With

On June 29, we focused on the importance of being WITH one another in this time when so much divides. To be with someone: is to come alongside, to accompany, to be present.

In Exodus 1, two midwives - Shiphrah and Puah, chose to fear God over the pressure of the ruthless King, to do what they do — support and come alongside women as they give birth.
Mid-wife, literally means: “with-women.” Since mid means “with”, these women provide an image for all of us on how to live in the midst of a ruthless empire.
What does it mean to be “mid-neighbor”, “mid-colleague”, “mid-family”, “mid-stranger”?

In our current time when the news swirling around us creates fear, division, and tendency toward isolation, it is important to take time to be attentive to what it means to be “with” someone. To give thanks for those who are “with” you is also vital. We are connected by God Emmanuel - God WITH us, whose love flows through us to create community that is life-giving and brings transformative change even when systems are unjust.
Spend time asking: “Where are you ‘mid-wifing’ to bring new life and wholeness?

Here is the prayer Emily Huff provided on Sunday, 6/29:

Psalm to the Midwife
Be midwife to our hopes, Oh Lord, make midwives of us all!
You will know when it is time to bring to birth the new creation.
The signs will be all around you, urging, insisting; now is the time.
You will have to know just when to bear down and concentrate on one thing only.
It takes labor, hard, hard labor to bring forth something new.

Be midwife to our hopes, Oh Lord, make midwives of us all!
You have to know just when to push for something that is worth fighting for.
If you push too soon, the dream, so close to fulfillment, may be stillborn.
You have to know how hard to push when something new is about to happen.
If you push too hard, you may be too exhausted or too discouraged to continue on,
and resistance may rise or fear may take hold, convincing you it’s safer not to try.

Be midwife to our hopes, Oh Lord, make midwives of us all!
You have to know how to cut the cord and how to let go of what has been…
For what will be will be different and it will take time to adjust.

Be midwife to our hopes, Oh Lord, make midwives of us all!
You have to know how to wait for things to settle after the dream is born,
and how to handle the consequences – clean up the mess and then move on.
How good it is to bring to birth, or to help another bring to birth,
and how good it is to deliver the dream, let us nurture it to fulfillment!!

Be midwife to our hopes, Oh Lord, make midwives of us all!

Adapted from Woman Witness by Miriam Therese Winter

St. Brigid was a woman in Ireland in the 5th century who lived a life of “withing” as she created ministries of hospitality and generosity. Here is a prayer for us from Brigid that invites us to trust that our lives offer the warmth of God’s love to one another:

Kindling the Fire  

This evening as  we  kindle the fire on our hearth,
We pray that the flame of God’s love may burn in
our hearts and in the hearts of all we meet each day.
We pray that no envy or malice,
no hatred or fear, may smother the flame.
We pray that indifference and apathy,
contempt and pride,
may not pour like cold water on the fire.
Instead, may the spark of God’s love
light the love in our hearts,
that it may burn brightly through each day.
And may we warm those who are lonely,
whose hearts are cold and lifeless,
so that all may know the comfort of God’s love

Where do you experience the spark of God’s love today? Share it!

Remember!

Remember.

In Luke 24:5-10 we are told that the faithful women who journeyed with Jesus and also had seen him die on the cross came to the tomb to lay spices on Jesus’ dead body.

When they did not see Jesus’ body and instead saw two men in dazzling  clothes, “the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men  said to them,
‘Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here but has risen. REMEMBER….’”

These women are invited to pause at an empty tomb and connect the past, present and future by remembering…

“…REMEMBER how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to the hands of sinners and be crucified and on the third day rise again.”
 Then they REMEMBERED!

“…They remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all this to the   eleven and to all the rest.”

Isn’t this something?!

Angels appeared to faithful women in their grief and sorrow  to say “Remember the words Jesus told you.” 

And they remembered that Jesus had said many times that the Messiah must suffer and die to rise to new life on the third day.  They remembered – because they had heard Jesus speak – many times I believe. 

Angels appeared to women, often unseen in their society, to say “go tell others what you remember and see.” This remembering is too good to keep to yourself.

Do you remember words that you’ve heard from Jesus along your journey? Do you remember words of… “you are not alone”, “I am with you”, “ I love you, courageous one.”

These words are not from a man who died long ago, but from one who is ALIVE now and forever because death could not hold him. And, because He lives, you live!

When we gather we faithfully  say, “Yes” Jesus is the Risen Lord.

