"For Everything There Is A Season..." (my final "Notes from the Journey" article)

The book of Ecclesiastes says, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” We have now arrived at the season for saying goodbye. Six years ago, when I first arrived at Plymouth to preach my “candidate” sermon and you called me to come be your pastor, I didn’t know how long I would be here, although it was clear that I was closer to the end of my career than the beginning. As someone said to me recently, “We knew you weren’t a spring chicken.” That having been said, it feels like it has been a good run, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have shared this time with you. And now things are winding down. This will be my last “Notes from the Journey” article as your Pastor. In a few short weeks I will be preaching my final sermon. Then a new chapter will begin, for me and for you. There is simply not enough time, nor enough words, to adequately express all that I am feeling right now – excitement at the new possibilities unfolding before me, sadness to be saying goodbye to so many good and caring people, relief in letting go of the responsibilities I’ve been carrying (especially in this last very challenging year), delight at the prospect of being in close proximity with my beloved partner after so much time apart, and humility at the amazing honor it has been to be your pastor these past few years and to so many more over the past 40 years. In these final few days, as I prepare to take my leave of you, please know that I am more grateful than I can say. I look forward to sharing just a bit more time together before the last goodbye. And then…we will just have to see where life takes us. A couple of months ago, right after I announced my retirement, I wrote a poem which I titled “A Retirement Poem.”

what comes next?

the first things

that come to mind are

rest & play & family

a time to grow more fully

into who I am becoming

after that we shall see

what comes next

Thank you.

- Pastor Roger
(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)

It takes the whole congregation . . .

I am grateful for the leadership I see all around me here at Plymouth. Your Church Council is taking care of business with skill and grace, even in the face of the many challenges now before us (Covid, the upcoming transition, etc). The members of the new Interim Pastoral Search Committee willingly responded to the invitation to serve, and have already begun their important and sacred work. Others step up to take on whatever tasks and responsibilities present themselves. To paraphrase a familiar saying, “It takes a whole congregation to be the Church.” This is particularly important in these days in which we find ourselves. As I engage in conversations with folks about my upcoming retirement, one of the things I’ve been saying is that it is my intention to be here until I’m not. I am still the pastor at Plymouth Congregational Church UCC in Helena, Montana until July 1st. There is still important work to be done, and I will continue to stay engaged in those efforts. At the same time, things are changing (as they always do). Every day I am reminded of aspects of the life of Plymouth that are no longer my responsibility. The work of the Interim Search Committee is a good example. It is important that I not be involved in those efforts. The responsibility of caring about and planning for the future of the congregation has now passed into other hands and hearts. That is as it should be, and it also leaves me feeling a bit disoriented. I have spent almost 2/3 of my life actively involved in the business of shepherding congregations. Letting go of that mantle will take some getting used to. And because I have absolute confidence that God is in the midst of all of this, I trust that the future (yours and mine) will unfold in marvelous, amazing, and surprising ways. In the meantime, even as that future begins to unfold, I am with you for a while longer yet, and I intend to do my best to enjoy every moment. Things are changing and will continue to do so, but for now I am still here, and I am grateful.

- Pastor Roger
(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)

Change . . .

It has been said that the only constant in life is change. That certainly seems to be true right now in my life and in the life of Plymouth. As you will read elsewhere in this newsletter, there are several significant changes unfolding right now. I have announced my retirement, effective July 1st; Allison Rowland, our Office Manager, has resigned; and we have resumed in-person worship in our sanctuary. In each of these developments there are aspects which will feel unsettling, and may elicit a sense of concern. And there are also opportunities for celebration. So much depends on the attitudes and perspectives we bring to the situation. When we remember that in every moment of our journey through this life we are accompanied by Sacred Presence then we stand a better chance of allowing light and love and trust to shape our experiences. In his letter to the Church in Rome, the Apostle Paul wrote, “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to God’s purpose.” Please note that Paul does not say that all things are good. He is reminding us that when we allow God to expand our perspective we begin to discover fresh new possibilities for experiencing abundant living. In the next few months, as these changes continue to take shape, I invite you to join me in praying for the faith to step boldly into the future to which God is calling us, trusting that the path will be revealed in ways beyond our wildest imagining. I look forward to walking this path with you for yet a little while longer.

