Mission in the Easter Season

I'm attaching the video of Roger's sermon from Easter Sunday. If you weren't in worship, watch it! If you were there, it is a great sermon to watch again and meditate on throughout the Easter season. I think that the message gets at the heart of what Easter means for our participation on God's mission. 

A few questions to reflect on in response: 

• Roger says, "Maybe we have turned faith into an escape. But not Jesus." In what ways have you turned faith into an escape? How might our faith in Jesus lead us to be more present in the midst of suffering?
• Roger quotes Dietrich Bonhoeffer: "One who believes does not run." This was Bonhoeffer's reasoning for staying in Germany during the height of the Nazi rule, which eventually led to his death. When we refuse to "run," how does that show our belief in Jesus?
• Roger shares that what we call the "real world" is not the way things are supposed to be. Jesus has shown us the way things are supposed to be (i.e., the real real world) by entering into brokenness and death, and trusting God to raise him. In what ways can we be "agents of the real world" in Durham?

Food In Durham: Dinner and Discussion Reflection

By John Legge

What a special opportunity we had Tuesday night to have Lee Nelson from Urban Ministries as our guest for dinner and discussion.  I thought it might be a downer, talking about poverty and hunger.  Instead, I came away feeling pretty snappy.  It was a pleasure to listen to Lee (I think the guy’s a hero and a rock star!), learn from his experience, and share thoughts about an issue that concerns many of us.  Perhaps some of the following made it such a positive experience:

·        I loved Lee’s stories.  They were full of humility, compassion and meaning.

·        Sid Allen and friends made it easy for the rest of us to enjoy.

·        Lee gave our congregation props for our enduring commitment to Urban Ministries through food donations, volunteering in the food pantry, and the meals served by our youth in the Community Café.

·        There was a good group of folks…diverse group.  Fuller (the young one) asked some of the best questions of the night. 

·        Hunger is a big problem, but there are a lot of ways we can make a difference toward sustaining and comforting people who are having a difficult time.

·        Everyone was really engaged with Lee and in their table discussions.  They also seemed to appreciate the chance to eat, visit and just spend time together.

·        Jenny’s dinner was wonderful.

·        Sometimes when I consider an issue alone I feel helpless, but when approached with others, it becomes empowering and encouraging.

     I’m grateful that so many folks showed up and shared their interest, concern and faith beliefs surrounding the issue of hunger in our community.  Many of these same folks will participate in the Crop Walk this weekend.  I look forward to continuing to synthesize our collective concern, energy and resources toward understanding our community and finding ways to be a meaningful part of it. 

- John Legge

See the video of the Dinner and Discussion below!