Monthly Archives: November 2015

Reverend Sheelagh’s Thought for the Week: November 18, 2015

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.
Revelation 1:8

The Book of Revelation frightens many of us.  In it John speaks of many things that seem bizarre and nightmarish, more aligned with the apocalyptic writers that the homespun Gospel writers. Yet much of our popular entertainment is very dark.  Movies like The Hunger Games; the Twilight series and the whole zombie culture provide us with images no less frightening than the four horsemen of the Book of Revelation. I wonder what it is about our time that lends itself  to the dark themes of death, disease, and devastation.  As we enter the season of waiting for the in-breaking of the light of Christ into our shadowed world, let us listen intently for the messages of God’s love for us all; messages of justice; messages of hope.  And, struggle as it sometimes is, let us trust in Him and not be afraid! + Continue reading →

Reverend Sheelagh’s Thought for the Week: November 4, 2015

Yes, it’s stewardship time again.  The NPR experience is good at making it clear what our sustaining donations “purchase.” They make it clear that to support National Public Radio is about values, and quality; choice and decision. They like to make us feel special because we are choosing to support and fund our choices. In our spiritual lives, our church life, we make those choices too.  To look through an NPR lens, could be to ask the question, “How much value do we place on God’s presence in our lives?” So, how much value do we place on the gift of life, and children and family?  What is the beauty of the earth, sea, sky, mountain and valley worth? How do we price the wonder of the universe, stars and planets?  The diversity of the Creation?  What take away do we get from the comfort hope and joy of God’s unconditional love for us?  Where else can we turn in times of stress, illness, grief and sorrow?  What value the gift of fellowship and hospitality to one another, as well as the lonely, hungry, homeless and incarcerated?  What price the opportunities to share the values of service and outreach with others and our children? Continue reading →