"Oh, I HATE change!" she said. And she shook her head and she closed her eyes and shuddered again. "Hate it!" "Really?" I said, "Because change sure loves you." Change loves you. Look at how change is always present in your life, swirling around you and taking you in new directions. Change wants you to notice what's happening right now. Change points out the infinite possibilities in each new moment. Change wants to keep you from dwelling in the past (which is a dream) and from fretting about the future (also a dream) and keep you right here, in the gift of the present moment. And the present moment is our one big chance to create something new. Our ability to make something out of apparent nothingness is miraculous. But it is only possible thanks to change. And change is so forgiving. If we miss our chance to change a minute ago, here change is again, fresh as ever. Sometimes change shows off with a fabulous sunset or a look from a stranger across a crowded room or a big, unmistakable transition like a birth or a death, but mostly change just dwells right here with us in each heartbeat. Feel that? Each breath is change. Each meal, each step, each smile - we are ever-transforming. Things may feel the same, but it's an illusion, like gazing at a stream or a waterfall, which appears static but is actually nothing but movement. So: with us all the time... located in the present moment... contains infinite possibilities... forgiving... eternal... generative… creative... omnipresent... Change is not just good: change is God. Let me say that another way - Change is not just good: change is the presence of the Divine. Now, I don't believe that the Divine cares how you feel about It. The Divine just keeps being the Divine whether you believe or don't believe, notice or don't notice, call It by one name or another name or don't call on It at all. But I find my life goes more smoothly when I cooperate and when I quit trying to have control over that which I clearly have no control. Much like arguing with gravity, hating change is rather a futile effort. Better, maybe, to allow the laws of gravity to support you, and to allow the laws of change to enlighten you and to reveal more love to you, so that you may be in closer relationship with the Divinity of every beautiful, fleeting moment. Samantha Bennett
0 Comments
Worship on Sunday, January 31st at 8:45 am will feature familiar scripture from 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, read by Emily Herron-Clark, describing love as patient, kind and never-ending. Rev. Cheryl Meachen will lead a special discussion on “United Methodism 101” with special emphasis on itinerancy and ordination. The Children’s Message is “The Chocolate Chips in Our Cookies” also based on 1 Corinthians 13 and will teach about the essential ingredient. Marilyn Kugler leads the choir and music. Contact us via e-mail at [email protected] or phone 413-774-6441. The church is located at 15 West Leyden Road across from Town Hall and is handicap-accessible. All are welcome! As printed in the February Leyden Life At a recent Sunday service, I announced that the Bishop is moving me to Sunapee and Grantham NH on July 1, 2016. It was hard news to share because I love this community so dearly and only two years together seems far too short. The Bishop and cabinet will be working together to discern who the pastor coming on July 1st will be and in the meantime, the congregation and I are continuing to worship together and do the work of the church in the community. In most jobs, a person applies and is interviewed for a position and that’s true in some churches that “call” their pastors. In the United Methodist tradition, pastors covenant to itinerate (promise to move) and are appointed based on the Bishop and cabinet matching the pastor’s profile with a church’s profile. That means we are connected together as members of a conference and promise to move when the Bishop sends us to a new community. There is no average length of time that a pastor stays in a place. Every United Methodist pastor can be moved any July 1st of any year. Sometimes the job of a pastor’s spouse or the fact that a family member is in high school keep a pastor in an appointment for a few more years. Sometimes a special mission with the homeless, hungry or imprisoned requires specialized gifts of a certain pastor. Each year the church and pastor fill out a form that provides some guidance to the process and both this church and I affirmed that we wanted to continue together this year but other circumstances prevailed. Itinerancy (moving pastors around) is based on Christ’s “missional appointment” of sending His followers to “go make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:18-20). This is still the primary mission of United Methodist laity and clergy, which our appointment system is meant to serve in a creative and dynamic way. John Wesley, who, with his brother Charles, founded the Methodist movement sent circuit riders to travel to share the good news throughout America. There are places in New England where you can read roadside historical markers that testify to these preachers on horseback who traveled to visit congregations and communities and bring them Communion. These circuit riders