October

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We are writing this letter the day after the Harmene concert (Sorry don’t know how to get the computer to do all those fancy phonetic things in the title). It was incredibly moving and powerful not just because of the music (which was amazing on its own), but because it was such fantastic image of what we can be together.

The whole thing started as an idea to get a men’s group together and put on a concert. At that stage there was the idea of doing something in the community, but the greatest hope was to inspire and uplift with the gift of music … and, wow, that happened!!!

But the selection of music was amazing as well. There were songs that reminded us of the connections that we all share in life. Songs like Make Them Hear You, and Do You Hear the People Sing? These were songs that speak of our need to stand up together for justice and right in the world. Songs like Bridge Over Troubled Water and Stand by Me remind us of the individual intimate connections that strengthen us in life. And songs like Walk a Mile and Make Me an Instrument remind us that we are connected to those different, and sometimes even opposed to us. In Christ we are all connected and the concert shared this truth with power.

But in the planning, the concert became something even more as more gifts were added. There were those who saw the opportunity to truly touch some brothers and sisters who needed support. They saw the connection and began to build a benefit that would make a difference.

The gifts of those with an ability to plan and organize were added to the mix.  Add next the gifts of those who used their talents, connections and charisma to get sponsors and support. There were gifts for decoration and publicity. There were those who came out and offered donations and gifts of service and welcome. Add it all together and something that really changed the community was born.

Finally, add all the people who came out from different churches, and synagogues, and temples, and philosophies. All were hungry to be connected, to touch another life, to show love in the world.

We saw for an instant, what God in all the different ways people approach God, is at work doing in the world. It is a guide for how to live our life every day in the light of God’s love. We are called to share our gifts, no matter how small we think they are, with the world, adding them to many other gifts, to create a community that makes a difference and brings hope and light.  In Christ we are all connected together and we are all important.

We desperately need this message in the world. And we were blessed to be there on one day when it all came together.

Praise God.

Pastors Cris and Dave