We are pleased to welcome Rev. Landon Bogan, who has joined us as a Parish Associate to St. John’s. He and our other Parish Associate, Rev Deb McGuire, with approval of our session and the Presbytery, connect with us in order to be supported spiritually and also find different avenues to express their gifts, perhaps untapped in their other professional responsibilities. The position of Parish Associate is not a “called” position to a church, but is a minister who serves in some validated ministry other than the local parish, or is a member-at-large, or is retired, who wishes to maintain a relationship with a particular church in keeping with ordination as a teaching elder in ministry. This relation is established, upon nomination by the pastor, between the parish associate, the session, and the presbytery and is responsible to the pastor, as head of staff, on an ‘as needed, as available’ basis and without remuneration.

As a Supervisor in the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc. and ordained minister (PCUSA), Landon teaches spiritual care at an academic medical center where he provides specialized training for clergy and laypeople from all faiths. Landon and his wife Amy have lived in San Francisco since 2003, where they have had three children.  He enjoys nature hikes and city walks, and is grateful to join the community of St. John’s.

When asked about his intent, interest or hopes for St. John’s, Landon said “Coming to St. John’s was not my own decision, it was a family decision. We were first drawn to the way children were intentionally welcomed and engaged in all aspects of community life at St. John’s, including and probably especially in worship. We saw that this was a place where our children could creatively explore the life of faith in community. We have already formed meaningful relationships at St. John’s and I have hopes of continuing to discover what it means to live into this family. I also recognize that as a minister it is a rare opportunity to attend church as a family, worshipping together on Sundays and serving together as members of the faith community. I see this as a precious gift at this time in our lives and cherish it very much.”

Welcome Tradition at Christmas

Our culture suddenly becomes quite traditional at this time of year. Memories come flooding back. Carols remind us of times and places, evoking pleasure and pain, comfort and grief. Many would love the “feeling” to last for ever, while others would prefer it to be over as quickly as possible.

Tradition can mean slowing down our pace of life to appreciate the values we say we all hold accessible, sharing them with our co-workers and children. Our most radical thoughts turn to jelly when we hear carols, our resistance to anything spiritual crumbles with lights and decorations. We suddenly soften to everything sentimental. We are brought to our knees by a God in diapers. We no longer quibble with the possibility of harmony and peace with those with whom we normally scorn.

So is tradition a kind of temporary insanity, a lack of rationality or a mind-numbing drug? Or can tradition be a guide to something that lies at the core of us, something we long for, some place where we can abide where we can rest, no longer question, no further feel defeated. I have mixed feelings about tradition. I don’t want to be dumbed down; I want all my critical faculties intact. And yet I want to be at home with the one who knows what my core is all about and with others who I know at that same core, share the same longing for joy as I.

Tradition invites us to take our spiritual temperatures. For those who prefer to be spiritual on their own, rather than have an affiliation with others who wish also to be faithful, Christmas is a chance to stick one’s toe in without jumping into the ocean. The fear of spiritually drowning is a powerfully motivating force that discourages many from like-minded participation.

We carry on without ever thinking of what tradition is all about or questioning its senseless perpetuation. It can be mindless repetition or an approach to remember the significant. You, who find this a time that makes sense and resonates throughout your year and life, are a present to those who find tradition an eccentricity or conundrum. You are the ongoing peace for them as they find that at its heart, tradition speaks of an intangible reality. It is part of you, underneath the tinsel, flash and rush for all who choose, to see.

Perhaps we should be wary too of Biblical quotations and the meaning given to them. We need to all do some truth checking ourselves. Even beyond quotes, the “truth” we need to check is the source called the Spirit, yes, that active, vibrant, imaginative presence of God that honors us, letting us personally discern without all those other loud, “authoritative” voices, so we can become the director of our own conscience.

Don’t let anyone tell you how to think, to vote, to experience God. God has given each of us the freedom to check the source.

