WOMEN’S WEEK

February 3-9, 2008

“Holy Encounters” - Meditations from COMMON LOT, Winter, 2008

Mountain-top Encounters                                                          Sunday, February 3, 2008

A mountain is a powerful image. In nature, mountains are most often creations of great beauty. If one is fortunate to see a mountain range in person, the grandeur is inspiring and the impression lasting. Physically climbing a mountain is a daunting adventure for most, with enthusiasm waning as the climb continues and the mountain growing seemingly taller as steps become shorter, lungs winded, and determination challenged.

It makes one question why God chose mountain-tops for the “big” moments in Scripture, including the Exodus 24:12-18 and Matthew 17:1-9 readings. Are we to understand that mountain-tops are holy places? That God does God’s best work at high altitudes? That a higher calling is found when the summit is reached?

Perhaps there’s more symbolism in mountain-top experiences than we generally are given to consider.

Exodus 24:12-18

Moses encountered God on the mountain-top. Moses entered the “cloud” that settled on the mountain and remained on the mountain for forty days and forty nights.

When we hear of the cloud, what's the first thing that comes to mind? In symbolic terms, how often in our lives do we feel like we're in a cloud? Even when we think we are following God instructions to us (or hope we are leading lives of faith), what does it feel like in the cloud? Do we trust that God will navigate us to a time of greater clarity? Do we wait patiently? Does our faith get shaken as we wonder what awaits us on the other side? Do we believe that something wonderful can come, even when we can7 see the path ahead?

Moses had some idea what awaited him, for God had told him.

But, in our lives, God purpose isn't as clear. How can we find clarity in uncertain times? For those expecting the voice of God to reveal path or intention, what do we do with the silent times when God is moving us to an unknown place? If we heard the voice of-God, as I did, how would we react? What if God called us to a difficult journey along with forty days and nights (or more) of waiting?

Mountain-top encounters with God don’t (can and shouldn’t!) stay on the mountaintop.

After Moses received what Got/intended, he hat/to come down from the mountain. He couldn't stay there. Mountain—top experiences aren’t the everyday. They’re the extraordinary; Moses had to deliver the law and the commandment, not quite the joyful duty one would hope for after encountering God. What do we do with our “God encounters” that have less than joyful results?

Matthew 17:1-9

Peter, James, and J had quite the experience on the mountain.

How do we memorialize our extraordinary experiences with God? Do we seek to build monuments to them or do we built/our lives with them as a foundation? Do we believe the “God mo in our lives or do we try to explain them away or wonder if they ever happened at all?

The work begins when we come down from the mountain.

Ministry rarely happens on the mountain—top. The real work of ministry happens in the midst of the daily journeys which could be characterized as a journey up or around the mountain, Explore what happened after Jesus (and M in the Exodus reading) came down from the mountain.

Mountains can be viewed as anything but desirable destinations.

It’s intriguing that mountain—top experiences can be viewed as life-changing, while the symbolic mountains we face in our lives can be terrifying. Viewing problems as “mountains” gives them even greater power over our lives. How can we join the mountain—top experience of Scripture with the reality of the everyday mountains that most of us face? Do we live our lives in the valleys because it is easier? Safer? Less terrifying?  And, when we do, are we missing out on the experiences of God that await us on the journey to the unknown summit?

Monday, Feb. 4, 2008

NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF A CHRISTIAN WOMAN

Diane M. Lee

I sit in my office as Executive Director of the beloved Woman’s Board of Missions for the Pacific Islands, surrounded by the lush tropical vegetation, close to downtown Honolulu, Hawaii, contemplating the word “transfiguration” which I looked up in Webster’s Dictionary and found it to mean “a change in form or appearance” or “an exalting, gl.orifj7ing, or spiritual change”.

This week is UCC Women’s Week and so we honor and celebrate all the women in all churches throughout the United States of America. ‘The 136 year old Woman’s Board of Missions for the Pacific Islands’ motto is: “Never underestimate the power of a Christian woman’ and each year during our Annual Meeting, we recognize two women in the Hawaii Conference that have demonstrated true Christian faith in living their lives.

