Food for the spirit Archive -- 1

Food for the spirit
Archive -- 1999-2005

Click here for "Food for the Spirit"
posted from 2006 to the present.

Ethical Consumption for the Holidays--

You don't have to buy stuff to be loved.
It's better for the environment if you don't.

From the Network of Spiritual Progressives

[11-25-05]

We in Western countries are 20% of the world’s population, but we are consuming over 80% of the earth’s natural resources, causing a disproportionate level of environmental damage and unfair distribution of wealth. The average North American consumes five times more than a Mexican, 10 times more than a Chinese person, and 30 times more than a person from India.

Advertisers make us feel that we are worthless if we don’t spend a lot of money on holiday gifts and give us this false image that we will achieve family bliss, sexual success, and love if only we spend enough money on extravagant gifts. But love cannot be bought, and many people find themselves depressed at the holidays, either because they’ve increased their debts or because they find themselves lonely or disappointed with family interactions in which gifts are substituted for real loving encounter. And the spiritual meaning of the holidays is lost in a frenzy of spending.

We at the Network of Spiritual Progressives— an interfaith organization of people committed to peace, social justice, and providing an alternative spiritual voice to that of the Religious Right, are seeking to build a New Bottom Line in which materialism and selfishness is replaced with love, caring, generosity, kindness, ecological sensitivity and awe and wonder at the grandeur of creation. To build such a world, we need to start living in accordance with our own highest ideals.
For suggestions >>

A website for faith explorers [7-8-05]

Dugan Frederick points us to a website called ExploreFaith, which may be interesting and helpful to Witherspooners. Supported largely by Episcopal congregations in the US, it has brief essays by such luminaries as Marcus Borg, Barbara Brown Taylor, as well others less well known. Dugan adds, "There are many interesting links for questions, thoughts, ideas for those on their respective spiritual journeys and development."

A few samples:

Marcus Borg answers the question, What is the significance of the cross and the crucifixion of Jesus?

The Rev. Margaret Gunness, a retired Episcopal priest, writes on "Do I have to believe that Christ literally rose from the dead to be a Christian?"

Mothers Cry for Peace

Witherspooner Arch Taylor shares with us a peace sermon he delivered on Mother’s Day, 2005. He traces the links between the establishment of Mother's Day and the movement for world peace, and shows how Christ offered not only inner peace, but peace for the nations as well. He reminds us of warnings from Air Force Gen. Lee Butler of the religious - and idolatrous - nature of our nation's belief in military power. [5-17-05]

We belong

"in life and in death we belong to God" Brief Statement of Faith

his name doesn't matter, he's a grandfather, here.
his breath is spaced by half minutes one........then
another
for a week now is this the last?

but now --
his fingers are blue
his wife is pale beside him
his family beside him
old and young
child and grandchild
waiting,
praying,
waiting.
weeping,
his wife beside him holding his hand
forgetting to breathe herself.
sigh deep breath
he breathes – is this the last?
where are you God?

it is a precious holy time
midwifing his new birth
we should remove our shoes we're on holy ground.
where is God?
embracing them all.

he talked of a horse and rider, "see it" he said
"turn left – turn left" – he said "the rider must
turn left. there's danger to the right! turn left!"

phone rings in the middle of the night
come they say

it is finished.

thanks be to God

others' deaths much more public
voted on and talked about – first name basis from
strangers
others' death much more public
draped in royal robes of red and gold
millions cry and watch and watch

When do we belong to God? always and forever!

Thanks be to God.
And welcome home.

Bobbie Giltz McGarey
Southwest Oklahoma Presbyterian Parish

Bobbie McGarey shared this poem, the fruit of her dealing with death over the past few days – Terri Schiavo, Pope John Paul II, and a member of a family in Oklahoma, where she is a pastor.

She shares her daily musings in her own blog.

[posted 4-6-05]

A hymn for World Day of Prayer, 2005

O God of Light, May Our Light Shine

The World Day of Prayer 2005’s theme is “Let our Light Shine.” The new hymn, “O God of Light, May Our Light Shine,” was written by Carolyn Gillette for the ecumenical celebration of the World Day of Prayer hosted by the Hockessin United Methodist Church in Delaware. We thought you might like to see it and maybe share it with others.

from Carolyn and Bruce Gillette [3-2-05]

Looking toward Easter ...

