The ARK January 2012 Volume 23 Edition 1

16 Pages·2012·1.14 MB·English

by  Mary Jane Glauber

Interchurch Families: Christian Unity Made Visible in our Households
International Standard Serial Number: ISSN 1943-6467 (print)
ISSN 2160-682X (online)
January 2012 Volume 23; Edition 1
THE ARK
A Publication of the American Association of Interchurch Families
AAIF IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION, REGISTERED IN THE STATE OF NEBRASKA
Canada Goose
early January
in Kentucky
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All you ever need to know: the
An example given to us by the Magi

Inspired from a sermon given by the Rev. Dr. Tim Mitchell The ARK© Copyright 2012 AAIF all rights reserved
at the Church of the Advent, Louisville, KY
Epiphany
The Christmas Season for when the Magi arrive bearing
Christians actually lasts 12 days gifts for the Christ child. Actually,
from Christmas at Midnight very little is known about the
through Epiphany when the Magi Magi. Over time, we have begun
arrive. Contrary to the to call them the three wise men.
commercialized way that it is Perhaps they were astronomers?
celebrated, the Christmas season Perhaps they came from a
doesn’t begin until much later Priestly caste from Persia? mjg ©
than what we may be lead to
believe, and it lasts longer than As the years passed, the
we may think as well. traditions surrounding the Magi Above
became increasingly Tree in winter on a sunny
Epiphany on January 6 is the last embellished. By the 3rd century afternoon in Kentucky
Epiphany in the Northern
day of the Christmas season they were viewed as kings within
Hemisphere is in the winter
months
January 2012 [1] Volume 23; Edition 1
Epiphany 2012
our church tradition, and that there were three of them, since
there were three of them who they brought three specific gifts
SUNNY
came from Asia, Africa, and (but the Biblical text doesn't
Europe. number them). They are called
"Magi" from the Latinized form of
WINTER DAY
We have come to believe that the Greek word magoi,
these three kings brought the transliterated from the Persian,
gifts of gold, frankincense, and for a select sect of priests. (Our
myrrh to the baby Jesus. These word "magic" comes from the
may seem like most unusual same root.) By the 6th century
gifts to bring to give to a baby, they had names: Balthasar,
but this was no ordinary baby; Melichior, and Gathaspa or
these gifts were also prophetic, some form of these names.
speaking of our Lord's offices of Relics attributed to them
king, priest, and savior. Gold emerged in the 4th century and
speaks of His kingship; were transferred from
frankincense was a spice used Constantinople to Milan in the
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in the priestly duties; and myrrh 5th century, and then to Cologne
was an embalming ointment in 1162 where they remain
anticipating His death. enshrined or possibly not (,but
that would open up an entirely
different topic.)
Most of what we associate with
the "Magi" is from early church
traditions. Most have assumed
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A sunny day in January just
before Epiphany
Trees and winter plants
still standing in
Cherokee Park in
Louisville, KY in early Rembrandtʼs
January Adoration of
the Magi
January 2012 [2] Volume 23; Edition 1
Epiphany 2012
What can we, as "In the midst of a world of light with love. Do what you believe
and love, of song and feast and in.
people living in dance, [Lucifer] could find
nothing to think of more Travel with others. Look in the
the twenty first
interesting than his own least of places and go out to
prestige." - C.S. Lewis welcome the strangers. It is
century, learn
there that you will find God.
from the Magi?
It could be said that there are So the number one gift or lesson
The Rev. Dr. Tim Mitchell similarities with our from the Magi to us today is for
suggests that there are 7 contemporary world. What 7 us to follow our star.
lessons that can be learned gifts did the Magi bring to the Many interchurch couples have
from the Magi in order to world, our world? been led to find a spouse across
survive. traditional denominational
boundaries by some great Light.
