July 18, 2012 - Daryl and I had a remarkable trip to Wales - first on the Island of Bardsey with my classmates from Drew and then another week of touring Wales.  We were astounded at how friendly everyone was to us and also how they embraced us as Americans.  This was never more evident than when we were at the Bondant Museum.
Early that morning we had planned to travel to Tenby and wanted to get a head start.  Unfortunately we had a flat tire.  Complete strangers stopped and pumped it up with this neat little gadget in their car so we could make it to a garage.  The gentleman there were so funny and in a half hour we were back on the road.  Of course by now it was nearing lunch time.  We had cheese and wine for our lunch and had hoped to stop along the seacoast for brief refreshment.  What we really needed was some bread!  As we were driving along, I saw a sign for a Welsh museum of food and it said they had a bakery.

          "hey, let's stop there!" As we entered the driveway a guard stopped us and asked if we had an invitation.  "No," I said, "do we need one?  it's a museum!"  "No," she said, "but Prince Charles is coming today."  so we parked and then some policeman became friendly with us and we had fun with their hats! Okay so on with the story.  Then we met a reporter who discovered we were Americans. he took us under his wing and whispered to us the itinerary and told us where to stand.  As we waited there, we became good friends with Sigfrid and Gwynfor (yes I spelled it correctly, just don't ask me to say it!)

They decided that we should definitely shake hands with the Prince and Camilla. So when they came through they introduced us as "their friends from America" and we had nice conversations! Imagine that!  This was just incredible.  Then they closed the bakery because Prince Charles was touring it so Sigfrid gave us her homemade bread!  Joys abound!

A 17 Year Old Brings Joy with Senior Project

Last Saturday our son Jordan dug eight holes for flags in front of our church as part of his senior project. Now you may think there is nothing out of the ordinary about this. But that's where you are wrong. You see, Jordan was putting poles up for flags that represent the countries of the refugees that our church family serves.

I had no idea the conversation, thrill and emotion that would come from this event. Since he was working on a Saturday, a lot of folks were passing by the church. After he got the American flag up and then the flag from Nepal, folks started stopping and asking what he was doing. Jordan explained that we are neighbors to many refugees and they do not get to see the flag of their beloved home land - the place where many of them will never see again. He told them about the English classes we hold each day and the educational trips. He told how they have been forced out of their own countries. Drivers began to toot their horns and clap for him as they drove by. This was incredible and I could see a change in Jordan as he became proud of what he was doing. It was suddenly much more than a senior project - it was a testimony to the love of our neighbors.

The real miracle though came Sunday and Monday mornings. On Sunday as the Haitian congregation came to worship, one of the teenage boys ran to the flagpole that waved the Haitian flag and hugged it. My country, my country he said as he beamed. Others soon gathered round and began to clap. I cried for the joy of what one simple act could do.

Then Monday as the refugees arrived to class, they ran to their flag poles - Nepal, Bhutan, Cuba, Thailand, Burma and celebrated their country. I cried for the joy of what one simple act can do!

Jordan is not finished yet. Hopefully this week he will have all the poles in place and then he wants to have a dedication service with the refugees (not part of his senior project!). There are times when as a mother of a 17 year old, I have wondered what path he is on. But Jordan made 6 pans of ziti, held the fundraiser so he could buy the flags and the poles, dug holes two feet deep each, and all of these became a tool for joy for someone else. I'm proud of Jordan - proud that he did the hard work, but even prouder for what he said to me on Saturday as he hoisted the flags on the poles. "the refugees need to see their flag - they need to know they are in a land that welcomes them."

How right you are Jordan - and now if only all nations could hear your words! I love you son!

November 1, 2011 Pieta by Luis de Morales

I stood at my son’s grave today. It was eight years ago that he decided to end his life. We buried him on the hill up from the house where he grew up. I reminisced about all the times we went up there to fly kites and how he and Daryl set off rockets. It’s still just as beautiful here. The wind is wisping about and the sky is a rich blue but unable to tear away the wounded clouds in my heart.
“Do you know anymore why he died?” someone asked me. “No,” I said, “it’s still a mystery to me.” He and I had chatted that morning as we always did, he wanting to know “what’s up Mom?” and me saying, “Work as usual.” We exchanged our greetings and he ended with I love you Mom, and I said I love you Chad. Those were the last words I have heard.

