The Faith & Politics Institute's Weekly Reflection For the week of January 10th, 2011 |
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Towards a theology of hospitality... |
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"In this difficult day, in this difficult time for the United States, it's perhaps well to ask what kind of nation we are and what direction we want to move in... My favorite poet was Aeschylus. He once wrote, 'Even in our sleep, pain which cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart, until, in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom through the awful grace of God.'" - Robert F. Kennedy, bearing news of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., in Indianapolis, Indiana, April 4, 1968 Holding Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, her family, and her staff members especially close to our hearts in prayer, we pray also for everyone else wounded or worse in Saturday's shootings in Tucson. May our nation gain wisdom through the awful grace of God. | The Faith & Politics Institute 110 Maryland Ave, NE Suite 504 Washington, DC 20002 (202) 546-1299 Office (202) 546-4025
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Our Vision Leadership that brings people together Our Mission The Faith & Politics Institute advances reflective leadership among members of Congress and congressional staff to bridge the divides that arise in a thriving democracy. |
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Monday, January 10, 2011
Responding to Tragedy
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Judith K. (Day) Sorrell
Judith K. Sorrell
(Died January 1, 2011)
Judith K. (Day) Sorrell, 72, of New Castle, passed away New Year's Day, 2011 at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis.
She was born October 29, 1938 in Royal Center, Indiana, the daughter of the late James Morell and Margaret Elizabeth (Bertsch) Day.
She was a 1956 graduate of New Castle High School and graduated from Hanover College in 1960 where she was active with Alpha Delta Pi. She earned a Master's Degree in History at Indiana University and taught English, History and Psychology at New Castle Chrysler High School until 1997. She was sponsor of Honor Society for many years.
She was a long-time member of First Presbyterian Church in New Castle, involved with Presbyterian Women. She was an ardent contributor to the Henry County Art Association, as well as Delta Kappa Gamma and Psi Iota Xi.
Judith is survived by two sons, Kip Sorrell and Kurt Sorrell and a daughter, Angelique Sorrell all of New Castle; a brother, Jerry (wife: Kathy) Day of Clearwater, FL; a nephew, Jonathan Day of Maine and numerous cousins, aunts and uncles.
Calling will be from 2 – 7 p.m. Wednesday, January 5, 2011 at Sproles Family Funeral Home with a memorial service to follow at 8:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in New Castle with Rev. Rex Espiritu officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, Westminster Community Center or the Henry County Art Association.
You may send the family a personal condolence at www.sprolesfamilycares.com.
The Sproles Family Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Judith K. Sorrell.
Pasted from <http://www.meaningfulfunerals.net/fh/print.cfm?type=obituary&o_id=1021804&fh_id=10822&s_id=3DA40B92-F659-B829-580825118F38C0A7>
Ruth Elizabeth (Fletcher) Smalley
In Loving Memory
Ruth Elizabeth (Fletcher) Smalley
3/19/1918 - 12/26/2010
Ruth Elizabeth (Fletcher) Smalley, age 92, long time New Castle resident, passed away Sunday, December 26, 2010 at Henry County Hospital.
She was born March 19, 1918, southeast of Lewisville, Indiana, on the county line, the daughter of the late Paul D. Fletcher and Rachael Test Fletcher. She lived most of her entire life in Henry County.
She was a 1935 graduate of Lewisville High School, and, also, a graduate of Ball State University. She taught in the lower elementary grades at Lewisville, New Lisbon, and Sunnyside (New Castle). She, also, served as elementary librarian at Holland Weir, and Westwood schools in New Castle. She was involved in education thirty-five years, plus substituting seven years while her children were young. She retired in 1981.
She married Leslie D. Smalley on June 8, 1940, who passed away May 23, 1999, after almost fifty-nine years together.
She was a member of First Presbyterian Church, where she served as an elder, Sunday school teacher, a Stephen's Minister, and church librarian.
Ruth was a member of Alpha Kappa, Henry County Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society and Sarah Winston Henry Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, for which she served formerly as Regent. She was, also, a former member of literary clubs, including other organizations for several years, in which she served in various capacities.
She enjoyed spending time with her family, friends, reading, traveling, and researching in genealogy. She compiled books for both the Fletcher and Smalley families with records covering many generations.
She loved roses, which she raised for many years, as a ministry, to give to friends and shut-ins.
She is survived by: two daughters, Mary Ruth Rice (Dale) Pendleton, Indiana, and Gay Ann Hiatt of Greencastle, Indiana; four grandchildren, Robin Presley of Powder Springs, Georgia, Leigh Ann McDonald (Jack) of Kennesaw, Georgia, Leslie N. Hiatt of Franklin, Indiana, and Andrew T. Hiatt of Greencastle, Indiana; five great-grandchildren, Jenny and Makayla Presley, Austin and Brandon Hiatt, and Faith Ann McDonald; one brother, Clarence T. Fletcher of Zephyrhills, Florida; one sister-in-law, Carolyn Clark of Fort Myers, Florida; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by: her parents; one sister, Mary Louise Rummel and one baby brother, Robert Louise.
