An Elder Pilgrim's Reflections

“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name (from Luke 1:39-55 ) I consider one of the greatest contributions of the Methodist Movement to be the hymns, both traditional and contemporary. Within that tradition is Methodism's Great Day of Singing when the worship service is composed of music chosen by the gathered congregation which includes scripture and prayer. Give me the blessing of a "Hymn Sing Sunday" and free my soul. What stands out for me in this text is Mary's song, the Magnificat, a she sings about God's unexpected goodness in her ordinary life. Mary is implying we also may encounter God's unexpected goodness during our daily routine, in the ordinary as well as the difficult activities of daily life. Songs are power. Mary’s song is in the...

"There was a man sent from God,  whose name was John.  He came as a witness to testify to the light,  so that all might believe through him."  (from  John 1:6-8, 19-28 ) Light is essential to life. Elaine and I are fans of PBS "Nature" program.   The last three episodes have focused on the Arctic, it's relation to the seasons, and the impact of daylight.   Just as the changing of Daylight-Saving Time impacts the rhythm of our lives, so it impacts all God’s creatures during the cycle of seasons. Daylight’s life force and animating power diminishes, so does its animating force making Winter a difficult time due to the darkness impacting emotions, outdoor activities, and routine work. Our Ancient Ones created essential festivals of light in the darkest and shortest days of the year. Into the darkness of his day comes John the Witness, sent from God, to announce a coming light that darkness cannot overcome. The light John the Witness mentions...

John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. from Mark 1:1-8 Hope is a powerful force. The hope of a coming Messiah led John the Baptizer from the wilderness, to the river, and calling for repentance. The hope of justice in 1952 inspired Private Sarah K. Evans on her way home from her first military assignment, to refuse to move to the back of the bus. The hope of Sojourner Truth and Harriet Tubman encouraged, a black teenager, Claudette Colvin, in 1955 to refuse to surrender her bus seat to a white person resulting in being handcuffed and arrested. The Hope in the Civil Rights Movement prompted Rosa Parks to refuse giving up her seat in the "colored" section of the bus when the "white" section was filled. Hope a better life drives migrants from Venezuela. The hope of a future prophetic voice led me to baptized Phoebe Kim, my Pastor's daughter. Hope is a powerful force based on Scrip...

But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. (From Mark 13:24-37 ) But in those days…. On November 25, 2023, three 20-year-old students of Palestinian descent were visiting family and relatives for Thanksgiving break wearing keffiyehs showing solidarity with Palestine during the war in Gaza And then darkness:      The sun will be darkened,      and the moon will not give its light." The students were shot and injured near the University of Vermont in Burlington. A suspect was arrested the following day and the Burlington Police Chief, after arresting a suspect, said the shooting was being investigated as a possible hate crime. This isn’t the Burlington, Vermont I know. After spending 20 years pastoring 3 churches in the Burlington vicinity, raising money for homeless shelters, and providing food and ...