"I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you, always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
– Philippians 1.3-6 (CSB)
Dear Church,
By the time you read this, Lord willing, I'll be back in Pennsylvania. I return on Friday night the 26th, for a quick weekend in Blooming Glen before I leave again Sunday night the 28th for a ten-day trip to the United Kingdom and France, with Mosaic Conference colleagues from Salford, Zion, and Philadelphia Praise Center. Our purpose is to re-engage with Anabaptist-minded ministries that the former Franconia Conference had significant relationships with until COVID made travel difficult. In re-establishing these relationships, we look forward to learning how churches and ministries in Europe are facing the cultural cocktail of a deep immersion into post-Christendom, struggling to rebuild relationships in the aftermath of a global pandemic, being fundamentally reshaped by the global phenomena of migration, and the need to come to terms with increasingly incredible technology that is very smart, but not very wise.
The church in the US is not the same as the church in the UK or France, but the truth that change is upon us all can no longer be ignored. We need Christian friends around the world to give us counsel about how to face the world as it is becoming. So, I'm part of a team of pastors going to listen, to ask questions, and to see how we can re-connect in this strange new world that is dawning around us.
In the meantime, I'm also looking forward to a new conversation with you. Believe me – I am more surprised than any of you that this conversation is happening and believe me – Debbie and I are as enthusiastic as a couple of introverts can be about this conversation toward a possible longer stay and a new role. You, the people of Blooming Glen Mennonite Church, have been teaching us so much in the past 113 weeks. First, you have taught us the virtue of the church investing in the future. So much of my career in urban ministry has been focused on the present. You have been taking me to school on the idea that the church has to think beyond this budget, this crisis, the big, bold thing. Second, you have taught us that generosity is a gospel virtue. We have seen and experienced such kindness and such generosity in these 113 weeks. I am increasingly wondering if that which best links churches that have few resources with churches that have many resources may be the healthy, Jesus-centered sharing of our common life and worldly goods. The story of the woman who anoints Jesus (Matthew 26.6-13) has become a story I reflect on a great deal as I continue to work and walk with you. Third, you have taught me that even in the strange new world that the church finds itself in, we can remain a bedrock of stability and a community of hope. While we need to remain creative about staying connected with our children, grandchildren, and siblings on the west coast and the southern plains, we are OK with that fact of life, because you continue to teach us how to follow Jesus daily in life.
Thanks!
Keep on being the church!!
Pastor Jeff
PS – "Coffee and Conversation" resumes on Friday, May 10, at the Broad Street Grind, 3:30pm-4:45pm. "Omelets, Oatmeal, and Observations" resumes on Monday, May 13, at the A&N Diner, 7:30am-8:45am.