Rev. Lee Hull Moses

A Prayer Shawl Delivered

Posted by Rev. Lee Hull Moses on August 17, 2011

Aug 172011

Yesterday afternoon, I tagged along with a group of folks from our Caring Friends ministry to deliver a prayer shawl to a church member who has been going through a difficult time. Caring Friends is a group that keeps up with church members and friends who aren’t able to come to church anymore; through cards and notes, visits and prayers, they remind these dear friends that even though we can’t be together in person, we are still part of the one body of Christ, still part of our family.

Recently, Caring Friends expanded their ministry to include the giving of prayer shawls made by members of the congregation. A prayer shawl is a simple shawl, hand knit or crocheted. They’re always lovely, but never elaborate; the beauty is not in the pattern of the yarn, but in the prayers that have been woven into the shawl by the person creating it.

It’s always a delight to go along on these prayer shawl deliveries. The group of us crams into the person’s living room, or apartment, or nursing home room, perching on the edge of the bed or the corner of a chair. We visit for a few minutes, sharing news of the church and relishing in the joy of catching up with old friends. There’s always a bit of laughter, a joke told, a story remembered. Then we offer the prayer shawl, reminding the recipient that it was made with love and infused with prayer. Almost instinctively, the person takes the shawl and drapes it around his or her shoulders, eager to be surrounded by the love of the church.

One of us reads a blessing that offers our hope for the shawl – that God’s grace may be felt through it, that the joy with which it was made might sustain and encourage the recipient especially when times are tough. One of us offers a prayer, lifting up any particular concerns and worries and giving thanks for the visit. Then we linger a bit, not really wanting to leave the place where God’s spirit is so richly felt. But finally, with another prayer and hugs all around, we say goodbye and make our way out.

I imagine that the room feels empty when we leave. But I hope that the shawl we leave behind offers a little bit of comfort, hope, and peace.

Postcards from Paul: Back to Jerusalem

Posted by Rev. Lee Hull Moses on July 27, 2011

Jul 272011

With all the talk of compromise (or lack thereof) coming out of Washington these days, I find myself thinking of a line from one of my daughter’s favorite storybooks, called Catfish Kate. Kate and her bandmates are playing music in the swamp late one night, when another group of friends comes along, looking for a quiet place to read. They’re frustrated by the loud music, and an argument erupts. Kate finally calms things down by saying, “We’ll have to find a compromise, that’s what we need to do!”

Another character says to his friend, “Psst… what’s a compromise?” To which his friend replies: “I don’t know! Do you?”

Eventually, they work out an arrangement involving cotton ball ear plugs, and everybody gets to read or play music to their heart’s desire. Thank goodness for the happy endings of children’s books!

It’s not just the debt ceiling debates that have me thinking about compromise. I’ve also been reading about Paul’s adventures, told in the book of Acts and the letters he wrote to the early churches. This Sunday, we’ll talk about a short but significant travel stop on Paul’s journey. He returned to Jerusalem to meet with other church leaders, in a meeting that would become known as the Jerusalem Council. As Christianity spread into the Gentile regions beyond Jerusalem, a question arose for the early church: Did new converts to the faith have to become Jewish before they became Christian? In other words, if someone wanted to be a follower of Christ, did they first have to follow all the Jewish laws?

The debate and its resolution changed the course of Christianity and forced those early leaders to consider what was really important about this new way of life. That’s the question with any compromise, of course. What’s more important? Music, reading, or friendship? Increased revenue, spending cuts, or the stability of the country? Ritual traditions, dietary laws, or the unity of the church?

For Paul, it was clear: in Christ, we are one. In Christ, all the human-made divisions that separate us fall to the wayside and we are left with the uncompromisable saving love of God.

We’ll talk more about it Sunday. Please join us.

On a different note, don’t miss Lesley-Ann’s recent blog post on the power of grace. Lesley-Ann is leaving for seminary in a few weeks – we’re going to miss her, aren’t we?

Postcards from Paul: Telling the Story

Posted by Rev. Lee Hull Moses on July 20, 2011

Jul 202011

I was just reading an online discussion about the etiquette of leaving your cell phone on and visible while dining out with friends. The general consensus in this particular discussion was that it’s fairly rude – unless you apologetically announce that you’re waiting for an important call/text/email that simply can’t wait until the meal is over. Otherwise, if you’re constantly checking your phone for incoming messages, you’re conveying to your friends – who are sitting right in front of you – that they aren’t nearly as important as what’s happening in your inbox.