At the 2007 Annual Meeting, the Woman’s Board honored two such women: Irene Mitsuko Nomura and Shizuko Kohatsu Mukaida. We honored Irene who decided to follow Jesus as a child and have never wavered from caring for God’s people and God’s animals, dedicating her life in serving others. In like manner, we honored Shizuko who as a young child observed Japanese customs and holidays, but influenced by her physician father, became a Christian dedicating her life to be active with Church Women United, the ‘Woman’s Board of Missions and Church of the Crossroads. We bear witness to their being carried by the Holy Spirit through life’s joys and challenges. By knowing them and their faith stories, we are transformed by their strong devotion to God.

I dare say that God would proclaim that these women are his daughters, in whom He is well pleased. Like the witnesses at Jesus’ transfiguration we will do well to pay attention to the transfiguration. Hear the voice that says: “This is my son, whom I have chosen, listen to him.” Listen to him — follow him, carry your cross. Luke 10:22 (NIV) says, “No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

Imagine if God appeared before you and said:

(fill in your name) you are my daughter.” He loves you. He has chosen you to be His child. We are children of God, and if His children, then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ. Knowing that we are His children gives me a sense of redemption - that I’m worth His love, His grace. ‘Think about how it feels to be His child.

Did you notice that Jesus needed to be transfigured? So that people would clearly see him as God’s son, not the carpenter who grew up in Nazareth or the baby that the wise men searched for and found in a lowly manger. People needed to see him as Son of God, our Savior, born to fulfill prophecy, and not a miracle worker.

All around Hawaii, you can see God’s creation in vibrant colors; you can truly experience life with all your senses of sight, smell, sound, taste and feel. You don’t have to go far to commune with God — be it in the mountains or by the ocean. Let us focus on the radiance of Jesus’ transfigured presence. Let His Light Shine through us! May you seek to have an exalting, glorifying, spiritual change everyday of your life. And don’t forget — “Never underestimate the power of a Christian woman.”

(Diane Lee was recently named Executive Director of the Woman’s Board of Missions for the Pacific Isands. We welcome Diane to this new staff position and celebrate our ongoing partnership with the Woman’s Board of Missions for the Pacific Islands.)

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. How can you be changed by the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ?
2. Take time to discover the ways your Christian faith has shaped your words! thoughts and actions in our daily lives?

Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008

HOLY ENCOUNTERS IN RETROSPECT

Gay H. McCcmick

1. Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. 2. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. 3. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings (booths) here, one fir you, one for Moses, and one fir Elijah.” 5. While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with hint I am well pleased; listen to him!” 6. When the disciples heard this, they fill to the ground and were overcome by fear. 7. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” 8. And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone. 9. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

—Matthew 17:1-9

The story of the Transfiguration is stunning. Jesus takes Peter, James and John up the mountain during the Festival of Booths, a Jewish religious holiday. There they experience the Transfiguration of Jesus, described in 17:2. “His face shone like the sun and his garments became dazzling white.” What an amazing manifestation of God revealed in God’s Chosen One. Jesus says, “.. .The righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father” (Matt. 13:43). The Matt.13:43 language provides a context in which to understand these changes in Jesus.

A bright cloud comes over the disciples following the Transfiguration. The voice of God speaks to them from the cloud and the)’ are absolutely terrified. Jesus seeks to calm the three disciples. ‘Their encounter with the presence of the Holy follows having just learned the shocking news of Jesus’ coming death (Tviatt.16:21). (Surely they could have been candidates for Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder.)

The disciples would discover that their fragile, mortal lives had been transfigured and that the power of the Holy \vas alive and active. Peter wrote of it in one of our other lectionary texts (2 Peter 1:16— 18). “. . but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For I-I received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to Him from the Majestic Glory, saying, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.’ We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with Him on the sacred mountain.”

‘The Transfiguration story brings to mind another experience of the Holy, that of Blaise Pascal, the great 17th century mathematician, and scientist. Between ten thirty and twelve thirty o’clock one November night, Pascal had an ecstatic religious experience, seeing God in the burning fireplace. He immediately recorded the vision on a piece of parchment so as never to forget it. This piece, now known as Memorial, begins: “Fire. God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob, not of the philosophers and the scholars...” and concludes by quoting Psalm 119:16: “I will not forget thy word. Amen.” He seems to have carefully sewn this parchment into his coat and always transferred it to his change of clothes. A servant discovered it only by chance after Pascal’s death. There is no evidence of his having mentioned the experience to anyone while he lived.

