Hi Friends,
This year Lent couldn’t have come at a better time for me, and hopefully for you too. Besides the usual conversation with my wife Michelle about what I will give up or what I will begin to practice anew this time, I am looking at Lent as a time of deeper re-engagement with God. You see, when I think about the new spiritual disciplines I would like to try or the things and practices I feel I need to fast from, they all lead me back to a deeper connection and re-engagement with God. The fasting, the listening, the praying, the giving, and the new ways of worshiping puts me in a better place to hear what God is trying to say. In that sense, Lent becomes a time of full immersion, a time of active listening that helps me to re-engage my faith in new and deeper ways. That is the simple invitation Lent is giving all of us this year: make room for God and re-engage.
Staying re-engaged and connected with God, with our neighbor, with the church, with the community, with the world is an important spiritual task these days. When we find ourselves in a place of frustration, uncertainty, disappointment, discouragement, or stuckness, God invites us to make room and reconnect and re-engage with God in new ways. Let me be clear, God allows room for these emotions and feelings; but God also wants to bring us to a new place of understanding and maturity that will eventually lead to a life of more grace, justice, compassion, and love.
Many of us are still shaken by the decision of the Special General Conference that took place in St. Louis, MO. last week. Bishops, Annual Conferences, pastors, congregations, and lay people all across the United States are processing and wondering what will be the future of the United Methodist Church. No one knows for sure. But in the meantime, St. Matthew’s will remain ever committed and engaged in doing God’s work and welcoming all people. We will not retreat but re-engage in our work to make clear that we are a welcoming and inclusive congregation, especially for our LGBTQ+ siblings. The St. Matthew’s staff will work with the Administrative Council and the entire congregation to explore ways to affirm our desire to be a welcoming space for all. I’m very thankful that some of you approached me after church to offer your help in this process. We are beginning to reach out to people who can help us and as soon as we get the information, we will let you know.
Join me this Lent in making room for God and re-engage our faith in new and meaningful ways. We begin The Lenten journey today with two Ash Wednesday services, 12:15 p.m. and 7 p.m. Join us in this time of active listening, full re-engagement and immersion in God’s Love.
Yours In Christ,
Pastor Daniel Mejia