A number of years ago when I was wearing the school librarian hat at Locust Grove Mennonite School, I was enjoying the diverse student population but struggling with names that were new to me such as Kangofta and Illala. Reviewing the list of first graders for the new school year, I sat in a circle on the floor with them for a meet and greet time.  Most of the kiddos were returning from last year, so I knew their names, but there was one new student.  
"You must be CaSADee," I said to the little girl.  In a chorus upon which even the excellent music teachers could not have improved, all the students voiced, "It's CASadee." 

Of course it is! Silly me! I was getting so used to unfamiliar pronunciations that I missed the familiar. I seem to have an impressive number of opportunities to laugh at myself. 
Hearing our names spoken respectfully and correctly from others is important, so there are times I am frustrated with myself as I doubt my pronunciation, therefore I don't even try. 

"By Any Other Name" is the tile of Brother Mick's message this week with scripture text from Isaiah 9:2-7. The question we'll be exploring on this Mennonite World Fellowship Sunday is, "How can we best realize that it is not the names with which we are born into this world that unite us as one people group over against another but rather the names and characteristics of Jesus that we take on for ourselves as disciples that bring us together regardless of our location?"  The service begins at 10:15 AM with Sunday school for all ages at 9 AM. Please join us. If you've never been to Ridgeview, there are friendly people in the foyer that can help you find your way.  (or ask for me!) 

Here is a link to the bulletin for lots of information.Ridgeview Bulletin

As well as our ingathering of cleaning supplies, etc. for Bridge of Hope, we are also collecting Progresso Soup for the Food Pac program so if you get to the grocery store before Sunday, pick up a few items, won't you?  

Prayer for today:  Gentle God, as we pause and behold the expansive variety of colors and shapes in your people; as we pause and touch the roughness of a tree and rest in the embrace of a loved one; as we pause and hear the singing of birds and diversity of language; as we pause and smell the wood smoke of the stove and the simmering of stew; Lord, we taste and see that You are good. Your mercy and love extends to all of us.  Come Kingdom of God. Be done will of God, here on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus name. AMEN. 


Without question or doubt, you are loved by God, and I love you too!

Love and Light,
Carol

http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/

"Always remember who you are, whose you are, where you are going, and what you believe, because it does make a difference! Oh, and don't forget to attend a church of your choice this weekend." jd

"Here kitty, kitty, kitty, kitty!" We called; we looked; we looked; we called.  No Hattie. 
A few years ago on a Wednesday, our beautiful "miracle kitty" http://carol-thecommunique.blogspot.com/search/label/cats went missing.  Growing up on a farm, I had experienced the comings and goings of our many felines, but when on Friday morning Hattie was still missing, our hopes to find this little critter who had worked her way into our hearts began to wane. 

Grimly inspecting road kill as I returned home from the grocery store, I found myself praying, "Lord, if Hattie is alive and to be found, would you show me?" 

Thinking about the last time I saw her, I recalled that it was late afternoon on Wednesday. She was walking toward the pasture and the shed that housed the neighbor's lawn/snow equipment. Could it be? Could she be trapped in the shed? That sense of "knowing" that I've had on occasion welled up within me, and I could barely wait to get home.  Even before I unloaded the groceries, I sprinted to that shed and opened the door. 
Pitiful, frightened, and hungry, there was our forlorn cat. 

Yes, yes, I know. It was just a cat. Yes, yes, I know. The shed was a practical place to look. Yes, yes, I know. I know these things, yet I know God loves all his creatures, and this time the tender hearts of some girls rejoiced as our family cat was found. 

Sometimes we know exactly for what we are looking, like a lost kitty. My focus was centered and distinct as I searched.  But sadly there are times on our life journeys when our vision isn't so clear. There are times when our focus on what truly matters is askew. There are times we choose to walk a dead-end path searching for life in soul-sapping places. 

Brother Mick's sermon text this week is John 1:29-42, the passage where John acknowledges who Jesus is, and John's disciples go with Jesus. Mick has entitled his message, "What are you looking for?"  "What is (it) that we are seeking...an easy way through life...some kind of great reward for doing 'what we are supposed to do'...a great reward in the end...the desire to live as God's people in the kingdom way? The way we answer that question says much about our own motivations, desires and intent as we follow after the Messiah."  Please join us at 10:15 AM for our worship time, and at 9 AM for our Christian Ed hour. 

Keep Lizzie Stoltzfus in your prayers as she is in Haiti with Smith and Rhonda to begin work on a new school building.  

