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Pastor's Notes

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PASTOR'S PAGE

Rev. Kathie S. Pownall

“You Just Never Know”

Sermon: November 8, 2009

Rev. Kathie S. Pownall “

In the ancient world “men” ruled; they were the center of the tribe and family - especially the first-born. Wives, children, slaves, and property were merged into this unity.

It was frightening for a woman to become a widow [you may recall that the scriptures called for special care for widows and orphans]. The word “widow” in Hebrew and Greek suggests helplessness, emptiness or being forsaken. Widows had a sense of being powerless because they were isolated from the love and support of others.

Then there was also the practice of “levirate marriage,” in which it was the duty of a man to marry his brother’s widow even if she had had children by the deceased; society deemed it necessary to do everything possible to ensure a male heir for the family.

With this knowledge we hear the story of Ruth, Naomi [and Orpha] – a story with a tragic beginning. These women “just never knew” that their husbands would die and leave them with no means of support. When this happened, they were left with only their internal resources.

We, too, have such times in our lives that change us forever – times when we feel virtually all alone.

Ruth and Naomi might have asked, “Who am I when I am no longer who and what I was? What is God’s logic?” The foundations of their lives totally shifted with no seeming divine direction and no miracles flashing ahead.

That, too, happens to us. Illness, death, loss of employment, pregnancy…. whatever the circumstance – we experience life changing situations which take away the structure that once provided exact definition to what we thought life was. Life at its roots changes drastically. And when left without the security of the past, we are forced to stand alone, to find inside ourselves the steel of spirit that it takes to survive the unbearable, to trust that the God who made us for life stands by, even at what feels like the boundaries of death.

Naomi did what we all must do, one way or another, at a time of loss. She simply picked up and went back to Bethlehem, not so much to find refuge in a family that was not there anymore, but to be what she herself needed to be at that time: a Hebrew, a Judean, an independent woman in the bosom of a culture she had lost years ago before its time. She had been the wife of Elimelech and the mother of Mahlon and Chilion – now she went back to becoming herself again.

We, too, are all a medley of promising beginnings, all of which are straining toward fulfillment. These are times in which the word of God can become new life to us and present us with a series of possibilities that can make us whole. Like Naomi, we need to journey in a different direction, not because we know the outcome but because we need to.

Naomi justifies her actions by saying “My daughter, I need to seek some security for you, so that it may be well with you.” And so, Naomi, fearing her future and the future of Ruth comes up with a plan to marry Ruth off. She plans for Ruth to visit Boaz at night on the threshing floor, after he had finished eating and drinking; and there is the beautiful sweet smelling Ruth - at best a vague plan, as well as risky.

This story of Ruth demonstrates a duty under the law to act out of loyalty, loving kindness and mercy. You just “never know” what’s going to happen in life, but when we approach situations in the manner that Naomi did, we have amazing opportunity to grow in God’s grace.

In the movie Walking Across Egypt, a widow named Mattie Rigsby (Ellen Burstyn), is moved by her pastor’s message to care for “the least of these,” so she reaches out to a sixteen-year-old boy, whose parents abandoned him as a baby and who is serving time in a correctional center for stealing a car.

After she visits him at the correctional center on a couple of occasions, he breaks out and goes to her house. Thinking he is on leave, she allows him to stay with her for a short period. Ultimately, he is apprehended and returned to the center. Her compassion for the young man grows even though her children, Robert and Elaine, don’t approve and advise her to leave him alone.

Elaine argues, “He’s an escaped convict. You could be charged with aiding and abetting a criminal.”

Mattie snaps back, “He’s not a criminal, Elaine.”

Robert disagrees. “He’s a thief, Mama. He’s a juvenile delinquent.”

Mattie says, “Robert, nobody ever loved him.”

Robert replies, “If they did, he probably stole their car.”

When Mattie begins to say, “The Bible says--, “Elaine interjects, “We know what the Bible says. The Bible is full of wonderful stories, Mama. It is a monument to humanity, but that’s all it is—it’s just a storybook.”

“The good Lord says we must help the least of these our brothers and sisters,” Mattie declares. “That boy is one of the least of these.”

“I’ll say!” Robert growls.

“You have already done plenty for him. You have done more than most would. Doesn’t the Bible say when to stop?” Elaine asks.

Mattie makes an emphatic reply: “No!”

