Feeding the Hungry

Saw a sparrow feeding a young – though 3x larger – cowbird this morning.

Thought: Wouldn’t it be grand if we fed whoever came our way?

Doesn’t matter how they got here. Whoever ‘they’ are. Wherever ‘here’ is.

Once upon a time I served as as associate pastor at a church that ran a food pantry and also administered an emergency fund. There were rules, of course, for both. The primary one used by the senior pastor was:

Error are on the side of generosity.

Those words have become a sort of mantra for me. Whether working with a Food Pantry Board or an outreach committee of a local church or just trying to figure out how to respond to an appeal for help, error are on the side of generosity.

Today, as I think about the immigrants at our borders, my pleading, my prayer: may we error on the side of generosity.

Musing: Be the Church

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UCC Banner in front of West Branch Friends Church, West Branch, Iowa. 6/28/19.

As an ordained UCC pastor I was surprised – and pleased – to see this United Church of Christ banner in front of the West Branch Friends (Quaker) Church!

A similar banner – same words but printed on a rainbow background – was hanging in the Fellowship Hall at Congregational UCC, Newton, last Sunday. At least I think it was a “Be the Church” rainbow banner. As the substitute preacher for the day, I noticed there was a rainbow banner with familiar words.

What I remember clearly was a comment over coffee:

“After I saw the pastor from Ames UCC on TV, I wondered if we are too chicken to hang our banner outside.”

Ames UCC had a rainbow banner with the words “God Is Still Speaking” hanging outside, above the front door of the church. It was torn down and burned in the early morning hours of June 11. Though a bit shaken, the congregation has hung a new pride banner with the words “God is love.”

Both the Newton and Ames congregations have voted to be “Open and Affirming” (see below) congregations in the United Church of Christ. So a pride banner is not surprising.

But it is a risk. Not everyone agrees that our LGBTQ family, friends, neighbors, and church members should be fully accepted and respected as they are – beautiful, gifted, valued children of God.

It’s hard, this business of following Jesus. Of loving God and loving neighbor. Of welcoming all – “no matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey.” Of not just going to church on Sunday but truly BEING the church all week long.

Whatever your faith,
however you understand God,
wherever you are on life’s journey,
I encourage you to
protect the environment,
care for the poor,
forgive often,
reject racism,
~~fight~~ speak up for the powerless,
share resources,
embrace diversity,
and enjoy life!

My mousepad.

“Open and Affirming” (ONA) is a movement of more than 1,500 churches and other ministries in the United Church of Christ that welcome lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) members. More than 350,000 members of the UCC belong to ONA churches—and our movement is growing rapidly.

After a time of study, dialogue and prayer, churches adopt an Open and Affirming “covenant” committing their members to welcome LGBTQ seekers, support their relationships, and advocate for their basic rights. All sacraments and rites of an ONA congregation are available to LGBTQ people, including baptism, confirmation, communion, and marriage. ONA churches take seriously the Bible’s admonition to “accept one another, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” (Romans 15:7, NIV)

– https://openandaffirming.org/ona/

ONA congregations are still a minority in the UCC denomination as a whole. Some congregations have decided NOT to be ONA. Some will not allow persons who identify as LGBTQ to marry in their sanctuaries or to be called as their pastors. Many congregations have never had the discussion – it’s hard and it’s risky. Some figure they are welcoming as they are and don’t need to do anything more.

Tuesday Photo Challenge: Radiant

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My first thought for the photo challenge “radiant” issued by Jansen Photo was of a bride glowing on her wedding day. New parents gazing at their new bundle joy also came to mind. Then I thought of family and beautiful smiles at special events. While looking for smiles in the electronic files I was sidetracked by pictures of stained-glass windows.