Stephen and the other Lizzie got married this past Saturday in a beautiful wedding. :) There are two Lizzies in the family now! 

Remember to bring items for the Bridge of Hope January ingathering--canned vegetables, cleaning supplies, dish soap, laundry detergent, paper towels, sponges, toilet paper, trash bags, and umbrellas. You don't have to bring everything; one or two items would be terrific! 

On Wednesday nights at 6:15 PM we share a meal together before our 7 PM classes.  Everyone is welcome! 

Prayer for today: Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost...Is. 55:1 
Living Water, we desire to be refreshed, revived, and restored by you that we can in turn can share healing and hope with a thirsty  world. Fill us with your Spirit fruit, that no matter our life circumstances, You will be evident. Help us to focus on what really matters in our lives.  Come Kingdom of God. Be done will of God, here on earth as it is in heaven. In JESUS name. Amen. 

Without question or doubt, you are loved by God, and I love you too!

Love and Light,
Carol

http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/

"Always remember who you are, whose you are, where you are going, and what you believe, because it does make a difference! Oh, and don't forget to attend a church of your choice this weekend." jd

What if...? What if...? It's time again for this question.

 What if.... 

• You're right, and I'm wrong? 
• I'm right, and you're wrong? 
• We're both wrong? 
• It doesn't really matter? 
• People really don't care?
• What really matters has nothing to do religion and theology but everything to do with how I treat you, and how you treat me? (You know... do unto others)
• God isn't contained by church walls and is working as much out of the church as in the church? 
• God doesn't have to be "named" to be the One at work?  
• It is okay if we don't have all the answers? 
• Jesus really meant it when he said we should love our enemies?
• I wouldn't be afraid to ask my questions out loud? 
• We believed God is bigger than the Bible as we relate to our world? 
• I get fired for asking questions? 
• We would really understand the meaning of grace? 
• We understood that the answer to the question is "Love?" 

I struggle when we as believers profess to have all the answers, or when we are certain that our way is the only way. (How many Christian denominations are there, anyway?) Some of us say, "But the Bible says..." yet we pick and choose what we want to inform our lives from this important book. Over the years the Bible has been used to condone the KKK, slavery, the Inquisition, misogyny, homophobia, and the Crusades,to name a few. I appreciate Barbara Brown Taylor's image of the Bible as "God's word with human fingerprints all over it."  What if the Bible is the starting place for discernment not the final place?

So, as I post what I think, and you post what you think, and she posts what she thinks, and he posts what he thinks.... What if we're all just noisy gongs and clanging cymbals? What if the measure of our words is found in the action of love in our lives? What if...?What if...? What if....?


And I'll keep pondering the questions....Perhaps we should meet to bring our questions; not for answers, mind you, but rather for contemplation.

This week Brother Mick's message is called "If I Had My Druthers," with his sermon text from Acts 10:34-43. Mick says in his presermon notes, "Peter was fairly sure about his original understandings of who was in and who was omitted from Christ's body until his vision and a new perspective on God's much broader acceptance of those who believe. So much of our lives seems to come down to niggling little preferences quite apart from reason or reality which can cause us to completely shut others out." I hope you can join us for worship at 10:15 AM. If you're unable to attend but want to hear the message, it will be posted on the website. http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/sermons/index.php

College students who've not yet returned to school or live locally, I'm hoping you can join me in the Upper Room at 9 AM.  
Todd will join those attending the new class of more established young adults in a room in the 1960 hall at 9 AM. There is nursery care available, or you can take your little ones to class. 

Steve and Lizzie get married tomorrow!  

The ingathering for January is items for Bridge of Hope. See last week's blog or the bulletin for the list. 

Winter family night activities begin on  Wednesday, January 15 with a meal at 6:15 PM.  There are classes for children from kindergarten through senior high, and an adult class. Brother Mick is leading a sing along with new and familiar songs from our songbooks/hymnal with the adults. 

I think I'll grab our copy of Laura Ingalls Wilder's The Long Winter and curl up with a cup of tea for the rest of the season. 

Prayer for today: Open our eyes, Creator God, to the beauty of your Presence. Open our ears, Gentle Master, to the wisdom of your Voice that speaks to our souls. Open our hearts, loving Savior, to the invitation of peace and hope.  Open our minds, Divine Mystery, to the wonders of true life. Author of all life, fill us with Your bread and wine that we may be vessels of sustenance and warmth to a world crying out for relief. Come Kingdom of God. Be done, will of God, here on earth as it is in heaven. In JESUS name. Amen. 

Without question or doubt, you are loved by God, and I love you too!