What do these visions, these encounters with the Holy, have to do with you and with me? I have only read about these experiences. My reality is better chronicled in Numbers 23:22-34, a story that always makes me smile. It is the story of Balaam and his donkey a talking donkey!

God was angry that Balaam had undertaken a mission to the Moabites, the people who wanted to kill the Israelites. The angel of the LORD with a drawn sword in his hand comes to stop Balaam, standing in the road as Balaam’s adversary. Balaam’s journey takes place on ‘donkeyback;. The donkey sees the angel of the LORD standing in the road. Three times it protects Balaam to avoid the angel but avoidance makes Balaam, who doesn’t see the angel, exceedingly angry, beating the donkey with his staff each time.

God opens the mouth of the donkey, who says to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?” Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have made a fool of me I wish I had a sword in my hand I would kill you right now!” The donkey replied, “Am I not your donkey, which you have ridden all your life to this day? Have I been in the habit of treating you this way?” And Balaam responded, “No.”

Then God opened the eyes of Balaam who finally saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road, with his drawn sword. Balaam bowed down, falling on his face. The angel said to Balaam, I have come out as an adversary because your way is perverse before me. If your donkey had not seen me and turned away these three times, just now “I would have killed you and let it live.”

What is the power in this story? Balaam’s inability to perceive is also my inability. It resonates with the times I realized, in retrospect, that I had encountered the power and presence of the Holy. just this past summer I worked hard at putting together a mini-family reunion. As it ended I realized, again in retrospect, the blessing of the Holy presence on us during those four days, a blessing which continues.

(Gay Holthaus McCormick lives in Alpharetta, GA. She is a member of Church of the Savior United Church of Christ in Roswell, GA. and considers herself fortunate to have found the United Church of Christ two decades ago and her church community in Roswell.)

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. When you think about your experiences of Encountering the Holy, how do you know that is what has happened? What does this have to do with you? What stories are there, Biblical and from other literature, that resonate with your stories?
2. How do you go about sharing your encounters or do you keep them hidden in your clothing like Blaise Pascal, like the disciples, told by Jesus, “Tell no one about the vision”? When others tell you about their Holy Encounters, how do you react? 

Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2008

 ENRICHED BREAD

Darlene Christiansen

Standing at the bread counter on a recent grocery shopping trip, I gave a prayer of thanks that the store had bread already baked for me. A loaf of bread can symbolize how we depend on others, because most of us don’t even know who baked the loaf on our table. And I appreciated that there were other options beside just white bread!

Then my eyes caught the label] that read, “enriched with For me, enriched bread means restoring a nutrient lost in processing, or that the quality has been improved by adding desirable ingredients to enhance it’s nutritive value or taste. My thoughts easily jumped to the many “enrichments” that have come to me in my life. “I'm sure you can name many for yourself.

We recently returned to a former congregation. (Yes. There are pluses in being a clergy spouse!). During that weekend, I again became aware of how that congregation and community enriched my life. Thirty years later, with some additional weight and whitened hair, it was wonderful to still be recognized—and to be able to recognize many of them! I have fond memories of working and worshiping together with these folks for those ten years. I hope I got the message across to them about out how they enriched my life, and the life of our family I also received unexpected “enrichments” that weekend when someone said: “I remember how you touched my life when or we had so much fun or I still appreciate..., etc.” These were “holy encounter” moments for me, and I continue to treasure them. How sweet they are!

When we pray “Give us this day, our daily bread”, perhaps we should add, “May our lives contain desirable ingredients, so that others may receive nourishment of God’s love through their encounters with us.” Referring back to the enrichment labels on bread, I wonder what a “label” attached to each of us would include? I hope my “label” might say she gives support and is concerned, and offers encouragement to others as they use their God—given talents. It’s good to be a Christian and know it, bur it’s better to be a Christian and show it!

Take a moment to think about how Jesus has enriched the quality and productivity of your life. Then remember the people who have added nutrients for your life. Which of Jesus’ enrichments did they use? An equally important question is: Which of Jesus’ enrichments do you use? Write your own “bread label” listing the ingredients that you would like to include in your nourishing of others. Hopefully it will include praying for others so they can sing (tune: Kum Ba Ya) Someone’s praying, Lord, yes for me (repeat 2 times) I can feel it Let it be!

