February 2012

It’s all about love! February is the month for Valentine’s Day and hopefully everyone who has a sweetie is making plans to let them know how much they are loved. I remember when I was a little kid getting ready for Valentine’s Day parties at school. We had to have a card for every other kid in the class. I remember picking out those packages of cards with Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, or Bugs Bunny and Road Runner. I’m sure there are different characters on the cards these days!

But this time of year is all about love in other ways, too. It is the beginning of the season of Lent, a time of preparation for the celebration of Easter that culminates with the Passion of Christ. What greater love can you think of than the love of Jesus that took him to the cross for you and me? And what greater love could we imagine than the love of God, who sent the only begotten Son so that everyone who believes in him could have eternal life?

Maybe we could also think about the love that we are supposed to have for one another as Christians. Jesus calls us to love one another as he loves us. That is a lot of love! It is sacrificial love. It is unconditional love. We should care for one another with deep compassion and commitment.

And then there is the love we are to have for all people, the love that motivates us to reach out and help those in need, the love that compels us to spend time with the lonely, the love that stirs us to pray daily for a world full of suffering and poverty, the love that reminds us that we are all God’s children.

February is all about love. So let’s try to love one another in the spirit of Christ and share that love with others in Jesus’ name.

Peace,
Pastor Elisabeth

January 2012

As the New Year approaches, we all expect to experience change. Some change is by choice. For example, the change that comes about because of our New Year’s resolutions. Losing weight. Exercising more. Spending less time in front of the TV and more time with our kids or our spouse or our friends. Reading one of those books we always wanted to read. Other change is by circumstance beyond our control. For example, the state of our economy or an illness or injury.

During 2011, I experienced a lot of change (as did you). I left my appointment in Hamilton, Massachusetts to move to Middlebury. I began my work among you, began to make new connections with my colleagues, and learned my way around a new town and state. And soon after the new year begins, I will experience another major transition. My father is going to move from South Carolina to live with me. His recent health crisis convinced him that he did not want to live alone any more, and he decided that his best choice was to come and be with family. He will leave behind the church where he has been a member since 1966, friends, and familiar surroundings. But he will find with me the time we will both enjoy being together, and making new friends, and keeping his granddogs company.

I want to thank you all for your prayers and support as I traveled to South Carolina when my dad was in the hospital and after he was discharged. We were able to make most of the arrangements for his move, I met the home health professionals who were going to come in to assist him, and arranged for someone to come in and do some housekeeping for him. I was able to return to Vermont feeling fairly secure about his situation for the next month or so. He is planning to arrive in Middlebury somewhere around February 16.

I am looking forward to this new stage in our lives, even as I know it will bring its own kinds of challenges and changes. And I hope that the New Year brings to all of you the best kinds of changes and transitions, full of opportunities for joy and blessing.

Peace,
Pastor Elisabeth

December 2011

When I was a little girl, the pastor at our church was Dr. William L. Ball, Jr. He was one of the most kind, gentle men that I have ever known, and a wonderful pastor. Every Christmas he used to preach a sermon that was called “The Ragged Cloak.” It told the story of a stable boy in Bethlehem who had a crippled back that made him hunched over. As it turned out, Mary and Joseph ended up in his stable on that first Christmas night. When Mary’s baby was born, the stable boy worried that he might be cold. So he gave Mary his ragged cloak to wrap Jesus in. When Mary and Joseph got ready to leave, they gave this boy his cloak back. When he put it around his shoulders, an amazing thing happened. His back was healed and he was able to stand up straight for the first time in his life. It was a miracle!

The whole Christmas story is a miracle. It tells us how the God who created the universe came to earth in the form of a human baby. This baby grew up and worked many miracles before he died on the cross out of love for us. He healed the sick, cured the demon-possessed, and even raised the dead. And that same Jesus offers healing and wholeness and hope to us today.

I don’t know what wounds you may bear that weigh you down. I don’t know where you are broken. I don’t know the hurts you carry. But I do know this. If you let him, Jesus can heal you and make you whole. That is the good news, the best news. God sent Jesus into the world because of God’s love for us, so that Jesus might save us. Welcome Jesus into your hearts, into your homes, this Christmas and just see what miracles are in store for you.