1. Follow your star:
The Christ Child from a This wasn’t an accident, but
We do know from the Bible that
Christian perspective is a some great Light.
the Magi came from the East
manifestation of the Divine in
following the great light that they
human form. Since God is 2. It is okay to travel
saw in the sky which they
beyond our seeing, Jesus has
perceived to be a great sign. in the dark:
been sent to the world that lives
in a form of darkness. So that Others must have seen that There is the darkness of night,
Jesus can become “The Light” same great light shining in the but there are other kinds of
in our darkness. What form did sky too, but these Magi decided darkness that fall over us in our
that darkness take in the world to go out to find a source for the lives: illness, anger, death, job-
into which the Christ Child was great light. The Magi got loss, the list can be endless for
being born? The world was in moving. They didn’t just sit on what might put us into a state of
state of darkness based on their couches feeling perplexed darkness. Any variety of
being in a state of ignorance, or overwhelmed. Nor did they suffering can put anyone of us
being in the shadow, being in complain saying that someone into the “dark” at any time
various states of iniquity else should fix this. They went unexpectedly. Life is not figured
meaning unfair circumstances out to seek out the details for out ahead of time. None of us
that are lacking balance, themselves, “to unpack” this knows what may lie ahead of us
wickedness meaning hatred, bright shining star for on our journey. Sometimes there
Covetousness, corruption, themselves using first hand is such “heavy fog or mist” that
exploitation, distortion, information that they would we can’t even see the road
fabrication and exaggeration, collect for themselves. Nothing ahead of us. Know that God is
pretext, subterfuge, would be left to rumor. with us at all times. Trust in God.
deception,equivocation, Your commitment to please God
duplicity, hypocrisy, For us, the implication is that we will keep you going in the right
bigotry,discrimination, need to get off of “our duffs,” get direction.
off of the couch, turn off the
intolerance, unawareness in the
sense of being self-centered, remote and get moving. Where? As ecumenists or interchurch
indifference, apathy, disregard, Follow our own stars. Stars? families, allow yourselves to
antipathy, and as an adjective What gives us purpose in life explore your commitment to
meaning sinister; evil, or and motivates us that brings us God although you may feel as if
unenlightened. and others joy should guide us. you are in total darkness, God is
Do this with passion, peace and very much present with you and
guiding you on this journey.
January 2012 [3] Volume 23; Edition 1
Epiphany 2012
As interchurch families, we fair and kind to each other." C.S.
“Impossible only means that you recognize that others have Lewis
haven't found the solution yet.” ~ perspectives and new insight for
Anonymous us that can help to bring us to a
5. Look for God in the
higher level or deeper level of
3. Travel with others: understanding our own faith. ‘least places’:
They may pose questions to us God will not be found in power
We live in communities. We
in a slightly different way that or wealth. Bethlehem was not a
come from families and we grew
makes us respond in such a large commercial city; it was a
up in church families. They
way that we must think about a small city. Christ’s parents
nurtured us as we grew up.
familiar subject in an entirely couldn’t find a room in the inn,
They rounded out the edges for
new light. This is Christ working so he was born in a manger, or
us. We will help to round out the
through us when we are the equivalent of a barn for
edges for them in return.
gathered. This is theologically animals. The Magi found Christ
sound practice. in “the least of places.”
None of us are identical one to
the other. God made us all
Here are other insights: In Matthew, we are told, "And
different so that we might find
“I have always depended on the the King will say, 'I tell you the
each other and God through
kindness of strangers.” ~ truth, when you did it to one of
knowing each other. Trust in the
Tennessee Williams the least of these my brothers
Lord. God’s plan, based on
and sisters, you were doing it to
loving creation and all of
“It is futile to judge a kind deed me!' In Matthew 25:40 that by
humanity is a divine plan in
by its motives. Kindness can doing what is right, the
scope that doesn’t have human
become its own motive. We are righteous, not self-righteous, will
limits or qualifications imposed
made kind by being kind.” ~Eric be astonished that in caring for
on it. God isn’t building fences.
Hoffer the needs of the sufferers they
were ministering to the Lord
4. Welcome the
“It's also selfish because it himself.
stranger: “The Light” makes you feel good when you
belongs to all people. God’s plan help others. I've been helped by God is found in the struggles, in
is mysterious to us; we must acts of kindness from strangers. those interactions that are
trust in the Lord, but being That's why we're here, after all, difficult and through those
guided by Love and a to help others.” ~ Carol Burnett bumps in the road on our
humanitarian hospitality based journey through life. Knowing
on the Biblical concept that “all “Kindness is ever the begetter of that God is there with us helps
may be one,” we do belong to kindness.” ~ Sophocles to endure and to persevere. But
one another as sharers of the where is God exactly and how
promise. “Kindness is the language which do we go to God when we need
the deaf can hear and the blind God the most?