weren’t stationed in one place as many of today’s pastors are, but relied on the laity (church members) to continue the work of the church in the community in between pastoral visits. The work of the church, in addition to sharing the good news that we are forgiven and beloved and making disciples by encouraging people to understand their own belovedness and share it with others; is to feed the hungry, give a cup of cold water to the thirsty, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked and visit the sick and those in prison. (Matt. 25) That work will go on through the strength and dedication of this lovely, healthy congregation and with its new pastor and I will do that work with a new church family in Sunapee and Grantham. Leyden and I are now a part of one another’s story and for that I am deeply grateful. “Best of All, God is with Us.” ~ John Wesley Rev. Cheryl L. Meachen Pastor Cheryl preaches at the Leyden United Methodist Church which holds inspired worship at 8:45 each Sunday morning at 15 West Leyden Road across from Town Hall. Our facilities are handicap accessible and we offer Sunday School during our worship services. Come as you are, there are no fashion police. We welcome everyone to share communion on the first Sunday of each month. After worship every week you are invited to join us in our downstairs fellowship hall for delicious fresh baked goodies and friendly conversation. Worship on Sunday, January 24th at 8:45 am will feature scripture from Luke 4:14-21, read by Gilda Galvis, telling the story of Jesus reading from the Hebrew scripture and proclaiming that in him it was fulfilled. Rev. Cheryl Meachen’s sermon titled “Anointed” will explore the reading as Jesus’ inaugural address, laying out plans for his ministry. The Children’s Message is “Just What the Doctor Ordered” also based on Luke 4 and will teach that God provides just what is needed, when it is needed. Marilyn Kugler leads the choir and music. Contact us via e-mail at [email protected] or phone 413-774-6441. The church is located at 15 West Leyden Road across from Town Hall and is handicap-accessible. All are welcome! Worship on Sunday, January 17th at 8:45 am will feature scripture from John 2:1-11, read by Rita Klaus, telling the story of Jesus turning water into wine at a wedding. Rev. Cheryl Meachen’s sermon titled “Ordinary Miracles” will explore the miraculous presence of God in the midst of everyday lives. The Children’s Message is “Saving the Best for Last” based on John 2:9-10 and will teach that God’s goodness is lavished first, last and always. Marilyn Kugler leads the choir and music. Contact us via e-mail at [email protected] or phone 413-774-6441. The church is located at 15 West Leyden Road across from Town Hall and is handicap-accessible. All are welcome! Worship on Sunday, January 10th at 8:45 am will celebrate Epiphany and will feature scripture from Matthew 2:1-12, read by Mary Lou Barton, telling the story of the magi led by a star to where the Christ child was. Rev. Cheryl Meachen’s sermon titled “Another Way” will explore the egregious acts of Herod in the killing of the innocents contrasted with the peace brought by the Messiah and the ways in which that informs the church of today and the way its members behave toward one another. The Children’s Message is “Jesus, the One and Only” based on Luke 3:22b and will explore the unique son-ship of Jesus Christ. Marilyn Kugler leads the choir and music. Contact us via e-mail at [email protected] or phone 413-774-6441. Find more information at leydenumc.weebly.com. The church is located at 15 West Leyden Road across from Town Hall and is handicap-accessible. All are welcome! Worship on Sunday, December 20th at 8:45 am will celebrate the fourth Sunday of Advent – Love. The service will feature scripture from Luke 1:39-45, read by Gilda Galvis, where Mary, mother of Jesus travels to see her cousin Elizabeth and the child in her womb leaps for joy sensing the presence of the baby Jesus. Rev. Cheryl Meachen’s sermon titled “Love Poured Out” will explore the love of Jesus poured into creation at his birth, through his life, at his resurrection and in our hearts. The Children’s Message is “The Gift of Love” based on Luke 1:42-43 and will explore a few favorite simple things like brown paper packages tied up with string in the midst of a season of glittering lights. Holy Communion will be celebrated and all may participate. Marilyn Kugler leads the choir and music. Contact us via e-mail at [email protected] or phone 413-774-6441. The church is located at 15 West Leyden Road across from Town Hall and is handicap-accessible. All are welcome! A candlelight service of Lessons and Carols will be held on Christmas Eve on Thursday, December 24th at 7:00 pm. Come and hear the story of Jesus birth in scripture and song, culminating with the singing of Silent Night in the darkened church with each person holding a candle in a circle around the altar at midnight. Marilyn Kugler leads the choir and music. Contact us via e-mail at [email protected] or phone 413-774-6441. The church is located at 15 West Leyden Road across from Town Hall and is handicap-accessible. All are welcome! |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
May 2016
Categories |