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The Least of These

The Least of These

[Click the image for the complete text of this sermon given on November 26.] At the Back Door Food Pantry, our patrons, well, who are they? They are the food insecure. And we hear their stories: a job lost, an illness with crippling medical bills, illness both physical and mental, a divorce, new to this country and just getting settled. They are those for whom the rug of life has been unceremoniously tugged from under their feet. And the cascading effects of one negative life event to another can cause an exponential tumble.

Are our patrons “the least of us?” Often when a patron arrives for the first time, they are ashamed. Before they need food, they need reassurance as they say “I have never needed a pantry before.” Or, “ What’s wrong with me that I can’t feed my family, even with two jobs?” We remind them that today they need help, and one day they may  be in a position to help others. It’s a partnership.

Are they the least of us? Not the words I would use. Some are the bravest of us, navigating seemingly impossible conditions; Perhaps they are the grittiest of us, confronting their need and patching together the means to try to gain life’s equilibrium again. How about calling them “the most human of us.” [click to read the entire text]

The Work of Christmas

The Work of Christmas

When the song of the angels is stilled,When the star in the sky is gone,When the kings and princes are home,When the shepherds are back with their flock,The work of Christmas begins:To find the lost,To heal the broken,To feed the hungry,To release the prisoner,To rebuild the nations,To bring peace among others,To make music in the heart. The poem “The Work of Christmas” is from Howard Thurman’s The Mood of Christmas and Other Celebrations

The Romero Prayer

The Romero Prayer

It helps, now and then, to step back and take the long view.
The Kingdom is not only beyond our efforts,
It is even beyond our vision.
[…more…]

Pentecost

Pentecost

Ed Happ wrote a beautiful poem about our Pentecost service on Sunday and was willing to share it with us all. Thank you, Ed.There is no rain in the forecast but the clouds say otherwise the breeze rustles with intent, I would think not if, but when. The young boy stays back as the others run forward to the priest who has sat down in their midst with blocks and figures from the Pentecost story, she begins. His mother having accompanieda younger siblinginto the storyturns and crooks her fingerto...

Doubting Thomas – Sermon Easter2C 2022

Doubting Thomas – Sermon Easter2C 2022

A clergy friend has told me that there are many people who don’t know where the phrase “doubting Thomas” comes from. They assume that it’s associated with some well-known Thomas, like Thomas Jefferson, or Thomas Edison – or, for those with children or grandchildren, Thomas the Tank Engine. We’re all one step ahead, then, in interpreting this story. We know that it comes from John’s gospel – and that Doubting Thomas refers to the Thomas the apostle  - the apostle who was absent when Jesus...

Appreciation of St. Clare’s Staff

On September 26th, Rev. Maryjane recognized our wonderful staff with this special prayer during our Sunday service. We appreciate their many efforts, and continue to pray for them during our transition. "Loving God, in your love for us, you sent your Son to be our shepherd, our brother and our Lord. You continue to show your love for us by sending us wonderful staff to care for our church and congregation. Bless Karen, John, Paul, Barb and Wendy as they continue to take up the many...

A Juneteenth Meditation

A Juneteenth Meditation

In my student-teacher days in college, back when I thought I wanted to be a teacher, I taught a lesson in an English literature class at Cass Tech, a predominantly Black high school in Detroit. The text we were studying had a reference to "40 acres and a mule." Ignorant of what this meant, I skipped over it. After the class ended, the teacher pulled me aside and took me to task. I had to admit that I didn't "know as much as I should" about "African American history." Her blistering reply still...

Justice, Mercy, and Peace

Justice, Mercy, and Peace

Lead us, we pray, in the ways of justice, mercy, and peace. Inspire us to live for all, to assist in ways open to us to alleviate the suffering of others. Amen. —Cultivating Fruitfulness, Robert Schnase

Sing a New Song to the Lord

Sing a New Song to the Lord

Help us in our congregation “To sing a new song to the Lord,” To be created and recreated Again and again by your Holy Spirit. Amen. from Cultivating Fruitfulness by Robert Schnase

In Times of Conflict

In Times of Conflict

O God you have bound us together in a common life. Help us, in the midst of our struggles for justice and truth, to confront one another without hatred or bitterness, and to work together with mutual forbearance and respect; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. from The Book of Common Prayer, 1979

Through Your Eyes

Through Your Eyes

Holy Father, help me to look beyond myself and see the world through your eyes. May I continually be changed through my worship of you. Amen. --Cultivating Fruitfulness, Robert Schnase Image by John Hain from Pixabay