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Keeping Current: This week at Community Spirit Church
Wednesday, January 31, 2018
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The Non-Anxious Presence

Pastors speak often about needing to offer a non-anxious presence in times of trouble and turmoil—when a family is planning a memorial service and ancient grudges surface, for instance, or when a church is dealing with conflict or controversy. If the pastor is reactive or not grounded, odds are everyone else’s unsettled, uncomfortable feelings will increase and finding a wise way forward will prove challenging as drama piles on top of drama.

Jesus was the ultimate non-anxious presence. You’ll likely remember the story of the time when Jesus and his disciples were crossing over the Sea of Galilee. A wild storm came up, his homies freaked, and they frantically looked for him; when they finally found him, he was deep in sleep. “Don’t you care about us! We’re going to drown!” they shouted. Jesus didn’t react, he simply got up, told the wind and the waves to quiet down, and calm was restored.

I’ve gone into church meetings where folks were on edge about something and I knew it fell to me to be the non-anxious presence. I had to work hard in those instances to keep breathing, to quiet my mind, to ask questions rather than make statements, and to do my best to support the resilience of the group.

When Leadership and interested others met after worship last Sunday to identify potential new locations now that we know we need to move by the end of February, I didn’t need to give a moment’s thought to being intentional about being a non-anxious presence. Why? The gathered group wasn’t anxious! The gathered group had a sturdy confidence that things will work out just fine, even though we all recognized that there is legwork to do and discernment to engage in.

How very fortunate I am to serve a church who isn’t made afraid by some turbulence. How beautiful to witness the absence of fingernail chewing, dire predictions, angry accusations, or any of those other ways we humans have of behaving when we are unable to find our center, our peace.

In these days of wondering about where we’ll wander next, it might be natural to have a moment or two of feeling nervous about the future. When that happens, find someone you trust and simply say “I need to share that I’m concerned about ____.” Let your confidante’s settled spirit and access to peace ground you. And if you need another serving or two along the way, it’s right there for the taking. Why? Because together we’re a non-anxious presence.

We may experience some rough water along the way but together we’ve got what we need to sail smoothly. Not just “what” but “who.” Jesus is with us on this incredible voyage of ours and he’s more than happy to share with us his peace in those times when we most need it.


Yours on the journey,
Karen (signature)


PS:  Last Sunday, Pat Riddell shared a very well-received meditation during our worship service.  You can view it here. 

Be yourself, everyone else is taken.  (Oscar Wilde)
The apostle Paul wrote that in his ministry he had become all things to all people.  

What did he mean?  

And what might it mean for us?  



Did you miss last week's sermon?  You can read it now.

Lenten Retreat

We’ve got a baker’s dozen signed up for the retreat at Casa de Loncar on February 10th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.    If you are interested in attending but haven’t yet indicated this, please let Karen know or look for the sign-up tablet that will be circulating this Sunday in worship.  
 
Anyone is welcome to bring something to nibble on before the retreat begins.  Just let Mary Loncar know.  Let her know, too, if you’re interested in helping with the simple soup lunch that will be an option once our retreat has concluded.  

Giving Statements for 2017

Kim Floyde recently  mailed out all our giving statements for last year.  If you did not receive yours, it could be for one of two reasons:  yours was lost in the mail or you elected to put cash in the Sunday morning offering plate.  If it's the former, be in touch with Kim and she'll reissue your giving statement.  If it's the latter, you might consider other methods of giving.  If you're not keen on writing a check each time you're in worship, you can set up automatic giving through your bank or even pay by credit card.  Kim has other options, too -- speak with her or visit communityspiritucc.org/giving for details.

Lenten Study (clipart)A Lenten Study for Folks Like Us!

American Christianity is undergoing a Spirit-guided shift — and even without our knowing it, Community Spirit is part of that holy unfolding! This March, come take part in a rich four-week series of one-hour sessions to explore what can only be described as a life-giving season in the progressive sector of the American church and in your own life, as well.

We'll be meeting at Pat Riddell's from 4-5 PM on Sunday afternoons in March to consider some of the stimulating observations in Brian McLaren's new book, The Great Spiritual Migration: How the World's Largest Religion is Seeking a Better Way to Be Christian. We won't be discussing the book itself but rather its themes as we work our way through an accessible companion study and, when we're together, short DVD segments.

While not explicitly related to Lent, this study will surely enrich our faith, affirm our unique journey as a church, and empower us as we move into God's future. (Brian McLaren is a pastor, a prolific writer, a popular speaker, and a most engaging teacher — just ask Mary Loncar who heard him speak in Atlanta several years back. )

You can purchase a participant's guide from Pastor Karen. The cost is $5.00.
SUNDAY WORSHIP AT 10:30 A.M.
Community Spirit Church (UCC)
at Signature Events Center
145 Merchant Drive
Montrose CO 81401


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