>>>>>

Speaking of freedom of thought and voice, looking at some of those who taking part in the “occupy” movement, we may be suspicious. They look like they are happy not to work, to live off others or to cause chaos. Why do we seem to find the excuse to dismiss the whole when labeling a few. Where do we get off even assessing (nice word for judging) those who may not be able to cope. Perhaps we fall into that tendency of many in the Bible who dismiss Jesus for hanging out with those who are on the edge, those who don’t fit or perhaps don’t even want to fit. And perhaps we fall into that other tendency in the Bible that blames those who are without for being their only problem. We say they deserve whatever situation they’re in.  So, I guess the flip side is that we deserve our own situation? These anti-community, anti-responsible remarks are ones we fall into, because they let us off the hook from understanding, from action, from communal vision. God is present with our “occupy” brothers and sisters. May God occupy us.

I hope the occupy movement is here to stay – we need a revolution!

>>>>>

Speaking of revolutions, Ephesians 2 says, “Jesus is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us…. that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace…So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God.” If it sounds revolutionary, it is. It was when Paul of the Bible said it to the early Jesus followers. It is for us know. Yet many Christianists are maintaining the dividing walls, working not for peace but for dominance, not for community but for success. They encourage a corporate greed that believes walls, barriers are useful capitalist practices, so only a few can participate in what is good about this country. Those who lower walls are suspected of being anti-competitive. If we make loans easier for people in trouble, provide good education for all, try to understand the other’s faith perspective, how will we know who the genuinely preeminent are.

What if everyone got the same salary for whatever they loved doing, every child had access to the same education, each person had the right to the same health insurance. If God envisions no barriers, how can we, no, how dare we?

Where is your interest in wall maintenance / destruction these days?

Our congregation, so open, vulnerable, sensitive and sharing, works hard to welcome others along their faith journey wherever they may be. We are place where we are all learning, where we model for each other how to question, cope, struggle, grieve and celebrate. We have a history too of modeling for seminary interns, providing a place where they can see and reflect upon ministry that is relevant, thoughtful and exciting. We are a unique place, I hope you know that. Our elders have invited another intern to share with us and learn from us, for the next two years. Ryan will not be paid, except with our gifts of openness, challenge and encouragement. When he leaves us, he will have had a healthy kick-start into understanding what ministry is about. We’ll give him practical tools, experiences and conversations that will serve him well into his future. I thank you for your generosity to Ryan. Together we will have an impact upon the future of Christ’s body, more than we imagine.

Here is Ryan introducing himself:

“I grew up in Great Falls, MT in an ecumenical household. My father (Jim) was Catholic, and my mother (Kathy) is Presbyterian. We are a very close family, and I have three siblings; an older Sister (Veta), older brother (Victor), and a younger sister (Maggie). I have attended Sunrise Presbyterian in Great Falls since the age of 5, and was active in my youth group until my  sophomore year of high school, and recall wonderful Summers at Glacier Presbyterian Camp on Flathead Lake, nestled in the mountains in North Western Montana.

My college years were spent at the University of Montana in Missoula,  MT wrestling with God and trying to push the creator away, but God always has plans of his own. When I was near graduation, I experienced one of those still small voice moments like Elijah and this spark created a flicker that turned into the flame that is my passion for God today. God has a way of always calling us back, and she always gets her way.

Upon returning to Great Falls after graduation I became much more active in my home church of Sunrise, teaching Sunday school, volunteering as the youth activities coordinator and a table parent for our “Logos” program, helping my pastor Tim Lanham teach confirmation class, and becoming an elder.

During this time I was also training my body and mind for Officer Candidate School in the United States Marine Corps.  In my search for a source of income to pay off my undergraduate degree I found the officer program and after a bit of research, and a trip to the officer selection office in Spokane, WA, I was on my way to becoming an officer in the Marine Corps. In the Fall of 2004 I was accepted to Officer Candidate Class 188 on an aviation contract. In January of 2005 I said goodbye to my youth group, and traveled across the country to Quantico, but my heart was heavy as I travelled. The week before as I filled out the novel of pre-ship paperwork I was presented with a form regarding conscientious objection. I had never thought of this before, being so tied up in everything else, I never considered the question, could I take another human’s life? This question remained, and shortly into my training I dropped form the program on request.