Some folks say I am lucky to have that memory, but you know what, no memory is good enough. I want him here in the flesh, right beside me, with that mischievous smile of his and his warm tender touch! I don’t want memories! A number of people tell me that all things heal with time. That’s a crock of you know what! Some things don’t heal with time. They just burrow a little deeper in the soul.
As a pastor, I’ve often stood up under quite disconcerting circumstances and held it all together, being the good ministerial role to which I am wedded. Most days, it suits me well- the disciplines, the faith, the love, the walking along side folks. But today, I just need to grieve.
I’ve stopped telling folks at funerals that I am praying for them, unless they ask me to. Of course, I’m praying, of course I’m interceding on their behalf. But just what the heck are we praying for? I don’t want a cliché; I need a God that’s in on the details, the specifics, the wounds. That’s the God I know. So, I’ve started saying, “It hurts doesn’t it?” “Hard to believe he’s gone, isn’t it?” Or I say nothing at all.
Sometimes I have given folks a little print of the pieta. Now there’s something that speaks. Mary knew grief, Mary knew tears. She can relate to me.
And of course that’s not the whole story of today. My sisters both called me, friends on Facebook and my class from Drew acknowledged my pain, my husband blocked out time in his work day just for me. That’s the God I know – the God that has skin and a real voice and says, I am here for you.
One of my good friends Candy told me to tell stories and remember. That is good advice Candy. That warms my heart and at least gets me to stop crying for a while. At least for a little while………

Matthew 13:51-53 Treasures - Old and New - Day 14

I came upon these verse somewhat accidentally as I was reading the 13th chapter of Matthew in my personal devotional time. Jesus tells his crowd that the scribes are like masters of a house who bring out treasures - what is old and what is new. I thought to myself - what wisdom this is for us. In this day of worship wars, of conflicts in congregations of praise bands and altar decor, we would do well to heed the wisdom of what is old and what is new.

We are fortunate at St. Peter's to have such a rich heritage exampled in our architecture, our liturgy, our music, our paraments, and our lives. The rich treasure of tradition here binds us together as we continue to strive for peace with justice remembering Bill Daniels and his long time example of faithfulness to peace making. We embrace the colors of the world in our worship as the christian symbols remind us of the Christian faith as displayed on our altar.


But we also have rich newness. Our praises rise to God with the aid of guitar, drums, harp, rainsticks, chant, choir, anthems, solos, psaltery, dulcimer, flutes, organ, and other instruments. The words we speak and pray come alive through images projected on the wall in an unobtrusive way. Liturgical movement calls for a response in us and we sing, Come, O come Emmanuel.

I love this discovery of the old and new treasures that lead our hearts to praise God in our corporate worship. Sometimes though, the marriage of the two is difficult. Some of us like to hold on to traditions as if they were the solid rock on which we stand! Michael Hawn, a well known musician and lecturer, once said, "A church with amnesia is in bad shape." So the strength of the old needs to be just that - a strength. Hawn also said, "Each generation needs to add a new stanza to the hymn." Our own Daryl Hollinger has always said that our music and worship need to reflect our theology - and so we bring newness into our community as we embrace many cultures and news songs.

I'd like to suggest that the great joy I sense when we worship together is in part because of the faithful blending of treasures - old and new. The Holy Spirit takes these offerings and wakens our hearts to praise God. How marvelous! Today I pray that you will find these gifts in your homes also. It will truly make Advent season a time of remembering and creating.


Reflections and Journaling
Blessings - What are the "old treasures" in your life that bless you. What traditions in the church do you celebrate? What traditions give strength to you and your family?


Challenge - Where does the meeting of "old and new" in the life of the church cause you frustration? What are some ways in which you can embrace the new and the old? How does the holiday season bring dificulty in blending the old and the new?


Prayer: God of the past, present and future. If only we could embrace you in many ways. Too often we have a narrow definition of who you are and we stick to it, afraid to try new ways to meet you. Open our eyes, ears, hearts, hands, and feet to the treasures you have in store for us. In the name of Jesus who quoted the ancient prophets and broke the laws, Amen.

