Elk River United Methodist Church

Pastor Phil's October Newsletter Message

Some words from Pastor Phil.

One of my favorite allegories details the excitement and diligence as preparations are made for a trip to Italy. All the nuances of expectancy and anticipation are described in a way that builds the joy of looking forward to the big trip . . .

Trouble is, when they steps off the plane, they find that they are in Holland rather than Italy and many of the preparations no longer fit the setting or the circumstance.

The ‘parable’ is intended to help expectant parents face and embrace the unexpected arrival of a baby with special needs.

Perhaps you can imagine . . . different guide books must be found, even a different language learned . . . and all their friends’ stories of wonderful trips to Italy continually remind them of the heartache of never going there. Spirits flag yet the choice IS theirs, to accept Holland, learn about Holland, explore Holland . . . even discover some of the unique joys that Holland offers.

Seems that story lesson could be helpful as we get our bearings at Elk River UMC. After months, even years, of planning . . . . the journey towards more space for worship and Sunday school . . . we ‘find’ ourselves in a place we hadn’t expected. Short of money with which to build and church families facing deepening economic challenges . . . so quickly the festive anticipation of growth, and a new sanctuary seems to evaporate and spirits flag . . .

Circumstances often push us to revisit our primary assignments as parents, now circumstances at ERUMC push us to revisit our primary assignments as followers of Jesus. While we expected the hustle and bustle of construction and the excitement of new facilities rising from the excavation . . . we find ourselves in a ‘place’ we had not expected . .

what now . . .

The words of the minor prophet Micah remind us: “He has showed you O man what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)

Together, as the family of Christ at ERUMC, we listen to the One we follow. Building or not His words do not change. As He said to Peter, “Feed my Lambs” he says to us. As He told the rich young man to. “sell your possessions and give to the poor” so he challenges us. As he told the disciples, “if anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” He pushes us to pay attention to the circumstances around us rather than our dreams expectations.

Jesus sends us to make disciples of all nations baptizing and teaching them to obey all that he has commanded. (Matthew 28:19-20)

No doubt we must ‘regroup’ and find our ministry in this place we never expected to be. With drawings on the shelf, and the rigors of the project NOT consuming our energies . . . we find ourselves AVAILABLE for whatever it is that our Father has in mind . . . no doubt his agenda not ours, no doubt serving others not self, no doubt a joyous journey filled with unexpected blessings and goodness. Ours the opportunity to shift our attention from building a building we had planned and turn our thoughts and energies to building the kingdom where we are person by person. This has always been our calling.

Seeing where we are at, what will you choose to do in ministry with and through ERUMC?