- Pastor Roger
(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)

A New Day is Dawning

This month marks a year since the COVID-19 pandemic began to dramatically altered the landscape of our lives in so many ways, both personally and as a community. Each of us have approached the situation and been impacted by it in our own unique ways, but none of us has been untouched by it. My sense is that there is a pervasive underlying grief welling up inside of us, the depth of which we are only just beginning to recognize. We have all done the best we knew how in making choices which would balance keeping us safe with keeping us connected. There have been no perfect options, which is, of course, always true. So, here we are, a year later, still struggling with those choices and feeling the cumulative weight of what the past many months have wrought. What I know is that we are stronger because we are not alone. Even though our in-person contact has been severely limited, there remains a strong sense of being connected in community. And through it all there has been a profound experience of God’s Presence flowing in, among, and through us. There is light emerging. A new day is dawning. Winter is slowly giving way to Spring. Easter is coming. It will probably not look like we expect it to look. God’s gifts seldom do. And that is a good thing, because God is not limited by our expectations or even our imagination. I remain hopeful. We need to continue being vigilant in taking the precautions which seem prudent, and at the same time I believe we can look with excited anticipation to the new day which is coming. Transformation is already underway. The sunrise will be glorious.

- Pastor Roger
(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)

We Are Not Alone

It’s been almost a year since the Covid-19 pandemic dramatically altered our lives. It can be difficult to remember those days when our daily routines didn’t include quarantines, masks, large quantities of hand-sanitizer, and the extra caution involved in a simple trip to the grocery store. We thought it would all be over in a few weeks or months, and we would just breathe a sigh of relief and return to normal. But hundreds of thousands of deaths, and millions of infections later, we are still learning how to cope with this painful and challenging reality. The experience weighs heavy on us in ways which we are only beginning to recognize. For many of us, the desire for simple human contact can seem overwhelming. All of us continue to stumble along, doing the best we know how to navigate this uncharted landscape. And because of the isolation that has become a part of our daily experience, it can seem as if we are on our own in this endeavor. But that is not true. I remain convinced, perhaps more strongly now than ever before in my life, that we are, in fact, deeply, profoundly, intrinsically connected with each other, because we are deeply, profoundly, intrinsically connected with Sacred Presence. God’s Spirit flows over, around, and through everything and all of us. We are not alone – not now, not ever. Our connection does not always take the forms we might wish. Hugs aren’t happening at the moment. In-person worship is on hold. But there has always been more to life than meets the eye. I remember when Veronica was in the hospital, and we were a long ways away for so many of our family and friends. And yet, they were present in such a profound way nonetheless. Just writing these words brings it all back, and I find myself weeping at the sheer power of the experience. There were moments when I would walk into V’s room and it felt like if I squinted my eyes just right I would be able to see their shining presence surrounding us. That same reality is available to us now. It is always available to us. We will get through this. And we will do it together. Circumstances will change. There will be hugs, and in-person worship, and parties, and so much more. But before, during, and after all of that, we are still connected. Keep reaching out. We are not in this alone.

- Pastor Roger
(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)

Chaos, Upheaval, & the Light of God

On Tuesday I wrote my “Notes from the Journey” article for the January Waymarks. It was a reflection around the theme of the new year dawning. I tried to balance looking back at the dramatic and tumultuous year just past with a hopeful look ahead because God has been and continues to be present with us. I wrote, “We can’t always (or hardly ever) control what happens to us, but we can choose how we will respond, and when our response is shaped by an awareness that God is with us then we are well on our way to a fuller, richer, more abundant experience of life.” And I concluded by saying, “Happy New Year everyone! I am so excited to find out what is even now unfolding!”

That was on Tuesday. And then Wednesday happened and we all witnessed the chaotic and violent upheaval which unfolded in the very heart of our national government. I still believe everything I wrote on Tuesday, but the events of Wednesday cry out for something more. What shall I say? I am dismayed beyond words that it has all come to this. I feel outraged, but even more I feel profoundly sad. And there is a sense of everything swirling out of control on a scale that I can barely begin to grasp. What we are witnessing is frightening and threatens to shake us to the very core. And yet, I also know that we have access to something far greater than the darkness which seems so ominous. As I wrote in an email I sent to the congregation, “In this moment there is little we can do, but what we can do is powerful. I invite you to be in prayer – for our nation, for our leaders, for law enforcement and National Guard personnel, for all those in harm’s way. Please join me in praying for peace, and calm, and safety for all. May order be restored and justice embraced. May our leaders be blessed with wisdom and courage as they stand to take appropriate and necessary action. May love and understanding and compassion and peace restore sanity to our world.”

