Praise the Lord and Pass the Bread

Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten.

~John 6:10-13~

This time last week, many of us were scurrying to prepare for Thanksgiving, a day when Americans gather with family and friends to feast, give thanks, and feast some more. 

We in the Church know the spiritual wonder that can come from sharing a meal with others. Most of our gatherings involve potlucks and much of the stories of Jesus and the Apostles have a feast at their center. Wondrous things can happen when people gather at a table together: bodies are satiated, relationships are fed, and souls are nourished. 

Perhaps the most compelling illustration of this is the Eucharist, one of the our most cherished sacraments, which uses food and drink to bring form to the spiritual act of communion with our Lord.

In our society of plenty, somehow we too often find ourselves saying the words, "I don't have enough; I can't help anyone; I have nothing to spare." But, are we being honest with ourselves and each other? The truth is we have more than most, and when we trust in God there is always enough, or more accurately, there is always more than enough. We see in the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 that it is possible to take little to no food and miraculously turn it into enough to feed all that are hungry (and then some).

God's Pantry began as an answer to Jesus' call to "feed my sheep" (John 21:17). The Pantry started with a few items in a small closet located in the UUMC office and, much like the fish and bread that fed the thousands, it has multiplied since its genesis.

This year has brought major growth in the ministry. First, the Pantry moved into a larger space in the Fellowship Hall, then a refrigerator was added, and now the Pantry has partnered with Roadrunner Food Bank.

This new partnership means greater resources to reach out to and aid our surrounding community; it means, starting in January, the Pantry will have more food to distribute and will now be able to offer fresh produce. It also means opportunities to pursue new endeavors, such as a "mobile pantry" that will directly serve the families of the students at University Hills Elementary School.

The key to living a life of plenty is believing that the Lord works in our lives. Jesus calls all of His people to help the poor, the hungry, and all those in need. However, we are not expected to do this on our own--He provides for us the resources. He may provide by way of miracle, or by placing others in our path that can fill in where we are lacking. 

Whatever the way may be, it's important to trust that there is always a way.

The first "mobile pantry" will be on December 12th and God's Pantry is open every Friday between 9 am and 11 am. If you are interested in donating, you can find a list of needs posted in UUMC's bulletin. If you would like any more information about this ministry, contact Amelia (amelia@uumclascruces.org) in the church office (575.522.8220).

The Fullness Thereof

“When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, neither shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. And you shall not strip your vineyard bare, neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the LORD your God. 

~Leviticus 19:9-10~

“Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor... For “the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof.” 

~1 Corinthians 10:23-26~

All who've ever attended a church service have almost certainly been graced with the message that we are to love the Lord our God and love our neighbors as ourselves. Many of us have heard this teaching so often that we brush it off quickly assuming to have great wisdom and don't give it much thought after that. However, when reading Scripture, two things that can be observed are: 1) that wisdom should not be assumed and 2) that humans are not as good at loving as God commands us to be.

As recorded in Matthew 22, Mark 12, and Luke 10, Jesus says what is most important is for us to love three people--God, self, and neighbor. Why did Jesus say these were the greatest commandments? Was it because He was a good guy that wanted us to be nice people? Was it because he was trying to be democratic when responding to skeptics? Or, is there a subtext, a deeper exhortation that many of us have missed? 

Jesus did not waste His words. He was intentional in all that He said and how He said it. In this discourse He began with "love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind" and He ended with "and [love] your neighbor as yourself." This was not simply a stylistic preference; it was a formula. In order to love our neighbors well, we must love ourselves well, and in order to love ourselves well, we must love God well by giving Him our lives and immersing ourselves in His love for us. 

One way that we love ourselves is by nourishing our bodies with food and nourishing our souls with community. So, it would follow that if we are to love our neighbors as ourselves we should nourish them with the same things.

This year, University United Methodist Church's vision of building a Community Garden came to fruition. The church has long hoped for a way to make use of the land between our building and the neighborhood. We have also been dreaming of ways to take our love outside of the sanctuary and into the community. This project is the result of those hopes and dreams.

The vanguard of the Community Garden was a plot consisting of a few rows of potted vegetables. It has since expanded into another ground plot beside the pioneering garden as well as four keyhole gardens nearby (three of which were built in one day!). 