Peace,  Pastor Elisabeth

November 2011

I think that Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays. I love that it is so much more relaxed than Christmas, which seems to be so hectic and busy. I love that families get together and share traditional dishes around the table together. I love the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and the Rockettes dancing, and the gigantic balloons, and Santa arriving in his sleigh. And I love all the football games on TV.

Mostly what I love about Thanksgiving is that it makes us stop for at least a few minutes and think about the things that we have to be thankful for. I’m not so sure that once a year is often enough for this practice, but it does call our attention to giving thanks in a powerful way.

I have a lot I am thankful for this year: for being appointed to Middlebury to serve as your pastor in these two wonderful congregations; for the ways in which you have made me feel welcome; for the beautiful mountains all around, especially now with the fall colors making them so impressive; for the sounds of the children on Sunday morning, reminding us that our hope is in the next generations; for the taste of cider and hot chocolate and pumpkin spice donuts; for the smell of the falling leaves on the ground; for music that uplifts my heart and soul on Sunday morning; for our youth group that has done such good things and has such a heart for helping others; for willing volunteers that make fundraisers successful; for prayers prayed and answered; for a wonderful visit with my father last month; for friends who love me, no matter what; for dogs who love me, no matter what; and for a God who loves me, no matter what.

What makes you grateful this year? What can you thank God for? Think about it when you are gathered around the table, and remember to say it out loud.

Peace,  Pastor Elisabeth

October 2011

I have always enjoyed autumn. I love the cooler temperatures, especially at night – good sleeping weather. I love to watch the leaves turn red, yellow, orange, and begin to fall off the trees. It is a season of preparation, as squirrels begin to store up nuts for the winter, and people begin to think about all-weather tires and snow shovels. It is when pumpkins and mums decorate yards and porches, when cider tastes good hot or cold, and when holiday plans begin to be made. It is a time of settling down and settling in.

I feel like I have settled in here in Middlebury. I am so comfortable with all of you, and hope you feel comfortable with me, as well. I am getting to know you and love you. I am learning where I put things when I unpacked them, and my dogs are getting used to the traffic noises. It is beginning to feel like home.

I think that God did a good job in creating seasons of the year. We would get bored if we always had summer, and tired of the heat and humidity. The colors of autumn are beautiful to look at, but raking leaves is only fun for just so long. We would be stir-crazy if it were always winter, and you can only shovel so much snow before you really begin to think of moving to Florida. The spring is such a nice relief when it brings warmth and flowers, but those of us with seasonal allergies couldn’t stand it all the time. Each season brings its joys and blessings; but isn’t it great that we have four of them, each one so different?

God created seasons in our lives, too. We live through childhood and adolescence, adulthood and middle age, retirement and old age. Each season brings its special joys and blessings, but again, isn’t it nice that we don’t remain in one all our lives? Can you imagine being sixteen forever? Not only do the seasons of life change with the passing of time, but with our various experiences, too. Changes in financial status, relationships, jobs, and homes bring their own kinds of wonders.

I am so grateful for the variety we experience in life, in the world, in relationships, in our spiritual lives. Isn’t it wonderful that everyone doesn’t agree with me? Isn’t it wonderful that other people have other perspectives, other gifts, other life experiences? And yet, when we are church together, all those differences and varieties create one body, one community with common goals and priorities and commitments.

World Communion Sunday is one of my favorite Sundays of the year, as we remember just how big and varied the Christian Church is. When we celebrate the sacrament, I think of all the other followers of Christ around the world who are doing the same thing in their own way. I imagine that, on that day, someone somewhere is receiving communion every minute of the day.

Celebrate the variety in life, and in the church. We may be different, but we are all part of the same Church.

Peace, Pastor Elisabeth

September 2011

There are moments and days that change the world forever. You never forget where you were when you got the news about certain events. The first moon landing, for example, or the assassination of a world leader. I am too young to remember the day John Kennedy was shot, and much too young to remember Pearl Harbor. But the day that will always be vivid in my memory is September 11, 2001.

I was at my desk at home working on the church bulletin and doing some scheduling on the calendar. I had spoken with my dad the night before to confirm plans to travel to California to spend Thanksgiving with my brother, and I remembered that I needed to make kennel reservations for my dogs. When I called, the woman said, “I hope the planes are back in the air by then.” I asked her what she meant. She told me that airplanes had flown into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, and that all flights had been grounded.

I immediately turned on my television set and remained glued to the screen for much of the next week, like so many other people. For much of the first couple of days, I kept hoping that the rescue workers would find someone alive in the rubble of the World Trade Center, but there were only a couple of people brought out alive. I watched the coverage of the President visiting the site and declaring that those responsible would be brought to justice. And I watched the reaction of crowds in Arab nations, cheering because of the tragedy that had befallen us.

I couldn’t believe that anyone would be so evil as to come up with such a scheme as to fly commercial planes full of innocent civilians into heavily populated targets. Why would anyone want to kill all those people? And I admit, my first reaction was to want to go after the people who were responsible and get revenge. But over the days and weeks that followed, I wondered more and more about how we could really ever prevent something like that from happening again if we only relied on military action, using violence to end violence.

I had church members with connections to people who died on 9/11. And I have had church members since that day who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. While there is much diversity of opinion about the war on terror, I have been relieved to see that the support for our military personnel and their families has been good for the most part. I have nothing but admiration for the men and women who are willing to put their lives on the line for our country.

As we prepare to commemorate the tenth anniversary of 9/11, we are planning a memorial service for our regular morning worship on September 11. We will be remembering those killed on that day, and in the years of war since then. We will recognize any who are present who are firefighters, police officers, EMT personnel, or who serve in the military or are veterans. And we will celebrate Holy Communion together. I invite you to come and to share with us on this emotional day that has so changed our nation and our world.

- Pastor Elisabeth

August 2011

It has been a busy first month here in Middlebury, but I am beginning to get settled into the parsonage and into my work. I love the house and especially the porch; my dogs are getting used to their new yard, and are really glad I finally got their tie-out wires up so that they can explore more of it. The only boxes not unpacked are tucked away in places where I don’t have to look at them. And I am learning my way around town and the surrounding area with not too many mistakes.

I am really enjoying opportunities to get to know you better. I am so grateful to those of you who invited me over or took me out to supper when I first arrived, and since then. It was a great help to not have to worry about meals. I have been to visit in some of your homes and at some events. I will continue to schedule times to come to see you, but let me also remind those of you with children and youth, I love to come to their sports and other activities. So far I have been to a horse show, which I enjoyed very much, and I would love to come watch your little ones – and big ones! – do what they enjoy doing.

As we begin to gear up for the fall, I want to let you know about a few things coming up that I am excited about.

I would like to invite all the youth from both churches in grades 6 through 12 to the parsonage for a cookout on Wednesday, August 24 at 6:00 PM. This is just a time for us to get to know each other and to talk about the things you are excited about, interested in, participating in, or want to get involved with. I would love to help you find ways to get involved in missions projects, local and otherwise. And I would love to know what kinds of things concern you, what issues you are facing, and what I can do to support you.

Beginning on Wednesday, September 14 at 7:00 PM I will be offering a contemporary worship service at the Middlebury church. We will use music videos with contemporary worship and praise music, have time for prayer, and a brief sermon. Most of the time will be participatory. I am excited about this opportunity for folks from both churches who may prefer this type of worship, as well as for people who are not attending a church anywhere and may be willing to try something like this. We will be doing some more publicity as the day gets nearer.

On Sunday, September 25 we will be having a covered dish lunch following worship at the Middlebury church. While we are gathered together for fellowship, we will also have a time to do some brainstorming about the future of the church, to talk about our dreams and our wishes, and to discuss a plan for strategic planning. I hope all of the Middlebury folks will attend this lunch.
So that’s about it for now. I am so glad to be here with you and look forward to all that the future has in store for us.

- Pastor Elisabeth