A Prayer at the Empty Tomb" is a short poem shared with us by Witherspooner Bill LeMosy. It awakens reflection on conversion and compassion, justice and wisdom, faith and transformation.
[2-28-05]

Lenten 'Fast from Violence' Resources

The World Council of Church is encouraging Christians to enrich their observance of Lent by focusing on how we might work together to overcome the violence in our culture. The U.S. Committee for the Decade to Overcome Violence: Churches seeking Reconciliation and Peace (2001-2010) (DOV) invites Christians to enter into the Lenten season with a focus on the growing violence in our world and the need for peace and reconciliation.

They also provide detailed ideas for "fasting from the consumption of media violence, especially geared towards young people." [2-17-05]

How about seeing "Hotel Rwanda" as an authentic portrayal of "the Passion of the Christ"? [2-11-05]

Brian McLaren, the founding pastor of Cedar Ridge Community Church in Spencerville, Maryland, reflects on this film out of his own visit to Rwanda and concludes that "if we really had the mind and heart of Christ, this is the movie we would be urging people in our churches to see."

The Paradox of Valentine's Day [1-27-05]

With its combination of sexuality and spirituality, romance and religion, Valentine's Day reveals a problem with Christian teaching as well as holding promise for its renewal. The Rev. Charles Henderson, Presbyterian minister and "Your Guide to Christianity" on about.com, looks at the holiday, its history and contemporary implications for Christianity in particular and American culture generally.

He concludes his brief essay:

A saint who went to his death defending young lovers against the abusive and arbitrary power of the state, may be be precisely what the church needs to dramatize its positive position with respect to human sexuality. But even more important, this secular festival of love may be an opportunity for individual Christians to see that God desires nothing more for each of us than that we find in loving relationships with each other, something of that love which is of God.

The Inaugural Address and the Sermon on the Mount

The Rev. Jake Young considers the President's Inaugural Address and the values proclaimed by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. He finds ... well ... some tensions between them. [1-24-05]

O God, Our God
A new hymn text expresses lamentation and hope after the disaster

Manly Olson has written words to be sung to the tune 'Finlandia.' [1-24-05]

A Voice Was Heard in Ramah
A hymn for December 26^th

Carolyn Gillette offers new hymn for December 26^th - reflecting Rachel's lament for her children, and the lamentations heard around the world today. This hymn goes with the gospel text (Matthew 2:12-23) of the Revised Common Lectionary for December 26th. Carolyn gives one-time free use of this hymn to congregations that support the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program. [12-21-04]

Another meditation for Christmas eve

Do Not Be Afraid

The angels stayed on message: "Do not fear!" Peter Sawtell, out of his own theological and spiritual depth and his work as Executive Director of Eco-Justice Ministries, reflects on the pressures on us to be afraid, and some of the steps that can lead use through fear.

"Do not be afraid," he writes. "Don't cling so tightly to your own interests, your own needs, your own life, that you are unable to do the will of God. Act as one filled with faith, not fear." [12-17-04]

For a more joyful, more just Christmas ...
[12-8-04]

The New American Dream program offers "three tips for living consciously this holiday season."

Briefly, they suggest: Spend time instead of just money; tune out on phones and computers, tune in to nature and people; count your blessings.

And the Global Exchange Sweatshop-Free Team suggests an on-line store where you can order sweat-free gift items, clothing, and more. The also point you to a list of companies that buy only products made by workers organized in a democratic union or worker-owned cooperative.

We welcome other suggestions -- ways to shop, to celebrate, to worship this holy season.
Just send a note so we can add more to these good ideas.

Our American Profanity

We obsess with national security
as we defile the world with greed,
worshiping our Humvees and
exalting our presidential messiah.

Yet, security comes from peace,
and peace derives from
yielding to justice/righteousness
in the course of human affairs.

Still, the specters of Olympus
trumpet their terrible twaddle
of "freedom," while
repressing any who resist.

Alas! Their brutality is no sign
of a godly age to come,
only a desecration of the garden
that God has planted for the poor.

Shalom and Salaam,
Bill

From the Rev. Bill LeMosy, an interim ministry specialist living in Pleasant Hill, Iowa
[12-8-04]

A litany of Christian hope

We've received this litany from Steve Swearingen, of Anderson, SC, and we're glad to share it here. It begins:

One: When people everywhere learn that hate can only be overcome by love and justice,
Many: What a wonderful world this will be. [10-15-04]

A introductory website on radical faith [9-6-04]

Witherspooner Dugan Frederick of Denver sends this suggestion:

In case you do not know about this website, you may be interested in this one. I find it to be excellent and full of thought-provoking information in the various links.