Love and Light,
Carol

http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/

"Always remember who you are, whose you are, where you are going, and what you believe, because it does make a difference! Oh, and don't forget to attend a church of your choice this weekend." jd

Christmas Eve 2013-- Standing at the stove, I had just folded the parsley into the spicy sausage rice finishing the dish when the lights flickered, the smoke alarms gave an eyeblink shriek, and we were pitched into darkness. Everyone scrambled for flashlights, phones, and candles, and after a few minutes we were eating by the gentle glow of leftover wedding candles. Laughter, great conversation, and a savory meal commenced followed by a time of playing with light and photography creating what seemed like magical illusions thanks to our photographer friend Cody who was with us. :)

Light. As a person who admits to being afraid of the dark, I find great comfort in light and appreciate the image of God as light.

c 2004 "Korinne/Korinne" by Alana

The magi followed the light of the star to find the Divine Light, the hope and comfort of all. "Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising." Is.60:3 I wish I knew the stories of how the lives of the magi were changed after having come face to face with the Divine. How much they comprehended of the holiness of their encounter, I have no idea, but they certainly had knowledge that perhaps was transformed into understanding with this sacred meeting.

Brother Nelson's message this week is "Drawn by Light; Sent as Light" using texts from Ephesians 3:1-12; Matthew 2:1-12; Isaiah 60:1-6; and Psalm 72:1-7. Nelson says in his pre-sermon notes, "We are drawn to God's light and sent as God's light showing the mystery of God working far beyond the boundaries we create and impose within ourselves and between each other." I look forward to hearing our brother's exegesis. I hope you'll join me. Worship begins at 10:15 AM with Sunday school at 9 AM.

Everyone is invited to corporate singing in the Rec room from 9-9:15 AM before they go to their classes.  Oh, and the new class for younger married couples/singles will be meeting in a 1960 hall classroom. Childcare is available.   If you can make the party on Saturday evening at Todd and Cindy's home, let me know! :)

Our ingathering for January: items for Bridge of Hope. http://lancasterchester.bridgeofhopeinc.org/ We're collecting canned veggies, cleaning supplies, dish soap, laundry detergent, paper towels, sponges, toilep paper, trash bags, and umbrellas.  You'll find a box in the lobby to place any items you bring.

Be sure to read the bulletin for additional notes and activities. http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/bulletins/

As brutal temperatures cover much of the nation, keep safe and warm, dear friends! Listen to the voice of your mother in your head. (Wear your hat. Cover your nose and mouth with a scarf. Do you have a blanket in your car in case of an emergency? Don't go outside unless you need to. Take breaks if you're shoveling snow.....) :)
I'm certainly thinking of our refugee family from Myanmar this morning.  I hope they don't have to go anywhere today. They must think they've landed in freezerland!

My prayer for today: You are wrapped in light as a garment, O Lord, and ride on the wings of the wind.  As we are drawn to your light, Divine, fill us with hope and awe as you illumine our paths. Lord, I ask that you would especially bless those organizations that are bringing warmth and housing to the homeless on this frigid morning. Grant us, dear Lord, the power to understand the breadth, height, length, and width of the love of Christ that is greater than knowledge, so that we would be filled with the fullness of your Divine Being. Come Kingdom of God. Be done will of God, here on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus name. Amen. 

Without question or doubt, you are loved by God, and I love you too!

Love and Light,
Carol

http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/

"Always remember who you are, whose you are, where you are going, and what you believe, because it does make a difference! Oh, and don't forget to attend a church of your choice this weekend." jd

 Healing and Hope is Born! 

There is a song we sang in high school chorus for Christmas with the line, "Memories fill my mind, as Christmas comes each year. Dreaming for today, brings yesterday so near." 

• Hearing stories about how my dad stayed up all night to assemble a play kitchen for his four little girls 
• My three sisters and I receiving West Family action figures and the corral (Anyone remember?) 
• Lying in bed with my sister listening to crackly Christmas music on the radio and whispering with anticipation of morning
• Grandpa Moser dying on December 23
• Being in Florida with my Weinberger grandparents over Christmas
• Lying on the floor beside my 5 month old infant on Christmas eve as she vomited throughout night
• Hearing our daughters giggle and scurry around as they opened the stockings which were hung outside their bedroom doors 
• Waiting with anticipation for those little girls to come bursting into our bedroom 

Whether my memories of Christmas are positive or negative,and I've had some of both and know some of you have had really difficult life journeys, the truth of Christmas remains the same: Healing and Hope for a hurting and discordant world was born that day in the City of David.