Hospitality - Being Gracious Colossians 4:2-6 Day 13

Folks often kid me about my accent since I grew up in the southern part of the United States and I don't sound the same as folks in Lancaster county Pennsylvania. Most of the time I take it in strides, but I am amazed at the way in which people will just interrupt what I am saying to ask me, "Where are you from? You're not from around here, are you?" They have not even heard a word I was saying but are more concerned to talk about my accent. More often than not, people will laugh at my speech or say, "I just love hearing you talk. It sounds so funny."



Well, most of the time, I am gracious and make some sort of comment about where I grew up and then move on to something else. However, this constant teasing and commenting about my accent often makes me feel like an outsider. I have lived in Pennsylvania for thirty years and I am still considered a foreigner! Imagine that - this is the longest I have ever lived anywhere and yet folks will tell me that I am not a native.



Now I could go on and talk about all the implications of that statement, but what I am getting at is something deeper than my accent, where I live and if I am accepted as a native or not. The scriptures over and again are full of instructions about hospitality. Honestly, I think we do very poorly at it. In this passage in Colossians, the writer talks about knowing the mystery of Christ, praying, and speaking graciously so we have wise words to tell others about God. This says to me that our manners are indicators of wisdom and our love for God! Recently I attended a religious event where people were invited to a dessert reception afterwards. I was amazed at how many people stood at the table where the food was served, did not move on, and just talked with the people they knew. They were oblivious to those still waiting and to the people who were visitors at the event. I was sad that in a moment of great opportunity to show hospitality, welcome, appreciation and the love of God, some of us chose to talk only to our buddies, hoard the table and ignore the guests!

It may seem like a small thing, but it is not. I am convinced that we will never grow our churches, share the good news of Christ, welcome the stranger and show the love of God if we continue to be this self centered. Oh yes, I have heard all the excuses - well Pastor Bonnie, I just needed to check with a member about an event coming up, or I assumed they had people to talk to, or I wasn't aware of the people behind me. That's exactly what I am saying - WE ARE NOT AWARE OF OUR LACK OF HOSPITALITY!

It starts with verse 2 in this passage - keep praying, be alert with thanksgiving! I am certain that when we are thankful to God for food, for friends, for the opportunity to gather and do not take these things for granted, then we become more loving and hospitable. Hospitality is connected to prayer! When we live in appreciation for all we are given, for all we are, then we are eager to share - our conversations, our lives, our food, our homes, our clothing and ourselves.

I wonder what God's reign on earth might look like if we show hospitality as Christ did - I believe we will be amazed!

Reflections and journaling
Blessing - when were you welcomed and felt a sense of being appreciated? How does showing hospitality show the love of God?

Challenge - what are some ways in which we exclude others - especially at seasonal church events? fellowship meals? When did you feel left out and how are you dealing with the pain? What are ways we can change our behaviours toward visitors? How do you greet others in your daily life? at the store? the gas station? the coffee shop?

Prayer: Open our eyes God and put wisdom on our lips. As you send friends we don't yet know into our paths, let us see them as your children, embracing them regardless of heritage, language or culture. Give us generous spirits that are unselfish and willing to be brave in our invitation to join our lives. In the name of Jesus who sought out the lonely, amen.

Isaiah 49 Belonging to God

Well, it's back to Isaiah 49! I just can't get it out of my system yet. Lately a number of folks around me have been going through some pretty rough times. Setbacks at work, health issues, children problems, aging parent issues, and discouragement. What can one say that lifts us out of this despair and into hope?



Hang in with me on this one, because I have to tell the story for you to get what I mean. God knew each of us when we were in the womb. How powerful is that! It is such an incredible thing that when I am low I say it over and again - God, you knew me before I was born!


For some people this might not seem like a remarkable thing, but for me, it has been and is life altering. I was not one of the fortunate ones to be born into a family of responsible adults who actually wanted to be parents. Instead, I was one of five born to two people who had serious alchohol addicitons along with many other bad habits, including violence. As a result, my growing up years from age birth to age 18 were spent being tossed from foster home to foster home. One would think that if the welfare system took me from a bad situation, they would put me in a better one, but that was not the case. Many of the homes were worse than the one I left, but alas that is best saved for another day.



