Friends of Faith,
We just had to “postpone” our church anniversary celebration due to the Hawk fire and it’s displacement of folks. It was a sad decision, but necessary with what the weekend brought to our area. Our main focus is praying that you all are ok, that our neighbors have what they need, and knowing that we can celebrate our ministry together when the time is right. So, please reach out to your council members with any needs at all — we are all in this together!
You’ll see, when we do observe the “70th Anniversary,” that we have bells to give away. As I think of that today (the Sunday we canceled services), it takes on a new meaning. See, I’ve been wanting to, one day, maybe have a church bell that we ring. You know how we ring that one inside for service to start and for us all to take our seats after sharing the Peace? Well, I was thinking of maybe a bigger one, and outside, so that not only do we know those moments, but maybe a few neighbors hear the ringing of the bells too — “Hey All! The church on the hill is at it again!”
I think it’s kind of cute, quaint, and “old-school.”
And with our theme for the 70th of “Proclaiming Faith Together,” a bell seemed like it just might ring right for the situation.
All of that is still true and possible.
But now, on a Sunday we’ve postponed celebrating because we needed to make way for emergency vehicles and for people to figure out where they are going and what they can do next … it’s like the bell already takes on new meaning.
And so does “Proclaiming Faith.”
Bells can be an alarm. Bells can make us alert and pay attention. Bells say: This is Important!
And because we have ribbons tied to bells, and the ribbons read “Proclaiming Faith,” I’m starting to see a deeper match there. The match of how proclaiming faith looks like us: Alert and Ready for one another—being available, meeting to tend to church and neighbor needs, and building the community together. And the match of how bells at an emergency draw us out, ready to assist.
I saw that today, up at the church, and it was encouraging and beautiful.
And you know what communities need? (Think of summer camp or holden village).
A Bell. The bell rings and you are called together. The bell rings and your mind/spirit is brought to the present moment — “Oh, now is the time for …” The bell rings, and we meet. We meet to tackle what is next.
And when we meet each other like this we take on the role of the Spirit that never leaves any of us alone and we become flesh and blood love to someone. Christ, in the here and now.
Anyway, now you’re prepped for the bell. The bell that rings in celebration of all our church has walked through and accomplished and proclaimed throughout the years. And, the bell that continues to ring us together — for here and now — and for the ways we can be called out of the lull of society or sin or forgetfulness and be attuned to the spiritual work of caring Christian community.
Let’s be listening,
+Pr Shaun