My desire and  prayer for you this Christmas and coming year is that you will experience our loving and gracious God in your life as revealed through Jesus, God in the flesh, finding hope and healing in your own life to then share with others. 

This week Brother Mick's message is called, "When Hope is Present," and he states, "In the midst of our messy, complicated, troublesome, pain-filled lives, we must decide whether we will embrace the hope walking there beside us or the fear waiting to pull us back, down, away from God." The sermon text is Matthew 1:18-25 and supporting passages Isaiah 7:10-16; Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19.  Please join us for this last advent message before our Sunday Christmas celebration on December 29!

Service of Remembrance and Hope is tonight 7 PM at Ridgeview. This is an opportunity to share our grief, loneliness, and challenges that come with this season. Although I'm unable to attend this year, in the past I have found this to be a very meaningful service.

Christmas Eve service is at 7 PM.

I look forward to conversation and "catch up" with you!

Prayer for today: Lord God, as we experience shifts and changes in our lives, help us to recognize the constancy of your love.  As we experience the storms and clouds of life, bless us with the light that is you. As we face doubts and indecision, guide us with your Spirit and keep us from fear.  As we recognize your presence in all aspects of our lives, help us to respond in humbleness and joy. Hope! Hope! Hope!  Lord, fill us with your healing and hope that your mercy and grace will overflow, and the Good News that is You will sate a hungry world today. Come Kingdom of God. Be done will of God, on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus name. AMEN.

Without question or doubt, you are loved by God, and I love you too!

Love and Light,
Carol

http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/

"Always remember who you are, whose you are, where you are going, and what you believe, because it does make a difference! Oh, and don't forget to attend a church of your choice this weekend." jd

Seriously? Either the traffic lights aren't coordinated correctly, or they aren't designed for this many cars! Grrrr. As I left Park City Mall yesterday along with a million other people, I sat at the light. I sat at the light. I sat at the light.  I averted my eyes so as not to see the woman holding the sign telling me she was cold and hungry. I sat at the light.  Finally the light turned green, and about three cars passed through the intersection. Though the light was still green, I couldn't go unless I wanted to be parked in the middle of the road.  sigh. Another light exchange. Now I am first in line to turn into the lane to hop on 30 E. AHHHG! The car in front of me has left a cushion between it and the car in front of it for a megabus. Move up! Grrrrr.

I blew it, didn't I? I had no kids in my car.I had no meetings to go to. I had a few dollars in my purse.
Yeah, I can blame the traffic. The cars were gridlocked. That's what I'll do. . That's what I usually do. I can usually find an excuse. There is always an excuse. Always a rationalization....That woman.

"But Carol," I tell myself,  "It wouldn't have been practical. It would have been tough with all that traffic. Besides, who knows what kind of deranged person she might be? She may have robbed you, stabbed you, kidnapped you!" That woman in the median strip.

Oh yes, "Blessed are the practical, for theirs is the kingdom of mediocrity. Blessed are the fearful, for theirs is the kingdom of darkness... " Aren't those the tenets I often choose to live by though my words say otherwise?

I can't get that woman out of my brain. It is cold, really cold out. I could have rolled down my window and invited her to hop in and gone to a restaurant for a meal or taken her to Water Street Ministries.  http://wsm.org/ I could have gone around the block and gotten a hot chocolate, parked and walked to her, giving her the warm drink and engaged in conversation. At the bare minimum, I could have rolled down my window, handed her a few dollars, and said, "Merry Christmas!"  sigh. The cynic in me says, "Oh, but I'm sure she would have used the money for drugs."

Maybe. Maybe not.

Truly, if I claim this Jesus who has taught me and redeemed me, then shouldn't I be living like I believe it?  Shouldn't my words and actions be demonstrative of the love, grace, and mercy that has been lavished freely on me? Shouldn't I release the cynic and regimented "me" to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit where the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are evidenced? Shouldn't I live like I could, might actually, literally lose my life.... only to find it?  
Merry Christmas?

Come Kingdom of God. Here on earth as it is in heaven!

Brother Mick's presermon notes say this, " The passages for today paint for us beautiful visions of the redeemed world. The Psalm (146) tells us of a place where God's presence is unmistakable and wrong is set to right. And Isaiah (35:1-10) calls forth images of a desert blooming with abundant flowers, where free flowing waters abound."  The sermon text is Matthew 11:2-11, and Mick has titled his message "Tethered to the Tangible." If you are unable to join us, the sermons are later uploaded to the website, so you can listen there. Worship begins at 10:15 AM and Sunday school at 9 AM.