I tell you this because even though I wonder why this happened to me, why I had to be without parents, separated from brothers and sisters and received great abuses - physical, emotional and sexual, I always knew that I was God's child. Oh sure there were days I wondered where God had taken off to, but deep down in, I knew I was God's daughter.


I used to spend a lot of time climbing trees and I would often sit in a limb and talk to God. I would say, God, I might be a foster child to everybody else, but I'm your daughter. Imgaine that! God's real daughter - nothing temporary or fake about it.


It wasn't until many years later that I would read this scripture and know that I had been right all along! So now, when things are really tough, when I feel hurt and scared, I remember that I am God's daughter and God knew me even before I was born. I like to visualize that I am sitting in God's big lap and being held so closely and nothing can hurt me. Not only has this been healing for old wounds, but it keeps me grounded in God's love now.


So I invite you to claim your kinship with God! Go ahead, say it, God, I am your daughter, your son and I know you love me. It is my prayer that in so doing you will discover healing and hope in your life.



Reflections and journaling

Blessing - spend time proclaiming that you are God's child. What does it feel like? How does it change the way you see your life?


Challenge - what are the wounds that you need healed? What is keeping you from claiming God's love in your life? What steps can you take to gain strength in these troubling times? Write down something you want to share in your small group, with your prayer partner or with your pastor about areas that need wholeness.


Prayer - Healing God, you knew me before I was born. I imagine that when you created me you held me up and said, ah, this is my child. Let's see what she/he will do. You blessed us at our birth and you bless us even now. Sometimes we miss seeing you as Parent because of our own earthly parents, or because of the way we parent. But you go way beyond anything we can imagine and call us your own. I love you God - Mother, Father, Parent, Friend, Amen

Isaiah 49 God is our Strength

If you have been listening to the news lately, you know that we are in woeful times. If you are adhering to the advice of the advertisers you will believe that life is all about yourself and your well being.

The prophet Isaiah in this passage reminds us that we are called to be God's servants. Yet we are not without the tools necessary to be God's servants. In verse 5 the writer proclaims that God is his strength. How marvelous! In this day and age when we are wooed by the world's troubles and societal values, we are called to be the light and are girded with God's strength.

I find this particularly promising in this season of Advent and it fills me again with hope. I am reminded that life isn't just about me. Yesterday our secreatry was on vacation and it was my pleasure to answer the phone and the door. A myriad of people entered the building and called on the phone for an array of issues.

It was disconcerting at first to have so many interruptions - to be patient and listen carefully as each person described their need or question. Some people just wanted to inquire about our bazaar or work with the refugees. A few had topics of concern and wanted guidance. There were requests for food and money. Delivery persons seemed to want more than just a signature but lingered to talk. It was tempting to hurry throgh these interactions and get on to...what? What was I doing? What is really important today? As a Christian and as a pastor, called to be a servant in the world, it is to give hope. Sometimes hope comes in the form of a listening ear, a bag of groceries, an appointment for further dialogue, or directions on how to volunteer.

As I read Isaiah, I am reminded that through it all, God is our strength. This is great news for troubling times. No matter what happens around us, when we rely on God's strength, each moment can be a treasure of hope for someone! Today I pray that we can all relax a moment, breathe in the Holy Spirit, and draw on God's strength to be a servant. Spread the hope my friends, spread the hope!

Reflection and Journaling
blessing - How do I see God bringing hope in my world today? Share it with someone. When was God my strength this week?

Challenge - Am I truly being a servant of God and counting on God to anchor me? Do I reflect confidence in God or do I complain and whine about the situations in which we live? What stops me from being hopeful and giving hope to others?

Prayer - God, you are our rock, our strength. Today when we feel overwhelmed, weak, distraught, sad and lost, let us know your hope deep in our souls. Give us courage to turn to you when the outlook is bleak. Show us today where we can be hope for others. Revive our trust in you so that we may be servants and spread hope to those we meet. In the name of Jesus who gave hope as he ate with strangers. amen