It got me thinking – not for the first time recently – about the incredible changes in the ways we communicate. Things are so rapidly changing, with facebook and twitter and cell phones and text messages and now, google+, that it’s awfully hard to keep up. What hasn’t changed, however, is the fact that we communicate at all. We humans seem to have an innate need to share our lives with the people around us, whether that’s through status updates or twitter feeds, or good old fashioned letters.

Think about the letters of Paul that found their way into our New Testament. There he was, in the first century CE with no computer, no cell phone, not even a telegram… and he found a way to tell the story of what had happened to him and how it had changed his life.This summer, we’re spending some time with Paul – his travels and his letters – in the hopes of learning a little more about this most influential evangelist of the Christian tradition. This Sunday, we find him setting off for his first missionary journey, where he visits a number of cities and begins to tell the story of Jesus.

The thing is, of course, that we all have stories about how our lives have been changed by our encounters with the Living God. So why not send a letter – or a text message – and tell somebody about it? Just don’t do it in the middle of dinner.

One More from the Assembly

Posted by Rev. Lee Hull Moses on July 12, 2011

Jul 122011

One of the things I liked about last night’s worship service was the variety of music styles – there was folk guitar, a jazz band that played a rousing rendition of “When the Saints,” and a big closing hymn on the organ. I appreciated the reminder that there’s room for all kinds of music in worship.

There were also some nice visuals that really enhanced the worship experience. At several points throughout the service, a number of large flags processed through the aisles, filling the space with color and invoking the theme of the service – that we are sent to serve.

Preacher Brian McLaren challenged us to be “a Luke 10 church.” (Go read Luke, chapter 10…). He said we ought to be future-oriented, peace-loving, kingdom-of-God-bearing, and joyful. I thought to myself: First Christian Church is all those things!

Today’s business session included a resolution that called us to pray for and work toward healing for victims and survivors of sexual abuse, as well as a discussion around issues of immigration. As I said yesterday, I’m glad to be part of a church that is willing to talk about tough stuff.

I’m heading home today, but the assembly continues. Fred Craddock, widely regarded as one of the most influential preachers in America, is preaching tonight. Tomorrow, the assembly will hear from Marian Wright Edelman of the Children’s Defense Fund. You can watch both services live at www.disciples.org/ga.

See you soon!

More from the Assembly

Posted by Rev. Lee Hull Moses on July 11, 2011

Jul 112011

Monday afternoon… The big news of this morning was that we reelected Sharon Watkins as our General Minister and President. This wasn’t much of a surprise, actually, but it was still exciting to be there when the vote was taken and the results announced. She had some good words to say about where the church needs to go from here; I’ll share more about that when I get home.

Also on the agenda this morning were some resolutions brought to the assembly. Since our denomination works on a system of congregational autonomy and resolutions by the assembly are non-binding for local churches, these resolutions aren’t top-down decrees about how the church should run. Instead, they are usually calls for discussion, dialogue, action, and prayer. Sometimes, the resolutions seem simple on the surface (who would object to a resolution that opposes school bullying, I wondered today), but each of the resolutions that came before the assembly inspired discussion from the floor that brought up aspects of the issue I hadn’t considered (one speaker reminded us that we also need to be praying for the bullies themselves). I’m glad we’re a church that takes these issues seriously enough to discuss them thoroughly and thoughtfully.

Then there was a really thought-provoking lecture by theologian Harvey Cox, and luncheon remarks by Bonnie Miller-McLemore… A full day already, and Brian McLaren in worship tonight

On a personal note, I’ve been having fun watching my daughter enjoy her first General Assembly experience. She attended the preschool program this morning, and I found myself grateful for the volunteers who made that happen. The biggest draw for her, however, is still the hotel pool, and she has also discovered that most of the booths in the exhibit hall have baskets full of candy. Well, okay… I like those things, too.

More to come.

From the Assembly

Posted by Rev. Lee Hull Moses on July 11, 2011

Jul 112011

It’s early Monday morning as I write this, the beginning of General Assembly Day 3. As usual at these events, the first two days have been packed.