The website offers links to many of the current progressive theologians and issues, with the aim of offering insights from academic theological thought for those who are interested in moving beyond their traditional views to "more substantial" current views.

The site is a project of the Society of the Sacred Mission in England.

God's Awe-ful Love

The Rev. Erin Swenson, co-moderator of More Light Presbyterians, preached recently on the awesome power of God's acceptance. She explored Romans 8:31-39 through the depths of her own experience, including parenting a severely disabled child, and finding her own selfhood by transitioning from male to female gender. You'll find power and beauty in her proclamation. [7-26-04]

Reading Chinese -- a poem

Witherspooner Jean Rodenbough shares a poem reflecting on the mysteries of learning Chinese - and moves beyond that to the mysteries (and our tragic ignorance) now on display in our military venture in Iraq. [6-21-04]

Prayer

It helps, now and then, to step back and take a long view.

The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts; it's even beyond our vision.

We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is God's work.

Nothing we do is complete, which is another way of saying that the Kingdom always lies beyond us.

No statement says all that should be said.

No prayer fully expresses our faith.

No confession brings perfection; no pastoral visit brings wholeness.

No program accomplishes the church's mission.

No set of goals and objectives includes everything.

We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise.

We lay foundations that will need further development.

We provide yeast that produces effects far beyond our capabilities.

We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that.

This enables us to do something and do it very well.

It may be incomplete, but it's a beginning -- a step along the way.

It's an opportunity for God's grace to enter and do the rest.

We may never see the result.

But that's the difference between the master builder and the worker.

We are the workers, not master builders.

We are the ministers, not messiahs.

We are prophets of a future that is not our own.

Amen.

This prayer is attributed to Archbishop Oscar Romero, who was assassinated in El Salvador.

It came to us from Witherspooner Arch Taylor in Louisville, who received it from the General Presbyter of the Presbytery of Mid-Kentucky. [5-13-04]

A new hymn by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette celebrates the Spirit's gifts for ministry, with the title "There Are Many Ways of Sharing." [1-30-04]

Thoughts on Advent:

"Oh my Goodness God, is this what you had in mind?"

The Rev. Bobbie McGarey, who serves the Southwest Oklahoma Parish, offers a provocative reflection on Advent -- a season where a shopper gets trampled, but where there's much more, too. [12-5-03]

For earlier reflections on the holy season of Advent:

	Whose birthday is it anyway?
	"Christmas is subversive"
	... and an index of even more good things.

Get God's daily e-mail [1-4-03]

Witherspooner Bruce Gillette reminds us of a helpful service provided by our PC(USA):

An important New Year's resolution is to read the Bible every day to discover anew God's love for you and call for you to love. An easy way to encourage yourself to read the Bible is to have a brief passage e-mailed to you each day. Our Presbyterian Church (USA) provides this free service that encourages Christians around the world to read the Bible. You can also read online daily updated teachings about the faith from our Study Catechism and news about our church''s work in the USA and overseas from our Mission Yearbook. Learn more about these free services at http://horeb.pcusa.org/search/dailyreadings.htm

Advent Struggles

Reflections from Peter Sawtell, Executive Director of Eco-Justice Ministries [ 12-10-02]

Peter Sawtell reminds us of the challenge of Advent to face our limitations and our bondage to the powers of the world. That can bring heavy burdens, unless those Advent meditations are completed with a genuine proclamation of good news.

So he challenges us with the question, "Do we have a message of liberation that can free people from their bondage to a global system which weaves economics, culture, technology and politics into a powerful web of seduction and control?"

An Advent Calendar
[11-30-02]

Here's a creative way to observe Advent - a season of waiting, expecting, hoping ... and a time for expanding our horizons of caring.

Barbara Kellam-Scott, a professional writer and a member of the Witherspoon executive committee, has created this Advent calendar based on one created by Suzanne Elston.

Whose Birthday Is It Anyway?

Here's a helpful resource for celebrating Advent and Christmas without getting overwhelmed by the lures of commercialism. [11-22-02]

"Why Hope" [5-8-02]

The Rev. Tom Davis, pastor of Hanover Street Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, Delaware, has shared a recent sermon with us, as offering a helpful perspective on "the present acrimony in the PCUSA." He draws lessons in healthy and healing communication from the work of Martha Fugate, the Executive Director of Project YES ("Youth Empowerment and Support"), which is in Miami, Florida. This organization works toward the healthy development of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender youth, by collaborating with parents, schools, and religious and community organizations, in order to promote dialogue, provide information, and establish support systems for these youth.

