Reflection: Breaking down barriers

Response to Jesus as Healer

Andy Bartel, Lead Pastor, writes:

This past Sunday we looked at two stories of Jesus healing people with very different maladies. We learned that John Wesley - one of the founders of Methodism and inspired by the love of Jesus - cared deeply about people’s physical health and worked to remove barriers for people to experience healing. The sermon concluded with three questions:

1) What healing are you currently in need of? Have you asked God, the Great Physician, to come and heal you today?

2) Who are your neighbors in need of healing? What are the barriers preventing them from receiving the healing they so desperately need?

3) How is God inviting you, like the four, to help break down those barriers, so that health and healing and wholeness might be available to all God’s children?

Monday morning I was reading the Anchorage Daily News with these questions still swirling in my own mind when I came across an article (you can access the article here) about a man I know named Alec Kay. Alec runs with me at The Dome on Wednesday mornings with the Alaska Endurance Project. He is a physical therapist here in town. In the article, he is quoted as saying, “In Alaska, there’s a clear, financial barrier for a lot of people to accessing care, and I’d say the health of the community is less than optimal because of that.”

Recognizing the barrier, Alec acted to make a change in the community, and began a no-cost physical therapy clinic in multiple locations in the state. Because of his efforts, more than 200 Alaskans have had access to health care they otherwise might not have had. Alec said, “We have the tools to help people. And I’d just like to get more people in the door that we can help.”

This is just one example of a person identifying barriers to health for our neighbors, and doing something to remove the barrier. Perhaps you are not a medical professional who can begin a new clinic, but God has given you gifts, and talents, and resources. How can you use those to bring about healing to our Alaskan neighbors? May God grant you the grace to make it happen.

~ Pastor Andy

Betty Hertz, Lay Leader, writes:

On Sunday, Pastor Andy delivered the message about Jesus as the healer. He ended by asking us, “Who are your neighbors in need of healing? What are the barriers that are keeping them from receiving the healing they so desperately need?”

Those words echoed in my heart as I helped our unhoused neighbors at Cuddy Park on Tuesday.

I saw our friends without hats, gloves, and some even without coats or socks. All around me, I felt their survival mode. The barriers are many.

Pastor Andy next asked, “How is God inviting you, like the four, to help break down those barriers, so that health and healing and wholeness might be available to all God’s children?”

Friends, we all have closets with items we rarely use. Perhaps you have a gently used winter coat that has fallen out of style, or you just haven’t donned in years. Perhaps you have a larger rotation of winter socks you never get through before you do the next load of laundry. Perhaps you have a blanket that you just don’t need anymore. Consider bringing those items to the church this Sunday for distribution to our neighbors who desperately need these items for survival.

My prayer:  God, you share your love, grace, and forgiveness with us abundantly. Help us to respond by sharing the abundance we enjoy with our neighbors. Help us to continue to work to not only respond compassionately to our neighbors without shelter, but to work to reduce and ultimately eliminate homelessness from our city. Amen

~ Betty Hertz

Tell us, how is God moving in your heart to eliminate barriers to health for all?

Prayer for Peace

This prayer came from the “Everyone Needs a Rabbi” site. I found the words powerful. The thoughts expressed caused me to pause and pray.

~ Betty Hertz, Lay Leader

Prayer adapted from “A Prayer for Israel”

by Rabbi David Wolpe:

El Maleh Rachamim — Compassionate God,

We pray not to wipe out haters but to banish hatred.

Not to destroy sinners but to lessen sin.

Our prayers are not for a perfect world but a better one

Where parents are not bereaved by the savagery of sudden attacks

Or children orphaned by blades glinting in a noonday sun.

Help us, dear God, to have the courage to remain strong, to stand fast.

Spread your light on the dark hearts of the slayers

And your comfort to the bereaved hearts of families of the slain.

Let calm return to Your city Jerusalem, to Israel and Palestine, Your blessed land.

We grieve with those wounded in body and spirit,

Pray for the fortitude of our sisters and brothers,

And ask you to awaken the world to our struggle and help us bring peace.

Amen.

Reflection on Donation Sunday

By Betty Hertz, St. John Lay Leader

"The mission of St. John is to grow disciples of Jesus Christ …"

 We say it every Sunday, but what does it mean? Aren't disciples those 12 that Jesus chose? You know those who answered Jesus' call to "Follow me?" I used to think I wasn't holy enough to be a disciple; I was just an everyday person. But then I realized Jesus called everyday people to serve Him, and He continues to call me and you.

