Same-sex Marriage

Below is the question that will be voted on by Maine voters on November 3. Share your comments. Please no more flat arguments about "traditional values " or "social justice." Instead please help answer the following questions:

1. How does making marriage legal for same-sex couples impact our understanding of Christian marriage?


2. Should the church be involved in performing what is a decidedly legal act?


3. What will keep same-sex unions from being undone by the very same forces that have undermined "traditional marriage?"

Maine -- Question 1 -- "Do you want to reject the new law that lets same-sex couples marry and allows individuals and religious groups to refuse to perform these marriages?"

Idle Thought

Opening up a summer cottage is like being born in this way: at the moment you enter, you have all the time you are ever going to have. (Annie Dillard)

devoutdog

Just a few phots of devoutdog.

She is livin large and enjoying life at the age of eight.

While many people seem to be loathe to own a poodle -- preferring a labradoodle or the like-- we have found Standards to be tremendous dogs -- fun, athletic, smart, courageous!

Drop her a note.

She'll be happy to hear from you.

HOLY WAR

For some weeks a dedicated group of adult learners have been working through a video curriculum called Adult Crossings: God's Journey With Us. The curriculum examines what Walter Brueggemann calls "the primal narrative-that most simple, elemental, and non-negotiable story line that lies at the heart of biblical faith."

In a recent session we listened as Dr. Mark Throntveit of Luther Seminary talked about the familiar battle of Jericho --where "the walls came a tumbilin down" (Joshua 6: 1- 21). As he talked about this story Throntveit asked, "Can we even call it a battle?" He has a point and an interesting one. There are no references to armaments and as the "battle plan" is laid out it is liturgical action -- a procession featuring the ark and priests blowing trumpets. For six days they march around the city one time. On day seven they march around the walls seven times and "the people raised a mighty shout and the wall collapsed" (6: 20).

While Throntveit does not make the connection, this emphasis on liturgical action characterizes the Book of Revelation as well. Chapters two and three of this most curious document contain seven letters written to churches in Asia Minor. Each of the seven letters contains promises to those who conquer or overcome the seductions of the Roman Empire and its cultural, religious and economic practices. How significant then that immediately following this call to be victors in chapters two and three, chapters four and five are dominated by liturgical action, as in the spirit John is given this stunning vision of heavenly worship. The call to be conquerors in chapters two and three is tied directly to worship. If those first-century Christians living in a world dominated by Roman values are to overcome they will do it not with weapons, but worship.

In a culture where Christians have too eagerly laid claim to power and where the call to holy war has become synonymous with death and destruction, here is a necessary corrective. As Christians we wage holy war through our worship. Our weekly gatherings to hear the Word and our gatherings around the Font and Table are the primary means by which we overcome the power of the world -- our hymnals and prayer books are our weapons of choice. Luther may have had this in mind when in verse three of a Mighty Fortress he writes,

And though this world with devils filled should threaten to undo us,

we will not fear, for God hath willed his truth to triumph through us.

The prince of darkness grim, we tremble not for him --

his rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure:

one little word shall fell him.

In faithfulness to God's call, may we all wage holy war and see what walls will come a tumbilin down!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Recently, Marcia and I had the opportunity to to watch one of my favorite movies of all time, Waking Ned Devine. It is a genuinely funny movie, but it touches chords much deeper than just our need for humor. It awakens the deep seated desire we all have to belong to a people and a place -- the elements of community that are so essential to a writer like Wendell Berry. Beyond that there is the friendship that exists between Jackie O'Shea and Michael O'Sullivan. When Jackie has the opportunity to eulogize Michael who is sitting in the front pew of the church (to figure that one out you'll have to watch the movie -- it is available at Hulu), his words remind us that too many of our friends are in fact no more than acquaintances.

Michael O' Sullivan was my great friend. But, I don't ever remember telling him that. The words spoken at a funeral are spoken too late for the man who is dead. What a wonderful thing it would be to visit your own funeral; to sit in the front and hear what is being said, maybe to say a few things yourself.

Michael and I grew old together. The times when we laughed we grew younger. If he was here now, if he could hear what I say, I'd congratulate him for being a great man and thank him for being a friend.

This St. Patrick's Day call up a friend. Take her/him out for a cup of coffee -- or if it's your a thing a Guinness.

Ash Wednesday

Almighty God,
You have created us out of the dust of the earth: Grant that these ashes may be to us a sign of our mortality and penitence, that we may remember that it is only by your gracious gift that we are given everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Savior.
Amen.

Ash Wednesday, February 25, 6:30 p.m.

Hilltop Covenant Church

This service will include singing, prayer, confession of sin and the imposition of ashes. The Rev. Rob Satterberg will join us and offer a brief meditation.

Go Jakey!

Son Jacob doing his thing at Sugarbush. For a better look at the picture go to http://www.sugarbush.com/about-vermont-resort/photo-gallery

Who says you have to go out west for all the good snow!