9.21.2006

Inextricable Connections

Denominations may be a thing of the past. We may be moving past them into a true embodiment of the whole people of God that is not sectarian. But, for now, I love my denomination. I'm so proud of the wonderful, prophetic actions we move toward. Two days ago, our President and General Minister Rev. John Thomas made a speech at United Theological Seminary in the Twin Cities. He concludes with these words:

At the same time, Jews and Christians remain, even in moments of deepest tension, inextricably linked to one another by the God whose covenants with each community have not been and cannot be broken. It is the witness of the General Synod’s Statement twenty years ago that it is God’s faithfulness, and not our own comfort with each other or our agreement on the Middle East, that binds us together. Borrowing from Paul, albeit in a different context, the church and the synagogue do not have the luxury of saying to one another, “I have no need of you.” Neither ghetto nor pogrom, in either their historic or contemporary manifestations, reflect the will of God either for Christian or Jew. The current state of our relationship, stretched almost to breaking by the dilemmas of the Middle East and the depressing regularity of new shipments of history, does not offer an encouraging atmosphere within which to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the 1987 General Synod’s groundbreaking theological affirmations. Yet it is those very affirmations that offer the promise that this precious relationship cannot ultimately be broken and impels us, amid all of today’s challenge and confrontation to find ways
to embody the unbreakable covenants that bear witness to the faithfulness of God.


As the new year dawns with Rosh Hashanah this weekend, perhaps a new year in our relationships with our brothers and sisters will arise. We can only hope.

5 comments:

Theresa Coleman said...

Welcome to the RevGalBlogPals!

Anonymous said...

Oh yes, welcome to RevGalBlogPals!!! Isn't it nice to embrace a denomination?? I love the denomination in which I worship and praise God!

Jennifer Garrison Brownell said...

Welcome pastor from a UCC colleague in Seattle. Looking forward to reading more of your blog!

PS: I also heart John Thomas. Do you think we could start a fan club and get autographed 8x10's to hang above our dresser? Tee hee!

Anonymous said...

glad you are part of our community.

your mention of Rosh H. reminded me that during ramadan it's great to pray for muslims worldwide too.

I'll blog more about that when I just have a minute

be blessed as you love and serve the Lord

Pastor Peters said...

juniper68, i nominate you president of our fan club. do you think jt will autograph that many 8x10's?