A Window to the Sky

Sitting in my window seat on my flight back to Indy...I can see so much: houses, roads, clouds, farms, trees, cars, with the right binoculars I could probably see people. It is amazing when you think about it...here we are in a country and a world where we are able to see so much. We can see tiny atomic particles, moons and planets in far reaches of the universe, germs and their cures, books, gardens, friends, enemies--well I think you get my point. We see so much and have the opportunity to see many possibilities that could not have been dreamed of in the past.

Remember the story of Icarus? The boy who flew too close to the sun with wings that his father made for him and he fell from the sky. People have been dreaming for a very long time to see further, to get closer to the things we don't understand, to grasp knowledge that has not been available to us before. The curiosity of human kind has always been around and it continues to motivate us to seek new endeavors, to try ideas that are not sure things, to appreciate the past, and to hope for the new world promised through the Love of God in Christ.

As I sat on the plane considering the reality that I, in my "ordinary" travel, was living someone else's impossible dream. Wondering if our seeing so much keeps us from seeing what is most important? With our heads in the clouds I think we may miss the opportunities to dig deeper into the relationships we share with one another and with God. How often do we spend time really trying to see someone else...not just looking at them but working to understand and care for them in the things they say and the things they don't. How often do we let someone really see us? The practice of building deep relationships is not a lost art but sometimes it is taken for granted as we follow other ideas and hopes. I wonder if we have gotten so caught up in seeing the expanse OUT there that we miss the expanse within and through relationships...

So it seems that we need to find some balance. A few weeks ago are Dinner and Conversation with Z Tree we talked about what we felt the church was called to be. One of our conversations offered that the church should be a place when people are helped to find balance. Between hopes and fears, the possibilities and the relationships, balance in life so that we are able to find and offer God's goodness to others.

So from way up in the sky I began to think about the ground...how can Zacchaeus' Tree be a place where people find and share ways to find balance? We are working to create opportunities to grow in faith through studying the scriptures, sharing our thoughts and experiences, serving in our community, honoring God's creations, and sharing life together. There is so much room for everyone to participate in creating this place and other spaces where the fullness of love and life in Christ is celebrated, embraced and sought out. I pray for the people who will become part of this community and the gifts, passion and vision they will bring to my life and the life of our neighborhood!

Zacchaeus was a "wee little man" who climbed up into a tree to see Jesus but it wasn't until he accepted Jesus' invitation to come back down to earth that Zacchaeus knew the transformation of God's love! So are we look out to the possibilities let us not miss the invitations to come down to the earth and build from there into the dream of God for the whole world!

Living in a Garden

So I love quotes! I picked up a book at the Library The Indiana Book of Quotes by Fred D. Cavinder. As I perused the pages I found this gem of a quote by Frank McKinney (Kin) Hubbard..."In order to live off a garden, you practically have to live in it."

It struck me that the truth of the matter in most things in life--if we want something we have to live it. Most things do not pan out if we just dip our toes into to check it out. You have to jump in and start swimming! So it occurred to me that as we work to build a community of faith on the southside of Indianapolis we cannot just dip into the neighborhood and the vision of our community. We had to jump in, feet first, and starting living this community with all that we are. Some times that seems a scary prospect because our values and vision are broad and ambitious. On the days when living this life can feel overwhelming I remember that I am not the one who has to make this vision come true, but God who has created everything will see this through.

If we live into the vision that Christ puts before us: a world where the hungry are fed, the naked clothed, the homeless welcomed home, the sick comforted and cared for, the orphaned hugged and loved by family...what might we see change in the world around us? While the big gestures and powerful words of a few can inspire and challenge us to see a brand new world...I prefer to take baby steps in the direction of Jesus. I may not always be able to see things come together and change the whole world but I can by living into Jesus way see change happen little by little in the lives of the people I care for. I am sure that I will find love in places that I never expected to be and peace in places known for violence and generosity in the midst of tremendous greed. Because life isn't always about changing the whole picture but about changing our part in it. What live off of, is what directs our lives. If we live off the way of Jesus; of compassion, peace, love and hope then our lives will reflect and embody those things as they direction us deeper into relationship with God and one another!

So to live off love, you have to live it!

Who is the "church" for?

I have been thinking lately...who is the church for? Lots of times people talk about going to church, being the church, and doing church. So sometimes we talk in terms of location, time, worship opportunities, service in the community, living the Gospel individually, etc.

As I drove into town yesterday I wondered who the church exists for? Do we as Christians participate in church worship, activities, educational opportunities for ourselves or for others. If we look at the larger church throughout the world does it serve the needs of "members," people on the inside, or does it serve all people in need? I believe that it is a little bit of both, because the things that help people grow in faith are often found within communities that teach, disciple, and care for the people inside so that they are able to serve others. It seems very easy for any of us to get stuck on one extreme or the other...maybe I just enjoy spending time with my small group friends so I make time to see them but I don't spend a lot of time taking what I have learned and putting it into practice in tangible ways of caring for the people who are suffering around me. Or maybe I do a great job of volunteering at the local soup kitchen, building relationships with people but I find that making time to attend a bible study or develop my individual faith is difficult to do.

One without the other just doesn't make sense. I mean why learn about a Savior whose life models care and compassion for the outcasts and the most vulnerable people in society but not find ways to serve the people in your own neighborhood who need care and compassion? And then what do you do when you find yourself connecting with people where you spend time caring for people but you aren't able to talk to them about the beliefs that have brought you there to begin with?

