Lancaster Roots

This weekend I will participate in a worship service "Festival of Roots and Music" that is the first program in a year long celebration of the 300th anniversary of the first permanent European settlers in Lancaster County. Entitled "Lancaster Roots 300" the programs will not only celebrate the arrival of the early Mennonites to Lancaster County, but also the contributions of the Native Peoples who lived here before and after 1710 as well as the rich diversity that is Lancaster County today.

The worship service will share the music of several religious traditions as well as historical moments that recall the arrival of other faith traditions. The service is sponsored by the Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society, Hans Herr House, and co- sponsored by the Lancaster County Council of Churches and the Parish Resource Center.

The early Mennonites came to the New World to escape religious persecution. As they settled here they followed their peaceful ways and co -existed with the Native Peoples. They lived together with their diversity, religiously and culturally. Programs through out the year honor the Native Peoples . Land has been set aside at the Hans Herr House for the building of 'long house' and burial grounds for Native Peoples.

This early model of life in Lancaster could serve us well today as we live in very a diverse and sometimes divisive culture.

I commend the Mennonite Historical Society and Hans Herr House for sponsoring this year long celebration . Visit their website at http://www.lancasterroots300.org

Martin Luther King & the Church

The church was not merely a thermometer that recorded the ideas and principles of popular opinion; it was a thermostat that transformed the mores of society.
Martin Luther King Jr., Letter from Birmingham Jail, April 1963

God is not merely interested in the freedom of brown men, yellow men, red men and black men.He is interested in the freedom of the whole human race.
Martin Luther King Jr. (1929 - 1968)

This weekend we remember Dr. Martin Luther King whose life and witness changed not only the American social scene , but also the church. Dr. King moved the church out of its pews into the streets. He took the teaches of Jesus and made them flesh in the cities and rural areas of America.

Dr. King sought to continue the good news that Luke recorded that Jesus came to proclaim: 'The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, 19to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’ Luke 4:18-19

Dynamic churches today are taking seriously the message Jesus and the practice of Dr. King and seeking to minister to the needs of the community in which they reside as well as the global community. They are spending less time in the pews and more time on the pavements of cities and towns. Bringing good news to the poor and release to the captives. While we need to fold our hands in prayer, we also need to reach out our hands to heal and help.

Resisting Change

As I was preparing to write this Blog on resisting change , I checked my Facebook page and Len Sweet had one of his TD quotes "If you don't like change, you're going to like irrelevance even less." General Eric Shineski.

I was reminded on Epiphany how the establishment hates change. When the three wise men came to Jerusalem and inquired as to where the new born King of the Jews was, Matthew tells us that King Herod and all of his cronies were fearful. King Herod plotted to try to prevent the coming change of a 'new king' by seeking to have the wise men return and tell him where the new born king was (supposedly to worship him, but as we learn, he murdered innocent children in his search).

It is tragic, but often it is persons in positions of leadership ( but who do not really lead) who resist change the most. They are threatened and feel the need to protect the status quo. Herod had his leaders search the scriptures, but it was not for wanting to hear the truth , but to protect his power and position. Scripture is sometimes distorted and used in the church to protect the status quo. Some times persons act in 'un-Christ like' ways to prevent change.

I mentioned in my previous Blog an on- line devotional. This is the current 'benediction'

Look all around you and see what is real.
Hear what is true and be sure what you feel
Touch someone near you in love if you can
Give all you have and be part of God's plan.

Are you, (am I) , a part of God's plan or do we protect our own plans and positions? Will we resist change that is needed and become irrelevant?