Gobble, gobble, gobble............

Have you had enough turkey yet?  I have reached the point where anything not already eaten is frozen.  It will taste so good in a few weeks when I have forgotten the overload of these last few days.

Too much turkey, yes.  Too much giving of thanks, never.

Gratitude is a  miraculous medicine for whatever ails you. I am sure there is a scientific study somewhere which testifies to the chemical changes in your brain that result when a person focuses on thanksgiving.  It is a shift from 'not enough' to ' isn't that nice'.  It is a shift from "I wish I had" to "Look at what I've received".  It is a shift from "poor me" to "thanks be to God."

Gratitude shifts us from scarcity to pleasure and from sadness to contentment.    It turns us around:  from looking backwards to watching and waiting for the surprise that is coming.  "What I don't have" is a bottomless pit that will drain the joy out of your life.  "What I have received" builds our appreciation for the breath that gives us life, and the blessings which move us forward.

A good friend taught me an ancient spiritual discipline which comes from Ignatian spiritual discipline.  Officially it is called the 'daily examen.'  In its simplest form, one pauses at the end of each day to recognize all those things for which we are grateful.  When one names them aloud you have begun a conversation with God.

Then, when open to a deeper conversation, one then names aloud those things for which we are not grateful, a speaking of the truth of our lives as well.  He suggested that a small shift from 'the things for which I am not grateful' (which is generally fairly easy to do) to 'the things I am not grateful for......yet' (a much more difficult concept) could press us to a deeper, richer conversation with God.  It shifts our understanding of gratitude; it offers us an opportunity to look at our lives with very different eyes.

The Daily Examen challenges us to find God at work in every moment, every aspect of our days.......those moments we call good, and those moments we wish never happened.  It is a building block of a life of gratitude, a step towards the peace that comes only from God. It is a step towards honesty.

Today I give thanks for you.  Thank you to all who take the time to read what thoughts I put together.  Writing this blog for others is really just an excuse to write this blog for myself and it helps me think through so many things.  I pray it provides a blessing for you from time to time.

God, I give you thanks for all your saints who surround me with beautiful examples of your abundant gifts of mercy and love.  Bless them this day.

Could I have my blessing, please?

Andrew was one of the first children I baptized.  His grandmother brought him for Sunday School and worship once he was 3.  He had the face of a cherub, and when he would come forward for communion, kneeling at grandma's side, he would tilt his head back and watch as I'd made the sign of the cross on his forehead and pronounce a blessing.  It was definitely a Hallmark moment.


Time flew by and he was ready to participate fully in the communion meal.  It was a grand occasion for him, for his grandmother and for me.  As the family readied themselves to leave after the service, I wanted to share this moment with him again so I stopped to chat.

Grandma turned to me and said, "Andrew has a question.  Go ahead and ask."

"Could I have my blessing please?"

Apparently the meal was wonderful but the blessing was critical.   So I made the sign of the cross, told him of God's great love for him, Andrew, and did my very best not to tear up.

I pray that God's blessing continues to be critical to this young man, soon to graduate from high school.  I pray that I never forget this 30 inch saint whose day would not be complete without a blessing from God.

For all the saints, I give you thanks O Lord.

A wooden church filled with country saints..............

Our goal was double figures.  For Sunday attendance that is.  In this historic wooden church built in the late 1700's and obviously updated many times since, in a farming community where no one farmed anymore and all the new neighbors were Amish (limiting evangelism success), our goal was to have at least 10 in worship on a Sunday morning.  Since the organist and I both had to be there, and we counted, only 8 others had to roll out of bed and into the parking lot by 9:10 (we always counted a bit late since several of our members were also a bit late).  One year we reported 11 in average worship attendance.  I think they counted creatively that year.

Their history went back to 1729.  They were some of the first settlers in this area known today as Palatine Bridge by the  post office, but Stone Arabia by the locals.  The parking lot was crushed stone and the water was turned off in November otherwise the water pipes would freeze.  The indoor toilet was an improvement in the 1980's but, of course, during the winter there was no toilet at all.

The organ was purchased in the late 1800's; a pipe organ that was later fitted with a vacuum cleaner motor so the 14 year old organist didn't have to pump away in order to get air to the pipes.  There was room for a choir of about 7, if you pushed the chairs close together.  None of the chancel furniture really matched each other and we used lovely seasonal silk flowers on the altar all except Christmas and Easter.  We always had a real Christmas tree and about 75 for the service on Christmas Eve.

