Bishop’s Associate, Juan Carlos La Puente preached the message in today's service. He was also part of a group discussion afterwards. Marilyn T. Keller, other musicians, and others from the Oregon Synod Reparations Team were present and Marilyn led the music at our Sunday worship as well.
Marilyn's vocals were dynamic and inspired others to sing The gospel-based music also had the worship participants moving in time to what everyone was singing.
This was the seventh "Road" trip for the Synod Reparations Team. I had heard about how moving and unique the stories were being shared at these churches. To be able to share this experience at Creator made me appreciate the true and frank conversations personally, and helped me feel deeply what Juan Carlos preached in his message earlier at the service.
He broke his message into three points:
1) Don't be alienated from your own body, from your own story. He stressed how important it was for Jesus to be present though the individual rather than depending on the figure of Jesus and / or feeling Jesus will shield and protect you from the world. Jesus understood the need for the disciples to go back to Jerusalem where they were afraid of the authorities.They were encouraged ti take the same journey as Jesus despite the danger.
2) Be willing to walk along with survivors. I'm sure people empathized but Juan Carlos detailed what this makes possible by using Mary, the mother, being at the crucifixion of her son. He gave the context from a Mother's perspective of seeing her son as victim and yet sill providing relief to the disciples who had survived and continuing to walk with them. That context shook me emotionally
3) The distinction between the world and eternal life. There is a beautiful blurring of the lines between separation and communion. Juan Carlos spoke of love being expressed through the diversity we constantly have such trouble in living in this life. We cling to the truths we think we have found in life rather than opening ourselves up to God's bigger truth.
A "road trip" to remember right here at Creator. It was marvelous to see what they have evolved into.
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