College students, I've been praying for you as you have finished or are still finishing exams, papers, and projects!  I look forward to seeing you during your break.

Please read the bulletin for the many opportunities to worship and serve!

Prayer for today: Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, "Be strong, fear not!"  (Is.35:3-4) 
We celebrate your Presence, Lord. During these festive days there are many all over the world who are cold, hungry, lonely, and despairing. Grant those of us who claim you as our Lord to live in love, mercy, and grace like we believe it, being your hands and feet. Remind us to seek your kingdom rather than our own.  Come Kingdom of God. Be done will of God, here on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus name. Amen. 

Without question or doubt, you are loved by God, and I love you too!

Love and Light,
Carol

http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/

"Always remember who you are, whose you are, where you are going, and what you believe, because it does make a difference! Oh, and don't forget to attend a church of your choice this weekend." jd

I've squirmed uncomfortably as preachers pour on messages of guilt and shame. I've felt like I should go up for the altar call not because of "good news" but because I felt coerced into it. I've cringed as preachers shout "Repent, you are but a worm and horrible person." I've left sanctuaries feeling like something left behind in the fish gut hut. Quite frankly, the god that these preachers hollered about was a deity from which I'd rather run and hide under the covers than face, 'cause it sure seemed like I'd be heading straight for a whuppin' even though they tacked on a "grace" mention at the end. 

Where was the good news? Where was the Jesus who sat down eating and drinking with "sinners," building relationships and being God with skin? Where was the Spirit fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control? Where was the Jesus who fed the hungry and healed the sick? Where was the Jesus who said, "Come unto me, all who are weak and heavy laden, and I will give you rest?" Where was the Jesus who calls us to join in the work of reconciliation and hope? Sadly, at least by my estimation, many believers have the understanding that God is carrying a massive club, and if you don't follow the right rules, you're going to get a drubbing. 

Repent--change direction. Change your heart and life. Many churches focus on our unworthiness. I'm not denying that I am not worthy; however I've been created by the Most High who knows me, made me in God's image as God's workmanship, desires relationship with me, calls me "daughter;" these things, this love, this relationship creates in me a desire to change, transform, yes, to repent. For me, focusing on the ugliness/unworthiness results in me feeling even uglier and never worthy to accept the free gift of grace. 

"Unadorned" is the title of Brother Mick's sermon this week from the text in Matthew 3:1-12 which is the proclamation of John the Baptist. "Repentance as outlined by John is an active process. It is an integral part of the total conversion experience where everything in our lives changes because we have heard the call of the one who is coming, and we have caught a glimpse of the kingdom promised of God. This has less to do with feeling sadness and more to do with a total change of attitude and direction." I hope you'll join us for the worship service!  Christian education begins at 9 AM and worship at 10. 

There is so much going on these next few weeks, I'm only going to highlight a couple of events and encourage you to read the bulletin. 
http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/bulletins/current.pdf

Monday night is the annual church auction, and Ridgeview doesn't need to be your church home for you to attend! Food is available for purchase from 5-6 PM, and the acution starts at 6:30 PM.  Blankets, canned goods, bird feeders, meals, pottery lessons, jewelry... The variety is wonderful!  You may pay $90 for a jar of Anna Esh's chowchow, but you may pay a pittance for a cozy blanket.  Come join the fun! The proceeds benefit Ridgeview Ministries and The Factory. http://thefactoryministries.com/wordpress/

A refugee family with three little girls has arrived from Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) and is settling into an apartment in Lancaster. Loretta, Evie, and others have been working tirelessly to provide a welcoming environment for them. I would imagine this is quite a culture/weather shock for this dear family, so let's pray for them as they adjust.

Caroling is happening at 4:30 PM on Sunday. Meet at the church! 

This time of year is really difficult for some of us. December 20 at 7 PM there will be a service of remembrance and hope. You are not alone. 

Prayer for today: Blessed be the Lord, our God, who alone does wondrous things. You alone are our rock and our salvation. The spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the awe of the Lord rest upon our Saviour. Lord, let us turn toward your kind face.  Let us run to your outstretched arms to receive the joy, courage, and strength to be salt and light for a world struggling to find reason.  Come Kingdom of God. Be done, will of God, here on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus name. Amen. 

Without question or doubt, you are loved by God, and I love you too!

Love and Light,
Carol

http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/

"Always remember who you are, whose you are, where you are going, and what you believe, because it does make a difference! Oh, and don't forget to attend a church of your choice this weekend." jd