Memorial service will be held 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 30, 2010 at Macer-Hall Funeral Home with Rev. Rex Espiritu and Rev. Arthur Whitaker both officiating. Burial in Lewisville Cemetery. Friends may call from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 30, 2010 at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church (1202 Church Street New Castle, Indiana 47362) or Henry County Heart Society, with envelopes available at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be made at www.macerhall.com
Macer-Hall Funeral Directors: Mike Ragan, Gary Hall, and Sam Hall are honored to conduct the services.
Inserted from <http://macerhall.com/obituary.aspx?MemberId=83225&MName=Ruth Elizabeth (Fletcher) Smalley>
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
The Courier Times - New Castle, IN | Judith K. (Day) Sorrell
Inserted from <http://thecouriertimes.com/print.asp?ArticleID=256978&SectionID=9&SubSectionID=24>
The Courier Times - New Castle, IN | Ruth Elizabeth (Fletcher) Smalley
Inserted from <http://thecouriertimes.com/print.asp?ArticleID=256793&SectionID=9&SubSectionID=24>
Thursday, December 16, 2010
What's new?
"What's new?" "Anything new with you?" "What new thing is going on in your life these days?" These are among the greetings I sometimes hear people say upon seeing someone they know that they might not have seen in awhile. Shopping around Christmastime, browsing at post-holiday bargains, going to the theater, visiting a museum, or maybe stopping by the gas station and/or convenience store, we may inevitably encounter friendly acquaintances with whom we've not caught up recently and utter a query along these lines.
Indeed, what is new with you? I'm interested to know. But why? I wonder... Is it natural curiosity? Am I being nosy for some reason? Is it interrogatory hubris, hidden arrogance under a façade of compassion on my part? Do I really care? I suppose some, if one were to probe inwardly, honestly, may not, really. It's just something to say for the moment in order to eventually pass the time on to the next thing that you're actually on the way to do. Each wants to only briefly acknowledge the momentary interruption, yielding instead, to the presiding purpose of our predetermined progression for the time at hand. And so we might humor one another with surface conversations for the sake of exchanging niceties and exercising customary manners.
Then again, what if there truly is something in us yearning to discover something fresh and new that would enliven things a bit? What if there was even a remote possibility that something radical, however small it may seem at first, was happening in another person's life that could come to mean the world to us? Could it be that some of us, if not all of us, deep down inside are looking to find a new event—a new experience—that brings fresh joy and fills our hearts anew to overflowing? Not merely a distraction, but a welcome intrusion is instead wanting, waiting to be embraced by us in our very presence. Is it just coincidence, or might there be an underlying theme—an ongoing current throughout humanity's existence which resonates with a deeper truth about who we are and who we are becoming along life's journey? Perhaps in the process, we are being given the opportunity to receive the very precious gift of having a companion along the way to share, if but for a moment, that we are not alone on the road of life and that we are blessed to be able to experience mutual encouragement on the way.
As we enter into and embark upon a new year of proclaiming hope, peace, joy, love and life in the light of Advent shining through the ages, our sensibilities and notions of living out our lives in faith are challenged once again to break forth from the drudgingly dreary doldrums, yet also beautifully cheery snows of winter, toward the ensuing, burgeoning brightness of spring. The experience of Revelation as relayed by John through his writing down of the last book in the Bible has one verse that echoes, in my mind, throughout time and space: "Behold, I AM making everything, all things new!" (Revelation 21:5)
Upon all of creation's history, these words from The Word reverberate with resounding resonance through the millennia, impacting our continuance and condition in the here and now of the new millennium. Our state of being, whether we are aware of it or not, is greatly affected by the truth of this continually occurring event in the perpetual providence of divinity. The apostle alludes to this in somewhat similar vein when the Pauline writer addresses the saints in Colossae regarding Christ's supremacy that in Him all things are being held together up to this very moment and beyond. (Colossians 1:17) Nothing happens apart from the goodness and steadfast faithfulness of the One Who is holding all of this and every one of us together. As Paul also wrote to the saints in Rome, we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28) Likewise, the prophet in Isaiah (43:19a) tells us, "See, I AM doing a new thing! Now it springs up! Do you not perceive it?" Be alert, be present. I'm about to do something brand-new. It's bursting out! Don't you see it? There it is!