When we gather we proclaim and REMEMBER how much Jesus was for All people. Women were not considered ones who could learn from a Rabbi.  Yet, Jesus, ignored that cultural view because Jesus did not seem much concerned about who society said was “in and out”. He gave a message that was for “all people.” Just as the angels said from the sky at his birth: “Good news for ALL people,”  Jesus’ life ministry reached out to ALL people.

Do you feel excluded at times or often?  Are you aware of people who feel excluded?

When we gather in the name of Jesus to worship – we gather in a radically welcoming space – where all people are included, valued, and seen!

Let’s remember the words of the now Risen Jesus: “I came that they might have life and have it abundantly,” John 10:10

As people who remember our Risen Lord is for all people, to whom are you invited to bring this message of hope?

Remember!                                                                                                                        Renée Notkin. April 2025

Celebrate Resurrection!

I Praise you for this Resurrection Madness (by Ted Loder)

Lord of such amazing surprises as put a catch in my breath

and wings on my heart.

I praise you for this joy, too great for words,

but not for tears and songs and sharing, for mercy

that blots out my betrayals and bids me begin again,

and to limp on, to hop-skip-and-jump on.

To mend what is broken in and around me

and to forgive the breakers; for this YES

to life and laughter, to love and lovers,

and to my unwinding self; for this Kingdom

unleashed in me and I in it forever.

And no dead ends to growing, to choices, to chances,

to calls to be just.

No dead ends to living, to making peace, to dreaming dreams,

to being glad of heart.

For this resurrection madness which is wiser than I

and in which I see how great you are, how full of grace,

Alleluia!

Friday. When Love said NO to evil

This Friday that is called Good because of Jesus’ deep love for us—a love stretched out for us on a cross. Through Music, Scripture and Prayer we offer you an opportunity to ponder and reflect upon the gift of life given to you through the death of Jesus. 

Tonight, we must stay paused at Jesus’ death and not rush too fast to Easter.  For those of you online, you may want to sit in darkened room.  You can have your screen on or off.

This is a day that is filled with the words: Betrayal, Arrest, Denial, Guilt, Trial, Riot, Cowardice, Sentencing, Blaming, Violence, Pain, Suffering, Death.

 These are words that still hold a tight grip on us in our world. They are words that fill our news streams and our lives even still. Do you come here tonight feeling heavy hearted, numb, exhausted, uncertain, angry, ashamed, yet longing for hope?

Today we invite you to sit with Jesus who HOLDS all these words with us -- who holds space for the pain, sorrow, suffering, injustice of our world. Who holds our sin, our doubt, our fear. We sit with Jesus who HOLDs you in all that you are – Jesus entered into this world to reveal how deep is God’s love for you -- deep enough to enter death for YOU.

 Today we live in the mystery that Jesus walked this earth – God incarnate -- fully Human – who became like us in every way that we might know we are not alone in our humanness.  Yet, Jesus remained fully God – the visible image of the invisible God. And the only One who could stand in our place and be our Reconciliation. Thanks be to God.

Jesus said, “It is finished.”
Nothing can separate you from God’s love. Nothing.
Amen

Together at the Cross. Lent 2025

Throughout Lent we are exploring more the significance of the cross for our lives. See below to see the weekly focus:

The cross reveals the power of God to transform lives.
Christ's death broke the forces of evil allowing our hearts to be changed and beat with the heartbeat of God, for our minds to be renewed to think the thoughts of Christ, to have new eyes to see as Christ sees and to receive the Holy Spirit to comfort us, guide us, teach us, strengthen us, to give new life and unite us by uniting us with the risen Lord Jesus. 

In the abstract the implications of the cross can seem foolish/scandalous but as we see the transformation in our lives, when we see the transformation in the lives of others, when we encounter healing that we never experienced before, when we have a real hope when intellectually we have no space for hope, when we have a peace that surpasses all understanding then the cross doesn't seem so foolish but the power of God. 

A Christianity without the cross is really nothing more than the story of an interesting life lived by an incredibly deluded young carpenter or an exceptionally gifted liar who got  nothing for his efforts. There is no hope for a thriving, just world, other than education, technology, and power—none of which have proven adequate.

 With the cross: we encounter a Living Loving God, who not only knows what it is to be human, who understands suffering and death, but uses it to do what we cannot not do on our own and unites us with the Living Christ to be truly human and be restore us to our life giving purpose of bearing the image of Christ in the world that the world may flourish and know the real hope of living in Christ’s presence in a new heaven and a new earth forever.

