Freeing Truth

you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free (John 8:32)

 
 

These are words that ring true. They are Jesus' words. True words. Freeing words. Words of truth. Truth that sets you free. Free to live the truth.

 
 

In an address given at the 2010 conference of the Center for Catholic and Evangelical Theology, Joseph D. Small, Director for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s Office of Theology and Worship, shares from a piece entitled "Internal Injuries: Moral Division within the Churches". In the course of his discussion, he asks the following question.

 
 

"What would it mean, within our churches, to serve truth consistently, purposefully and articulately, and equally important, to organize this service?"

 
 

In answering the question, he posits that living the truth "requires more than the effort of individual pastors and congregations; it requires organizing this service." The question then begs the query of: How might this service become effectively organized? Here, Joe Small refers to the work of Václav Havel whom he describes as "playwright, essayist, dissident, resister, prisoner, and then, improbably, last president of Czechoslovakia and first president of the Czech Republic." Drawing from Havel's "The Power of the Powerless," in Václav Havel: Living in Truth, he suggests that:

 
 

Organizing this service entails the creation of a different culture within the church. "When those who have decided to live within the truth," says Havel, "begin to create what I have called the independent life of society, this independent life begins, of itself, to become structured in a certain way." What is this structuring like? Havel begins with a term borrowed from nonconformist music and art – "second culture." For him, second culture refers to a broad ranging expression of independent and suppressed culture in the humanities, social sciences, and philosophical thought, as well as the arts. The second culture is a way of being that does not accede to "the way things are." It resists prevailing patterns and expressions by creating new arrangements and articulations. A second culture resists the predominant culture by way of innovation rather than negation.

 
 

Two things resonate with my own thinking upon pondering this further in my own recent reflection.

One refers to the parables of Jesus from Scripture about the kingdom of God, particularly that of the leaven. In the gospel of Luke (13:20-21), the Word tells us:

 
 

He also asked, "What else is the Kingdom of God like? It is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough."

 
 

To borrow from Havel's usage, the very "second" culture introduced however tiny or slightly into the batch would eventually transform the entirety of the culture in which it resides, rising to newness of life unlike its previously known existence. I believe this is what we as the church in this community is and are called to do and be—living witnesses of the truth that would set us and the world around us free.

 
 

The second resonance of thought through personal currency of lamentation emerges as increasing understanding of a growing emphasis on fostering creativity and encouraging generativity. I have observed increasingly a growing sense of call among our leadership to expect great things of God and, in cooperative partnership with one another in the Lord, attempt great things for God. As we may appropriate from the psychology of Erik Erikson, there has been an expressed need to nurture and guide younger people and contribute to the next generation.

 
 

One of the things impressed upon me through my own theological experience of seminary education at Princeton is an audacious boldness in taking on the challenges of learning to live the truth in the context of varied ambiguity. That even and especially in the midst of uncertainty and doubt, we are called in leadership to forge ahead into uncharted waters. Despite any naysayers, expressed pessimism, rampant criticism, and no matter come what may, whatever the circumstances, regardless of any situation encountered, leaders are tasked to move forward together in faith, placing their trust in a Sovereign Lord Who engenders hope for the better future yet to be more fully realized and revealed by God. God Who is with us and is for us. And if God is for us, the apostle proclaims, who can be against us!

 
 

Next month, your leaders, officers of the church have set a date to meet in a kind of leadership forum by which we might begin to discern together the leading of our Lord for the next season of mission and ministry at First Presbyterian Church in New Castle, Indiana. I exhort all in the gathered community of faith with us to entreat the Lord in prayers for wisdom and insight to bear upon our proceedings that God's kingdom might be advanced further to the glory of God. Pray without ceasing as the apostle Paul says. Keep P.U.S.H.ing up to the heavenly realms in the Spirit! Pray Until Something Happens.

Responding to Tragedy

The Faith & Politics Institute's Weekly Reflection For the week of January 10th, 2011
Towards a theology of hospitality...
"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.	Website     Past Reflections     The Faith & Politics Institute 110 Maryland Ave, NE Suite 504 Washington, DC 20002 (202) 546-1299     Office (202) 546-4025      info@faithandpolitics.org
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.

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.

 
 

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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>

The Courier Times - New Castle, IN | Judith K. (Day) Sorrell

Tuesday, January 04, 2011     Judith K. (Day) Sorrell     Tuesday, January 04, 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 Oct. 29, 1938 in Royal Center, Ind., 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 National 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, Fla.; a nephew, Jonathan Day of Maine and numerous cousins, aunts and uncles.     Calling will be from 2-7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 5, at Sproles Family Funeral Home with a memorial service to follow at 8 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in New Castle with the 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.     Jan. 1, 2011
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The Courier Times - New Castle, IN | Ruth Elizabeth (Fletcher) Smalley

Tuesday, December 28, 2010     Ruth Elizabeth (Fletcher) Smalley     Tuesday, December 28, 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.     Dec. 26, 2010
Content © 2011 the Courier-Times
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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