Have you ever been surprised by the folks or experiences who became your most profound teachers? When I went to seminary the first time, I could never have predicted that a rather diminutive man from Australia, with a strong British accent, would so turn my theological and pastoral world upside down, and in a good way. But Dr. Barnard was just one of several surprising people who have come my way, and have opened my heart and imagination profoundly.
Sunday, we’ll have two teachers show up who have the potential to do that for us. Thomas (Aka Doubting Thomas) will tell us his story about his refusal to put away his deep questions. He was not with the rest of the disciples when they witnessed the Risen Christ. When they told him their stunning tale, he found it too much to believe. He said he would not accept their story unless he was able to place his hands in Jesus’ wounds. He needed to see this for himself. Perhaps he was not so logically rigorous. Maybe he knew how much it takes to open your heart to believe something that asks so much of you. Thomas was unwilling to buy into that lightly.
The other collection of teachers who come to us, this Sunday, do so at the conclusion of a week in which we have been asked to consider the call to care for creation. “Earth Day” will be this Friday, and as the UMC Book of Resolutions says, we are to “reaffirm our charge to care for creation as a trustee of God’s handiwork.” (Genesis 1:28). Specifically, on Sunday, we’ll see how trees inform and inspire us as people of faith. As German forest ranger Peter Wohlleben turned author would have it, trees care for their own, and create a veritable community in which the strong care for the weak trees and the young ones, and model a way of living well together.
We’ll talk about that this Sunday, as the sermon is titled “Learning from Trees and Doubters”. The sermon arises from John 20: 19-31, which will be read by Eleanor Lahr. Eleanor will also offer a “lesson from the contemporary church” on her understanding of the gift of creation. Stephanie Conklin and Lisa Kurz are singing Rutter’s, “All Things Bright and Beautiful. We’ll have hymns, prayers and a moment for children.
If you have been part of the St. Mark’s community for a long time, a short time, or will be joining us for the first time, we look forward to connecting with those of you here in-person or joining on the live stream. To join online, visit www.smumc.church and click on the Live Stream banner.