I WONDER AS I WANDER . . . An Advent Mood in the Month of Thanksgiving
This fall I have been privileged to be part of a host of anniversary celebrations in local churches – anywhere from 100 to 175 years of witness and ministry in a variety of community settings. I have also been part of conversations with congregations caught in the midst of very difficult considerations about their future – if, where, how. And all of us have been privy to the conversations about the future of the annual conference, and all of the impacts that flow from that.
In all of these conversations, even the difficult ones, I have sensed a mood of thanksgiving: thanksgiving for the ministry that has been evident in the past; thanksgiving for leadership provided by both pastors and laity; thanksgiving for courageous risks and forward-looking vision that have brought them/us to this point. In the Wyoming Conference special session I heard witness being given to the impact of Wyoming Conference in the lives of many people, laity and clergy. With tears in eyes and occasional quiver in voices, gratitude was expressed for what has been. As I have listened to several people talking about the sessions in Troy Conference, it seems as though there were similar expressions of appreciation – along with some natural sorrow about a different future emerging. So, as we approach the US national holiday of Thanksgiving, I feel a deep sense of gratitude for the many ways and places in which faithful ministry has taken place.
In the midst of this joyous spirit of thanksgiving I also feel a bit more somber yet hope-filled mood, what seems to me to be an Advent mood. For some reason the story of the annunciation of Mary has been coming back to mind from the gospel of Luke. It seems as though we, like Mary, in many congregations and in the annual conference, have heard a messenger that we presume is from God whispering in our ears that God has brought us to a pregnant moment full of pregnant possibilities.
Like any pregnancy in early stages, there is little outwardly to show for what is growing inwardly. Perhaps there is even hesitancy to acknowledge to others that "we are pregnant," especially if we have gone through previous miscarriages. Yet there are subtle changes to our thinking that help us to know that, indeed, God is doing a new thing in our midst. But we do not yet see exactly what it will be like. We sense that the new may not include all of those who have been part of our community in the past, and that causes us grief and sense of loss. But we also sense and hope for the possibility that the new vision will draw all of us towards being more faithful in our outreach into our communities, into our witness to the abundance of love and grace in Jesus Christ, into inviting others to share in this good news in new ways.
In the midst of these pregnant moments we hear again the words of the messenger of God to Mary: "Do not be afraid; God has been gracious to you." (TEV Luke 2:30). There is no way that there will not be some anxieties on the part of many about that pregnant future. But it is my hope and prayer that in these thanksgiving-advent days each of us, and all of us together, may sense God's messengers encouraging us not to be afraid, to trust that God is doing something new among us and within us, and to be willing to risk to follow that vision.
To do so does not deny our gratitude for what has been. In fact, to look towards the future with hope means that we have truly listened to the message and life of our forefathers and foremothers. We honor their legacy by not being afraid, by trusting God, and by being willing to risk to follow the vision into the future.
Happy Thanksgiving! Hope-filled Advent!