Within two weeks of returning to Great Falls, I was back helping to lead the youth group, and it was just in time to find out about a ski retreat at my old summer camp, now called Glacier Camp and Conference center. I chaperoned the trip, and fell in love with the camp again, so much so that I returned that summer, and the next, as a counselor. During this time, I was working on my MBA and this made a conversation I had with the camp director even more difficult. I sat in his office one day discussing ministry and call and knew that God was calling me into his service. I loved the youth of the church, I loved Jesus, and was starting to understand God’s desire to have me serve her by serving her people.  All though I finally understood this, that doesn’t mean I jumped right into it. I was still finishing a degree I didn’t want to give up, I was paying off loans for said degree, and I wanted a job where I could take care of these with ease, and I kept questioning God, whether he really wanted me for this role. I spent three years going back and forth with God, but as she tends to do, she won, and I began looking at seminaries.

In the Spring of 2008 I visited San Francisco Theological Seminary, and it was clear that this is where I would receive my MDiv. I spent the next year and a half taking a chunk out of my student loans and in the Fall of 2009 began studies at SFTS. During this time between my giving in to God’s call, and starting seminary my understanding of my call matured.  God made it clear through those around me that I grew up in a military town (Great Falls hosts Malmstrom Air Force Base), saw the effects of military service on many of my friends both positive and negative, and went through the training for the Marine Corps for a reason. My service was not to be a youth minister as I had thought, but to serve the spiritual needs of our men and women in uniform as they face the struggles of some of the most stressful, demanding, and difficult occupations one can imagine.

In June of this year (2011) I was commissioned as an Ensign in the Navy Reserve as a Chaplain Candidate Program Officer which will give me the opportunity to shadow chaplains carrying out this wonderful ministry, and learn how to better serve the spiritual needs of all our sea service members (navy, Marines, Coast Guard) regardless of their religious background.

I look forward to the next two years as your intern, and can’t wait to share in your joys of Christian fellowship. When I was searching for an internship site, God made the decision easy when I attended St. John’s for the first time late in 2010; from the second I entered the building I felt very comfortable, I felt safe, and God spoke through you the congregation making me feel welcome and comfortable. Thank you for your Gracious invitation, God will do wonderful things through this church.”

“I will Praise you O Lord with all of my heart, I will tell of all your wonders.”  –Psalm 9:1

Ryan Schlimgen

A couple of Sundays ago we had fun attempting to answer some
of the questions that we often ask as people of faith. Jesus loved questions,
asking them a lot – sometimes even answering them. Pastor Theresa and I took
turns pretending to know something. We got to some of the questions that you
offered in confidence during worship, like why God allows bad stuff, what
following Jesus means, the uniqueness of being Presbyterian and respecting
folks of other faith traditions. I thought I’d take a crack at the others that
you submitted. I hope you have a chance to wrestle with these on your own.

How is the prophecy of
Revelation is playing out in today’s current times?

Revelation is so full of images and metaphors it takes on a
new life for every era. Prophecy traditionally does not tell us what is to
come, like a soothsayer, but tells us about our God relationship , consistent
in every time and place. There is no five-day forecast as to what’s ahead, only
a reminder that we tend to forget about how God seeks to live out God’s purpose
in us, human to human, loving one other, providing peace and justice for each
other as an act of our love for God. God’s household is not coming closer in
space and time, it has always been imminent, close at hand, on earth as it is
in heaven. What timing God has in mind is unknown, and even thinking in terms
of time (chronos) seems inadequate in the context of God eternal (kairos).

Where is God in
protecting children from atrocities (it is the one thing that makes me wonder
if there’s a possibility God does not exist)?

