The Terry's are working on this year’s Church Directory. If you would like to be in it, please see Terry K. to get your picture taken before or after worship and to fill out an information form.
Upcoming Events:
Boot Scootin’ Country Western Jamboree and Dance on March 18. THIS SATURDAY !!!! 4 – 10 PM Roger Robach Community Center at Charlotte Beach (at the end of Lake Avenue) There will be a country and line dance instructor as well as various dance music by our own DJ’s Dick Esse and Paul Johnstone. There will be raffles, black jack, silent auction and a whole lot of fun. Be there!
March 19 Guest Preacher: Jim Delaney from the Refugee Resettlement Project of Catholic Family Center will talk to us about Touching The World. Touching the World an opportunity for Open Arms MCC to become involved in helping one family to settle into life in Rochester.
The Artsy-Fartsy Film Group next outing on March 25 a matinee, We will meet on Saturday at the Little Theater 20 minutes prior to the matinee. To read more about the film's, go to www.little-theatre.com and click on the Coming Soon link. If you have questions, please email Paul or Deb M. All are welcome to attend. **** please note this is a Date Change .. not the usual 3rd Saturday of the Month ****
Lenten Soup Suppers and Bible Study are cancelled, we did not have ten people commit to all four weeks.
On April 8, a women’s potluck supper will be held at the home of Sue W. & Linda S.. That same night, a men’s potluck will be held at Pete F. home. All men & women are invited.
The clothing ministry, has begun it is coordinated by Deacon Debbie, 2nd Thursday of the month at 6:30. See Deacon Debbie for details. April 13th At Asbury Church.
The Asbury Clothing Warehouse is LOW on stock.. Please Check with Deacon Debbie to confirm the date !! If you have donations let us know !!!
Open Arms MCC will host Pano Tawa Unity Fellowship Church as we share Good Friday Service at 7pm on 4/14. The church women's softball team is now forming. The league plays on Wednesday's at either 6pm or 7pm and starts the first week of May. If you are interested please see Bess W(our coach) or Donna T at church or e-mail Donna at dmt4961@earthlink.net.
How can you get involved in the Capital Campaign? 1 - Join the Prayer Committee by signing up in the back of the sanctuary, near the prayer table 2 - A team of volunteers is needed to write thank-you notes to donors from outside the congregation - to volunteer, please sign up on the sheet posted in the fellowship hall at church or e-mail Sherri and Donna at: "smteaches@earthlink.net" 3 - You can ask your employer if they match charitable donations! Many employers do! (The Human Resources Dept. would have this information and any paperwork necessary.) This is a prime time to ask, because contributions given during 2005 and 2006 will both be eligible for matching funds! ...whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you will receive it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24 Capital Campaign News There is a chart in the sanctuary showing the progress of the Capital Campaign. It very creatively uses puzzle pieces to represent each $1000. The puzzle pieces will fill the chart as we progress. Stewardship Campaign is underway. Please return your pledge forms if you have not already done so. Blank forms are available at church.
Capital Campaign will have three phases: Internal Campaign: for members and regular attendee's of Open Arms MCC began Nov. 21. External Campaign for the wider community began Dec. 1 Fundraisers will happen throughout the six months of the Campaign
Until next time, let us pray for one another (oremus pro invicem) March 22, 2006
A good time was had by all! The Boot Scootin’ Country Western Dance Jamboree was a wonderful success. It felt like a family reunion. There were wonderful raffle prizes, silent auctions and games of chance. The dancing was terrific. The caller has many years of experience and is a good teacher for line dances, circle dances, square dances. There was lots of laughter as the caller spoke of “ladies” and “gentlemen” since his usual way of calling instructs the moves of the dance by gender. How wonderful when a fund raiser can also be a community builder! Many thanks to those who worked so hard to put on this dance.
Refugee Resettlement Project
Mr. Jim Delaney, from Catholic Relief Services, visited with us on Sunday and brought the message. He is encouraging Open Arms MCC to form a refugee resettlement team to help a displaced family make a new home in Rochester. We need a team of 8 to 10 people to do this. Jim will present a workshop for those interested who didn’t attend last Sunday. Please consider becoming part of this team which will serve for 6 months and then be finished with the mission.
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