Jesus Wants Universal Healthcare

Last night over 140,000 people from all kinds of religious persuasions joined in phone call with President Obama and many clergy and lay people from all over the country. These folks came from all walks of life, from all over the political spectrum, to express their concerns that a health care plan must be developed that provides coverage for all of God's children.

We heard from people like Rev. Heyward Wiggins, who had a parishioner in his congregation die, because he couldn't afford blood tests that would have detected his cancer in time to treat it, and many others with similarly heartbreaking stories.

President Obama and his Domestic Policy Director Melody Barnes spoke directly to the issues that people of faith care about most, and addressed the moral dimensions of the health care debate.

Over the next 40 days, people of faith are leading a national campaign for health care reform. While members of Congress are in their home districts, we’ll be holding hundreds of prayer vigils and in-district events. We’ll sign petitions, write our representatives, organize a nationwide conference call for people of faith, and air a national TV ad –all to say the faith community supports health care reform.

40 Days for Health Reform is an effort from the faith community to make clear to Congress that quality, affordable health care for every American family is a moral priority for millions of people of faith.

Health care reform is far too important of an issue to let special interests hijack the debate with disruptions and distractions. 40 Days for Health Reform is moving the debate forward with a nationwide TV ad featuring local clergy and lay leaders supporting reform, prayer rallies and in-district meetings reaching over 100 Members of Congress, and a call-in webcast featuring President Obama and diverse faith leaders.

Join the call, take the pledge, sign the petition:

http://faithforhealth.org/

Revive Us, O Lord . . . . so your people can laugh and sing!

Well, it happened quicker than most people thought possible.

Of course, that’s what usually happens when working in God’s realm, isn’t it?

We are being shown again and again that God’s plans are far grander than anything we can dream up, and God’s time is far different from our time.

Within days of the sign going upon the church property, a full-price offer was tendered.
After negotiations with all parties, the Congregation met in a called meeting August 16, 2009, and took action to accept the offer to purchase the church building.

The building is being purchased by another church seeking to move out of the city and expand its program and reach.

With 250 members, they have immediate plans about how they would use the space and bring life and purpose back to the rooms of the building.

So, the sale includes a negotiated arrangement to lease-back certain space for our exclusive use — using the entire older wing of the building: the chapel room, the large Sunday school room, the smaller office room and a couple of rooms down stairs.

Because of the way we have asked the agreement to be structured, it is a three year ease with no cash outlay by us at any time during the year — and includes the heat and utilities.

Some of the funds could be used to renovate the rooms and make them useful to us, and the bulk of the money would be invested in an endowment with the Presbytery that could provide us with around some $60,000 in annual income.

And, we are out from under the expense of owning, operating and maintaining the building — which are expected to be around $87,000 this year alone.

Clearly, God is not finished with this church yet!

There is more sacred work to be done.

Recently, a local church had a sign out in front that read:
When a door closes, God always opens another.

When a door closes, God always opens another.

Our task now begins to give answer to the question: Now what?

In a very real way, we have been given a reprieve.
We have been given another opportunity.

What are we to do with the next three years?

Where is that new door and what does it open to?
Let the prayer of the Psalmist be our prayer: Revive us, 0 Lord . . . ! (Psalm 85-6)
Let this be our Bible verse of the day
— let it be the Bible verse for the days ahead.

Let us be open to be aware of the God-nudges that will lead us into a clearer picture of what we are to do — and what we are to become.

Let our prayer be that of the Psalmist: Revive us, 0 Lord . . . !
And, for the same reason as the Psalmist — so we can laugh and sing!

For too long, we have been living in the doldrums
It doesn’t have to that way,

God does not intend for any of us to live down-in-the-dumps.

God wants us all to spend our days laughing and singing.

Our Sacred writings proclaim a way of living for folks who are down and out.

Changing your attitudes — changing your way of looking at things can lead to a life of laughter and song!

So, let us pray over and over again in the days ahead:

Revive us, Lord . . . .
so your people can laugh and sing!

THIS CHURCH IS NOT FOR SALE!!!!

A traveler going down State Road may well do a double-take if they should notice a “For Sale” sign on the property between Turner and Foss Avenues.

Although the sign may reflect the decisions of The Session and The Congregation, I am concerned about what folks may read into it.

So, I want to be as clear as I know how – and I would hope you would be, as well – “This church Is NOT for sale!!!”

What The Session and The Congregation hope to do is to get out from under the overwhelming costs of owning, maintaining, and operating our huge building.

Accordingly, the “building” at 3400 State Road is being placed on the market. But, let it be clear, it is “the building” that is for sale – this church is not for sale.

The Session understands this.
All who attended the recent Congregational meetings seem to understand this.
The fundamental truth of the matter is that “the church” is not a building but the church is “the people” who gather to worship and to do the work of Christ.
And, this church is not for sale!!!

We do know there were times in the past when churches have sold out – when something other than the incarnated presence of God has taken precedence over the Christ of our faith. This is not happening here!

We all see instances on television where preachers have sold out and promulgate “feel-good” and “receive deserved riches” messages that have little or nothing to do with the Gospel that has been passed down through the ages. This is not happening here!

Christ Church in Drexel Hill, has not sold out, is not selling out, and will not sell out.

The sale of our building should provide a unique opportunity for us to re-think and re-design our ministry and purpose as a church in the days ahead.

The sale of our building lets us explore ways of being church that maybe different from our past experiences.

The sale of our building allows for the possibility of continuing life as a church – as people of God – in the days ahead.

The property is being marketed with a lease-back arrangement, giving us the opportunity to continue using a portion of the building – such as the Chapel area.
So, our “church” could continue to use a portion of this building we have been using for over 80 years.

So, that’s the plan. That’s the hope. That’s the dream.
I hope you will be a part of the new dream for Christ Church.

Meanwhile, let the word get out, this church is not for sale!!!

When A Tree Falls . . . . When A Church Closes

We are told that when a tree falls in the forest and no one is around for miles and miles, it makes no sound.
So, I want to know, when a church closes -- especially an open, welcoming, progressive congregation -- does anyone care?
It seems to me that we should.
It seems to me that we should care enough to take specific steps to ensure its continuing witness to the Presence of Christ -- all of us -- whether we are members of that particular church, or not; whether we have ever been to that particular church, or not;
whether we live in the same state, or not.
For some 20 years, now, I have had the privilege of being pastor to a congregation with an 80+ year history of ministry and witness within a first-suburban community near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
When I was interviewed in 1989, I was told that the church had funds on hand to last perhaps six months, and was asked if would consider the challenge of being pastor during that time period.
20 years later, there are funds on hand to last perhaps six months more.
During the years, our congregation has become welcoming of all -- no matter what -- and affirming of individual self worth and respect.
We use non-sexist language in our liturgy and study the latest Biblical scholarship to pass on to those in attendance.

Here I intend to share some thoughts and on-going commentary on events that affect the lives of folks we reach.