For 17 generations, a Nellis was a member at Trinity,  Stone Arabia.  From the very beginning right through their 275th anniversary when the matriarch, Helen Nellis stood with her great-grandson, just months old, and we celebrated together a long and faithful history.

Bishop Lee Miller once told me that the synod had been of the opinion that this congregation should close for about 50 years.....and two bishops later they continue to worship together, a symbol of steadfastness there on the Stone Arabia hill. Most of the members are related through 3 extended families, so even though they can probably count only 45 sometime attendees, when the call goes out, support comes from back roads and long lost folk.  As the 'neighborhood' has changed, filled with hard working Amish families, Trinity stands strong.

This tiny congregation does ministry in partnership with St. John-St. Marks Lutheran Church in Canajoharie, just down the hill.  They share a pastor and do many things together.  Trinity can only continue because of this longstanding partnership, but do not fool yourself, this non-descript building on a windblown hill is church.

They contribute to the support of the wider church every year through their benevolence support of synod.  They feed folks in their community and through the World Hunger Appeal.  Every Christmas baskets are sent to folks who are never seen, often live alone, and who need to know they are not forgotten.  Worship is Christ centered and folks are generous.  As more and more Amish purchased farms, and fields long dormant sprouted crops once again, the people of Trinity rejoiced and gave thanks.  They reached out and made friends.  They prayed for families when tragedy struck and were advocates for them when others in the community had complaints.

How do they hold it all together?  First, they are clear that Christ is the center of what they do....and what they do is love and care  for their neighbors, both near and far.  They are generous and hard working.  The Ladies Aid (yup, they still call it that) annually puts on one craft sale and one rummage sale.  Two events known in the community.  I once called them the "3 Elderly Ladies Fund Raising Machine" but it is the support of far flung relatives and 'members' unseen for a year or two who cook up a large pan of baked beans, or make some fine butternut squash soup, or bake those unbelievable cookies that both pulls the community together and raises enough money to heat the building (very sparingly) and care for those in need.  You'd be embarrassed by how successful they are.

Sure, they bicker and trust me, memories are long....for they are sinners in need of a merciful God like us all.  But they are also saints of the living God, living out their baptismal promises in a town with high unemployment and pockets of poverty hidden behind every turn of a back country road.

For these, and for all the saints, I give thanks.

Been thinking about it for a long time..........

"Herb was so proud of his baptism."


That's what the note said, and until I read it I had truly forgotten about that day when 85+ year old Herb decided that God's love in Jesus just might include him.  His wife was a regular, but Herb was truly unsure.  Part of it was having everything figured out.  Nobody does I told him.  What kind of God would we have if we could figure God out?

Part of it was wrapping his head around the entire event/concept of Jesus - a gift from God of God for us out of love.  Not that there isn't judgment, but rather that judgment always takes place under the shelter of God's mercy.  I've often thought of God's judgment as the moment when we know what God has known all along.  The truth of that always stings.

Part of it was the wonder of those powerful words we hear in every communion.....'This is my body, broken 'for you'  For you.  Yes, broken for a whole lot of other people, but also broken for you.  God's love in Jesus is for you - and you - and you and....me.....and Herb.

And so he was baptized.  Turned out baptism and funeral weren't that far apart considering the long life he lived.  Baptized into Christ's death and resurrection and then being commended into God's care and keeping through the promise of Jesus.

It is hard to believe that I had forgotten about that moment because I hadn't forgotten Herb.  It's a good thing that God has a much better memory than I do.

What a joy it is to bring this word of salvation to others.

All Saints, tears and grace

My husband died in February. I knew All Saints' Day would be painful. I wasn't really ready for how painful. I practiced my sermon many times, to try to get to the point where I wouldn't cry....or at least just get teary, but not really cry.

But, I really cried.

And I immediately started telling myself the following story:

Although your congregation loves you, there are surely some who maybe wish you were a man, maybe especially the older people in the congregation. And although your gentle spirit is something that helps you be a good pastor, too much tenderness, especially teary tenderness just feeds the idea that women are too mushy to be leaders. And don't forget that your internship supervisor wrote in the little box on your final evaluation - the only box that really matters on that long form -- that you might make a better teacher because your emotions will not serve you well in ministry.

And I considered having the webmaster not put that sermon up on the website - no need for everyone to have access to that mess you just made up there in the pulpit.