(Through the years Darlene has served as a gifted program and workshop leader as well as a writer, contributing a variety of meditations and resources for women’s groups. Currently retired and living in Pennsylvania we are again grateful for the meditation she has offered for today’s reflection.)

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

Thursday, Feb. 7, 2008 

ORDINARINESS

Lutgarda 0. Lee

W hen the ordinariness in me touches the ordinariness in you and vice versa, the result can be life giving. We tap something sacred. Call it a holy encounter for brief moments. The more ordinary we are, the more we are ourselves without the trappings of glorious accomplishments. There’s something profound to be with simple folks. These encounters happen among women expressing true ordinariness in some rare occasions among men, too. For instance, yesterday, my second day as the Minister for Children and Families, a woman colleague invited me to join her for lunch. As we shared our very different stories of how we found our ways to our UCC national office positions, we found a common thread of our journey! Those moments are special connections feeling a higher presence embracing us. Some people have to read books or they have to go to the top of the mountain seeking God. Martin Buber (Jewish theologian) in his book, I and Thou says you don't have to; God is found everywhere, in fact in some unlikely places. He was talking with the cab driver of the taxi. After the cab driver dropped him at a library, he realized he left his glasses in the cab. As he was exiting the library to contact the cab, he saw the driver entering the library bringing his glasses. Their eyes met, and they embraced. The cab driver gave him his glasses and he returned to the library. We become genuine in our ordinariness. Isn’t that life enhancing?

One of the poignant scenes during the 1986 ouster of our Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos was the images of Catholic nuns carrying crucifix and Virgin Mary figures bravely marching toward the army tanks. This revolution came to be known as “People Power.” Something electrifying occurred; the soldiers inside the tanks got out, disobeyed the order to shoot, and instead joined the nuns in the march to the Malacanang Palace. The solidarity of  these women touched the decency of the soldiers’ characters. I had goose bumps when this scene flashed in my TV screen.

The text assigned to me is about transfiguration. Jesus picked the company of men and not women. I thought how in the world could I relate this passage in such a way it will also affirm women? Even though the women missed the transfiguration experience, Jesus appeared to them first in his resurrection. That’s inspiring \With that experience, the w omen in Jesus’ life became the original live wires in spreading the early stages of the Christian faith movement. Remember, the men's initial reaction of the news were to be skeptical. Thus, women contributed first in the transformation of first century Christianity.

I want to end this meditation by reminding us that holy encounters did not only live with saints of ages past but with us as well today. The last stanza of the hymn. I Sing a Song of the Saint of Gods,” says it all. They lived nor only in ages past; there are hundreds of thousands still. The world is filled with living saints who choose to do God’s will. You can meet them in school, on the road, or at sea, in a church, in a train, in shop, or at sea; for the saints are folds like and me, and I mean to be one, too.

(Lutie C. Lee has recently joined the staff of the Worship and Education Team of Local Church Ministries serving as the Minister for Children and Families.)

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

Friday, Feb. 8, 2008

VISIONS OF COST AND JOY

Kelly Burd

Days before they ascended the mountain, Peter had found himself in a troubling confrontation with Jesus. The prophesy Jesus had shared — a vision of his own death - had been too painful for Peter’s heart to bear, too disturbing for his mind to accept. His rebuke had offended Jesus, though he had spoken from a place of love and fear.

Now, swept away by the iridescent Jesus speaking with Moses and Eli perhaps it occurs to Peter that they might stay and hoodwink fate. This holy vision may have been so exhilarating that Peter felt he’d found the pinnacle of spiritual life. Unlike the horrific images of crucifixion running through his mind, this vision was joyous, faith-affirming. Who could blame him for wanting to stay?

After the heartbreaking loss of a young church member last year, our youth and young adults were invited to gather at church if they wanted to talk, pray, or simply he together. A day after the invitation, twenty people gathered in our memory-filled youth room. They came out of the woodwork: the active youth and the ones absent since confirmation; the trendy college students; the high school athletes; the popular; the loners. Two flew in from the west coast and drove directly to church from the airport.

At first we sat in awkward silence, not trusting our words with our broken hearts. Slowly, one by one, we began to speak. “I can’t believe he’s gone,” someone said, “we just talked two weeks ago.” Conversation ebbed and flowed with choked confessions of disbelief and stories of happier times. There were still long stretches of silence, but they felt comfortable now, like a shawl draped over our collective shoulders, binding us together-.