Please see: Michael can see.” ~ Mark Twain
Kinnamon’s “Welcoming The “We need to find God, and he
Stranger: Defining The Heart “Kindness, I've discovered, is cannot be found in noise and
of The Ecumenical everything in life.” ~Isaac restlessness. God is the friend
Movement” Eden Theological Bashevis Singer of silence. See how nature -
Seminary http:// trees, flowers, grass- grows in
jmm.aaa.net.au/articles/ "Safety and happiness can only silence; see the stars, the moon
2589.htm come from individuals, classes, and the sun, how they move in
and nations being honest and silence... We need silence to be
January 2012 [4] Volume 23; Edition 1
Epiphany 2012
able to touch souls.” ~ Mother just in some of us; it’s in all of stranger and by looking in the
Teresa us. And when we let our own mirror at our own faces.
light shine, we unconsciously
“Just remaining quietly in the give other people permission to God lives with interchurch
presence of God, listening to do the same. As we are families; we have been given a
God, being attentive to God, liberated from our own fear, our special mission to share our
requires a lot of courage and presence automatically liberates lived example of Christian Unity.
know-how.” ~ Thomas Merton others.” This may seem like a very
(Used by Nelson Mandela in his simple gift, but it our gift to
“We turn to God for help when 1994 inaugural speech) ~ explore and to develop to its
our foundations are shaking, original quote attributed to fullest capacity with God’s help.
only to learn that it is God who is Maryanne Williamson
shaking them.” ~ Charles C. http://www.ncccusa.org/elmc/
West Psalm 16:11 - You will show family2006/
me the path of life; In Your
“God allows us to experience presence is fullness of joy; At 6. Do Homage.
the low points of life in order to Your right hand are pleasures
Be grateful and in
teach us lessons we could not forevermore.
learn in any other way. The way awe: The Magi were inspired
we learn those lessons is not to “I have learned silence from the by a great, bright star shining
deny the feelings but to find the talkative, toleration from the over Bethlehem to go to see
meanings underlying them.” intolerant, and kindness from why this star was shining so
~ Stanley Lindquist the unkind; yet, strange, I am brightly. The three Magi came in
ungrateful to those teachers.” ~ reverence for the Christ Child.
“God whispers to us in our Khalil Gibran Reverence is often shown in
pleasures, speaks to us in our paintings especially with a
conscience, but shouts to us “The Divine pervades everything gesture indicative of deep
in our pains: It is His in the Universe. This may not be respect as a bow, or curtsy that
megaphone to rouse a deaf understood by everyone. Some one might have given to a royal
world.” ~ C.S. Lewis may not agree that the Divine is infant although the Baby Jesus
Omnipresent. But whether they was found in extremely humble
“ Our deepest fear is not that we accept this fact or not, the truth conditions which would be
are inadequate. Our deepest is, evidence of the presence of parallel to a child living in a
fear is that we are powerful God can be found wherever one homeless shelter in our time
beyond measure. It is our light, turns.” ~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba period. The Magi wanted to
not our darkness, that frightens show a feeling or attitude of
us most. We ask ourselves, We are loved by God. God has deep respect tinged with awe
‘Who am I to be brilliant, given each of us purpose to and veneration for this child who
gorgeous, talented, and carry out God’s will here among was born under a very great
famous?’ Actually, who are you God’s people. Who are God’s sign from above. Veneration is
not to be? You are a child of people? God created the showing respect and admiration
God. Your playing small does Heavens and the Earth and all most likely in a very formal way
not serve the world. There is that is on it, all the peoples of so that it is very visible. The
nothing enlightened about the earth are God’s people. Our Magi were in awe at the sight of
shrinking so that people won’t mission is to love humanity and the birth of the Christ Child and
feel insecure around. We were God’s creation. We will find that perhaps by the hope that
born to make manifest the glory of God in the face of the accompanied this child who was
of God that is within us. It’s not born under such a bright shining
January 2012 [5] Volume 23; Edition 1
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star. The Magi were grateful to mutual benefit. We have a the synagogues and on the
have witnessed such an historic responsibility to care for creation streets, to be honored by men. I
event. and each other. This may tell you the truth, they have
become our gifts for our place in received their reward in full.