I do not know how all of this will play out. We are in uncharted waters. But what I do know is that we are not on our own. God is not through with us yet. There is a path forward, even if we cannot yet see more than a few inches in front of us in this moment. In the days and weeks and months ahead I invite you to be in prayer with me that God’s Light might illuminate our way, shine in our lives, and heal our world, beginning with us. As we step into this new year, may the crisis we are currently facing prompt all of us to recommit ourselves to finding a better way – a way which is shaped and defined by the sacred values of peace and love and compassion and understanding and mutual respect. Please be in prayer with me that we will allow God to guide our steps into a brighter future, for our community, our nation, and our world.

- Pastor Roger
(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)

Advent: a Time for Paying Attention

 

We are now in the season of Advent – the time in the life of the Church that leads us to Christmas. It is a season marked by themes of watching, waiting, and preparing. Another way to put it might be that it is a time to practice paying attention. While it is true that God is always present in our lives and in our world, it is also true that we human beings have a tendency to get distracted and forget to notice. So along comes Advent to remind us that if we will pay attention we can increase the likelihood of noticing God’s ongoing activity which is happening around us and within us in every moment. This year, perhaps more than most, this practice of paying attention can make a huge difference. 2020 has been a year which seems to have been filled with ten years worth of challenges. The pandemic has disrupted and upended so much of what we use to call “normal”, along with political turmoil, rising racial tensions, and a growing awareness of the scale of the climate crisis we are facing. As we behold all that seems to be unfolding and unraveling right before our eyes, it is easy to get lost in anxiety, fear, and grief. In these days of Advent I invite you to slow down and pay attention. We need not ignore the challenges which we face. They are real, and they are important, but they are not the whole picture. There is also beauty, and kindness, and compassion. There is connection, and community, and love. God’s active presence among us can be noticed and experienced in so many countless ways when we pay attention. What we will discover is that we are not alone, and we are not on our own. There are opportunities for healing and wholeness and abundance just waiting to embrace us. And the adventure begins the moment we open our eyes, and our arms, and our hearts, and our lives to the Sacred Presence which infuses every corner of our world. Join me on this wonderful Advent journey as we begin to notice. 

- Pastor Roger
(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)

And Occasionally Something Explodes!

Recently something showed up in my Facebook feed that caught my attention. “Going to seminary is, I think, a lot like going to culinary school – you learn the basic foundations, some cool party tricks, and by the end you can prepare a gourmet meal. Pastoring, however, is waking up every day to new episodes of Chopped, where the ingredients are completely random and you’re expected to do something with whatever you’re handed while everyone watches and provides running commentary, and occasionally something explodes.” (by the Rev. Sara Juis) Over the almost 40 years of my ministry it has often felt at least a little bit like this, but never more so than in 2020. This has been a year like no other. And figuring out how to continue being the Church in the midst of a pandemic, and all of the other challenges which have come our way, has, at least at times, seemed overwhelming. “…and occasionally something explodes.” None of us were trained for this. Every week there is something new to figure out. It is easy to feel inadequate to the task. And if we were on our own then that might well be the case. But the truth is that we are not on our own. We have each other and we have the amazing gift of God’s active presence in the midst of us. Occasionally things do explode, or shut down, or become incredibly complicated and frightening. And when such things show up at our doorstep it’s important to remember the words which appear across the pages of scripture on a surprisingly regular basis (apparently they are important) – “Don’t be afraid!” I don’t know what’s going to happen next, or where this journey will take us. And I’m pretty sure that sometimes we’ll make pretty good decisions, and sometimes not so much. But I know that whatever happens, we will be in better shape if we remember that we are in this together and God is on our side. I am grateful for the gift of facing these days with you in my life. Thank you for your patience with me as we navigate this uncharted landscape together. May God continue to walk with us along the way, and may we notice.