I kept telling myself that story all through yesterday, and into the wee hours of the morning, when sleep was just a wish.

I dragged myself into the office this morning - and told my office administrator a little bit about yesterday (she is a member of another congregation).

And the phone rang.

93 year old Bob called to thank me for my bravery. He told me how proud he was of me for my courage and leadership and honesty this year following Ken's death.

His words erased the plot line I'd been writing over and over for nearly a day.

I opened my email, and there was a note from another man, thanking me for my fine sermon and authenticity.

I'm turning to my stack of stationery today - to write a few notes to people who might need me to help them rewrite a plot line they've been writing about themselves. I'd invite you to do the same.

‎Jennifer Shimota Krushas‎  pastor, widow,  child of God    facebook post 11/3/2015

Shema Y'Israel.......All Saints Day

Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one..........

This is the first prayer every Jewish child learns and is the very center of their understanding of who God is.  It opens their prayers, their worship, it centers their lives.  Even when they don't understand it (for who truly understands God).  Even when they don't believe it, they can recite it.

It is the foundation for our understanding and faith in God as well.  This God of Israel is the God from whom Jesus descended, a living word of love and grace to a hurting world.  Therefore when the anonymous scribe asks Jesus what the first or greatest commandment might be, Jesus answers with this core response "Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.  You shall love God will all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength.  The second is like it, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself'".

Today we would translate it thus  Hear, O People of God.....Hear, O baptized believers.....Hear, all those whom Jesus loves and forgives and redeems........"  For the God who brought Israel out of Egypt and led them through the wilderness to the promised land and brought them again out of exile, is the God who took on human form in Jesus and taught us about love down here in the streets of everywhere.

It all begins here with this proclamation of God....our worship, our prayers, our daily living, and in the end, our dying.  In the end, when the last breath leaves and the heart finally rests, we have only God to turn to and only God to trust.

Jesus knew that because he came from God and returned to God. "Into your hands I commend my spirit." Jesus says from the cross.  This too is what we say in that space where we will leave this world and look towards the next.  We will look to Jesus, trusting in his promises for those whom he loves.  'Where I am you will be also.'  'I am the way, the truth and the life'  'I will be with you until the end of the age'.

Or the words we have heard spoken with the bread and wine a thousand times:  This is the body of Christ, given for you.  This is the blood of Christ, shed for you.

For you.  The greatest promise of all.

As we remember our beloveds who have left this world to join Jesus in his, let us remember the great Shema

Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one......and Jesus is risen.....and you are beloved.

For all the saints........

On All Saints Day, 2015 we said goodbye to a favorite saint, our good friend George.  No, George didn't die, although there are some among us who think that living in the heat and humidity of Alabama is akin to death.   George is moving to live closer to family and further away from snow.

We shall miss him for many reasons. First he is a man of great compassion and everyone can use a good example of living mercy in their lives.  In the complexity of human community, George was not a source of drama. (In truth, he was known as a source of tootsie rolls to many.)

Second, his faith was front and center.  It was about Jesus and the love Jesus both lived and taught.  In George's children's sermons, "Jesus" was a safe answer to almost any question.  (not necessarily a right answer, but always a safe answer.) He taught the youngest ones the rudiments of our liturgy with "The Lord be with you" and "Go in peace"

He was generous in spirit, in time and in things material.  His spirit shone among us and lifted us up.  He organized and delivered children's sermons at both worship services for over 15 years.  He provided financial support to many ministries, fund raising efforts and events held at LM.  Many a twenty were pulled from his pocket to help out a cause.

He was the adult that children could count on.  He was safe; they could sense his love for them and knew they could approach him at any time.  In an atmosphere which is dominated by adults, George was the go-to guy for the kids.  Many of our current teens never knew anyone else delivering the weekly children's message; he's always been 'their guy'.

In his personal faith life, he sought to grow and learn and to give back a portion of that new understanding to others.

These are some of the reasons we find it hard to say good-bye to this saint of God even knowing that he will find a place to serve others and tell Jesus' story in far off Alabama.  Like the disciples were sent out to take what they had learned to new towns and new people, George will carry the story of Jesus with him.....and of course discover new friends with whom to serve God and neighbor.

Traveling mercies to George and Marie.  Blessings on this new chapter in your life.  You will be a blessing to those you are about to meet, just as you have been a blessing to us.