How do we see that of God in history. 3 But when you give to the
the world around us that inspires needy, do not let your left hand
awe in us for which we too feel Will we be the first to find a way know what your right hand is
grateful and are awed? How do to achieve peace or will we doing,
we show awe for God and what continue useless and never 4 so that your giving may be in
God does and has done in our ending wars? Will we find a secret. Then your Father, who
lives and in the world around solution to Global Climate sees what is done in secret, will
us? change to stop glacial melt and reward you.
all the ramifications that follow?
Interchurch Couples have Will we find a way to feed the “A tree is known by its fruit; a
bridged a divide that our hungry and the poor, especially man by his deeds. A good deed
churches have had greater the children? Are our hearts in is never lost; he who sows
difficulty bridging. Feel grateful tune with God’s plans? Are we courtesy reaps friendship, and
for the gifts we have been given willing to look for that of God in he who plants kindness gathers
and think about how we arrived the face of the stranger? Are we love.” ~ Saint Basil
at this point on our journey. willing to listen for the small still
Please consider sharing your voice of God? Are we willing to “As much as we need a
success stories with other ARK listen with the ears of our prosperous economy, we also
readers. hearts? When will we begin to need a prosperity of kindness
follow God’s plan? Take a close and decency.” ~ Caroline
7. Leave gifts: These look at the Domestic Churches Kennedy
or the Little Church of the Home
three Magi brought the gifts of
of many interchurch families and “In the context of interfaith
gold, frankincense, and myrrh
see how it operates; this is how encounter, we need to bring to
to the baby Jesus. Strange gifts
the world should operate. the surface how our actual
to bring to a baby, but this was
beliefs shape what we do - not
no ordinary baby. Gold speaks
I John 3:17-18 simply to agree that kindness is
of Christ’s kingship;
If anyone has material better than cruelty.” ~ Rowan D.
frankincense was a spice used
possessions and sees his Williams
in the priestly duties; and myrrh
brother in need but has no pity
was an embalming ointment
on him, how can the love of God “For beautiful eyes, look for the
anticipating Christ’s death.
be in him? Dear children, let us good in others; for beautiful lips,
not love with words or tongue speak only words of kindness;
Our gifts? What gifts should we
but with actions and in truth. and for poise, walk with the
bring to this Divine Creator for
knowledge that you are never
our time and place in history so
Matthew 6:1-4 alone.” ~ Audrey Hepburn
that God’s will can be carried
1 "Be careful not to do your
out? We are not Christ, but as
`acts of righteousness' before As interchurch families, we have
human beings, created by God,
men, to be seen by them. If you found a shared Christian Unity
we are loved by the Divine
do, you will have no reward from that has eluded other parts of
Creator and we are of the Divine
your Father in heaven. our churches. This can be
Creator. All of us belong to the
2 "So when you give to the frustrating at times, when we try
Divine Creator. We should share
needy, do not announce it with to worship with the greater body
our gifts with creation, God’s
trumpets, as the hypocrites do in of our churches since they may
creation and each other to our
January 2012 [6] Volume 23; Edition 1
Epiphany 2012
SUNNY
WINTER DAY
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not be as far along on the road Christian Unity, goals held by
toward this Christian Unity that our churches.
Christ has wished for us. They This is a gift of hope. Our gift to
may not recognize our gifts for the world is to continue to be a
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©
what they are, but we have gifts. presence and a visible sign of
Our gifts may seem simple. Our Christian Unity in our
gifts of being present with communities.
accurate and clear information Summary and Notes compiled by
about the possibilities that being M.J. Glauber
an interchurch family holds for
mjg
©
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©
Canada A sunny day in January just
Goose in before Epiphany
January in
Trees and winter
Kentucky plants still standing
in Cherokee Park in
Louisville, KY in
early January
January 2012 [7] Volume 23; Edition 1
Epiphany 2012
Nature:
God created all of creation including
ICE COVERED
all of humanity. I often marvel at
God’s handiwork in nature. Tall trees
grow from such tiny acorns. Ice
TREE BRANCHES OF
naturally prunes tree branches. Rain
waters our fields and gardens. Snow
JANUARY provides ground moisture for our
streams and farm fields. Left to its
own devises, nature can and does
find a balance.