There are no rules or regulations attached to the garden; all are welcome to reap of its produce (even if they weren't part of the sewing). Those who are involved in the Garden's upkeep have found joy in seeing the growth that has come from their labor and they receive great joy in noticing that others have been blessed by the delicious peppers, squash, lettuce, and other nourishment that it has to offer. 

Love is a simple submission that produces extraordinary growth. When we love God the way He calls us to, the natural result is that we end up better loving the things that He loves: ourselves and our neighbors. 

In creating us in His image, our Father dreamed for us to enjoy what is His. This earth belongs to Him, and He calls each of us to SHARE in its fullness thereof.

GIFT (UN)REQUITED

He said also to the man who had invited him, “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.” 

~Luke 14:12-14~

Have you ever been a part of a committee or group that plans "outreach" for a church or organization? If you have, I'm sure you remember a big part of the conversation being what the return would be. Often, when such planning happens, the big questions are "what will WE get out of this? How will this help with OUR growth? How will this help get OUR message out? 

Do not these queries seem contrary to what Jesus spoke of when He commissioned His disciples to go out and simply love and care for His people?

In Luke 14 we read the parable that Jesus taught of  the "Great Banquet." Through this story we learn that a gift is not a gift if it is given with an expectation of return. So, what does this reveal about how we have been doing things? It doesn't necessarily mean that we have been doing them completely wrong, but (maybe) it means that we need to take the time to examine our motives; we need to be reminded that what we do should be according to the missio Dei--God's mission. 

~

If you happened to drive by University United Methodist Church between 7 am and 9 am on Saturday morning, you may have noticed a line forming around the building. This was a result of the "Free Garage Sale" that was held in honor of our Outflow series. The "sale" started at 9 am and with the swinging open of the doors came the smiles and stories of many of God's beloved people. 

Everyday last week there were members of the congregation either bringing in donations or helping to organize and set things up for Saturday's "sale." There was an excellent variety of items for our neighbors to sift through, select, and make their own; from Keurigs to Keds, from books to blankets, the fellowship hall was not lacking in treasures. There was such an abundance that at the end of the day there was plenty left over to offer to other ministries (for example, the leftover men's clothing was taken to be used in a prison ministry).

This wasn't your average garage sale (and not just because everything was free). As soon as you walked in, you could smell the delicious scents of coffee provided by Pastor Randall and pastries baked by our congregants. Also, there were plenty of volunteers present to offer assistance, smiling faces, and listening ears. 

Those listening ears were blessed by some encouraging stories. One of those stories was of a woman shopping for things to furnish her new place, a place she recently moved into after having been homeless for quite some time. The day brought other soul-hugging stories as well, and I encourage you to visit with any of those who were there to hear them. 

It's the stories, the becoming a part of your neighbors' lives, that makes this life fulfilling.

There was some debate over calling this event a "Free Garage Sale" due to the title's oxymoron-ish nature, however there didn't seem to be a better way to express what we were doing.  The word "sale" implies some kind of return, but we weren't asking for money or any kind of payment (we weren't even requiring  a commitment to attend Sunday morning worship!), so it seemed to be a nonsensical name. Yet, even though the "goods" were free, those who gave them out were not left empty-handed: They received the joy that comes with being a part of the missio Dei.

In Luke 14:14, just before telling the parable of the "Great Banquet," Jesus spoke of the repayment His people would receive for doing His work. He spoke of a repayment that will happen when He comes again and all the righteous are resurrected.  This is an amazing promise to look forward to, but heaven is the "now, but not yet," meaning that, even though the ultimate fulfillment is in the future, we can still experience much of it's glory in the here and now. 

Anyone who has had the privilege of serving others knows that there are instant rewards. Connecting with others and pursuing identity in Christ is fulfilling in and of itself.

Over 300 Served!

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction...For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. 

~2 Corinthians 1:3-5~

This week our church celebrated World Communion Sunday by sharing in the offering of Christ's body. Partaking in the Eucharist is such a beautiful experience, it is not only a time of communion with our Lord, but an experience in connecting with fellow Christians and a time of transformation, during which we are reminded of our collaborative roles as Christ's present body in this world.  