 Have you given yourself the gift of pondering the cross? Have you given yourself freedom to unpacked the expansive implications of the cross beyond Jesus died for my sin? Explored what it says about who Jesus is? Who you are? It is not a foolish idea.Together at the Cross

Together at the Cross

Sunday, March 16:  In Foolishness

Sunday, March 30: In Victory & Love

Sunday, April 6:  In Cross-Shaped Community

Sunday, April 13:  In the Now

Sunday, April 20:  IN CELEBRATION

Ephesians 2:14-17

14 For Jesus is our peace; in his flesh he has made both into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us, 15 abolishing the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, 16 and might reconcile both to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it. 17 So, Jesus came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.

First Thing | From Union Pastoral Staff

This week brought a tidal wave of national news, in addition to everything else happening in our world. At our Union staff meeting, we observed how easily we can become beholden to our news feed and discussed ideas for a more centered and intentional approach to how and when we consume media and interact with our smart phones. How do we remember that Jesus is Lord? One way is through the shape of our day. What are those "first things" that root and establish you in the love of God for the day ahead? Below are some practices from the staff. What are yours?

“First thing in the morning, I sense my impulse to get up, make coffee, read the news, and rush into whatever the day holds. CS Lewis has given me a transformative approach to each day: My ‘first job each morning consists simply in shoving back (all the wild animal voices)  listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in.’*  I pause in bed, take deep breaths, and focus on my gratitude to my Creator who never slumbers or sleeps. Then I begin the day in company with Jesus. (*from Mere Christianity) ~Renee Notkin

“First thing in the morning before I am disoriented by the news, overnight texts and my list of items to accomplish, I read a verse on my Bible app and mull it over to grasp more fully what it says and what it means for me this day. Then, if I walk our dog, I listen to Pray As You Go; if not, I head to my desk to read scripture, a few pages of ‘friends’ who have journeyed with Jesus before us and then pray, often with a pen.” ~James B Notkin

 
“First thing in the morning, I lift my window blinds and then crawl back into bed with my phone opened to Pray As You Go. In that space between my night's slumber and waking I listen to the songs, scripture and consider how God is meeting me in the moment, this day. Then I grab a coffee and write my Morning Pages, usually, (Artist Way folk, I see you) which further helps me get my bearings on the content of my heart and mind, and the presence of Jesus in this world.” ~Renee Sundberg

 
“First thing in the morning after I wake up, I take a moment to read a meditation from Howard Thurman's Meditation's of the Heart and meditate on the reading of the day and the invitation for today. From there I get bundled up, put my headphones on and go for my morning walk. It's a moment to pray with my feet (no pun intended) and take in the beautiful world around me, the crows, the school, my neighbors, the dogs and the dog poop that missed the grass and landed on the sidewalk. I ground myself in the reminder that God holds all of us and is at work doing a new thing.” ~Phil Lewis

 
“First thing in the morning, I just want to hear scripture, plain and simple. I use the Lectio 365 app which also has prompts for prayer in the morning, lunchtime and evening. Although I love the words of Jesus, I've been very drawn to the Psalms and Isaiah these days and my hope is to stand on those promises as I move throughout the day. When I forget to do that, my anxiety rises quickly.  But staying close to the promises and asking the Holy Spirit to guide and help me are what keep me rooted in hope and trust.” ~Sharon Mead

According to Jesus: Heart of God

In Mark 12:28-44 we discover what Jesus says about being a part of God’s Kingdom of Light:  a Kingdom of justice, mercy, peace, and joy as we ask how to live each day in the realities of our nation, city, and neighborhoods.

Read: Mark 12:28-44

What catches your attention?   What do you learn about the Heart of God?

This passage is also recorded in Luke and Matthew.  It is important.

Here’s some background on Scribes:
Scribes were Legal experts, a trained class of writers who drew up contracts for business, marriage, estates, and wills. Some Scribes were Pharisees. Around 150 BC  Pharisees began as a party of the people, a grass movement to not succumb to the Greek culture around them and to uphold the law of Moses.  To know God was to obey the law – so they put their energy into preserving the law. As can happen – the rules of the law became more important than the heart of the law.

In these three different engagements with Jesus, what does Jesus’ show us about the Heart of God:

1)   Love is at the center of God’s Kingdom

Often Jesus is questioned and challenged by the Scribes and Pharisees because he threatens them. This Scribe seems earnest with a real question. To Jesus he says:  you seem to know our holy writings. Which commandment is most important?

