What does the abundant life God is calling us to look like, and what do we need to do, or to let go of, to embrace it more fully? What is God already doing at St. Matthew’s to help us live abundantly for the sake of the world?
This summer six of us met three times to think and pray about what God is doing at St. Matthew’s, and how we can participate more fully in God’s work by deepening our awareness and understanding. The group consisted of Lis Christenson, Jannie Swart, Terese Lewis, Dwight Zscheile, Marilyn Grantham and myself – all of us overseeing different aspects of spiritual formation at St. Matthew’s this coming year. I requested their companionship in discernment. Of what should the Faith Forum (previously the Adult Forum) consist, and how should it be related to the faith formation of our children and young adults? How can we best learn together what it means to be disciples of Jesus?
We began from scratch. Of all the available Christian practices – worship, prayer, reading scripture, service, hospitality, stewardship – which ones should we emphasize, and why? We acknowledged the realities of our society – overstressed families and individuals, the privatization of faith, the realities of consumerism, the need for integration. We asked ourselves questions like “What is God’s love?” and “how do you experience it?” We felt called to build on the strengths already extant at St. Matthew’s, the gifts and qualities God has given us, many of them identified a year ago in the Appreciative Inquiry report and theological reflection (available on our website, www.stmatthewsmn.org).
By session three we had come up with three words to describe not only our Trinitarian God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit), but also what God is up to at St. Matthew’s. They are: Communion, Compassion and Creativity. We participate in God’s communion (fellowship) through worship, dwelling in the word, and conversation about and embodiment of our faith. We participate in Christ’s compassion as the companion of others, advocating for and praying and breaking bread with the poor and marginalized, offering hospitality to the stranger and extending the gifts of healing, reconciliation and peace to the wider community. We participate in the Spirit’s creativity by cultivating the gifts of God through spiritual discernment, stewardship, and empowering others for ministry. Through these three gifts – communion, compassion and creativity – God is opening us up and unleashing energy and imagination in our midst.
This coming year you will hear more about the “3C’s” in sermons, spiritual formation offerings, discernment sessions and discussions about the ministries to which God is calling us. They are gifts and practices already prominent and valued in our community. By intentionally reflecting theologically on them together we hope to deepen our understanding and practice. On September 7 the Faith Forum at 9:15 in the Library will explore “A Theological Vision for Our Life Together,” engaging those present in discussion about the 3 C’s.
This past year I heard the following questions and concerns from multiple parishioners: “Who is God and where is God when there is suffering in my life or in the world?” “What does it mean to be a Christian?” “Can I remain in this community when I have doubts?” “Teach me more about the basic practices and attitudes of this way of life.” “How is Christianity different from other world religions?” “How did the Bible come to exist and how do you interpret difficult passages?” “What is the relationship between my faith and things I struggle with daily like personal finances?” This year’s Faith Forum will allow us to explore these important questions together in community, and in light of God’s own life of communion, compassion and creativity. I hope that you will join us!
Faithfully,
Blair