I saw you serving as Jesus' disciples on Donation Sunday through:

• your generous donations of snack items and winter clothing for our unhoused sisters and brothers filling Rooms 120 and 121;

• your loving hands (young and old) assembling over 400 snack bags;

• your financial donations making purchases of hand warmers, underwear, emergency blankets, and much more possible.

 The idea of Donation Sunday came from some St. John members who went to the 3rd and Ingra encampment every Tuesday this summer. They handed out supplies during the Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness pop-up event. This activity led to discussing our neighbors' needs with the St. John Mission and Outreach Committee. The committee agreed to make the first Sunday of every month Donation Sunday, giving everyone a chance to "love and serve our neighbors."

While Donation Sunday happens only once a month, you are welcome to bring items any time or donate to the Unhoused Neighbor Fund. Even if the elimination of encampments happens, the shelters will be full and need our support. Whatever you donate will be distributed to our neighbors.

A prayer written by Mother Teresa from UMH, p. 446:

Make us worthy, Lord,

To serve those throughout the world who live and die in poverty or hunger.

Give then, through our hands, this day their daily bread.

And by our understanding love,

Give peace and joy.

Amen.

Reflection on Romans 14:19

By Betty Hertz, St. John Lay Leader

“So let’s strive for the things that bring peace and the things that build each other up.”

I heard 70+ enthusiastic VBS kids say this verse loud enough to raise the St. John roof! As often happens, I felt God’s thump on my head and heard this message: “Betty, how have you been doing with the words the children shared?”  God knew I needed a course correction.

I have been part of the Anchorage Assembly’s  Task Force on Sanctioned Allowed Campgrounds for the past few weeks. My frustration level increased at each session. Community members and nonprofit representatives shared creative solutions and developed well-thought-out plans. BUT the political process moved slowly and, at times, didn’t seem to be moving at all. I kept thinking about the unsheltered in our community whose basic needs weren’t being met. I wanted to scream, “Don’t you see Anchorage has a health and safety crisis?”

Did you hear me grumbling? Perhaps you mistakenly asked me how things were going and then listened to my ranting. When I heard Romans 14:19, I realized my thinking and grumbling weren’t bringing peace to my soul - much less I wasn’t building anyone up.

Then I accepted the reality – without a miracle - the resolution of the allowed camping issue won’t happen this summer. So, I asked myself, what can I do that will I build up others? I will seek out the volunteers already helping at the various camps and join them in their mission work. Of course, as I discover ways to help, I will share specific needs with my compassionate St. John family members.

Caring God,

Thank you for the wisdom of your words heard through the voices of our children.

Just as you give us unconditional love, guide us in ways to share that love with our unsheltered community members.

Help us find ways to build up each person we meet.

Give us strength to be disciples joyfully sharing your light.

In your beloved son’s name,

Amen

Reflection: Bread, Light, Shepherd, Vine, Way, Resurrection, Life

By Betty Hertz, St. John Lay Leader

What's in a name? The Gospel of John

As a result of studying the I AM statements this Lent, my image of Jesus has become clearer … Bread, Light, Shepherd, Vine, Way, Resurrection, Life. Each element has caused me to pause and think about what part each one plays in my spiritual life. To close out this reflection series, I am sharing Rob Fuquay's litany in The God We Can Know Study Guide, p. 45.

Challenge:       Just as God spoke to Moses, God wants to speak to us. Let us open our hearts to God who wants to be known and who says.

Response:       "I AM WHO I AM."

Challenge:       When life pressures us to care more for things than for God, remember that Jesus said,

Response:       "I am the Bread of Life. Come to me and never be hungry."

Challenge:       When we feel puzzled about which choices are right, we can ask for guidance from the one who said,

Response:       "I am the Light of the World."

Challenge:       When we feel vulnerable and lost, remember that we are continually being sought by the one who said,

Response:       "I am the Good Shepherd and the Gate. Come to me."

Challenge:       When we feel powerless and weary, we can find power offered to us by the one who said,

Response:       "I am the True Vine. Abide in me."

Challenge:       When we wonder who's in and who's out with God, we can find reassurance in the grace embodied in Jesus who welcomed all,

Response:       "I am the Way. Follow me."

Challenge:       When we face loss and pain, we can find hope in the one who promised us renewed and abundant life, saying,

Response:       "I am the Resurrection and the Life. Live in me."

My prayer for you:

Beloved Redeemer,

Open our hearts and guide us when we feel:

Pressured,

Puzzled,

Vulnerable,

Weary,

Grace-less,

Pained.

Help us hear the reassuring words Jesus spoke.

Remind us we can find peace when we rest in your loving arms.

Renew us daily.

In Jesus' name. Amen.