- Pastor Roger
(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)

"Love One Another!" Let's Try That!

We are now half way through the year, and I would be willing to bet that none of us could have predicted how this year would unfold. But unfold it has, and is still doing so. The challenges are many and varied, and they seem to just keep coming. The drastic measures put in place to reduce the spread of Covid-19 made a huge difference. Here in Montana the growth of new cases almost completely stopped for more than a month. But then the restrictions were relaxed, and now the numbers are once again on the rise. The problem of systemic racism has been with us for a long time, and this year we find ourselves confronted with it yet again, this time in ways which seem finally to be getting people’s attention. But still there is resistance and push back. These are but two examples. Some days it seems as if everywhere we turn there is some new challenge crying out for our attention. People everywhere are hurting, and all too often there don’t seem to be any good answers. But for those of us who seek to be people of faith, having no good answer need not stop us, because it is not just up to us to have all the answers or solve all the problems. We can only do what it is within our power to do, and trust in God to be with us in the process. It does mean, however, that we need to step up and do our part. As the sign I carried at the Human Rights Rally last week-end at the Capitol said, “Jesus said, ‘Love one another.’ Let’s try that!” Not just some mushy, feel-good love. We need to be about the business of whole-hearted, full-bodied love – a love that gets our hands dirty – a love that might make us uncomfortable. It means we are called to take the steps we can take to keep each other safe. Put on a mask (it’s to protect others from what you may unknowingly be carrying). Practice appropriate social distancing. Avoid crowds. It means we are called to listen to those who are hurting, and stand with them as they proclaim their truth. When I went to the Human Rights Rally (with my sign) I was prepared for a reporter to come talk to me (none did – but I was prepared). My response was going to be, and still will be at any future rally I attend, “I’m here to stand with, not to speak for. I encourage you to go find a person of color, or an indigenous person, or an LGBTQ person. Hear their pain. Listen to their story.” We are called to share the love of God through the living of our lives. As St. Francis once said, “Preach the gospel every day. If necessary, use words.” In these very challenging days in which we find ourselves, we cannot always (or ever) choose or control the challenges we face, but we can choose and control how we will face them. Love one another. Let’s start there!

- Pastor Roger

(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)

To Be Faithful in These Challenging Days

These are challenging days to be alive in the world. The pandemic has upended so much of what was familiar and left us uncertain about the future. And now, long standing problems of racism and violence are erupting in ways that have become impossible to ignore. Anger, hurt, rage, and confusion are all playing out right in front of us, and even within us. It can be easy to become overwhelmed as we try to sort through all the conflicting images and information to discover a faithful path forward into a brighter future, not just for us but for all people everywhere. And we dare not look away. If we are not seeking to be a part of the solution then we are a part of the problem. Several millennia ago the prophet Micah offered these words regarding what it means to be people of faith. “God has shown you, O people, what is good; and what does our God require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8) Then in Matthew’s Gospel we find Jesus making it very clear how we are called to live. “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’” (Matthew 25:37-40) In John’s Gospel the message is more succinct. “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15:12) Yes, these are challenging days to be alive, and figuring out the specific details regarding how to respond can be daunting, but the basic mandate is clear. It can be summed up in one word – Love! When people are hungry, feed them. When people are hurting, comfort them. When people are being ignored, listen to them. When people are being killed by systemic racism, transform the system. It is not a task we can undertake alone. It is not a task that will be quickly or easily completed. So we must come together and draw strength from each other. We must start with what is right in front of us. And we must begin now. In reflecting on the words from Micah, the Jewish Talmud puts it this way, “Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief. Do justly, now. Love mercy, now. Walk humbly, now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.” The Sufi poet Rumi wrote, “As you start to walk on the way, the way appears.” So we begin. As God’s people we begin. As the Body of Christ we begin. As people of faith we begin. With our voices, with our actions, with each other we begin. Each of us in our own small ways, in our own little corners of the world, we begin. In these challenging days we begin. In love we begin.

- Pastor Roger

(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)

Shining a Light on My Fear

Out of the corner of my mind’s eye I caught a glimpse of movement – something hiding in the shadows. I looked more closely and discovered that it was fear. I realize now that it has been there for a while, gnawing at my soul. But I didn’t see it because I had been ignoring it. Acknowledging it would have meant dealing with it, and apparently I hadn’t been prepared to do that. After all, I was suppose to be in control. I’m the guy who is supposed to always be positive and grateful and wise. Except, of course, that I’m also oh so very human. And right now I’m feeling more than a little bit overwhelmed. It feels like important decisions need to be made and I don’t know how to make them. There was no class in seminary called “Pastoring a Church during a Global Pandemic Shut-down.” I’m just winging it – doing the best I know how and feeling pretty inadequate in the face of the task at hand. But that fear lurking in the shadows, gnawing on my soul, is not serving me well. So I am choosing to stop ignoring it. I am choosing to pay attention. And just that decision allows the light to come streaming into my heart. Even as I am writing these words I remember an old Jewel song that I haven’t thought of in years, and, of course, the words are a perfect reminder of what is really true. 

“If I could tell the world just one thing
It would be that we’re all ok
And not to worry because worry is wasteful
And useless in times like these

I will not be made useless
I won’t be idyl with despair
I will gather myself around my faith
For light does the darkness most fear”

(from “Hands” by Jewel)

Suddenly I remember what I know to be true but sometimes I forget – I can only be myself, and that is enough. All I can do is show up, be myself, do my best, and trust God with the rest. I am not alone. It’s not all up to me. But my part is up to me. And what’s been preventing me from showing up and doing my part is fear. So that ends now (at least until I forget again). Today I choose to let some light shine into my soul. Today I choose to show up and do my best. Today I choose to remember that I am not alone. Today I choose to give myself permission to just be me and let that be enough. Today . . .

The Choices We Make

"My Tree" on Mount Helena

As we move through these days which seem so filled with upheaval and uncertainty, it can be tempting to see only the bad, acknowledge only the ugly, reflect on only the uncomfortable and the inconvenient. But while such things are certainly present, and frequently easy to notice, they do not represent the whole truth. Our world and our lives are also filled with opportunities to be surrounded by Sacred Presence and immersed in blessings. We see what we pay attention to, we can choose what we pay attention to, and our choices can make a powerful difference in how we experience life. 

Helena, along with lots of other cities around Montana and throughout the world, is engaging in an interesting social practice. Every night at 8pm people are stepping out onto their front porches and howling. The particular form of expression might vary from place to place, but the underlying experience is the same - it is a manifestation of community coming together in the face of adversity. We can’t be close to each other, but we can join our voices and our hearts together. The results can be heard all over town, rising up in a collective proclamation that our bond will not be denied. The only thing that can stop such connection is our choices. Last night I had the idea to walk up onto the mountain to “my tree” (where I usually go at sunrise). I thought it would be a wonderful spot to experience the howling. But when I got about a block away from my intended destination I looked up and saw that there were already people at “my tree.” And instantly my sense of connection and community was shattered. The magic drained out of me. “How dare they choose that spot! Who do they think they are anyway? Don’t they know that is my tree?” Yes, every one of those thoughts ran through my head. I’m not particularly proud of it, but it is what happened. No one forced me to react that way. I chose to react that way. It didn’t seem so at the time. In that moment I was only aware of my outrage. But the truth is that I could have chosen otherwise. I could have chosen to acknowledge my disappointment and then celebrate the fact that someone new would be able to experience the magic of “my tree.” Instead my choice prevented me from experiencing the magic of that moment. And I am sad about that. But now I get to make another choice. I can learn from the experience and endeavor to make more life-serving choices next time, or I can ignore the lesson and doom myself to repeat it. My intention is to strive to learn from the experience. There is much that is good and true and beautiful in the world. I invite you to join me in paying attention so that we will notice, and in noticing experience the blessings which are always present, just waiting to be received.

Here is a poem I wrote yesterday morning, while standing at “my tree.” Apparantly it is a practice I need to repeat on a regular basis.

Standing in THIS place

Greeting THIS new day

Opening myself to THIS present moment

I bring ALL the parts of me:

my HOPES and my FEARS

my GIFTS and my CHALLENGES

my FAITH and my UNCERTAINTY

my LOVE and my HATE

my JOY and my GRIEF

I EMBRACE them all

And then I RELEASE them

As I step into THIS new day

To which THEY brought me

Now FREE and UNENCUMBERED

And ready to BECOME more fully myself

- Pastor Roger

(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)

Reach Out - Stay Connected

Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash

How quickly the world can change! Seemingly overnight much that we took for granted about the ways we lived our lives has been turned upside down and scattered to the wind. In the midst of this tumultuous time there is lots of uncertainty and plenty of suffering. And it feels like some new disruption shows up every day. Through all of it there is the temptation to panic, react in fear, and feel alone. I would invite you to take a breath (or perhaps several deep, cleansing breaths) and remember that even as the air is filling your lungs God’s Spirit is filling your life. You are never alone and you are never on your own. We have the very power of God within us, and when we forget that truth we are a part of a community of faith that can remind us. In the creation story found in the second chapter of Genesis, God declares, “It is not good for the human to be alone.” We are meant to be in relationship. We are meant to be in community. We find strength, and comfort, and support in the connections we share with each other. Now more than ever we need to nurture those connections. Reach out to each other. Offer love and support. Ask for love and support. This present darkness will pass. We will get through this. And we will come out the other side so much stronger and healthier when we remember to stay connected.

The other day I was introduced to a reflection by Mark Nepo, from “The Book of Awakening.” I believe it offers some profound wisdom for these days.

To be broken is no reason to see all things as broken.

Seldom seen, growing along the ocean floor, the white-plume anemone is a watery blossom. It is white lace opening under tons of black, opening as if bathed in the sun, while so far from the sun.

This is the trick to staying well, isn’t it: to feel the sun even in the dark. To not lose the truth of things when they go out of view. To grow just the same. To know there is still water, even when we are thirsty. To know there is still love, even when we are lonely. To know there is still peace, even when we are suffering.

None of this invalidates our pain, but only strengthens our way back into the light.

- Pastor Roger

(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)

Loss, Love, & Life

Later this week will mark the 10-year anniversary of my late wife Veronica’s death. I’ve done a lot of healing and learning and growing since then. And along the way I’ve written some things that still ring true. On the morning of her surgery (about a week and a half before she died) I reflected on the love and support we were receiving. 

- - - - -

February 25, 2010

Greetings again – I just remembered a thought I was going to include last night (but my weary, overloaded mind couldn’t remember long enough to get it included in last night’s posting) – I realized yesterday that we have Sufi folk praying for us, and Jewish folk, and Christian folk, and Buddhist folk, and Pagan folk, and Wiccan folk, and folk of no particular tradition. They are praying, and sending positive energy, and thinking about us, and sitting quietly by the fire. And it is all the same thing. We are surrounded by the Love of the Universe – manifest and channeled through each of you. Thank you!

- - - - -

On the morning of March 7, 2010, in the moment when she died, it felt like my whole world came crashing down around me. The experience didn’t kill me, but I wasn’t entirely sure why not. Over time, however, I have learned that it is possible to do more than simply not die. It is possible to actually keep living and learning and loving. Over the course of the last decade I have done my best to embrace the lessons which Veronica’s death taught me and continues to teach me. And at the top of the list is that love really is the only reality, and gratitude is the only appropriate response. Every day is a gift. Every moment is a fresh opportunity to learn and grow and love. And when the storms come (because they will) we can trust that we need not face them alone. We are surrounded by Love in an expansive variety of forms. During those dark days in the hospital prior to V’s death there were times when I was so profoundly aware of the remarkable love and support surrounding us that I could almost see it, taste it, and touch it. It was palpable. Ten years later my life is rich and full. I am blessed beyond the capacity of words to express. And I am grateful – grateful for the priceless gift of having shared life and love with Veronica – grateful for the love I continue to receive from my partner Susan as she walks with me on this path of healing and growth and learning – grateful for the ongoing support I have received from so many people – grateful for congregations who have trusted me enough to allow me to be their pastor – and grateful for the ongoing presence of Spirit that has sustained and supported me all along the way. The loss of Veronica’s death is still a part of me. It has shaped and transformed my life in ways that I will continue to discover. But I have come to understand that the gift of her love is larger and more powerful than the loss, and that gift has an immense capacity to enrich my life even now. I choose to honor her life and her love by living my life as fully, richly, lovingly, and gratefully as I can. And that process will continue to unfold until the end of my days.