The bottom line is that the life and perfection of Jesus is inspiration for us to act out of loyalty, loving kindness and mercy. These acts can and do make a big difference.

The story of Ruth is partly the story of a marriage, but largely the story of a woman, Naomi, who was determined to make a place for Ruth in her culture and hometown and she did everything in her power to make sure that happened. She guided her through the customs of Hebrew culture to enable her to find a husband, home, and children. In this way, Ruth became the great grandmother of Israel's future king, David. And Jesus Christ came from the house and line of David.

So think about the people, like Naomi, in this congregation and community who have determined to make a home and place for "outsiders" in the congregation, or its families, or the neighborhood, or community.

Not all stories that begin with profound misery end in great joy. Even when they do, the later joy doesn’t always cancel out the prior grief—at least not completely. And life doesn't always work out as well as it does in the story of Ruth, in this sort of clean, God-blessed sort of way. But sometimes it does! And when it does, that should be recognized and talked about; people should bless God for it.

In the name of the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit. AMEN.

THANKS TO Elders Allan & Sharron Taylor

Represented First Presbyterian from Chesapeake City

Acts 16:5 Initiative

Acts 16:5 Initiative

Sunday, October 25 through 4 p.m., Monday, October 26. The Church Development Unit of NCP is excited provided opportunity for a program proven to be catalyst for congregational transformation for churches. All pastors and congregations were invited to attend this introductory event, which was both a launch for the Acts 16:5 process and a stand alone event. Forty-four of the fifty five churches in New Castle Presbytery participated in this event.

The Seminar was led by Stan Ott, whom many heard at the May, 2008 meeting of presbytery. His DVD, “Four Questions for a Transformational Ministry” is available for viewing.

Acts 16:5 is about discovering God's next step for this church. It can be used – and has been – in presbyteries across the country, with churches from 27 to 2,700 members, whether they’re flourishing or floundering, across the theological spectrum. The Initiative invites congregations to engage in a deliberate process of congregational transformation that is both communal and missional –serving both the congregation and its surrounding community and world.

For more information, visit www.vitalchurchesinstitute.org.

PASTOR’S NOTE for FALL EPISTLE, 2009

I have devotional guides that I use periodically over many “years.” As I reread them I often remember a phrase or word or idea from previous years and rethink it, such as the word “Koyyannisqatisi.” If you dare to pronounce it, here’s some help: ko – yaa- nis-qatsi. In the Native American language of Hopi it means

1. Crazy life. 2. Life in turmoil. 3. Life disintegrating . 4. Life out of balance. 5. A state of life that calls for another way of living.

Have you ever experienced any of those conditions? Most of our lives are full of at least small experiences that are tumultuous or out of balance. They can be pivotal times of growth in our journey.

The film: Koyyannisqatisi: Life out of Balance , produced in 1982 [Director Godfrey Reggio, Music by Philip Glass, Cinematographer Ron Fricke] consists primarily of slow motion and time lapse photography of natural landscapes and cities across the United States. There is no dialogue nor narration The tone is established by the combination of images and music. The film implies that we are living in the manner of the “Koyyannisqatisi” [See above for definition.]

I watched the film in one sitting, which was both exhausting and mesmerizing, and I might add astonishing and provocative because of the roller coaster images presented. It prodded me to think about “life out of balance.”

We are now in a new season of the year, which is part of the “balance” of creation. During the winter, spring, summer and fall, we have time to learn and forget lessons over the years. Now is a new time of autumn and another opportunity to work at putting life in balance.

For me, that means centering my life around my faith. For me, when God is at the center of my being, the world cannot pull me into imbalance – only tempt me and give me opportunity to stand steadfast with my Creator as the world whirls around me.

As we all enter the season ahead of us with its the images of blazing colors and sounds of migrating geese, I urge you to use it as a season of reflection. Look at the images around you and juxtapose the music of hymns of praise and adoration - “May Jesus Christ be Praised,” or “This is my Father’s World.” Stop and think about “life that calls for another way of living.”

A favorite gospel song of mine is “Jesus, You’re the Center of My Life.” The music brings balance to my heart and soul – one that is nurtured by a close daily walk and strong relationship with God. I pray that you may be blessed with a season of balance as your prayerfully continue your journey as well.

Pastor Kathie

SELECTED SERMONS FROM THE PAST: