From the Pastor's Keyboard
The Rev. Dr. Wayne Schwandt
 

But closer to home is learning to disagree in love with those whose opinions are different than ours.  Our culture is pretty effective at training us into the belief that the right response to difference is to seek the destruction of those with whom we disagree. Don't we see demonstrations of this "might makes right" everyday in our lives?  "Might" can be physical violence as well as verbal, intellectual or educational superiority over others.  We only need look at Congress to see where such an attitude of "my way or the highway" leads to total inaction and waste of resources.  Loving action manifests as compromise, respect, and compassion.

Our community is being called into a new relationship with another spiritual community.  Quite frankly, my Companions, we have become way too insular and way too homogeneous.  The Spirit, I believe, is calling us into deeper and broader relationship with the Church.  We have gifts to bring to the table and so do the others!  We have a way of talking the talk of our spiritual journey which will be frightening to some and exciting to others.  But the strength for each of us is to be in relationship with others who do not share the same experience, the same theology, the same place in society.  

Such a new venture leads to anxiety from potential judgment and rejection by others, change in administrative functions, a demotion for me as "minister" of Evolve in our new system,  promotion of lay leadership, joining in a new denomination's history, polity, and local practice. 

But there are also tremendous opportunities.  We have always wanted to do far more than a small group of dedicated people could achieve.  Now we have the opportunity to join with another relatively small group of dedicated people to achieve together a message of acceptance, practice love in action, celebrate through ritual and ceremony, bring healing, compassion and hope to a world longing for love.

Peace, Wayne