Easter means Resurrection, and Resurrection means a transformation of this life.
In an Easter sermon at Church of the Pilgrims in Washington, DC, the Rev. Jeffrey

What is God's call to the Church today - six months after 9/11? [3-28-02]

The Rev. Sheila Gustafson, preaching on March 17, 2002, at First Presbyterian Church, Santa Fe, New Mexico, explored what questions the church must ask if it is "to be authentically engaged with the world as an agent of transformation -- as leaven."

She explores whether now, six months after September 11, "as the world begins to ask what might be done to eliminate -- not only the means to perpetrate such horror -- but motivation for engaging in it, is it not time for the Church in America to reclaim its identity as part of an international movement committed to following a Lord interested in radical repentance, reconciliation, and restoration?"

The Rev. Bobbie McGarey shares her poem about the woman at the well, and lets her raise for us all the question of worthiness. [3-30-02]

"Empathetic evangelism" -- a Palm Sunday sermon -- makes clear that conservatives are not the only ones interested in sharing the Good News.

The Rev. Thomas C. Davis, of Wilmington, DE, finds in St. Patrick a model of a "Celtic way of evangelism" that listens to others, respects them, and so offers truly good news. [3-25-02]

Peter Sawtell ponders the famous "Serenity Prayer," and the tension between accepting and acting. And he adds helpful reflections for Holy Week. [3-23-02]

For a helpful perspective on Christmas, check out Peter Sawtell's reflections on Christmas as "a profoundly subversive holiday." [12-22-01]

Presbyterians' Teachable Moment on December 2^nd, with the beginning of Advent [11-28-01]

Bruce Gillette shares a thoughtful reflection on the special significance of Advent in this very unusual time, and points to helpful Advent resources.

Spirituality and Public Witness

Don Beisswenger offers a list (with comments!) of books that can help us maintain spiritual grounding while engaged in costly ventures for peace and justice in a very messy world. [11-7-01]

Bigger Barns
A new hymn by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette reflects on the parable of the rich fool in Luke 12:13-21, holding our "need for our money, gadgets, more" up against the needs for justice and a decent life. [8-2-01]

A sermon on freedom by Kent Winters-Hazelton (on the Sunday before July 4th) reflects on Paul's ringing proclamation of Christian freedom, and the recent action of our General Assembly. [7-5-01]

"For Freedom, Christ Has Set Us Free!"

A new hymn by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, inspired by Paul's letter to the Galatians, seems especially fitting at the end of the 2001 General Assembly.

Struggling with the meaning of Good Friday, the Atonement, and all that? You're not alone. Some are finding help in the thinking of Peter Abelard. [4-11-01]

Facing the pain of loss -- a hard meditation for Lent

On Sunday, March 25, Martha Juillerat preached a sermon for the Fourth Sunday in Lent. Reflecting on the death of a dear friend - a member of a "family" composed of six friends, three of whom were estranged from their birth families because of their sexual orientation - she led the congregation into a profound encounter with the dark side of the season of Lent, and the hard - beautiful - realities of living and dying. [4-7-01]

At the Voices of Sophia gathering in Tucson, Arizona, on March 1 - 4, 2001, one of the prayers was offered by Meredith White-Zeager, who will be serving as Witherspoon's Wareham Intern during the coming General Assembly. It's a prayer for wisdom, of wisdom, and we're glad to share it here. [3-15-01]

Exploring three writers of spiritual depth and social passion

Prof. Albert C. Winn, in a lecture at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, explored the lives of three extraordinary Christian writers who in his mind exemplify the ideal balance between "deep spirituality" on the one hand and "radical social concern" on the other: Quaker abolitionist John Woolman, Trappist monk Thomas Merton, and Elizabeth O'Connor, leader in an ecumenical congregation and activist. [3-8-01]

The Rev. James D. Brown, former Executive Director of the General Assembly Council, preached at the installation of the Rev. Kent Winters-Hazelton at Claremont Presbyterian Church, Claremont, CA, on January 21, 2001. His sermon was entitled "Presbyterians at the Crossroads." His text, Peter's encounter with Cornelius in Acts 11, led him to reflect on the radical demands of the Gospel for openness to what is new and unexpected. He concluded with Paul's question, "Who are we that we could hinder God?"