After two hours, we moved en mass to the funeral home, where we stay until calling hours were over. Later I heard they all moved on to someone's house, where they went through old photos and talked late into the night.

A young woman called me the following week to tell me that our time together had helped her immensely. Though it was incredibly difficult to return to college, she had been strengthened by the recognition that she wasn’t alone. Her spirit had been bolstered and her faith nourished by the presence of friends, the remembrance of stories and the collective offering of prayers.

Peter is offered a vision so intensely satisfying that he wishes to make a dwelling within it and escape the reality that awaits them. When his worst fears for Jesus come to pass, still he h-ad that mountaintop vision. Yes, Jesus had offered him a glimpse of the cost of discipleship. But he had also bestowed a glimpse of its ultimate joy, the abiding presence of the holy

The most extraordinary presence of God abides in the ordinary moments of our lives and our ministries. Whatever our mountaintop moments, they serve to affirm our trust in the incredible grace we briefly glimpse. And, tucking away our Christ-filled moment like an old and cherished photograph, we find strength to descend the mountain and follow Jesus.

(Rev. Kelly Burd currently serves on the Worship and Education Team of Local Church Ministries as the National Youth Event Coordinator 2008.)

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

Saturday, Feb. 9, 2008

HOLY ENCOUNTERS

THROUGH HOLISTIC HEALTH

Donna Nedrow

When I think of Holy Encounters I begin to think about the many encounters with my Hospice patients I have had over the years. I became a nurse in 1987 and was taught holistic health, paying particular attention to body, mind and spirit of the person. I have found this to be the core of hospice care. I have been invited into many patients and families lives during the most intimate times. It is so humbling to be welcomed and to experience such a moment as dying. I think about so many of these patients and a number come to my mind that have helped me to become who I am now. One particular is a pt. I cared for with ALS. I was welcomed into his home and from that day the feeling of peace overcame me... I can not explain how this happens but when someone who is so vulnerable shares his ending days with you it is the most incredible encounter one can imagine. Don’t get me wrong there were many days when he was in pain and we as caregivers did our best to maintain his symptoms and comfort him as best we could. He had difficulty breathing and eventually communicating with us but when we dealt with his physical and emotional issues his spiritual issue:

His Love of God began to shine through the pain and discomfort he was experiencing. We had many wonderful theological and personal discussions on “Where will. I be going?”, “What is there after death? “Who or What is God?” Many a time I would leave his home feeling such GRACE and knowing yes, there is a God who brings such Love into this world. During the time when a pt. is actively dying there is such peace. One such pt. asked me within hours of his death: “Why can’t life be like this? No pain only peace and comfort.” Wouldn’t it be nice if everyday we could live like Tim McGraw’s song which says: Live like you were dying? My prayer is that all of us can live our lives like those who are dying, knowing that their earthly lives are ending but know the Grace of God and the peace of Christ will be with us always.

A scripture verse in which I feel says this all is from Psalm 121:

I lift up my eyes to the hills —
 where does my help come from?
 My help comes from the LORD,
 the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip —
 He who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, He who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD watches over you
the LORD is your shade at your tight hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
The LORD will keep you from all harm—
He will watch over your life;
the LORD will watch over your coming and going
 both now and forever more.

With the hustle and bustle of the world today, no matter what you do in your life; be it caring for your family, packing bags at the grocery store, waiting tables, going to school, cleaning a building, working at the UCC national office, whatever you may do to live your life, my prayer is that you take the time and think of what it would be like if you were dying. Do you think you would be at peace and comforted by the Grace of God? If so, I then challenge you to share that with others. Recognize God in the people you encounter each day and let them know that they are God’s children and they are good. Take the time to recognize the Holy encounters in your everyday life and feel at peace knowing that God is always with you today tomorrow and forever.

(Donna Nedrow, RN. is Spiritual Care Coordinator/Volunteer Coordinator for Hospice of Care Corp in Geauga County Ohio. She is active in her local church, Faith UCC Richmond Hts. Ohio, serving as facilitator of the Healing prayer team and Chair of WorshipMinistry.)

REFLECTION QUESTIONS