Saturday night, the assembly opened with worship. I’d been looking forward to hearing preacher Holly McKissick, and she didn’t disappoint. She embraced the theme of the assembly – “Tell It!” – by challenging us to tell our stories and get the word out about our church. We might not all have incredible, life-changing stories, but we can all talk about how the church has impacted our lives. There’s no marketing plan better than that, she said, and closed with this line that has been bouncing around my head ever since: “How will they know it if we don’t tell?”

Yesterday – Sunday – I attended worship at a big downtown church where a former classmate of mine was preaching. This was a Presbyterian Church, and we Disciples were warmly welcomed.

Sunday afternoon featured a report from the General Minister and President, Sharon E. Watkins, which included her State of the Church address. One of the things that she said that has stuck with me was something like this: The reality now is that we are doing ministry from the edges of our culture – no longer the center – and that just might be a more appropriate place to be the church anyway. I want to think more about that with you when I get home.

I had dinner last night with a colleague who pastors a church in suburban Chicago. Her congregation held a tent revival last year: they arranged for a dynamic speaker and incredible music, and invited everyone they could think of. They had a great time, and she says it was a turning point in her congregation – now they’re excited, full of new life, with good ministries popping up everywhere. I love hearing stories like that from other churches, from people who dare to imagine something different than the norm.

Some good music rounded out the evening – a concert by some local Nashville Disciples musicians. Many of them credited church camp with giving them the encouragement to embrace their musical gifts. It made me glad that our kids go to camp, too. I wonder what gifts they are developing there?

Another full day ahead, with the reelection of our General Minister and President this morning and Brian McLaren preaching at worship tonight. You can follow along at www.disciples.org/ga.

See you soon!

To Nashville!

Posted by Rev. Lee Hull Moses on July 6, 2011

Jul 062011

On Saturday morning, I’m heading west to Nashville to attend the General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The General Assembly is held every two years, in a different location each time. Disciples from all over the United States and Canada – really, from all over the world – gather together to worship, learn, pray, and conduct the business of the church.

One of the most important business items before the assembly this year is the reelection of Sharon E. Watkins as General Minister and President. In many ways, Dr. Watson is the face of our denomination and provides visionary leadership to the church. I was there when she was elected for her first six-year term, and I remember how grateful I felt for her service and how hope-filled that assembly was. On Sunday afternoon, she’ll deliver her State of the Church Address. I’m excited to hear from her again and see what she has to say about the future of the church, and what that means for our own congregation as well.

Every evening, the assembly gathers for worship, which always features dynamic speakers. This year, I’m looking forward to hearing from Holly McKissick, a Disciples pastor in Kansas City whose church has done some really incredible mission work, and Brian McLaren, who is a pastor and writer whose work I’ve found to be very helpful. Beyond that, though, there will be great music, prayer time, and of course, communion. Plus, the opportunity to worship with a couple thousand people all at once doesn’t come around all that often.

Sometimes, though, it’s the informal things that make the General Assembly so meaningful for me. I love reconnecting with old friends and colleagues, and meeting new folks from churches the world over. I’ve often found myself in conversations with people I wouldn’t otherwise meet, and I always come home with several new ideas about how we can do ministry here in this place.

Only a small handful of us FCCer’s are able to attend the Assembly in person this time around, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be a part of it. All of the evening worship services will be streamed live from www.disicples.org/ga, and you can get updates on business items and other events there as well. In addition, I’ll do my best to update this site throughout the week as well.

Looking forward to telling you all about it!

The Prophets Still Speak: Micah

Posted by Rev. Lee Hull Moses on June 29, 2011

Jun 292011

Several years ago, when I was serving a different church, my ministry colleague and I were tasked with choosing a scripture for our website that highlighted or defined our ministry. When we’d finished, I showed her what I’d chosen and she burst out laughing. We had both chosen Micah 6:8.

What does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God.

It’s not that surprising, I suppose, that we’d both chosen this passage. It’s one of the most well-known and best loved verses in the whole Bible. As I’ve spent some time with the book of Micah this week, it’s taken on even more meaning.