While Jesus walked this earth He spent a lot of time healing and comforting others. So, it follows, that as His body, we should be dedicated to sharing comfort as well. Comfort can seem like an intangible thing, something that can be difficult to offer outside of kind words and prayer. However, when God's people come together in His name, we are able to break through such limiting notions to find new ways to be present in the lives around us.

For four and a half years a group of women from our congregation have been knitting shawls of different colors and sizes to be distributed to those in need of comfort and/or healing. Once a shawl is completed, it is labeled with the message: "A gift for you from University United Methodist Church with a prayer for your peace and comfort". 

During the Sunday services on September 28th, the congregation was blessed with the opportunity to hear more about our prayer shawl ministry. Pastor Randall told us about the impact that the shawls have made on the lives around us and we all got to be a part of blessing the newly knitted shawls that will soon go out to others in need of comfort. We learned that since the ministry first began in early 2010, over 300 shawls have been given away, not only to Las Cruces residents, but to people beyond state lines as well. 

Amid the shawls ready to be given away sits a binder full of thank you notes that the church has received since the beginning of this ministry. Some are simple notes of gratitude and some are letters of testimony--all are witness to the way God works in our lives. Here are some excerpts from a few of the cards:

I want to thank you so much for the wonderful, beautiful prayer shawl. I am so comforted and blessed by it and feel the love and caring that was put into it.

Thank you so much for the beautiful prayer shawl and all the prayers that you put into it. I have used it daily when i meditate and know I am enveloped in God's light and peace. 

I feel the Holy Spirit within me & now a shawl of love around me--thank you!

I received your church's prayer shawl in today's mail--oh, did the tears flow... It is on my chair where I sit to do my devotions and it will bring me much comfort and peace knowing that it was made and sent with much love. [e-mail sent from Ohio]

It means so much to know that there are such wonderful people that take the time to care about and pray for whom they only know of through friends... 

This ministry is a great example of the simple things that can be done to spread Christ's love throughout our communities. All it takes is a heart for God's creation and dedication to caring for those he cherishes. 

All are welcome to take and give shawls as they see fit, just come by the office any time during the week to pick one up. Our knitters do well to keep our shelves stocked, so that comfort is ready to be offered whenever there is a need. 

The Prayer Shawl Ministry meets every 4th Tuesday at 6pm in the church parlor. If you like to knit or crochet (or would like to learn how) drop by and meet all of the wonderful ladies who act as Christ's hands to offer comfort to His beloved people. If you can't make the meetings and you are interested in being involved in this ministry, or would like to donate supplies, feel free to stop by the office for a chat or email me (chrisann@uumclascruces.org) for more information.

Sent To Publish Peace

And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” 

~Romans 10:15~

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.” 
~Isaiah 52:7~

When speaking with people in this world wrought with postmodernism, one often hears a sense of distrust in organized religion. To many, the church does not bring a message of love and peace, but a message of judgment and fear. 

University United Methodist Church of Las Cruces, NM is a church with a mission. Our congregation is committed to serving others so that they may know Christ, grow in Him, and show His love to others. We know that as Christians we are called to share the Good News; we are sent to publish peace.

Peace is a word that gets thrown around a lot, especially during times of war. But what should we understand peace to be? Is it merely the absence of war? Or, is it something deeper than an escape from violence? 

Shalowm, the Hebrew word translated as "peace" in Isaiah 52:7, is used to describe a completeness or soundness that comes with being in a covenant relationship with God. Eirene, the Greek word translated as "peace" in Romans 10:15, illustrates the tranquil state of a soul that is assured of its salvation.

So, the peace we read of in Scripture is more than the absence of conflict; peace is a state of balance that comes with knowing God and finding identity in Him. The Good News is that God's promises are available to all, not just those who fit neatly into church pews, but everyone. The Good News is that all are saved from their sins, that all have hope for the future, and that all are beloved by the Lord.

Those who bring the Good News of Jesus to others may not end wars (though they may influence reconciliation and resolution), however, they do bring peace--peace to mind, body, and spirit.

This new blog will highlight the work of UUMC and it's many ministries and outreach programs. The goal is not to have everyone look to see how wonderful we are, but to look and see that God has many hands working in our lives, and to read and be inspired to "Go therefore and publish peace!" (Matt. 28:19; Isaiah 52:7--writer's paraphrase).