Stained Glass Window at Parking Lot Entry, Trinity UCC, Quincy, IL. Photo: TLClark, 6/9/19

The first photo was taken on the Pentecost Sunday my youngest niece was confirmed. I was struck by the dove at the top, the red glass, and the flames of fire – all symbols of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The blue glass makes me think of Baptism which is closely associated with Confirmation. The tree (could it be a vine?) and the branches remind me of Jesus (“I am the vine and you are the branches.” John 15:5). The butterflies symbolize resurrection and new life. Is the owl there for wisdom? Are the three eggs in the bird’s nest a symbol of the Trinity?

The next photo is of a window in the sanctuary at the same church. You can see greenery and grass through the clearer grass at the bottom of the window.

Stained Glass Window – Tree, Trinity UCC, Quincy, IL. Photo: TLClark, 6/9/19.

The most radiant window that I’ve photographed in the age of digital cameras was at a church I served in eastern Iowa. Here it is on an Easter Sunday.

Rose Window on Easter, Faith UCC, Muscatine, Iowa. Photo: TLClark, 4/12/12.

Children: The Ring of Life

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I noticed the pool before I really saw the figures as I walked around the campus of Iowa State University this morning. Real children playing tend to capture my attention – especially when I have no where else I have to be at the moment. These kids caught in stone deserved a closer look.

The words on the rim of the pool are from a poem by James Whitcomb Riley.

The Hired Man’s Faith in Children
by James Whitcomb Riley

I believe all children’s good,
Ef they’re only understood,
Even bad ones, ‘pears to me,
‘S jes’ as good as they kin be!

Of course they are “as good as they kin be!” These children are playing with a water lily and a turtle; there are a couple of frogs behind them.

Titled “The Marriage Ring” and also known as “The Ring of Life,” the original sculpture was done by Christian Petersen (Danish-American, 1885-1961) during his tenure as professor and artist-in-residence at ISU. Because of vandalism, the sculpture was recast in reinforced concrete in the early 1990s.

“The circular basin of the pool represents a wedding ring and the valuable gems of the ring are symbolized by the three children, which Petersen considered the jewels of a marriage.”

– Iowa State University, University Museums, http://umsm003.its.iastate.edu/view/objects/asitem/326/542/title-asc?t:state:flow=86c383ec-25f2-47ba-b6ff-8609eb50a7c3

As is often the case, the pastor/teacher in me was reminded of a few words of scripture.

“Allow the children to come to me,” Jesus said. “Don’t forbid them, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to people like these children.” Then he blessed the children. – Matthew 19:14-15a, CEB

Whether with a child, a friend or on your own, may you have time to play today.

A Photo a Week Challenge: Flower

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The skies are still gray but the rain has stopped. Grateful for color!

Geranium. Photo: TLCLark, 6/22//19.

Daylily. Photo: TLCLark, 6/22/19.

Photo: TLClark, 6/22/19.

Thank-you, Nancy, for the photo a week challenge!

Photo Challenge: Trail

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When heading out the front door for a walk, it’s a pretty good bet that I’ll end up on the neighborhood bike path. Officially it’s a trail maintained by the City of Ankeny. Depending on the weather, the day of the week, and the time of the day, I see bicyclists, walkers, joggers, parents pushing strollers, and kids playing. There are always at least a few birds and maybe some furry creatures. On a really good day, I have a camera with me and see a great blue heron (click here for a post with pictures!).

If I were to go far enough the other direction, I could catch one of the many multi-use trails in the area.

The High Trestle Trail begins near the Farmers’ Market Pavilion in Uptown Ankeny. The bicycle stands in the area caught my attention – scroll through the slide show below to see them all.

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At the beginning of the trail is a guide to trail etiquette, complete with notes for equestrians! If you see a horse, “go slow and say hello!”

The next sign as the trail begins provides distances (in miles). After reviewing the photos I took before and after the one below, I can confirm that there is a bird in the picture to the left of the sign and not dust on my camera lens!

The weather wasn’t cooperating when I had time to drive out to photograph “The Bridge.” So, for now, you’ll have to click on this official link to see it.

Happy trails to you!

Another LQQK

shift focus, see further, gaze deeper