A sermon by Senior Minister John B. McCall, July 1, 2007
1 Peter 2:1-12
It’s a complicated world… especially for people who think deeply and care passionately. In the same news cycle we see the melodrama of Paris Hilton’s release from prison and the disaster of senseless death in Darfur. Right next to the travesty of the war in Iraq we hear the Pope’s proclamation of ten commandments for drivers controlling road rage. In the same week Apple Computer drives the techies into a frenzy with the new iPhone, and the 26th General Synod of the United Church of Christ gathers in Hartford.
It’s a complicated world – a world that often leaves us weary because we care passionately about God’s will, and frequently feel guilty that we live in such comfort – even excess – while so many of God’s beloved face disaster every day.
Here we are in this holy hour, gathered gently in the Spirit’s tether, preparing to receive again the bread and cup that open us to the abundant life Christ offers, while half way around the world – or even right next door – there is no peace, no harmony, no hope.
One of the reasons I’m so at home in the United Church of Christ is that my denomination’s story and my own heart are in harmony. The United Church of Christ, 50 years young, has always been engaged in promoting justice, peace, and an extravagant welcome to the banquet table. At the same time I, like my denomination, sometimes get so engaged in trying to ease the pain of the world that we forget to dance and laugh and sing and simply revel in the beauty of this world and this life that are pure gifts of God’s grace.
Last weekend Andrea, Ben, Elsa and I were in Hartford as visitors to United Church of Christ General Synod 26 – marking our 50th anniversary. There were about 800 delegates from every corner of our country. But add all the visitors and the number reached nearly 10,000 of us gathered in the Civic Center. The Governor of Connecticut welcomed us as the largest convention ever in Hartford, and likely the largest ever in Connecticut.
• There was a host of high profile people of faith who shared the ways their Christian convictions shape their daily decisions: journalist Bill Moyers, presidential candidate Barack Obama, and syndicated columnist Leonard Pitts – all three members of the United Church of Christ. Walter Brueggemann, our foremost UCC theologian led us to deeper reflection. Then there was the renegade Baptist, the Rev. Peter Gomes from Harvard, reminding us that our historic voice of witness is urgently needed today.
• There was rich and powerful worship including a sermon by UCC President the Rev. John Thomas; music ranging from a mariachi band, to sweet jazz, from guitar and solo voice to an anniversary hymn with pipe organ (or at least a darn good electronic substitute), brass and tympani – all calling to us and inspiring us to give praise to God and to encourage each other on the journey.
• There was the feeling of reunion – like long-separated family members who went to the trouble of coming together and reconnecting. I saw three classmates from Chicago Theological Seminary, class of 1971, whom I hadn’t seen in 36 years – and I was stunned at how much they had changed when I know I haven’t.
And, as always, there was the deep awareness that we – the United Church of Christ – are a united and uniting church, bringing together a beautiful, heady, exasperating mix of God’s people. You know well that we’re not uniform in our understanding of what God calls us to be and to do in this complicated world. As votes were taken some were disappointed, some were euphoric, yet all seemed to express the common desire for our world to better reflect God’s holy will. There we were together: a Pennsylvania pastor in his polyester pants standing next to a young gay man sporting numerous buttons and ribbons. Ecumenical church leaders from uniting churches in 40 different countries prayed with us and brought greetings from all around the globe.
Knowing how little we in Maine see of our church’s great diversity, we were reminded at every turn that we’re a multiracial and multicultural church. It was awesome to sing hymns of faith amidst so many voices, sisters and brothers whose native tongues are Asian, European, African, Indonesian, Native American, and Hispanic. Somoan dancers and an east Indian sitar reminded us of the many languages in which God’s people worship.
• We bore visible witness that synod was a gathering for all ages, with more than a thousand youth from all over the country, many beloved old timers in their 80’s and 90’s who only were able to move about with the loving assistance of others – reminding us that we’re a church intending to be accessible to all.
• We celebrated being an Open and Affirming denomination as we remembered 50 years of faithful witness, including the struggles of civil rights for people of color, women’s rights, full rights and abundant welcome for gays and lesbians, feeling safe in their church, and remembering that in 1972 the UCC was the first Christian denomination to ordain an openly gay man.
• In a profoundly moving letter from our national leaders decrying the way in Iraq, we remembered what we’ve always known: that we’re a church that prays and works for peace with justice.
• And, of course, there were the resolutions – none as controversial as the vote of two years ago advocating quality and equality in marriage, but still – passionate statements of conscience on the war in Iraq, immigration policies, global warming, seeking deeper understanding of the Israeli-Palestinian conflicts… and a heartfelt desire to give each other enough room to remain united even in our disagreements.
Peter’s letter, as we just read a bit, was addressed to the people of the Way who had been scattered, dispersed by the persecutions in the first century. Those who converted to Christianity were often exiled and despised by their own families. Perhaps like us, they wondered whether keeping the faith really mattered in the great sweep. Peter reassured them that there was meaning and direction in their witness. And in verse 9, using four phrases from Exodus, Peter said to the believers: “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people.”
We mustn’t forget that. We may get discouraged, overwhelmed and weighed down. We may get pulled off the track and find ourselves scurrying in the wrong direction. We may wonder whether we’re able to be who God has made us to be, and do what God has called us to do. We’re not the only ones God has called and chosen. But we have a particular place.
Together we’re engaged in a struggle to realize the realm of God in our weary world, here and now… empowered by grace and committed to peace – as the true embodiment of God’s will. In that spirit today we receive the grace-filled gifts of bread and cup.