Epiphany 1 - Monday

Text: Mark 10:42-45 (see below)

Today the Church remembers a woman responsible for the creation of a marvelous ministry known as the United Thank Offering, more often called UTO. Julia Chester Emery was raised in a New England household. Her father was a ship captain and her numerous siblings were all involved in the ministry of the Church. Two of her brothers went on to become priests and her sisters worked for mission groups. Julia became the National Secretary for the Women’s Auxiliary of the Board of Missions and served for forty years in that capacity from 1876-1916.

Julia was a champion for missions, visiting every Episcopal diocese in the nation, travelling to Europe and Asia, spreading the Good News of God and supporting new endeavors for missions across the globe. She created the United Thank Offering which many churches still use to this very day. A small blue box with a slit in the top is given to all who desire it to be placed at home. When a person feels thankful for something, they are encouraged to place a few coins in the box. Once a year these gifts are collected and sent on to be used for the work of mission around the world.

What strikes me about Julia is her sense of servant ministry.  There has been much talk about servant leadership both inside and outside of the Church. But here in the life of Julia Emery, we have an example of what servant ministry is all about. Julia showed the way of love to others by example and with advocacy. The selfless leader is one who risks his or her own fate in order to do what is right.

That sounds a lot like Jesus? No? The Master said: “For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). This is a key verse in the Gospel of Mark. Throughout the wonderful Gospel story, Mark portrays Jesus as the servant of all persons. Jesus stooped down and became involved with the hurt of those whom he met and through those encounters lives were transformed and healed.

Some accuse Jesus of being a weak leader: “He was so meek and mild.” Nothing could be farther from the truth. Jesus was an example of a leader with authenticity and strength because he dared to lay aside his life, day in and day out, entering into the human drama, loving the hurt of this world and doing something about it. Jesus’ example of leadership is a model for us all. By embracing this way, we will find our true selves.

I am going to write more on this subject of leadership in the Church in the next few days. But, for now, that is enough.

Love One Another - Brian

Love Is a Practice

Roy Howard

Love is a practice, not a belief and certainly not just a feeling. Love is a set of habits learned over a lifetime. I'm reminded of the story of two rabbis in conversation over drinks. The one says, "Do you love me?" 

The other answers, "Yes, of course."

"Do you know what hurts me?"

"No, how could I know that?"

And his friend responds, "You can't love me if you don't know what hurts me."

When I heard that story it occurred to me that this is how it is when we love God and love neighbor. God says to us, "How can you love me if you don't know what hurts me?"

What hurts God? A polluted creation, hungry children, broken families and lost people, wandering fearful and without hope. When we connect our lives with the things that hurt God, we actually grow in our love for God. It's this essential connection that we desire in our common life together. This is stewardship with love at the center. To borrow a phrase, all you need is love. Love God, love neighbor. Love yourself. 

Source: Sermon (The Stewardship of Love) Oct. 23 2011 at Saint Mark Presbyterian Church in Rockville MD

Mark 10:42-45

Jesus called them and said to them, ‘You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.’