Ancient words, eternal words from the everlasting Word give us glimpse of eternity. Whether we are reading the daily news or encountering neighborly conversation, the normal, regular routines of our lives can afford us the opportunity to gaze upon the glory of God in Christ through our current circumstance or present situation. Cultivating an awareness of the very holy presence of God, even and maybe especially in seemingly ordinary, mundane activities can help us, like a little child, enter into the wonder of the heavenly realms. Thy will be done, Thy kingdom come, here on earth, as it is, in heaven.
The next time you come upon a friendly encounter in which you find yourself saying, "What's new?" you might consider, as you may be prompted in spirit, that you are in the midst of a holy occurrence—a precious moment in sacred space as you willingly engage in the gift of conversation with mutual encouragement for the journey ahead. Indeed, beloved ones, may you and yours experience such blessings upon Christmastide through Epiphany and beyond for the New Year at hand.
With the Wind of the Spirit,
Pastor Rex Espiritu
P.S. And, oh, say, by the way, what's new with you? :)
The Rev. Rex Espiritu serves as senior pastor at First Presbyterian Church, New Castle, Indiana
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
A Feast for Souls on Occasions of Community Celebration in Spirit
Dear friends, it was wonderful to be part of celebrating a Thanksgiving meal in our family of faith as many in our congregation sat at tables together this past Sunday at First Presbyterian Church, New Castle, Indiana. We have such beloved folks with big hearts for serving one another in the Lord that I have to say, I am filled to overflowing…. My tendered heart is full from such magnanimous generosity poured out among and upon us that I feel remiss in not having more said about it.
Some may be familiar with The 5 Love Languages from the New York Times bestselling book by Dr. Gary Chapman that speaks to how we may have love shown, one to another. Among five key categories found from his research, Dr. Chapman espouses the following to be universal and comprehensive. We all may primarily identify with one of these: Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Receiving Gifts, Acts of Service, and Physical Touch.
I have found that for me personally, at times, I seem to have differing love languages for showing as compared to receiving love. For example, I may tend to give gifts as a way of showing love to a loved one, but not necessarily experience it as much in receiving gifts for myself. What speaks love to one, may not be primarily taken as love by another. My late beloved wife, Melissa's primary love language was, without a doubt, Acts of Service. And if I didn't know any better, I would suggest another sub-category for our congregation to have as a primary love language to be that of Serving Meals.
Our recent efforts over the past year of providing meals as gifts to serve and enjoy being together with people in our larger community is telling and worth sharing. While ministers may converse regarding what they sometimes refer to as the discerning and development of one's pastoral identity, I might identify and relate this conversation piece as speaking to a particular church group's congregational identity. In this vein, I would name Serving Meals as evidenced fruit borne of an apparent, distinctive attribute of our identity in the body of Christ in Henry County. This, I believe, is part of our love language with, in, to, for and through community. It is certainly worthy of further exploration and possibly increased validation with words of affirmation as well as in quality time spent together in dialogue and conversation over meals served unto one another in love.
In such settings over meals together at table with others, with respect to and of one another's stories… There is power in the telling. There is comfort in the sharing. There is relief in the giving. There is healing in the receiving. These are among what I consider to be fundamental outflows of God's love made manifest in, through and among us in this fellowship of faith. Even as it's said that the family that prays together stays together, we could say the same of the church that serves and fellowships over meals together staying together.
Here I am reminded of a verse from the Psalms (68:6a) in which the Psalmist proclaims, "God sets the lonely in families..."
One tradition that Melissa encouraged us to adopt early on in our family life, which I must confess has not been observed as much in some recent times, was to seek intentionally to invite someone outside of our family into our home for a holiday meal. As I recall, we started this practice some time prior to one New Year's Eve early on in our marriage. We would pray to God for the Holy Spirit to lay upon our heart and place in our mind a person or persons whom the Lord would be pleased to have us celebrate and share a meal together with that might not necessarily, ordinarily have other plans at the time. We would always find our Lord faithful to answer that prayer with such affirmation and confirmation in the process that it became a hope-filled, mutually fulfilling endeavor for all present in the set apart occasion.
As we reflected upon the ministry, proclamation and celebration of Word and Sacrament with Holy Communion on Sunday prior, I am encouraged to exhort us, beloved, to renew our devotion in the Lord together concerning these things as we contemplate further the Lord's leading into the near and better future God has in mind for us. Might the Lord our God have you and me, our families in this season together celebrate along with others over a shared meal in our homes sometime during the holidays? Someone, or some ones, possibly outside our conventional circle of friends, whom the Lord may be pleased for us to share in the blessing of God's grace….
May the Lord add to our number those who are being drawn by His Spirit to fellowship with us and help us rediscover and grow in the knowledge of who we are and Whose we are, becoming ever more so
In Christ,
Pastor Rex
