I was happily cleaning my windows on Monday whilst listening to Fresh Air when my doorbell rang. I had not heard a car arrive, and if you've ever been to our home, you know that we live a bit off of the beaten path so folks on our doorstep are unusual.

A middle-aged woman was standing there and handed me a document showing her identification as an agent of the National Circulating Co., Inc. Also included was a physical description; her height, weight, and hair-- 5'6," 180 pounds, brown hair cut in a modified mullet. Ok, the license didn't say it was cut in a mullet, but it was. She said she has two learning challenged brothers and is working to raise money by selling magazines to attend college so she can become a teacher of kids like her brothers. If she sells a certain number of magazines in a specific time frame, she will earn a bonus $1000.

I did the usual thing we do with strangers-- stood there in the doorway guarding the entrance to my inner sanctum while she stood on the porch giving her spiel. Suspicious thoughts raced through my brain; "Is she really who she says she is? What kind of person goes door to door selling
magazines? I wonder if she has some scheme to rob me? Is there someone hiding in the bushes?"
You know though, I've been trying to live my faith more intentionally; trying to see the beauty and God-spark in all people; trying to value "people connections" no matter how small and seemingly insignificant; trying to recognize opportunity when it knocks. For many of you, this was a no-brainer, and while I was thinking these cynical and skeptical thoughts you already had her sitting at your kitchen table. I eventually got there.
"I'm not really in the market for any magazines," I said, "but if you'd like to sit down for a few minutes for something to drink, you would be welcome."
She had walked up our long lane, and she had more walking to do, so yes, she would appreciate that.

For the next hour we sat at my kitchen table and discussed James Patterson books, apocalyptic literature, Amish, Mennonites, her home state of Indiana, and Goshen College. http://www.goshen.edu/ She carried extensive knowledge on many subjects. The time passed quickly and amicably, and the detour from routine was worth it on many levels even though I'll be working on cleaning windows today.

A committee I am on was recently discussing hospitality and what that means as a church. A few of us had read Michele Hershberger's book  Christian View of Hospitality; Expecting Surprises and had been challenged to think and act outside of our comfort zones as we opened ourselves to God's plan and purpose in relationship. (Here's a clip of Michele talking about hospitality.)
https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=432952019459

Oh, yeah, ummmmm.....  I will start receiving "Vegetarian Times" in the near future.

This Sunday is designated by MCUSA as Heritage Sunday, and I am grateful for the heritage of hospitality that flows through the Christ-centered tradition of our Anabaptist
church, welcoming the stranger and alien, feeding and clothing the hungry, and yet at times we've let power and fear corrupt our faith. Let not my desire for power nor my fear get in the way of your call to this everyday purposeful living, Lord!

http://www.mcc.org/ (Mennonite Central Committee)
http://www.mds.mennonite.net/home/ (Mennonite Disaster Service)

Brother Mick is preaching this Sunday from II Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18; Luke 18:9-14 in a message called, "This Is Us." Mick says, "I would like to spend some time thinking about both the positives and negatives of carrying a spiritual heritage such as Anabaptism. Clearly many would see a celebration of heritage as little more than a mirror image of the Pharisee from today's gospel; chest pounding and braggadocio about who he is as compared to others."
Our worship service begins at 10:15 AM with the Christian Formation hour at 9 AM. Young adults will again meet with the senior high youth as we continue the "Jesus Is___" study. I'll be your teacher this week. :)

Progresso soup is being collected for the food pac program which provides weekend food bags for children with limited resources. If you'd like to help pack the food bags, stop by the church on Wednesdays at noon.

On Wednesday, October 30 for our family night activites, persons from Habecker Mennonite Church http://habeckerchurch.com/ will join the adults to share their experiences in sponsoring refugees. Join us for the meal at 6:15 PM with the session beginning at 7 PM.

Ridgeview hopes to be welcoming a refugee family soon. Stay tuned for details!

Prayer for today: Then the King will say to those at his right hand, "Come, ...for I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty, and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you welcomed me; I was naked and you clothed me; I was in prison and you came to me."
       Hospitable God, grant us courage to be more like You. Open our eyes to see You in the stranger and to respond with loving kindness.  Today, Lord, some of us are physically hurting, some of us are facing loss, some of us are exhausted from parenting, working, and trials, some of us are cynical and hardened by the tough stuff in our lives. Would you reveal your love,healing,and grace to us in unexpected and gentle ways? Come Kingdom of God. Be done will of God, here on earth as it is in heaven.  In Jesus name. AMEN. 

There will be no communique next week as I will be visiting my wonderful family! By thy rivers gently flowing Illinois! Illinois! O'er thy prairies verdant growing.....  

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

Love and Light,
Carol

(PS For a closer look at the photos, click on them!) 

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

Milk, Please!

While I was in Belize as an "other" (you know, the one with the different color skin and other culture) way back in 1981, I was stretching, growing, learning, and living sans milk. Mmmmmmm... I love a glass of cold milk with my chocolate cake, apple pie, chocolate chip cookies, yep, even bowls of popcorn. (plurals are intentional) I was on village study in a tiny little town called Calcutta in the northern part of the country near Corozal where I slept in a windowless, closet-type room with cement walls and floor, bathed from a bucket, and used another bucket to... well, anyway.... 

