Seek the Shalom...
Shalom. Such an evocative word, rich in meaning, but not easily translated! Peace, but more than peace, Shalom speaks to the welfare of the community. Prosperity, but more than financial prosperity, Shalom is wholeness of body, mind, and soul. Shalom, do you not yearn for it in the very core of your being?
Scripture is clear, we are to seek the Shalom of the communities to which we have been sent in exile, for in the community's Shalom will we find our Shalom (Jeremiah 29:7). We know this and live this out in so many ways, through so many forms of ministry and service.
But still we find ourselves in exile. Physical Exile, as communities undergo deep and discontinuous change. Emotional Exile, as traditional structures of family, institution, and church are re-formed. Spiritual Exile, as core virtues are challenged by consumerism and distorted values born more of our culture, than God. Still, as we are coming to know first hand, there is hope as exile.
In Western culture, in particular, we have developed a flawed notion that we can define ourselves as individuals apart from community. The African notion of "Ubuntu" has much to teach us about our mutual inter-dependence and responsibility. We cannot know personal Shalom apart from communal Shalom. Africa, through the sin of apartheid, learned: "I am what I am because of who we are." Bishop Desmond Tutu defines Ubuntu as:
... the essence of being human. Ubuntu speaks particularly about the fact that you can't exist as a human being in isolation. It speaks about our inter-connectedness. You can't be human all by yourself, and when you have this quality - Ubuntu - you are known for your generosity. We think of ourselves far too frequently as just individuals, separated from one another, whereas you are connected and what you do affects the whole world. When you do well, it spreads out; it is for the whole of humanity. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ubuntu).
Learning how to practice "Ubuntu" may well be a first step toward seeking Shalom.
Last month, a delegation from the Westminster Presbyterian Church went to South Africa to learn how to more faithfully practice Ubuntu. Their encounters were powerful. Their learnings deep. Their testimony profound. But, we do not need to go to South Africa to begin to grapple with the reality that God's call to seek Shalom requires that we begin by naming our inter-connectedness. We cannot know God's Shalom apart from the Shalom of our communities. In the words of NT Wright, we are called as "stewards in the project of creation" (Surprised by Hope).
Below is the docket for next week's meeting. The question has been asked: What time is the business meeting? Our business is to seek the Shalom of our communities. Our time together is intended to nurture, challenge and encourage as together we heed God's call. Muskingum Valley Presbytery has been on a journey. A journey that has led us to set aside our regulatory structures that we might learn anew how to be and make disciples, nurture our faith, and serve the needs of the community.
Take some time to pray through the docket. Pray by name for those who will be leading us in our time apart. Ask God how you can best prepare for this time apart. And get ready to ponder the reality of Shalom found not in returning to what we have known, but in the exile of God's new.
I look forward to seeing you all next week!
Debbie Rundlett, general presbyter [email protected]
Seek the Shalom
Seek the Shalom of the communities to which you have been sent in exile,
for in their Shalom will be your Shalom. Jeremiah 29:7
Wednesday, March 13th
4:30pm
Registration
5:00pm
Gathering with Prayer-Jon Carlisle, moderator
Worship & Table Time with Parishes: Roots
Renewal of Baptismal Vows led by Connie Humphrey & Mark Nutter
6:00pm
Soup Supper hosted by John Knox Presbyterian Church
7:00pm
Seek the Shalom: The Fourfold Journey-Debbie Rundlett, gp
Testimony: Donna Westfall, The Presbyterian Church, Coshocton
8:30pm
Candlelit Compline Service with Labyrinth Walk led by Ben George, Keith Leach and Barbara Morrison
Thursday, March 14th
8:00am
Breakfast of Bagels, Yogurt and Fruit (and yes, coffee and tea!)
8:45am
Sung Morning Prayer with David Kienzle led by Deb Lilley, Mark Unrue and Donna Westfall
9:30am
Seek the Shalom of the Community: The Reality of Exile
11:45am
Testimony: Mike Humphrey, First Presbyterian Church, Cambridge
Noon
Lunch with Blessing by Jim Gibson
1:00pm
Seek the Shalom of the Community: An Introduction to Appreciative Inquiry
Testimony: Best Sand... One Company's Story of Community Transformation
3:30pm
Annual Meeting of the Corporation: Looking Back... Living Forward
4:00pm
Closing Eucharist led by John Lane, Herb Perry and Eldon Trubee
4:30pm
Depart to love and service the Lord!
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