In the season of Advent, Witherspooner Jean Rodenbough shares an Advent prayer with us.

"In this world where children are hungry and ancient hatreds flash in death and suffering, we watch for the signs of peace, and we wait for an end to warfare."

Click here for the whole prayer.

Kent Winters-Hazelton preached on Sunday, Sept. 24, reflecting on the new list of GAC priorities in light of Mark's account of the Transfiguration and what followed it. The Gospel, he suggests, is not about "Me," but about welcoming the Other. Click here for "The Road Less Traveled."

Martha Juillerat, director of the Stole Project on behalf of full inclusion of glbt people, preaches on why she is not giving up on the PC(USA), in a sermon on I Cor. 12 entitled "Next Year's T-shirt"

Elder Jack Hoffmeister shares a 4th of July sermon that explores the temptations of patriotism and our eternal struggle with worshiping false gods.

The Rev. Mark Koenig preached a sermon in Ohio that sees "the fish story" of Jonah as a strong affirmation of God's radically inclusive love.

After the approval of "Prop 22" in California, it makes helpful, hopeful reading.

The Rev. Barbara Gaddis, moderator of the Presbytery of North Central Iowa, preached a sermon for her presbytery last November with the title, "On Plucking Blackberries."

She presents an insightful look at Moses' encounter with the burning bush ... and the liberation (conversion??) that comes when we learn to pay attention.

"So," she concludes, "we have a choice. A clear choice. To withstand God, to miss the bush, to pluck blackberries. Or to answer God's call, take off our shoes, open our hearts, our church, our service, our ordained offices to all, even those previously thought by us to be undesirable or ineligible."

A Prayer for Focus

Spirit of the Living God,
help me on this day to focus my attention
on what really matters.
Keep the fragments of this long day together,
and as it ends,
let me see my part in its connections,
my life's way in its many ways.
When I get confused, give me clarity.
When I get lost, find me.
And when I wonder what meaning all the pieces have, visit me.
Confidently, in the name of Jesus,
who knew the threat of the fragments to the whole,
I say Amen.

by Donna Schaper

Donna is Area Minister and Writer, Western Area Office of the Massachusetts Conference, United Church of Christ

Litany of New Voices,
New Gifts
and New Commitments

by Gail A. Ricciuti,
John E. Harris and Victoria L. Moss

This litany was used in the closing worship at the Witherspoon Nashville Gathering in April, 1998.

The Nashville Gathering was closed with a benediction composed and offered by Don Wells, a pastor and counselor and long-time Witherspooner, who died very suddenly a few months after that meeting. We share his prayer here with thanks for his life.

You should know that as the Gathering began, a number of severe tornadoes swept through Nashville, leaving most of us huddled in a dormitory basement for our first meal together.

A NEW WIND IS BLOWING

A new wind
is blowing
Blowing upon an
organization
Blowing upon
our lives.

Where do we set
our sails?
To catch the power
of the moment
we need not
hunker down.

The power we see
is God's
Moving in God's
world now.
The opportunities
are fresh.

Blow us now
into our future
before us today.
Possibilities abound
before us.

A new wind
is blowing.
The Spirit is
upon us.
Tornadoes coming
and how!

AMEN.

Witherspoon Society Pre-Assembly Orientation

June 19, 1999
Invocation by Doug King

Our great God, you who stand above us and utterly beyond us;
our loving God, you who live within each of us, as close as our own breath
and the steady beat of our hearts,
we give thanks this day for the privilege of gathering here
to play some small role in shaping the life of this one little branch of your great people.

Even as we gather, help us, we pray, to remember the littleness of this enterprise within the whirling immensity of your universe,
the smallness of what we do here in the face of the suffering of humanity,
and in the light of the vastness of your inclusive love.

So keep us humble, we pray, and hopeful,
because we know it doesn't all rest on us,
or on our church.

But fill us too with holy anger
as we confront the pain in the world,
pain created so often by our own human systems
and even by our church.

Yet even with our anger
keep us loving -- and rejoicing --
because of your love
and because of the wondrous richness of your world.

So be with us, O God, in these hours and through the days ahead -
leading and guiding us,
comforting us,
and enabling us to know when it's time to stop talking
and be silent;
when to stop talking,
and be doing.

Through Christ we pray,
who is our Teacher, our Model, and our Companion.

Amen.

"Come down from the tree"

A poetic, provocative meditation given at the Ghost Ranch seminar on economic justice, and focusing on economics and freedom, by Mark Koenig.