Now, we might think it is obvious what Jesus will say --- but this is because we’ve learned his answer. Keep in mind that these scribes and pharisees are trying to faithfully obey 613 commandments in the Hebrew Scripture (248 postive; 365 prohibitive).
It seems this man is saying to Jesus:  I want to take these seriously, how do I rank them?  What is most important? (And, perhaps he is saying:  I am exhausted in trying to KEEP ALL these Laws).

Jesus responds with the Shema, the morning prayer that all Jewish people prayed from Deut. 6:4-5: Love the Lord Your God with all of your being? Jesus combines with a second commandment from Leviticus 19:18:  Love your neighbor as yourself

And, then Jesus describes these singularly – no other is greater than this.  
Love of God flows into love of neighbor as oneself.
Love of neighbor as oneself flows into love of God. They are woven together.

Jesus, our Living WORD, answers OUR questions today as well, for we ask the same one: What is most important for me to do right now? Where do I focus?

Jesus, word of God, says to us:
Begin each day with LOVE toward God who created your mind, heart, and soul and allow this love to flow into love for yourself that flows into love for your neighbor.

What is also wonderful in God’s Kingdom is that God trusts you to be a neighbor!

GK Chesterton wrote: We make our friends; we make our enemies; but God makes our next door neighbour. 

Neighbor means near.  Jesus loves to ask this question  Who is “near” you that you can love with the love I show you?

Jesus also shows us that:

2)   Abuse is never a part of God’s Kingdom

Jesus, who is nearing his time to go to the cross for all he came to LOVE, provides a very necessary warning that is for all ages:

Beware the abuser – they often come clothed as religious and political people who are supposed to care for the needs of people. Wolves in sheep’s clothing. Instead they devour.

Jesus’ words about these other scribes are not soft. They are claiming to be represenstatives of God’s character and they are hypocrites, unjustly using position & prestige for own gain. These scribes had been given authority to be guardians of women after their husband died --  make sure they have enough to live on. People often left their whole fortune to the temple, and the scribe were supposed to manage. Instead they have shamelessly cheated  these widows out of their  property  and taken it for themselves. Then they pretend to be pious by making long prayers in public in long flowing robes.

Jesus’ communicates what God has declared throughout all of the Old Testament

Exodus 22:22: “You shall not abuse any widow or orphan.  If you do abuse them, when they cry out to me, I will surely heed their cry?”

For Scribes who sought to obey the law – they sure missed God’s heart because they didn’t take seriously love God and love neighbor!

Jesus also shows us that:

3)    Abundance is to be shared in God’s Kingdom

After Jesus’ harsh warning about abuse he stays in the Temple and watches the crowd put money into the Treasury for the Temple, We are told that many people put in large sums.And, then a poor widow put in two coins – barely worth a penny.

This becomes a radical teaching moment of Jesus for the disciples and us.

In how this story has been told and preached in isolation, we may take this story out of context and miss what Jesus is really revealing to us about being a part of God’s Kingdom of Justice and Mercy.

What do you make of this story in light of what Jesus has just said?

Here Jesus says:  “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury.  For all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

Last week, James B reminded us that our faith is to be a public faith not a privatized faith (just me and Jesus). When we only live with a privatized faith, we can turn this story into a sweet message about a poor widow who trusted God so much that she gave all that she had. While this is true that she gave in faith and teaches about trusting everything to GOd who is her only provider.

There is a BIGGER TRUTH revealed when we look at the whole story and we begin to ask questions:

• Why is this widow poor?  Why does she need to give out of her poverty when so many around her have an abundance?

Is it possible that she is one of those widows whose property and house were devoured by the greed and corruption of the Scribes who then spiritualized it all by saying that the widow’s “property” was for the TEMPLE? 

I challenge all of us today.  I challenge all of us in this time of uncertainty. 

Is by chance this story of the poor widow who “gave all” she had, our invitation to ask,

• In God’s Kingdom how can we share abundantly together?

If you were to continue this story, what might you add as a Kingdom story?

This is my Abundant Kingdom Story:
And, some of the people who were bringing of their resources to the Temple saw the woman give her two coins – and they took of their abundance and invited her to dinner and asked her to share about her story.  And suddenly this “poor widow” had a name and the beginning of a community in which she can share even more of herself.

 These three encounters reveal the Heart of God:

1)Love is at the center of God’s Kingdom

2) Abuse is never a part of God’s Kingdom

3)   Abundance  of all kind is to be shared in God’s Kingdom

 What does this mean for us?