- Pastor Roger

(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)

The Church's Cycle of Seasons - Test Driving Spiritual Resources for When We Need Them

The Church’s liturgical calendar is structured around seasons which flow from Advent and Christmas through Epiphany and into Lent, Easter, and Pentecost, followed by the long period of Ordinary Time, and then back once again to Advent. Each season has its own character and its own themes. One of the gifts which comes with paying attention to such a calendar of seasons is the opportunity to really immerse ourselves in the themes. The truth is that we may or may not be experiencing the realities represented by the various seasons when the season is occurring. The joy of Christmas may not be ours at that moment. The wonder of Epiphany may not resonate with where we find ourselves on January 6^th. The notions of sacrifice and reflection which present themselves during Lent may seem foreign to us. But the seasons allow us to “try them on” and take them for a “test drive”, so that when we do find ourselves in such circumstances we will have some spiritual resources available to us which can be brought to bear. 

On February 26^th we will once again enter the season of Lent, which is the 40 days (not counting Sundays) preceding Easter. It is the season which offers us the chance to explore some of the “darker” aspects of life – sacrifice, loss, suffering, betrayal, grief, etc. I hope you will take the opportunity to allow this season to be a time of spiritual exploration and growth as together we discover what it means to be people of faith even in challenging times.

- Pastor Roger

(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow) 

A New Year Begins

Another year has come and gone. We’ve made one more trip around the sun (approximately 584 million miles, in case you were interested). 2019 included some amazing adventures, some difficult challenges, some wonderful surprises, and some heartbreaking losses. And all of it has led us here to this moment. We stand at the beginning of a new year which stretches out before us. Some of what lies ahead we can probably predict with reasonable accuracy. Other experiences will catch us completely off guard. All we can do is take a deep breath and step onto the path, committed to doing our best to face whatever comes our way with faith and trust and integrity. We need not face the future alone because we move into this newest stage of our journey together with each other and with God’s ongoing presence. I do not know what the future holds for any of us, individually or collectively, but in this moment I am glad to be here with you. Thank you for being partners with me on this journey. May the year ahead offer us opportunities for learning, growth, healing, connection, and delight.

- Pastor Roger

(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)

Don't Get Overwhelmed by the Season

Advent/Christmas might be my favorite season of the year. There is so much to appreciate, including parties, festive music, cards and gifts, holiday traditions and activities, and the growing sense of anticipation and excitement that fills the air. The themes of hope and peace and joy and love which we explore in worship are so rich and evocative, inviting us to expand the horizons of our faith as we prepare once again to celebrate the gift of God coming to be among us. And yet, there is also the risk of becoming overwhelmed. There is so much going on that if we are not careful it all just becomes a blur of activity which depletes us rather than enlivens us. So, I invite you to be intentional about how you participate in the offerings of this season. There is no law requiring you to do everything. Be selective. Ask yourself if this particular activity will enrich your life. Will it bring you joy? And remember to make opportunities to slow down and pay attention to the stillness and the quiet which is also available during this time of year. Take care of yourself. May the blessings of the season nourish your soul and enhance your living. May you discover the presence of God shining through every moment as you make your way towards Christmas.

- Pastor Roger

(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)  

Thankful for My Time at Plymouth

As we enter the month of November I find myself in a thankful mood. I have now been your pastor for four years, and I am so grateful for the experience. My time at Plymouth has blessed and shaped my life in such a variety of ways. You have encouraged me and supported me. You have expressed appreciation for the gifts I have tried to share with you. You have allowed me into your lives in times of joy and times of grief. You have listened to me preach almost 200 sermons and shared in communion with me 50 times. On your behalf I have had the privilege to engage in the work of the broader church by serving on the Conference Board, the Conference Faith Formation Committee, and as a Chaplain at Church Camp. It has been a joy to participate with you in reaching out beyond ourselves to share God’s love with the world. Together we have touched the lives of a wide variety of people in our community and beyond. Thank you for the many ways you have welcomed me into your congregation and your lives. It continues to be an honor and a privilege to be your pastor.

- Pastor Roger

(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)

In the Face of Overwhelming Challenges

It is once again my turn to contribute an article for the “Faith & Values” column in our local newspaper (the Helena Independent Record). This is what I wrote. It will appear in the paper on Saturday, October 19, 2019.