It’s really a question about why God lets us get away with
murder. Sometimes we can reason away bead things happening to adults, because
they may not be so innocent as do children. Elie Wiesel, at the age of 14, when
in a German prison camp watched his fellow Jews being hung found his answer to
where is God, as he experienced God saying to him, “I am here, on the scaffold,
amidst the suffering.” That may not be very satisfying to us. Perhaps it is the
helplessness we feel do be effective., make a difference. Perhaps it is our anger
with our fellow humans who are in positions of authority and could change
things. Perhaps it is our own shame for not doing what we can in our own area
of impact.

Nephilim: 1. angels
& human women, 2 royalty & human women or other?

There are 2 fairly obscure references in the Hebrew
scriptures for this group of beings. The Nephilim were intimidating enough to
scare the Israelites away from their desire to enter the promised land. They no
doubt were a tall race and when fear became part of the equation they appeared as
giants. They represent one more excuse that the Israelites had from wanting to enter
the land God gave then for safety and plenty, and they remind us of our own
excuses to think God will abandon us, when we feel powerless.

The lord’s prayer says
“forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.” Does this mean we
must forgive others to be forgiven?

If we seek forgiveness without forgiving others, it seems a
bit one-way and disingenuous, doesn’t it? We feel awfully self-indulgent when
we’re always on the receiving end, don’t we? I don’t think God calls us to put
our gives and our takes on a scale to see if they balance out. I do think that
our capacity to forgive others enhances our ability to receive and live into
God’s forgiveness and acceptance. Certainly God accepts us as we are, and yet
we may find it difficult to accept ourselves when our hurts and resentments
color how we view ourselves. God seeks our healing, the healing that comes with
the forgiveness of others, especially when they don’t deserve it. Forgiveness
has nothing to do with deserving or earning, otherwise where would you and I
be?

What does the phrase “walking
with Jesus” mean?

This phrase is not from the Bible so it’s a bit up for
grabs. It could refer to feeling an intimacy, a closeness with Jesus, like one
would hiking along a journey. It may mean to do as Jesus did, although, I
wouldn’t endorse anything with nails. It may refer to a familiarity with his
vision and perspective about how God sees humanity and individuals. Someone
might think of Jesus following wherever they go or following Jesus wherever he
goes – who’s leading and who’s following? The danger of Jesus being so close is
we think he is at our beck and call. The joy of his closeness is the sense of God’s
presence in real, loving flesh, calling us to be real and loving to others in
the flesh.

I took a day off and missed Sunday worship to go to and be in the SF Pride parade. I had never watched it “live” before, and as they were saying it may be the last in SF, due to financial straits, I thought I better go now. I also wanted to walk with the many other Christian denominations in
the parade to celebrate the church’s welcome, as Christ’s body and presence in the world, open to all of God’s people.

I knew our position as a group was near last in the parade and so I stood on a corner watching until our time to step into the parade came. I was thrilled to see so many other St.  Johns’ folks in the parade; for their child’s school, for a government department, running for political office or a corporation. I was amazed at the expressions of pride, some of which would certainly not be allowed even on US Air! But I won’t go into details, but let’s just say I saw things that made me blush. I was reminded of God’s creativity at making each person different, not confined to our image, what we would create, but in God’s glorious image. My imagination of what God is up to in all our lives was indeed stretched. I had a special sense of God’s presence as I witnessed the freedom and acceptance of almost everyone along the parade route. I watched the children, unsophisticated and receptive; enjoy the diversity, colors and enthusiasm of openness, with encouraging parents willing to take on the questions they no doubt heard on their way home.

After we entered the parade, the response we received along the route was interesting; some were surprised, others were thrilled, while others were nonplussed. I’m guessing that almost no one along the route knew, nor cared, that only a month earlier our denomination ended a 33 year debate over ordaining lesbians and gays, by approving it or that our “mother” church, the Church of Scotland approved a similar measure. They weren’t interested in our understanding of scripture, our integrity or our struggle. They were interested in whether they were loved – what God says about them and what we say to them. Hopefully they heard enough to know that they are
accepted and loved. We were shouting the good news. We hope they heard. How terrifying it must be to go to a church that historically has demonized you, or said in essence “we will love you, only if you change to fit our way of thinking.”