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©
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From Love and Devotion “The Treasury of American of American Prayer by James P. Moore, Jr.
Earth our mother, breathe forth life
“Renewed mjg ©
All night sleeping
Wonderment”
Now awaking
In the east
Now see the dawn.
Earth, our mother, breathe and waken
“This prayer has Leaves are stirring
been handed down All things moving
for generations among
New day coming
members of the Pawnee
Life renewing
tribe in modern-day
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Kansas as an invocation
of renewal and Eagle soaring, see the morning
wonderment at the See the new mysterious morning
beginning of each
Something marvelous and sacred
new day.”
Though it happens every day
Dawn the child of God and darkness
January 2012 [8] Volume 23; Edition 1
Epiphany 2012
Former King associate urges
Louisville congregation to
disregard cultural differences ~
Focus on what binds us together
One year ago, on the eve of retirement in 2008. He
Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a also worked with Martin
former associate of the civil Luther King Jr. for about
rights leader urged a Louisville 10 years. Following
church congregation to King's assassination mjg ©
Basil seed pod
disregard cultural differences, in 1968,the Rev. Otis
in winter
but not to shy away from difficult Moss served as co-
interactions with fellow people. pastor of Ebenezer
Jesus' ability to see
Baptist Church in Atlanta
“There comes a time when we beyond petty matters, like the
with King's father, Martin Luther
must walk a dangerous walk fact that he was a Jew and
King Sr.
and engage in raising the she a Samaritan, to instead
dialogue in order to play a “It was appropriate for us to offer the woman a path to
role of redemption and love celebrate Dr. King's memory salvation.
and reconciliation,” the Rev. with one of his colleagues — to
“Jesus never allows himself
Otis Moss Jr. told a packed celebrate that work for justice,”
to engage in demeaning
house at St. Matthews church members in Louisville
dialogue, but he keeps the
Episcopal Church on Sunday reported.
comments at an ever higher
January 16, 2011.
In his sermon, Moss focused and higher moral and spiritual
Moss, 75, lead Olivet on the story in John's gospel level,” Moss said.
Institutional Baptist Church in of Jesus encountering the
Cleveland for 33 years until his woman at the well. He held up
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mjglauber (at) gmail (dot) com Dave and Carol Natella are the AAIF Fiscal Year July 1 - June 30
AAIF Co-Chairs
January 2012 [9] Volume 23; Edition 1
Epiphany 2012
Moss said in an interview that
King had a similar ability to In the Garden
confront “hostile situations”
of the Lord
with unconditional love
instead of violence.
The word of God came unto
“This is the relevance of the
me,
life of Dr. Martin Luther King —
Sitting alone among
with all the attacks and the
the multitudes;
violence and the criticism he
faced, he did not give up on And my blind eyes Holly berries
the power of redeeming love,” were touched with with light snow
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Moss said. light.
And there was laid
We needed to heal as a nation upon my lips a flame of
“This poem of exaltation, using
and a people together. Questions fire.
posed to the Rev. Otis Moss the beauty of nature as a
appear to have been asked in an conduit to God, was written by
I laugh and shout for life is good
effort to move in the country in a author and social activist Helen
Though my feet are set in silent
new direction. There had been Keller.
ways.
the shooting of Giffords and
others in Arizona the week
Blind and deaf before age two,
In merry mood I leave the crowd
before Moss spoke.
she advanced the special needs
To walk in my garden.
of the disabled by printing Bibles
A year has passed, have we Ever as I walk
and ‘devotionals’ in braille and by
made some progress from that I gather fruits and flowers in my
inspiring millions of people
one identifiable moment in time? hands.
around the world to take charge
How do carry out acts of Agape And with joyful heart I bless the
Love toward our neighbor? of their lives, no matter what their
sun
personal circumstances
That kindles all the place with
In mid January, we remember happened to be,” according to
radiant life.
Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life and James P. Moore, Jr, who
I run with playful winds that blow
the example he gave to all of us. included this prayer/poem in his
after the scent.
book, “The Treasury of American
Prayer” Chapter on “Love and
Of rose and Jessamine in
Devotion”
eddying whirls.
At last I come where tall lilies
grow.
While the lilies pray, I kneel
upon the ground;
I have strayed into the holy
temple of the Lord.
January 2012 [10] Volume 23; Edition 1