The children and I did exegesis (Biblical interpretation) on the scripture reading. Note: they missed three days of school last week which evidently was a highlight.

Carroll Smith’s organ music was, as always a gift.

Marcus Russano is planning the next church fundraiser on Friday, February 24 at 5:30.  In lieu of the auction, the plan is for some of us to sign up to bring food and then for folks to come eat and make a donation.  The other more important part of the plan is to enjoy an evening of good food and conversation.  There will be Trivial Pursuit and perhaps a few other games.  If you have an idea for entertainment that you’d like to arrange or want to help cook, set up or clean up, speak to Marcus Russano or his parents, Joe Russano and Caroline Bond (clbond@roadrunner.com).  If you were at the auction in past years, you know how much fun it is to be led by Joe Russano.  Can he create the funniest Trivial Pursuit evening you’ve ever encountered?  Come and find out!  Invite your friends to a fun low key evening.

I didn’t take notes but as part of the sermon, we talked about the many faces of Jesus: teacher, healer, social justice worker, savior, friend.  Hymns discussed included Jesus loves me, and  What Wondrous Love is This.

Claire brought us up to date on a Muslim exchange student, a refuge from Afganistan who has worshiped with us and reminded us that he pointed out that not only are Jesus and Mary featured in the Quran but that they are more prominent than Mohammed; Claire reported that this refugee, presently in the US, is considering his options and may emigrate to Canada for his own safety.

And one person wrote tonight, “Another special Sunday at BB.  Thank you!”
Though I doubt I need to say this, the church is closed all day on Monday.  The scripture reading for Sunday is Luke 7:36-50.

Thanks to each of you for making Broad Bay the community of faith that it is.

May all of you be warm and fed in this time of snow.
Nancy

I fall forward into a phrase from one of the Iona communion services: “O G-d, you are in the betrayed and suffering people of our world just as you were in the broken body of Jesus.”

The simple Celtic cross we see as we face forward in Broad Bay’s meeting space means, to me, the Jesus who comes alive in the “betrayed and suffering people of our world.” It is an empty cross, no hanging dead body on it. Life is tenacious; it pulses, however challenged, to be alive and stay alive. “They cut me down and I leapt up high–I am the life that will never, never die–I’ll live in you if you’ll live in me: I am the Lord of the Dance, said he.”

If I can be still, open my soul and heart long enough, Jesus’ life rises up and confirms my life and I want to go on in spite of very overwhelming odds in a world–and a society within a world–that bears attitudes and actions that hurt and kill. In a documentary film soon to be released, James Baldwin says, “I’m an optimist because I’m alive.” Prayer, for me, is that affirmation believed and lived.

Jesus is all of these glimpses and experiences of life beyond the deaths of this moment. He is joy in spite of despair.

Love & peace, Ralph