It’s taken me awhile to get my scattered thoughts together after this, yet another, mass shooting and terrorist attack. I have heard and read the rhetoric that inevitably follows: the media pundits’ spins, op-eds, politicians’ statements, clergy declarations, tweets, and Face Book posts. I’ve liked a lot, hated a lot, but haven’t weighed in, mostly because I’ve been so aghast and confused about what to do in this rapidly changing scape of our reality.
For some, this tragedy is a call to ban guns or strengthen gun control laws. For others, this is evidence for why we need guns: If we don’t have them, they argue, only terrorists and criminals will have guns. Conspiracy theories abound. The argument goes on and on, and many of points are valid on either side of the issue.
And again the vitriol against Islam surfaces. We are told by some that terror is Islam’s technique to spread itself throughout the world—through a reign of fear and destruction, and they cite history to prove this. And others, both Islam’s highest level clerics and other educated experts in world religions, say that the perpetrators cannot be true Muslims, any more than so-called Christians who spew hate toward LGBQs—or immigrants—or others who don’t believe as they do, can be called Christians. If you for a moment don’t think Christians engage in violent speech that incites, just check out these “pastors” in the following clips: http://fox40.com/2016/06/13/sacramento-baptist-pastor-applauds-orlando-shooting/; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCIE0vqk6Uo
I’ve heard politicians and so-called Christian leaders say that such shootings occur because we’ve taken (Christian?) prayer out of schools (never mind that I taught in schools in Hawaii where the most of my students were Buddhist). Rather than taking any concrete action, people blithely say, “I will hold Orlando in my thoughts and prayers.” I don’t know about you, but that just sounds hollow. I’m not convinced thoughts and prayers will magically prevent attacks or change anyone’s circumstances; prayer just doesn’t work that way. Prayer will, however, work on our own souls. So if we are going to pray, and I think we should, let us be prepared to have God use us as the responders, the comforters, and the activists.
As the complex arguments play out in this increasingly polarized society, I invite you to a fairly simple reflection that has everything to do with compassion. Actually, Mr. Rogers, who was a Presbyterian minister and beloved children’s TV show star, finally inspired my response to my confusion. He once said, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’” Can we be the helpers?
Can we be the compassionate ones? Can we be mindful of our fears, aware of our prejudices, and engage in critical thought? Even more important, can we lay our fears and prejudices at the foot of the cross, risky as that might be, for the sake of others? Even in our polarity over issues like gun control, the nature of Islam, acceptance of the LGBQ community, and the power of prayer, we can always choose our words and actions to err on the side of compassion.
Rev. Sandi

Although we are going to a different format for summer, my prayer is that our year-round members and summer visitors still come Sunday mornings at 10 AM for mission planning, fellowship, and Bible study opportunities.

• Missions Sundays – Congregation will meet in Hayden Hall for coffee and snacks at 10 AM to discuss opportunities and execution for in-reach and outreach missions this fall.
• Scripture Study – I will lead a type of Bible study called Lectio-Divina.  No preparation is needed; this type of study is a meditative practice in which we will open our hearts and minds to let God speak to us through a short passage of scripture.  We will have time to share our insights with the group.
• Fellowship Breakfast – Join us for a communal breakfast at the Egg I AM.  The Egg I AM is at 10155 E. Via Linda, Scottsdale, AZ  85258 (the corner of Mountain View and Via Linda).

The schedule is as follows:

June

5—Mission Planning

12-Breakfast

19-Scripture Study

26-Scripture Study

July

3—Breakfast

10-Mission Planning

17-Scripture Study

24-Breakfast

31-Breakfast

August

7—Breakfast

14-Mission Planning

21-Resume normal worship schedule

Hope to see you! I am also here for any pastoral needs you have this summer.  You can contact me through the church office.  Blessings!

Rev. Sandi

Front and center in our sanctuary stands a beautiful communion table constructed of an old door and an oxen’s yoke.  The door, which is a biblical symbol of communication and communion with the Divine, makes up the table’s surface; and the oxen’s yoke, which is a biblical symbol of service, makes up the table’s legs.  It could be said that we are nourished by communion at the table for service (with our legs) in the world.  The yoke also reminds us of the scripture, “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:30). 

CCOV adopted a new mission statement on Sunday, April 3rd. The new mission reads:

“The Congregational Church of the Valley is a community sharing Jesus’ message of love, hope, peace, and joy with all persons.”

Our task over the next few months is to determine how we will support that mission in our acts and thoughts.

Holy Week is rapidly approaching.  Next week is already Palm Sunday!  Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and then Easter follows. Since I will only be with you Palm and Easter Sundays, I want to answer three frequently-asked questions about the days in Holy Week. Continue reading →