We carried a banner that said “Presbyterian.” I’m sure many had never heard that strange name before. It certainly didn’t tell the whole story of the good news, nor was it meant to. That’s not what parades are about. They tell only a bit of the story. The rest is up to you and me, in our
encounters, our smiles, glances of the eye, our manner of acceptance our open, engaging questions and sharing our story. You, me, we’re all part of the historical parade of good news that Jesus calls us to strut in, to shout, wave, carry a balloon and ride on a float. Ok, I better stop. I’m taking the metaphor a bit too far. But you catch my drift.

So it wasn’t just a parade, but a presence of God’s possibilities in us, for us. God walked down Market Street on Sunday! So I didn’t miss worship after all.

Last week the Crystal Cathedral, Hour of Power, founded by Rev Robert Schuller 60 year ago in Orange County, California after filing for bankruptcy, sold its property. It has an incredible sanctuary designed by the late, great architect Philip Johnson – an incredible sanctuary of glass, towering upward. I had been there a number of times and was struck by its grandeur. This was the first “mega-church”. It started in a drive-in theater and catapulted, along with the population, as orange groves were replaced by homes. So much of change for churches is about the demographics of the area. Now the cathedral is surrounded by malls, office space and elderly who are less mobile. To watch the cycle of this church with its expensive buildings, elaborate cemetery, statuary, pageant productions, personalities in the pulpit and founding pastor struggling to pass on the legacy to his children, is heartbreaking. How easily any church can believe too much in itself, grand strategies and successes, and rely too little on God’s desire to attend to those who are struggling, who lack for justice and peace. It’s easy to say, but hard to live. On the wall behind my desk is a photo of a church, which closed and was turned into a petrol station in England. Ironically, the church’s name was St. John’s. I keep that picture to remind me that God’s plans are beyond what we may only momentarily catch a glimpse of, and anytime we think we have THE PLAN to be church, we have another think coming.

Also, on Tuesday night, as a presbytery we voted on overture 10A, an overture that was approved at our 2010 General Assembly. The process here is that a majority of our 173 presbyteries in our national church must also vote in favor of this overture in order for it to be ratified and therefore officially part of our Book of order, our church’s constitution. The old language from 1996, which intended to prohibit lesbians and gays from being ordained as lay leaders and ministers was, “Those who are called to office in the church are to lead a life in obedience to Scripture and in conformity to the historic confessional standards of the church. Among these standards is the requirement to live either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman or chastity in singleness. Persons refusing to repent of any self acknowledged practice which the confessions call sin shall not be ordained and/or installed as deacons, elders, or ministers of the Word and Sacrament.”

If at least 87 presbyteries approve, the new language will become, “Standards for ordained service reflect the church’s desire to submit joyfully to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in all aspects of life. The governing body responsible for ordination and/or installation shall examine each candidate’s calling, gifts, preparation, and suitability for the responsibilities of office. The examination shall include, but not be limited to, a determination of the candidate’s ability and commitment to fulfill all requirements as expressed in the constitutional questions for ordination and installation. Governing bodies shall be guided by Scripture and the confessions in applying standards to individual candidates.” the Presbytery of San Francisco voted to affirm the passage of this amendment. After 50 minutes of thoughtful and gracious debate, the vote was 198 in favor, 143 against, so this overture passed in our presbytery.

The proposed amendment affirms the need for ethical standards shaping the whole of life of the church. It maintains that reasonable regulation applied fairly by governing bodies of the church strengthens the Body of Christ. It also recognizes the sacred responsibility for discernment of the readiness for ordination that lies with the local governing bodies. This amendment allows examining bodies to treat every candidate as a unique child of God, whose sense of call and fitness for ministry must be considered in a case-by-case manner. By deleting the current language and offering replacement language, a narrow focus on sexual sins is removed. The PC(USA) has no consensus in the interpretation of Scripture on many issues including questions of sexuality and sexual practice. When convictions about important issues are so different, and so firmly-held, our long-standing Presbyterian commitment to freedom of conscience and mutual forbearance is vital to maintaining our fellowship: “That, while under the conviction of the above principle we think it necessary to make effectual provision that all who are admitted as teachers be sound in the faith, we also believe that there are truths and forms with respect to which men of good characters and principles may differ. And in all these we think it the duty both of private Christians and societies to exercise mutual forbearance toward each other.”(Book of Order, G-1.0305)

