| Quick News From Jane
Jane Fisler Hoffman, Interim
Conference
Minister |
Dear Friends in Christ,
Did
you miss me?! If you are like me, you
don't really miss additional email but I have missed
being 'in touch' with you, The last few weeks have
been full with all the usual ministry plus family and
Conference Ministry related travel. I am currently
writing from a national UCC meeting in Florida.
June Boutwell and Loletta Barrett are also here.
Yes, that is a major investment of expense for the
Conference (and know that we try to be good stewards-I
am hoarding a banana and bagel for breakfast in my
room!) but I want you to know that this is perhaps the
single most valuable in-service training available to
those of us who serve you in Conference Ministry.
The event occurs every two years and deals with Church
and Ministry, Search and Call, legal issues facing the
church and more. I have been attending this
since I began this ministry 16 years ago and never fail
to be blessed and to believe that my ministry is
strengthened here. I use learnings from this event
nearly every day with you. In addition to skill
development workshops, we have the opportunity of
hearing from our excellent national UCC leaders. Last
night our General Minister and President preached in
opening worship and was, always, a gift to us. His
message emphasized both the historic valuing of
education for clergy and laity in our faith tradition
but also the wise scriptural counsel that all wisdom and
education is for naught if it doesn't 'help us see
Jesus'. It was wonderful. Thank you for this
privileged opportunity.
However
that was not the 'privileged opportunity' I had in mind
when I wrote this heading. I was studying
the lectionary texts for Advent, in particular for
December 14 (Isaiah 61:1-4,8-11; IThess 5:16-24)
and was taken by the amazing opportunity we have, as
Christians, to minister in our world in this time. As we
Conference Ministers met the day before the current
event, so much of our talk was about the financial
stress in our churches, Conferences, national church
and, of course, among individuals, families,
communities, the nation and the world. We all know
it: this is a tough, grim time for so many. But
here is the amazing, incredible thing! I know you
know this but I just have to lift it up and shout it and
celebrate it: we of the church have this wonderful
FREE GIFT for every single person in the world!
Isn't that something?! As Isaiah 61 says, we have
garlands of flowers to give those who fear their lives
are crumbling to ash, we have JOY to offer in the
grimness. And no, this is not crazy pollyana cheap
stuff. Our is the gift of substance, of rock solid
assurance: in all things and in all times,
ours is the God of love and life, the God who is
with us in Jesus our Christ. Could there
possibly be a greater privilege, a more wonderful
opportunity than that which is ours as Christians in
this particular Advent season-to give the gift of this
news?
Friends
in Christ, I beg you: GIVE THIS GIFT wildly
and freely. Pastors, lay leaders, church
members: please do not permit 'these tough times'
to overtake you or your church. Of course, live
and serve in these real world tough times---feed the
hungry and care for the poor. But as you do, be
part of standing against the tide of gloom in our nation
and world. Because even if the offering plates are
empty and the electricity turned off, even if the
mortgage is called in, NO MATTER WHAT---we of the church
have the privilege of offering the world what it needs
most: the GOOD NEWS that God is with us, in all
circumstances. May God bless and strengthen each
one of you and every congregation of the Southern
California Nevada Conference in claiming this privilege
during this Advent season.
"Rejoice always, pray
without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for
this is the will of God in Jesus Christ for
you..." (IThess
5:16-17)
Jane
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