Today's blog was written by Chuck DeGroat, originally published on August 12, 2019. Chuck is Professor of Pastoral Care and Christian Spirituality at Western Theological Seminary MI, and Senior Fellow at Newbigin House of Studies.
The older I get, the more the old saying of Jesus “Physician, heal thyself” makes sense. I’ve spent more than two decades doing a lot of caring. But the more attend to myself, the more sadness I find, the more anxiety I feel, the more trauma I notice. The more I realize that I desperately need to take time to slow down, to feel, to notice the places of pain and, more importantly, the places of sacred presence, remembering that Jesus dwells amidst it all, loving each and every weary and wounded part.
Part of growing up is becoming aware, and at least a part of this is choosing to feel your own pain and the pain of the world around you. Of course, in typical either-or ways, some choose to bury their heads in the sand while others choose complete immersion in the pain. It has always interested me that Jesus chose neither extreme. How many people in pain did Jesus walk by during his earthly sojourn? Many. How many could he have healed with a better time-and-ministry management strategy? Many. But neither did he refuse to engage the pain – he absorbed the sin of the whole world into his own body!
Somehow, we engage – sometimes at great cost – but we might also take the counsel of St. Teresa – to measure our efforts so as to not exhaust ourselves.
I weighed this over the past weeks as I grieved the untimely death of my father-in-law, just months after my mother-in-law. I felt a confusing array of emotions in me – sadness, anger, relief. We also celebrated my birthday, our 25th anniversary, and my daughter’s high school graduation with a hastily planned and wildly providential trip to Hawaii, made possible because my father-in-law’s passing caused us to cancel a long-planned trip and opened up substantially cheaper rates for flights to Hawaii. How could I hold joy, sadness, gratitude, anger, joy, relief, and confusion in this moment?
But then, the pain on the world doesn’t pause when you take a vacation.
Rev. Jedidiah Grooters was ordained on August 4, 2019. Jed has accepted a call to serve as associate pastor at Springs Community Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He will become a member of Classis Rocky Mountains.
Upcoming Sessions of Classis
September 8 - Special Session - Second Reformed
Installation - Revs. Miriam & Eric Barnes
October 15 - Regular Session
Please note the dates for the upcoming Sessions of Classis Zeeland - we look forward to gathering together!
RCA Updates
Board of Benefits newsletter
The Board of Benefits newsletter for summe 2019 is here! You can view the newsletter by clicking here. The PDF you'll see when you click the button is also printable if you prefer to read a paper copy of our newsletter.
We hope you find the content useful and informative.
you have questions about retirement services, please do not hesitate to call the Benefits Services helpline at 866-221-5480 or contact us at retirement@rca.org.
News & Events
Harvest Stand Ministries Pastor Discovery Event
Wednesday, August 28, 2019, 12:00PM— 1:00PM
City On A Hill - Conference Room A (100 SouthPine Street, Zeeland MI 49464)
Harvest Stand Ministries has been providing support and resources to Zeeland area individuals and families who find themselves in crisis for over 20 years.
We would like to invite you to be our guest at a one-hour informational luncheon where we will present current data about individuals and families facing food and financial struggles in Zeeland, provide you an opportunity to see our work first hand, and get your thoughts and feedback on how, together, we can best meet the needs of those in our community finding themselves in crisis.
This is an informational meeting, you won’t be asked for money!
RSVP to craig@harveststand.org or give me a call, (616) 748-6003 ext. 2We look forward to seeing you!
Job Postings
Director of Worship
Covenant Community Church
Click here for a positions description. If you know of potential candidates Covenant Community would love to hear about them. Teams are in place to interview and hire ASAP. Please don’t hesitate to forward this on to someone you know would fit well.
To apply or with questions, contact Sonya Archer, Ministry Assistant, via email Office@togetheringrace.org
Curriculum Coordinator
Covenant Community Church
Click here for a positions description. If you know of potential candidates Covenant Community would love to hear about them. Teams are in place to interview and hire ASAP. Please don’t hesitate to forward this on to someone you know would fit well.
To apply or with questions, contact Sonya Archer, Ministry Assistant, via email Office@togetheringrace.org
Prayers
Prayers for the beginning of another academic year -
For the teachers and school staff who are preparing for a new school year. Pray that they are energized and equipped to teach, mentor, and welcome students for another year.
For Candidates under the care of Zeeland Classis - that this year is one of great learning and growth for each of them, as well as continued clarity in their call to ministry.
For the staff of Campus Ministry @ GVSU as they minister to and alongside college students.
