This week's author is the Rev. Ineke K. Mitchell, North Central Regional Minister for the Connecticut Conference, UCC.
When he had left, Jesus said, "Now the Son of Man is seen for who he is, and God seen for who he is in him. The moment God is seen in him, God's glory will be on display. In glorifying him, he himself is glorified--glory all around!
"Children, I am with you for only a short time longer. You are going to look high and low for me. But just as I told the Jews, I'm telling you: 'Where I go, you are not able to come.'
"Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples -- when they see the love you have for each other."
At our home this past week we followed the story of the spewing volcano in Iceland pretty closely. My brother's annual visit from Europe was extended by this event and so we regularly tracked his flight's status.
Trying to find information on rescheduling his journey became something of a nightmare. Dialing 1-800 numbers and holding for 67 minutes or more, only to discover that we had reached the wrong desk and were invited to wait another 37 minutes to finally speak with a human voice. I had a frustrating conversation -- and I received information conflicting with what I found on-line -- but grudgingly was allowed to rebook for another day.
When that day arrived we tracked his flight's departure until the very last moment before having to leave for the airport -- "leaving on time" was still the answer. Of course when we checked in at the desk at the airport, we discovered that his flight once more was cancelled.
Rescheduling now was a whole week out. Anxiety about missed medical check-ins, and how to find medication without expending too much time and money, continued.
Still, miracles happened: love was extended. Friends found ways to provide needed support and a stranger named Elizabeth -- the desk clerk at the airport -- became the incarnational love Jesus commands all of us to practice.
She not only gave us the direct phone number to her desk (so we could avoid more lengthy encounters with electronic voices telling us to press 1, then endless keys to input name, flight reservation number, frequent flyer account numbers etc. etc.), she invited us to call as often as we needed to see if there were cancellations that could translate into a seat for my brother. The first time we called she came up with a new reservation for Sunday instead of Tuesday.
"Call me tomorrow between 4 and 8 am," she said. "That's my shift, and we'll see what we can do."
And so I did call at 6:15 am... "Can I speak to Elizabeth, please..." and when she came to the phone she said, "Oh, I am so glad you called, I was afraid you weren't going to... I've got your brother all taken care of -- he can go home tomorrow -- it's all set."
Love one another as I have loved you -- Jesus' words to his disciples. Jesus, who loved by encountering everyone he met with caring presence, a deep listening ear and an eagerness to heal brokenness whether in body or soul -- communicating God's insistence that everyone we encounter matters.
Elizabeth embodied that love for us this week. We felt we were tended to as if no one else needed her. Knowing that people like her usually get the brunt of people's frustrations and anxieties, her obvious desire to help and serve was an amazing example of something unique this day and age -- a true shining light. I hope I will never forget and I will attempt to follow her example.
Ever-present God,
May we always be attuned to all places and people that bring us your love, both in small gifts and in large measures of grace. Help us to do likewise. Amen.
Please remember:
Barbara Chodkowski, student In Care of the New Haven Association and pastor of the Carmel Union Congregational Church in Carmel, ME, on the sudden death of her husband, Vincent, on April 20, including also her three children Alex Erickson, Alison Erickson, and Austin Erickson;
the Rev. Noel Velez, former Minister of Hispanic Ministries in the Connecticut Conference, hospitalized in Florida;
those affected by the earthquake in western China, the rescuers, the refugees, the survivors, and the injured;
the families of the miners who died in the West Virginia mine collapse;
the people of Poland, grieving for the death of their president, Lech Kaczynski, and numerous government officials in an airplane crash on Saturday, with special prayers for the close friends and families of those who died;
members and leaders at churches that suffered damage in the storms of March 13 or 29-30:
Colchester Federated Church,
Westfield Congregational Church UCC in Danielson,
North Greenwich Congregational Church UCC,
Second Congregational Church UCC in New London,
First Congregational Church UCC in Norwalk,
First Congregational Church UCC in Stamford,
Congregational Church of North Stonington UCC, and
First Church of Christ UCC in Woodbridge;
residents of Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island who were displaced or suffered losses due to the storms of March;
Elizabeth Naylor, daughter-in-law of the Rev. Robert Naylor, pastor of the Second Congregational Church UCC in Greenwich, who is being treated for lymphoma;
the Rev. M. J. Hinchliff, pastor of First church of Christ, Congregational, UCC, of East Haddam, who is being treated for cancer;
the Rev. Marcia C. Eveland, pastor of the First Congregational Church UCC of Ansonia, who has suffered a seriously broken wrist;
the Connecticut Conference and the Rev. Dr. Davida Foy Crabtree, as both prepare for her retirement on May 15: looking to the future with gratitude for her faithful ministry and trust in God's care for her and all the churches of the Conference;
our Conference Minister the Rev. Dr. Davida Foy Crabtree and her spouse, David, and their daughter Elizabeth, who suffered a stroke on December 12 and is undergoing rehabilitation;
the Rev. Nancy Allen, associate minister of Immanuel Congregational Church UCC in Hartford, as she undergoes cancer treatment;
the people of Mexico affected by the earthquake;
the people of Haiti amidst the devastation of the earthquake, the people who seek to aid them, and those who grieve for their losses;
this nation, that it may continue its difficult work to end the practices of racism;
the Conference's partners working for peace in Colombia amidst violence;
the leaders of this nation, that they may meet the challenges of the day with insight, wisdom, and compassion;
those suffering due to the ongoing financial woes of the nation, be they struggling to meet an unaffordable mortgage, confronting the loss of a job, or working to find just resolutions to the crisis; and
those serving or living in war or conflict zones around the world, or where terrorists have struck, particularly in Afghanistan, Iraq, Colombia, and the Sudan.
To be added to the prayer list, please send an email to Rev. Eric Anderson at: webmaster@ctucc.org.
Stafford Springs
Second Cong'l Ch of Stafford
P The Rev. Wayne A. Strever
Stamford
First Cong'l Church
P The Rev. Dr. Cari Jackson
CE Ms. Lynn Dunn
Stamford
North Stamford Cong'l Church
PT The Rev. Diane K. Stevenson
Stamford
Union Memorial Church
P The Rev. Blaine A. Edele
Stonington
United Ch. of Stonington
P The Rev. Valerie King
To read previous editions of the Spirit Calendar, visit:
http://www.ctucc.org/fido/spiritcalendar/
To learn more about or subscribe to the Spirit Calendar, visit:
http://www.ctucc.org/fido/
The Spirit Calendar: April 26, 2010 by Rev. Ineke K. Mitchell, North Central Regional Minister