"Would you like water with lime or a glass of milk?" the kind and generous mama asked me.   

"MILK! I would love a glass of milk!I haven't had any milk for 6 weeks!"  I blurted out without considering things like "there are no cows," and "there is no refrigeration."

My host family beamed at my excitement and brought me a giant Bloomberg-bannable size of something whitish, something liquidy, something that tasted absolutely nothing like milk.  They watched with smeyes (I confess: I learned that term from America's Next Top Model although I'm not sure I'm using it quite right--smiling eyes, for those of you in the dark.) as I sipped from the plastic tumbler. With each gulp, I outwardly smiled and nodded, while inwardly I gagged and cringed, definitely not smeyesing. Goat's milk? Powdered milk? Something else entirely? To this day, I do not know, and perhaps that is as it should be. 

I feigned enjoyment of the drink, but my delight and gratitude at being in their humble home was genuine.  I was a stranger being welcomed with incredible kindness and hospitality. In community and communion, we shared together, limeades for them and something totally foreign for me; I drank every abominable drop. Oh, that I would behave so politely and be so appreciative no matter where I am or who I am with!  After all, aren't we merely strangers and guests on this earth until we return home? 

Brother Mick's message title this week is "On the Road Again" with the sermon text from Hebrews 11:1-3; 8-16. Additional texts are Psalm 33:12-22 and Genesis 15:1-6. In his presermon notes Mick says, "it is helpful at times to remind ourselves that we share this world with billions of others, and that we are all interconnected in ways we may never realize.  Holding such a broad view of my 'at home-ness' in the world also reminds me that ultimately this place is not the end of all that has been promised us by God through Christ."  Please join us for fellowship at 9 a m and worship at 9:30 a m. 

As we think about "at homeness," we lift the Paul and Reba Hershey family in prayer as last week Paul passed from this life to the next. May peace and comfort cover the family.

A prayer for today: With you, O Lord, is the fountain of life; in your light we see light. Ps 36:9  
Lord, the cacophony of our lives often swirls and confuses. Let us stop and listen to your voice as you sing to us a song of joy, unity, and love; chords of beauty, goodness, and peace. Grant us courage to join your choir, to match our voices with yours. Let the healing and hope that comes from you flow through us to our neighbors and enemies 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

We have peace because of Christ. He has made the Jews and those who are not Jews one people. He broke down the wall that divided them. Ephesians 2:14
      There was more than one adjustment to make my freshman year at Goshen College http://www.goshen.edu/.  My roommate Julie who was from Salt Lake City and I tiptoed around each other with exaggerated politeness the first few weeks; I struggled to find the balance between studies and fun; and Alice, the girl whose room was next to mine played LOUD reggae music ALL THE TIME!

Boomachicka, Boomachicka, Boomachicka.

     The music was probably the most aggravating adaptation for me, and it certainly affected my feelings toward Alice, a sophomore from Belize. Rather than talk to Alice about the music, I was just all annoyed and prickly about it.  


Alice and Miss Ruth

      Shock of shocks when during my sophomore year of study/service in Belize, my host family turned out to be Alice and her mom.  As I settled into my room with Nelda the very first hot, humid evening in Belize City, guess what I heard?  You got it! Boomachicka, Boomachicka, Boomachicka!  On the street next to their home was "Music World" which played loud music all the time.
    Hmmm... had I taken time to talk with and get to know Alice my freshman year and learn about her home


Alice Enjoying a Backrub :)



and her culture and asked about her home in Central America,  I might have discovered that this music was a way for Alice to feel at home and help alleviate homesickness.  I might have discovered that she and I actually had a lot in common;  I might have realized I had a wonderful neighbor and friend in Alice.

     The wall that I built within myself when Alice didn't conform to my way and my expectations needed to come down.  Sadly, I've had other walls that needed to be demolished, and I expect that there will be others in the future.  Open my eyes, Jesus, to see the walls I've built that keep your peace from filling me so that I can be a vessel of peace and reconciliation.


Brother Nelson will be sharing the message this week, "Shocking Hospitality" expounding on passages from Ephesians 2:11-22 and Mark 9:38-41.  Christ offers an invitation to all people to come to the table, yet we continue to build walls that keep out people instead of building bridges of reconciliation.  Back in the day,
Dr. Martin Luther King said something to the effect that Sunday morning  is the most segregated time in America. Come and be challenged to tear down one of those walls that is keeping you from being filled with the peace of Christ which opens us to extend the shocking hospitality of the Divine to others.

In the Upper Room at 9am we will gather to read the scriptures for the morning and discuss them together. Where are the places you've been welcomed?  Where are the places you've been excluded?  Where does the church fit in this? Please join us! (Ask me about an idea I have for Sunday morning service.)


My prayer for you today: Creator God, your peace transcends all understanding. Show us the walls that we've built that keep us from being vessels of your peace and reconciliation.  Our lives are often so busy with our own stuff and ideas that we fail to open ourselves to the wall-breaking work of your love.  Remind each of us of your gentle presence today; that even though we don't always "feel" you, you promise never to leave us nor forsake us, and that is good news in our journeys.  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! If you have a prayer concern or need someone to listen, don't hesitate to contact me! 


Love and Light,
carol
PS  If I have time, I will add photos later today. 

http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/

cmw4g@aol.com

"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