So then who is the church for if it teaches and empowers, cares and challenges, and lives as Christ did...I believe it is for everyone.

If that is true, then how do we live as people of community and people in community? How do you do it?

Where the seeds fall...

Have you ever thought about what kind of help you can be to your neighbor? I find myself often wondering if I could help someone out but I second myself and justify inaction because I don't want to impose on someone else. It is strange to think that some of us don't help others because we are afraid they will be offended by the offer. Maybe we are just a little afraid too that if we help, we may have to change our priorities so that the other person is put ahead of us.

This weekend we held a worship service in the community garden at Zacchaeus' Tree! We talked about the parable of the sower (The Gospel of Luke 8:4-15). The story is about a farmer spreading seeds and about their life afterwards. Some seeds are lost from the beginning when they land on the path, some start growing but because of the rocks can't get enough water, some are thrown in with the weeds and can't grow because the weeds choke them out and there are seeds that fall on good soil and they grow and produce good fruit.

We often consider this story as a way to determine where we are...when we hear the Good News of Jesus Christ. Are we in good soil, growing and producing fruit? Or have we landed among the rocks without enough support to make it through? As a congregation we are developing into a community that serves our neighbors by helping to cultivate the space around others and ourselves that allows for growth! As I learned in my own garden, it doesn't take long for a garden to become a bed of weeds if I leave it alone. Without consistent care the weeds grow taller and faster so that the crops have little chance to produce much if anything at all.

So what can we do that helps others to hear and receive the Good News that God loves them and wants to know them more?

We volunteer monthly at a local food pantry, are building partnership with the Fuller Center (www.fullercenter.org), and looking for ways to individually care for our neighbors. But it can be hard, because caring for others means we take a back seat in favor of caring for the needs of others. Pray for all who want to serve, that opportunities and ability come together to allow for authentic and caring relationships to form as we care for the needs of one another!

A Tree? Zacchaeus' Tree actually!

What will we be called?

One day last week I was thinking about Jesus and people he met along his path. A story popped into my head about a man who opened his home to Jesus and as soon as he came into contact with Jesus his life changed dramatically! That man was Zacchaeus. Looking for a glimpse of Jesus from the top of a tree he found himself called out by Jesus and invited into the life of peace, and transformation . I believe that we are called to create a community that reaches out to people in our neighborhood who for many reasons have not connected to the church but who are longing to see and know Jesus.

In conversation with others last month we discussed names that connected to our biblical heritage and spoke to the ministry and presence we are called to share. So as I reflected on the conversation it occurred to me that Zaccheaus' story is one of creativity, hospitality, relationship, intentionality, sustainability and transformation. Inspired by his story and the impact of being a community that reaches out to everyone including those people on the margins of society. And seeks to be a place of growth and challenge we will be called "Zaccheaus' Tree: a Moravian Congregation"

As we look to being Grounded in Christ, Planted in Community and Growing through Service I believe that our community will find roots that help us to serve our neighbors and to branch out into the lives of the people around us. Like the tree that allowed for Zaccheaus to see Jesus, we will root ourselves in this community: providing space for those who are searching, opportunities for those who want to be transformed and a place where others can see Jesus through the work and worship of our community. Like Zaccheaus we will be invited and challenged by opening our lives to others, creating a community of inclusivity, finding ways to intentionally better the community around us and to care for our neighbors while sustaining the world around us through good stewardship of all our resources. Zaccheaus reminds us all that Jesus came to find and heal the lost...may we help others find a view of Jesus that invites them into a transformational relationship with God!

Getting Grounded...

For those of you who know me, this will be no surprise, I am having a hard time setting aside time to be quiet and study and pray. It is interesting because I know that it is good to read the bible and to pray and just wait upon God's leading. However, it can be really difficult for me because I like being around people so much.

With all the new things happening in the community with the creation of new small groups, the community garden and connecting with new people who have questions about what we are up too here on the south side of Indy. I have gotten out of my own regular practices of prayer and study. Today I started again...I read from the Moravian Daily Texts (a daily devotional that has been published by the World-wide Moravian Church since 1731 http://moravian.org/daily_texts )and read the 3 bible readings for the day. My spiritual director suggested I paraphrase the scriptures, note a particular phrase that stands out and write out what I will do or how I will respond tangibly to the scripture I have read today. Not surprisingly I feel better after one day because I can feel the nourishment seeping into my soul that has been less regular lately.

As a community our mission statement begins with "Grounded in Christ" and while at first glance we could think that once a seed is in the ground there is nothing else that can be done...that isn't exactly true. Without consistent watering, and loosening the soil so the roots can grow a plant may fail to put down the kind of roots that help it survived the hot summer days and to get the nutrients necessary for growth. So as I examined my own life in the past few weeks I have been extending out but not laying my roots in the best way to support the growth I am working towards. Just takes a little push to see how much I can be helped by some time of reflection and prayer. Do you ever feel like that? I wonder sometimes how other people find that solid foundation of faith that allows for amazing growth AND stability. How do you make time to connect with God so that you can follow in the ways that God calls you?

Things are going well, a little chaotic but all changes kind of throw the rule book in the air and ask for patience and perservence. As I seek to be more grounded in my personal life the community is also trying to lay down new roots that will allow us to serve our community through works of justice, a presence of peace and support for the needs of our neighbors. Please pray for us as we strive to be Grounded in Christ whose own life is an example of balance between relationship with God and serving God's people through love and grace.