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These are challenging days in which to be a person of faith. And by “person of faith” I mean anyone who seeks to bring their life into alignment with the presence and character of God. We might disagree about the specific nature of God. We might even disagree about what language to use when we talk about “God.” Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-Step programs speak of “a Power greater than ourselves” and “the God of our understanding.” So we might disagree about many of the details, but I suspect that beyond our disagreements many of us are striving to bring our lives into alignment with a positive, life-affirming, life-transforming reality which is greater than ourselves. And as we do so we find ourselves confronted by a whole host of situations in the world that we find confusing, distressing, and even abhorrent. In these days in which we are living we are faced with so many crises that we can barely even name them and keep track of them, let alone adequately address them. There is the climate crisis, the refugee crisis, the gun-violence crisis, the opioid crisis, and on and on the list seems to go. What is a person of faith to do? How are we to respond in the face of such overwhelming challenges? Fortunately, for us and for the world, we need not attempt to tackle all of the challenges in the world alone. Indeed, we cannot. It is beyond our capacity. But we are not alone. All over the world there are people of faith and good will who share our concerns and our desire to heal the brokenness which seems so ever-present. We have partners who are already walking with us on this journey, even when we have not yet become aware enough to notice. Theologian Reinhold Niebuhr once offered this helpful reminder. “Nothing that is worth doing can be achieved in our lifetime; therefore we must be saved by hope. Nothing which is true or beautiful or good makes complete sense in any immediate context of history; therefore we must be saved by faith. Nothing we do, however virtuous, can be accomplished alone; therefore we must be saved by love. No virtuous act is quite as virtuous from the standpoint of our friend or foe as it is from our standpoint. Therefore we must be saved by the final form of love which is forgiveness.” But even when we recognize that we are not alone and not on our own, the challenge of what to do and how to do it remains daunting. In the face of such diverse and seemingly overwhelming circumstances in the world, how do we go about figuring out where to begin? Author and theologian Frederick Buechner offers one possible template to consider as we discern our calling. “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” It is easy to feel pulled in so many directions, which can leave us feeling completely inadequate to the task. It can be helpful to remember that we will be most useful and make the most difference when we bring our best selves to the task. If we are doing something purely out of guilt or because someone else expects us to, then we are far less likely to be in a position to give it our best. Remembering that we are not alone in addressing the needs of the world offers us the perspective that no one of us is responsible to do everything. We need only do our best in responding to what we feel called to do with the gifts we have been given. The Talmud put it this way, “Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief. Do justly now. Love mercy now. Walk humbly now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.” So, may we remember that in the face of “the enormity of the world’s grief” we are not powerless to respond. Each of us has gifts which can be brought to bear. And perhaps the greatest gift of all is the gift of community. We are not alone. In community we have not only our gifts, but also the gifts of everyone else as well. Your gifts will enable and empower you to respond to some of the crises we face, while my gifts will enable and empower me to respond to other crises. Together we are far more than the sum of our parts. Together, as each of us seeks to bring our lives into alignment with the God of our understanding, we have the power to transform the world. How is God calling you to respond today?

How I Respond Is Always A Choice

As I write these words it is the end of September, the autumnal equinox occurred just a week ago, and there is snow covering the ground. Life is full of surprises and each new moment offers a fresh opportunity for us to choose how we will respond to the circumstances in which we find ourselves. I can choose to grumble because I’m not ready for winter to arrive, or I can notice how truly beautiful the snow is. Either way the snow will still be here, but one choice leaves me feeling bad and one choice lifts my spirits. And I get to make that sort of choice in every moment. I am constantly confronted with situations and circumstances which are beyond my control. What is within my control is how I respond. It’s not always easy to make the helpful choices. It takes practice. I often forget that I even have a choice. But the more I practice paying attention and being intentional about exercising my choices, the easier it becomes. And I am further empowered when I remember that I am not alone in my choosing. I always have the sacred presence of God waiting to support and encourage me. All that is required is that I open myself to this source of support. So, I invite you to join me in practicing this approach to faithful living. May we, with God’s help, learn to respond rather than react. It really does make all the difference.

- Pastor Roger

(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)