In Memoriam

Anniversaries are important. They are markers of important events in ones life. In celebrating them we acknowledge that the event left a permanent marker in our lives.

This is the anniversary of Garrett's death. I can't believe that a year has passed by. . . so much has changed since that day. I am sure that none of our lives have been the same for this one event has marked us forever.

The Christian faith is one of resurrection! We believe that Christ conquered sin and death and because of that we too can conquer it. We believe that those that have gone before us are part of the great communion of saints, those that are already living the fruits of resurrection. We believe that when we gather around the table that communion gathers with us once more as we celebrate the mighty acts of Jesus Christ.

Garrett you have been with me all this time and will be with me always. Every time I celebrate Holy Communion I am reminded that you are there celebrating with us (maybe now paying a little more attention ;-) Every time I kneel down to give bread and wine to any child, I am reminded of those big eyes and little hands ready to receive. I was honored to be your pastor.

On this anniversary I thank you for reminding me of God's call in my life. I thank you for being God's messenger in the midst of the most difficult time in the lives of so many.

We miss you!

Peace, Juan+

I Believe!

In a recent blog my best friend, brother, and colleague Josh Hale asked the question "What is it like to be a priest, a prophet, a preacher, a pastor, a parson?" it was interesting that he asked the question because I have been asking it about myself in the last few weeks. What is like and what does it mean? Why do I do what I do each day? What does it mean to feel called to it?

I agree with Josh that most of us do a poor job at describing our vocation. Complaining, sharing "war" stories and whining does not help those called to answer that call. In fact for many it's probably a big turn off when they hear pastors describing what they do in such negative ways.

I do what I do because I believe! I believe in the transformative power of the gospel. I believe in the amazing empowerment of the Spirit that the gathering called the church has to carry out God's vision in the world. I believe that some of us have been called by God to lead God's people into that fullness into God's own work. I believe that the work is grounded in the incarnation as we become the body of Christ for the world. I believe passionately . . . maybe at times to my detriment.

All of this to say that I believe in the church and in its power to be God's agent in the world. Every church has that response-ability in their own community where ever they are. I believe in our own congregation Squyres UMC and in its potential to be this kind of transformative community in this place. I Believe . . .

Peace, Juan+

On the Church: A Beginning

Some years ago, while our family was on vacation, we attended a local congregation for worship. As we arrived we were given bulletins by the greeters, who were friendly but not extremely helpful, and typical of pastors I began to look at everything around me, the space, the people, the layout, and what this church said about itself in the different pieces of material in the pew and in the bulletin. Soon I found their mission statement: “Committed to an informed membership.”

An "informed membership?" I was disappointed at this congregation and I was only a visitor. Although I am sure that they meant well it spoke volumes that their “mission” had nothing to do with the mission of Jesus. I wonder how they arrived at seeing themselves in this way? What did they mean by it? How did they perceive this way of being as one that would guide them into kingdom work?

As I begin my work at Squyres UMC I ask myself: what is our mission? and how do we accomplish it? If our mission is centered on Christ, driven by God's Spirit, and rooted in table fellowship, what does our living in this way look like? Our ministries? Our ways of conversation and administration?

All of these are important questions. They are important because society needs the church to be the church, the gathering of those transformed by God's Spirit into agents of God's reconciling love. That is our mission, our calling, and our identity.

We could be committed to an "informed membership" or to any other cause, but that does not make us the church. What makes us the church is our commitment to live the way of Jesus in the world, empowered by the Spirit, sealed by the waters of baptism, and constantly sanctified by table fellowship.

In the next few weeks I will continue writing on the church. If you have any comments or questions please feel free to write them. My prayer is that God may guide us as we seek to be the church, the people of God, in our community.

Peace, Juan+

On Being Named

I remember the excitement and joy of selecting a name for our children. It was not easy, we poured over baby name books for hours, yet little by little we began selecting and putting names together. Some early favorites did not make it while others kept on coming up. Our goal was to find a name that "fit" our dreams, hopes, and desires for this child. In some ways naming became a sort of invocation, a calling of God's promises and our promises on this child. It is not surprising then that in scripture God uses naming as a powerful tool that speaks of a change in a person's life.

Spirit Stirrer was a name (a description) given to me. Out of a very difficult time a close friend poured out in poetic utterance and named me. Sharing in this pain and this naming changed my life. It was a gift of God's grace. At the time I did not realize it. Others were given names also and we had a wonderful time decoding who was who (see like a great poet she allowed for us to figure out who was who and after much banter she revealed it).

Last week I had a dream about this "name," I was told to use it. I was not sure how, dreams are like that, what I knew was that I needed to claim it. After a conversation with my name giver I decided that it was ok to use it as the name for my new blog.

I hope this medium becomes a conversation about life together. As I begin my work as pastor of Squyres United Methodist Church I am aware of the importance of community. As Christian people we claim that our life together is made possible by God's Spirit. It is this Spirit that I hope is stirring all of us towards one another and towards God.

I am blessed and honored to be given the opportunity to be a catalyst, an agent, of God's initiative in the lives of people. I pray this medium extends that ministry, the ministry of the church, to all that God sends this way!

Peace, Juan+

Welcome!

I am excited about this new beginning! I'll have to admit that I have not been a very effective blogger. I've had fits and starts and an occasional encounter with my muse. Overall not much has been written so I decided to bury my old blog (Sacramental Ramblings) and begin a new one.

Soon I will talk about the name and what I hope these musings accomplish. For now all I will say is that I am grateful to be back and look forward to the conversation.

Peace, Juan+