Table Talk Newsletter
Pastor’s Letter
From April Table Talk
Grace and peace to you. As I write to you during Holy Week, we are transitioning from the Season of Lent into the Season of Easter. We are a people on the move and in transition. What a joy it is to be Easter people, that is, living on this side of the resurrection, knowing of God’s love shown to us and all of creation in Christ’s life, death and resurrection.
Speaking of transitions, over the last year and a half since rejoining you, we have been praying, pondering, and considering where God is calling our CTK congregation to share and live the gospel message we receive in and through Jesus Christ in the present and the years ahead. The Ad hoc Committee remains steadfast in its dedication and commitment, meeting regularly and being in conversation with Lutheran ministry partners to consider various ministry directions. Thank you for your continued prayers and witness to the gospel.
Back to the present, as we live into each new day as Easter people, we are called to grow in our relationship with gracious God, we are also to grow in relationship with family and friends and those we have yet to meet in our communities. We are to move simply beyond self and grow in awareness and compassion for the whole of creation. In closing I would like to share a poem I wrote based on Rev. Howard Thurman’s poem entitled The Work of Christmas. My poem is entitled The Work of Easter People:
When Jesus has been turned
over to the authorities,
When Pontius Pilate and the Empire have finished their mock trial, crucifixion and buried Him in a tomb, When the Lenten reflections
and soul searching are over,
And after His resurrection and ascension, When the song of the lament is stilled,
The work of Easter People begins: To find the lost.
To heal the broken.
To feed the hungry.
To release the prisoner.
To rebuild the nations.
To bring peace among all peoples. To make music in the heart. And to share Christ's love with all those we encounter.
Shalom, Salam, Peace,
Pastor Raymond
Council President’s Corner
Webster’s defines the term “discernment” as the quality of being able to grasp and comprehend what is obscure. Synonyms include insight, perceptiveness, wisdom.
Discernment refers to the ability to recognize small details, accurately differentiate between similar things, and make intelligent judgments based on keen observations. It involves perceiving or comprehending what might be obscure or less evident. In Christian contexts it is perception in the absence of judgment with a view to obtaining spiritual guidance and understanding:
First Thessalonians 5:21-22 teaches that it is the responsibility of every Christian to be discerning: "But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil." The apostle John issues a similar warning when he says, "Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1).
When congregations enter into a call they are first asked to discern the purpose and values they espouse and the future direction of their ministry to find a match with a prospective pastor. It is a period of self-awareness and self-reflection. In many ways CTK has been in a process of discernment since Pastor Warren left us. We went through a call process with Pastor Ray’s help as our interim; we barely got to know Pastor Tia when she was called away; and we continue that process today led by Pastor Ray and our Ad Hoc Committee.
Healthy individuals and organizations continue to grow and expand their capabilities by questioning their current situation and the world around them, the skills and abilities they have and the needs they can meet. It is a requirement to growth.
The Ad Hoc Committee is meeting next month with the leadership of Holy Trinity so we can begin together to discern the direction of the ELCA in the Tri-City area. If you have thoughts to share please reach out to any of the members of the committee: Pastor Ray, Kris Adams, Joe Allen, Alan and Peggy Claassen, Pat Cote, and myself.
Yours in Christ,
Jim Sepeda, President