Sunday, November 23, 2008

A Small, Good Thing

Today was our annual meeting at church. Today I preached "When Did We See You?" and asked people to reflect about where they think they might see Jesus in our congregation, and in our community. I would like to know what some of them saw. I used part of Julia Dinsmore's poem, My Name is Not "Those People", and talked about the people that we do not see.

Today was our annual meeting at church. My report was written and in the book, but I chose to get up and talk about the work I have been doing (with a team of lay leaders) on Education in our community. I said, "(Our community) is changing." I hope we see Jesus in some of those changes. If that is too much, I hope we can see people, children of God, at least.

We have a large budget shortful for the coming year. We did not balance the budget today. We will be working on this and presenting another budget in early January. This could be a huge opportunity for us to change the conversation about what is means to be a congregation, a community of disciples in this place.

In the meantime, when I was going out of church this morning, greeting people, one woman shook my hand and told me that her daughter (a pastor) reads my blog every day. She says that her daughter also reads it to her over the phone. Like most of the people in our church, I suspect, she doesn't "do" computers. She said those words I have loved and wanted to hear, ever since the 4th grade, "You are a good writer."

I think we do catch a glimpse of Jesus, on occasion. But I wonder if we really ever will see Jesus in the poor much.

If we can minister to him anyway, that will be a large enough task.

12 comments:

Gannet Girl said...

And how lovely that that woman ministered to you today.

Lindy said...

Diane, you ARE a good writer. You're the real deal.

Fran said...

You are a good writer! You are a great writer.

I am praying about your church, your budget, for God's plans for you.

Jennifer said...

What everybody said. You're a great writer!

I continue to believe that the current economic crisis provides us with an important opportunity to be the Church. I know that you're witnessing to exactly that.
See you soon!!!!!

LoieJ said...

Yes, we have a lot of rethinking to do. We can now chose to support "causes" out of our necessity rather than out of our surplusses.

Unknown said...

What a gift when people speak truth to you, so glad that happened.

Unknown said...

She was correct, of course, as evidenced by all of your "fans" here. I hope her daughter sees this thread, so she knows how much those kind words meant.

2009 could present a difficult financial year for many. "What can we cut?" is never a comfortable question.

Terri said...

...a large enough task indeed...

caasen said...

Diane, I must confess that I have been a long time lurker and have loved your blog. It is true - you are a great writer! And what fun it has been to share with my parents your blog. (Mom doesn't "do" computers, but Dad does!) Thank you for your ministry at Woodlake and via the internet. Blessings to you!
Cindy

Anonymous said...

It is indeed a great task, but one we must all take on. Very nice post.

Ruth Hull Chatlien said...

I love the reminder that we need to look to see Jesus where we would rather not. And I add to the consensus vote that you're a good writer.

Mary Beth said...

You are a great writer.