While Theresa and I, as well as our leadership support this change, there may be some at St. John’s who do not. It is important that we honor our diversity, love those who may disagree with us, acknowledge that God alone is lord of the conscience and that we all seek to be faithful to Jesus Christ.

We continue to pray for all whom in other presbyteries will be voting in the next few weeks. If you go to the Covenant Network  you can track the voting on 10A. It looks like the decision will be made very soon. Keep watching and praying, no matter what happens we’ll get to a new place.

All ministry in the Church is a gift from Jesus Christ. Members and leaders alike serve mutually under the mandate of Christ who is the chief minister of all. Christ’s ministry is the basis of all ministries; the standard for all offices is the pattern of the one who came “not to be served but to serve.” (Matthew 20.28)

St. John’s nominating team is now accepting nominations for elders and deacons. Those called to these ministries are ordained for life, and normally serve a 3 year term. Our leadership of elders and deacons make up of 5 ministry areas — Compassion, Celebration, Commitment, Community and Connection.

The Book of Order states the duties of elders and deacons are:
Deacons: The office of deacon as set forth in Scripture is one of sympathy, witness and service after the example of Jesus Christ. Deacons are the eyes and ears of the congregation, keeping the pulse of the congregation’s desires and needs at attention. They also assist in implementing their specific team’s task and responsibility.
Deacons focus on the individual needs within the congregation

Elders: As there was in Old Testament times, elders for the government of the people, so the New Testament provided persons with particular gifts to share in governing and ministry. It is the duty of elders to communicate the outreach and vision of St. John’s to the congregation. Together with the pastors, they encourage the people in worship and service to God, equip and renew them for their tasks within the Church and for their mission in the world.
Elders focus on the big picture direction for the congregation.

Nomination Qualifications to consider:
• Commitment to Jesus Christ
• Member of St. John’s & committed to St. John’s Vision
• Regular habit of prayer and Bible study
• Stewardship commitment in time, talents and treasures
• Works well with others, open to new ideas, follows through

I think about the many bible studies marketed that seek to squeeze every nuance out of every literal word and urge its memorization so one may be fully “successful” in faith. This sounds good, except that it feeds people the information they don’t really need. I have a friend who has been a leader in one of these bible studies for over 15 years, weekly conducting folks verse by verse, lecturing them with what the study authors say they should believe. They are encouraged to learn about, without personally engaging the text.

Perhaps what they learn changes their lives, maybe it equips them see differently or to feel comfort. I wonder if hearts change, if their faith becomes action, if justice is done, if it makes a difference in the lives around them, family, friends, co-workers, the hungry, the refugee, the oppressed and the prisoner. There are different ways of learning, I know. And we all have different needs to understand. I would hope that we not so much know about the bible as to having a personal encounter with the person of Jesus Christ, with whom we can only deeply understand through the bible, as it speaks personally and uniquely to each of us, by the Holy Spirit.

Henry Drummond, the 19th century lecturer in physics and lay preacher, talked of the danger of us becoming spiritually obese. In an era of super-sizing with fast-food, we can do the same by over consuming-spiritually. The cure for this is to act on our faith, so that we then become truly hungry and differentiate for appropriate, healthy spiritual replenishment.

St. John’s has had tremendous response toward the goal of 100% commitment to action in whatever way we each choose. As each member expresses their faith in engaging in the lives of others, they seek to have their faith nurtured. Discovering our hunger as a result of our giving to others, reminds us also of their hunger for God as well. Let’s push ourselves to love dramatically, do justice flamboyantly and celebrate gratefully, so that it causes us to have hunger pangs for being nourished by Jesus.