Like the other prophets we’ve explored – Amos and Hosea – Micah was also working in the 8^th century BCE, prophesying to the northern kingdom of Israel in the sometimes turbulent days before the fall to Assyria. Also like Amos and Hosea, Micah’s main goal is to remind the people of their covenant with God, and to call them back to what it means to live as God’s people.

Micah calls on the people to be part of God’s ongoing transformative work, challenging them to study the scriptures and work for peace. Micah also points to Bethlehem – that little-known town near Jerusalem – as a place from which great things will come… a prophesy that has particular meaning, of course, for us in the Christian tradition.

When I left that church where I’d chosen Micah 6:8 as my guiding verse, the other minister gave me a gift of a wall hanging with those words printed in calligraphy. It hangs on my office now, directly across from my desk.

Justice, kindness, and humility: can you imagine a better way to live?

Here is the church, here is the steeple…

Posted by Rev. Lee Hull Moses on June 22, 2011

Jun 222011

I have to admit it: I’ve spent a good portion of the last few days standing in the church parking lot, staring upward.

They’ve taken the steeple down. The first day or so, it came down bit by bit, as workers tore off pieces of wood to free up the inner steel structure. Yesterday, the cross was lifted carefully off (it stands now in the foyer of the church, hopefully to be lifted back up to the top of the new steeple when it’s installed later this summer). This morning, the real fun began. At about 8:30, the giant crane lifted off the very top spire and laid it gently on the ground. Then the other pieces of the base were hoisted up and into the air. Now, they’re being dismantled in the parking lot, and the top of the church looks, well, just plain weird. Hatless, someone said. Or like we got a bad haircut. Mostly, it feels like a piece of ourselves is missing.

I found myself feeling a little sad as I watched it come down, piece by piece. For more than fifty years, that steeple has stood watch on the top of our building. Lib Murray remembers coming over with her kids and watching it go up. Now, we’re watching it come down, and it feels like the end of an era.

Times change, though. Things come and go, buildings wear out and need to be replaced. Later this summer, we’ll celebrate when the new steeple goes up, and someday, we’ll be telling our grandchildren that we were here when it happened. I’m glad to be part of a church that understands the need for letting things go to make room for new things.

None of this is about the steeple itself, of course. As we’ve said again and again as we’ve planned this project, the steeple isn’t important in and of itself. The church doesn’t exist to have a building. The church exists to serve the world. The building is a resource that helps us do that. The steeple points us up to the glory of God so that we can be led out in service to our neighbors and our world.

Come by and see it sometime. We look a little funny, but we’re still the same old church.

The Prophets Still Speak: Amos

Posted by Rev. Lee Hull Moses on June 15, 2011

Jun 152011

Now that summer is fully here – school’s out, days are long and hot, the garden is in full bloom – things shift gears a bit here at the church, too. With Pentecost last Sunday, we marked the end of the Easter season and the transition into “Ordinary Time” – the season of the church year that isn’t highlighted by big festivals or holidays but simply undergirds our life together as we do our best to love and serve our God.

I find this season to be a good time to dig into the parts of scripture we don’t pay much attention to the rest of the year, the books of the Bible that don’t often show up for our regular Sunday lectionary readings. For the next three weeks, then, we’re going to dig into some of the lesser-known prophets in the Hebrew scriptures. Known as the “minor” prophets – a reflection of the length of their writings, not their impact – these prophets were at work later in Israel’s history, before, during and after the exile to Babylon.

This week, we turn to Amos. You’ve probably heard this verse from Amos – “Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream” (5:24) – but you may not know much else about him. I’ll admit that I haven’t spent that much time with Amos either, and I’m finding him to be a rather harsh and demanding prophet. When you think about it, though, that’s what you want in a prophet: someone who tells the truth, with no sugar-coating, and calls you back from wherever you have strayed.

In Amos’ opinion, the people of Israel have strayed far, far from where they began as God’s people. They seem to have forgotten that it was God who brought them out of Egypt and into the promised land, and they’ve begun to treat each other terribly. Worse than that, they’ve begun to overlook the poor and downtrodden among them. “If you are going to be God’s people,” Amos says to them, in effect, “You’d better behave better than that.”

Amos’ words are centuries old, but I’d venture to guess that they have something to say to us as well. We’ll talk more about it on Sunday. Join us, won’t you?

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